Safety Services

Safety Services

The Risk, Safety, and Environmental Department is committed to providing a safe workplace and learning environment.

Safety services has divisionwide responsibility for developing, implementing, and maintaining safety programs to control occupational risk exposures and to oversee the implementation of the mandated federal, state and county laws, regulations, and guidelines promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, the Prince William County Public Schools, and other relevant agencies.

Safety Programs

The safety programs are directed to train and engage employees towards safer working habits and a reduction in at-risk behaviors. Our goal is to develop a safety consciousness among employees by reducing accidents and occupational illnesses to a minimum and identify and control safety, health, and environmental hazards associated with its operations.

We must work together and accept personal responsibility for our safety and the safety of our co-workers. Our safety programs are vital in fostering this kind of work environment and include, but are not limited to:

  • Aerial lift operation
  • Annual safety inspections
  • Climbing walls/ropes
  • Elevator evacuation training
  • Fall safety
  • Fire safety
  • Moveable soccer goals
  • Playground safety
  • Theatre safety

Carbon Monoxide Safety

Every year, accidental exposure to carbon monoxide, also known as CO, sends 15,000 people to emergency rooms across the country, and 500 people die from it. These accidents can happen anywhere, including schools.

An ESL 260-CO SafeAir Carbon Monoxide Detector has been installed at PWCS schools.

The 260-CO SafeAir Carbon Monoxide Detector detects CO gas, monitors the levels of CO gas, and gives early warning when potentially dangerous levels exist. It includes a built-in sounder that acts as a primary alarm notification device.

The 260-CO detector does not detect fire, smoke, or any other gases.

What is carbon monoxide?

CO is a poisonous, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. Although it has no detectable odor, CO is often mixed with other gases that do have an odor. You can inhale carbon monoxide right along with gases that you can smell and not even know that CO is present.

CO is a common industrial hazard resulting from the incomplete burning of natural gas and any other material containing carbon such as gasoline, kerosene, oil, propane, coal, or wood. One of the most common sources of exposure in school is the internal combustion engine.

How does carbon monoxide harm you?

CO is harmful when breathed because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen. Large amounts of CO can overcome you in minutes without warning, causing you to lose consciousness, and suffocate.

Initial symptoms of CO poisoning may include tightness across the chest, headache, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea. During prolonged or high exposures, symptoms may worsen and include vomiting, confusion, and collapse in addition to loss of consciousness and muscle weakness. Symptoms vary from person to person. CO poisoning may occur sooner in those most susceptible: young children, elderly people, people with lung or heart disease, or those who already have elevated CO blood levels, such as smokers.

In Case of Emergency

In the event that you hear the alarm sounding from the ESL 260-CO SafeAir Carbon Monoxide Detector, please adhere to the following directives:

  1. Do not pull the fire alarm
  2. Immediately call 911 and advise the dispatcher that your CO alarm is sounding.
  3. Evacuate the building and do not re-enter the area until the fire department has given the all clear and the area is deemed safe.
  4. Contact Facilities Management at 571-722-7473 or 571-722-7476 to advise of CO alarm sounding.

Fire Safety

Fire Lanes

Under the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC), Section 503.4, "Obstruction of Fire Apparatus Access Roads" and Prince William County Public Schools, Regulation 408-1, Fire Safety, a fire lane is an access road designed for fire and emergency apparatuses and shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. The purpose of the fire lanes is to prevent parking and standing in front of or adjacent to fire hydrants and to provide clear access to buildings and fire protection equipment for fire and rescue apparatus. Parking or otherwise obstructing such areas is hereby prohibited by the Fire Marshal's Office.

Vehicles parked illegally in fire lanes also make evacuation difficult, if not impossible. Many of the emergency exits will open into the fire lane for rapid dispersal of staff and students. Additionally, vehicles in the fire lane are within what firefighters call the "collapse zone." If the building falls from fire damage, most of the debris will fall within that fire lane.

Our first responders cannot put out the fire, rescue the patient, or otherwise conduct emergency operations unless they can get to the emergency.

Fire Safety and Fire Extinguishers

The safety of our staff and students is our primary goal. Regulated by Fire Safety Regulation No. 408-1. To assist in this endeavor, the Risk, Safety, and Environmental Department will provide fire extinguisher training for employees. To schedule a training class contact this office. A review of some of the materials that will be reviewed in the training are below.

When to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Only attempt to use an extinguisher if all of the following apply:

  • The building is being evacuated;
  • 911 has been called;
  • Fire is small and contained;
  • Exit is clear and you can fight with your back to the exit;
  • A proper extinguisher is available;
  • You have been trained and are confident in using an extinguisher; and
  • You can stay low and avoid breathing smoke.

Fire extinguishers are not designed or intended to extinguish large fires, but if used properly, can control or extinguish a small fire. A small fire is defined as one that could occur in a standard office trash can. When a fire or suspected fire, e.g., smoke is discovered, the first reaction should be to activate the fire alarm, call 911, and evacuate the building according to the evacuation plan. Fire extinguishers are provided in all school buildings and can be used provided the person is properly trained to use the extinguisher.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Remember the PASS word.

  • Pull the pin - Place your hand on the top of the cylinder and pull the pin. This will unlock the handle and allow you to activate the unit.
  • Aim - Point the nozzle of the hose at the base of the fire.
  • Squeeze - the handle (lever) releasing the fire fighting agent.
  • Sweep - the nozzle from side to side over the fire. Keep the nozzle/hose directed at the base of the flame. Empty the fire extinguisher onto the fire.

Playground Safety

Playground Safety

Playground Composite

The Risk, Safety, and Environmental Department manages the Playground Safety Program in a continuing effort to provide quality, well-maintained, clean, and safe playgrounds for our schools and public use.

Regulation and Forms

Regulation 401.01-5, "Playground Safety Program," outlines safety requirements for playgrounds. Below are the attachments included with this regulation for your use:

  • Attachment A - Planning Guidelines
  • Attachment B - Request for Purchase of Playground Equipment
  • Attachment C - Playground Installation Checklist
  • Attachment D - Playground Base
  • Attachment E - Playground Equipment Repair Form
  • Attachment F - Documentation of Completed Playground Repair
  • Attachment G - Daily Playground Safety Checklist
  • Attachment H - Monthly Playground Safety Checklist