Teen Workers

Common School Hazards

Top Ten Safety and Health Hazards and Concerns Affecting Teachers, Administration, Maintenance, and Support Staff

Oregon OSHA has identified the following health and safety hazards and concerns through data received from over 200 consultations over a two-year period, and from four years of data (1995-1999) from inspections of schools. Items which follow apply to all schools (K through 12). While similar issues have been grouped together, items are not given in order of severity or frequency of occurrence.

These are not the only issues that may be found in a school setting, but represent what is most frequently identified.

1. Safety Committees
   Pertains to entire school.
   Issues include the composition and operation of safety committees, as well as inadequate training of safety committee members, especially in hazard identification. Infrequent self-inspection is also noted.
2. Electrical
   Pertains to entire school.
   Unlabeled panels, extension cords (including improper usage), ungrounded or reverse-polarity outlets, pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings not provided with covers approved for that purpose; conductors entering boxes or cabinets, and fittings not protected from abrasions. Exposed wires at extension cord receptacles and plug-ins.
3. Machine Guarding
   Pertains to entire school, as well as specific areas.
   Hazards in both mechanical rooms and in woodshops include: inadequate instruction and/or supervision in the safe operation of machinery, tools, equipment, point of operation not guarded, grinding machinery work rest(s) not used or adjusted properly; horizontal belts not guarded; hand fed ripsaw(s) inadequate or non-adjusted, kickback fingers or dogs inappropriately located on table saw(s); abrasive wheel and adjustable tongue or safety guard not adjusted.
4. Hazard Communication
   Pertains to entire school as well as specific areas.
   Inadequate development, implementation, and/or maintenance of a written hazard communication program, including training of workers; hazardous chemicals not labeled, tagged or marked with identity of the hazardous chemical contained therein; inadequate labeling of pipes and piping system which contain hazardous substances.
5. Walking/ Working Surfaces
   Pertains to entire school.
   In general, safe access and egress from all parts of the establishment not provided; aisles, passageways, etc. not kept in good repair or free of obstructions and debris; open-sided floors or platforms four feet or more above the adjacent floor or ground level not guarded by standard railings; vertical clearance of not less than six and one half feet not provided over work areas, aisles, passageways, and stairways or, where impractical, obstruction not padded or indicated.
6. Personal Protection
   Pertains to entire school.
   Inadequate assessment of hazards and personal protective equipment (PPE) required; affected employees have not received and/or understood required training.
7. Lab Safety
   Pertains to specific areas.
   Incompatible chemical storage; improper labeling; lack of adequate ventilation; lack of overall lab safety plan.
8. Material Storage Issues
   Pertains to entire school.
   Hazards include crowded walkways, inadequate shelves.
9. Emergency Eyewash/Shower Facilities
   Pertains to specific areas.
   Inadequate eyewash/shower facilities in areas where employees / students have contact with, and could be injured by, substances getting into their eyes or onto their bodies.
10. Extinguisher Maintenance
    Pertains to entire school.
    Inadequate annual maintenance checks; monthly inspections, improper storage, and inadequate training in usage.

Other severe and frequent safety and health issues:

• Asbestos
  Pertains to entire school.
  Inadequate inventory of locations. Inadequate training on hazards involved with disturbing, and/or removing this substance.
• Bloodborne Pathogens
  Pertains to entire school.
  Inadequate training. Lack of appropriate PPE for all staff at risk of exposure, including teachers, coaches, bus drivers, and clerical staff.
• Confined Spaces
  Pertains to specific areas.
  Inadequate identification, labeling, and training for those entering confined spaces.