Generally
Providing safety measures against the hazards of fire, inclement weather and accidents is the responsibility of each Montgomery County school principal, as well as of each Montgomery County School Board employee and student. The division superintendent and principals shall enforce safety measures mandated by all applicable law and School Board policies.
Inspections
The principal and head custodian of each school shall make at minimum one inspection per month of fire escapes, emergency exits, playgrounds, playground equipment and any other areas critical to the safety of students and staff. The principal, the custodian and/or custodial supervisor shall also inspect daily for plant cleanliness. The principal or head custodian of each school shall annually inspect fire extinguishers and tag them once inspected. Principals shall notify the division superintendent when fire extinguishers have been discharged.
Emergency Dispersal
Emergency evacuation plans of
buildings shall be developed and disaster drills at each school shall be
conducted in accordance with all applicable law, including specifically the
school safety
and crisis,
emergency management,
and medical emergency response plans designed for each school pursuant to
School Board Policy 4-2.2. Evacuation routes for students shall be
posted in each room.
First Aid/CPR
Each Montgomery County Public School shall establish and make known to the staff procedures for the handling of emergencies due to sudden illness or injury to students or employees. Each school and school vehicle shall be equipped with appropriate first aid equipment. Further medical attention to students is the responsibility of the parents or guardian, or of someone the parents or guardian designate to act in case of emergency.
Each school principal shall ensure that staff, knowledgeable in safety procedures, is available. In any school building with an instructional and administrative staff of ten or more, there shall be at least two instructional or administrative employees who have received training in emergency first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within the last two years or who have current CPR certification. In any school building with an instructional and administrative staff of fewer than ten, there shall be at least one instructional or administrative employee who has received training in emergency first aid and CPR within the last two years or who has current CPR certification. A school nurse or other qualified staff member may administer emergency aid.
All employees shall be notified as to where first aid supplies and emergency equipment is stored.
Reporting of Hazards
Safety Hazards
It is the duty and responsibility of each School Board employee to assure that all equipment and grounds are free from hazardous conditions. Any perceived hazard shall be reported immediately to the Facilities Department for inspection and corrective action.
Hazardous Chemicals
The division superintendent shall approve and issue regulations to ensure that employees are made aware of hazardous chemicals either used in their job or stored near their job site and shall name a designee to evaluate and label toxicity of all materials used in the division in accordance with criteria established by the Virginia Department of Education and state and federal law and/or regulations.
Accidents
Student, employee and visitor accidents, injuries, and serious illnesses occurring on School Board property, in transit, or at school-sponsored activities shall be reported promptly to the principal or building supervisor who will make a report to the division superintendent on the form prescribed for this purpose. Every effort shall be made to immediately contact the parent or guardian in case of student accidents and injuries. School personnel shall not attempt to diagnose or to give medication or treatment. If the parent or guardian cannot be contacted, the student will be transported to the nearest medical facility for emergency treatment. Students requiring medical treatment shall not be permitted to travel unattended and shall be accompanied by a parent, guardian or a school employee. Students and visitors should report incidents on the prescribed accident injury form. School Board employees should report incidents on the prescribed worker’s compensation reporting form.
Fire Drills
As required by Virginia law, every Montgomery County public school shall conduct a fire drill at least once per week every week during the first twenty school days of each session and more often if necessary in order that pupils may be thoroughly practiced in such drills. During the remainder of the school sessions, fire drills shall be held at least monthly. No fire or evacuation drills shall be conducted during periods of mandatory testing required by the Board of Education.
LEGAL REFERENCE: Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 22.1-78, 22.1-137, 22.1-253.13:2.P, 22.1-274.1, 22.1-278.1, 22.1-280.1; Acts of Assembly, 2006, Chapter 309; Virginia Board of Education Regulations Governing School Facilities and Safety, 8 VAC 20-131-260, and Governing Criteria to Identify Toxic Art Materials, 8 VAC 20-530-10.
Adopted: April 2004
Revised: August 2004, September 2006