The board directs the superintendent to implement a system-wide loss prevention program with the goal of maintaining a safe working environment. The superintendent shall establish a systemwide health and safety leadership team to oversee the school system’s injury and loss prevention efforts. The team shall be responsible for developing processes for accident investigation and for the identification, reporting, and correction of hazards and other unsafe conditions within the school environment, as described below.The superintendent or designee shall lead the health and safety leadership team in carrying out its responsibilities.
A. ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND CORRECTION OF HAZARDS
The health and safety leadership team shall develop an accident investigation protocol, or improve existing protocols, for investigating all employee work-related injuries.
The accident investigation protocol must include steps to identify in a timely manner the cause(s) of the accident and any underlying factors that may have contributed to it. It must also require the identification and implementation of actions to address unsafe conditions to prevent recurrence of the incident. Investigation steps may include, but are not limited to, interviews of the injured employee(s) and witnesses, examination of physical evidence, examination of the workplace, and data collection.
The protocol must provide for recording the findings of cause, recommendations for correction, and actions taken.
The health and safety leadership team shall develop additional protocols, or improve existing protocols, as necessary to investigate reports of hazards and other unsafe conditions within the school environment.
B. PREVENTATIVE MEASURES: IDENTIFICATION, EVALUATION, AND CONTROL OF HAZARDS
The health and safety leadership team shall establish or improve processes and strategies for the identification, investigation, and control of hazards and other unsafe conditions in the school environment, including those arising from safety hazards.
C. CORRECTION OF IDENTIFIED HAZARDS
The processes and strategies for improving safety in the school environment required by this policy must include a system for correcting identified hazards. The system for correcting hazards must give priority to solutions that actually remove the hazard. If the hazard cannot be removed altogether, procedures that limit exposure to the hazard should be implemented when practicable.
D. REPORTING HAZARDS OR OTHER UNSAFE CONDITIONS
The health and safety leadership team shall establish or improve processes for employees and others to report hazards and other unsafe conditions to supervisory or administrative personnel without fear of reprisal.
E. RECORD KEEPING
The health and safety leadership team shall establish uniform processes for record keeping that comply with the requirements of federal and state law.
F. EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY
All employees are expected to follow safe work practices, use appropriate personal protective equipment as instructed by their supervisors, and attend safety education programs as assigned. Employees must report unsafe conditions or work practices, accidents, or injuries as soon as practicable, in accordance with established procedures.
Legal References: State Board of Education Policy TCS-Q-003
Adopted: May 11, 2015