Safety and Health Policies

The personal safety and health of everyone at WRCC is of primary importance. The prevention of occupationally induced injuries and illness is of such consequence that it will be given precedence over any operation whenever necessary. To the greatest degree possible, the administration will provide all mechanical and physical facilities required for personal safety and health in keeping with the highest standards. The administration recognizes that educational programs and safety are inseparable. The WRCC will maintain a safety program conforming to the best practices of career and technical-technical training programs. To be successful, such a program requires the cooperation and proper attitude toward injury and illness prevention from all. It also requires cooperation in all safety and health matters, not only between administration, staff and student body, but also between each student and his/her fellow students. Only through such a cooperative effort can a safety record in the best interest of all be established and preserved.

Students, teachers, staff, and administration are individually responsible for wholehearted, genuine cooperation with all aspects of the safety and health program including compliance with all rules and regulations, and for continuously practicing safety while performing their duties.

This cooperation manifests itself in behavior that provides the following:

• Safety to yourself.
  
  
• Safety to peers.
  
  
• Safety to all staff members.
  
  
• Protection to all visitors.
  
  
• Compliance wth all rules set forth by WRCC.
  
  
• Prompt reporting of all injuries and/or accidents.
  
  
• Prompt reporting of any unsafe situation in a shop or classroom to the instructor and/or administration.

Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment, for eyes, face, head and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, will be provided, and shall be used and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption or physical contact.

Students are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment in all operations where there is an exposure to hazardous conditions or where the need is indicated for using such equipment.

Safety Committee

A Safety Committee composed of WRCC occupational instructors and other professional staff. This important committee has the responsibility to insure that the safety and health policies of the BUHS#6 District and the WRCC are followed. Inspections and assistance are available to maintain a constant improvement in the environment, safety, and healthfulness for the entire WRCC community.

Eye Protection

The school will enforce, and the student shall comply with "Each teacher and pupil of any school, public or private, shall while attending school classes in industrial art or shops or laboratories in which caustic or explosive chemicals, hot liquids or solids, hot molten metals, or explosives are used or in which welding of any type, repair or servicing of vehicles, heat treatment or tempering of metals, or the milling, sawing, stapling or cutting of solid materials, or any similar dangerous process is taught, exposure to which may be a source of danger to the eyes, wear an industrial quality eye protective device, approved by the Department of Public Health. Each visitor to any such classroom or laboratory shall also be required to wear such protective device."

The instructor will provide each student with a pair of safety glasses or cover goggles, in areas requiring eye protection. The student shall be responsible for his or her eye protective equipment. If a student loses, willfully abuses or damages his or her eye protective equipment, they are required to purchase eye protective equipment from the school. Students wearing contact lenses shall inform their instructor and are required to wear eye protection. Students wearing eyeglasses shall be issued and shall wear an approved cover goggle. Students who claim that their corrective lenses and frames are industrial quality are required to verify such claims with a signed statement from their doctor attesting that the safety glasses in question meet or exceed all industry standards.

Personal Appearance/Shop Attire

The educational experience at WRCC is not only preparation for life, but also an experience in living. Therefore, we encourage a dress code that embraces moderation and avoids extremes. Students should wear clothing that is clean, neat, and appropriate for their technical training area, as defined by industry standards.

Clothing that may affect the health and/or safety of the individual or the student body will not be allowed. A review board will be organized to render decisions in the case of student appeals on the issue of appropriate dress and appearance. This board will consist of the Director/Assistant Director, the Guidance Counselor and several impartial participants, including students if appropriate.

In light of the need to promote safety and good health, the following dress code and behavioral standards have been set:

Clothing which interferes with, and/or harasses, others on the basis of race, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, displays indecent or obscene messages, offensive slurs or innuendoes; exhibiting alcohol, tobacco or drugs is prohibited, particularly where it tends to interfere with the educational process, and since such clothing is not permitted in the workplace.

• Clothing should never be brief or revealing to the extent that it would be considered to be in poor taste by a potential employer or be disruptive to the educational process.
  
  
• Jeans or pants that have holes, ripped or frayed edges will not be allowed.
  
  
• Nylon or other material that is determined to be flammable are safety hazards and are unacceptable.
  
