A South Carolina school district has initiated an organized approach to playground safety that includes (1) a strict board policy governing the selection, purchase, and installation of school playground equipment; (2) regular inspections; (3) proper surfacing materials; (4) proper supervision; and (5) equipment replacement schedule. (MLF)

This module provides safety guidelines for vocational teachers, principals, and students in the vocational shop class, including tips on the prevention and handling of accidents if they occur. It answers questions on student and administrator liability in accident situations. Suggestions are included for increasing the safety of special needs…

Intended to help reduce the number of school eye injuries in New Jersey, this document begins with a brief review of existing legislation regarding eye protection in educational institutions and a list of elements essential in an eye safety program. Second, eye protection equipment is examined in terms of: the advantages of safety spectacles over…

Lists the components of an inservice program on school safety and liability: discussions of current trends, legal terminology, specific cases, tort liability, and a safety survey of the environment and teaching practices. (Author/JM)

Preventing accidents in the first place should be the goal of school transportation directors. To do this, and limit liability, a district must (1) have a strong driver-training program; (2) check drivers' records and references; (3) provide and record maintenance of the bus fleet; and (4) spell out operating and training opportunities in…

Discussed are facts about tort liability in science education and strategies that can be used to avoid liability. Variables such as maturity, size, age, mental capacity of students, and the nature of the activities are addressed. Included are four cases in which teachers were held liable for accidents. (KR)

This paper presents a viewpoint on educator responsibilities toward helping youth develop the skills necessary to cope with life as well as consideration on how to present science in a safe environment. Discussions include safety in the learning environment, litigation, effective teaching, effective schools, the goals of science, and the mandate…

Reports on a chemistry laboratory accident intervention study conducted throughout the state of Colorado. Addresses the results of an initial survey of institutions of higher learning. Discusses some legal aspects concerning academic chemistry accidents. Provides some observations about academic chemistry laboratory accidents on the whole. (TW)

The ordinary conduct of school business is accompanied today by risks that were rare or unknown a few decades ago. School administrators are continually being challenged to develop new strategies to safeguard their districts' assets. Risk management is a coordinated effort to protect an organization's assets, both human and financial, from all…

Three types of off-campus instructional arrangements are described with varying amounts of faculty supervision. Under each type, several suggestions are discussed to help departments minimize the chances of litigation arising in connection with the programs. (JMF)

To obtain the best student accident insurance coverage for the least cost, programs offered by various companies should be compared on the bases of coverage limits for specific injuries, injuries not covered or only partially covered, whether students are overinsured or underinsured, and premium costs. (MLF)

Guidelines are offered here for school practitioners to follow in order to safeguard themselves against tort action, which can arise from student accidents occuring during school activities, on or off campus. (Author)

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…

Describes the funding mechanism in Illinois that permits school districts to levy a separate tax to pay for risk management and tort liability. Offers practical applications for risk care management including risk care management job descriptions. (MLF)

The issues of accident and injury prevention, and safety in physical education programs are discussed in terms of hazard identification and reduction, compensation for unavoidable risks, and avoidance of unnecessary hazards. (JMF)