The Ohio Bureau of
Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is expanding on workplace safety programs to offer
$4 million in grants over the next two years toward school safety and security,
the bureau announced Thursday.
The funds come from
BWC’s $1.5 billion rebate, and will provide 3-to-1 matching grants up to
$40,000 to licensed public and private pre-kindergarten through 12th grade
educational facilities. BWC consulted with Ohio Department of Public Safety and
the Ohio Homeland Security’s Center for P-20 Safety & Security on the
project.
“From machine shops
to volunteer fire departments, BWC has helped thousands of employers create
safer workplaces,” said BWC Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison. “Schools are
unique because they’re workplaces, too, but we also want them to be safe havens
for our children to learn and grow. I’m pleased BWC can direct resources to
protecting our educators and the children we entrust in their care.”
Items schools can
apply for through the grants include:
- Incident response
equipment such as equipment bags/backpacks stocked with trauma first aid
supplies, two-way communication devices and software designed to directly
interface with emergency responder radio systems, and school-wide panic
alarm/panic button systems;
- Building/grounds/transportation
security enhancements such as interior and exterior security doors and
mechanisms (e.g., panic bars or other fire code compliant door locking
mechanisms, bullet proof glass, bullet resistant coating materials for existing
glass), protective vehicle crash barriers at front of entrances, modifications
of building/facility entrances to restrict access, secured keycard systems,
metal detectors (fixed or portable), security cameras and emergency (police
dispatch) call poles;
- Safety
interventions such as flooring/floor coatings to designed reduce slip hazards,
lightweight lunch tables that reduce lifting and handling hazards, motorized
bleacher systems to reduce manual pushing and pulling forces, safe food fryers,
food cutting/slicing equipment and floor cleaning machines.