Safety Checklist Program for Schools

Inclusion in Appendix A of a private company or organization does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute. This is not a comprehensive list of resources.

Federal Government Agencies

ATSDR provides public health information to prevent harmful exposures and disease related to toxic substances in the environment.
1-888-42-ATSDR

DOL assists industry in developing and improving apprenticeship and other training programs designed to provide the skilled workers needed to compete in a global economy. Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by joint employer and labor groups, individual employers, and/or employer associations. The Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Dept. of Labor registers apprenticeship programs and apprentices in 23 States and assists and oversees State Apprenticeship Councils which perform these functions in 27 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people – at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.

National Prevention Information Network
(HIV, AIDS, STDs, TB)
1-800-458-5231

• National Center for Infectious Diseases
  The mission of the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID) is to prevent illness, disability, and death caused by infectious diseases in the United States and around the world. NCID conducts surveillance, epidemic investigations, epidemiologic and laboratory research, training, and public education programs to develop, evaluate, and promote prevention and control strategies for infectious diseases. NCID works in partnership with local and state public health officials, other federal agencies, medical and public health professional associations, infectious disease experts from academic and clinical practice, and international and public service organizations.
  (404) 639-3311
• National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
  Provides resources for Sanitarians, Environmental Health Specialists, Environmental Health Officers, Students and other Public Health professionals. This information is available to anyone in the public interested in the field of Environmental Health and reducing illness and death due to environmentally-related disease and injury.
  email: email
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Department of Health and Human Services. NIOSH provides national and world leadership to prevent work-related illness, injury, disability, and death by gathering information, conducting scientific research, and translating the knowledge gained into products and services.Toll-free Information Assistance
  1-800-35-NIOSHNIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations
  Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies
  Mail Stop R 12
  4676 Columbia Parkway
  Cincinnati, Ohio 45226
  (513) 841-4428, FAX (513) 841-4483NIOSH Publications
  4676 Columbia Parkway
  Cincinnati, Ohio 45226
  (513) 533-8471
  1-800-35-NIOSH, FAX 513-533-8573A NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) could determine whether workers are exposed to hazardous substances. NIOSH also has many excellent publications; ask to receive a copy of their Publications Catalog and to be put on their mailing list. Many documents cover topics of interest to career-technical educators including automotive air bag repair hazards, ergonomics, infection control, noise, respiratory protection, video display terminals, printed circuit board etching solutions, heat/stress exhaustion, insulation protection, nonionizing radiation, and sunburn.

4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814

Consumer Hotline
1-800-638-2772

Evaluates the safety of products sold to the public and provides printed materials on different aspects of consumer product safety.

Information Services Branch
Public Information Center
401 M Street, SW PM-3404
Washington, DC 20460

(202) 260-2090, EPA Directory Assistance
(202) 260-2090, Ext. 2080 – Public Information Center
FAX (202) 260-6257

Provides non-technical information about environmental issues. Information is available from PIC on drinking water, air quality, pesticides, radon, indoor air, Superfund, wetlands, hazardous waste, and many other environmental topics.

• 
  1-800-535-0202 EPA’s RCRA, Superfund, and EPCRA HotlineProvides information about reporting of hazardous substances for community planning purposes and Federal EPA regulations, policy, and documents.
• Provides information and materials about indoor air quality.
• EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline
  1-800-426-4791Provides information about public water supply program, policy, and regulations.
• EPA Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste (RCRA) and Superfund Hotline
  1-800-424-9346
• 
  1-800-858-7378; 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Pacific TimeSupported by the EPA, NPTN provides information about pesticides and spill handling, disposal, clean-up, and health effects.

The association promotes and achieves an effective national apprenticeship system. It provides a forum for states and territories that have their own state apprenticeship law with which to govern Registered Apprenticeship training programs within their respective jurisdictions.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
see entry under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

NIEHS provides information for reducing the burden of human illness and dysfunction from environmental causes. They conduct multidisciplinary biomedical research, prevention and intervention efforts, and communication strategies that encompass training, education, technology transfer, and community outreach. The Web site provides kids’ pages and teacher support for K-12, and links to science teacher resources.

National Office
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Washington, D.C. 20210
(202) 693-1999

Contact OSHA for information about workplace safety and health regulations or to file a complaint about working conditions if you work in the private sector. OSHA has regional and area offices throughout the United States. Contact these offices first for information.

OSHA State-Plan States—List
The following table contains Web site links to . Please refer to these programs individually as they may have additional regulations and requirements.

University-Based Organizations

The sixteen NIOSH-funded universities provide multidisciplinary graduate and continuing education programs in occupational medicine, occupational health nursing, and industrial hygiene. The ERCs serve as regional resources for occupational safety and health.

