Safe Community Årdal

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Name of the Community: Årdal
Country: Norway
Number of inhabitants: 5850
Programme started year: 1988
International Safe Communities Network Membership: Designation year : 2000
Info address on www for the Programme: No

For further information contact:
Steinar Drægni
Ardal kommune
Postboks 40
N- 6881 Ardalstangen
Norway
Phone: 047 57 66 50 00
E-mail: sdr@ardal.kommune.no

Info address on www for the institution (or community as a whole): www.Fjordinfo.no

The programme covers the following safety promotion activities:

Safety in traffic and other street/road accidents
The project group for safety regarding traffic, have completed 4 inspections each year in order to document dangerous situations/areas, to ensure that the traffic and environment plan is used and observe with regard to visibility at intersections and junctions. The information is used to update in order to create awareness and as a deterrent.
Årdal Think Safety has been involved in traffic-training and moped training both at the local secondary schools and college. The secondary schools have received a moped as a gift from the project. The project has also been involved in the building of a cross-track on Hydro's property which is used by Årdal's motorbike club.
Årdal Think Safety has actively contributed to safety by distributing bicycle helmets to school children in their 3rd grade of primary school.
The leader of the project has participated in numerous traffic safety campaigns together with the local police and Norway's Automobile Association. A traffic and environment plan has also been completed which the project is actively involved in ensuring that it is carried out.
Other factors which have been completed within the traffic area are:

• Inspection of the traffic situation, dangerous cross-roads, pedestrian crossings, road signs and school roads.
• Participation with financial contributions to Traffic Safety's campaign “It isn't cool to be dead!”
• Supporting Årdal College with its traffic training geared toward the driving licence.
• Use of bicycle helmets, reflectors and that bicycles belonging to pupils are in good condition and according to regulations.

Accidents in the home
The leader of the project has attended meetings at the senior citizens' centre, has held seminars about accident prevention and has advised regarding various safety features which can be installed at home. He has consequently reached an agreement with the council whereby gritting sand has been made available at various collection points. This enables people to use it themselves if required. Other items have included:

• General information in schools about fire in the home and at play (annually).
• The pupils are given a checklist for them to review danger zones in their own home.
• Electrical appliances and warning signals are presented in the form of brochures.
• Checklists regarding accidents in the home are drafted and distributed
• Checklist for inspection of the local vicinity is drafted

Accidents in schools and nursery schools

Tactics here have been the following:

• information tactics designed to motivate teachers
• information for parents
• numerous safety projects between pupils and teachers
• regulation regarding safety of playgrounds (swings and other equipment)
• work in the area of fire prevention and safety
• safety is included and documented in the school/nursery schools annual plan.

Sports accidents

• Areas used for physical activity are scrutinised to locate potential danger situations/areas.
• A newsletter is sent out to sports clubs about sports injuries.
• Sporting injuries are registered
• Work groups are created to focus on the reduction of sports injuries.

Recreational accidents

• Send circulars to councillors about the scope of recreational accidents
• Ski-slopes/runs should be clearly marked and laid out
• Co-operation with the department of sports/culture regarding possible joint efforts.

Accidents at work

• Places of work are visited following an accident (s)
• Improve awareness regarding accidents at work at small businesses.
• Close co-operation with business and industry when large functions/receptions occur.

Completed projects
Traffic Day, spring 1989

This was the first notable joint effort the project had with the local schools. The scheme was a collaboration of the local police and the aluminium producer in Årdal (Hydro Aluminium) where all of the pupils from the first grade of primary school to the students of the college participated. The scheme was further strengthened by a demonstration performed by the traffic police which was very popular with the children.
The association for safe traffic was here with a display about bicycle and car safety. Their crash simulator was also on display. This was tried by many who experienced a thrilling yet awesome instant.
Hydro Aluminium at that time sponsored a racing car driver. He paid a visit to Årdal at the local college on the day that a traffic accident victim held a speech about his accident. Afterwards, the police and the doctor informed about their experience with this particular accident. Harald Huysman, the international racing car driver, enlightened the audience regarding safety regulations during race situations. In addition he described demands he has on himself both as a racing driver and as a car driver on the public highway with regard to safety.

