La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CXXXIII-303

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section CXXXIII-303 - Identify, Prioritize Potential Hazards in Designated Areas

A. Designated Areas. Divide the school and associated structures into designated areas and sub-areas.

1. Designate structural or functional major areas of the school (i.e., administrative offices, classrooms, labs, etc.)

2. Designate sub-areas of each major area (i.e., specific office, classroom or lab, etc.).

B. Conduct walk-through inspections.

1. Each designated sub-area should be inspected to identify potential hazards associated with the equipment, materials and function of the area.

2. Checklists specific to the equipment, materials and function of the area (See Inspection Worksheets) can help identify hazards and determine whether the organization complies with applicable safety and health or environmental regulations.

C. Compile and/or update a hazardous material inventory.

1. Record:

a. the names and amounts of all hazardous materials used;

b. the means of their disposal; and

c. the occurrence of any spills or releases on the premises.

2. Collect and maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for all hazardous materials listed in the inventory.

3. Determine which hazardous materials are regulated by federal, state or local agencies. These include:

a. the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA);

b. the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and

c. the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ).

D. Maintain and update a process and equipment inventory.

1. Record the location of hazardous processes or equipment, and the dates when maintenance or monitoring must be performed.

2. Keep an inventory of safety equipment related to specific equipment and those who use it.

E. Establish a purchase screening procedure.

1. Establish a procedure for consideration of health and safety elements when purchasing goods and services and leasing new space. Avoiding a hazard is easier than controlling it.

2. Before any purchase of chemicals, equipment, or services, develop a system that may be reviewed by a safety representative or committee member.

3. Similarly, review plans for renovating, constructing, or leasing new facilities.

F. Investigate incidents, spills, and releases.

1. A safety representative or committee member should investigate every incident or release to determine how to prevent such a problem in the future.

2. A "Chemical Release" and other incident report forms should be developed. At a minimum, the form should have a space to answer, "What were the causes of the incident or release?" and "What precautions or controls could have prevented the incident or release?"

3. Employees and students should be encouraged to report near hits or close calls as well.

G. Record Evaluation

1. Evaluate injury and illness records.

a. The OSHA Log 300, a required employee occupational illness and injury record-keeping system, should be reviewed by persons responsible for safety and health on a regular basis.

b. Personal injury claims and workers' compensation claims may also identify whether certain classrooms, buildings, or processes pose an undue risk.

2. Evaluate environmental records.

a. Review existing records such as the hazard communication inventory, air permits, hazardous waste records, solid waste records, and medical waste records to identify chemicals or processes that should be substituted, recycled, or prevented.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CXXXIII-303

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 33:46 (January 2007).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6(A)(10).