170 Frelinghuysen Road
Piscataway, NJ 08855-1179
(732) 445-0200

EOHSI is co-sponsored by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. EOHSI sponsors research, training, education, and clinic and service programs to improve the understanding of the environment and occupational health issues and their impact on individual and societal health.

The Public Education and Risk Communication Division is one of six divisions within EOHSI. It includes the Centers for Education and Training and the Resource Center, which are described below.

• CET offers more than 250 continuing education and training courses annually for environmental and occupational safety and health professionals, paraprofessionals, and workers.
• 
  Public Education and Risk Communication Division
  170 Frelinghuysen Road
  Piscataway, NJ 08855-1179
  (732) 445-0110, FAX (732) 445-0122The Resource Center provides videos, curricula, books and brochures on a variety of environmental and occupational safety and health issues. Teacher training is also available. The materials below would be of special interest to career-technical educators. Contact the Resource Center for prices and ordering information.Teaching Modules:Occupational Health Awareness: Lessons for Vocational Students in Secondary Schools

Educators in career-technical programs can also use ToxRAP™, an innovative, K-9 curriculum that uses concepts from toxicology and environmental health risk assessment. Students learn to identify a problem, gather information, form a hypothesis, conduct experiments, make observations, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, and defend their conclusions on the basis of scientific evidence. This is accomplished by teaching students how to apply the ToxRAP™ Framework to investigations concerning environmental health problems relevant to their lives. The ToxRAP™ curriculum series includes three modules: Early Elementary/K-3 (The Case of the Green Feathers), Intermediate Elementary/3-6 (What is Wrong with the Johnson Family?), and Middle School/6-9 (Mystery Illness Strikes the Sanchez Household). To order these EOHSI materials, see above.

Provides information on workplace rights and responsibilities, work hours and job restrictions, hazards on the job, ways to prevent job injuries and more. It also includes educational resources, fact sheets, and ideas for how to work with others in the community to keep young workers healthy and safe on the job. The laws noted at this site are specific to California. It is sponsored by the California Department of Industrial Relations and the California Partnership for Young Worker Health and Safety. The Labor Occupational Health Program at the University of California at Berkeley coordinates the Resource Network.

Robin Baker, Director
Labor Occupational Health
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley
2223 Fulton Street, 4th floor
Berkeley, CA 94720-5120
(510) 642-5507, FAX (510) 643-5698

Provides educational materials on safety and health in the workplace.

R. Palmer Beasley, M.D., Dean
The University of Texas-Houston
School of Public Health
1200 Herman Pressler
Houston, TX 77030

Provides educational seminars and training workshops in occupational and environmental safety and health.

Laurie Kominski, Youth Project Director (310) 794-5992
UCLA-LOSH Program
Hershey Hall
Box 951478
Los Angeles, California 90095-1478
310/794-5992; (310) 794-6403
fax 310/794-6403

The UCLA-Labor Occupational Safety and Health (LOSH) Youth Project Program provides educational materials (including 2 videos), downloadable curricula, and training for teachers and youth job training programs on young worker health and safety.

Professional and Standard-Setting Organizations

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
1330 Kemper Meadow Drive—Ste. 600
Cincinnati, OH 45240

is a community of professionals who advance worker health and safety through education and the development and dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge.

(513) 742-2020, FAX (513) 742-3355

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
2700 Prosperity Avenue
Suite 250
Fairfax, VA 22031

promotes, protects, and enhances industrial hygienists and other occupational health, safety and environmental professionals in their efforts to improve the health and well being of workers, the community, and the environment.

(703) 849-8888, FAX (703) 207-3561

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
11 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. The Institute’s mission is to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity.

(212) 642-4900, FAX (212) 398-0023 (Order Dept.)

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
1791 Tullie Circle, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30329

advances the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and related human factors to serve the evolving needs of the public and ASHRAE members.

(404) 636-8400, FAX (404) 321-5478

American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)
ATTN: Education
1800 East Oakton Street
Des Plaines, IL 60018-2187

is the oldest and largest professional safety organization. Its more than 30,000 members manage, supervise and consult on safety, health, and environmental issues in industry, insurance, government and education.

(847) 699-2929, FAX (847) 296-3769

Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)
(formerly, American Vocational Association (AVA))
1410 King St.
Alexandria, VA 22314

is the largest national education association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. Its members are technical educators, administrators, researchers, guidance counselors and others involved in planning and conducting career and technical education programs at the secondary, post-secondary and adult levels. ACTE provides leadership in developing an educated, prepared, and competitive workforce.

(703) 683-3111, FAX (703) 683-7424

American Welding Society (AWS)
550 N.W. LeJeune Road
Miami, Florida 33126

advances the science, technology and application of welding and related joining disciplines. From factory floor to high-rise construction, from military weaponry to home products, AWS supports welding education and technology development to ensure a strong, competitive and exciting way of life for all Americans.

