School Safety: Get your glass checked!
Posted on - September 22, 2017Kids and glass don’t mix.
Fact.
Are you sure the glass in your school is safe?
You can’t afford to be in the dark.
Durable’s Glass Audit service gives you peace of mind.
The danger is very real.
Check out this article from the Eastern Daily Press
Norfolk headteachers have been told to check the safety of glazing in their schools after a girl was hurt when her hand went through a glass panel that did not have a protective film.
The accident at Valley Primary School, in west Norwich, happened on April 28, and, according to information Norfolk County Council sent to all schools, the girl suffered “significant cuts to her hand and forearm as result of running into a fire door and her hand going through a glass panel”
The bulletin said a sticker on the glass panel in the door indicated that a safety film, which would have prevented the glass from shattering, had been applied, but it later turned out it had not.
A council spokesman said: “We are pleased to report the pupil concerned is now back at school.
“Norfolk County Council has a policy of requiring schools to ensure safety glazing is in place where necessary and we have urged all schools to recheck the glazing in their buildings in accordance with this policy.”
The council reported the incident to the Health and Safety Executive, whose inspector Paul Carter said: “Given the nature of the incident, which did not meet the incident selection criteria, the internal investigation, and action taken to re-inspect the glazing throughout the school to ensure it was correctly filmed, an investigation was not required.”
The council bulletin, sent out earlier this month, said “all schools must check their glazing in critical areas” by tomorrow.
The school did not response to a request for comment.
Many buildings do not meet the requirements of Regulation 14 of the Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) 1992 regulations or the Duty of Care Act – increasing the potential for prosecution in the event of accident or injury. This applies to internal glass partitions too.
All areas of glass really ought to be surveyed to make sure they are safe and fit-for-purpose.
Durable’s comprehensive glass audit can highlight issues which may go un-noticed and could be vital.
For instance — you may have had window film fitted in the past.
But — how long ago? Is it still effective and legally compliant?
Maybe only some of the glass in your building was treated — what about the rest?
Maybe there have been breakages or refurbishments and the new glass is not covered?