Administrative Procedure 545

CHEMICAL HAZARDS, CONTROLLED PRODUCTS AND HAZARDOUS WASTE

Background

For reasons of health, safety and the concern for the environment, the School must select, use, store, transport, handle and dispose of chemicals, controlled products and dangerous goods in a careful, cautious and responsible manner. Employees who come in contact with potentially harmful substances and products are required to have WHMIS training. There are a number of ways to complete this training including online services Online WHMIS Training Certificate. Such training should be updated annually to stay current with any industry changes and possible new risks and hazards.

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)& Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) is Canada’s national hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system are cautionary labeling 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.
1.1 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 the School.
1.2 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.
1.3 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.
1.4 The Principal must ensure that a staff member’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.
1.5 Chemical substances delivered to the School site must be clearly identified and the appropriate personnel
notified of their arrival.
2. Controlled Products
2.1 Employees and contractors are responsible for the safe handling and storage of the controlled products that
they bring onto the School site.
2.1.1 The Principal must be notified that the product is on site and ensure that current MSDS and WHMIS
documentation are in place.
2.2 WHMIS training must be provided for all staff members who handle or work with controlled products.
2.2.1 Staff members 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
3.1 The transportation of dangerous goods must be in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the
Dangerous Goods Transportation and Handling Regulation.
3.2 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
4.1 The Principal must ensure that all hazardous wastes are properly labeled and stored. Arrangements shall be
made with the Secretary-Treasurer for pick up from the site.
4.2 The Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for the storage and safe handling of hazardous waste until
disposal has been completed by an environmental disposal company.
4.3 The Secretary-Treasurer is responsible to arrange for the safe removal and disposal of sump waste.
4.4 The Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for the disposal/recycling of used fluorescent tubes.

References: Section 25, 26, 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