FILE: EBB
SAFETY PROGRAM
A system-wide program of safety shall be maintained in order to render the school system environment as hazard-free as possible. Provisions of the safety program shall be in compliance with all state and federal guidelines. All available information and assistance shall be utilized to enhance the safety of the school system.
The Rapides Parish School Board recognizes that the responsibilities for the health and safety are shared with all of its employees. The Board accepts the responsibility, as employer, for leadership of the safety and health program, for its effectiveness and improvement, and for providing the safeguards required to ensure safe conditions.
Supervisors and principals shall be responsible for developing the proper attitudes towards safety and health in themselves and in those they supervise, and for ensuring that all operations are performed with the utmost regard for the safety and health of all personnel involved, including themselves.
Employees are responsible for wholehearted, genuine cooperation with all aspects of the safety and health program -- including compliance with all rules and regulations -- and for continuously practicing safety while performing their duties.
As part of the safety program, the Board shall require regular inspections of the buildings and grounds of each school by the principal or designated staff members. Inspection reports, when completed, shall be submitted on a timely basis to the Assistant Superintendent for Administration.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
The Rapides Parish School Board, recognizing that emergencies and other unforeseen incidents may, and usually do, occur at schools, has established minimum preventative measures to be implemented in times of emergencies. The guidelines contained in the Rapides Parish Safe Schools Plan give school administrators practical responsibilities to be followed in times of emergencies.
Supervisors and school administrators shall acquaint each employee under their charge with the school emergency preparedness guidelines and with their area of responsibility in the event of emergency as noted in the Rapides Parish Safe Schools Plan. They should supervise, implement and evaluate all on-going disaster preparedness programs for the school or department.
Faculty members shall provide students with instructions in the area of disaster preparedness and participate in disaster preparedness training programs.
Every school should have a well-stocked first aid kit and have one or more individuals responsible for it.
Principals and supervisors shall have readily available the phone numbers of the fire department, police department, ambulance service, all bus operators and substitute operators.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง17:81, 17:169, 17:416, 22:16, 23:1021, 23:1291, 36:301, 36:308, 36:309, 40:1578.6
Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education
Board minutes, 4-16-02
Rapides Parish School Board