Decoding Inspection Reports for Small Schools Steve Main September 26, 2013

School Health and Safety Program So…Let’s Recap The School Program website has been updated to include step by step instructions for all inspections The Self-Inspection Worksheets have been updated again for the school year The new Teacher Checklists can be a great resource for school staff

School Health and Safety Program So…Let’s Recap

School Health and Safety Program Focusing On The Priorities The School Program as a whole has been focused on “risk” and “hazards” for years The focus of the Self-Inspection Worksheets has now been narrowed to the “hazards” or “priorities” based on inspection data and input New worksheets were designed to be more adaptable for smaller schools

School Health and Safety Program The New Worksheets

School Health and Safety Program The New Worksheets A few NOTES: Items in BOLD are required The worksheets have already been “streamlined” to half the original size so you shouldn’t need to use the N/A box very often Every item on the new worksheets has been given the designation of “priority” so look at each item carefully Don’t draw a line down the N/A column and hand in your worksheets!

School Health and Safety Program Some Things To Remember Self-Inspections are most successful when everyone participates Involve teachers, office staff and custodians in the inspection process early in the school year Start delegating self-inspection duties right away and integrate the inspection process into normal duties performed by school staff

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Chemicals In the classroom If labeled “Keep Out of Reach of Children” they can’t be accessible to children Use cabinet locks, keep them out of reach, or place them in the teacher’s area Don’t allow children to use the chemicals Make sure you have a current MSDS for each chemical Read and follow label cautions and instructions carefully

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Classroom storage areas for belongings and equipment: Avoid classroom clutter Keep storage areas organized Don’t store heavy or unstable items on shelves or on top of cabinets

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Hand washing Keep sinks well stocked with soap and paper towels Don’t use hand sanitizers in place of hand washing Encourage student hand washing to reduce transmission of communicable diseases Check hot water temperature with a thermometer to make sure it is not hotter than 120° F.

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Outlets located within six feet of sinks must be GFI protected Extension cords and power strips near sinks and other grounding sources must be connected to a GFI protected outlet GFI devices must “trip” properly when tested Use of extension cords should be minimized

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Vacuum breakers If a threaded nozzle or quick coupler is present, the faucet must be equipped with a vacuum breaker or similar device to prevent a cross-connection Be sure to check the mop sink

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Prevent injuries from falling or tipping furniture: Secure tall and unstable bookshelves properly Can secure two bookshelves back-to-back to make them more stable Can secure smaller bookshelves together to make one larger bookshelf and then secure it to the wall Secure televisions to the cart or shelf properly

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items According to CPSC: In 2006: A total of 42,700 people visited the ER in the US because of injuries related to furniture, televisions, or other objects falling onto them In 2006: 26,300 people were injured by furniture tipping over on to them In 2006: 15,900 people were injured by falling televisions In 2006: 45% of the victims were children under 10

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Coat Hooks should not pose a protrusion hazard OK NOT OK

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Fabric upholstered furniture Is not recommended because it can become a “sink” that traps allergens and asthma triggers Can be very difficult to clean and keep clean Recommend furniture or furniture covers that are non- absorbent and easy to clean

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Lighting Lighting must be adequate (30 foot-candles) Look for burned out bulbs Locate desks in well lit areas  Hallways are only required to have a light intensity of 10 foot-candles. Can use task lighting in dimly lit areas

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Playgrounds Playground injuries involving the ER in the US: 220,000 playground related injuries annually 76% occur on public playgrounds 83% are between the ages of 2 to 9 years of age 79% of injuries are caused by falls  68% are falls to the surface  10% are falls to other parts of the equipment

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Playgrounds Major causes of death and serious debilitating injury on playgrounds… 1.Entanglement of clothing, strings, or ropes 2.Falls onto hard surfaces under playground equipment 3.Head and neck entrapment in equipment openings 4.Impact injuries from tipped or loose equipment, or moving swings

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Playgrounds Factors that contribute to playground injuries: Improper use or poor supervision Poor maintenance Installation errors Site planning issues Plan review related

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Playgrounds Dig into the surfacing in several places to make sure it is at least 9 inches deep Develop and post written playground rules Playground rules should include appropriate ages (e.g., 2-5 years old or 5-12 years old) Check equipment for dry rot, split boards, worn chains, etc.

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Playground Corrections

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Playgrounds Plan review is required for all new playground equipment before installation Playground standards: ASTM F-1487 – “It’s purpose is to reduce life- threatening and debilitating injuries” CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook – It’s purpose is to reduce “playground related deaths and injuries”

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Animals and Disease Prevention Recently SRHD has investigated several cases of Salmonella likely related to the handling of small animals or reptiles If you have small furry animals, amphibians, or reptiles – remember that they can transmit Salmonella even if they look healthy and clean

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Animals and Disease Prevention If you have an animal, amphibian, or reptile in a classroom – parents should be notified due to allergy or indoor air quality issues If children are allowed to handle the animal, amphibian, or reptile (including bedding, cage, etc.) adopt a hand washing policy that assures children wash their hands afterwards

School Health and Safety Program Don’t Overlook Important Items Animals and Disease Prevention When schools host an animal exhibit they meet the definition of an “animal venue operator” as defined in WAC WAC Per WAC schools must provide: Hand washing facility near the animal exhibit exit Noticeable sign near each animal exhibit entrance educating visitors of potential risks to certain groups Noticeable sign at each exhibit exit encouraging visitors to wash hands

School Health and Safety Program Welcome to School Year Enjoy the school year! Thank you!