Child & Daycare Safety Manual

Childcare & Daycare Workplace Hazards

Childcare employees may encounter a wide range of occupational hazards during normal work activities.

Potential hazards include:

• Communicable illnesses
• Blood and other potentially infectious materials
• Diapering and toileting
• Vomit and other body fluids
• Needles or other sharps
• Cleaning and disinfecting chemicals
• Repetitive lifting and carrying
• Awkward postures
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Playground and outdoor hazards
• Food preparation
• Hot surfaces and liquids
• Electrical equipment
• Severe weather
• Workplace violence
• Security concerns
• Stress and fatigue

Employees should receive training appropriate to their assigned duties and workplace exposures.

Infectious Disease Prevention

Childcare environments can facilitate the spread of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and other communicable illnesses because employees and children frequently work in close contact.

Employees should follow established infection-prevention practices, including:

• Frequent handwashing
• Appropriate glove use
• Routine cleaning and disinfection
• Proper handling of body fluids
• Appropriate diapering and toileting procedures
• Respiratory hygiene
• Safe food-handling practices
• Proper waste disposal
• Prompt reporting of significant exposures

Employees should understand the facility’s procedures for managing communicable illness and potential occupational exposure.

Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is an important infection-control measure in childcare facilities.

Employees should wash their hands at appropriate times, including:

• Before preparing or serving food
• Before eating
• After using the restroom
• After assisting a child with toileting
• After changing diapers
• After contact with blood or body fluids
• After removing gloves
• After handling contaminated materials
• After cleaning activities
• After contact with bodily secretions when appropriate

Employees should follow established handwashing procedures and help maintain accessible handwashing supplies.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Employees who may reasonably anticipate occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials should follow the facility’s Bloodborne Pathogens and Exposure Control procedures.

Protective measures may include:

• Universal Precautions
• Disposable gloves
• Eye or face protection when splashing is reasonably anticipated
• Safe handling of contaminated materials
• Appropriate cleanup procedures
• Handwashing
• Sharps precautions
• Exposure reporting
• Post-exposure procedures

Employees should not use bare hands to clean blood or other potentially infectious materials.

Exposure Control Plan

Where occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials exists, the facility should maintain an Exposure Control Plan addressing applicable employee exposures and protective measures.

The plan should address applicable requirements for:

• Exposure determination
• Engineering controls
• Work-practice controls
• PPE
• Housekeeping
• Regulated waste
• Exposure incidents
• Post-exposure evaluation and follow-up
• Employee training
• Recordkeeping

The plan should be reviewed and updated as required.

Diapering & Toileting

Diaper changing and assisting children with toileting may expose employees to urine, feces, blood, and infectious organisms.

Employees should:

• Use designated diaper-changing areas.
• Follow established diapering procedures.
• Wear gloves when appropriate.
• Avoid contaminating clean surfaces.
• Dispose of diapers and contaminated materials properly.
• Clean and disinfect changing surfaces.
• Remove gloves without contaminating their hands.
• Wash hands after completing the task.

Changing surfaces and supplies should be arranged to support safe, hygienic work practices.

Body Fluid Cleanup

Employees may need to clean blood, vomit, urine, feces, saliva, or other body fluids.

Employees should:

• Keep children and unnecessary personnel away from the area.
• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Remove visible contamination safely.
• Use appropriate cleaning and disinfecting products.
• Follow required product contact times.
• Dispose of contaminated materials appropriately.
• Remove PPE carefully.
• Perform hand hygiene.

Employees should report significant occupational exposures promptly.

Respiratory Illness

Employees frequently work in close proximity to children with respiratory symptoms.

The facility should establish procedures appropriate to its operations for reducing occupational exposure to communicable respiratory illnesses.

Measures may include:

• Hand hygiene
• Respiratory etiquette
• Ventilation
• Cleaning and disinfection
• Appropriate PPE when warranted
• Procedures for managing symptomatic individuals
• Employee training

Respiratory protection should be used in accordance with an appropriate Respiratory Protection Program when respirator use is required.

