School Safety are the measures undertaken by the learners, staff, parents and other stakeholders to either minimise or eliminate risky conditions or threats that may cause accidents, bodily injury as well as emotional and psychological distress. Accidents can lead to disability or death while emotional and psychological trauma can result in lack of self-esteem and ultimately lead to poor performance of tasks and responsibilities. Creating a School Safe Zones does not only mean ensuring an accident free school environment. Rather, it is the responsibility taken by learners, staff, parents and stakeholders to foster all-round safe living.

School Safety is therefore an integral and indispensable component of the teaching and learning process. Indeed, no meaningful teaching and learning can take place in an environment that is unsafe and insecure to both learners and staff. It is, therefore, imperative that educational stakeholders foster safe and secure school environments to facilitate increased learner enrolment, retention and completion and hence attainment and quality education.

Legal requirements for school safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 provides for the safety, health and welfare of workers and all persons lawfully present at workplaces. This Act applies to all workplaces where any person is at work, whether temporarily or permanently. The purpose of the Act is to secure the safety, health and welfare of persons at work (This includes teachers and support staff) and protect persons other than persons at work (this includes pupils/students, parents, contractors and other persons who visit the schools) against risks to safety and health arising out of, or in connection with, the activities of persons at work.

Section 52. (1) of the Basic Education Act No. 14 of 2013 requires private schools to maintain premises that meet the requirements of the occupational health, safety regulations and building standards. Section 59 of the Basic Education Act expects the Board of Management of a basic education institution to manage the institution’s affairs in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the occupational safety and health and also provide for the welfare and observe the human rights and ensure safety of the pupils, teachers and non-teaching staff at the institution. Section 82. (2) of the same act indicates that the County Education Board shall license and register a basic education and training institution only if, among other requirements, the premises and accommodation conform to the prescribed requirements of the occupational health and safety regulations.

Standard 5.1 of the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya, April 2008 requires each School Management Committee/Board of Governors to constitute a sub-committee to deal with School Safety.

Successful management of school safety and health

To successfully manage safety and health at work, a school should establish an occupational safety and health management system which includes the following elements:

1. A safety and health policy statement to show the management ‘s commitment;
2. Organisation of the management system, with a clear allocation of safety responsibilities;
3. An assessment of the safety and health risks which should be updated when situations change;
4. Safety and health regulations to be observed in the workplace;
5. Education, instruction and training on occupational safety and health;
6. Emergency plans, drills and first aid arrangements;
7. A regular review of the system to ensure its effectiveness; and
8. Documentation to keep proper record and ensure continuity of activities.

What Everton Environmental Safety and Health Solutions Ltd will do:

1. Carry out compliance audits of your school i.e. safety and health audits & fire safety audits
2. Help build internal safety audit system to allow for continual internal safety audits;
3. Carry out safety and health risk assessments;
4. Carry out accident investigations;
5. Carry out hygiene surveys e.g. noise, air quality and illumination surveys;
6. Prepare safety and health policies and procedures;
7. Prepare fire safety policies and procedures;
8. Prepare emergency preparedness and response plans;
9. Carry out various trainings as follows

• • Basic safety and health training for school safety and health committee
  • First aid training
  • Fire marshals training
  • Safe use of firefighting appliances for all staff and learners
  • Sports and leisure facilities safety
  • Stress Management for teaching and non-teaching staff
  • Safety in school trips.