Determining the possible effects of total disaster risks at schools using the risk assessment matrix method: The case of Konya

Natural disasters are an inevitable reality of both our country and the world. It is highly likely that our country will encounter natural disasters in general due to its land structure and its location on the Alpine-Himalayan earthquake belt. Disasters interrupt normal life by causing great loss of life, property and economic losses. Our children spend most of their 24-hour time at school. There is a high probability of facing a disaster or emergency at any time. Disasters may cause the collapse of schools, as well as damage the educational materials in schools and cause students to take a break from education for a long time. While the earthquakes of 17 August and 12 November, which occurred in the past, occurred during a time when the students were not at school, the school buildings were destroyed. Despite this, many teachers and students were affected and lost their lives as a result of this natural disaster. Therefore, it is very important that our schools are always prepared for any disaster or emergency. We cannot prevent the occurrence of natural disasters, but it is possible to partially reduce the negative effects that may arise by taking some precautions. Hazards that may pose a risk in a possible disaster emergency can be identified by hunting hazards in our schools. Hazard hunting is to identify items that may fall and break during an earthquake and cause injury, and to place them correctly. In other words, it is everything except the column, beam, load-bearing foundation and wall in the building. More than 50% of injuries in earthquakes in our country are caused by non-structural hazards. With danger hunting, dangers that may pose a risk in case of any disaster in schools are detected. Then, it is defined how these hazards can pose a risk. Finally, the places of the objects that may pose a risk can be changed, the amount can be reduced or these objects are fixed. The vulnerability that may occur after disasters can be reduced by taking precautions against these risks. At the same time, by making our schools more resistant to disasters and emergencies, the material and moral damages caused by disasters and emergencies will be minimized. When we examine it within the scope of integrated disaster management, this study falls within the scope of the mitigation phase. The mitigation phase is the most important phase in disaster management and forms the basis of disaster management. There are many methods used in risk analysis studies. Basically, it is collected in two main groups as quantitative and qualitative. In the quantitative risk analysis method, quantitative data is used when calculating the risk, while in the qualitative risk assessment, a more qualitative assessment is made and the risk calculation is made by giving the values such as the probability and severity of the hazard and bearer values. The 5x5 L-Type Matrix Method can be applied by a single practitioner with intermediate experience. It is used to evaluate the cause and effect relationship. It is a very simple method that can be applied by a single person. This method was developed in 2000 to ensure the security of the US military. In this study, the risks that may pose a danger to schools in disasters and emergencies and their possible effects were translated into mathematical expressions using the 5x5 L Matrix Method and the risk score of each school was calculated. Then, the risk scores of the schools were compared with each other and the risk levels were determined. After the risk level is determined, the importance of the risk is determined. Necessary measures are taken by the school management starting from the highest result according to the degree of importance of the risk. The aim of the study is to share the recommendations with the relevant schools in order to identify the hazards, minimize the possible risks and completely eliminate the risks by making on-site determinations in the schools selected as examples. In addition, in this study, it is aimed to show how the 5x5 L Matrix method, which is one of the risk analysis methods, is put into practice in terms of detecting school risks. In the risk assessment study, the rate of each school having unacceptable and notable levels of "high" and "very high" risk shows the current status of that school in risk assessment. A school from each education level (Anatolian High School, Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, Secondary School, Primary School, Kindergarten) was selected as a sample for the study. In the study, the determination of the risks that may occur in schools was determined by interviewing the school administration and based on observations. A risk table consisting of 50 questions was created by taking the opinion of occupational health and safety experts from Konya Provincial Directorate of National Education, Selçuklu District Directorate of National Education, and Meram District Directorate of National Education, who are experts in their fields. The same risk assessment control form with 50 questions was applied to the selected schools within the scope of the research. Risk levels specific to five schools and their potential impacts were compared, for which hazard analysis was carried out by on-site investigations. According to the risk results obtained specific to the schools evaluated, it was recommended to give priority to the items with "very high" and "high" risk levels, to take the necessary actions immediately and then to move on to other risk level items. In the risk assessment study, the rate of each school having unacceptable and notable levels of "high" and "very high" risk shows the current critical risk status of that school in the risk assessment. According to the results obtained, the risk levels of the five schools; As a result of the risk assessment, exemplary Anatolian High School has a critical risk level of 50%, with 20% being very high risk and 30% high risk. As an example, the Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School studied has a critical risk level of 36% in total, with 24% very high risk and 12% high risk level. As an example, the secondary school studied has a critical risk level of 46%, with 30% very high and 16% high as a result of risk assessment. As an example, the primary school studied has a critical risk level of 40% in total, with 24% very high and 16% high as a result of risk assessment. As an example, the kindergarten studied has a critical risk level of 26%, 12% very high and 14% high, as a result of risk assessment. The school with the lowest critical risk level ratio is the kindergarten studied as an example. The school with the highest rate of critical risk level is the Anatolian High School, which was studied as an example. Some of the negativities seen in the schools where the study was conducted were as follows.  Student desks in classrooms are adjacent to the windows.  The fire escape is used as the normal exit door of the students.  Emergency telephone numbers are not displayed in a visible place.  The emergency evacuation siren is not working.  There are no emergency direction signs. Items that can tip over are placed on cabinets in administrative units.  A few unfixed lockers were found in the corridors.  There is no shelter that can be used in an emergency.  No precautions were taken to prevent the students from being affected in case of breaking or shattering of the windows.  The height of the handrails and railings is not sufficient.  Materials that may fall on the cabinets are placed in the storage areas and are not fixed. It is immediately seen that the critical risk level ratio among the five schools is not to be underestimated. Critical hazards within the five schools must be removed immediately. Another purpose of our risk assessment study is to share the identified risks with our schools, to make our schools aware of these risks and to ensure that they are eliminated. In this way, the preparations for the risks made in schools before the disaster will be able to protect our children, who are our future in a possible disaster, from the negative effects of disasters. The risks identified in schools and the measures to be taken against these risks are included in the risk assessment report. As a result of the risk assessment, some recommendations were made to the schools.