How To Do A Self Inspectionby

Steve Main

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

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”

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

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

 Self Inspection Worksheet

Self Inspection Worksheet

Material Safety Data Sheets

Item C003

Labor and Industries requires MSDS to be readily available for chemicals 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.)

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)

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

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

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

Emergency Eye Wash and Shower

Items K003 – K007Emergency 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

Shop Safety Zone & Non-Skid Surfacing

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

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

Equipment Operating Instructions

Item L010

Make sure the instructions are complete

Should also include the key if using symbols to display

warnings

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

Chemical Resources for Schools Website

Good resource for science teachers, chemical hygiene officers and students

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