Safety in the Environment

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In today’s class, we will be talking about safety in the environment. Enjoy the class!

Safety in the Environment

Meaning of safety

Safety is a situation which prevents any form of injury while performing some activities.

Safety is a situation where an individual or group of an individual can carry out or perform activities without any injury. In other words, safety is the absence of injury or tendency to be injured in the course of carrying out a task.

Safety first” is the slogan of individuals and organizations that value human lives. Such people or organizations say never embark on any task, job or activity if it is not safe.”

Reasons for safety

Safety is important for the following reasons:

1. To prevent loss of life: Safety measures should be put in place to prevent the death of individuals while carrying out a task.
2. To minimize risk: Safety measures help in reducing risk in carrying out a task.
3. To prevent temporary, or permanent disabilities: There is the need for safety to prevent accidents that we lead to loss of eyes, limbs, arms and any other parts of the body. Permanent disabilities could make an individual unproductive and almost useless to their families and society.
4. To prevent damage of properties: Road and fire accidents can bring great damage to many properties. Through safety measures, properties (both public and private) can be maintained and have longer usage.
5. To prevent avoidable accidents: When necessary safety measures are put in place some accidents will be avoided. For instance, if necessary gadgets and personnel are available at a swimming pool drowning will be eliminated or prevented.

Accidents and safety measures

1. At Home: Before discussing safety measures, there is a need to know the peculiar accidents that occur at home. This includes:
2. Fire outbreaks
3. Pressing iron burns
4. Hot water burns
5. Sliding in the bathroom
6. Failing from staircases
7. Knife or razor blade cuts
8. Electric shocks through electrical appliances
9. Bites from snakes, scorpions or insects.
10. Bruises
11. Bone fractures due to hitting of the leg on hard objects.

Safety measures

1. To prevent electric shocks: The house should properly be wired by professionals. Cables should not be exposed. Right Sockets and plugs should be used at all times.
2. Gas Cylinders should be properly closed to prevent gas leakage.
3. Petrol and kerosene should be kept far from the reach of children.
4. Bush burning should be avoided within the compound
5. The use of a candle, mosquito coils, boiling rings etc should be avoided if possible.
6. All drugs should be taken far away from children reach.
7. Proper disposal of waste
8. The bush around should be constantly cleared to prevent snakes, scorpions and other dangerous animals and insects.
9. Bathroom floors should be scrubbed regularly while old bathroom tiles within the house should replace.
10. Car keys should be kept away from children and youths.
11. All electrical gadgets, sockets should be checked when going out of the house or before going to bed in the night.

School environment:

The following are some of the possible accidents in a school environment

•  Electric shock
• Falling of ceiling fans
• Sliding in the bathroom.
• Fracture while running or playing games on the pitch.
• Drowning in the swimming pool.
• Breaking of swing chain.
• Bruises from fall while running.
• Burning of the skin due to the smash of chemicals during experiments in the laboratory.
• Hitting of students eyes by teachers while caning.
• Failing from the staircase.

Safety measures

1. Bathrooms and toilets should be properly constructed with good materials and should be repaired periodically.
2. The school building should be constructed properly with necessary safety measures put in place.
3. Fire extinguishers should be provided in strategic locations, particularly in laboratories and offices.
4. Lifeguards and swimming instructors should be around whenever students are using the swimming pools.
5. Sports masters and possibly a nurse should be available during inter-house sports or special sporting events in the school.
6. School hall and classrooms should be well ventilated.
7. Dangerous chemicals used in laboratories should be kept in special rooms inaccessible to students.
8. All experiments involving the use of chemicals and heating should be done in the presence of the subject teacher(s).
9. First aid kits should be provided in laboratories, school clinic etc.
10. School food should be hygienically prepared and served to avoid food poisoning. Students should also be taught good table manners.
11. School buses should be in good condition and should be driven by professional drivers.

Work environment:

The following safety measures should be put in place:

1. Fire extinguishers should be in strategic places.
2. Original sockets, plugs and other electrical appliances should be used in offices.
3. Proper wiring of the building.
4. Staff should ensure that all electrical gadgets are switched off after office hours.
5. Safety manager should conduct periodic training for staff on how to prevent forms of accidents in the workplace.
6. Smoking should not be allowed in all offices and restricted to certain areas for instance restaurant.

Traffic Guidelines

These guidelines include:

A. Motorists:

1. Motorists should never drink alcohol before and when driving
2. Motorists should never make or receive phone calls while driving
3. Motorists should not over speed.
4. Motorists should effectively use indicators for the various movements
5. Motorists should strictly obey all road signs.
6. Vehicles should be carefully parked in a way they will not cause obstruction
7. The seat belt should be worn every time motorists drive.
8. Ensure proper vehicle maintenance.

B. Cyclists and Motorcyclists:

1. They should wear a helmet and should not carry more than one passenger.
2. They should not put abnormal horns.
3. They should not play music while they ride.
4. They should use riders’ protection e.g. padded clothes, bright-coloured jacked, etc.
5. They should observe all road signs.
6. They should properly maintain their motorcycles.

C. Pedestrians:

1. Pedestrians should use road pavement while they walk on the road.
2. Pedestrians should use pedestrian bridges where provided or Zebra crossing points.
3. Pedestrians should walk opposite traffic rather than backing it while they walk on the road.
4. Pedestrians crossing the road should look left, right, and left again before crossing.
5. Pedestrians should wear bright coloured materials while walking in the night.

D. General Rules:

1. Motorists and motorcyclists should drive at speed limits.
2. Motorists and motorcyclists should always observe all road signs.
3. Motorists and motorcyclists must not drive with one hand.
4. Vehicles should always be kept in good working conditions.
5. Drivers and riders must not eat or smoke while driving.
6. Drivers and riders should obey traffic lights and traffic wardens.

 

In our next class, we will be talking about Adaptation.  We hope you enjoyed the class.

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