The Needed Accident Preventive Measures Expected of you as a Sudent in your Hostel

It  is  important  that  appropriate  protective  measures  should  be  put  in  place  to  avoid  the  loss  of lives  and  properties, putting  the  right  rules,  people and  resources  in  place  to  prevent  unforeseen  events  that  can  cause  damages  or  loss. In the hostel  and university at large.

ACCIDENT

Accidents are defined as unplanned occurrences which result in injuries, fatalities, loss of production or damage to property and assets. Preventing accidents is extremely difficult in the absence of an understanding of the causes of accidents. Many attempts have been made to develop a prediction theory of accident causation, but so far none has been universally accepted. Researchers from different fields of science and engineering have been trying to develop a theory of accident causation which will help to identify, isolate and ultimately remove the factors that contribute to or cause accidents. 

According to W.H. Heinrich (1931), who developed the so-called domino theory, 88% of all accidents are caused by unsafe acts of people, 10% by unsafe actions and 2% by “acts of God”. 

The “symptoms versus causes” theory is not so much a theory as an admonition to be heeded if accident causation is to be understood. Usually, when investigating accidents, we tend to fasten upon the obvious causes of the accident to the neglect of the root causes. Unsafe acts and unsafe conditions are the symptoms—the proximate causes—and not the root causes of the accident.

The belief that accidents are caused and can be prevented makes it imperative for us to study those factors which are likely to favour the occurrence of accidents. By studying such factors, the root causes of accidents can be isolated and necessary steps can be taken to prevent the recurrence of the accidents. These root causes of accidents can be grouped as “immediate” and “contributing”. The immediate causes are unsafe acts of the students  and unsafe working conditions. The contributing causes could be management-related factors, the environment and the physical and mental condition of the students. A combination of causes must converge in order to result in an accident.

HOSTEL

Hostel  refers  to  a  place  set  aside  for  people  to  reside  for  a  short  period  of  time.  Hostels  exist in  different  institutions  whether  educational,  religious  or  business  as  a  place  set  aside  to  keep  people. It  is  therefore  common  to  see  people  kept  in  primary  places  of  residence  when  they  are  away  from their  homes.  These  residences  are  sometimes  referred  to  as  camps  or  hostels  and  are  usually  equipped with  all  facilities  and  services  that  make  life  comfortable  for  its  inhabitants  when  they  are  away  from their  homes.  Suki  and  Chowdhury  (2015)  stated  that  “a  hostel  is  referred  to  a  place  where  people  can stay  when  their  residence  is  located  far  from  the  educational  institution  and  which  is  considered essential  to  students'  needs,  which  is  also  called  student  housing”  (p.35).  The  hostel  in  a  school  setting is  therefore  an  accommodation  provided  for  students  who  are  far  away  from  their  parents.  Hostels exist  at  various  levels  and  types  of  education  such  as  secondary,  colleges  of  education,  polytechnics and  universities.  The  hostel  is  therefore  a  residential  apartment  equipped  with  basic  facilities  and services  that  help  to  make  life  comfortable  for  students  who  are  away  from  their  primary  place  of living. 

These  unforeseen  occurrences  exist  in  the  university  in  the  form  of  crisis,  strikes,  chaos, student  riot,  burglary,  communal  clash  etc.  Crisis  issues  in  the  education  sector  particularly  the university  system  are  almost  completely  unavoidable  for  various  reasons  (Hajek,  2013).  This  is because  students  will  always  go  on  rampage  when  their  needs  are  not  satisfied.  This  expression  of anger  could  be  between  students  and  fellow  students,  school  management  or  the  host  community.   It  is  important  that  appropriate  protective  measures  should  be  put  in  place  to  avoid  the  loss  of lives  and  properties.  

SAFETY

 This  involves  the  creation  of  an  enabling  environment  which  helps  to reduce  or  eliminate  the  possibility  of  harm,  danger  or  losses  that  can  arise  as  a  result  of  an  unforeseen occurrence.  Okoli  and  Okpaleke  (2014)  revealed  that  safety  has  to  do  with  protection  or  preservation from  risk,  harm,  danger,  vulnerability  or  emergencies.  Safety  deals  with  putting  the  right  rules,  people and  resources  in  place  to  prevent  unforeseen  events  that  can  cause  damages  or  loss.  The  hostel therefore  needs  to  be  kept  in  a  condition  that  keeps  students  away  from  unforeseen  damages  or  loss. 

There has been so many reported cases of accidents in hostels. However, I will be citing just two relatable cases in both the male and female hostels in Unilag.

