NEPN/NSBA Code: EBAA
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
The Board is committed to providing a safe environment for students and employees. It is the policy of the MSAD #60 Department to follow safe practices in regard to the storage and handling of hazardous chemicals in its schools. The school unit will comply with all applicable Maine and federal laws and regulations concerning hazardous chemicals.
The Superintendent/ designee has responsibility for the safe handling and storage of hazardous chemicals in schools, the development of required written plans, the designation of a Chemical Hygiene Officer, and ensuring that staff is trained with respect to chemical hazards found in the workplace. Written plans shall include information regarding proper purchasing, labelling, storage, training, handling, and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
The Superintendent will appoint an employee of the school unit as Chemical Hygiene Officer for the MSAD #60 School Department. The Chemical Hygiene Officer will be responsible for developing and implementing a Chemical Hygiene Plan, to be reviewed annually, that includes procedures relevant to the identification, purchase, storage, inventory, handling, and disposal of hazardous chemicals used in science laboratories; maintenance of safety data sheets (SDS) for laboratory chemicals; and ensuring that employees with science/laboratory responsibilities are provided appropriate training on the specific hazards associated with the chemicals being used in school laboratories and how to read the SDS for these chemicals. The person appointed Chemical Hygiene Officer must be an employee of the MSAD #60 School Department, preferably a science teacher or another staff member who is knowledgeable about the chemicals being used in school laboratories and stored in the schools.
HAZCOM (HAZARD COMMUNICATION) STANDARDS
The school unit will comply with OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard 29 CFR 1910.1200, as adopted and enforced by the Maine Department of Labor, which requires a written hazard communication (HazCom) plan, including a listing of chemicals being used in the schools; training of employees that handle these chemicals; and, for all employees, where safety data sheets (SDS) are located, and how to read them. This standard applies to hazard communications for hazardous chemicals such as those used in cleaning and disinfection, which may be found in custodial and food service areas, among other locations.
A. MSAD #60 will obtain SDS (Safety Data Sheets) for all hazardous chemicals utilized in the school unit. Copies of the SDS will be available for inspection during regular business hours in each building where the chemicals are used.
B. SDS will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis by the building administration.
C. SDS for new products put into use in MSAD #60 will be reviewed and employees who
may be exposed to the product shall receive appropriate training as necessary.
Employee Training and Information Program
A. All employees who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals shall be given a list of hazardous chemicals utilized in MSAD #60 and a copy of this policy.
B. All employees whose work involves hazardous chemicals are required to attend a training program before commencing work. Training will also be provided whenever a new chemical the employees have not been trained on is introduced into their work area. Employee attendance at each required training program must be documented.
C. MSAD #60’s training program shall be conducted in compliance with applicable laws/regulations and include the following elements at a minimum:
1. An explanation of applicable laws and/or regulations;
2. Identification of work/storage areas where hazardous chemicals are present:
3. Description of methods for detecting the presence or release of hazardous chemicals in work/storage areas;
4. Explanation of potential health problems associated with hazardous chemicals in the workplace;
5. Explanation of how to read an SDS, product labels and other documents related to hazardous chemicals and where in the facility the SDS may be found;
6. Explanation of methods to protect employees from hazardous chemicals, including the purpose, proper use and limitations of personal protective equipment; and
7. Explanation of emergency procedures.
Purchase of Hazardous Chemicals
MSAD #60 will establish a Hazardous Chemical Screening Process for the review and approval of purchases of hazardous chemicals needed for instructional and service purposes. The process will be implemented under the supervision of the Superintendent/designee, in consultation with school employees in areas in which hazardous chemicals are to be used.
Requests for purchases of hazardous chemicals shall include at least the following information:
1. The common and chemical name of the chemical;
2. The amount of the chemical needed for the year;
3. The storage requirements, instructional use and waste disposal procedures for the chemical; and
4. The amount and age of any existing quantities of the chemical.
MSAD #60 shall order quantities that are expected to be fully consumed under normal conditions within two years of purchase, or if the hazardous chemical has a shelf life of less than two years, a quantity that is expected to be consumed within the shelf life period.
Storage of Hazardous Chemicals
Hazardous chemicals will be stored in accordance with specifications described in SDS and with applicable laws and regulations.
All hazardous chemicals and products shall be labeled as required by law/regulations. Containers that are not properly labeled shall not be allowed in MSAD #60.
LABORATORY SCIENCE CHEMICALS
The school unit will comply with OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1450, as adopted and enforced by the Maine Department of Labor, which addresses science laboratory chemicals. This standard applies to science laboratory chemicals commonly found in chemistry and biology laboratories in schools.
Product Disposal
MSAD #60 shall dispose of hazardous chemicals properly. When required by law/regulations, hazardous chemicals shall be disposed of through an agency licensed by the State. When it is necessary to store hazardous chemicals prior to removal from school property, storage shall be in an approved tank or building.
Annual Review
This policy shall be reviewed by the Superintendent/designee on an annual basis.
Legal Reference: 29C.F.R. §1910.1200
26 M.R.S.A. §565
Me. Reg. Ch. 2 §12-179
Me. Reg. Ch. 161 (Dept. of Ed. Rule)
Cross Reference: EBCA – Crisis Response Plan
Adopted: January 2, 2003
Revised: October 18, 2018