1-800-443-9353, FAX (305) 443-7559

Building Officials and Code Administrators International
4051 W. Flossmoor Rd.
Country Club Hills, IL 60478-5795

, ICBO and SBCCI formally consolidated into a single, 50,000-member organization: the International Code Council (ICC). The ICC will provide world-class service to members and customers, and remains dedicated to public safety through the development of building safety and fire prevention codes.

(708) 799-2300, FAX (708) 799-4981

For information about BOCA standards, see the section that follows, titled “Where to Obtain Copies of Regulations and Standards.”

Compressed Gas Association, Inc. (CGA)
1725 Jefferson Davis Highway
Suite 1004
Arlington, VA 22202-4102

has been dedicated to developing and promoting safety standards and safe practices in the industrial gas industry.

(703) 412-0900, FAX (703) 412-0128

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
1 Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02269-9101

The mission of the international nonprofit is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research, training and education.

(617) 770-3000, FAX (617) 770-0700

1-800-344-3555 for orders

National Fire Codes Subscription Service. Thirteen-volume set of National Fire Codes in loose-leaf binders. Includes quarterly newsletter in notices of updates and proposed changes. Also includes the latest edition of the National Electrical Code.

National Safety Council (NSC)
P.O. Box 558
Itasca, IL 60143-0558

is the nation’s leading advocate for safety and health. NSC’s mission is “to educate and influence society to adopt safety, health and environmental policies, practices and procedures that prevent and mitigate human suffering and economic losses arising from preventable causes.”

1-800-621-7619, FAX (708) 285-0797

Has educational materials on safety and health topics including respiratory protection and eye safety.

New Jersey State Safety Council, Inc.
6 Commerce Drive
Cranford, NJ 07016

(908) 272-7712, FAX (908) 276-6622

is a nongovernmental, nonprofit public service organization, dedicated to the prevention of harm in New Jersey, and it has been the state’s strongest advocate of preventing and mitigating human and economic losses arising from accidental causes.

National School Boards Association (NSBA)
1680 Duke Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

is the nationwide organization representing public school governance. Their mission is to foster excellence and equity in public education through school board leadership. NSBA achieves that mission by representing the school board perspective before federal government agencies and with national organizations that affect education, and by providing vital information and services to state associations of school boards and local school boards throughout the nation. NSBA advocates local school boards as the ultimate expression of grassroots democracy. It supports the capacity of each school board–acting on behalf of and in close concert with the people of its community–to envision the future of education in its community, to establish a structure and environment that allow all students to reach their maximum potential, to provide accountability for the community on performance in the schools, and to serve as the key community advocate for children and youth and their public schools.

(703) 683-7590

Where to Obtain Copies of Occupational Regulations

Free access to OSHA regulations via the Internet:

Free access to information pertaining to via the Internet
Free access to the can easily be accessed via the Internet

Printed Copies (Federal Government)

• Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs)—the Codes are updated annually
  Government Institutes, Inc.
  4 Research Place, Suite 200
  Rockville, MD 20850
  (301) 921-2323, FAX (301) 921-0373
  Call for price information.
  • 40 CFR 1-51 (Air Regulations, Grants and other Federal Assistance)
  • 40 CFR 52 (Air Programs)
  • 40 CFR 53-59 (Air Programs)
  • 40 CFR 60 (Air Programs)
  • 40 CFR 61-71 (Air Programs)
  • 40 CFR 72-80 (Air Programs)
  • 40 CFR 81-85 (Air Programs)
  • 40 CFR 86 (Air Programs)
  • 40 CFR 87-135 (Water Programs)
  • 40 CFR 136-149 (Water Programs)
  • 40 CFR 150-189 (FIFRA – Pesticide Programs)
  • 40 CFR 190-259 (RCRA, Radiation Protection, Ocean Dumping, Solid Wastes)
  • 40 CFR 260-299 (RCRA, Hazardous Wastes)
  • 40 CFR 300-399 (CERCLA/Superfund and SARA Title III)
  • 40 CFR 100-149 (Water Programs)
  • 40 CFR 400-424 (Water Effluent Guidelines and Standards)
  • 40 CFR 425-699 (Water Effluent Guidelines and Standards cont’d)
  • 40 CFR 700-789 (TSCA)
  • 40 CFR 790-END (TSCA)
  • 29 CFR 1900-1910.999 (OSHA Standards for Subpart A-T)
  • 29 CFR 1910.1000-1910.END (OSHA Standards for Subpart Z [Haz. Comm.])
  • 29 CFR 1911-1925 (OSHA Longshore)
  • 29 CFR 1926 (Safety and Health Standards for Construction)
  • 29 CFR 1927-End (OSHA Agriculture, State Plans, OSHRC, Pensions)

The individual books above of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) can also be ordered from

Superintendent of Documents
Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402-9371

(202) 512-1800, FAX (202) 512-2250

(one year, published daily)

This is the official government publication for informing the public about proposed and final regulations, with accompanying explanations and justifications. Order from the Superintendent of Documents at the address above.

