Board Policies & Administrative Procedures

Background 

For reasons of health, safety and the concern for the environment, the Division must select, use, store, transport, handle and dispose of chemicals, controlled products and dangerous goods in a careful, cautious and responsible manner.

Definitions

Controlled products are products, materials and substances included in any of the classes listed in schedule II of the Hazardous Products Act (Canada).

Hazardous waste – is a controlled product that is intended for disposal, or sold for recycling or recovery.

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada's national hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS controlled products, the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDS), and worker education and training programs. The supplier labels, workplace labels and MSDS are intended to ensure that controlled products are used, stored and handled safely.

Procedures

1. Chemical Hazards, Biological Hazards, and Harmful Substances.
   1. Category D Chemicals listed in Appendix K of Safety in the Science Classroom (Alberta Education 2006), or subsequent revisions of this document, must not be used in schools.
   2. Category C Chemicals listed in the Chemical Hazard Information Table (Chapter 9) of Safety in the Science Classroom (Alberta Education 2006), or subsequent revisions of the document, must be identified as not for use by students, and must be used, following a risk assessment, only by the Principal and authorized personnel. These chemicals must be stored safely in an area of restricted access with appropriate signage.
   3. Chemical Substances which are listed on Schedule 1 Table 1 of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code must be identified, and a procedure developed to address the safe use, handling, restricted access, storage and disposal of the substance.
   4. Principals and work site supervisors must ensure that a worker's exposure to any chemical substance listed in Schedule 1, Table 2 of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code is kept as low as reasonably practicable and may not exceed the occupational exposure limit. Steps must be taken to ensure that workers have been informed of the hazards and appropriate controls associated with the use of such chemicals.
   5. Chemical substances delivered to Division sites must be clearly identified and the appropriate personnel notified of their arrival.
       
2. Controlled Products
   1. Employees and contractors are responsible for the safe handling and storage of the controlled products that they bring onto a Division site. 
      1. The Principal or work site supervisor must be notified that the product is on site and ensure that current MSDS and WHMIS documentation are in place.
   2. WHMIS training must be provided for all workers who handle or work with controlled products. 
      1. Workers must be informed of the hazards of the products, proper controls to use, what to do in the event of an emergency spill, and where to find the MSDS of the products that they are using.
          
3. Transportation and Handling of Dangerous Goods
   1. The transportation of dangerous goods in the Division must be in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Dangerous Goods Transportation and Handling Regulation. 
   2. Training in the transportation and handling of dangerous goods must be provided to employees who transport and handle dangerous goods.
       
4. Disposal of Hazardous Waste
   1. Principals and work site supervisors must ensure that all hazardous wastes are properly labelled and stored. Arrangements shall be made with the Operations and Maintenance Supervisor for pick up from the site.
   2. The Operations and Maintenance Supervisor is responsible for the storage and safe handling of hazardous waste until disposal has been completed by an environmental disposal company.
   3. The Operations and Maintenance Supervisor is responsible to arrange for the safe removal and disposal of sump waste.
   4. The Operations and Maintenance Supervisor is responsible for the disposal/recycling of used fluorescent tubes.
       

Reference

Section 33,52,53,68,197,222,225 Education Act

Dangerous Goods Transportation and Handling Act

Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act

Hazardous Products Act

Occupational Health and Safety Act

Occupational Health and Safety Code

Potentially Hazardous Chemicals Information Guide (1981)

Safety in the Science Classroom

Alberta Users Guide for Waste Management

Approved: February 2, 2010

Amended: January 9, 2018; August 21, 2018