Greater Clark County School Corporation
Bylaws & Policies
 

8405 - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES - INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND IDLING VEHICLES ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

The School Board recognizes its responsibility relative to student, employee, and visitor health and safety, and the need for development of a comprehensive program designed to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment on Corporation property and at Corporation-sponsored activities. To achieve this, it is the intent of the Board that the Corporation will avail itself of the most current, proven technologies in the fields of health, safety, and environmental sciences.

STUDENT, EMPLOYEE, AND VISITOR HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Corporation shall develop and implement an environmental health and safety program that is positive, proactive, integrates responsibilities within the Corporation, and promotes and incorporates the following:
 

A.

Procedures describing a hazard identification and abatement program that requires the periodic inspection of Corporation facilities, the implementation of immediate and programmed corrective actions when deemed necessary by such inspections, and the development of a corporation-wide hazard reporting procedure that enables employee/stakeholder participation. This program should also provide procedures for identifying and responding to hazards that are created by outside entities, inspecting activities of contractors, and inspecting new facilities to determine whether or not appropriate requirements for environmental health and safety have been met.
   
 

B.

Procedures that promote environmental health and safety awareness among employees, students, and stakeholders. These procedures shall include, but not be limited to, the establishment of school and Corporation safety committees, and the establishment of a program of regular communication with students, employees, and stakeholders about pertinent safety and health issues through available mediums in the Corporation.
     
 

C.

Procedures directed toward the safety and health of students during transportation to and from school, at school, and during participation in school-related activities. These procedures shall include, but not be limited to, promoting bus safety for students, assessing the safety of school traffic patterns, operating school clinics, administering medication and medical treatment, promoting laboratory and shop safety, promoting safety in sports and other outdoor activities, inspecting playground equipment and promoting safety on playgrounds, and assessing environmental exposure.
     
 

D.

Procedures related to Corporation employee health and safety issues that include, but are not limited to, provision of work areas free from recognized hazards and OSHA-related programs that are required by Federal and State law, such as, employee safety and health training and training in hazard recognition, and defining employer and employee responsibilities and expectations related to health and safety.
     
 

E.

Procedures describing an accident reporting and investigation system that provides for identification of root causes, determination of remedial and programmed corrective actions, and provides communication about accidents to employees and stakeholders.
     
 

F.

Procedures that detail plans for foreseeable emergencies and fire prevention.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)

The Superintendent shall appoint a person to serve as the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Coordinator for the school corporation. The IAQ Coordinator shall serve as the lead contact person for matters related to indoor air quality in the facilities operated by the school Corporation. The IAQ Coordinator contact information shall be available to all students, parents, employees, and visitors by publishing the information on the school corporation’s website and in school handbooks. The school corporation shall also notify the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) of the IAQ Coordinator’s name and contact information.

Each school facility is to meet criteria established by the ISDH. During inspections by the ISDH, the inspector will investigate any condition that is or could be contributing to poor air quality including, but not limited to the following: carbon dioxide levels, humidity, evidence of mold or water damage, and excess dust.

The Board recognizes that excessive moisture levels within the schools can lead to conditions that are optimum for the development of biological contaminants, such as mold and fungi on building surfaces. The Board further recognizes that the presence of these contaminants can be harmful on contact with respiratory tissue.

Contributing factors to excessive moisture levels include the following:
 

A.

roof leaks
     
 

B.

structural defects in the building
     
 

C.

improperly controlled humidity levels
     
 

D.

faulty HVAC systems

As preventative measures, the Corporation shall do the following:
 

A.

address prevention of water intrusion as a priority IAQ issue and implement strategies toward its elimination
   
 

When a water leak or intrusion is discovered, corrective action shall be taken within forty-eight (48) hours.
   
 

B.

maintain environmental conditions in occupied areas that are in compliance with applicable regulations and strive to conform to consensus industry standards
   
 

C.

implement a preventative maintenance program for HVAC systems which shall include, but not limited to, periodic filter replacement, inspection, cleaning and disinfecting processes, and procedures to eliminate the contribution to indoor air quality problems caused by this equipment
   
 

D.

implement a system for insuring materials used and purchased for use in the construction, furnishing and maintenance, including cleaning of facilities, do not contribute to health hazards to employees and students by degrading the quality of indoor air
   
 

In addition, activities that create indoor air quality health hazards shall not be permitted.
   
 

E.

when mold or mold contaminated material is discovered, corrective action shall be taken within forty-eight (48) hours

Further, the school corporation shall endeavor to reduce irritants by not allowing the use of ozone generators sold as air purifiers while students are present in the classroom. Scented candles and air fresheners are not be used in the classrooms.

In addition, the Superintendent may develop administrative guidelines for the proper monitoring of the factors that contribute to excessive moisture and for the development of mitigation plans when, and if, problems with IAQ are identified.

SCHOOL BUS AND OTHER VEHICLE IDLING

In accordance with the Indiana State Department of Health regulations, the Board endeavors to limit vehicle emissions that may be introduced into school facilities harming the indoor air quality.

The Corporation shall determine areas where idling is prohibited and post signs.

Drivers of all public and private vehicles are to turn off the engine if the vehicle is to be stopped for more than five (5) minutes in locations where the vehicle exhaust may be drawn into the building or while on school grounds. See Policy 8615 and AG 8615.

The staff will be informed of this policy at the start of each school year. Parents and students will be informed of this policy at the start of each school year at annual orientations or through student/parent handbooks.

POLLUTION CONTROL AND PREVENTION

In an effort to comply with environmental policy and applicable regulations, the Corporation shall develop and implement procedures designed to prevent air and water pollution, minimize or eliminate waste streams where possible, and identify possible sources of air and water pollution.

SEE ALSO THE FOLLOWING RELATED POLICIES:

Policy 8420

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Emergency Evacuation of Schools

Policy 8431

-

Chemical Management and Preparedness for Toxic or Asbestos Hazard

Policy 8432

-

Pest Control and Use of Pesticides

Policy 8442

-

Reporting Accidents

Policy 8450

-

Control of Casual-Contact Communicable Diseases

Policy 8453

-

Control of Noncasual-Contact Communicable Diseases

Policy 8453.01

-

Control of Blood-Borne Pathogens

Policy 8615

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Idling School Buses and Other Idling Vehicles on School Property

Indiana Department of Health Model Policies
I.C. 16-19-3-5, 16-41-37.5
410 IAC 33-4-1 through 8

© Neola 2013