Safety and Health Topics for Students in the Workforce

Dr. Doug UllrichSam Houston State University

Work-Based Learning As the teacher you are still

responsible for their safety and health…. Even though they are NOT under your direct observation.

Class TIME!!! Beginning of the semester

Safety and Health issues to the industry as a whole

Safety and Health issues related to their specific job

Safety Topics to cover Tool, Equipment, Machinery Horticulture / Greenhouse Animal, Plant and BioHazards Electrical Fire Chemical Hunter, Boater & Angler Work Related Issues OSHA and other regulatory agencies

Require Student Acknowledgement Safety Contracts

Student expectations and responsibilities

Possible dangers Disciplinary actions possible

Signatures Student AND PARENT Teacher Administrator Business Cooperator / BOSS

Consent-to-use Form Contract with Parents Lists all equipment, tools, etc. that

the student will use Lists safety education taught to

students, etc. Signatures

Safety Tests True and False tests are NOT

acceptable A mixture of multiple choice, short

answer, fill-in-the-blank, skills demonstration are necessary

100% Mastery – anything less is NOT acceptable

Safety Tests [continued] Test/Retest Policy – if a student does not

get the required 100% on the safety exam you MUST reteach and retest for the missed items or improperly performed skills.

Example: Douggy missed a question on the exam covering eye safety and eye protection. If you do not retest and he injures his eye while on the job you AND HIS BOSS can be held responsible for failing to properly train him in eye safety issues.

Post General Safety Rules for Your Facility and the Workplace Posters listing general rules should be

located in several areas of the classroom/lab. Posters should be NEW. Every piece of equipment should have rules

posted on it or near it. Cleanup schedule should be posted. Emergency numbers should be posted. Evacuation routes should be posted. Discipline plan for safety violations should be

written and posted.

Enforce Safety Rules Discipline plan for safety violations

should be written and posted. Every safety violation should be

documented in student folder and gradebook.

Reteach / Retest following every safety violation

This must be reinforced at the Workplace

Conduct Safety Inspections Teacher inspection Administrator inspection Insurance Agency inspection Fire Marshall inspection Bring in other professionals Remember you are responsible if

these inspections are not completed and documented

Establish Emergency Procedures Post evacuation routes Post emergency phone numbers Rehearse emergency response Teach basic first aid Practice safety procedures

Maintain First Aid Kit Should be checked periodically Keep well stocked

Document Safety Instruction Lesson Plans Grade Books Teach / Reteach should be

documented All tests, release forms should be kept

on file All facility inspections should be

documented and correction or repairs completed and documented

Keep Equipment/Tools in Good Condition When something breaks it should be

tagged out and NOT used Make repairs / replacement

immediately Most teachers are NOT skilled

enough to make major repairs. Be careful with electrical repairs and

instillation. Use an electrician!

Ensure Safety Daily Check everything daily Be Alert! Too many kids??

Alert Administration Develop grouping system to limit

numbers in lab facility. Too many hazards at job site? Any potentially hazards MUST be

addressed immediately!

Report and Investigate ALL Accidents

All injuries must be documented Usually the school nurse will handle

this Document the injury, equipment or

tool used and the correction needed. If the equipment or tool was the

cause of the injury repair and document immediately.

Supervise Students The teacher is responsible! The teacher must be in the facility to

monitor students. NOT in the office! If a substitute teacher is monitoring the

class he/she should NOT be allowed to take students into the laboratory unless they are certified in that field or have special training.

Enforce rules fairly. Do not overlook or ignore any violation.

Sexual Harassment? You must address it immediately!

Model Safe Behavior The teacher is the role model. Everything the teacher does MUST

follow all safety rules and procedures.

The teacher is the key to a clean, well-organized and safe facility.

The teacher sets the tone for a good safety climate.

Secure Liability Insurance Someday you may need it! If the injury is remotely due to the

teachers negligence most school districts will not support the teacher.

$1 million is not enough Be a member of your professional

organization!