How To Do A Self Inspection by Steve Main

1. How To Do A Self Inspectionby Steve Main

2. Step 1 • Review the previous routine inspection and re-inspection • Note any corrective action taken to address previously identified deficiencies since the last inspection • Use this information as a reference to begin your inspection

3. Step 2 • Review the Self-Inspection Participation Agreement • Responsibility of the School/School District Inspector: • Should be “adequately trained to identify and assess health and safety hazards” • Should be “authorized to initiate corrective action upon identification of a health or safety hazard”

4. Step 3 • Familiarize yourself with the self-inspection checklist and Health and Safety Guide • Don’t be afraid to delegate certain elements of the inspection! • Inspection can be performed over multiple days by multiple people • May be wise to get help for some areas • Chemical Hygiene Officer should inspect science rooms, laboratories, chemical storage areas, etc. • Members of safety committee could help inspect shops and playgrounds

5. Step 4 • Compile the report • What items were noted? • Compare findings to previous reports • Document corrective action taken • Develop an action plan to address items that could not be corrected immediately

6. Self Inspection Worksheet

7. Self Inspection Worksheet

8. Material Safety Data Sheets Item C003 • Labor and Industries requires MSDS to be readily available forchemicals used in the school • The MSDS must be reviewed regularly and kept up to date for chemicals used on the premises • Schools should have MSDS for all cleaning and disinfecting products, etc. • Some classroom chemicals may be too dangerous or toxic to be stored or used in a classroom (e.g. drain cleaner, flammable liquids, pesticides, etc.)

9. Classroom Chemical Storage Item B007 • Spray bottles must be properly labeled with contents • Cleaning and disinfecting products and other chemicals with warning labels such as “Keep Out of Reach of Children” must be inaccessible to students • This means in locked cabinet, in the teachers area, or in an upper cabinet out of the reach of children • Exceptions: • Hand Soap • Hand Sanitizers • Tempera paint (certified as non-toxic)

10. Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) Item C021 • Receptacles located within six feet of sinks, water fountains, showers, etc. must be GFI protected • Extension cords and power strips near sinks and other grounding sources must be connected to a GFI protected receptacle GFI devices must “trip” properly when tested • Use of extension cords should be minimized

11. Vacuum Breaker Item D004 Generally applies to mop sink faucets If a threaded nozzle or quick coupler is present, the faucet must be equipped with a vacuum breaker or similar device to eliminate the hazard associated with a cross-connection

12. Animals In The Classroom Familiarize Yourself with Section O and Appendix F in the Health and Safety Guide • School designee (e.g., principal, nurse, risk manager, etc.) should be notified before animal is introduced into the classroom • Parents should be notified whenever an animal is introduced into a classroom • Animal handling and hand washing policy for students should be in place • Hand washing sign should be posted

13. Emergency Eye Wash and Shower Items K003 – K007 Emergency eye wash and emergency shower must be provided if required or recommended on the MSDS for the chemicals used in the laboratory, shop, art room, etc. Must be located convenient to the area where the chemicals are used and kept clear at all times Must be tested at least once each year and activated weekly Documentation of testing must be kept on site

14. Shop Safety Zone & Non-Skid Surfacing

15. Shop Safety Zone & Non-Skid Surfacing Items L003 and L004 • Applies to all large stationary shop equipment • Also applies to “portable” shop equipment designed to be used as stationary equipment (e.g. portable table saw, bench top drill press, grinder, buffer, etc.) • Commonly an issue in art classrooms and stage production areas • Two-foot safety zone must be clearly marked and easily visible • Machinery must be properly spaced to prevent overlap of safety zones • Non-skid surfacing must be in good condition to prevent the operator from slipping while operating the machine

16. Equipment Operating Instructions Item L010 Must be posted on or near moving shop equipment Must provide general safety instructions for each machine When using information from private companies be sure it is suitable for an educational setting From ReiTech Corporation

17. Equipment Operating Instructions Item L010 Make sure the instructions are complete Should also include the key if using symbols to display warnings

18. Hazardous Chemicals In Schools Website Very useful for helping to determine how and where chemicals should be stored A link to this website can be found at SRHD.org Should be used only as a complement to Table 1 and Table 2 in Appendix D of the Health and Safety Guide

19. Chemical Resources for Schools Website Good resource for science teachers, chemical hygiene officers and students

20. Resources Chemical Resources for Schools: http://www.lhwmp.org/home/educators/index.aspx Flinn Scientific, Inc., Safety Information Website: http://www.flinnsci.com/Sections/Safety/safety.asp Hazardous Chemicals In Schools: http://www.lhwmp.org/home/educators/chemlist.aspx ReiTech Corporation: http://www.reitech.com Spokane Regional Health District School Safety Program: http://www.srhd.org/services/schools.asp Spokane Regional Health District School Safety Resources: http://www.srhd.org/services/school-resources.asp