1) On October 13, 2014, there was a reported case of fire incident which engulfed Room A012 of the Madam Tinubu female hall of residence in Unilag on Sunday. “It was reported that it's not a case of electrical fault because all  electrical connections are well maintained. However,  "It was said to be largely due to the negligence on the part of students who attempted to use appliances that were not allowed in the rooms.

2) There are other similar cases of accidents in the hostels. However, I will citing another very recent case that has to do with the ongoing -covid 19. On July 16, 2021, It was reported that COVID-19 cases were confirmed in two out of the seven female hostels. The two hostels with confirmed cases according to findings were: Queen Moremi Hall and Queen Amina Hall. Also, out of the five male hostels, cases of the virus were said to have been found in Mariere Hall, King Jaja Hall and Eni Njoku Hall which led to the immediate suspension of physical classes in other to curtail the spread. "The student were not conscious of their environment to stay safe".

Notwithstanding, While there is no way to completely eliminate accidents, there are certain plans, preparations, and actions that can be taken to reduce them in the hostels.

ACCIDENT PREVENTIVE MEASURES EXPECTED OF STUDENTS  IN THE HOSTELS.

To prevent future accidents I'm required  to  maintain the standards  of  behavior expected  from  students  of  a  prestigious  Institution  such  as ours. Duty bound to  behave  courteously  and  fairly  with everyone  both inside  and  outside  the campus and required  to  carry  my  valid hostel  Identity Card issued  to me.

Smoking  and  consumption  of  alcoholic  drinks  and/or narcotic  drugs  in  the  hostel  premises  is  strictly  prohibited. I'm expected not  to enter  the  hostel  premises  in  intoxicated state  and  should  not  possess  such  materials. I'm expected  not  smoke  inside  the  hostel / room /common  room/dining  hall /toilets/corridors/terrace  etc. 

I'm not expected to  participate  in  any  anti-national,  antisocial  or  undesirable  activity  in  or  outside  the  campus. 

 The visit  of  a  person  of  the  opposite  sex  to  the  hostel  is  restricted to common room and lounge.   

Expected not to use  electrical  appliances  such  as  immersion  heaters,  stove , etc   are  forbidden  in  any  of the  rooms .

I'm not supposed to  use any audio  systems  which  may  cause  inconvenience to other students. The  use  of personal TV, VCR and  VCD  /  DVD  is  prohibited.  When out of my  room  I'm expected to  switch off  all  the  electrical  /  electronic  appliances,  and  keep  it locked  (at  all  times).  

I'm required  to  be  conscious  of  the  environment  in which  I  live  by  keeping  it  clean,  healthy  and  presentable. Also  expected not to  throw  litter  indiscriminately in the hostel. 

 Responsible  for  the  safe keeping  of  my personal  belongings such  as  Laptop,  Mobile  Phone,  etc.  and  lock  the  room  even when I'm out for  a  short period. Any  case  of  theft  should  be  reported  promptly  to  the  Security Officer.   

Expected not to tamper with any fire system equipment such as smoke detectors, pull stations, or fire extinguishers or any unauthorized appliances in the hostels.

When  out of hostel I'm expected   to  return  to  the campus  before  12:00  p.m and  avoid  visiting  hotels  especially  at night. 

  COVID 19 PREVENTIVE MEASURES EXPECTED OF STUDENTS IN THE HOSTELS

 In view of the ongoing pandemic I'm expected  to maintain social and  Physical  distancing  of  at  least  6  feet  must  be followed  as  far  as  feasible. 

 I'm expected to wear  face cover/  mask , at all times  and  at all places  during  your  stay  inside hostel.  Thereby  carry  appropriate  number  of  masks.

 If having  symptoms  of  fever,  cough or  difficulty  in breathing  I'm required  to  report immediately  

  Expected to avoid crowding  in hostel  areas  where  students  live  in close  proximity  and share  common  facilities  and  utilities.   

  Frequent  hand  washing  with soap (for  at  least  40-60 seconds)  even  when hands  are  not visibly  dirty. I'm to  Use  of  alcohol-based hand  sanitizers  (for  at  least  20 seconds)  can be  done wherever  feasible by  hostel  inmates.

  Respiratory  etiquettes  to  be  strictly  followed.  This  involves  strict practice  of  covering my mouth and nose  while  coughing/sneezing  with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing  of  used tissues  properly. 

 Responsible for  Self-monitoring  of  health   reporting  any illness  at the  earliest. 

  Density  in common rooms, playing  areas  should be  limited, expected to  keep  in view the requirement  of  physical  distancing. 

CONCLUSION

When it comes to avoiding health and safety problems, having the right procedures, systems and training in place is essential. However, It's a collective responsibility. As students we should also be involved in ensuring safety at all times in and outside the hostel.

Thanks you.