 Products containing hazardous substances may be found in a variety of school settings -- in science laboratories, art classrooms, darkrooms and school shops, and in products used for pest control.
In addition, materials used in past construction -- such as asbestos and lead paint -- can be hazardous if not properly maintained or if improperly removed.
The Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Hazard Communication Standard requires training and other protective measures for school staff potentially exposed to hazardous substances. Schools must comply with this and all other state and federal regulations related to safe handling and removal of hazardous substances.
The Department of Environmental Protection regulates pesticide use and also requires schools to adopt an Integrated Pest Management plan to reduce the potential for pesticide exposure.
By understanding the potential hazards and taking steps to control exposures, schools can help prevent adverse health effects among staff and students.
KEY RESOURCES FOR:
Parents and Students
DHSS PEOSH, Common Hazards Found in Public Schools, 1997, Topics covered include: roof renovation, painting and construction work, indoor air quality, carpeting, carcinogens, woodworking shops, science laboratories, darkroom - photo-developing, art rooms - kilns, art rooms - sculpturing and art rooms - silk-screen printing.
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School Staff
Local Associations Ensure Safe Asbestos Removal
Gym Floor Toxicity Data Spurs MRTA Victory; Lesson Learned: – Hazard Communication Matters
Clean Out Chemicals this Summer
How to Make Your Job Healthier; Recognizing and Controlling Workplace Health Hazards in NJ, 2003,
Guidance on what workers can do together and what outside help is available for addressing workplace health hazards.
DHSS PEOSH, Common Hazards Found in Public Schools, 1997,
Topics covered include: roof renovation, painting and construction work, indoor air quality, carpeting, carcinogens, woodworking shops, science laboratories, darkroom – photo-developing, art rooms - kilns, art rooms - sculpturing and art rooms - silk-screen printing.
DHSS Controlling Chemical Exposure, Industrial Hygiene Fact Sheets, 2001, Concise guidance on 16 aspects of industrial hygiene control including ventilation, spill clean-up, personal protective equipment, sampling, etc.
DHSS PEOSH, Public Employer’s Guide and Model Written Program for The Hazard Communication Standard, 2005. Helps employers and employees understand the requirements of the PEOSH Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), N.J.A.C. 12:100-7. A sample written hazard communication program is provided to illustrate how to develop a written program.
DHSS PEOSH Hazard Communication Compliance Checklist, 2007. A quick tool for public employers and employees to help assess their facility’s compliance with the PEOSH Hazard Communication Standard.
Districts Must Provide and Pay for Personal Protective Pquipment, 2008, NJEA
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School Administrators
DEP Environmentally Preferable Purchasing webpage.
DEP NJ School Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program, Tools and Templates, including Model IPM Program, contract, notification form, etc..
DHSS Guidelines for Occupational Safety and Health Programs.
The purpose of these guidelines is to assist public sector employers in setting up an Occupational Safety and Health Program to reduce the incidence of work-related deaths, injuries, and illnesses in their workplaces.
EPA Home Page on Chemical Use and Management
DHSS PEOSH, Common Hazards Found in Public Schools, 1997, Topics covered include: roof renovation, painting and construction work, indoor air quality, carpeting, carcinogens, woodworking shops, science laboratories, darkroom - photo-developing, art rooms - kilns, art rooms - sculpturing and art rooms - silk-screen printing.
DHSS Controlling Chemical Exposure, Industrial Hygiene Fact Sheets, 2001. Concise guidance on 16 aspects of industrial hygiene control including ventilation, spill clean-up, personal protective equipment, sampling, etc.
DHSS PEOSH, Public Employer’s Guide and Model Written Program for The Hazard Communication Standard, 2005. Helps employers and employees understand the requirements of the PEOSH Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), N.J.A.C. 12:100-7. A sample written hazard communication program is provided to illustrate how to develop a written program.
DHSS PEOSH Hazard Communication Compliance Checklist, 2007. A quick tool for public employers and employees to help assess their facility’s compliance with the PEOSH Hazard Communication Standard.
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Architects and Engineers
EPA Database on Environmental Information for Products and Services
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Other Resources
- Artificial Turf
- Grass Playing Fields vs. Artificial Turf, 2008, NJEA
- DHSS Artificial Turf website, 2008
- Synthetic Turf: Health Debate Takes Root, 2008, Environmental Health Perspectives
- Artificial Turf: Exposures to Ground-Up Rubber Tires, 2007 Environment and Human Health, Inc.
