My Safety Matters

Road Safety Rules

FOR PEDESTRIANS & STUDENTS TAKING PRIVATE/PUBLIC TRANSPORT

•  Make use of the pedestrian crossings (overhead bridges, traffic lights and zebra-crossings) at all times.

•  Observe the “kerb drill” (stop, look to the right, left and right again, and listen) before crossing the road even at a pedestrian crossing.

•  Walk on the footpaths leading to the school at all times.

•  Be alert at all times especially when crossing at traffic lights of major junctions and road intersections, and dangerous corners.

•  Refrain from using handphones or other electronic audio devices when crossing.

•  Enter the school via the small entrance gate designated for pedestrians and to follow the footpath provided to the foyer area.

•  Do not to cross the road behind or in front of a stationary vehicle as the vehicle may move off suddenly.

•  Walk in a single file if walking in a group, always facing oncoming traffic. Be seen, be safe.

•  Wear light-coloured clothing when walking at night, or carry some reflective materials so that drivers can see you from a distance.

•  Queue, board and alight the bus/MRT in an orderly manner.

•  For parents/guardians dropping off students in a motor vehicle, the speed limit of 15km/h must be observed within the school. Follow traffic rules and any instructions from the security officers.

FOR CYCLISTS

•  Observe all traffic rules and signs.

•  Be alert at all times especially when cycling across traffic lights of major junctions and road intersections, and dangerous corners.

•  Do not cycle behind or in front of a stationary vehicle as the vehicle may move off suddenly.

•  When using the pedestrian crossing, alight and observe the kerb drill before pushing the bicycle across.

•  Ensure that bicycles are properly maintained and that it is safe and road-worthy.

•  Park bicycles at the bicycle stands provided in the school just after the security post. Ensure that the bicycles are properly chained or locked to prevent theft.

•  Do not cycle within the school compound as it poses a danger to the other students.

•  At the school gate, dismount and push the bicycle to the bicycle stands.

•  Wear protective gears such as helmets, gloves, elbow and knee pads and increase visibility with reflective accessories.

•  Keep both hands on the handle- bar to ensure good control of the bicycle.

•  When cycling on roads, always ride in single file, in the same direction as the traffic. Do not weave in and out of traffic, swerve side to side or weave between parked cars.

•  Keep on cycling paths or tracks where provided.

•  Use the correct hand signals to warn other road users when turning or stopping.

•  Do not put on earpiece / headphones while cycling.

•  To ensure safety, all bicycles must have at least one functioning handbrake to be ridden on the public paths and roads.

Sports Safety

 All students must adhere strictly to safety measures while engaged in sports activities.

Before activity

1.       Exercise within your own limits. While it is good to work out, please bear in mind your own health status.

2.       Conduct your own warm-up activities such as stretching exercises before engaging in physical activities.

3.       Wear appropriate approved sports attire for all activities.

4.       Do not wear any sharp objects for all sports activities.

5.       Scan the physical environment for potential hazards.

During activity

6.       Ensure sufficient hydration throughout your sports activities. Take rest and water breaks whenever necessary.

7.       Check yourself for symptoms of physical exhaustion or dehydration, stop immediately if feeling unwell.

8.       Stop all activities immediately if the lightning warning system is activated, and move into the nearest shelter.

After activity

9.       Conduct your own cool-down exercises.

10.     Monitor your own health conditions after activities.

Note: Do adhere to all prevailing safe management measures in place.

Online Safety (Cyberwellness)

Our Approach in the Use of Technologies and the Internet

To bring about quality academic experiences in teaching and learning, Tampines Secondary School offers our students and staff a range of technologies. All our staff and students are provided with internet access and an email account to facilitate communication and self-directed learning through online resources. With this privilege, it is therefore essential that all our school members remain committed to using technology ethically and responsibly. Therefore, use of internet and other technologies in Tampines Secondary School shall be:

a)   in support of teaching and learning

b)   consistent with other school policies

c)   purposeful and safe for all in the online community. Everyone in our school will be committed to creating a safe Cyberspace by means of adopting MOE's Cyberwellness framework 'Sense, Think, Act'

The 3 Cyber Wellness Key Messages

• Embrace the affordances of technology while maintaining a balanced lifestyle between offline and online activities.

