FACTS

1. Cluttered Walkways: Backpacks, equipment, or debris in hallways and common areas create tripping hazards, increasing the risk of falls for students and staff, especially during high-traffic times.
2. Slippery Surfaces: Spills or wet floors in cafeterias, restrooms, or entrances, if not promptly addressed, lead to slips and falls, particularly in shared spaces without proper signage or cleaning protocols.
3. Overcrowding Risks: Overcrowded hallways or cafeterias during transitions or lunch periods can result in collisions, pushing, or difficulty evacuating during emergencies.
4. Inadequate Maintenance: Poorly maintained shared spaces, such as broken handrails in stairwells or dim lighting in hallways, heighten the risk of accidents and injuries.
5. Fire and Evacuation Hazards: Blocked exits or obstructed fire equipment in common areas, like gymnasiums or libraries, can delay emergency evacuations, endangering occupants.
6. Hygiene Concerns: Shared spaces like restrooms or staff rooms with inadequate cleaning or sanitation supplies can spread germs, increasing illness rates among students and staff.
7. Lack of Supervision: Insufficient monitoring in common areas, such as playgrounds or hallways, can lead to unsafe behaviors, bullying, or accidents, compromising overall safety.

STATS

• A 2020 Journal of School Health study found that 18% of student injuries in schools occurred in common areas, with 60% attributed to trips over clutter or slips on wet surfaces.
• WorkSafeBC reported in 2022 that 22% of school staff injuries in British Columbia were slips, trips, and falls in shared spaces like hallways and cafeterias, often due to poor housekeeping.
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) noted in 2021 that 25% of school staff injuries in common areas were linked to inadequate maintenance, such as uneven flooring or poor lighting.
• A 2021 Statistics Canada survey indicated that 20% of school administrators reported safety concerns in shared spaces due to overcrowding or insufficient supervision during peak times.
• A 2022 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report found that 15% of school fire safety violations involved blocked exits or obstructed fire equipment in common areas like gymnasiums.
• The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) stated in 2023 that schools with regular cleaning protocols in shared spaces reduced illness-related absenteeism by up to 25%.