Cleaning & Disinfection

Childcare facilities require frequent cleaning and disinfection of classrooms, restrooms, diapering areas, toys, food-service areas, and frequently touched surfaces.

Employees should:

• Follow product instructions.
• Use required PPE.
• Maintain ventilation when necessary.
• Observe required dilution instructions.
• Avoid unnecessary spraying or aerosolization.
• Never mix incompatible chemicals.
• Store products securely.
• Wash hands after cleaning activities.

Employees should receive information about the hazards of cleaning products they use.

Chemical Safety

Childcare facilities may use disinfectants, sanitizers, bleach products, detergents, floor cleaners, glass cleaners, pesticides, and other chemicals.

Employees should:

• Read labels before use.
• Have access to Safety Data Sheets when applicable.
• Use products only as intended.
• Follow dilution instructions.
• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Avoid mixing chemicals.
• Store chemicals in designated locations.
• Keep chemicals inaccessible to children.
• Report damaged or leaking containers.

Chemical products should remain properly labeled.

Hazard Communication

Hazardous chemicals used in the workplace should be addressed through the facility’s Hazard Communication Program as applicable.

Employees should receive information and training regarding:

• Chemical hazards
• Labels
• Safety Data Sheets
• Protective measures
• PPE
• Storage
• Spill procedures
• Emergency response

Employees should know where Safety Data Sheets and chemical information are maintained.

Chemical Storage

Cleaning products, disinfectants, maintenance chemicals, and other hazardous materials should be stored securely.

Storage practices should consider:

• Child access
• Employee access
• Chemical compatibility
• Container condition
• Labeling
• Ventilation
• Spill prevention
• Separation from food and food-service supplies

Chemicals should not be stored in beverage containers or other containers that could be mistaken for food or drink.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be selected according to the employee’s task and anticipated exposure.

Depending on the activity, PPE may include:

• Disposable gloves
• Chemical-resistant gloves
• Safety glasses
• Chemical splash goggles
• Protective aprons or clothing
• Appropriate footwear
• Respiratory protection when required

Employees should understand how to properly use, remove, store, and dispose of applicable PPE.

Sharps Safety

Needles, broken glass, sharp toys, damaged equipment, or other sharp objects may occasionally be encountered.

Employees should:

• Never reach blindly into trash containers.
• Avoid picking up broken glass with bare hands.
• Use tools when appropriate.
• Place needles and other applicable sharps into suitable containers.
• Keep children away from discovered sharps.
• Report needlestick or sharps injuries immediately.

Employees should not unnecessarily handle discarded needles found on facility property.

Manual Lifting

Childcare employees may repeatedly lift and carry infants, toddlers, equipment, supplies, toys, furniture, food, and other materials.

Before lifting, employees should consider:

• Weight
• Size
• Stability
• Required carrying distance
• Available assistance
• Work-area conditions

Employees should use mechanical assistance, team lifting, or alternative methods when appropriate.

Lifting & Carrying Children

Repeated lifting of children can place significant stress on the back, shoulders, knees, and other parts of the body.

Employees should:

• Bring the child close before lifting when practical.
• Avoid unnecessary twisting.
• Use stable footing.
• Bend and position the body appropriately for the lift.
• Encourage children who are capable of doing so to participate appropriately in transfers.
• Use steps or other appropriate equipment where provided.
• Ask for assistance when a lift cannot be performed safely.

Employees should avoid repeatedly lifting children from floor level when safer alternatives are practical.

Ergonomics

Childcare work frequently requires employees to work at child height, sit on low furniture, bend, kneel, squat, reach, and perform repetitive tasks.

Ergonomic improvements may include:

• Adult-height work surfaces where appropriate
• Appropriate employee seating
• Steps for children capable of using them safely
• Adjustable changing equipment
• Carts for moving supplies
• Task rotation
• Improved storage arrangements

Employees should report tasks that repeatedly cause pain or excessive physical strain.

Slips, Trips & Falls

Toys, spills, wet floors, rugs, cords, playground surfaces, and children’s belongings can create trip and fall hazards.