• Be a safe and responsible user of technology and maintain a positive online presence.

• Be responsible for personal well-being in the cyberspace.

Adapted from: https://www.moe.gov.sg/education-in-sg/our-programmes/cyber-wellness

Principles

(1) Respect for Self and Others

Students and staff should:

•  uphold their own dignity when online (e.g. share appropriate content and participate in only legal online activities)

•  respect other people online (e.g. put themselves in others’ shoes, accept diverse views and opinions, give credit when using other people’s work and seek permission where necessary, avoid sharing hurtful materials).

(2) Safe and Responsible Use

Students and staff need to:

•  understand the risks of harmful and illegal online behaviours, and take steps to protect themselves (e.g. keep their personal information private, verify the reliability of information using various sources, take steps to avoid dangers they may encounter online)

•  make wise and healthy choices (e.g. maintain a healthy balance of their online and offline activities).

(3) Positive Peer Influence

Students and staff need to:

•  be a positive role models online (e.g. share healthy and positive content, harness the affordances of technology to do good for society)

•  advocate positive online behaviour (e.g. stand up for their peers online, report cases of cyber bullying to a trusted adult/authority, post encouraging remarks on social media).

The school reserves the right to limit or suspend technology access privileges to any user who fails to comply with responsible and ethical use of technology.

Rules and Regulations in the Computer Laboratory & I.T. Resource Room

Students are to behave appropriately in the computer laboratory and IT Resource Room.

1.  Keep the room clean and neat at all times.

2. Sit according to their Index Number or based on seating plan instructed by teachers.

3. Report to the teacher if any computer part is missing or not working.

4. Bring your school bag to the room only when the lesson is during the last period. Place your bag by the side of the room.

5. Do not bring data storage devices into the room without the teacher’s permission.

6. Do not change places without the teacher’s permission.

7. Do not eat and drink in the room.

8. Do not change the computer settings.

9. Do not install any computer programs, including games.

10. Do not download any Internet communication software.

11. Do not tamper with the keyboard or any labels that are officially pasted on the computer systems.

12. Empty the waste basket and push the chair back in place at the end of the lesson.

13. Ensure that the computer and monitor are switched off after use.

Safety in the Science Laboratories

The following general laboratory safety guidelines in apply to all laboratory activities for students.

Housekeeping

•  Only enter or work in laboratories when a teacher is present.

•  Laboratory storerooms and preparation rooms are out of bounds.

•  Long hair should be tied back to avoid any interference with laboratory work.

•  Eating and drinking are prohibited.

•  Covered shoes should be worn in the laboratories at all times.

•  Articles of clothing must not pose a safety risk in the conducting of lab activities (e.g., ties are not allowed).

Personal protective equipment

•  Protective gloves and clothing should be worn when handling hazardous materials.

•  Safety goggles should be worn whenever there is any risk of injury to the eyes.

Communication

•  Report damaged equipment, breakages, accidents and spillage to the teacher immediately.

•  Seek clarification from the teacher if instructions for an experiment are not thoroughly understood

•  Unlabelled chemicals should not be used. Report unlabelled chemicals to the teacher immediately.

Following procedures

•  Work thoughtfully and purposefully. Playing around and disruptive behaviors are strictly prohibited.

•  Only carry out activities or investigations that are authorized and supervised by teachers.

Using tools and equipment

•  Keep electrical wiring away from naked flames and heaters. Keep areas around electrical equipment dry and far from water.

•  Inspect equipment used to handle or transfer hazardous materials for leaks, cracks and other forms of damage before use.

•  Follow the correct procedures when handling equipment, e.g., positioning of hand when using a pipette.

•  Discard sharp waste objects such as needles, razors or pins in a sturdy container

Visual focusing

•  Be aware of the evacuation route in the event of emergencies such as fire.

•  Be aware of the location and use of first aid and emergency facilities, such as emergency eye-washers, showers, first-aid boxes and fire extinguishers, in the laboratory.

