| School Board of Alachua County |
| Bylaws & Policies |
8431 - PREPAREDNESS FOR TOXIC HAZARD AND ASBESTOS HAZARD
The Board is concerned for the safety of the students and staff members and will attempt to comply with all Federal and State statutes and regulations to protect them from hazards that may result from industrial accidents beyond the control of school officials or from the presence of asbestos materials used in previous construction.
Toxic Hazards
These hazards exist in chemicals and other substances used in the school setting such as in laboratories, science classrooms, kitchens, and in the cleaning of rooms and equipment.
The Superintendent shall appoint an employee to serve as Toxic Hazard Preparedness (THP) Officer. The THP Officer will:
| A. | identify potential sources of toxic hazard in cooperation with material suppliers who shall supply the THP Officer with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs); | |
| B. | ensure that all incoming materials, including portable containers, are properly labeled with the identity of the chemical, the hazard warning, and the name and address of the manufacturer or responsible party; | |
| C. | maintain a current file of MSDSs for every hazardous material present on Board property; | |
| D. | design and implement a written communication program which: |
| 1. | lists hazardous materials present on Board property, | ||
| 2. | details the methods used to inform staff and students of the hazards, and | ||
| 3. | describes the methods used to inform contractors and their employees of any hazardous substances to which they may be exposed and of any corrective measures to be employed; |
| E. | conduct a training program for Board employees to include such topics as detection of hazards, explanation of the health hazards to which they could be exposed in their work environment, and the Board's plan for communication, labeling, etc.. |
The THP Officer may enlist the aid of county and municipal authorities and, if possible, the owners or operators of identified potential sources of toxic hazards.
Asbestos
The Superintendent shall maintain an Asbestos Management Plan for each school and maintain and update the Plan to keep it current with ongoing operations and maintenance, periodic surveillance, inspection, re-inspection, and response action activities.
The Superintendent shall:
| A. | publish a notification on Management Plan availability and the status of asbestos activities; | |
| B. | educate and train Board employees about asbestos and how to deal with it; | |
| C. | notify short-term or temporary workers on the locations of the asbestos containing building materials; | |
| D. | post warning labels in routine maintenance areas where asbestos was previously identified or assumed; | |
| E. | follow set plans and procedures designed to minimize the disturbance of asbestos containing building materials; and | |
| F. | survey the condition of these materials every six (6) months to assure that they remain in good condition. |
The Superintendent shall designate an Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Manager as the Board's designated Asbestos Program Coordinator. All inquiries regarding the asbestos plan and asbestos-related issues should be directed to the AHERA Manager.
The Superintendent shall also ensure that, when conducting asbestos abatement projects, each contractor employed by the Board is licensed pursuant to the Florida Department of Health Regulations.
Nothing in this policy should be construed in any way as an assumption of liability by the Board for any death, injury, or illness that is the consequence of an accident or equipment failure or negligent or deliberate act beyond the control of the Board or its officers and employees.
F.S. 1013.12
40 C.F.R. 763.92
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA)
15 U.S.C. 2601, 20 U.S.C. 4022, 20 U.S.C. 4014, 20 U.S.C. 4011 et seq.
Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act of 1984
Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act of 1990, 20 U.S.C. 4011
Adopted 7/17/07
Revised 5/3/11