Schools are required to have an emergency action plan that addresses protocol for fires, toxic chemical spills, hurricanes, tornadoes and other weather-related emergencies. Schools must post maps that clearly identify the escape routes included in the plan, and all employees must be informed of what is expected of them during an emergency so that they can ensure their own safety as well as that of students. Schools also must assign and train wardens to guide others through escape routes in case of emergency. Wardens also may be required to check the building for trapped victims.
The identification of safe areas for evacuation--parking lots, open fields, streets a safe distance from the site--is an important part of any emergency action plan. Designated safe areas make it easier to identify missing students and prevent areas near the building from overcrowding, which can inhibit emergency efforts.
OSHA requires that medical personnel, such as a school nurse, be available for advice and consultation and to treat injuries or illnesses. If the school doesn't have a clinic, employees must be trained to perform first aid. Sufficient first aid supplies also must be present. According to the American National Standards Institute, the following supplies must be on hand: absorbent compresses, adhesive bandages, adhesive tape, antiseptic, burn treatments, medical exam gloves, sterile pads and triangular bandages.
In the event that a person's eyes or body could be exposed to hazardous chemicals or materials, eyewash stations must be available in or near the classroom.
Combustible and flammable waste materials must be controlled to prevent the spread of fires. Employees must be educated on how to properly handle hazardous materials. Schools also must also provide OSHA-approved fire extinguishers and mount them in accessible locations. Extinguishers must be tested annually and maintained to ensure that they are in working order.
Schools may opt to use sprinkler systems for emergencies rather than fire extinguishers, as long as employees are properly educated once a year on how to use them. Fire detectors also must be installed and tested and adjusted as often as necessary to confirm their reliability. Service and maintenance (including regular cleaning) must be completed by a knowledgeable and trained professional.
Hazardous materials should be properly stored. Schools must make employees aware of any hazardous chemicals used in classrooms, including art supplies, cleaning supplies or chemicals used in science laboratories. (See Reference 5) Containers of flammable liquids should be contained in red-painted cans with visible identification.