WVPP -Workplace Violence Prevention Plan and IIPP - Injury Illness Prevention Plan
The Grenada Elementary School District is committed to the safety and health of all employees and recognizes the need to comply with regulations governing injury and accident prevention and employee safety.
The primary objective of the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) is to reduce job-related employee injuries and illnesses as well as to insure compliance with California Code of Regulations Title 8, Section 3203. The Workplace Violence Prevention Plan is part of and works in conjunction with the IIPP.
Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)
This IIPP is established in accordance with the requirements of the California Labor Code Section 6401.7 (SB 198) and the Injury and Illness Prevention Standard, California General Industry Safety Order Code of Regulations, Title 8, §3203. This program is intended to ensure all GESD employees' occupational safety and health regardless of position and job tasks. This program is a component of the GESD Loss Control Program. Effective August 4, 2023, the IIPP is fully revised, and this document becomes the GESD Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). Only the Superintendent or the appointing authority may amend this IIPP. This IIPP does not supersede any law, legal requirement, regulation, or GESD policy.
The IIPP is in compliance with the California Labor Code Section 6401.7, and the California Code of Regulations Title 8, Sections 1509 and 3203, and it consists of the following elements:
Responsibility
Compliance
Communication
Hazard Assessment
Hazard Correction
Accident/Exposure Investigation
Training and Instruction
Recordkeeping
Workplace Violence Protection Plan (WVPP)
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workplace violence is the second leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States, affecting nearly 2 million American workers annually. SB 553 addresses workplace violence by requiring employers to implement basic protections to protect employees while at work.
California Senate Bill 553 (SB 553), which was signed into law on September 30, 2023. SB 553 amended Labor Code section 6401.7 requires California employers to establish, implement, and maintain at all times in all work areas an effective Workplace Violence Protection Plan (WVPP) in accordance with newly codified Labor Code section 6401.9, which sets out the requirements for the plan.
State law authorizes Cal/OSHA to enforce compliance with SB 553, extending this authority by granting Cal/OSHA access to workplace violence incident logs and employer WVPP. The agency is granted authority to issue citations and impose sanctions on non-compliant employers.
The WVPP, a component of the Injury and Illness Prevention Program, is intended to establish a framework for protecting employees from workplace violence. This plan includes the following components:
Names or job titles of the persons responsible for implementing the plan. If there are multiple persons responsible for the plan, their roles shall be clearly described
Effective procedures to obtain the active involvement of employees and authorized employee representatives in developing and implementing the plan
Methods that will be used to coordinate implementation of the plan with other employers, when applicable, to ensure that those employers and employees understand their respective roles, as provided in the plan
Effective procedures for the employer to accept and respond to reports of workplace violence, and to prohibit retaliation against an employee who makes such a report
Effective procedures to ensure that supervisory and nonsupervisory employees comply with the plan
Effective procedures to communicate with employees regarding workplace violence matters, including, but not limited to, both of the following:
How an employee can report a violent incident, threat, or other workplace violence concern to the employer or law enforcement without fear of reprisal
How employee concerns will be investigated
Effective procedures to respond to actual or potential workplace violence emergencies, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
Effective means to alert employees of the presence, location, and nature of workplace violence emergencies.
Evacuation or sheltering plans that are appropriate and feasible for the worksite
How to obtain help from staff assigned to respond to workplace violence emergencies, if any, security personnel, if any, and law enforcement
Procedures to develop and provide employee training
Procedures to identify and evaluate workplace violence hazards, including, but not limited to, scheduled periodic inspections to identify unsafe conditions and work practices and employee reports and concerns. Inspections shall be conducted:
When the plan is first established
After each workplace violence incident
Whenever the employer is made aware of a new or previously unrecognized hazard.
Procedures to correct workplace violence hazards identified above, in a timely manner consistent with the IIPP, including:
Procedures for post incident response and investigation
Procedures to review the effectiveness of the plan and revise the plan, including:
Procedures to obtain the active involvement of employees and authorized employee representatives in reviewing the plan
The IIPP & WVPP plans
Safety Plan Information
The District has developed a comprehensive Safe Schools Plan, to provide a safe learning environment for employees, volunteers, and students. The safety of the children and personnel is the paramount priority of Grenada Elementary School District. The GES 2024 SCHOOL SAFTEY PLAN addresses emergency situations while the IIIPP - INJURY ILLNESS PREVENTION PLAN and the GESD WVPP - WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLAN for employees and volunteers works conjunctively with our GES School Safety Plan.
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
In the case of an emergency at our schools, we ask that you please remember to look for official information from the school or district. We deliver messages via school and district websites, text, and district social media account - Facebook. Please ensure that your child’s school has your most current contact information on file. Call the Main Office to update contact information.
Dear Parents:
Providing for your student’s safety when at school is a major responsibility of our staff. All schools and child development centers have a disaster plan. The principal and staff are prepared to make prompt and responsible decisions in any situation that could threaten the safety of the students.
