Safety Resources & Education

Creating a Safer Workplace Together
Brought to you by Workers' Compensation & Risk Management

A safe workplace starts with informed employees. Boise School District is committed to providing resources, education, and support that help create healthy learning and working environments for everyone.

Explore monthly safety topics, seasonal reminders, and practical tools designed to help you recognize hazards, prevent injuries, and stay prepared throughout the year.

Quick Safety Tips for Fall & Winter

Fall and winter bring changing weather, shorter days, busy schedules, and holiday activities. A little extra awareness can help prevent injuries at work, on the road, and at home:

Check weather and road conditions before heading out, especially when temperatures are near freezing.
Wear footwear with good traction and take smaller, slower steps on wet, frosty, or icy surfaces.
Allow extra travel time during poor weather so you aren’t tempted to rush.
Keep entrances and walkways clear of wet leaves, tracked-in moisture, snow, and other seasonal hazards.
Dress appropriately for outdoor conditions and take warm-up breaks during extended exposure to cold temperatures.
Use safe lifting techniques when moving supplies, deliveries, decorations, or other seasonal materials.
Keep walkways, stairs, and exits clear as holiday decorations, packages, and winter gear begin to accumulate.
Use extra care with seasonal activities at home, including decorating, snow removal, fireplaces, and holiday gatherings.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and make sure your household knows what to do during a power outage or winter emergency.
Slow down during the holiday rush—fatigue, distraction, and rushing can turn an ordinary task into an unnecessary injury.

Changing seasons can bring changing risks. A few extra seconds to prepare, look around, and slow down can help keep fall and winter safe.

Seasonal Safety Starts with Awareness

Fall and winter bring changing conditions, busier buildings, shorter daylight hours, and shifting routines. Staying aware of what’s happening around you can help prevent injuries before they occur.

Look Before You Move: Take a quick scan before walking, lifting, carrying, or starting a task—especially when conditions or surroundings have changed.
Keep Your View Clear: Avoid carrying boxes, supplies, or equipment that block your ability to see stairs, doorways, people, or obstacles ahead.
Expect the Unexpected: Deliveries, school events, visitors, and seasonal activities can change normal traffic patterns inside and outside our buildings.
Notice Changes Underfoot: Transitioning from outdoors to indoors can mean wet shoes, tracked-in moisture, mats, and changing floor surfaces.
Stay Alert in Parking Areas: Darker mornings and evenings can make pedestrians harder to see. Slow down, use designated walkways, and stay attentive behind the wheel and on foot.
Avoid Autopilot: Familiar tasks can feel automatic. Take a moment to focus before beginning, particularly when using equipment or performing physical tasks.
Speak Up About Hazards: If you notice damaged equipment, poor lighting, a loose handrail, blocked walkway, or another concern, report it promptly.
Give Yourself Time: Rushing can affect judgment and awareness. A few extra minutes can make everyday tasks safer.

Notice what’s changed. Slow down when needed. Small moments of awareness can prevent bigger problems.

Slow Down to Stay Safe

October through December can bring packed calendars, deadlines, school events, holiday activities, and plenty of interruptions. When the pace picks up, slowing down just a little can help prevent avoidable injuries.

Finish One Task Before Starting Another: Switching back and forth between tasks can make it easier to overlook a hazard or skip an important step.
Pause After an Interruption: If a phone call, student, coworker, or other distraction pulls you away, take a moment to remember where you left off before jumping back in.
Don’t Let “Just This Once” Win: A chair isn’t a step stool, an overloaded trip isn’t worth saving 30 seconds, and skipping a safety step rarely saves as much time as you think.
Give Yourself Room: Crowded workspaces, carts, deliveries, packages, and extra seasonal materials can make normal tasks more difficult. Clear the area before getting started.
Avoid the Hurry-Up Mindset: Running late can tempt us to walk faster, carry too much, or take shortcuts. Slow down and do the task safely.
Recognize When You’re Tired: Fatigue can affect attention, coordination, and decision-making. Take a brief reset before tackling a task that requires extra focus.

Busy doesn’t have to mean rushed. Take the extra moment—doing it safely the first time is always faster than dealing with an injury later.

Plug In Safely: Electrical Awareness

Cooler weather, seasonal decorations, extra equipment, and end-of-year activities can mean more devices competing for outlets. A quick check before plugging in can help prevent electrical hazards and fires.

Inspect cords and plugs for fraying, cracks, exposed wires, or other damage before use.
Never remove the grounding prong from a plug or force a plug into an outlet that doesn’t fit.
Avoid “daisy chaining” power strips or extension cords together.
Keep electrical cords away from doorways, walkways, water, and other areas where they could be damaged.
Unplug equipment by grasping the plug rather than pulling on the cord.
Follow District guidelines for personal appliances, space heaters, seasonal lighting, and other electrical items brought into the workplace.
If an outlet, cord, or piece of equipment feels unusually hot, smells like it’s burning, sparks, or repeatedly trips a breaker, stop using it and report the concern.

When it comes to electricity, a quick check before you plug in can prevent a much bigger problem later.

Ready When the Unexpected Happens

Emergencies don’t always come with much warning. Knowing what to do before something happens can help you respond calmly, quickly, and safely.

Know the evacuation routes and designated gathering areas for your work location.
Take a moment to locate the nearest fire extinguisher, AED, and first aid supplies.
Keep hallways, doorways, emergency exits, and access to safety equipment clear at all times.
Know how your building communicates emergency information and where to look for instructions.
Never prop open designated secured doors or allow unfamiliar individuals to enter behind you without following established procedures.
If an alarm sounds, take it seriously and follow your building’s emergency procedures rather than assuming it is a drill.
Report damaged emergency equipment, blocked exits, burned-out emergency lighting, or other concerns promptly.
During an emergency, follow District and building procedures and directions from designated personnel.

Preparedness starts before an emergency. Knowing your surroundings and your role can make a big difference when every moment counts.

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