Employees should:

• Keep walkways and exits clear.
• Clean spills promptly.
• Store toys and supplies appropriately.
• Maintain orderly classrooms.
• Control electrical cords.
• Report damaged flooring.
• Use caution on wet surfaces.
• Wear appropriate footwear.

Employees should maintain awareness of children who may move unexpectedly into walking paths.

Classroom Safety

Classrooms should be arranged to provide employees with reasonable access and clear walking paths.

Employees should:

• Maintain unobstructed exits.
• Keep storage stable.
• Avoid overloading shelves.
• Store heavy items appropriately.
• Maintain electrical equipment in safe condition.
• Remove damaged furniture or equipment from service.
• Control cords and trip hazards.
• Maintain good housekeeping.

Employee work areas should be considered when classroom furniture and equipment are arranged.

Playground & Outdoor Safety

Employees supervising outdoor activities may be exposed to weather, uneven surfaces, playground equipment, insects, traffic, and other environmental hazards.

Employees should:

• Inspect outdoor areas for obvious hazards.
• Report damaged equipment.
• Watch for broken glass and discarded sharps.
• Maintain awareness of weather conditions.
• Use appropriate sun and heat precautions.
• Follow procedures for severe weather.
• Maintain safe access and walking surfaces.

Employees should not attempt repairs for which they are not trained or equipped.

Playground Equipment

Playground equipment should be maintained in safe condition.

Employees should report:

• Broken components
• Sharp edges
• Loose hardware
• Damaged surfaces
• Protrusions
• Trip hazards
• Unsafe ground conditions
• Other defects

Defective equipment should be restricted from use when necessary until appropriate repairs are completed.

Heat Stress

Outdoor supervision and activities may expose employees to heat, direct sunlight, and high humidity.

Heat-illness prevention measures may include:

• Drinking adequate water
• Rest opportunities
• Shade or cooling
• Appropriate clothing
• Acclimatization
• Recognition of heat-related symptoms

Employees should report symptoms of heat illness promptly.

Cold Stress

Employees may supervise outdoor activities or perform other duties during cold weather.

Appropriate precautions may include:

• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Protection of hands and feet
• Warming opportunities
• Limiting prolonged exposure
• Changing wet clothing when practical

Employees should recognize symptoms of cold-related illness.

Severe Weather

Childcare facilities should establish procedures for severe weather appropriate to their location.

Potential events may include:

• Thunderstorms
• Lightning
• Tornadoes
• High winds
• Flooding
• Extreme heat
• Snow and ice
• Other regional weather emergencies

Employees should understand shelter, evacuation, communication, and accountability procedures.

Food Preparation & Kitchen Safety

Facilities that prepare or serve food should address employee hazards associated with kitchen activities.

Potential hazards include:

• Cuts
• Burns
• Hot liquids
• Cooking equipment
• Slippery floors
• Electrical equipment
• Cleaning chemicals
• Manual handling

Only employees authorized and trained for applicable kitchen duties should use specialized equipment.

Knife & Cutting Safety

Employees using knives or other cutting tools should:

• Use the correct tool.
• Keep cutting surfaces stable.
• Cut away from the body when practical.
• Store knives safely.
• Avoid attempting to catch a falling knife.
• Remove damaged tools from service.

Appropriate cutting boards and work surfaces should be used.

Hot Surfaces & Liquids

Hot food, beverages, cooking equipment, dishwashing equipment, and heated appliances may create burn hazards.

Employees should:

• Use appropriate protection when handling hot items.
• Keep hot liquids away from edges.
• Maintain clear walking paths.
• Avoid carrying excessive quantities of hot liquids.
• Report defective equipment.

Hot materials should be kept inaccessible to children as appropriate.

Electrical Safety

Childcare facilities use appliances, computers, kitchen equipment, cleaning equipment, extension cords, and other electrical devices.

Employees should:

• Inspect equipment before use.
• Report damaged cords or plugs.
• Keep electrical equipment away from inappropriate wet conditions.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets.
• Keep electrical panels accessible.
• Remove defective equipment from service as appropriate.
• Avoid unauthorized electrical repairs.

Hand & Power Tool Safety

Maintenance activities may require hand or power tools.