U.S. Congress Public Laws (slip laws)
Superintendent of Documents
PO Box 37194
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954

Organizations:

• 
  To order ANSI standards; call for price information.By phone: (212) 642-4900By purchase orders:
  Attention: Sales Department
  American National Standards Institute
  11 West 42nd St.
  New York, NY 10036
  By FAX: (212) 302-1286By mail:
  Attention: Customer Service
  American National Standards Institute
  11 West 42nd St.
  New York, NY 10036
• 
  To order BOCA standards, contact the address below. There are discounts for educational institutions. Call for prices.
  BOCA International
  4051 West Flossmoor Rd.
  Country Club Hills, IL 60478-5795
  Publications Order Department (708) 799-2300National Building Code
  National Mechanical Code
  National Plumbing Code
  National Fire Prevention Code

Commercial Newsletters About Regulations

1231 25th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
1-800-452-7773 FAX: (202)-822-8092

Publications: Occupational Safety and Health Reporter, Environmental Reporter, Chemical Regulation Reporter

You can obtain regulations, compliance directives, Federal and State regulations and updated newsletters.

39 Academy Street
Madison, CT 06443-1513
1-800-7-ASK-BLR, FAX: (203)-245-2559

Matthew Bender
1275 Broadway
Albany, NY 12204
(518) 487-3000, FAX: (518)-487-3584

Publication: Occupational Safety and Health Act

This is a 2-volume set in loose-leaf format, updated by supplements and revisions. Provides sample forms, standards, and checklists. Call for prices.

The Merritt Company
Dept I60000M
P.O. Box 955
Santa Monica, CA 90406
1-800-638-7597, FAX: (310)-396-4563

Publication: OSHA Reference Manual

This monthly updated service consists of complete 29 CFR 1910 standards, in an easy-to-understand format and self-inspection checklists. Call for price.

Suite 306
267 W. Esplande
N. Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V7M 1A5
(604) 983-3434, Fax: (604) 983-3445

Chemical Emergency Response

American Chemistry Council
1300 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209
1-800-424-9300, Emergency Hotline FAX: (703)-741-6089

This can be a good source of information on clean-up, neutralizing chemicals, environmental sampling, etc. for health officers or other professionals. Not for general public use.

Other Information Sources

The federation of America’s labor unions, represents more than 13 million working women and men, also offers workplace safety and health information.

The American Federation of Teachers represents the economic, social and professional interests of classroom teachers. It is an affiliated international union of the AFL-CIO. The AFT has more than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide, 43 state affiliates, and more than 1.3 million members.

Alaska Health Project
218 East 4th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 276-2864, FAX: (907)-279-3089

This project provides training and educational materials about a variety of occupational and environmental health topics.

American Labor Education Center (ALEC)
2000 P Street, NW, Room 300
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 828-5170, FAX: (202)-828-5173

ALEC has information about safety and health and labor related issues.

1740 Broadway
New York, NY 10019-4374
(212) 315-8700, FAX: (212) 315-8870

This association has developed the Future Workers’ Education Project, which focuses on preventing and reducing occupational diseases and injuries in tomorrow’s workers. Lesson plans and materials for teachers and students in high school, career-technical and technical courses, and community colleges. Series includes units on autobody and repair, health occupations, welding, and cosmetology. Additional units to be developed: agriculture, carpentry, graphics, printing. To order, call, 1-800-292-5542 or contact your local American Lung Association (check the white pages of your phone book for local listings). Price approximately $40 for each unit.

Canada’s premier national center for occupational safety and health information. Provides products and services for the prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses.

c/o New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)
155 Avenue of the Americas
14th Floor
NY, NY 10011
Voice Mail Only: 212-366-6900 Ext. 333

This is the only national resource center for performing/visual artists that deals with safety and health hazards. It has fact sheets, a newsletter, consultation, and referral.

CPWR’s main focus is to develop practical ways to improve safety and health for construction workers and their families. As the research, development, and training arm of the Building and Construction Trades Department and the construction unions in the AFL-CIO, CPWR works with more than 30 organizations nationwide

American Chemistry Council
1300 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209
1-800-262-8200, FAX: (703)-741-6000

This center provides general, nonemergency information about chemicals. It refers callers to a person at a manufacturing company who can provide the requested information. The center operates 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. It is a public service of American Chemistry Council (ACC) that provides users of chemicals, transportation workers, and the general public with access to safety and health information about chemicals and chemical products.

120 Wall Street
16th Floor
NY, NY 10005-4001
(212) 361-2400, FAX (212) 361-2412

This is a national resource center with information about industrial and municipal solid waste issues.

George Meany Center
10,000 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Springs, MD 20903

(301) 571-4226, FAX: (301) 431-6464

This agency has safety and health information about hazardous materials and emergency response.

