HIT: Safety with AudioVisual Equipment

[Carol Wheat <Dems258@UABDPO.DPO.UAB.EDU>]

I received several replies to my question about AV Safety.  There were many
mentions of the video "David's Legacy" and mention of several similar
incidents in which students were killed or injured.  Most who replied have
a district policy against students moving equipment. I was requested by
several to post a HIT, but as this was not a target, I am not including
names or locations of incidents and am posting a sampling or portions of
the replies rather than all of them.  No one had heard of an OSHA ruling,
but there was information from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission
similar to the following article at this site:
gopher://www.cpsc.gov/00/CPSC_Pubs/Pubuse/5102

International Communications Industries Association web site and toll-free
number:
http://www.icia.org
1-800-659-7469

Replies:
        I have a copy of an article from the US Consumer Product Safety
Commission, Washington dated April 1988 that starts out:
        WARNING: TIP-OVER HAZARD!
        The article then goes on to state that the USCPSC and the International
Communications Industries Association warns the nation's school teachers
not to allow children to move or play near TV or audio-visual carts because
they can tip over and kill or seriously injure children.    The article
goes on for several more paragraphs, then says:
For more information on the safe use of TV or audiovisual carts, and for
safety labels, contact the International Communications Industries
Association, 3150 Spring St., Fairfax, VA   22031-2399  (703)273-7200.
        Remember that this is an old article, but we have it posted and do not
allow students to push carts.

There was at least one child killed when the cart with the tv tipped over
and the cart edge sliced his neck. (not at my school).

For years our district has had a similar policy in which students are not
allowed to move the TV/cart. Our understanding is that it is an insurance
rule for safety reason.Story goes that the sixth grader was killed and
respective district was involved with a lawsuit.

I don't have the OSHA rule but I do have an incident:
[name deleted](CW), a third grader at [name deleted] Elementary School, was
killed when a 25" television set and cart overturned on her. Hope this
helps.

There is a video "David's Legacy" which tells the true story of the student
being killed. My copy is from International Communications Industries Assoc
and the N.C. Ctr. for Public Television. (703-273-7200). I don't know of
any ruling but I don't use student helpers.

If you find out anything about the OSHA rule, I would very much like the
information as well. I've had several problems (but,thankfully, no
accidents) with students pushing carts. Actually, the real difficulty is
making teachers understand how potentially dangerous this can be. Several
years ago, while a librarian in a public school, the district mandated
that school personnel be shown a video they had available about a boy named
David who was killed by a falling cart. The video included a tearful
interview with the boy's teacher. I've never forgotten that video!

I never let students of any age move TV/VCR carts ... just to be safe.
Teachers have accepted the policy.  They pick up their own TV/VCR's at the
beginning of the day, and return them at the end.  All other equipment is
delivered.  They adjust ... we receive no complaints once I explain the
reason for the policy.

I showed this to my teachers after having to defend the rule of no kids
pushing AV carts.  They were stunned.  The video interviews the teacher and
the parents of David.  It really made an impact and no one questions
anymore.

We are required to show it to new teachers each year.  Also, we remind
"oldies" of this each year.

I have this rule!  Each cart is equipped with a strip reading

DANGER DANGER DANGER DANGER
Only Adults may move this cart!

Not only do we have to worry about the kids, but the equipment can topple
off the cart, too!

You might check your district policies, too.  We had a folding table fall
over when a child was helping a teacher in the cafeteria.  He was
permanently brain-damaged.  Our district established policy that NO CHILD
would be used to move any furniture--that was made a permanent duty of the
custodial staff.  BYW, the boy was still able to function, and the damage
was minimal, but present.

Of course, inspite of frequent postings and reminders, teachers abuse it
frequently.  Last spring the reason behind the rule was driven home
graphically:  A cart fell over and the TV (with safety strap went bouncing
down the hall).  Fortunately, no one was hurt.

I would be interested in what you find on this.  I'm in a middle school,
and try to enforce this rule, but it is difficult with some teachers...they
would rather let a 4'6" child push back a 6'+ cart and TV than do it
themselves!  Is there a height rule as well, since some of the students are
also much taller than many of the adults!

Please, please share whatever you discover...this is one of my big conerns
and I just can't seem to get anyone else concerned about it!!

I also have the rule that no children may move AV carts (TV carts in
particular).  Two years ago a child was killed in Ohio, I think it was,
when a TV cart fell over on him.

Please post a hit.  I, too, somehow came across this information and have
made it a strong suggestion in my school (JHS) that no one but teacher's
move the tall TV carts.  I would like some documentation, though.  TIA

I have never seen such a law and I have scanned the federal regulations for
safety--but not for this particular regulation .  I do know, however, that
may schools have rules that prohibit sudents from moving equipment.  It is
for the student's protection as well as for that of the equipment.

This "rule" is on a label on all our AV carts.

Located the original flier that came out on the indicent where the child
was killed.  No mention of an OSHA rule on a child's age.
There was a notation which stated the following:
1.  Small children should not move equipment that is larger than they are.
2.  Always use the proper type of carts for the equipment.
3.  TV sets should be bolted to the stand or cart.  (We use straps)
4.  TV sets on carts and other equipment when moved, should always be
pushed and not pulled from location to location.
5.  The carts should have large type casters for easy moving with one or
two of the casters being of a locking design.
6.  ONLY ADULTS should move these carts, and then, only with great care and
never in crowded halls.

If you get it please let me know. I've always told my teachers the same
thing. So if it's not an OSHA law, the rumor that it is extends all across
the country.

Carol again:
I noticed that some of our carts have a warning label, but not all - even
those that look like they came from the same manufacturer.  I have started
looking for these labels in catalogs.  If anyone knows where to locate
them, please let me know. Perhaps ICIA has some -- I'll call.  We get our
straps from an Audiovisual vendor, but they may be available in other
catalogs.  If I see
any, I'll let y'all know.  Hope this helps document.  Perhaps the vendor
said ICIA and with our southern drawl, maybe it sounded like OSHA to me.
However, if I find any other documentation from them I will pass it on.

Thanks for all your help!  Carol
Carol Wheat
Library Media Specialist
Parkway Christian Academy
Birmingham, AL
Dems258@uabdpo.dpo.uab.edu

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