8405 - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES

Otsego Local School District

Bylaws & Policies

8405 - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES

The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility relative to student, employee, and visitor health and safety, and the need for development 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

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:

	A.	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.

	B.	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.

	C.	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.

	D.	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.

	E.	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.

	F.	Procedures that detail plans for foreseeable emergencies and fire prevention.

PHASE-OUT/BANNED PRODUCTS

The Superintendent shall require that any chemicals, insecticides, or other materials that the Federal government is phasing out and/or banning by a certain date be immediately banned from use on Board property.

DIESEL EXHAUST AND SCHOOL BUS IDLING

In accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s initiative to reduce pollution that is caused by school buses on school property, the Board will take the recommended steps to reduce the negative effect of diesel exhaust on indoor and outdoor air quality on school campuses. This effort shall include, but not be limited to, reducing bus idling time and reinforcing smart driving practices.

The Superintendent shall develop the administrative guidelines necessary to establish these practices in the District (see AG 8615).

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.

SEE ALSO THE FOLLOWING RELATED POLICIES:

Policy 7430 - Risk Reduction Program

Policy 8410 - Crisis Intervention

Policy 8420 - Emergency Situations at Schools

Policy 8431 - Preparedness for Toxic Hazard and Asbestos Hazard

Policy 8442 - Reporting Accidents

Policy 8450 - Control of Casual-Contact Communicable Diseases

Policy 8453 - Direct Contact Communicable Diseases

Policy 8453.01 - Control of Blood-Borne Pathogens