C-670-AR: Handling and Disposal of Hazardous Materials
References:
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act
- WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System)
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
- The actions of St. Albert Public Schools will be consistent with the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and comply with all safety and environmental laws and regulations.
- Division/facility administrators who have responsibility for services including classrooms/labs associated with hazardous materials will:
2.1 be familiar with the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Transportation of Dangerous Goods regulations and the Occupational Health and Safety regulations that apply to their operations;
2.2 ensure that WHMIS documentation is kept current, in accordance with WHMIS regulations (every 3 years);
2.3 review WHMIS, Transportation of Dangerous Goods and the Occupational Health and Safety Act requirements with their staff on an annual basis;
2.4 ensure that annual inventories of hazardous materials are conducted;
2.5 ensure that Material Safety Data Sheets are current; and
2.6 promote the safety of staff and students by ensuring proper storage management and security and disposal of hazardous materials.
3. In-service opportunities on WHMIS will be provided annually to ensure that each school and division service dealing with hazardous materials has personnel trained in the handling of hazardous materials regulated by Transportation of Dangerous Goods legislation.
4. Division/facility administrators will ensure that a staff member is designated to handle inquiries relating to the handling and disposal of hazardous materials.
5. The manager of facilities services shall approve substances ordered for custodial purposes. Division custodial staff and custodial contractors shall use only those products approved by the manager of facilities services.
6. It is the responsibility of any employee involved in handling hazardous materials to inform students of the proper handling, use and disposal of the materials.
6.1 Users of hazardous materials must adhere to WHMIS, Transportation of
Dangerous Goods and Occupational Health and Safety regulations;
6.2 Students must be properly supervised when using hazardous materials;
6.3 Substitute teachers who are required, as part of their assignment, to conduct labs or activities involving hazardous materials must have proper training as required by this regulation. Otherwise, the activities are not to be carried out;
6.4 All products used and/or stored at division sites must be purchased through approved vendors, division operational budgets or formally approved for use at the site by the site administrator or the manager of facilities services or designate;
6.5 Accidents or incidents involving hazardous materials must be reported to the school or division/facility administrator. All accidents must be reported to the manager, human resources and the secretary treasurer;
6.6 Teaching areas in which hazardous materials are used must be provided with proper equipment such as fire extinguishers, first aid and safety equipment, fume hoods and ventilation, and storage facilities for hazardous waste in accordance with the hazard involved; and
6.7 Hazardous materials requiring disposal must be properly labelled and stored and the inventory reported to facilities services. Schools and division services sites must not send hazardous materials requiring disposal to facilities services; rather arrangements must be made through facilities services to have the materials picked up at the sites, either through facilities services staff or an appropriate transportation company. Facilities services will coordinate an annual round-up and disposal of hazardous materials.
7. It is the responsibility of any employee involved in an accident handling hazardous materials to report it to the manager, human resources and the secretary treasurer.