HAZARD SPECIFIC REDUCTION MEASURES

Sittie Jannah P. Mama

Prepared BY:

1. Fire Prevention and Safety Measures

Section 601-604 of the National Building Code of thePhilippines (2005 Edition) – Resistive Rating of materialto be used in constructing school buildings shall beclassified according to fire resistive standards.

All materials of construction, andassemblies or combinations thereof shallbe classified to their fire-retardant orflame-spread ratings as determined bygeneral accepted testing methods.

The design and construction of school buildings basically conform to the

standards of safe construction where:

OFF LIMITS

INSPECTED SIGN

RESTRICTED USED

In case of emergencies that will require students toimmediately evacuate from their classrooms (such asin case of fire or earthquake), there should be aprovision for an open space within in the schoolcompound which will be designated as temporaryevacuation area.

It must be SAFE DISTANCE from buildings, electric poles, and hanging objects that might fall and

injure people.

It should be BIG ENOUGH to hold the total population of the school.

2. Provision for Open Spaces as Temporary Evacuation Sites for Earthquake, Fire and other Emergencies.

School Buildings and other structuresmust strictly follow standard engineeringtechnical specifications (e.i. Building Codeof the Philippines, 2005, NationalStructural Code of the Philippines, 2001).The National Code of the Philippines,2001 has specific sections for wind load/wind effects and earthquake design.

3. Adherence to Building Design Standards and Structural Soundness.

4. Provision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Facilities

Every school shall have a standard water system and its regular inspection and maintenance important and necessary.

Regular and continuous checking of the water system for possible wear and tear will ensure the

optimum and continued services of the water system.

Section 901 states that all buildings shallbe provided with adequate and potable watersupply, plumbing installation and suitablewastewater treatment or disposal system,storm water drainage, pest and vermincontrol, noise abatement device, and suchother measures for the protection andpromotion of health of persons occupying thepremises.

A. Water System and Wastewater Disposal system

Schools shall be provided with RESERVE WATER in water tank reserve to be used in case of fire.

B. Ideal Water Supply SystemSection 902 of the Code prescribes an ideal water

supply system with the following guidelines:

The potable water requirements for schoolbuildings shall be supplied from existingmunicipal or city waterworks system.

The quality of drinking water from meteoric,surface or underground sources shall conform tothe criteria set in the latest approved NationalStandard for Drinking Water Standards.

The design, construction and operation ofdeep wells for the abstraction of groundwatershall be subject to the provisions of theWater Code of the Philippines (PD 1067)

The water piping installations for water supply anddistribution to each fixture including the wastewaterdrainage with proper venting inside school buildings andpremises, shall conform to the provision of the RevisedNational Plumbing Code of the Philippines.

Sanitary sewage from buildings shall be dischargeddirectly into the nearest street sanitary sewer main ofexisting municipal or city sanitary sewerage system inaccordance with the criteria set by the Code onSanitation of the Philippines and the Department ofEnvironment and Natural Resources (DENR).

All school buildings located in areas where thereis no available sanitary sewerage system shalldispose their sewage to septic tank andsubsurface absorption field or to a suitabledisposal system in accordance with the Code ofSanitation of the Philippines and the RevisedNational Plumbing Code of the Philippines.

5. Road Safety

Segregate vehicular

routes from pedestrian routes.

Traffic aide/enforcer

shall assist the children in crossing the

streets to avoid accidents.

Pedestrian crossing for safety of

schoolchildren shall be

established in front of school

gates.

Make routes as direct as possible and use clear, obvious signs.

Multilingual signs may be an advantage

in some schools.

Chapter IV, Article I of R.A. No. 4136 (An Act To Complete the Laws

Relative To Land Transportation and Traffic Rules to Create a Land

Transportation Commission and For Other Purposes)

No person shall drive any motor vehicle upon a school zone at

such a speed as to endanger the life, limb of any person, nor at a speed greater than will permit him to bring to a stop

within the assured clear distance ahead.

6. Proper Use of Chemicals and Gases in the Science Laboratories. (DepED Order No. 48, s. 2006)

Science laboratoriesare facilities used bystudents whereactivities require theuse of gases andchemicals.

Combustible or inflammablematerials stored in thelaboratory or in its immediatevicinity shall be used duringexperiment in science withclose supervision of theteacher.

It shall beprovided withsufficient hood ordevices for theirritating orpoisonous gasesand chemicals.

Dangerous chemicals shall belabeled appropriately andshall always be visible forstudents/pupils to ensureproper use and storage.Warning signs shall belegible and written inbold/big letters.

Suggested design guidelines and safety considerations for science laboratory are:

A. Designing/Constructing a Science Laboratory

The science laboratory should be designated as a wide space(7 x 18m) to allow mobility inside the room.

There should be at least two (2) entry/exit doors for easy access and egress. The doors should be swing out to

facilitate exit of students in case of emergency.

The science laboratory should have provisions for laboratory counter, control room and storage

room.

Chemical solutions should be located or kept on the base cabinets of the storage/stockroom. The storage and control room should be equipped with

built-in cabinets not higher than 1.90m.

Science laboratory buildings should provide with neutralization tank/drain pit for proper disposal of

chemical’s waste.

Stock/storage room should be provided with security grills on the windows to ensure the safekeeping of

chemicals and other apparatus of the science laboratory.

The working tables inside the science lab should be fixed on the floor. It should be made of reinforced concrete with mosaic

tiles topping and should be acid resistant. Each working table should be provided with

a lab sink and faucet.

Waste pipes should be also acid resistant.

Every Science Laboratory room should have a notice/reminder posted on conspicuous side of the room for student’s awareness and shall be provided

with a First Aid Kit.