  
• Shorts are not allowed when safety concerns are determined.
  
  
• Tank tops and half shirts are not allowed. Long sleeve work shirts are recommended.
  
  
• Sunglasses are not allowed inside the school building.
  
  
• Protective eyewear may be required at times in all programs. Eye- wear is provided as stipulated in this policy.
  
  
• No loose clothing, loose jewelry or long, loose hair is permitted while operating machinery or other equipment.
  
  
• Aprons, coveralls, uniforms, shop coats, and hairnets, etc. may be required in some shop areas. Coveralls and uniforms will be provided to students in Automotive Technology and are to be worn in shop at all times. Cleaning services will be provided.
  

Specific Shop Safety Requirements

Automotive Technology, Construction Trades, Landscaping Technology/Horticulture, Natural Resources, Protective Services, and Warehousing and Distribution students shall also comply with the following additional safety requirements:

• Safety work boots (or shoes) are required. Steel toe shoes are recommended.
  
  
• No soft sole shoes or sneakers are permitted.
  
  
• Ear protection, work gloves, hard hats, face shields, respirators and protective clothing are required often and will be provided.
  

Construction Trades students are required to wear hard hats while working off-site or in the lab.

In Culinary Arts standard dress is that of the food service industry. Health codes require appropriate head coverings that will be provided to all students.

All other personal protective equipment required by shop standards will be provided by WRCC.

Students will be responsible and charged for damaged or lost safety items issued to them.

Students having permission to participate in field trips, work-based internships, and workplace visitations are to select attire that is professional and conforms to the standards of the work-place/site visited.

Students will not be allowed to participate in a field trip if their appearance/attire is inappropriate. Instructors will outline what attire is appropriate for any field trip or work-site visitation in advance.

Strict adherence to this safety and health policy is a condition of remaining a student at WRCC. Failure of students to comply with guidelines outlined here and as part of the occupational safety program within the shop will result in disciplinary action as outlined in school behavior code.

Requests for financial assistance for items necessary to comply with the above guidelines may be made in confidence to the Guidance Counselor/Director.

Health Services

Health Services provide students with healthcare should the occasion arise in the school setting. In accordance with state law certain health requirements are necessary for all students. The school nurse's responsibility is to follow through with each student's medical record for compliance. The school nurse keeps Student Emergency Information Forms and relevant information is updated on a periodic basis. In addition the school nurse is responsible for the teaching of wellness to all students, health education to students in full day programs, and is the chair of the safety committee. If there are any questions regarding the welfare of a student, parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the school nurse for further discussion.

The school nurse with permission of the parent/guardian will determine the discharge of an ill student. If the nurse is not available, the Director/Assistant Director will make the determination for discharge.

A student should not be in the nurses' room without a pass.

Administering of Medication

Throughout the school year students may require various medications due to short-term illness and/or medical conditions. In compliance with state regulations policies have been instituted to ensure the safety and health of all students needing medication during the school day. These policies include self-medications such as inhalers and Epi-pens. The following must be in place in order for medication to be administered during the school day:

• A written medication order must accompany all medications to be administered in school. This order must come from the student's physician, nurse practitioner or licensed prescriber. Students needing medication on a long-term basis must have this form renewed at the beginning of each school year.
  
  
• A consent form signed by parent/guardian.
  
  
• All medication must be delivered to the school nurse in a manufacturer labeled container by parent/guardian. Students may not deliver medication. Please ask your pharmacy to provide separate containers for home and school. No more than a twenty (20) day supply should be delivered to the school at one time. Questions regarding medication should be directed to the school nurse.

Accidents and Injuries

Any student who is injured at WRCC, on school grounds, or at any school activity must report the injury to the BUHS school nurse. Every accident and/or injury MUST be immediately reported, using an accident report form and signed by the person in charge, giving the date, time, and location of the injury. These report forms are available from the BUHS school nurse and/or in the Career Center Office. They must be made out in triplicate.

If any student needs medical care, an insurance form must be requested from the BUHS school nurse and/or in the Career Center Office. Any student who goes to the doctor without her/his parent(s) or without notifying the school authorities will be responsible for his/her own medical care. Every injury must be reported prior to leaving school. Failure to comply with this reporting requirement may void Collaborative insurance coverage.