Closing the classroom
Background:
Similar to the start of the school year, injuries often increase at the end of the year when staff move out materials and take down decorations. Consider asking: Do you know someone who experienced muscle soreness or an injury while cleaning up at the end of the year?
Ask:
What tasks may increase our risk of injury during end-of-year clean-up?
- Lifting and moving boxes to and from high shelves
- Carrying and moving materials from classrooms to vehicles
- Using ladders to take down decorations
- Other risks?
Ask:
What can we do to decrease injury risk?
- Use equipment to make the task easier.
- What is available: carts, hand trucks, step stools, ladders, etc.
- Where is it located?
- Is training required?
- Get help, especially with heavy or awkward items. Work in teams when possible.
- Don’t overload boxes. Keep them at a manageable weight.
- Avoid storing heavy or awkward items on high shelves.
- Avoid rushing. Focus on the task at hand.
- When lifting, use good body mechanics.
- Test the load before lifting.
- Keep the load close to your body.
- Flex your knees.
- Maintain the curve in your lower back (push your tailbone back and look forward).
- Avoid twisting.
- Practice ladder safety.
- Participate in ladder safety training. This Oregon OSHA publication has detailed information, visit: http://osha. oregon.gov/OSHAPubs/3083.pdf
- Use the right ladder or step stool for the job (no chairs, desks, or boxes).
- Inspect the ladder to ensure it is in good repair.
- Move the ladder instead of reaching to the side.
Ask:
Any safety concerns or suggestions?
For more on this topic, visit saif.com/education.