For decades safety has been an integral component of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and CTE (career and technical education) instruction. Given today's litigious society, safety in P-12 STEM education and CTE has received greater attention. This in part is the result of the rise in popularity of collaborative learning…

To reduce playground accidents, schools should (1) audit their playgrounds for compliance with current safety guidelines; (2) employ a risk manager; (3) develop a safety curriculum; and (4) put more emphasis on teaching basic movement competence to students. (MLF)

Discussed are causes of fires that occur in school science laboratories and ways of preventing them. (RH)

An analysis of school district student injury reports revealed that 62 to 80 percent of all elementary school injuries were occurring on the playground, and that students were the major cause of injury. After a series of student-orientation rules and staff-orientation programs, injuries as a pilot site decreased by 78 percent for the year. (MLF)

Traces the death of a student athlete to deficiencies in the Yonkers, New York, athletic program. Includes evaluation questions based on actions later required of the Yonkers schools. (KS)

Drownings in lifeguard supervised areas are often due to failure of guard to recognize signs of struggle, intrusion of nonlifeguard duties, and distraction from surveillance duties. Information on inservice training programs and suggestions for monitoring performance are given. (DF)

Camp riding programs should be examined regularly for liability and risk management issues. Elements of a basic safety assessment include requiring proper safety apparel, removing obstructions from riding rings, ensuring doors and gates are closed, requiring use of lead ropes, securing equine medications, banning smoking, posting written…

A Proactive Safety Campaign at Lake Central School Corporation in St. John, Indiana, has lowered workers' compensation insurance costs. Quarterly meetings with the insurance carrier and the director of each department address individual concerns. (MLF)

A camp that is establishing a challenge course or climbing wall must ensure program safety. Discusses financial planning, selecting a contractor, adhering to standards for construction, inspections, staff training, screening of participants, and the administrative challenge of implementing and documenting proper actions. Sidebar discusses a study…

Following the guidelines of the "Handbook for Public Playground Safety," published in 1981 and currently being reevaluated, is only a first step in an overall playground safety program of planning, purchasing, installation, maintaining, and supervision. Includes playground safety checklists and ways to make playgrounds safer. (MLF)

The purpose of this plan is to minimize the potential for disaster and to minimize damage to materials if a disaster should occur. It contains: emergency instructions; evacuation procedures; a disaster contact list; and sections on salvage priorities, prevention, protection, response, recovery, rehabilitation, disaster team responsibilities,…

This book provides information about health and safety hazards in art classrooms. The book outlines a practical plan for an art room safety program. It includes recommendations for providing protective equipment and enlisting students' active participation. Included are sample worksheets and checklists, explanations of legal liability, and…

There is a high rate of children's injuries on America's playgrounds. This report examines this issue and provides guidance on how to make playgrounds safer and more fun for children, and procedures for performing an initial analysis of the safety of a local playground using a playground safety checklist. Additionally, it provides a step-by-step…

Outlines standards in seven areas--staff training, facilities, athletic equipment, emergency preparedness, a central training room, athletic health care and training, and recordkeeping--for assessing school athletic programs so that potential injuries and lawsuits can be avoided. (KS)

Explains how to prevent outdoor sports injuries; discusses related litigation and specific cases involving playing field turf, tennis, skiing, and pools; and sets out facility design and maintenance considerations and recommendations. A sidebar provides information about injury insurance available to NCAA schools. Part I of this article appeared…