Safety/Preparedness

For more information on Safety/Preparedness, visit:

NCEF Resource List: Safety and Security Design
NCEF's resource list of links, books, and journal articles on designing safer schools, conducting safety assessments, implementing security technologies, and crime prevention through environmental design.

Featured Safety/Preparedness Resources:

Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool (HealthySEAT)
HealthySEAT is a new software tool from EPA designed to help school districts conduct voluntary, customized self-assessments of their school facilities for environmental, health, and safety hazards.
Source: EPA - Office of Air and Radiation - Indoor Environments Division
http://www.epa.gov/schools

California Portable Classrooms Study
The Air Resources Board (ARB) and Department of Health Services (DHS) completed a comprehensive study of the environmental health conditions in portable (relocatable) classrooms. This study investigated classrooms in kindergarten through 12th grade public schools and included a large representative sample.
Source: California Air Resources Board
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/pcs/pcs.htm

EPA Mercury Website
This mercury site provides a broad range of information: actions by EPA and others, including international actions; effects on people and the environment; and how to protect you and your family.
Source: EPA - Office of Solid Waste - Office of Solid Waste
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/

EPA Region 1: Drinking Water Security
This website provides information regarding how to do vulnerability assessments for small drinking water systems, including schools that provide their own well water.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/drinkwater/dw-security.html

Environmental Compliance and Best Management Practices Guidance Manual
This comprehensive environmental manual is available on-line in both English and Spanish.
Source: EPA - Region 2
http://www.epa.gov/region02/children/k12/

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools
EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools program provides schools with a range of resources to help them prevent and solve indoor air quality problems.
Source: EPA - Office of Air and Radiation
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools

Safe Lab: School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide
The document provides teachers, and ultimately their students, with information so that they can take the appropriate precautionary actions in order to prevent or minimize hazards, harmful exposures, and injuries in the laboratory.
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission & NIOSH
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/NIOSH2007107.pdf

Underground Storage Tanks: Inspection Checklists
This checklists covers regulations issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under 40 CFR 280. The purpose of these regulations is to reduce the likelihood of leaks of hazardous substances from these tanks into soil and ground water and to ensure timely detection and abatement of such releases.
Source: EPA - Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-101/chklists/n63ust~1.htm

Washington -- Rehab The Lab Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County, Washington
Rehab The Lab is a free service to King County Schools to help them manage their hazardous chemicals. A site user can download fully scripted lesson plans for least-toxic chemistry labs, information on ways to reduce chemical stockpiles in biology labs, and a list of chemicals whose risks outweigh their educational utility. The program's long-term objectives include improving schools' chemical storage practices, reducing their hazardous waste generation rates and helping them incorporate practices and lesson plans that will reduce their chemical liabilities.
Source: Washington - King County Department of Natural Resources - Local Hazardous Waste Management
http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/schoolyouth/rehab

Whole Building Design Guide
The WBDG provides government and industry practitioners with one-stop access up-to-date information on a wide range of building-related guidance, criteria and technology from a whole buildings' perspective.
Source: National Institute of Building Sciences -- Whole Building Design Guide
http://www.wbdg.org/index.php

A Beginner's Guide to Reviewing EHS Issues at Your School
A Beginner's Guide to Reviewing EHS Issues at Your School developed by the Burlington (Massachusetts) Board of Health identifies 25 important items that should be reviewed and considered when initiating an Environmental, Health and Safety assessment.
Source: EPA Region 7 - Burlington Board of Health
http://www.epa.gov/region7/education_resources/teachers/ehsprime.htm

California - Los Angeles Unified School District Product Review Database
Searchable database of over 5,000 products evaluated by the LAUSD Office of Environmental Health and Safety to determine their suitability for use in and around Los Angeles schools.
Source: Los Angeles Unified School District - Office of Environmental Health & Safety
http://www.lausd-oehs.org/productreview.asp

Colorado Guidance on Chemical Management in Schools
Guidance documents were mailed to Colorado schools in August 1999, addressing chemical management issues in schools with a focus on potentially unstable laboratory chemicals. This web site has information on how to conduct a chemical inventory, a list of common hazards (including top 40 chemicals that have found to be a problem in schools, and 100 most commonly found explosive and shock sensitive materials), a self-assessment tool, and information about hazardous waste vendors.
Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - Consumer Protection Division
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/cp/Institutions/Schools/Chems%20In%20Schools/ChemMgmt.html

Integrated Pest Management for Schools: A How-to Manual
A How-to-Manual for implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program in Schools. Manual is presented in PDF format and broken up by Chapter.
Source: EPA Region 9 - Pesticides Section
http://www.epa.gov/Region9/toxic/pest/school/

Massachusetts --A Case Study of Environmental, Health, and Safety Issues Involving the Burlington Massachusetts Public School System
This Web site provides a case study of Environmental, Health, and Safety issues in the Burlington, MA public school system.
Source: EPA Region 7 - Burlington Board of Health
http://www.epa.gov/Region7/education_resources/teachers/ehsstudy/index.htm

