School Safety Matters

October 2024

A monthly publication from the BSD Risk Management Department

🔥 Let's Celebrate Fire Safety 🔥

October is National Fire Prevention Month. This month is all about taking simple steps to protect your classroom, home and loved ones from fire risks. In September we shared the Classroom Fire Safety Checklist. This month let's look a little further into what we can do to keep our homes fire-safe.

Click HERE or on the Oregon Fire Statistics picture below for more resources and to learn more about fire safety:

In the Kitchen
When Heating Your Home
When Using Electricity

Regularly testing smoke alarms and changing the batteries can save lives. Check your smoke alarms at home to be sure they are working properly.

Safety Committee Meetings

Did you know that there is a monthly Safety Committee meeting on your campus?

Meetings allow for the discussion of potential hazards and identifying solutions.
Review student and staff injuries to determine cause and identify steps to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Provide and opportunity to address concerns raised by staff and ensure corrective actions are taken.
These meetings are also essential for ensuring compliance with OSHA guidelines.

For more information and resources about Safety Committees, visit this LINK on the Risk Management intranet page.

Check with your front office staff to find out when the next Safety Committee Meeting is and attend if you can.

Risk Management Building Inspections

All schools are inspected by Risk Management multiple times a year. You may see one of our Loss Control Specialists, Mohamad Ali or Kordell Perkin, in and around your buildings. Here are a few things that everyone can be on the look-out for to help keep your building safe:

Slip, trip, and fall hazards like uncovered power cords, area rugs starting to roll at the edges, and wet floors.
Power strips should only be plugged directly into a wall outlet, and never into another power strip or extension cord.
Emergency exits and electrical panels should not be blocked.
Exterior lighting should be working.

I Spy a Red SHARPS Container...

A sharps container is a specially designed, puncture-resistant container used for the safe disposal of medical needles, syringes and other sharp waste.

When a sharps container becomes full, close lid and ensure it is secure using the build in locking feature.
Secure lid with duct or packing tape.
Submit a work order for pick up.
Any Container that is unsecured or improperly packaged will not be transported.
Please work with your school nurse for any questions.