FILE: EBB-R
Cf: EBB
SAFETY PROGRAM REGULATIONS
Accidents are undesirable, unplanned occurrences which can be prevented and which often result in bodily harm, loss of school time, property damage, possible expensive legal action and even death. Thus, it shall be the policy of the Sabine Parish School Board to take every reasonable precaution for the safety of the students, employees, visitors and all others having business with this School Board. The School Board believes that safety education and accident prevention are important to everyone concerned with our schools, not only as a protective measure during school hours, but also as an instructional means of developing an appropriate mode of behavior to minimize accidents at all times.
The responsibility of developing the total safety program shall be delegated to a competent, professional staff person who shall be directly responsible to the Superintendent. He/she shall be provided with staff, time, budget, authority and title commensurate with the task. This staff person, acting in an advisory capacity to all heads of major units within the District, shall be responsible for the promotion and development of an aggressive loss prevention and safety education program for all students and professional and non-professional personnel employed by the School Board.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
The objective of a school board safety program is to prevent accidents and minimize their consequences, and to reduce the frequency and severity of injuries. While all employees of a school board must assume responsibility for safety within the system, the Superintendent or his/her designee must be responsible for coordinating and administering each loss prevention program. The person responsible for such loss prevention administration with the school district shall be designated the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds.
TRAINING
Each new employee of the Sabine Parish School System shall be given a safety training session by his/her immediate supervisor before beginning work. Employees who transfer into different jobs or take new work areas, or who have not had previous safety training in his/her position shall also be trained by immediate supervisors.
In addition, instruction shall be given as to the use of proper personal safety equipment that might be needed and where it can be located.
The Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds shall train those persons in supervisory positions in the areas of safety meetings, accident report and investigating, training methods and leadership skills.
ACCIDENT REPORTING
Accurate and timely reporting of all accidents is essential to effective loss control. The reports provide the information necessary to determine what loss control measures need to be implemented.
The Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds shall provide all schools and other school board operational units forms for use in reporting all accidents. These forms will be carefully explained to all appropriate personnel, who will be trained in the proper use of the accident reporting forms.
The injuries or illness of an employee must be reported to his/her supervisor or principal. That person shall investigate the illness or injury and submit a written report to the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds at the Sabine Parish School Board Office. A copy of the report is to be kept in the supervisor's or principal's file.
If the employee is absent from work for seven (7) consecutive days, a second report on Form LWC-WC IA-1 (Louisiana Workforce Commission, Workers' Compensation - Employers First Report of Injury or Illness) must be completed by the supervisor or principal and submitted to the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds. He/she must keep a copy of the report.
After the employee returns to work, the supervisor or principal must complete the "Employer's Supplemental Report of Injury" and submit it to the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, keeping a copy of the report.
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
An accident within the school context is an unexpected event that interferes with the orderly process of education or related activity.
The primary reason for investigating an accident is to provide accurate information so that the proper action can be initiated to prevent the accident from occurring again. Whenever an accident occurs, one is expected to recommend the proper remedial measures to prevent that same accident cause from reoccurring.
The investigation of accidents is a responsibility which normally must be accomplished in addition to the routine supervisory duties. Accuracy should not be sacrificed for the sake of speed, as inaccurate information can be more damaging than no information. An orderly systematic process is required if the results are to justify the effort expended.
There are certain key facts which must be determined or separated from information which can be obtained from the accident scene, the injured employee, witnesses or co-workers. Information should be gathered from anyone who has facts to contribute; however, the investigator must appreciate the difference between facts and assumptions. The numerous motivations for slanting or emphasizing particular facts should be considered.
The use of judgment and the ability to ask the right questions are skills which can be learned. Listening to what is said and how it is said is another helpful skill in any investigation and especially true in accident investigations. Basic human nature makes it difficult for most people to admit causing an accident. This is particularly true when instructions are not followed. It is also embarrassing for some people to admit they do not know the correct way to accomplish a task. A great deal of tact, persistence and knowledge of human behavior is helpful to the supervisor/accident investigator.
