Quick Guide to Chemical Safety in K-12 Schools Each year in our country, students are injured or put in harm s way through improper storage, use or disposal of chemicals in schools. This document is intended to guide school administrators, teachers, students and parents toward the goal of improving chemical safety in our schools. School officials must acknowledge that decisions concerning chemicals can affect the health, safety and welfare of our students, staff and communities. These decisions include how schools purchase, store, use and dispose of chemicals, for both educational and facility management purposes. The Center for Safe Schools recommends the following six step process to improve chemical safety in K-12 schools: Plan Train Purchase Store Use Dispose
Steps in the Process 1. Plan Develop a chemical management plan, also known as a chemical hygiene plan. Every school, including districts, area vocational technical schools and intermediate units, along with private and nonpublic schools must establish a chemical management plan. It is recommended that these plans include all of the following: Procurement Guidelines It is recommended that schools have procurement guidelines in place to provide safeguards against ordering improper or dangerous types of chemicals or excessive amounts of chemicals. Conduct a Chemical Inventory It is imperative that all schools conduct a full chemical inventory to know the locations and types of chemicals present in the school building. Many schools store chemicals in a variety of places, including: storage rooms; science laboratories/ classrooms; custodial closets; nurse s office; vocational classrooms; natatoriums; and transportation/warehouse centers. Old, unused and degrading chemicals must be identified and disposed of properly, as discussed in step six Dispose. Remove High Risk Chemicals from the Curriculum Best practice recommends the use of smaller amounts of chemicals or use of household products. Many chemicals used just 15 years ago have been deemed to have potential hazards and their use in K-12 programs is considered potentially more dangerous to students and staff than the educational value. More information on reduced scale chemistry and going greener in chemistry programs can be found in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Agencies Chemical Safety Manual for Pennsylvania Schools. These three photos are examples of old chemicals found in Pennsylvania schools during chemical audits. See http://tinyurl.com/7swgr9a for more information on chemicals to avoid in K-12 schools. 2
2. Train Students and staff who use chemicals should be provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and given training on its proper use. In addition to PPE training, students and staff who may be using or exposed to chemicals must be trained in the following topics: warning signs and container labeling; safety procedures; spill response; and use of safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, eye wash stations/showers and spill cleanup procedures. All school employees must be trained in compliance with the Pennsylvania Worker Right-to-Know Act of 1984. An example of a bad storage practice 3. Purchase Purchase only chemicals for which there is an absolute need. Schools should purchase minimal amounts of chemicals that can be safely stored and used within the school year or purchasing cycle. While buying five gallons of a chemical may yield a price break, if only 16-ounces are used per year, the risk of degrading of chemicals and labels exists. Additionally, staff and students may be exposed to the potential release of excess chemicals for several years. Educational activities should only use chemicals that have an education value that exceeds the potential hazards of storage, use and disposal. Store chemicals according to the manufacturer s guidelines for temperature and container types. All chemical storage areas should be safe and secure, with proper shelving, including a containment lip or tray. Certain chemicals may require the use of ventilation systems or other safety. An example of a better storage practice A list of chemicals with hazards exceeding the traditional K-12 educational value can be found at: www.safeschools.info/ images/stories/k12-chemicalsto-avoid_06-2012.pdf 3
4. Store Always store chemicals in compatible groupings. Whenever possible, do not store chemicals above eye level (five-feet). Secondary containers should be used whenever possible to contain spills or leaks. Always store chemical containers in their upright position. Do not stack chemical containers on top of other jars and bottles. Be especially cognizant of temperature issues during the summer, as many schools are cutting back on climate control measures in an attempt to curb energy costs. Saving money on electricity poses an unacceptable risk to chemical reactions. Whenever possible, the manufacturer s label should remain intact. Mixed chemicals and those with degraded labels should be properly marked and labeled. Some chemistry classes require students to conduct experiments designed to allow them to identify unmarked chemicals. When doing so, it is imperative that teachers maintain accurate information about the unmarked chemicals, in the event of an emergency. Additionally, as soon as the experiments are concluded, the chemicals should be returned to properly labeled containers or disposed of properly. Whenever possible, the manufacturer s label should remain intact. Mixed chemicals and those with degraded labels (as shown above) should be properly marked and labeled. 4
5. Use Use of chemicals should be conducted only after proper training has taken place, as noted in step two Train. Students using chemicals must be supervised at all times. Chemicals must be used in concentrations and manners specified by the manufacturer. Steps schools can take to lessen potential problems with chemical use in educational activities include: use of household substances that are usually less hazardous than full concentration chemical; reduced scale; or micro-scale techniques. Resources on reduced and micro-scale techniques can be found at the following locations: Rehab the Lab www.lhwmp.org/home/educators/rehabthelab.aspx The above is an example of an unmarked chemical mixture that will cause concern and possibly significant money at disposal time. National Microscale Chemistry Center www.microscale.org National Small Chemistry Center www.smallscalechemistry.colostate.edu 6. Dispose Dispose of all chemicals in a manner consistent with legal requirements and in consideration of the environment. Unknown or improperly marked chemicals (such as the example shown at right) are very expensive to dispose of properly in accordance existing laws and regulations. It is recommended that schools dispose of small amounts of chemicals throughout the school year according to regulatory authority. By doing so, schools will save money and avoid possible injuries, fines and/or other sanctions. For more information on safety and emergency preparedness for schools contact the Center for Safe Schools: Center for Safe Schools 275 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011 www.safeschools.info SafeSchools@csc.csiu.org (717) 763-1661 5
Chemical Safety References for Schools For more information to assist you in establishing and maintaining safe and reduced risk chemical environments in your school consult these resources. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources School Chemical Safety Manual This manual provides schools with an in-depth guide to keeping students and staff safe through a chemical management program and provides the user with several sample forms and procedures. http://files.dep.state.pa.us/waste/bureau%20of%20waste%20 Management/WasteMgtPortalFiles/SolidWaste/HazardousWaste/School_ Chemical_Safety_Manual.pdf School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide This guide on safety in the chemistry laboratory was written to provide high school chemistry teachers with an easy-to-read reference to create a safe learning environment in the laboratory for their students. (Also available in CD ROM version.) www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-107/ NIOSH Safety Checklist Program for Schools Administrators, coordinators and teachers know that their schools should comply with Federal or State Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. This Safety Checklist Program can help these leaders bring their schools into compliance even when they have little safety and health experience, a busy schedule and many unanswered questions. www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-101/ NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (NPG) The NPG is a source of general industrial hygiene information on several hundred chemicals/classes for workers, employers and occupational health professionals. www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/ 6