School Week 1990

One hour of safety education for every class in the secondary school.
General information about safety with special emphasis on what each person should concentrate on.

Annual health, environment and safety course for students and teachers at Årdal College

This is a foundation course lasting one day for students of: building, mechanical engineering and electronics. The main theme of the day was: Is the working environment the main cause of accidents and injury at work and at play?
On health matters the theme was noise and chemical dangers at the workplace.
On environmental themes, attitudes towards the proper storage of refuse both at work and elsewhere where discussed.
The day was concluded with a fire drill (fire prevention).

Preventive work done at Farnes School

The school has safety high up on its agenda and has as a long term goal to contribute to increasing awareness in the local community. It is also hoped that the preventive work should be included as part of the annual planning as well as being reviewed each year. The first plan was made in 1991. Both pupils and staff are involved in making the plans and each class year has an allocated area of responsibility.

Example of traffic area:

The 6th grade reviews the use of reflectors, safety equipment and the age limit for cycling to school.
The 3rd grade reviews bicycle maintenance and bicycle inspections..
The 1st grade reviews buss transport and registration of danger zones.

A special project was completed when the playground was rearranged. The playground which was surfaced with tarmac was broken up and replaced with a 0.4 metre layer of sand. The sand was supplied by the project. Parents with jobs as drivers at Hydro, delivered the sand in the evening while Hydro supplied the lorries. This is an example of a good joint effort. Two playgrounds were constructed and are open for all.

Example of fire prevention:

Scheme for the 3rd grade in the use of fire-fighting equipment, how burns occur and routines regarding escape routes. The scheme was concluded with a fire drill for the whole school.

Example of accidents in the home:

Pupils of the 1st, 2nd and 4th grades take checklists home. Together with their parents/grandparents, the pupils study their home and local surroundings accordingly. This has been both popular and educational for pupils, parents and teachers alike.

Example of first aid: gymnasiums etc.:

• Lifesaving exercise (sea and boat knowledge), done before summer camp/school trips
• Mountain/hiking knowledge before Easter holidays
• Lifesaving routines etc. for swimming pool

The project has contributed by financing first aid and life saving equipment for the schools.

Example: “Keep Årdal Tidy - be responsible”:

Through the schools in Årdal, cleanliness and tidiness have been put high up on the agenda by annual “tidy-up campaigns”. This is when children and young adults along with the district council, tidy up and collect litter. The 5th grade has had the following duties:
5. grade

• Keep the school clean and tidy
• Learn how to take responsibility for functions, trips etc.
• Participation in the annual “tidy-up campaigns”.

This has resulted in an open day at the schools which is concluded in the local community centre where 350 children of all ages hold a display about safety in everyday life. Parts of the programme are permanent features at the schools.

Brochures and circulars

On different occasions, the project has sent out information in the form of brochures and circulars to every household in Årdal. These brochure contain a return slip where the resident gives details regarding prevention in their local surroundings and describe problems which they cannot solve alone. The completed slip is then returned to the project. This type of information is regularly included in the district councils newspaper which is delivered to every household in Årdal 4 times annually.
Numerous situations and conditions have been registered in this way with the majority of cases focusing around traffic situations. These are then channelled toward the technical department followed by a review meeting each quarter with the district council to discuss the dangerous situations which have been reported.

Traffic and environment planning

Due to the many reports from inspections and the public regarding areas which need improvement, the technical department chose to invite certain members of the public to an “idea-seminar” about traffic and the environment. From this plus the reports from the project, a traffic and environment plan was created. This is to be used as a foundation for the council's work in this area.

Bicycle tests and helmets

After several meetings of the parent/teacher association and pupils, it was decided that cycling should be banned for pupils below the 4th grade. For pupils below the 4th grade, education regarding traffic and cycling is given. In the 3rd grade pupils can take a cycling proficiency test which is organised by the police. Afterwards, the pupils receive a bicycle helmet. From the 4th grade, pupils are permitted to cycle to school. If a bicycle helmet is not used, then this is reported to the parents.
Both Hydro and the local authority have followed this example by offering bicycle helmets to all employees at a subsidised cost of NKr 50.