It is suggested that the following sequence of events be followed. The Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds or appropriate supervisor should:
VISIT the accident scene before interviewing any witnesses. He/she should observe the placement of materials, housekeeping, general layout. It may be advantageous to make a rough sketch of the area for future reference.
SOLICIT information from witnesses or co-workers. Even if no one saw the accident, find out what they saw or heard before or after the accident. A supervisor will frequently discover shortages in materials or tools or repairs which employees have failed to report through normal channels.
DISCUSS the accident with the injured person as soon as possible, but do not delay necessary medical attention. Ask the injured person for a meeting upon return from the doctor's office or call if unable to meet. A written statement from the injured party is desirable, but reporting should not be delayed if the injured person is unavailable or refuses to provide a written statement.
SAFETY MEETINGS
Safety meetings shall be held periodically by each of the various departments and schools. All employees shall be required to attend. These meetings shall be held to discuss safety procedures, to review accidents that have occurred throughout the school system, and to consider ways to avoid such accidents. A record shall be kept showing the topic discussed, date, presenter, and names of the persons attending the meetings.
EMPLOYEE SAFETY
A safe working environment can only be achieved if all employees strive to create and maintain such an atmosphere. It should be the responsibility of each employee to:
Make safety the first consideration in every employment situation.
Accept the responsibility for his/her own safety and for the safety of those employees under his/her supervision.
Abide by all safety procedures as prescribed in this safety manual.
Use protective clothing and devices when necessary.
Use only tools that are in good safe working condition.
Remain on the job assigned and do not distract other employees.
Refrain from all forms of pranks or horseplay.
Report unsafe practices or work conditions promptly to immediate supervisor.
Report all accidents promptly to immediate supervisor.
All administrators and supervisors are given time and attention in regards to the safety program and policies outlined in this manual. It is only through constant effort and employee training, particularly new employee orientation, that each school board can obtain a high degree of job proficiency and a low accident rate.
No new employee should ever initially be assigned work without first being thoroughly briefed on pertinent safety regulations by his immediate supervisor. If the work assignment is to be particularly hazardous (i.e., maintenance shops, food service areas) the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds or his/her designee should discuss safety regulations with the new employee to assure that he has been thoroughly briefed on all safety policies.
Each employee of the Sabine Parish School Board shall be given a copy of safety rules relevant to that position. The rules shall be short, concise, and simple. The rules shall be enforced, and are to be followed by each employee.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities of Building and Grounds Personnel
Maintaining an overall safety program in maintenance and operation of buildings and grounds.
Providing specialized assistance as requested by building principals.
Responsibilities of Building Principals
Scheduling regular inspections.
Posting required state and federal safety regulations and maintaining appropriate safety records.
Arranging the correction of defects reported to them by employees in the building either by using building personnel, or requesting assistance from the central office.
Cooperating in the correcting of defects reported by the central office or other governmental agencies.
Notifying the fire department any time a fire, regardless of size, takes place in a building.
Designating smoking areas in the buildings.
Responsibilities of Other Employees
Reporting promptly to the principal of the school or immediate supervisor any defects in buildings, grounds, or equipment that might prove injurious to the safety, health or comfort of employees, students or other persons.
Taking reasonable precaution for the safe use of buildings, grounds and equipment by students.
Responsibilities of Students
Not abusing or misusing any safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets, alarm systems, etc.
False setting of the fire alarms shall be considered grounds for expulsion from school and/or the school shall file a complaint in adult court or a petition in juvenile court in accordance with fire marshal regulations or city or state laws.
Misuse of the fire alarm system, fire extinguishers or other fire protection equipment may be considered grounds for expulsion and/or the school may file a complaint in adult court or a petition in juvenile court in accordance with fire marshal regulations or city or state laws.
Setting a fire in the building or on the school grounds shall be considered grounds for school expulsion. The school shall file a complaint in adult court or a petition in juvenile court in accordance with fire marshal regulations and city and state laws.
