8431 - CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT AND PREPAREDNESS FOR TOXIC OR ASBESTOS HAZARD

Franklin Community School Corporation

Bylaws & Policies

8431 - CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT AND PREPAREDNESS FOR TOXIC OR ASBESTOS HAZARD

The School 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 exposure to toxic chemicals used in the classroom as a part of an instructional program, as well as toxic chemicals used for cleaning or maintenance or from the presence of asbestos materials used in previous construction.

CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT/TOXIC HAZARDS

In order to reduce student and staff exposure to chemical hazards used or kept at the school corporation facilities, the Superintendent will be responsible for developing and implementing a plan for minimizing exposure to these toxic hazards.

These hazards exist in chemicals and other substances used in the school setting such as in laboratories, science classrooms, kitchens, in the cleaning of school buildings, buses, and equipment, and the maintaining of school grounds.

The Superintendent will appoint an employee to serve as the Toxic Hazard Preparedness (THP) Officer who shall oversee the implementation of the Corporation’s Chemical Management/Toxic Hazards Plan. The plan may include:

	A.	provisions to ensure when chemicals are used during a class, such as but not limited to chemistry, biology, or industrial technology, appropriate ventilation in proper working order must be used to minimize potential exposure to these chemicals (either the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for evaluating student exposure must be used);

	B.	identification of potential sources of toxic hazard in cooperation with material suppliers who shall supply the THP Officer with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDs) which provide directions for proper use of materials which shall be followed by all Corporation employees in using said materials;

	C.	maintenance of a Corporation wide inventory of toxic chemicals and a file of MSDs for all toxic chemicals on Corporation property;


D.	a purchasing procedure which requires the purchase of the least toxic chemical which will effectively do the job and provisions to avoid over stocking toxic chemical materials;

E.	a storage protocol which provides for safe storage and ensures 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;

F.	a communication program which:

	1.	details the methods used to inform staff and students of the hazards, and

	2.	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;

G.	a training program for all Corporation 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 Corporation's plan for communication, labeling, etc.

H.	a disposal procedure which adheres to State environmental protection guidelines;

I.	a protocol which addresses actions to be taken in the event of a spill of toxic chemicals or other potential accidents.

In fulfilling these responsibilities, 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 hazard.

PHASE-OUT/BANNED PRODUCTS

The Superintendent shall require that any chemicals, insecticides, or other materials that the Federal government is phasing out and/or banning by a certain date be immediately banned from use on Board property.

ASBESTOS

In its efforts to comply with Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), the Board recognizes its responsibility to:

	A.	inspect all Corporation buildings for the existence of asbestos or asbestos-containing materials;

	B.	take appropriate actions based on the inspections;

	C.	establish a program for dealing with friable asbestos, if found;

	D.	maintain a program of periodic surveillance and inspection of facilities or equipment containing asbestos;

	E.	comply with EPA regulations governing the transportation and disposal of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials.

The Superintendent shall appoint a person to develop and implement the Corporation's Asbestos-Management Program which will ensure proper compliance with Federal and State laws and the appropriate instruction of staff and students.

The Superintendent shall also ensure that, when conducting asbestos abatement projects, each contractor employed by the Corporation is licensed pursuant to the Indiana 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.

Asbestos School Hazard Abatement, 20 U.S.C. 4011 et seq.
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Act, 40 C.F.R. Part 763
Toxic Substances Control Act 15, U.S.C. 2601 et seq.
I.C. 16-9-3-5, 16-41-37.5
410 IAC 33-4-8

Revised 12/10/01
Revised 1/12/04
Revised 10/18/12