Abu Dhabi Education Council in collaboration with MUSANADA developed an integral contingency plan in preparation for the heavy rain season, through the provision of all precautionary measures to avoid risks caused by heavy rains and strong winds, in order to ensure the security and safety of all students and staff in Abu Dhabi schools.
Engineer Hamad Al-Dhaheri, ADEC’s Division Manager of Infrastructure and Facilities said that ADEC has taken all necessary precautions to face rain-related risks through the formation of a steering committee that focuses on developing necessary plans to deal with contingent situations that may be caused by heavy rainfall, to include: slipping, imbalance in estimating bus stopping distances, electric shocks, low visibility, scattered pools of rainwater and unexpected fall of items & equipment . The contingency plan aims to identify, analyze, overcome and prevent these risks.
ADEC in collaboration with Abu Dhabi schools submitted proposals and possible solutions to address the problem. The proposed solutions include presence of nursing staff at all schools, availability of first aid equipment, providing safe assembly points for students and staff in the event of heavy rainfall, wearing appropriate clothing for the prevention of severe cold and diseases, preventing students from playing outdoors during rainfall and organizing awareness lectures. ADEC has also advised schools to contact authorities concerned such as police, civil defense and municipalities in cases of emergency. Moreover, schools have been advised to remove or fix up all movable parts that may cause high risk due to wind and to abolish after rain traces.
In terms of school transportation, ADEC instructed that all bus drivers and supervisors must be cautious while boarding students and stand next to sidewalks in addition to checking the validity of bus tires, side mirrors, windshield wipers and stopping/hazard signals.