1025 Connecticut Ave., NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC, 20036
1-800-424-5323

You can obtain educational materials about lead and health effects on children, lead in drinking water, and abatement.

(formerly called National Society to Prevent Blindness)
500 E. Remington Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 843-2020 or 1-800-331-2020, FAX: (847)-843-8458

The mission is to preserve sight and prevent blindness through patient, professional, and public education. The organization provides information about eye safety.

P.O. Box 3000
Leesburg, VA
20177-0300
Voice: (703) 777-8810
Fax: (703) 777-8999

SkillsUSA serves over 280,000 over a quarter-million high school and college students and professional members who are enrolled in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations. SkillsUSA prepares America’s high performance workers for leadership in the world of work.

Introduction

In career-technical education, students are required to develop competencies in safety and health relevant to their occupational areas. Health and safety training prepares students to understand their rights as specified by law and to take appropriate actions to protect themselves and their co-workers from occupational safety and health hazards. The Safety Checklist Program could be used as one of a number of teaching tools to assist students in attaining competencies related to awareness of safety and health hazards and the federal laws designed to minimize these hazards.

While the manual addresses regulations that may apply to schools, it will acquaint both teachers and students with the types of issues they should be concerned about in the workplace. Knowledge of these issues will be relevant to teachers and students involved in cooperative education programs and relevant in the long term to all students in their future workplace.

Classroom Activities

When using the Safety Checklist Program, teachers can do the following activities in their classroom:

• Select a question or hazard-of-the-week from one of the checklists and spend 5-10 minutes each week discussing it with the class.
• Spend part of a class period over several days or weeks having the students accompanying the teacher on an assessment of the classroom using the checklists.
• Have pairs or groups of students do a hazard assessment using the checklists and report to the class. Pairs or groups should suggest ways to remediate the problems identified. The checklists may need to be simplified or adapted depending on the students’ needs.
• Have students identify one or more classroom hazards of concern to them using the hazard index, or divide hazards among the class members. Each student can select a portion of the checklist pertaining to the particular hazard(s), research or obtain additional information on this hazard and lead the rest of the class through a discussion of the hazard and a tour using the appropriate checklist.
• Create a safety and health committee on a school-wide basis, in your classroom, or with several other related classes to work on improving safety and health in the classroom and school. Hold an election to have student representation on the committee.
• Invite a speaker from a regulatory agency, local business, or professional safety and health organization to discuss safety and health issues relevant to the particular course or program.
• Have students read Appendix C: Suggestions for Facilitating Inspections. Then let them role-play a mock inspection. Students may take the roles of the inspector and the “inspected” or the teacher may play one of the roles. Have the class critique the experience in terms of how both parties worked toward making the event cooperative rather than adversarial. As an alternative, arrange for an actual inspection to occur during class hours to allow students to participate in the event.

Additional Tips and Information

Educators of career-technical programs can use various curricula to accompany the Safety Checklist Program that is available from educational, professional and commercial organizations. One example of this type of curricula is Occupational Health Awareness: Lessons for Vocational Students in Secondary Schools. This teaching module was developed by the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) and the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI). It was designed to help students identify occupational safety and health hazards by conducting hazard assessments at their school and at home. They also learn basic principles for hazard control and how to develop emergency response plans. The teaching module uses a wide range of teaching methods, such as role play, problem solving, discussion, and hands-on experience. Teaching materials include lesson plans, slides, a video, handouts, and sample exams.

Disclaimer: Although each Federal and State regulatory agency has its own procedures for handling safety and health audits, the following sections suggest practical ways to prepare for and assist in safety and health inspections. However, NIOSH does not imply that these written suggestions are the only ways to prepare for and assist in safety and health inspections.

Introduction

Although Federal OSHA does not have jurisdiction over State and local government employees, including those in public schools, the 26 States that operate OSHA-approved State plans are required to extend their State standards to these workers (refer to Appendix A, Federal Government Agencies, OSHA State-Plan States). State standards and enforcement are either identical to, or at least as effective as, Federal OSHA. In addition, EPA enforces several OSHA standards, including “hazardous waste operations” (29 CFR 1910.120), in workplaces in the public sector in States without OSHA-approved State plans.

The 26 States with OSHA-approved State plans, in addition to enforcement, have extensive voluntary compliance programs, including on-site consultation services available to public sector employers. In States without State plans, although Federal OSHA has no authority to inspect nor enforce standards in public schools, the local OSHA office may be able to provide hazard recognition assistance and technical support. Extensive compliance assistance information is also available on  and in Federal and State publications.

To assure that inspections run smoothly, follow the recommendations outlined here: Both career-technical educational program administrators and enforcing agencies have expressed that they want inspections to be cooperative rather than adversarial events. To do this, inspectors need to be understanding of the obstacles the school faces in controlling hazards and considerate of the time and efforts needed to remediate such hazards.

