Hazardous Materials in Schools

Hazardous materials include any substance or mixture of substances posing fire, explosive, reactive, or health hazards including a number of science laboratory chemicals and supplies, common school cleaning materials, spray oven cleaners, cleaning solvents, photo chemicals, soldering flux, some ceramic glazes, oils, and gasoline.

The Superintendent of Schools shall develop regulations to minimize the use of these materials in the schools, including substituting, when possible, non-hazardous materials for hazardous materials and through minimizing amounts of hazardous material used and stored in the schools.

To the extent hazardous materials are necessary in educational programs or in school building maintenance, the Superintendent of Schools shall develop regulations and practices on:

1. identification and labeling of hazardous materials;
2. use of hazardous materials;
3. storage of hazardous materials;
4. transportation of hazardous materials;
5. disposal of hazardous materials;
6. maintenance of material safety data sheets in the building principal's office.
7. chemical hygiene plans shall be maintained at all schools that have a science laboratory.
8. training of appropriate staff in procedures and practices enumerated in 1-5 above.

Procedures must comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to safe and proper use, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials. (cf. 5140 Student Safety) (cf. 4147/4247 Employee Safety)

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

19a-332 through 19a-332d re carcinogenic substances and asbestos abatement.

Policy adopted: December 10, 2002

HAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Hamden, Connecticut