Teachers

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Teachers can reduce the environmental and health hazards in their school by ensuring that classroom chemicals are managed in a responsible manner and working collaboratively to help implement a chemical management program by:

Learning about chemical hazards, safety practices, and requirements for handling chemicals;
Obtaining and maintaining Material Safety Data Sheets;
Working with chemical management professionals to identify and remove chemical hazards in your school;
Educating students about the proper handling of chemicals and safety procedures;
Ensuring that your lab or classroom is equipped to handle potential mishaps associated with chemicals;
Keeping chemicals in a locked, restricted area, away from students and potential vandals;
Taking into account the toxicity and quantity of chemicals used to clean and maintain classrooms, and teach science, the arts, and vocational sciences;
Evaluating all chemicals coming into the school, including donations, for risk, storage and disposal requirements, need, and existing stocks before accepting;
Centralizing your classroom's chemical inventory;
Building awareness of the issue with others in the school system;
Obtaining support at all levels within the school, from the principal to custodian, to address chemical use and management; and
Working cooperatively with district wide contacts (superintendent, facility manager, etc.).

To learn more about safe chemical handling and disposal practices, developing a chemical management program, and greening your lesson plans, visit the Resources page.

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