The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66123

Barry Schlegel, MS, CIH, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute- Public Education and Risk Communication, The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey- School of Public Health, 170 Frelinghuysen Rd, Room 236, Piscataway, NJ 08854, 732-445-0220, schlegba@umdnj.edu and Howard Garey, Office of Vocational- Technical Education, Careers and Adult Programs, New Jersey Department of Education, P.O. Box 500, Trenton, NJ 08625.

Operating since 1992, the Safe Schools Program is a university-based effort to promote and support improved occupational safety and health in New Jersey schools. It is supported by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Vocational-Technical Education, Careers and Adult Programs. The Safe Schools Program involves a number of outreach components designed to support Safety and Health Designees and those involved in structured learning experiences. Safety and Health Designees are school board appointed school personnel who are charged with the responsibility of implementing a safety and health program for vocational-technical education programs and courses in their school district. The following is a list of the major Safe Schools Program outreach components: updating the Safe Schools Manual, a manual of checklists covering environmental and occupational safety & health regulations; providing free training to teachers throughout the year; publishing a biannual newsletter; analyzing injury/illness records that are reported to the New Jersey Department of Education; answering technical questions; assessing training needs; and evaluating the effectiveness of the Safe Schools Program. Key aspects of the program will be highlighted including the results of ongoing program evaluations and needs assessments. Each year a mail survey is sent to school personnel and other stakeholders. The Safe Schools Program can serve as model for addressing safety and health concerns in schools in other states.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to
• identify the key components of an overall program for managing occupational safety and health issues in schools and
• list important training needs for improving occupational safety and health in schools.

Keywords: School-Based Programs, Safety

Related Web page: www.eohsi.rutgers.edu/ss

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.