Eye Scan Replaces School Roll Call

Volume 4 Issue 39

February 2005

Australian schools are leading the educational pack by planning to replace the old in classroom student roll call with eye scans. An as yet unidentified high school is among dozens of Australian organizations and companies planning to introduce high-tech security systems, such as iris recognition and finger scanning. 
The school is talking to Argus Solutions, which specializes in iris-recognition technology, about replacing its traditional roll call with the system. “This will revolutionize roll call by eliminating the associated costs and time. There will be cameras placed throughout the school ... the student looks into the camera. If roll call was between 9 and 9.15 am, instead of three hours collating the data, at 9.15 and one second you get the results,” describes Justin Hatfield, sales director of Argus Solutions.

The government of this region of Australia has spent millions of dollars on fences, alarms, closed-circuit television cameras and a 24-hour patrol service in recent years. Some area schools have even introduced electronic attendance systems, where students swipe identity cards.

The purpose of these security systems is to only let those belonging in schools in and keep others out – very important with drug dealers trying to sell drugs and gang members trying to recruit new members in schools as well as possible terrorism and violence threats in schools.

Arson Sends Pupils Home

A suspicious fire sent pupils of the Walnut Creek Middle School in West Bloomfield, MI home early. The fire was contained in the bathroom where firefighters claim it was set but smoke affected a large portion of the school. A teacher reportedly sustained a minor injury during the evacuation. No other injuries were reported. Two eighth-grade students are being investigated for the arson fire. Such fires show the need for increased security in schools.

OSHA Goes After Dangerous Employers

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is going after the bad boys of employee safety by alerting 14,200 employers across the country that their injury and illness rates are higher than average and encouraged them to take steps to reduce hazards and protect their workers. This year marks the first time the construction industry was included in the notification. “We are alerting these employers that their injury and illness rates are above average and then offer assistance that will help reduce those rates. This process not only raises awareness among employers of their higher than average injury and illness rates, but it also affords them a golden opportunity to take steps to reduce those rates,” explains OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. Besides the letters, OSHA has listed the work places on a Web site http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/foia/hot_9.html  by geographic area as well as company names. “OSHA is dedicated to assuring worker safety and health. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life,” adds Henshaw.
 

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