The personal health and safety of everyone at Minuteman are of primary importance. The prevention of occupationally induced injuries and illness is of such consequence that it will be given precedence over any operation whenever necessary. To the greatest degree possible, the administration will provide all mechanical and physical facilities required for personal safety and health in keeping with the highest standards.
The administration recognizes that career and technical education and safety are inseparable. Minuteman will maintain a safety program that conforms to the best practices. To be successful, such a program requires cooperation and a proper attitude toward injury and illness prevention from all. It also requires cooperation in all safety and health matters, not only among administration, staff, and students but among each student and his/her fellow students. Only through such a cooperative effort can a safety record in the best interest of all be established and preserved.
Students, teachers, staff, and administration are individually responsible for enthusiastic and genuine cooperation with the safety and health program including compliance with all rules and regulations and continuously practicing safety while performing their duties. This cooperation manifests itself in behavior that provides the following:
- safety for oneself
- safety to peers
- safety for all staff members
- protection of all visitors
- compliance with all rules set forth by Minuteman
- prompt reporting of all injuries and/or accidents to the nurses’ office
- prompt reporting of any unsafe situation in a shop or classroom to the instructor and/or administration
Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers will be provided and shall be used and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary because of hazards of process or environment, chemical hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption or physical contact.
Students are required to wear appropriate personal equipment in all operations where there is a potential exposure/risk to hazardous conditions or where the need is indicated for using such equipment. Strict adherence to this safety and health policy is a condition of remaining a student at Minuteman. Failure of students to comply with guidelines outlined here and as part of the occupational safety program within the shop will result in disciplinary action outlined in the Disciplinary Action Scale.
Materials and Equipment Safety Officer
Minuteman employs a Materials and Equipment Safety Officer, whose responsibilities include assuring that Minuteman’s health and safety policies of Minuteman are followed. Inspections and assistance are available to maintain constant improvement in the environment, safety, and healthfulness of the entire Minuteman community.
Eye Protection
The school will enforce, and the student shall comply with M.G.L. Chapter 71, Section 55C.
“Each teacher and pupil of any school, public or private, shall while attending school classes in industrial art or career shops or laboratories in which caustic or explosive chemicals, hot liquids or solids, hot molten metals, or explosives are used or in which welding of any type, repair or servicing of vehicles, heat treatment or tempering of metals, or the milling, sawing, stapling or cutting of solid materials, or any similar dangerous process is taught, exposure to which may be a source of danger to the eyes, wear an industrial quality eye protective device, approved by the Department of Public Health. Each visitor to any such classroom or laboratory shall also be required to wear such protective device.” Students will be issued a pair of safety glasses or cover goggles in the CTE areas that require eye protection.
The student shall be responsible for his/her eye protective equipment. If a student loses, willfully abuses, or damages his/her eye protective equipment, he/she is required to purchase eye protective equipment from the school. Students wearing contact lenses shall inform their instructor and are required to wear eye protection. Students wearing eyeglasses shall be issued and shall wear an approved cover goggle. Students who claim that their corrective lenses and frames are industrial quality are required to verify such claims with a signed statement from their doctor attesting that the safety glasses in question meet or exceed all the requirements of the ANSI Z87.1- 1989 requirements.
Career Attire
The educational experience at Minuteman is not only preparation for life but also an experience in living. Therefore, we encourage a dress code that embraces moderation and avoids extremes. Students should wear clean, neat, and appropriate clothing for their academic and career technical training area defined by the career program standards.
Clothing that may affect the health and/or safety of the individual or the student body will not be allowed. Considering the need to promote safety and good health, the following general dress code and behavioral standards have been set:
- Clothing that interferes with, and/or harasses others based on race, sex, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or displays indecent or obscene messages, offensive slurs, and innuendos will not be allowed. Clothing that references alcohol, tobacco, or any other drug is strictly prohibited.
- Clothing should never be revealed to the extent that it would be considered a disruption to the educational process. Nylon or other material that is determined to be flammable is a safety hazard and is prohibited.
- Shorts are not allowed when safety concerns are determined or during exploratory. Tank tops and half shirts are not allowed, and sunglasses should not be worn inside the building.
- No loose clothing, loose jewelry, or long, loose hair is permitted while operating machinery or other equipment. Aprons, coveralls, uniforms, shop coats, hairnets, etc., may be required in some shop areas.
- Closed toed shoes are required in all CTE areas with occupational hazards. During the CTE exploratory classes, closed-toed shoes must be worn. Once students are in their selected CTE major, if the program does not have occupational hazards relating to footwear, it is at the teacher’s discretion if closed-toed shoes are required.
Also see section 5-11 on School Dress Code.