General Suggestions for Facilitating Inspections

Have an ongoing environmental safety and health program in place.
Most inspectors are impressed when they see that a school is concerned with a safe environment on a daily basis, not just before or after an inspection. Such programs help schools take a proactive approach to safety. For this reason, it is important that there be an ongoing program and that you make the inspector aware of it. The elements of a good program are described in Chapter 2: How to Establish an Effective Occupational Safety and Health and Environmental Safety Program.

Invite the enforcement agencies to do proactive training and education.
Part of an environmental safety and health program involves training and educating key personnel and high-risk employees and students. Take advantage of the enforcement agencies: they all offer free outreach, compliance assistance, and education services; including training and information sessions. They can also supply you with free bulletins, videos, presentations, fact sheets, and other helpful documents. They are often willing to send staff to regional or annual conferences, meetings, or training programs. Have them speak to your school about their inspection procedures or policies and other resources available to you.

Use the enforcement agencies’ free consultation and technical assistance services before inspections take place.
Take a proactive approach by dealing with problems before you receive a citation. Agencies prefer to help you be proactive with regard to safety, rather than to conduct formal inspections. If there is a suspected violation or hazard, call the appropriate agency’s consultation program and ask for help. Many consultation programs are designed to help identify problems and offer solutions for correcting them, as well as offering information about other free resources. Consultation personnel are well-trained safety and health professionals. If an agency is not able to help, ask them to refer you to someone who can. For example, .

Have designated safety representatives and personnel available at the inspection.
When an inspector arrives, he or she must have access to people with a good overview of the safety program. It will help to have representatives who are informed and can describe steps that have already been taken to solve problems.

Prearranged Inspections

Find out the scope of the inspection.
Find out whether the inspection will be broad or specific, who will be interviewed, what locations will be inspected, what records will be reviewed, and what practices will be observed. Ask the inspector what documents would be helpful. Do not be reluctant to ask questions.

Notify the appropriate people in your school district about an upcoming inspection.
Enforcement agencies have different protocols for determining contacts. For example, some inspectors may contact only the county superintendent; others may contact the business administrator or the district superintendent. The school must establish their own internal protocol for determining the person to notify for inspections. Make sure that those who want to be involved in the inspections are notified. Having the union representative present is often very helpful for the inspector, and it is required by some regulations because:

• the representatives can coordinate and prioritize employee complaints
• confusion is avoided by having all sides of an issue aired at once, and
• it is easier to arrive at abatement procedures and dates that are acceptable to all parties involved.

Schedule the inspection for a convenient time.
Finding an ideal time for an inspection may be difficult, because the inspector often has to observe a class or process in progress. However, most enforcement agencies will be accommodating if the school offers reasonable opportunities for the critical personnel to be present. Aim for a date that is not as busy for the key personnel. Remember that the inspector may need adequate notice to reschedule inspections, especially those that involve numerous parties.

Gather necessary documents in advance.
Have appropriate blue prints, purchase orders, organization charts, injury and illness reports and records, material safety data sheets, hazard communication inventories, etc. available for inspection. Have extra copies made in advance.

Gather other important information in advance.
In addition to the above documents, gather other useful information before the inspection (for example, the status of obtaining parts or services to correct a problem). To keep a general inspection focused and to save time, ask a union representative if applicable, or other suitable representative to survey employees for complaints or health symptoms in advance.

Arrange for necessary access to equipment or locations.
Make sure there is access to areas or equipment that is normally locked or requires security clearance. Have a ladder and flashlight ready. Always have spare hardhats, safety goggles, etc. for people who accompany the inspector.

Unannounced Inspections

Accept unannounced inspections.
Some agencies are mandated to conduct unannounced inspections (e.g., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration).

Immediately notify the appropriate people to participate in the inspection.

Have someone meet with the inspector as soon as possible.

Be ready to respond to the inspector’s questions or comments.
They are made with the intent of identifying and correcting hazards.

Steps to Take During an Inspection

Explain the chain of command and key responsibilities

Send the appropriate people.
Send someone knowledgeable about the particular hazards being investigated as well as the person responsible for the entire safety program at that site.

Explain what actions have already been taken.

Present the facts.
Not giving inspectors all the facts will make the case worse. If the school is aware of an existing hazardous condition that was not or could not get corrected, this potentially makes the condition a “willful” violation.

Save time by delegating the search for documents and personnel.
Delegate the responsibility of finding and copying records to someone who does not have to attend the inspection. Secure only those documents requested by the inspector. Similarly, have someone else schedule time for the inspector to meet with key individuals (i.e., maintenance personnel, safety officer, teacher). Offer to mail documents or set up telephone interviews if needed.

Accompany the inspector on his/her walkthrough.
Have someone, preferably the site safety person, stay with the inspector during the entire inspection. Also, if the school has one or many unions, it may be appropriate to have a union steward or other employee representative present during the walkthrough. Have that person take notes and pictures as appropriate.

