Health & Safety

The Office of Health & Safety (H&S) is in charge of protecting people and the environment by preventing injury, illness, and exposure to harmful conditions. At Broward County Public Schools, H&S plays a critical role in ensuring that every student, teacher, staff and community member can thrive in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment.

We follow a continuous improvement model to ensure that our programs evolve with the needs of our schools and communities. This includes:

Plan: Identify risks and set safety goals
Do: Implement safety measures and training
Check: Monitor performance and conduct evaluations
Act: Make improvements and reinforce best practices

Through inspections, investigations, advisory, and training, H&S helps create a culture of safety and wellness across the District—empowering everyone to take part in protecting their health and the health of others.

🌐 More internal resources and forms can be found on our SharePoint

different words to describe safety topics

🛡️ Health

We focuse on identifying and minimizing exposure to environmental and occupational hazards that can affect human health.

🦺 Safety

We work to prevent accidents and injuries by promoting safe practices and maintaining hazard-free environments.

Automated External Defibrillators (AED)

The Office of Health and Safety (H&S) oversees the District-wide AED Program to ensure that life-saving equipment is accessible, maintained, and ready to use in the event of a cardiac emergency.

Each school and designated facility is equipped with AED units, and trained personnel are identified and prepared to respond. To support this program, we maintain the following key resources:

📋 AED Maintenance Log
Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to ensure AED units are fully operational. Each site is responsible for completing and submitting the AED Maintenance Log available on the S&C Sharepoint.

📌 911 AED Response Poster
This poster is displayed prominently in every school and includes the names and contact information of CPR/First Aid/AED-certified personnel at the site or nearest department. It ensures quick identification of trained responders during emergencies. The current 911 Poster is available on the S&C Sharepoint.

Together, these tools help us maintain a safe and prepared environment for all students, staff, and visitors.

Illness/Injuries

🩺 In Health and Safety (H&S) we are committed to identifying and addressing the root causes of injuries and illnesses across Broward County Public Schools. Through thorough investigations, we assess each incident to determine contributing factors and implement corrective actions that help prevent future occurrences.

When a hazard is identified, we work collaboratively with site leadership to develop and apply effective mitigation strategies. Additionally, if a concern is reported from outside the District, our team will investigate the issue, evaluate its validity, and provide a clear and timely response to the reporting party.

We support all members of our school community, including:

Our goal is to ensure a safe, healthy, and responsive environment for everyone who learns, works, or visits our campuses.

Training Opportunities

🎓 The Office of Health and Safety (H&S) training programs are designed to equip Broward County Public Schools staff with the tools, awareness, and confidence needed to maintain safety, respond to emergencies, and comply with environmental and health regulations.

We are proud to partner with the American Heart Association to provide CPR, AED, and First Aid training and certification. This collaboration ensures our staff receive nationally recognized, high-quality instruction that prepares them to respond effectively in life-threatening situations.

Our training modules cover essential and task specific topics such as:

🏫 Workplace Safety

🔒 Lockout/Tagout Procedures

🧱 Asbestos Awareness

🚜 Forklift, Aerial, and Scissor Lift Safety

📚 And much more!

Playgrounds

At Broward County Public Schools, the safety of our students during play is just as important as their safety in the classroom. The Office of Health and Safety (H&S) is dedicated to ensuring that all playgrounds across the District are maintained to the highest safety standards.

Our Playground Safety Program includes regular inspections, staff training, and proactive maintenance to identify and correct potential hazards. These efforts help create a safe, fun, and inclusive environment where children can play, explore, and grow with confidence.

To support our schools and staff in maintaining safe playgrounds, we provide the following resources:

📎 Playground Flyer

Pedestrian & Vehicle Safety

🚸 The Office of Health and Safety (H&S) plays a vital role in supporting safe travel for all students—whether they walk, bike, or ride to school.

We assess the routes students use to walk or bike to school, identifying potential hazards and working with the appropriate city, county, or state agencies to address safety concerns. Our goal is to ensure that every student’s journey to and from school is as safe as possible.

In collaboration with the Transportation Department, H&S also helps ensure that school-provided transportation meets high standards for health and safety. We respond to concerns, evaluate risks, and support continuous improvements in transportation practices.

Additionally, we partner with schools to enhance safety in parent pick-up and drop-off loops, helping to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and protect students during high-traffic times.

Together, we’re creating safer school communities—one route at a time.

Safety Evaluation/Inspection (Job Hazard Analysis)

The Office of Health and Safety (H&S) is committed to proactively identifying and mitigating risks in school and facilities operations that present a higher potential for injury or illness.

We coordinate and conduct inspections across various high-risk lines of business, which may include:

🔍 Self-Inspections
🏢 Departmental Reviews
🤝 Multi-Agency Collaborations

Each inspection is designed to uncover potential hazards and ensure compliance with safety standards. Findings are clearly communicated to the onsite personnel responsible for the operation, along with expectations for timely and effective mitigation.

Our Safety Specialist staff remain actively involved throughout the process—offering expert guidance, support, and recommendations until all identified hazards have been successfully addressed.

Manual

The Broward County Public Schools Sustainability & Compliance Manual is the cornerstone of our district-wide commitment to maintaining safe, healthy, and compliant learning environments.

Developed by the Office of Health & Safety (H&S), this manual provides clear guidance on safety protocols, regulatory compliance, emergency procedures, and best practices for all school sites and departments. It serves as a comprehensive reference for administrators, staff, and safety coordinators to ensure consistent and effective safety practices across the District.

Get instant access to the latest version of our document—just email us at 📧 EHS Help.

Health and Safety Sign held by kids' hands