District Safety
| Safety is the Number 1 Priority of the Maintenance & Operations Department. We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthful environment for students, staff and the public. The Maintenance & Operations department utilizes all of its resources and also relies on the expertise of outside agencies to achieve this goal. The following practices are employed by the Maintenance & Operations department to maintain a safe and healthful environment at each site. As a member of the Northern California Schools Insurance Group, the District's buildings and grounds are inspected yearly by a risk control consultant. Maintenance & Operations expends significant resources toward rectifying any safety concerns discovered during inspections. City/County fire marshals perform yearly fire inspections at each site. Again, any safety issues discovered during the inspections are rectified by the Maintenance & Operations department. The Custodial staff at each school site perform monthly inspections of the buildings and grounds. An Injury and Illness Prevention training program is held for all new District employees. The training is designed to prevent work place accidents, injuries and illness and covers the following major topics: General First Aid General Fire Protection General Safe Work Practices Safety Rules Electrical Safety Spill Prevention Plan Emergency Action Plan Blood Borne Pathogens Control Plan Hazardous Materials Communication Plan Lockout/Tagout Plan Confined Space Entry Plan Respiratory Protection Plan Asbestos Management Plan Chemical Hygiene Plan Emergency Procedures Plan Lead Awareness Each new employee also receives a health and safety handbook geared toward their typical job duties and job site. The Injury and Illness Prevention training program is designed to meet Federal and State Occupational Safety and Health Agency requirements for safety training and accident prevention. The program was developed by the District with the assistance of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), consultants, and the Northern California Schools Insurance Group. Maintenance & Operations performs yearly backflow preventor inspections at each site.. In addition, the Maintenance & Operations department holds monthly safety meetings to emphasize important safety issues specific to the M&O staff members. Many of the Maintenance & Operations staff members are currently certified with various levels of asbestos and lead related training per EPA regulations. These staff members are required to update their certifications annually. |