New York State Department of Education Office of Facilities Planning
Contains a wide range of resources on environmental and occupational safety and health issues affecting school facilities.
Source: New York State Education Department - Office of Facilities Planning
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/facplan/HealthSafety.htm

Removing PCBs from Light Fixtures: Protecting Students from Hidden Dangers
This site describes the hazards associated with aging pcb-containing light ballasts and proper replacement techniques.
Source: EPA Region 9 - Pollution Prevention Program
http://www.epa.gov/Region9/cross_pr/p2/projects/pcbs.html

Chem Info Net
The Chem Info Net designed as a chemical health and safety resource for teachers, administrators, and service personnel. The site is an ongoing project and information will be added on a regular basis. The initial focus is on laboratory safety and chemicals used in the science curriculum. The information presented is based on current regulations and prudent practices. Local regulations may differ from National Standards. Please consult local and state agencies if standards or procedures are unclear.
Source: Maine School of Science and Mathematics - (aka Limestone Community School)
http://www.cheminfonet.org/

Developing a Prevention and Response Plan
Effective schools create a violence prevention and response plan and form a team that can ensure it is implemented. They use approaches and strategies based on research about what works.
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency - FEMA for Kids
http://www.fema.gov/kids/safes5.htm

EPA Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention
The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) establishes requirements for Federal, State and local governments, Indian Tribes, and industry regarding emergency planning and Community Right-to-Know reporting on hazardous and toxic chemicals. The Community Right-to-Know provisions help increase the public's knowledge and access to information on chemicals at individual facilities, their uses, and releases into the environment. States and communities, working with facilities, can use the information to improve chemical safety and protect public health and the environment.
Source: EPA Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention - Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Prevention (CEPPO)
http://yosemite.epa.gov/oswer/ceppoweb.nsf/content/epcraOverview.htm#epcraoverview

EPA Region 7: Chemical Management and Usage
Proper chemical management is critical to preventing and/or controlling a variety of Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) issues within any facility. Understanding the materials present at the school will enable you to understand the issues associated with these substances. Properly recognizing and controlling the hazards inherent to these materials will enhance your ability to create a safe school with minimal environmental liabilities.
Source: EPA Region 7- Burlington Board of Health
http://www.epa.gov/Region7/education_resources/teachers/ehsstudy/ehs1.htm

Florida Department of Education (DoEd) Safety and Environment Information
Florida DoEd's Bureau of Educational Facilities provides basic technical support for facilities on the responsibilities and concerns of public school boards and community colleges throughout Florida. This website includes links to expert staff personnel and a variety of schools-oriented publications, codes, guidelines and resources.
Source: Florida Department of Education - Office of Chief Financial Officer/Division of Support Services/Bureau of Educational Facilities
http://www.firn.edu/doe/edfacil/safenvir.htm

Guidance for Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks
Identifies actions that a building owner or manager can implement without undue delay to enhance occupant protection from an airborne chemical, biological, or radiological (CBR) attack. The intended audience includes building owners, managers, and maintenance personnel of public, private, and governmental buildings, including offices, laboratories, hospitals, retail facilities, schools, transportation terminals, and public venues (for example, sports arenas, malls, coliseums).
Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/bldvent/2002-139.html

How Asthma-Friendly Is Your School?
Children with asthma need proper support at school to keep their asthma under control and be fully active. Use these questions to find out how well your school assists children with asthma.
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/friendly.htm

Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools
The Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools (KGHS) Program is a new, voluntary effort to empower students and staff with the tools needed to take action and make their school operate at peak efficiency.
Source: Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools
http://greenschools.ky.gov/

NCEF Resource List: Classroom Design
NCEF offers an annotated list of links, books, and journal articles addressing indoor air quality issues in K-12 school buildings, including building materials, maintenance practices, renovation procedures and ventilation systems. This specific site highlights various resources on classroom design.
Source: National Institute of Building Sciences - National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities
http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/classroom_design.cfm

NCEF Resource List: Safety and Security
NCEF offers an annotated list of links, books, and journal articles on school safety and security issues, including building and grounds planning and design, equipment, vulnerability assessment and emergency response methods.
Source: National Institute of Building Sciences - National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities
http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/safety_security.cfm

NCEF Resource List: Water Conservation and Safety
NCEF offers an annotated list of links, books, and journal articles on water conservation and drinking water safety in school buildings and grounds, including solid waste management.
Source: National Institute of Building Sciences - National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities
http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/water.cfm

Safe and Healthy School Environments (book)
A new book (2006) edited and written by Emory University School of Medicine physicians and experts titled Safe and Healthy School Environments includes 30 chapters covering all aspects of the school environment, including air quality, asbestos, toxic hazards, food, physical activity, violence, transportation, disaster preparedness, health services and program management.