The need to lockdown or shelter-in-place, evacuate students or close school before the regularly scheduled closing time could arise from a relatively minor emergency such as a prolonged interruption of power or from a major event such as a violent incident on campus, an earthquake, or severe storm. During these times, communication and/or transportation may be disrupted.
In the event of a major emergency or disaster, information will be given primarily through our text notification system, as well as the GES Facebook page.
District Release Policy
No student will be dismissed from school unless a parent (or individual designated by a parent) comes for him/her.
No student will be released to another person, even a relative or baby sitter, unless there is written permission to that effect or that particular person is listed on the student’s Emergency Information in our files and is able to identify him/herself. If any of your contact information changes during the year, please visit the office to update the Emergency Information.
All parents or designated persons who come for students must sign their student(s) out at the office, unless directed elsewhere on campus by posted signs.
Please be assured, we are prepared to care for your student in emergency situations. Members of our staff are trained in the areas of first aid, search and locate, and student safety to ensure that all your student needs will be met. We will communicate with local emergency services. They will be apprised of our current status and the need for additional resources.
We ask for your help in the following ways:
Do not call the school. We will contact you, if necessary. It is essential that telephone lines be kept open for emergency calls.
Do not drive to the school. The school access routes and street entrances must remain clear for emergency vehicles. We will notify you through our phone notification system when safe access is recommended.
During the school year your child will be trained in the necessary emergency procedures. Each will learn how to react, where to assemble, and what to expect in an emergency situation.
We suggest that you meet with your immediate family and develop an emergency plan. There are several free publications available to assist you. Please call the local chapter of the American Red Cross at 732-6436 or visit them online at www.redcross.org. More information can be found at www.fema.org
If you have any questions or comments regarding our emergency preparations, please call the school office.
Posted by March 1st of each school year.
Take all emergency drills seriously
Follow law enforcement, teacher and site administrator instructions
If you see something, say something - Don't spread it- report it! This is the best deterrent to potentially harmful situations. We want everyone on our campus, including parents and guardians to be empowered to report any unusual or suspicious activity.
Parent/Guardian Emergency Tips
REMAIN CALM! Employees at each of our campuses regularly train in emergency procedures in numerous scenarios. They will do everything possible to keep your child safe.
DON’T CALL THE SCHOOL. The phone lines need to be kept open for emergency calls and staff may not be available to answer calls. The first priority during an emergency is to keep students and employees safe. Communication will be sent to parents/guardians as soon as possible. (See section below for emergency communications information)
DON’T IMMEDIATELY DRIVE TO THE SCHOOL. Additional presence on campus could impede the ability of emergency and law enforcement vehicles to access the school. Please wait for specific instructions from the school or district. Depending on the situations the reunification may be at an alternative location.
YOUR CHILD WILL ONLY BE RELEASED TO ADULTS LISTED ON THEIR EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST! Please ensure that your child's school has the most recent contact information on file - Update Contact Information. At the conclusion of an emergency, be sure to bring your identification to the reunification area in order for your student to be released to you.
FOR PARENTS: What happens in a Lockdown?
Visitor Policy
All visitors to schools must report to the front office, state reason for their visit and receive a visitor badge prior to entering classrooms or school grounds.
See Something, Say Something
If you see something, say something - Don't spread it- report it! This is the best deterrent to potentially harmful situations. We want everyone on our campus, including parents, guardians and guests to be empowered to report any unusual or suspicious activity to a site administrator, employee or police.
High Heat Procedures
California is prone to hot temperatures due to its geography. Extreme heat can impact the body and may result in nausea, unconsciousness, dehydration, and strokes. The following resources are meant to help understand what to do when facing extreme heat temperatures and how to best mitigate their impact.
Resources
CDPH Health Guidance for Schools on Sports and Strenuous Activities During Extreme Heat
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’ (CDC): HeatRisk Dashboard
NWS HeatRisk Interactive map and chart.
Key Sections:
Advisory for Excessive Heat Wave in California
Review procedures and practices for extreme temperature emergency conditions.
American Red Cross - Heat Wave Safety
What to do before and during a heat wave and how you can treat heat related illness.
California Department of Public Health - Extreme Heat
Be informed on extreme heat.
California Department of Public Health Guidance for Schools during Extreme Heat
Recommendations for school sports and strenuous activities during extreme heat.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Extreme Heat
Information on extreme heat preparedness and hot weather tips.
Cal OES - Summer Heat Resources
Resources to help deal with the summer excessive heat.
National Integrated Heat Health Information System
Extreme heat warnings in California and how to stay safe.
Ready.gov - Extreme Heat
Information on extreme heat preparedness.
HEAT RISK CHART
Air Quality
The Air Quality Management District (AQMD) provides alerts and up-to-date reports on the air quality for our area.
The Air Quality Index) (AQI) has six levels beginning with Good to Hazardous and guidelines on what should be done at each level. Costa Mesa is in Region 18 and Newport Beach is in Region 20.
Conditions may change throughout the day and may be tracked through the interactive map website.
District staff receive AQMD alerts and will notify staff of elevated levels of particle pollution in the air. Depending on the level certain outdoor or strenuous activities may be reduced or avoided for all students or those who are in a sensitive group.