Be available.
During the inspection, make sure that you will be available. If the inspectors asks, give out the business cards or names, phone numbers, and titles of key personnel who attended the inspection and those who could not attend.

Ask for explanations of citations.
The inspector should be able to give an adequate explanation of why the regulation exists.

Ask for the inspector’s help in abating a violation.
If the inspector cites the school, ask to help for a feasible solution since they may have seen similar problems corrected. In some cases, the law requires inspectors to provide a feasible solution. Ask them for additional resources and contacts in other career-technical education programs or safety and health organizations that have dealt with similar problems and solutions to those problems.

Explain any obstacles that may be faced in trying to correct a problem.
Explain the budget process and time constraints. The inspector may have the flexibility to arrange for convenient abatement deadlines. In some cases, abatement time requirements may need to be discussed with the inspector’s supervisor. If necessary, ask the inspector about the procedures for contesting abatement deadlines.

If there are problems with the inspection, let the inspector or his/her supervisor know.
If the inspection did not go well, discuss it as soon as possible with the inspector (sometimes there is a lag time between an inspection and a report or citations). In some cases, rights to contesting a citation are lost for not responding quickly.

Introduction

Four major sources of regulations are may apply to emergencies involving a chemical spill. A brief overview of the major requirements of these regulations follows.

Employee Emergency Plans and Fire Prevention Plans (29 CFR 1910.38)

This OSHA regulation gives the requirements of plans for the effective evacuation and accounting for employees in case of an emergency, e.g., chemical spill. The written evacuation plan must address, at a minimum, the following:

• Emergency escape procedures, signals, and routes
• Procedures for employees who must remain in the facility to shut down equipment before they evacuate
• Procedures for accounting for all employees
• Rescue and medical duties
• Preferred mechanisms for employees to report emergencies
• Names and job titles of employees who can be contacted for more information regarding evacuation plans
• A list of the major workplace fire hazards and their proper handling and storage procedures, potential ignition sources and their control procedures, and the type of fire protection equipment or systems that can control a fire

All employees who assist in the evacuation must be trained on how to implement their function. Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones, on employee notice boards, and in other conspicuous locations (see OSHA 29 CFR 1910.165). All employees who are affected by the evacuation plan must be trained in its contents and implementation. Update the plan and training as procedures and or evacuation routes change.

Subpart C – Preparedness and Prevention and Subpart D – Contingency Plans and Emergency Procedures

The EPA regulations (40 CFR 265.30 to 265.56) establish procedures to ensure that emergencies are planned for and minimized in order to successfully protect the environment and surrounding community (See the Hazardous Waste checklist). To minimize hazards from releases of hazardous materials to air, soil, or surface water, the written plan must include the following:

• Description of arrangements with local authorities and contractors to assist in spill cleanup and notification activities
• Name(s) of the emergency coordinator(s) for the school
• Emergency equipment and corresponding locations of fire extinguishers, spill control equipment, etc.
• Available decontamination equipment
• Evacuation procedures, routes, and notification signals

This plan must be kept up-to-date and submitted to local police, fire, and rescue departments and to the local emergency planning committee and any emergency response teams who may respond to such an event.

Required steps for handling emergencies include the following:

• Identify the source, character, and extent of the release
• Activate internal alarms
• Notify State and local agencies for help (if necessary)
• Assess hazards to humans and the environment
• Notify authorities if spill poses hazards to the environment or the community
• Check for leaks, pressure buildup, etc.
• Following cleanup, arrange for treatment, storage, and disposal of wastes
• Decontaminate all equipment
• Forward a written report to the EPA Regional Administrator within 15 days

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (29 CFR 1910.120)

The OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response standard covers procedures for handling a chemical spill by designated responders and employees who respond from outside the immediate release area. Responses to incidental releases of hazardous substances where the substance can be absorbed, neutralized, or otherwise controlled at the time of release by employees in the immediate release area or by maintenance personnel are not considered to be emergency responses within the scope of the standard. Students or teachers should not respond to significant spills because of the extensive training requirements and equipment needed. Trained State, county, or municipal hazardous materials response teams should be brought in if such a spill occurs. These teams will follow the requirements of the hazardous waste operations and emergency response standard that ensures that emergency responders work safely during spill cleanup activities. They will have a written plan that covers the following:

• Pre-emergency planning
• Personnel roles, lines of authority, training, and communications
• Emergency recognition and prevention
• Safe distances, places of refuge
• Site security and control
• Evacuation routes and procedures
• Decontamination procedures
• Emergency medical treatment and first aid
• Emergency alerting and response procedures
• Personal protective equipment and emergency equipment
• Critique of response and followup

This regulation also requires that an emergency coordinator be designated and that an incident command system be followed. Positive pressure supplied-air respirators are required until air monitoring indicates that less protection is safe for the area. Training requirements for responders vary depending on the level of activity in the emergency response. Personnel responsible for stopping leaks and cleaning spills must be trained to the hazardous materials technician level (minimum 24 hours training annually). Medical surveillance is also required for these responders.