Reporting promptly to the principal of the school or immediate supervisor any defects in buildings, grounds, or equipment that might prove injurious to the safety, health, or comfort of employees, students, or other persons.
Responsibilities of Other Individuals Utilizing the Building
Not abusing or misusing any safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets, alarm systems, etc.
Reporting promptly to the principal of the school or immediate supervisor any defects in buildings, grounds, or equipment that might prove injurious to the safety, health, or comfort of employees, students, or other persons.
RULES
School Personnel
Falls are the most common classroom and office accident. Caution must be used in avoiding falls from being in a rush.
Floors, stairs and sidewalks are common areas of employee injuries. Proceed with care.
Avoid strain and exertion in trying to move objects. Get assistance when attempting to move machines, supplies, office furniture, heavy books or other loads.
Never stand on unsafe objects for gaining elevation.
Do not lean back in chairs.
Avoid sudden or awkward movement such as reaching, stretching, twisting, bending down or straightening up.
Do not use any electrical equipment not in good working order.
School Food Service Safety Rules
Report unsafe conditions to your supervisor immediately.
Be sure you know how to do your job properly.
Use a ladder when it is necessary to reach high places.
Don't try to lift objects that are too heavy. Get help. Briefly, the right way to lift is as follows:
Get a good footing.
Bend at the knees to grasp the object.
Keep the back straight and as nearly upright as possible.
Get a firm hold.
Lift gradually by straightening the legs, keeping the back upright.
Dress properly for the job to avoid accidents that might be caused by improper clothes.
Keep floors as clean and dry as possible.
Too much haste often results in unnecessary breakage and accidents.
Do not operate any mechanical, electrical or gas-fired equipment until you have been instructed and authorized to do so by your supervisor.
Keep tools such as cleavers, saws, and knives in a rack or a drawer when they are not in use.
Pay strict attention to your work, especially when using sharp tools or power-driven machines.
Always use any safety guards provided on machinery.
Don't handle hot utensils with your bare hands. Use pot holders. Assume that all pot handles are hot.
Before removing containers of hot liquids from the range, steamer, or oven, and be sure that you have a clear passageway and will not bump into anyone.
Learn how to use the fire extinguishing equipment in the kitchen.
Take sufficient time to serve food safely and properly.
Be careful when handling knives, forks or other sharp instruments.
Bus Safety Rules
Bus operators must abide by all state, local and federal regulations concerning safety inspections of vehicles and procedures to insure operator and student safety in the operation of the vehicle.
Bus inspections to meet regulations are required twice each year.
Instruction concerning changes in laws and requirements shall be scheduled by the Supervisor of Transportation.
Each new bus operator shall be given safety instruction prior to driving his/her bus route for the first time.
Maintenance Employees
Dress neatly in clothing that will not be caught in moving parts. Work shoes in good repair are essential.
Use safety goggles or face shields when grinding, chipping, handling acids or doing other work where the eyes may be in danger.
Use ladders when climbing or getting down off high places. Have someone holding ladder for support.
Be sure all hand tools and electrical tools are in good working order.
Drive cautiously to and from work sites.
Work in well ventilated areas.
Don't try to lift objects that are too heavy. Get help. Briefly, the right way to lift is as follows:
Get a good footing.
Bend at the knees to grasp the object.
Keep the back straight and as nearly upright as possible.
Get a firm hold.
Lift gradually by straightening the legs, keeping the back upright.
FIRST AID
Each school shall have a trained First Aid person available to respond to accidents that might occur. Each school shall also provide a first aid kit with proper supplies for the job exposure and will be maintained and restocked as needed.
RECORD KEEPING
The Sabine Parish School Board and its member schools shall keep for a period of one year, from the end of the year for which the records apply, the following items:
Inspection reports.
Reports and investigations of accidents.
Minutes of safety meetings.
Training records.
Sabine Parish School Board