School for 6 year olds

Many parents worry about sending small children out near busy roads. A comprehensive chart has been made to ensure safe collection of the children.

At the following environments:
Home: Yes
Traffic: Yes
Occupational: Yes
School: Yes
Sports: Yes
Leisure: Yes

Surveillance of injuries: Where? Medical Health Centre
Numbers per year: Since 1989: ?? Oppteljing.
Population base: Aprox. 6.000 inhabitants
Started year: 1989

Publications: (Scientific)
Produced information material, pamphlets:
Lund, Johan: “Årdal Think Safety: undertakings and results”. SF-report 3/97.
Injury Prevention Forum 1997, page 107.
Annual reports from Årdal Think Safety
Council plans, case documents and minutes from council board meetings.
Report from the National Conference held in Årdal.
Lecture by Willy Bjercke and Svein Arne Hoff.( English version)

International commitments:
The preventive work done in Årdal has for many years been subject to international publicity. The project has been presented at numerous conferences and seminars. The most prominent of these have been:

• The 2nd World Conference on Injury prevention and control, Atlanta 1993.
• The 5th World Conference on Safe Communities, Harstad, 1994.
• The 6th World Conference on Safe Communities, Australia, 1996.
• WHO conference on Health Promotion, Djakarta, 1997.
• Nordic conference on Health Promotion, Helsinki 1997.

Årdal Think Safety's structure is based upon the steering committee being enterprising and by approving and sanctioning new projects. The project manager thus sets the diverse project-groups to work, working on selected issues.
The following projects/work-groups are currently active:

• injury registration group
• traffic group
• leisure group

Årdal Think Safety is broadly represented in the local authority and the dominant corporation Hydro. Norsk Folkehjelp is a voluntary aid organisation with a very good reputation both at locally and nationally. The local labour organisation in Årdal (Årdal Faglege Samorganisasjon), represents around 2000 organised employees. In addition Norsk Hydro are represented as a concern.

Number council board: 29
Number council committee: 7
Number stering committee: 7

Organization: To ensure active involvement of the diverse working groups, the groups consist of a wide variety of individuals from voluntary clubs and organisations, public and private sector.
Employees and management of the local authority are active participants. The managers are each year awarded with a declaration from the alderman. The declaration is closely linked to the budget and mentions stipulations and expectations for the forth coming year. Every declaration contains the following under the heading health, environment and safety:
“Has participated in an active way both internally and in the community for the project Årdal Think Safety”
The formulation is derived to make management in the local authority aware of the responsibility each of them has in respect of making Årdal Think Safety a priority area.
The following are members of the injury registration group:

• local general practitioner
• local union representative for the Norwegian Local Authority Association
• manager from the local authority's administration

The following are members of the traffic group:

• The Norwegian Automobile Association
• Family association
• Police
• Parent/teacher association
• Athletic clubs
• Senior citizens association
• Motor club

The leisure group has the following members:

• Årdal hunting and fishing association
• the local hiking club
• sports teams from local businesses
• the boy scouts
• Norsk Folkehjelp (similar to Red Cross)
• Youth union
• Boating club
• Shooting club

These diverse groups are obliged to complete plans containing a description of goals, if necessary make smaller groups and should rank the most important and realistic aspects to be covered within a given duration.

Årdal Think Safety holds an annual meeting and encourages the local community to partake. Here individuals from diverse clubs and organisations can come together and compare effort and result against the overall plan and objectives of Årdal Think Safety.

Specific intersectoral leadership group: There are continuos cooperations between project leader and operations manager. Likewise between area managers and the working groups.

For further information contact:

Steinar Drægni
Ardal kommune
Postboks 40
N- 6881 Ardalstangen
Norway

Phone: 047 57 66 50 00
E-mail: sdr@ardal.kommune.no

Info address on www for the institution (or community as a whole): www.Fjordinfo.no

Copyright © 1999-2000 Dept. of Public Health Sciences.

Updated by Moa Sundström, 2002-10-29 14:38.