5340A - STUDENT ACCIDENTS
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Responsibility for safety and accident prevention should be assumed by all personnel and students.
Responsibility for recognition of and reporting of safety hazards to the administrator should be assumed by all school personnel and students. Periodic review of accident reports should be done to plan for safety lessons, etc.
Student enrollment cards should be checked periodically to determine that family physician and emergency contacts are included on all cards.
In the event of an injury first aid must be considered a joint responsibility of various members of the school staff. First Aid is defined by the American Red Cross as "the immediate, temporary treatment given in case of accident or sudden illness, before the services of a physician can be secured." In addition to the nurses, who are only in the buildings part time, several other staff members are qualified in first aid. A list of persons in the building who are qualified in first aid should be posted or circulated.
PROCEDURE
In the event of an injury the teacher or other staff member to whom the student is responsible should assume control until a qualified first aider, or administrator arrives. 1) If the injury is minor the student should be referred to the office escorted by another student. 2) If the injury seems serious, telephone or send a dependable messenger to notify the administrator. 3) If a back or neck injury is suspected the person must not be moved.
First aid treatment should be continued in accordance with Red Cross recommendations and school policy until the administrator takes over.
The administrator or qualified first aider should determine the seriousness of the case, decide whether an ambulance should be called and/or the parents notified, and act accordingly. Reasonable effort to locate parents at home, work, or elsewhere is desirable.
Careful investigation of the cause of the accident should be made immediately by the administrator. It should include the injured person's version and witnesses’ testimony. Investigation should not be considered complete until all actions have been taken which may prevent recurrences.
As soon as possible, and following established procedure, a report should be made on the standard accident report form.