If teachers or maintenance employees respond to minor spills, they must have had training covering the hazards of the spilled material and the correct response actions. They also must have the appropriate personal protective equipment along with training on how to use it. In addition, they must know how to dispose of the spilled material following all Federal and State regulations. The regulations listed below may apply to staff with these responsibilities:

• 29 CFR 1910.132 – General Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment
• 29 CFR 1910.133 – Eye and Face Protection
• 29 CFR 1910.134 – Respiratory Protection
• 29 CFR 1910.135 – Occupational Head Protection
• 29 CFR 1910.136 – Occupational Foot Protection
• 29 CFR 1910.1200 – Hazard Communication

Sample Procedure for Handling Chemical Spills at Schools

A sample emergency response procedure consistent with the above regulations is presented here to help schools formulate their compliance plans.

Review all classrooms to identify spill hazards. All teachers and students should be trained to recognize hazardous material spills and what procedures to follow. This instruction should include information about the effects of hazardous materials on humans and the environment. If a spill is beyond the cleanup capability of the person who created the spill or custodial staff, follow these procedures:

• 29 CFR 1910.132 – General Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment
• Notify the principal and the classroom teacher and ask them to call 911. Tell them the name of the material, location of the spill, and approximate volume of spilled material.
• Evacuate all students from the classroom using the steps in the evacuation procedure (this is a separate document).
• Evacuate adjacent classrooms if the spread of contamination is enough to affect them.
• Do not permit any persons to enter the spill area, contact the spilled material, or place themselves at risk unless they have appropriate training and personal protective equipment.
• Take immediate steps to prevent spilled materials from entering drains or spreading to other environmentally sensitive areas. These steps include placing absorbent materials (stored in classrooms with a high likelihood of a spill) around the perimeter of the spill and blocking drains.

The fire department may dispatch their hazardous materials emergency response team (HAZMAT) to handle the spill. The HAZMAT incident commander is usually the fire department chief and is the senior person responsible for directing all activities during the cleanup effort. The incident commander may take the following steps:

• Dispatch trained emergency responders to the scene, bringing appropriate personal protective clothing such as supplied-air respirators, chemical resistant gloves and suits, and boots. They may also bring communications devices, air-monitoring equipment, and first aid equipment. They may may use salvage drums, sorbents, and decontamination equipment stored in areas where there is a high probability of a spill.
• Establish external communication channels between the school and outside parties using the school dispatcher or any other appropriate means of external communication.
• Contact outside agencies including any of the fire, police, emergency medical, health, or emergency management departments if the chemical spill is large.
• Contact the Federal and State spill hotlines if he or she believes at any time during the response that the spill or release represents a hazard to the environment or community.

The incident commander will determine when it is safe to reoccupy the classroom or building by considering air monitoring results and checking all potentially affected classroom equipment for evidence of pressure buildup or leaks, etc. After the completion of the emergency response, the incident commander may convene all responders, the classroom teacher, and the appropriate school administrators to critique the handling of the response, to determine the cause of the incident, and to identify future preventive measures.

Hazardous chemical waste is regulated by EPA. See Hazardous Waste Self-Inspection Checklist the checklist on Hazardous Waste.

Special Note

Compliance with all of these regulations is essential to ensure the safe and effective resolution of hazardous materials spills. The planning regulations can be met by preparing separate plans or by developing a separate evacuation plan and integrating the requirements of all regulations into a single coordinated plan. Schools should also establish communication with the nearest hazardous materials response team to facilitate prompt action if the need arises.

Special Note

OSHA regulations are revised from time to time. The best place to find the most current OSHA regulations is at the OSHA Web site. The following Internet addresses will provide the most current regulations and information on General Industry and Construction.

OSHA Regulations

Text of Selected Regulations

Subpart E: Means of Egress

•  (Employee Emergency Plans and Fire Prevention Plans)

Subpart I: Personal Protective Equipment

•  (General Requirements)
•  (Eye and Face Protection)
•  (Respiratory Protection)
•  (Respirator Fit Testing Procedures) Mandatory
•  (Respirator User Seal Check Procedures) Mandatory
•  (Respirator Cleaning Procedures) Mandatory
•  (OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire) Mandatory
•  (Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard) Mandatory
•  (Head Protection)
•  (Occupational Foot Protection)
•  (Hand Protection)
•  (Non-Mandatory Compliance Guidelines for Hazard Assessment and Personal Protective Equipment Selection)

Subpart K: Medical and First Aid

•  (Medical Services and First Aid)
•  (First Aid Kits) Non-Mandatory