We developed, validated, and tested
a tool in Mexico to assess
the management of student and teacher health and safety, environmental
protection, and community safety in high school science laboratories.
Schools require such an instrument in order to capture and proactively
identify opportunities for safety improvement. We developed a checklist
by reviewing and adapting different sources. It can be used to evaluate
a school’s management approach using a composite indicator,
the Health, Safety, Civil, and Environmental Protection Management
Indicator: IHSCE. The IHSCE comprises four sub-indicators: (1) health,
safety, civil, and environmental policies; (2) management of chemicals;
(3) facilities, safety, and emergency equipment; and (4) teacher training.
The IHSCE tool was validated and tested in 41 high schools in the
state of Sonora (Mexico). The IHSCE sub-indicator rankings ranged
from medium to low in the science laboratories of schools in the capital
of the state and in regional high schools. However, regional high
schools had significantly lower levels in two IHSCE sub-indicators:
the facilities, safety, and emergency equipment sub-indicator and
the teacher training sub-indicator. The tool consists of a checklist
that is flexible and comprehensive. Its use revealed differences in
high school science laboratories and identified opportunities for
the reduction of health and safety hazards in school facilities and
communities and in the surrounding environment.
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