Safety Services

Safety Coordinator

COSER 620.01

COMPONENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS

This service provides to School Districts and BOCES assistance with the compliance with local, state and federal safety and health regulations promulgated by the NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Labor (DOL), Health (DOH), and Education (SED) and at the Federal level - the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A representative from the Safety Service will be made available to a school district in the event of an inspection by any of the agencies listed above.

These activities of the service are provided to meet the requirements of the regulations as well as the individual needs of the districts.

This service also provides district-specific, consultative assistance to ensure compliance for subscribing districts and BOCES on specific health and safety issues/initiatives. Assistance is provided for the development, update, or implementation of written plans and program requirements for various state and federal agencies. An audit of records is completed to ensure that required record retentions schedules are met. With assistance from the district/BOCES, the Safety Service can ensure compliance with local, state and federal mandates.

All activities of the Safety Advisor COSER will be included in this service in addition to the activities of the service outlined in the Description of Services document.

Additional activities of the service include:

• Attend (if requested) safety committee meetings;
• Coordinate and/or deliver various safety trainings;
• Conduct evaluations of existing plans, policies, processes and protocols;
• Create reports and summaries of items completed;
• Conduct various inspections, evaluations or walkthroughs;
• Create audits to ensure compliance with various regulatory agencies;
• Provide coordination for additional safety resources with outside agencies, as requested
• Provide a file system to store safety related documents.

Consultative services regarding emergency management are also available, as requested. Activities include:

• Review of plans, policies, procedures and practices;
• Coordinate and/or deliver trainings;
• Assist with drills and tabletops; and
• Provide coordination for additional emergency management resources with outside agencies, as requested.

Requests from School District and BOCES that require external support or an enhanced level of service can be requested and are subject to an additional cost.

Child Life Services

COSER 620.011

NON-AIDABLE

Crisis assistance is available to school districts and BOCES in the event of a crisis situation involving the death of a student or staff member by experts in the Child Life and Mental Health fields. 

Child Life Services provides supportive counseling and education to reduce stress and anxiety for children going through a medical/surgical procedure, those who have parents that are suffering from a life-threatening condition or any array of services to children surrounding a myriad of issues. Certified Child Life Specialists can be coordinated by the Safety Service for the following activities:

• Medical play therapy;
• Coping techniques for anxiety and stress;
• Grief and bereavement counseling; and
• Nutrition/wellness education.

Safety Advisor

COSER 620.012

BASE SERVICE - NON-COMPONENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS

This service provides assistance, in an advisory capacity, to School Districts and BOCES to assist in the compliance with local, state and federal safety and health regulations promulgated by the NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Labor (DOL), Health (DOH), and Education (SED) and at the Federal level - the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A representative from the Safety Service will be made available to a school district in the event of an inspection by any of the agencies listed above.

The Safety Service provides guidance, coordination and recommendations to School Districts and BOCES in various safety areas that also include:

• Access to various safety plans;
• Access to training (in-person) and online;
• Notifications about training opportunities;
• Notifications about regulatory changes;
• Access to SDS database/inventory;
• Access to services for fit testing, evaluations & exams and CPR/AED certification; and
• Access to various newsletters.

These activities of the service are provided to meet the requirements of the regulations as well as the individual needs of the districts. Services that require external support or an enhanced level of service, not covered by the base, will be subject to an additional cost.

Asbestos Inspections

COSER 620.02

The asbestos program provides inspection services and training in accordance with the Federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). This service includes:

• Six month surveillances;
• Triennial inspections (as required); and
• Training/coordination of training for district staff and asbestos designees.

All activities offered in this service are conducted by certified asbestos inspectors and management planners.

Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment Course

COSER 620.06

This two-hour course is intended for school professionals that are seeking licensure, certification or re-certification. It is approved by the State Education Department and is conducted by Safety Services personnel, either in-person or virtually.