Material handling

•  Chemicals or other materials must never be tasted unless you are specifically directed to by the teacher.

•  Wash hands thoroughly before leaving the laboratory, regardless of whether gloves were worn.

•  Students should not take apparatus or chemicals out of the laboratory without the permission of a teacher.

Body positioning and equipment

•  Be mindful of where you stand in the laboratory, e.g., never stand facing a test-tube that is being heated by the Bunsen burner.

Safety precautions related to heating

•  Students are to follow safety measures prior to experiments involving heating.

•  Students are to inform teachers of any injury due to heating (even minor burns).

•  When using heating equipment (e.g., hotplates, isomantles, portable burners, Bunsen burners), users are to take note of the following:

•       Ensure that heating equipment is switched off when not in use.

•       Always assume that a hotplate is hot. Never touch hotplates with bare hands.

•       Portable gas burners must be stored separately from flammable materials.

•  The following precautions should be taken during heating:

•       Never leave hot equipment unattended.

•       Use tongs or clamps to handle hot glassware. However, care must be taken not to clamp test tubes too tightly as expansion may cause the glass to crack.

•       Test tubes must be heated from the side rather than from the bottom to avoid superheating.

•       Never heat a closed or stoppered container.

•       Never look into the open end of a test tube during heating.

•       Do not reach or lean over a flame.

•       Ensure that the mouth of the test tube faces away from other students.

•       Use glassware of the appropriate type and volume size when heating solutions or substances.

•       Do not heat plastic containers over a Bunsen flame.

Safety precautions related to glassware

•  Chipped or broken glassware should never be used.

•  Broken glassware should be carefully discarded, for example, by using a puncture-proof container (with lid) meant for sharp objects.

•  Glassware should be used for its intended design and purpose. For example, conical flasks and beakers may be used to contain liquids for heating, whereas volumetric flasks should not be used to heat liquids.

•  Glassware must be placed on a stable and flat surface.

Safety precautions related to sharp objects

•  Some examples of sharp objects (i.e., sharps), include scalpel blades, knives, hypodermic syringe needles, microscopic glass slides, glass coverslips and broken glassware.

•  Students are to follow instructions on the proper usage of sharp objects.

•  Care should be taken when handling instruments with pointed ends or sharp edges.

•  Scalpel blades must never be pushed into the handle by hand. This should be done using a pair of forceps. Used blades must always be removed with the aid of forceps or blade removers and disposed of immediately.

•  Discard sharp waste objects such as needles, razors or pins in a sturdy container.

Safety precautions related to using electrical equipment

Students should be aware of the following potentially hazardous situations:

•  Wet or moist surfaces near electrical equipment

•  Long electrical cables (which may cause tripping)

•  Damaged insulation on cables

•  Overloading of circuits when using adapters

•  Sparks from equipment near flammable substances and vapours

•  Electrical equipment left switched on and unattended

•  Use of the wrong type of fire extinguisher on electrical fires (i.e., water or foam instead of carbon dioxide or dry powder)

Safety in the Design & Technology Studio

General Rules

•  Observe all warning notices. Workshop safety rules that are to be observed by students are to be prominently displayed.

•  Know where emergency stop controls are located.

•  Unwanted materials must be disposed of so that a clear passageway is always present.

•  Clean up the work area after each practical session. Good house-keeping must be conducted to prevent accidents.

•  Students should carry out workshop activities only in the presence of the teacher or instructor.

•  Know where the first-aid boxes and fire-fighting equipment are located.

•  Unauthorized persons are not permitted in the workshop.

•  The workshops are to be well ventilated when working with solvents and aerosol paints.

•  Watch your step while in the workshop. Do not rush or run.

•  Stay focused, avoid unnecessary noise or chatter while in the workshop. When in doubt, always ask a teacher or instructor.

Equipment and Tools

•  Do not use defective tools, check before use.

•  Students should not handle any equipment without permission and proper supervision from the technical staff.

•  Do not use machines which are faulty or with an “Out of Order” sign displayed.

•  Damaged instruments or equipment must be reported immediately to a teacher or instructor.

