ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES | Policy Manual

8400 - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES

HEALTH AND SAFETY.

The Board recognizes its responsibility relative to student, employee, and visitor health and safety, and the need for development and implementation of a comprehensive program designed to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment on District property and at District-sponsored activities. To achieve this, it is the intent of the Board that the District 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.
1. The District shall develop and implement an environmental health and safety program that is positive, proactive, integrates responsibilities within the District, and promotes and incorporates the following:
  1. Procedures describing a hazard identification and abatement program that requires the periodic inspection of District facilities, the implementation of immediate and programmed corrective actions when deemed necessary by such inspections, and the development of a District-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.
  2. 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 District 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 District.
  3. 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.
  4. Procedures related to District 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Procedures that detail plans for foreseeable emergencies and fire prevention.
PHASE-OUT/BANNED PRODUCTS.

Any chemicals, pesticide, or other materials that the Federal government is phasing out and/or banning by a certain date will be immediately banned from use on District property.
ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS.

The District shall appoint a "Local Education Agency designated person" responsible for ensuring development and implementation of a program to manage asbestos-containing materials in accordance with applicable U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT.

The District shall implement a pest management program in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Schools procedures. This program will include appointment of a District IPM Coordinator an IPM awareness program, training for custodians, and provide for notification regarding chemical use. The District shall periodically review and evaluate progress toward its pesticide use, reduction, and minimization goals.

All businesses and/or persons applying pesticides on District property shall hold the appropriate State license/certificate and shall be pre-approved by the District's IPM Coordinator. All pesticide materials and application methods must also be pre-approved by the IPM Coordinator. The IPM Coordinator may allow certain unlicensed District employees permission (in writing) to apply pre-approved exterior herbicides and insect baits, for a specific location, purpose, and period of time, and whereby the product is prepackaged and made ready-to-use (un-concentrated form) by the product manufacture.
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (IEQ).
1. The District shall:
  1. address prevention of water intrusion and remediation of wetted building materials as priority IEQ issues;
  2. maintain environmental conditions in occupied areas that are in compliance with applicable regulations and strive to conform to consensus industry standards;
  3. implement a preventative maintenance program for HVAC systems including, 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;
  4. 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; and
  5. prohibit activities that create indoor air quality health hazards or may degrade the quality of indoor air for reasons unrelated to the educational mission.
2. Use of candles, air fresheners, and upholstered furniture not purchased by the District is prohibited.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT.

The District shall develop and implement procedures to identify, control the use of, and dispose of regulated and hazardous wastes generated as a result of District activities. Such procedures shall be in compliance with all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Hazardous Waste Regulations.
POLLUTION CONTROL AND PREVENTION.

In an effort to comply with environmental policy and applicable regulations, the District 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.

Revised 4/12/05
Revised 4/10/07
Revised 4/27/10
Revised 2/11/20
Reviewed 3/12/24