Employees should use only tools they are authorized and qualified to operate.

Tools should:

• Be appropriate for the task.
• Be inspected before use.
• Have required guards installed.
• Be maintained in safe condition.
• Be stored securely away from children.

Maintenance work should be isolated from occupied childcare areas when appropriate.

Ladders & Stepstools

Employees may use ladders or stepstools to access supplies, decorations, or storage.

Employees should:

• Use an appropriate ladder or stepstool.
• Inspect it before use.
• Maintain stable footing.
• Face the ladder while climbing.
• Avoid standing on chairs, tables, or children’s furniture.
• Avoid overreaching.
• Keep children away from the work area.

Ladders should be stored securely when not in use.

Housekeeping

Good housekeeping helps reduce slips, trips, falls, chemical exposures, fire hazards, and blocked emergency routes.

Employees should:

• Keep floors and walkways clear.
• Store toys and supplies properly.
• Clean spills promptly.
• Maintain clear exits.
• Secure chemicals.
• Remove trash regularly.
• Keep emergency equipment accessible.
• Report maintenance problems.

Fire Prevention

Potential fire hazards may include cooking equipment, electrical devices, heating equipment, combustible decorations, storage, and maintenance activities.

Employees should:

• Keep exits clear.
• Maintain access to fire protection equipment.
• Report damaged electrical equipment.
• Follow restrictions on ignition sources.
• Store combustible materials appropriately.
• Know emergency evacuation procedures.

Emergency Action Plan

Childcare facilities require emergency procedures that account for employees as well as children who may be unable to evacuate or protect themselves without assistance.

Emergency planning should address foreseeable events such as:

• Fire
• Medical emergencies
• Severe weather
• Earthquakes where applicable
• Utility failures
• Chemical releases
• Security threats
• Workplace violence
• Other emergencies appropriate to the facility

Employees should understand their assigned emergency responsibilities.

Emergency Evacuation

Evacuating infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, or other children requiring assistance can create unique demands for employees.

Emergency procedures should address:

• Employee assignments
• Evacuation routes
• Alternate exits
• Evacuation equipment
• Assistance for children who cannot evacuate independently
• Accountability
• Assembly locations
• Communication
• Reentry procedures

Employees should receive training and participate in drills as appropriate.

Medical Emergencies & First Aid

Employees should know how to summon emergency medical assistance.

Appropriate employees should receive first-aid and CPR training according to facility needs and applicable requirements.

First-aid supplies should be:

• Accessible
• Appropriately stocked
• Periodically inspected
• Protected from unauthorized child access where necessary

Employees providing first aid should follow applicable bloodborne-pathogen precautions.

Medication Handling

Where employees are responsible for administering or handling medications, the facility should establish procedures addressing:

• Authorization
• Identification
• Storage
• Documentation
• Employee responsibilities
• Emergency medications
• Disposal

Medications should be secured from unauthorized access.

Employee occupational exposure to hazardous medications should be evaluated when applicable.

Transportation Safety

Childcare facilities that transport children should establish procedures for vehicle and driver safety.

Drivers should:

• Be appropriately authorized.
• Conduct required vehicle inspections.
• Wear seat belts.
• Follow traffic laws.
• Avoid distracted driving.
• Adjust driving for weather and traffic.
• Follow applicable passenger-loading procedures.

Vehicles should be maintained in safe operating condition.

Loading & Unloading Vehicles

Employees assisting children into or out of vehicles should remain alert to surrounding traffic and vehicle movement.

Procedures should address:

• Safe loading locations
• Parking
• Vehicle movement
• Pedestrian traffic
• Employee positioning
• Child accountability
• Communication

Employees should avoid standing in vehicle blind spots or between vehicles where possible.

Field Trips & Off-Site Activities

Employees participating in field trips may encounter hazards not present at the childcare facility.

Before an activity, employees should consider:

• Transportation
• Traffic
• Walking surfaces
• Weather
• Public interaction
• Emergency communication
• First-aid needs
• Employee responsibilities
• Site-specific hazards

Employees should know how to obtain assistance when away from the facility.

