Safety News

  • Monday, January 14, 2013 9:37 AM | Deleted user
    Winter weather creates many safety challenges including slip and fall hazards resulting form accumulating snow. The removal of this snow, however, can expose our employees to risks as well.  Click here for important snow shoveling safety tips.
  • Wednesday, January 09, 2013 12:03 PM | Anonymous member
    In light of the recent shootings at Portland's Clackamas Town Center, and Newtown, Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary, are you, like many school administrators across the country, reviewing your school district's Emergency Response Plans and Reunification Plans? It's never too late to start now!

    Your school's Emergency Response Plan is a document that tells everyone--teachers, staff, students, parents and school board members--how your school is planning to react in an emergency, and what everyone's roles are supposed to be to ensure the safety and security of students and staff after an incident. It should also include a communications plan, so information can be delivered to staff, students, parents and the press in an effective manner. Finally, in order for your district to be eligible for some forms of financial assistance after a disaster, your district may be required to show that it has developed and followed these written plans.

    Your school's Reunification Plan is a document that describes what you're going to do after an incident to ensure the students are safely reunited with their families as soon as possible. It can help you not only ensure that your students are given to the right adults, but also help you avoid traffic jams of worried parents blocking access to busses and emergency vehicles, because they'll know what to do and where to go.

    The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) provides districts with lots of assistance to put together their plans.  They have a great page with lots of resources, including a sample School Emergency Operations Plan upon which you can base your own schools' plans.

    In addition, FEMA also has a flyer (in PDF format) called "Preparedness Tips for School Administrators". It contains a good summary of a district's needs, and it contains clickable links to more resources, including message scripts and a sample reunification plan!

    You can access both the FEMA site and the FEMA flyer by clicking on this link to the OSSOA Disaster Resources Page and scrolling down to the bottom of the page!

  • Friday, December 14, 2012 3:57 PM | Anonymous

    We are thinking of those involved in the school shooting in Connecticut with the deepest sympathy. This tragedy is beyond the scope of anything we have experienced before. Our association and membership extends our condolences and any support we can provide.

    Send your condolences to Newtown

    To that end, take a moment to look at your policies, plans of action and emergency protocols to make sure they are up-to-date. We have posted some resources to get you started.

    If you have others that have been helpful to you, let us know. We’ll post them on our site.

  • Tuesday, December 11, 2012 12:41 PM | Deleted user


    If you find yourself hitting the road during adverse conditions, consider these 10 tips to stay safe on your journey.

     1. Know your route and keep abreast of weather conditions. The Web can be great source of current weather information. Make a list of Department of Transportation road-condition hotlines and consult them every few hours while you’re on the road. In Oregon it is www.tripcheck.com. Pay special attention to avalanche conditions along your route, because temporary road closures are common in mountain areas.

     2. Drink plenty of water. When the weather is chilly, dehydration might seem unlikely, but according to a study by the Mayo Clinic, as little as a 1-2 percent loss of body weight can lead to fatigue and reduced alertness undefined both of which can be deadly when you are driving in icy conditions. Carry (and drink) five to six 16-ounce bottles of water per day. Keep them with you in the passenger compartment, as they might freeze in the trunk.

     3. Eat enough food. Your body needs more nourishment in cold weather than it does on a balmy summer day. Avoid candy bars and other quick-sugar-release snacks. Sandwiches, fruit or a thermos of hearty stew are much better choices. Carry a day’s worth of high-energy food and water in a warm area of your vehicle in case you are stranded for a few hours.

     4. Pack a winter travel safety kit. Include a cell phone, an ice scraper and brush, a tow rope, cat litter (for use as a traction aid), blankets, a good flashlight, a candle, matches, a good book, a portable weather radio and a can of lock de-icer. (Never use hot water on glass or locks undefined it will refreeze and create a bigger problem.)

     5. Slow down. A good rule of thumb is to reduce speed by 50 percent in snowy conditions. Blasting through snowdrifts may look cool in TV advertisements, but it’s way too hard on your vehicle to be worth it. Equally important: Don’t go too slow. Your car needs momentum to keep moving through snow on grades.

     6. Keep a light touch on the controls. Smooth operation is the key to keeping control in slippery situations. Nervousness can lead to a hard clench of the steering wheel, which can result in loss of control. Consciously loosen your grasp or stretch out your fingers from time to time to help prevent that white-knuckled grip.