Topics covered include:

• Background of the Child Protective Services System;
• Mandated Reporters;
• Legal Framework;
• What is Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect?; and
• Case Scenarios - Exercises.

This course is offered as a separate service for the COSER and individuals who attend are responsible for self-registration and payment. Cost: $25 per participant.

Fire Inspections

COSER 620.040

Certified code enforcement officials conduct annual fire inspections and assist school districts and BOCES with fire safety compliance and staff training. The Safety Service supplies districts and BOCES with fire inspection reports and maintains copies of the inspection.

Fire Safety Services

COSER 620.041

In accordance with the New York State Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, and New York State Education Department, the fire safety services program offers the following to school districts and BOCES:

• Inspection of identified fire extinguisher equipment;
• Servicing and tagging of all fire extinguishers;
• Creation and update to reports for identified fire extinguisher equipment; and
• Service reports for fire extinguisher equipment at district and BOCES buildings.

Dignity Act/Bullying Prevention

COSER 620.06

This service will provide consultative assistance, training and district  specific programming that is designed to foster a positive culture  and climate. The role of the DASA Specialist/PBIS Coordinator is to:

• Assist the Dignity Act Coordinator in their role;
• Conduct an audit for school districts and BOCES;
• Assist the district and BOCES in maintaining compliance;
• Provide newsletters (Dignity Dispatch) with relevant and timely information;
• Provide training on a wide variety of topics;
• Provide and develop training programs specific to district and BOCES needs; and
• Assist districts and BOCES with providing various techniques to provide a supportive environment for both students and staff that is free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, bullying and cyberbullying (Dignity for All Students Act).

Dignity Act Certification Course

COSER 620.06

This course is intended for school professionals that are seeking licensure, certification or re-certification. It is a six hour course (three hours online and three in person) that is approved by the State Education Department and is conducted by Safety Service personnel and legal professionals. Topics that are covered in this course include:

• Legislation history;
• Policy and code of conduct;
• Staff training requirements;
• Student instruction;
• Reporting and response;
• Risk and protective factors;
• General awareness of population
• Alternatives to progressive discipline; and
• Techniques to create culture and climate reform.

This course is offered as a separate service from the COSER and individuals who attend are responsible for self-registration and payment. Cost: $100.00 per participant.

Safety Technician

COSER 620.017

The Safety Technician Service provides Districts and BOCES compliance with Local, State and Federal safety and health regulations promulgated by the NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Labor (DOL), Health (DOH), and Education (SED) and at the Federal level, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The Safety Technician service provides an enhanced level of service to the District or BOCES through the efforts of the combined Safety Services team. Districts or BOCES who subscribe to this service will have technical assistance from the Safety Services team in order to meet the various LEA responsibilities. Support can be provided for further development and/or implementation of written plans and programs.

All activities of the Safety Coordinator and Safety Advisor COSER will be included in this service in addition to specific goals, initiatives and tasks outlined by the District or BOCES.

Activities of this service can include:

• Initiate, organize and/or conduct safety committee meetings;
• Initiate, coordinate and/or conduct various safety trainings;
• Initiate, coordinate and/or conduct evaluations of existing plans, policies, programs, processes and protocols;
• Initiate, coordinate and/or conduct various building safety inspections, evaluations or walk-throughs;
• Initiate, coordinate and/or conduct surveys and audits to ensure compliance with various regulatory agencies, plans and programs;
• Create and provide reports summaries of items completed; and
• Initiate and/or coordinate additional safety resources with outside agencies, as requested.

Technical assistance regarding emergency management will also be conducted. Activities can include:

• Evaluate, recommend and update plans, policies, procedures and practices;
• Create reports and recommendations on existing procedures, policies and practices;
• Initiate, coordinate and/or conduct evaluations on building and/or response protocols;
• Coordinate and/or deliver trainings;
• Initiate, coordinate and/or conduct drills and tabletops; and
• Coordinate additional emergency management resources with outside agencies, as requested.