Single storey, science laboratory building should be located far from academic

classrooms.

In case of multi-storey building, the science laboratory should be located on the highest

floor possible for proper ventilation.

The Science Laboratory should have a 24-hour clean water supply.

Laboratory working areas should be well lighted and have a bilateral fenestration for

ventilation and fume extraction.

B. Guides/Steps to ensure that learning in the laboratory will always be safe.

Plan your work.Familiarize students with the rules and regulations when using the laboratory.

Orient the students with the properties of the chemicals to be used, particularly their

hazards.

In using chemicals for experiments, only authorized person should have the access in getting the chemicals/apparatus in

the stock/storage room.

Know emergency procedures and the

location of the first kit, wash area, and

exit points.

Notify immediately the proper authority to deal with such

incidence.

Always make sure of the presence of a science teacher before and during experiments.

Wash immediately with clean water to lessen the intensity

of solutions.

Good housekeeping is important when it comes to laboratory safety. Make sure that science laboratory rooms and tables after experimental activities are cleaned to

reduce accidents.

The following considerations will help to eliminate accident in the

laboratory.

Ensure that class sizes in science laboratories do not exceed the allowance safe maximums for space and

facilities.

Design and implement a contingency plan for laboratory emergency situations.

Inform all pupils/students where to get help in case of accidents or injury.

Ensure that safety equipment is present and functioning properly.

Ensure that master shut-offs are present in every laboratory for gas, electricity, or any

other service that might involve danger should an

accident occur.

Ensure that adequate lighting for experimentation

is available. Impaired vision is an invitation to

accidents.

Make sure that there is adequate ventilation to the outside for each laboratory in which noxious fumes

might be generated.

Make sure that each science lab is equipped with a safety shower and eyewash that are periodically

checked for proper operation.

Ensure that all electrical outlets are grounded and facilities are available

for grounding all electrical apparatus.

Make sure fire extinguisher are available in each science class. It should be checked at least twice a year to insure

proper functioning.

The following steps shall be taken by the teacher to fulfill safety

objectives

Make the safety program a major emphasis in the science curriculum.

Provide a list of safety rules which must be read and signed by the student and parent or guardian.

Show the students where the safety equipment is located, and how it works. Explain under what condition

it is to be used.

Explain the consequences for violating safety regulations in detail.

Instruct students on how to evacuate the lab in the proper, fasting in case of emergency.

Explain possible hazards in handling and disposing of chemicals used in an experiment.

Point out specific safety considerations in a particular experiment.

Never leave students alone and/or unsupervised in the lab.

Frequently remind the students often that they are not allowed in chemical storerooms or lab preparation areas

Prohibit students from bringing any food or drink into the lab.

Instruct students to never put any chemicals in their lab drawers unless told specifically to

do so.

Discuss the lab with students the day before the experiment is to be done so that safety

situations and possible hazards can be clarified.

Notify the administration, in writing, of any possible safety hazard that exists in the

laboratory, especially the overcrowding of the science lab room.

Provide only immediate care in case of an accident to prevent additional complications

from arising.

Science fair projects should be scrutinized for safety hazards and corrected before teacher approval is

given.

7. Proper Use of Computer/Laboratory RoomComputer/Laboratory rooms are special instructional

spaces designed to meet the current and future demand of modern technology.

a. Recommended Security and safety Measures

Fastening of each PC unit to the computer table

(optional)

Hiring of security guard

Installing fire alarms/fire

extinguishers.

Engaging the assistance of

barangay tanods.

To sustain the package and services of the PCs public-private assistance is encouraged,

such as:

b. Public-Private Assistance

Local Adopt-A-School Program through the Local School Board,

PTCA Alumni Association

Internet Café inside the School, etc.

Community e-center

Teachers Coop Store/School

Canteen

Following are recommended best practices to help maintain and protect computers used at work.

Install all updates required by the ICT Office.

Install only licensed programs.

Do not install different versions of software.

Let ICT know when hardware is not working.

Do not download programs from internet sites you do not trust.

Let ICT know when you need something.

Use online support resources.

Be aware of suspicious e-mails.

8. School Canteen

Only nutritious foods/drinks of known origin shall be sold in the school canteen.

Junk foods intoxicating beverage are strictly

prohibited.

9. Proper Garbage Disposal

Waste segregation policy stipulated in R.A. No. 9003

(Clean Air Act) shall be followed by providing separate garbage cans for dry waste, wet waste, and hazardous, toxic wastes. Burning of garbage shall be

discouraged in compliance to the provisions of said Act.

10. Pergolas shall be constructed in sucha way that these shall allow the passage of bigvehicles like fire trucks, dumb trucks andambulance.

12. Waiting sheds shall beconstructed to protect schoolchildren from heavy rains and the heatof the sun while waiting for theirparents and vehicles in going home.

11. Compulsory use of IdentificationCards must be imposed within the schoolpremises.

13. Organizing a School Disaster/Risk Disaster Management Program

The organization of a school safety program shall be established in an environment where the tools and machines are

safe and manned by safety-conscious

individual who will perform safe operations

and processes.

The school administration in coordination with the Local Disaster

Coordinating Council shall:

Initiate/formulate sound policies and procedures;

Assign safety conscious staff members to implement said policies effectively;

Conduct effective-in-service training activities for teachers and community assemblies for parents;

Provide safety training/drill exercises for staff and

pupils/students;

Involve parents and adult volunteers in safety campaign

Keep a record of pupil/student accidents, dates, causes and preventive measures;

Organize safety committee/team in different levels such as

Calamity/Disaster and Fire Control Group, Safety Committee, Junior

Police, MKB Tanod, Kiddie/Junior Fire Marshall, etc.

Provide responsible security guards through the Local Government (if

possible)