     7. Know how to recover from skids. When braking on a slippery road, it’s all too easy to “lock up” your wheels by stepping on the brakes a little too hard. If you start to skid, steer the vehicle gently in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go and don’t touch your brakes. This used to be called “turning into the skid,” but tests have shown that drivers often misinterpret these words in real-life situations.

     8. Keep your tires in good condition and properly inflated. Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so check and adjust frequently. Tire tread depth should be at least 1/8-inch, and good snow tires with lugs will outperform just about any all-weather tire on the market. Carry (and be able to install) traction-control devices like snow chains whenever you know you’ll be in a snowy area. Sometimes such devices are required, and if you don’t have a set, you’ll be forced to pay a premium to acquire them on the spot.

     9. Make frequent rest stops. Winter travel is much more fatiguing than summer cruising, so stop every hour or so. Get out, stretch undefined maybe even make a few snow angels! It takes only five minutes to significantly improve your level of alertness.

     10. If you get stuck, stay in your vehicle. Stay warm and wait for assistance. Make sure that your exhaust pipe is clear of any obstructions, including snow and ice; if you don’t, carbon monoxide gas can build up inside the vehicle.

     

    Whether you’re hitting the road in winter for work or for pleasure, preparation and knowledge can help keep you whistling “Let it Snow” instead of fighting frostbite in a snowdrift.

     

  • Monday, December 03, 2012 3:53 PM | Deleted user

    Free Webcast – Thursday, December 13 at 12:00pm EST
    Birds and Bats: Pest Management Tips for the Educational Environment


    New Facebook FB Icon Sept 2012 twitter-icon_small Linkedin-icon_small

    While wildlife plays a valuable role in the natural environment, birds and bats can become pests in the educational environment when their behavior becomes a nuisance – causing property damage and posing health risks for students, teachers and staff.

    Join a FREE, interactive 75-minute webcast to hear IPM experts discuss proven methods for responding to and controlling the problems associated with birds and bats in the educational environment. You’ll learn corrective actions, inspections and preventive measures to reduce factors contributing to bird and bat nuisance issues.

    Birds and Bats: Pest Management Tips for the Educational Environment
    Thursday, December 13
    12:00pm-1:15pm EASTERN
    Register Now!

    You will learn IPM tips and best practices that will help you:

    • Utilize proven techniques for managing unwanted birds and bats
    • Understand related legal issues and constraints
    • Develop and implement a regular inspection process
    • Document IPM inspections, maintenance and corrective actions
    • Generate reports detailing your IPM efforts
    • Identify additional IPM resources to aid your efforts
    • Achieve a safe and well maintained environment

    Register now for this free webcast: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/977nsxloncj0

    Presenters are:

    • Paul Duerre, CIE: Environmental Specialist – Killeen ISD, TX
    • Lynn Braband: Senior Extension Associate – NYS Community IPM Program at Cornell University
    • Roger Young: Executive Director – Facility Masters
    • Matt Lightner: Applications Specialist – SchoolDude.com

    Can’t join us on 12/13? Register anyway and receive the webcast recording via email.

    Click or copy and paste the below link into your internet browser to register:
    https://cc.readytalk.com/r/977nsxloncj0

    This Facility Masters webcast is sponsored by your friends at SchoolDude!

    For additional resources on improving pest management and the learning environment, visit the Facility Masters Resource Library and the SchoolDude Resource Library.

    FacilityMastersOnline.com | 6 Patricia Circle | Andover, MA 01810

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  • Thursday, November 29, 2012 12:56 PM | Deleted user
  • Friday, November 16, 2012 7:55 AM | Deleted user


    Register Now – Free Webcast – Wednesday, November 28 at 12:00pm EST
    Improving Auditorium and Theatre Safety: Tips for Reducing Risk

    More than 250 of your peers have already signed up for this can’t miss seminar! Register today to join them, and please forward this invitation to colleagues who might be interested.

    If you’re not able to attend, register anyway – we’ll email you a link to the recorded webcast to view at your convenience!


    Properly maintaining and inspecting auditoriums/theatres is a critical component of a proactive safety plan that minimizes potential hazards, reduces risk and safeguards event participants.