Workplace Security

Childcare facilities require effective security because employees work with children and interact regularly with parents, guardians, visitors, contractors, and other members of the public.

Security procedures may address:

• Controlled entrances
• Visitor identification
• Restricted areas
• Pickup and release procedures
• Exterior doors
• Parking areas
• Exterior lighting
• After-hours access
• Emergency communication

Employees should promptly report suspicious activity or security concerns.

Workplace Violence Prevention

Employees may encounter angry, threatening, or disruptive parents, guardians, visitors, or other individuals.

Employees should:

• Remain calm.
• Avoid escalating confrontations.
• Maintain access to an exit.
• Follow procedures for obtaining assistance.
• Report threats.
• Contact law enforcement when appropriate.
• Withdraw from situations presenting immediate danger.

Employees should not physically intervene in a dangerous confrontation unless doing so is part of their assigned responsibilities and training.

Unauthorized & Suspicious Persons

Employees should follow established procedures when an unauthorized or suspicious person attempts to enter or remain at the facility.

Employees should:

• Avoid unnecessary confrontation.
• Notify appropriate management.
• Follow access-control procedures.
• Contact law enforcement when necessary.
• Protect themselves and others from immediate danger.

Working Around the Public

Childcare employees regularly interact with parents, guardians, delivery personnel, contractors, visitors, and others.

Employees should:

• Maintain professional communication.
• Follow visitor procedures.
• Keep restricted work areas secure.
• Report unsafe behavior.
• Maintain awareness during arrival and departure periods.

Arrival & Departure Traffic

Drop-off and pickup periods can create significant interaction between vehicles, pedestrians, employees, children, and families.

Facilities should consider:

• Traffic flow
• Parking
• Pedestrian routes
• Visibility
• Employee positioning
• Lighting
• Weather conditions

Employees should avoid standing unnecessarily in active vehicle travel paths.

Working Alone

Opening and closing employees or employees working in isolated areas may sometimes work alone.

The facility should evaluate lone-work risks and establish appropriate communication or check-in procedures when necessary.

Employees should have a reliable means of requesting emergency assistance.

Stress & Fatigue

Childcare work requires continuous attention, frequent physical activity, communication, and responsibility for others.

Fatigue can affect awareness, judgment, lifting technique, driving, and emergency response.

Employees should:

• Take authorized breaks.
• Report excessive fatigue when it could affect safety.
• Follow scheduling procedures.
• Avoid performing safety-sensitive tasks when unable to do so safely.

Incident Reporting

Employees should promptly report occupational:

• Injuries
• Illnesses
• Blood or body-fluid exposures
• Needlesticks
• Chemical exposures
• Lifting injuries
• Slips and falls
• Vehicle incidents
• Threats or violence
• Equipment incidents
• Near misses

Incidents should be evaluated to identify contributing factors and appropriate corrective actions.

Childcare & Daycare Safety Training

Employee safety training should correspond to assigned duties and workplace exposures.

Training may include:

• Infection prevention
• Bloodborne pathogens
• Exposure-control procedures
• Hand hygiene
• Diapering and body-fluid cleanup
• Cleaning and disinfection
• Hazard Communication
• Chemical safety
• PPE
• Sharps awareness
• Manual lifting
• Ergonomics
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Playground and outdoor safety
• Heat and cold stress
• Food-service safety
• Electrical safety
• Ladder safety
• Fire prevention
• Emergency evacuation
• First aid and CPR
• Transportation safety
• Workplace security
• Workplace violence prevention
• Incident reporting

Employees should receive additional training when new chemicals, equipment, procedures, services, or hazards are introduced.

Customized Childcare & Daycare Safety Manuals

Childcare operations vary according to the ages of children served, facility size, staffing, services, food preparation, playgrounds, transportation, and employee responsibilities. Operations may include infant care, toddler care, preschool programs, daycare centers, early-learning centers, before- and after-school programs, and other childcare services.

A customized Childcare & Daycare Safety Manual can be developed around your facility, employee responsibilities, infection exposures, cleaning chemicals, lifting activities, playgrounds, food-service operations, transportation services, emergency procedures, security concerns, and other workplace hazards.