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Policy EBAA

Reporting Of Hazards

This policy was developed to assure that the South Portland School Department is in  compliance with Chapter 22 Title 26 Maine Revised Statutes Annotated, 1984 Public  Law Chapter 826 Chemical Substance Identification Law.

It will be the policy of the South Portland School Department to have readily available  for inspection all Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all substances as outlined by  Title 26, MRSA, § 1709.  

  1. The MSDS shall be available to any employee during regular working  hours.

  2. A copy of the MSDS shall be in plain sight at any work station or storage  area where substances are found.  

  3. It will be the policy of the South Portland School Department to obtain all  MSDS for all products when purchased.  

  • If the item or substance is new, then the MSDS will be reviewed  before the item or substance is allowed in the workplace.  

  • If warranted by the review of the MSDS, all employees concerned  will be retrained accordingly.  

  • All MSDS will be updated on an annual basis.  

  1. It will be the policy of this unit to introduce, maintain and periodically  update a documented training program in accordance with the Chemical  Substance Identification Law.  

The following are the minimum guidelines for the training program:  

  • Explain the provisions of the law in detail;  

  • Identify any workplace where hazardous chemicals or substances  are present;  

  • Describe methods of detecting the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area;  

  • Describe and explain the physical health hazards and any potential health hazards in the workplace;  

  • Availability of written communications and related documents  concerning hazardous substances, including how to read a MSDS;  

  • Describe and explain methods employees can use to protect  themselves from these hazards, including the purpose, proper use and limitation of personal protective equipment;  

  • Explain the labeling system and the MSDS;  

  • Describe and explain all emergency procedures. 

  1. REPORTING OF HAZARDS 

  • It will be required for all custodians to attend all training programs.  Documentation of attendance will be required and maintained. Documentation of  each training seminar will also be required.  

  • All chemicals or substances that fall within the guidelines of Chapter 22 will be  labeled as required. Containers not properly labeled will not be allowed in the  workplace until such time as labels are placed on them.  

  • All employees will be given a copy of the Maine law, a list of hazardous chemical  substances used in the workplace, and a copy of this policy.  

  • All new employees will be trained before starting work.  

  • When it becomes necessary to dispose of dangerous chemicals, the system will do  so through an agency which has been licensed by the state to remove and dispose  of chemicals.  

  • When it becomes necessary to store chemicals awaiting their removal from the  school system, storage shall be in an approved tank or building.  

  • The South Portland School Department will, as a matter of policy in all contracts  with outside contractors, inform the contractor of the hazardous chemicals to  which the contractor may be exposed along with appropriate protective measures.  The South Portland School Department will also request the same information  about contractors’ chemicals.  

This policy will be reviewed annually.  

Legal Reference: Title 26 MRSA Sec. 1709, ET SEQ.  

Adopted: June 11, 2001  

Revised: May 31, 2002

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