    Join a FREE, interactive 75-minute webcast to hear industry experts discuss how preventive inspections and regular maintenance of auditorium/theatre facilities and equipment protect you from liability issues while also providing a safe environment that protects students, teachers, staff and the community from injury.

    Improving Auditorium and Theatre Safety: Tips for Reducing Risk
    Wednesday, November 28
    12:00pm-1:15pm EASTERN
    Register Now!

    You will learn safety tips and PM checks for auditoriums and theatres that will help you:

    • Protect occupant safety, reduce risk and liability
    • Develop a regular theatre and auditorium inspection process
    • Document inspections, maintenance and repairs
    • Establish policies for facility access, supervision and use
    • Develop a method for reporting problems with these facilities
    • Train staff and students on proper use of these facilities
    • Achieve a safe and well maintained environment

    Register now for this free webcast: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/ddwzo3zjjq5

    Presenters are:

    • Tom Watkins: Fine Arts Director – Van Buren School District, AR
    • Erich Friend: Theatre Consultant – Teqniqal Systems
    • Roger Young: Executive Director – Facility Masters
    • Justin Turner: Applications Specialist – SchoolDude.com

    Click or copy and paste the below link into your internet browser to register:
    https://cc.readytalk.com/r/ddwzo3zjjq5

    This Facility Masters webcast is sponsored by your friends at SchoolDude!

    For additional resources on improving safety, PM and the learning environment, visit the Facility Masters Resource Library and the SchoolDude Resource Library.

    Roger Young
    Facility Masters
    1-978-886-6093
    roger@facilitymastersonline.com

    Visit my Blog: www.facilitymastersonline.com/blog/
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/facilitymasters
    Twitter: www.twitter.com/facilitymasters
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/facility-masters


    FacilityMastersOnline.com | 6 Patricia Circle | Andover, MA 01810

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  • Wednesday, November 14, 2012 1:36 PM | Deleted user
     

    It's that time of the year to remind everyone about classroom, hallway, and general school decorations.

    Please share this email with your entire staff or discuss at a staff meeting.

    (Additionally, it would be a good idea to assign this topic to your School Safety Committee so the issue can be monitored.)

    Highlights from the State Fire Marshall's office published guidelines pertaining to schools are:

          EGRESS - Access to exits and exit paths shall not be obstructed by decorative materials.

          SOURCES OF IGNITION -

          Candles and other sources of open flame are not allowed for any decorations or ceremonies, except as approved by the fire code official prior to the event.

          Sources of ignition shall not be allowed within the vicinity of combustible decorative materials.

          ELECTRICAL -

          Only UL listed miniature lights or LED style lights shall be used in accordance with their listing.

          Extension cords shall be approved commercially manufactured UL listed assemblies (14-guage minimum 15-amp minimum). Only grounded or polarized extension cords shall be used.

          Electrical lights and extension cords that are physically damaged or altered shall not be used unless repairs are in accordance with the state adopted electrical code.

          DECORATIVE MATERIALS -

          All decorations shall be either inherently fire retardant or treated with a flame retardant to be flame resistant and shall comply with the Oregon Fire Code 2010 Edition, Section 807.

          Artwork, decorations for learning purposes, and student generated materials on the walls in routes of egress shall not exceed 20% of the wall area.

          Displays for classrooms and hallways:

          Paper materials such as artwork and decorations shall be secured flat against the wall or bulletin board.

          Three dimensional artwork and decor (has height, width, and depth, or thickness) is prohibited unless approved by the local fire code official.

          Limit displays to 40 square feet with a three-foot "fire break" between displays.

          Displays shall not cover more than 20% of a hallway wall area.

          Classroom doors shall not be covered with paper.

          Materials suspended from the ceiling (hanging decor) shall be at least 24 inches below the ceiling and be at least 18 inches from fire sprinkler heads.

          Items suspended cannot hang low enough to interfere with exiting.

          Ceilings shall not be covered with flammable materials.

    A complete copy of the Oregon Fire Code Advisory Memo can be found here:

                  http://www.oregon.gov/osp/SFM/docs/Codes/TA11_11.pdf

  • Thursday, October 18, 2012 12:39 PM | Deleted user
  • Thursday, October 11, 2012 8:53 AM | Deleted user

    Planning for Weather-Related Emergencies: Tips for Reducing Risk

    Tornado Image

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