School safety, security, and violence prevention resource

What are some of your most vivid memories of school? For me, I think that one thing that I still remember with certain clarity is the sound of the clanging bells that meant it was time to go home. This sort of memory is even more vivid when I think about the last day of school, just right before the long break. All throughout the day, everyone would be fidgety and excited, almost unable to contain their anticipation of the time that they would hear the bell ring, signaling freedom for a couple of months or so.

If some teachers in the United Kingdom were to be asked, though, they would tell you that these school bells might not be good for the safety of the children – at least in terms of health. According to the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA), school bells that emit too loud a sound can damage the hearing of both students and teachers – as well as other staff within the vicinity. The BBC ran this story today:

The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) claimed some schools were buying one very loud bell, instead of several smaller ones, to save money.

It said while infrequent exposure was acceptable, repetitive and prolonged ringing could be harmful.
Jim Docherty, SSTA’s acting general secretary, said new schools were among the worst offenders.
He said: “Schools build under PPP/PFI arrangements are worse than many older schools. There has been a consistent failure to carry out adequate risk assessments, as required by the Health and Safety at Work act, in many schools.

“Quite simply many of these schools have been built on a ‘minimum cost’ basis.”

I actually admire the SSTA for taking notice of this thing because, to be honest with you, the issue never crossed my mind. I have always taken school bells for granted. It is true that they are loud, but isn’t that how they are supposed to be? After all, how can the entire student population hear the bell if it does not ring loudly?

But then again, if the schools bought several smaller bells with lower decibel levels, then perhaps everyone would benefit from it. The BBC story does not present exact figures as to the risk but I think that this issue is worth looking into, even here in the United States.

What is your opinion (or experience) regarding school bells and their possible threat to the health of the students?

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Posted on January 2nd, 2009 by Deborah J Thomas
Filed under: Administrators, High School, K-6, News, People Involved, School Safety Issues, Students