Tag Archives: students

General Safety Issues

NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK

My apologies for waiting until the end of National School Bus Safety Week to get this article published!  But the safety of our children that ride school buses is an important matter throughout each school year.  The theme of this year’s observance is “Be Aware – Know the Danger Zone!”  Did you know that an area 10 feet around the bus is a distance that students, bus drivers, and other motorists should be aware of?  The annual campaign aims to educate the public on school bus safety issues.  According to House Resolution 498, from July 18, 2006, here are excerpts from the latest version of the bill that is currently available on Gov.Track: 

“There are approximately 480,000 yellow school buses that carry 25 million children to and from school every weekday; Whereas America’s 480,000 school buses comprise the largest mass transportation fleet in the country – 2.5 times the size of all other forms of mass transportation (transit, intercity buses, commercial airlines, and rail, combined -; Whereas during the school year, these buses make more than 50 million passenger trips daily carrying the Nation’s future – our children.

Whereas school bus transportation is eight times safer than traveling in a passenger vehicle; and is the safest form of ground transportation available.  School buses meet higher construction, equipment and inspection standards than any other vehicle, and school bus drivers meet higher qualification, training, and testing standards than any other drivers.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, an average of 820 students are killed annually during school transportation hours, but less than 2 per cent of them are school bus passengers.  Despite the industry’s best efforts, accidents still happen; An average of seven school-age passengers are killed annually in school bus crashes, and an average of 19 children are killed each year getting on and off the bus.  Most of those killed are children aged five to seven, and most often they are killed in the area immediately surrounding the bus. (The Danger Zone.)

School Bus Safety Week is celebrated in more than 40 states and sponsored by the NHTSA, created to remind all students of the best ways to get on and off the bus.  This SBSW dates back to 1966, and also recognizes the hard work and dedication of school transportation personnel, especially the many drivers who ensure a safe journey each and every day.” 

It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus, loading or unloading students.  The bus has flashing red lights, and an arm that swings out to warn motorists to stop at a safe distance behind the bus, allowing the children to cross the road if necessary.  Drivers must be courteous and let the bus driver to do their job safely.  They are the first person that the children see who represents their school district every morning.  They are the last person the students see as they leave to go home.  With the large number of students who ride school buses every day, they should know that they will get to and from school safety. 

In many states, when a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus with red lights activated, troopers who are following (or may be riding on the bus) will radio ahead to other troopers who will pull over the offending motorist and issue a ticket that could cost up to $1,000. (Texas) 

Remember that this is about keeping children safe; you should always stop for a school bus regardless of your chances of getting caught.  It is certainly not worth the risk to save a few minutes of your time.

 

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General Safety Issues

A MESSAGE TO YOUNG WORKERS

We want to share this important information with today’s young workers (those under age 25), to tell you how important you are to the future of your country!  We have compiled information from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Safety and Health.  The DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA’s) main role is to protect workers from workplace hazards that can cause a serious illness or injury, as well as Canada’s OSH.  Employers have the responsibility to follow established safety and health laws and common sense safety practices that prevent tragedy.  Why, then is this message so important to young people?  Because you are the new generation of workers, and we want you to work safely.  Some of our workers are as young as 15; others are high school students, or college students working part-time, while others are already working full-time.  

When you begin a new job, talk it over with your parents or someone you trust, especially if you feel you are being asked to do tasks that are unsafe.  Your parents need to know of any hazards associated with your job.  Canadian experts believe, as well as those in the U.S., that many young persons are put into the job without the proper training.  You can’t just walk onto the job and be expected to know exactly what to do without being taught the fundamentals.  You have the right to a safe workplace.  Although new jobs may be intimidating, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t rush just to impress your new boss.  You may be running a piece of equipment that an older worker has run for decades; hopefully, he will be your mentor and teach you the safe way to run it. 

There are many resources that can help you understand the particulars of your job.  Some of the ways young workers may be injured are lifting objects, working at elevations, working with hot substances and objects, working with knives, operating mobile equipment or motor vehicles, working with food slicers, and /or working near running equipment and machinery.  Whether you are working in a food service industry, construction, warehouse, grocery store, or on a drilling rig, there are going to be hazards that you must be aware of and respect. 

In a letter from Dr. David Michaels, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), this sums it up, so please pay attention: (I added a few words in italics that I think are important, too. 

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO A SAFE JOB!

YOUR RIGHTS ON THE JOB

Your employer must provide a workplace free of serious hazards.  Your employer must also:

  • Tell you the hazards and dangers of your job;
  • Inform you about the OSHA standards that apply to your workplace (in a language you understand);
  • Provide job safety training regarding workplace hazards and the required safety gear;  (personal protective equipment)(PPE). Always wear whatever PPE (e.g., gloves, safety glasses, hardhat, etc) as required; and understand how to care for it.
  • Tell you who to talk to if you have a health or safety question, and
  • Inform you what to do and who to talk to if you get hurt on the job. 

To help assure a safe workplace, OSHA provides you with rights to:

  • Receive information and training about hazards, methods to avoid harm, and OSHA standards that apply in a language that you understand;
  • Exercise your workplace safety rights without retaliation and discrimination; and
  • Ask OSHA to inspect your workplace.

WAYS TO STAY SAFE ON THE JOB

To help protect yourself, you can:

  • Report unsafe conditions to your supervisor, parent, teacher or other adult that can help.
  • Wear any personal protective equipment provided to do your job.
  • Follow the safety rules. Always think and act with safety in mind.
  • Never by-pass the safety features of equipment or take short-cuts.
  • Speak Up. Ask questions. Ask for help. 

Someday you will be the leaders of industry.  Learn all you can and do your best to be a safe worker by encouraging others to do the same. 

Source: OSHA; Canadian Centre for Occupational Safety & Health