2 teachers' unions ask school boards to ensure safety for staff ahead of total solar eclipse

As the April 8 total solar eclipse gets closer, unions are asking employers to make sure they'll keep workers safe.

In Hamilton that day, the sun will be completely hidden for about two minutes starting at 3:18 p.m., according to the Canadian Space Agency. However, it will be at least partially covered from about 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Unions representing Hamilton elementary and Catholic school teachers are waiting to hear plans from their respective school boards.

The boards moved their professional activity/development days to keep kids at home during the eclipse. 

In a press release at the end of January announcing the move, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) said the  timing of the event would present "a concern for school dismissal" and "these events can pose potential risks and severe damage to eyesight if proper precautions are not taken."

The board said the day was shifted "to support the safety and well-being of students, staff and families."

That left union leaders wondering what plans there were for teachers. 

"If it's not safe for children, then it's not safe for adults," Jeff Sorensen, Hamilton-Wentworth Elementary Teachers' Local union president, said.

Josh Mamer, president of the local Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association president, said he offered his board suggestions including having teachers work from home, having them work in-person but start and end earlier or explore hybrid options.

The Catholic school board declined an interview and said in a statement from chair Pat Daly that the board has solar eclipse glasses for staff and students. The HWDSB, Hamilton's public school board, also declined an interview and said staff are "aware" operations will continue as planned, adding that employees will be told on Thursday about measures they can take during the eclipse.

Protections for outdoor workers

But workers who have to spend much of their day outdoors will be around the sun more.

A webpage from the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association says supervisors need to tell workers looking at the sun without special protection could damage their retina due to the radiation. 

"They will not feel pain and should be aware that their eyes' natural protective mechanisms will not adequately protect them," the webpage says.

It offers tips including avoiding looking at the sun, scheduling tasks indoors and to prepare for the dark period during the eclipse by ensuring proper lighting, wearing high visibility clothing and using headlights while driving.

David Adames, chief executive officer of Niagara Parks, told CBC Hamilton he's expecting lots of visitors on April 8 and the days prior.

He said Niagara Parks will have full staffing over the weekend and on the day of the eclipse to host events like a mobile planetarium at the Niagara Parks Power Station, science programs for kids at the Table Rock Centre and more.

The full safety plan for staff that day is in the works, he said, but all staff and visitors will get glasses that would allow them to safely see the eclipse.

"It'll be all hands on deck," Adames said.