Best Practice: How to secure health and safety in schools

IT IS IMPORTANT TO APPLY the MBSSE’s standard procedures, manuals and checklists.

(These should be issued by the MBSSE and made available at all schools at all times. Request copies from MBSSE)

OHS from an HR perspective for school leaders who report to MBSSE/DEOs or TSC/TSC DOs if anything to report

Develop, maintain and update an emergency plan for the school in case of fire, flooding, hurricanes or other disasters.
Ensure school leaders and selected staff are trained in first aid and every school has a complete first aid kit with instructions.
Replace blackboards with whiteboards.
Ensure smoke-detectors, fire-extinguishers and fire-exits are placed in the school according to Sierra Leone safety-regulations.
Ensure staff are fire trained.
According to safety regulations, regularly check smoke detectors work and fire-exits are open and passable.
Ensure driveways for fire-vehicles and ambulances are passable and in a good state.
Keep chemicals and toxic materials in a locked store.
Ensure crowding in the classrooms doesn’t prevent pupils from leaving safely in case of emergency.
Test the school grounds and premises for broken glass, razor blades, sharp stones, nails and other objects that may harm teachers and children.
Ensure playgrounds follow safety standards.
Ensure classrooms are well ventilated and illuminated.
Ensure the school has access to health facilities and phone numbers of accessible medical doctors, health clinics and hospitals.
Ensure WASH facilities adhere to standards and are in good working order; enforce handwashing.
Ensure food is prepared and consumed following the best hygienic practices.
Ensure the school has ramps, toilets and other facilities required by teachers and pupils with disabilities.
Ensure schools are fenced.
Ensure proper disposal refuse.
Ensure regular cleaning and fumigation.
If tiled, ensure floors are covered in the correct floor tiles that are not slippery and dangerous, particularly when wet.