Source: Oxford University Press
http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Medicine/PublicHealth/?view=usa&ci=9780195179477

Science and Safety: Making the Connection
Guide for science teachers on laboratory safety issues.
Source: Council of State Science Supervisors
http://www.csss-science.org/downloads/scisafe.pdf

Connecticut - Asbestos Containing Materials in Connecticut Schools
Information on this Web site applies to all non-profit, public and private, elementary and secondary schools in Connecticut. Gives a brief overview of facility requirements and provides links to corresponding applicable regulations.
Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health - Asbestos Program
http://www.state.ct.us/dph/BRS/asbestos/asbestos_schools.htm

Florida School Plant Management Association (FSPMA)
A state-based organization established in 1960 to promote the development of non-instructional services required for education and to develop working relationships between school administrators, managers, non-instructional, and instructional personnel. This website includes specifications for paint, carpet, and chemicals for use by Florida school systems.
Source: Florida School Plant Management Association
http://www.fspma.org/

Illinois State Board of Education
School construction pages contain information on a range of health, safety, financing and other issues.
Source: Illinois State Board of Education - School Construction and Facility Division
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/

Iowa Rehab the Lab
Rehab the Lab can assist with management education and disposal options for unwanted hazardous chemicals.
Source: Iowa (Polk County) Metro Waste Authority
http://www.metro-waste.com/sch_reh.html

Oklahoma School Health
The School Health Program provides leadership and coordination for preventive health and safety services to children and families through collaborative partnerships with other state agencies and organizations. Services provided include: policy and standards development, technical assistance, assessment, outreach, training, and resource provision.
Source: Oklahoma State Department of Health - School Health Program
http://www.health.state.ok.us/program/shcc/sch/schfact.html

Washington Integrated Pest Management in Schools Project
This Focus Sheet promotes awareness and use of Integrated Pest Management practices in schools.
Source: Washington State Department of Ecology - Environmental Assessment
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/961253hwtr.html

Washington School Sweeps Campaign Final Report
The goals of the School Sweeps Project were to improve compliance with environmental laws, promote pollution prevention techniques, and provide opportunities to train vocational students in basic waste management techniques.
Source: Washington State Department of Ecology - Environmental Assessment
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/97438.html

Wisconsin School Facilities Survey
This Web site provides access to the Wisconsin State Superintendent study of the physical condition and capacity of the public schools and their suitability for use as public schools that was submitted to the Legislature.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
http://www2.dpi.state.wi.us/facsrvy/

Wisconsin Vocational Institutions, Colleges and Universities: A Self-Assessment Guide to Waste Prevention, Education and Management
This guide provides you, the manager of your school or university's hazardous waste programs, with information to reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated in your school. The purpose of the guide is to provide a step-by-step method for you to evaluate your hazardous waste records, review current management practices, analyze alternative processes, and determine which waste minimization strategies will work for your school.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Hazardous Waste Minimization Program
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/cea/publications/pubs/sw252.htm

12 Steps Toward a Healthier School
Children spend an enormous amount of their waking hours in the school environment. Children are a vulnerable population due to their small size and special physiology, and therefore it is important that schools be as environmentally safe as possible. Listed here are twelve areas of special concern.
Source: Environment & Human Health, Inc. -
http://www.ehhi.org/reports/12schools/

Classroom Resources - Emergency Preparedness
Introduces students to governmental and humanitarian response mechanisms for natural and man-made disasters. Students research and report on a variety of organizations, including the Red Cross, FEMA, and more. As an extension, students learn about locally and regionally-based resources, like the National Guard.
Source: PBS Online -
http://www.pbs.org/americaresponds/emergencypreparedness.html

Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools
Online browseable version of A Guide to Safe Schools. This guide presents a brief summary of the research on violence prevention and intervention and crisis response in schools.
Source: Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice -
http://cecp.air.org/guide/

FEMA Program Helps Schools Develop Emergency Response
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has introduced a planning process to help schools develop procedures to respond to all types of disasters, including school violence.
Source: Education World -
http://www.education-world.com/a_issues/issues084.shtml

National Association of School Nurses
The National Association of School Nurses improves the health and educational success of children and youth by developing and providing leadership to advance school nursing practice.
Source: National Association of School Nurses - Western Office
http://www.nasn.org

Science Teacher Resources
Developed by Flinn Scientific, Inc. a science supply company. The article includes direction and gudance for teachers cleaning up and organizing their classroom's chemical storage area.
Source: Flinn Scientific, Inc. -
http://www.flinnsci.com/resources.asp

U.S Department of Labor: Occupational Safety & Health Administration
Occupational Safety and Health Standards
Source: U.S. Department of Labor - Occupational Safety & Health Administration
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1910

Working in a Lead-Safe School
Facts for school maintenance workers from the University of California at Berkley's Lead-Safe Schools Project.
Source: University of California at Berkley - Lead-Safe Schools Project
http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~lohp/graphics/pdf/LEADSAFE.PDF