•  Always use the right tool for the right job and return it to its proper place after use.

•  Exercise extreme care when handling sharp-pointed or sharp-edged tools.

•  Do not use tools that are blunt, badly worn, mushroomed or in poor condition.

•  Do not handle electrical points when your hands are wet.

•  Only one student may operate each machine at a time. Students are to stand behind the safety yellow line for their turn.

Attire in Workshop

•  Wear shoes and appropriate clothing with aprons or overall when working in the workshop. No slippers are allowed in the workshop.

•  Female users with long hair should tie up their hair to prevent it being entangled in the tools or equipment.

•  Do not wear long-sleeved shirts, ties, watches, rings, bracelets and bangles during practical lessons.

Personal Protective Equipment

•  Safety googles are to be worn during drilling, milling, lathe or any other form of machine cutting.

•  Disposable face masks should be worn when performing dusty work.

•  Put on dry gloves when working with heat elements.

•  Be sure to use safety guards on machines.

Injuries

•  Injuries, no matter how slight, must be reported to the teacher or instructor. Where necessary, medical aid will be provided.

•  Machines and equipment involved in an accident must not be operated or tampered with until investigations have been complete.  

Safety in the Kitchen

General Rules

•  No practical work is to be carried out without the presence of a Food & Consumer Education teacher.

•  Students should not run or rush about in the kitchen to prevent accidents from happening.

•  Know where the first-aid boxes and fire-fighting equipment are located.

•  Religious requirements for food should be noted and attended to with respect to the preparation of food, and handling of ingredients and/or equipment.

Attire in Kitchen

•  Every student should wear an apron during the practical sessions.

•  Every student should use a scarf, headband or cap. Female students with long hair should have it plaited or tied. This is to maintain personal hygiene and to keep hair from becoming a hazard during practical sessions.

•  Nails should be kept short and clean.

Equipment and Appliances

•  Students should not operate any appliances unless they have been instructed on the safety precautions and correct usage.

•  Hands should be dry and appropriate footwear worn when using electrical appliances.

•  All students should be instructed on the lighting of the gas burners, grill and oven when operating it for the first time. Please inform the teacher if you are not sure.

•  Extreme care should be taken when using pointed / sharp-edged equipment or fragile glassware.

•  Safety goggles should be worn when conducting food experiments.

•  Chemicals should not be used when conducting food science experiments.

•  Ensure that all cookers and ovens are properly switched off after every lesson. Teachers will perform a final check.

•  When operating gas/electric cookers:

•   All combustible materials; e.g. papers, towels, cloths, curtains, spray can etc. should be kept away.

•   Ensure there is proper ventilation in the kitchen at all times.

•   The cooker should not be left unattended when cooking.

•   The cooker should be kept clean and in good working order.

•   Access to the gas control valve at the gas meter should be kept clear from obstruction.

•   All cookers and ovens must be properly switched off when not in use.

Injuries

•  Injuries, no matter how slight, must be reported to the teacher. Where necessary, medical aid will be provided.

•  Appliances and equipment involved in an accident must not be operated on or tampered with until investigations have been complete. 

Safety in the Art Room

General Rules

•  Ensure the art rooms are well ventilated.

•  Unwanted materials must be disposed of so that a clear passageway is always present.

•  Clean up the work area after each lesson. Good house-keeping must be conducted to prevent accidents.

•  Know where the first-aid boxes and fire-fighting equipment are located.

•  Stay focused, avoid unnecessary noise or chatter while in Art Room.

•  When in doubt, always ask the art teacher.

Equipment

•  Store equipment when not in use, so that they do not become safety hazards.

•  Ensure hands are dry when using electrical equipment.

•  Do not create tripping hazards when working with extension cords or electrical appliances.

•  Ensure good ventilation when working with aerosol paints, solvents and adhesives.

•  Put on dry gloves when working with heat elements.

Injuries

•  Injuries, no matter how slight, must be reported to the teacher. Where necessary, medical attention will be given.

•  Appliances and equipment involved in an accident must not be operated on or tampered with until investigations have been complete.