Hazard Communication Program 3-57

School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 3-57

BUSINESS AND NONINSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS

Safety: Hazard Communication Program

1. In General

   To comply with the Virginia Occupational Health and Safety Standard, 1910.1200, Hazard Communication Standard, the following Hazard Communication Program is established by the School Board.

   All schools and all departments of the School Division are included within this program. The written program will be available to the public in electronic form upon request.

2. Program Elements
   1. Container Labeling

      The administrator of each facility, such as the principal, supervisor of transportation, supervisor of maintenance, or central office administrators/ supervisors will verify that all containers received for use will:

      1. Be clearly labeled as to the contents;
      2. Note the appropriate hazard warning;
      3. List the name and address of the manufacturer/importer/or responsible party.

      It is the policy of the School Board that no container will be released for use until the above is verified.

      Each employee of the School Board shall ensure that all secondary containers are labeled with either an extra copy of the original manufacturer's label or with the "central stores" generic labels which have a block for identity and a block for the hazard warning. For help with labeling, contact the supervisor of maintenance.

   2. Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

      Copies of SDS for all hazardous chemicals to which employees of the School Board may be exposed will be kept in the office of the supervisor for the activity. In educational use of hazardous chemicals, the location of the SDS will be the principal's office. In maintenance use of hazardous chemicals, the location of the SDS will be the supervisor of maintenance's office. In transportation use of hazardous chemicals, the location of the SDS will be the supervisor of transportation's office.

   3. Employee Training/Information

      Prior to starting work, each new employee is to receive a health and safety orientation from the immediate supervisor or designee and is to receive information and training on the following:

      1. An overview of the requirements contained in the Hazard Communication Standard.
      2. Chemicals present in their workplace operations.
      3. Location and availability of the school board's written Hazard Communication Program.
      4. Physical and health effects of the hazardous chemicals.
      5. Methods and observation techniques used to determine the presence or release of hazardous chemicals in the work area.
      6. How to lessen or prevent exposure to these chemicals through usage of control/work practices and personal protective equipment.
      7. Steps the School Division has taken to lessen or prevent exposure to these chemicals.
      8. Safety emergency procedures to follow if exposed to these chemicals.
      9. How to read labels and review SDS to obtain appropriate hazard information.

      After receiving training, each employee will sign a form to verify completion of such training, that the Hazard Communication Program of the School Board was reviewed, and that the employee will abide by the SDS for all hazardous chemicals to which the employee and/or students under supervision may be exposed.

   4. List of Hazardous Chemicals

      In electronic form as indicated in Part A preceding is a listing of "hazardous substances" from OSHA's "base" or "floor" list under the definitions found in the Hazard Communication Standard. See the introduction to the list for additional information concerning the list.

      Information on each chemical actually used in the School Division can be found by reviewing the Safety Date Sheets (SDS) located in the immediate supervisor's office.

   5. Hazardous Non-Routine Tasks

      This information will include:

      1. Specific chemical hazards.
      2. Protective/safety measures the employee can take.
      3. Measures that the school board has taken to lessen the hazards.
   6. Chemicals in Unlabeled Pipes

      Work activities might possibly be performed by employees in areas where chemicals are transferred through unlabeled pipes. Prior to starting work in these areas, the employee shall contact the employee’s immediate supervisor for information regarding:

      1. The chemical in the pipes.
      2. Potential hazards.
      3. Safety precautions which should be taken.
   7. Informing Contractors

      It is the responsibility of immediate supervisors to provide the following information to all contractors who will have employees that will be exposed to hazardous chemicals:

      1. Hazardous chemicals to which they may be exposed while on the job site.
      2. Precautions the employees may take to lessen the possibility of exposure by usage of appropriate protective measures.

Legal Reference

OSHA "Hazard Communication Standard" 29 C.F.R. 1910.1200 et seq., as amended.

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, 16 VAC 25-60-10 et seq., as amended.

Related Links

School Board Policy 3-58

Adopted by School Board: February 16, 1993
Amended by School Board: February 8, 2022