- Asbestos
- DCA list of licensed asbestos monitors
- DEP Guidance document for the management of asbestos-containing materials
- DHSS Indoor Environments Program Home Page. Information on training and certification, asbestos in schools, compliance and enforcement.
- EPA Home Page on Asbestos in Schools
- OSHA Topic Page on Asbestos
- The ABCs of Asbestos in Schools, 1989, (E-31) and other EPA asbestos in schools publications
- Cleaning products
- EPA Home Page on Cleaning Products
- “Green cleaning” is good for school occupants, 2006, NJEA
- Diesel exhaust
- DEP Home Page on Stop the Soot Program
- EPA Home Page on Clean School Bus USA
- “Stop the Soot” from school buses, 2006, NJEA
- Drinking water
- DHSS Drinking Water Fact Sheets Home Page
- EPA Home Page on Drinking Water
- EPA Home Page on Drinking Water Security
- EPA Home Page on Testing Schools and Day Care Centers for Lead in Drinking Water
- NJDEP Drinking Water Home Page
- Is there Lead in Your School’s Drinking Water? 2009, NJEA
- Formaldehyde
- California Air Resources Board, Remedies for Reducing Formaldehyde in Schools, 2002.
- OSHA Topic Page on Formaldehyde
- Hazard Communication
- DHSS PEOSH Alert, PEOSH Adopts the Hazard Communication Standard, 2004. Informs public employers and employees that in May 2004 the federal Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, has been adopted with amendments under the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act, at N.J.A.C. 12:100-7.
- DHSS PEOSH Hazard Communication Compliance Checklist, 2007. A quick tool for public employers and employees to help assess their facility’s compliance with the PEOSH Hazard Communication Standard.
- DHSS Right to Know Program Home Page
- OSHA Topic Page on Hazard Communication
- Lead
- DCA list of licensed lead abatement contractors
DCA list of licensed lead evaluation contractors
- DHSS Indoor Environments Program Home Page. Information on training and certification.
- EPA Home Page on Lead
- OSHA Topic Page on Lead
- Mercury
- DEP brochure, Is Your Life Mercury Free?
- DHSS Booklet, Mercury Exposure in the Workplace - A Guide for Employers, 2004. Provides a step-by-step approach to controlling mercury exposure, as well as guidelines for spill clean-up, medical surveillance, and industrial hygiene monitoring.
- DHSS Information Bulletin, Your Mercury Exposure, 1997. Gives information and advice to assist individuals in finding out how they may have been exposed to mercury and how to protect themselves from further exposure.
- EPA Topic Page on Mercury
- OSHA Topic Page on Mercury
- Help Get Liquid Mercury Out of Schools, 2009, NJEA
- Ozone
- DEP Home Page on Ozone
- PCBs - Polychlorinated Biphenyls
- An Unrecognized Source of PCB Contamination in Schools and Other Buildings, 2004 Environmental Health Perspectives article
- PCB Lighting Ballasts in Schools Home Page
- Pesticides
- DEP NJ School Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
- DEP Pesticide Control Program Home Page
- EPA Home Page on Pesticides in Schools
- Low input lawn care
- Rutgers Cooperative Extension Home Page on IPM
- Safe pest control for schools is the law, 2007, NJEA
- Photocopiers and Other Office Equipment
- Office Equipment Hazards, 2008, NJEA
- Radon
- DEP Home Page on Radon
- EPA Home Page on Radon in Schools
- Rutgers Eastern Regional Radon Training Center Home Page
- Science chemicals, laboratories
- Chemical safety in the school laboratory, 2007, NJEA
- Chemicals: What’s in? What’s out?
- DEP School Chemical Management Project
- DHSS PEOSH Model Chemical Hygiene Plan, 1994, Provides an outline written format for a chemical hygiene plan that complies with the Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1450.
- EPA Home Page on Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign
- Green Chemical Alternatives Purchasing Wizard
- Green Chemistry Experiments
- Greening Schools lesson plans in chemistry, physics, biology, and industrial arts
- OSHA Topic Page on Laboratories
- Rehab the Lab
- School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide, NIOSH, 2006
- Volatile Organic Compounds EPA Tools for Schools Page on VOCs
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Healthy School Facility Environments
