Chemical Management Tips From The EPA

If you’re a building owner or facility manager for a school, it’s important to understand the regulations about storage and disposal of chemicals. More than fifty three million children and six million adults spend more than eight hours each day in schools throughout the country and ensuring their health and safety by providing an environment free of toxic and hazardous materials is essential.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a Toolkit for Safe Chemical Management publication that is designed for school building managers and provides best practices for managing chemicals and the hazards they pose. One of the easiest and most important steps is the chemical materials audit, where outdated, expired, and unusable materials are properly disposed of. Having information about proper disposal and what to do in the event of an emergency is also an essential training element for all employees.

Many schools are in old, outdated buildings and it’s easy to accumulate chemical products over time from one facility manager to the next. It’s might also seem to be cost effective to hold on to chemical that haven’t been used “just in case” there is a need in the future. However, both of those strategies can pose a harm to employees and students. Some older chemical products may actually be considered illegal and have uncertain side effects if left to sit for many years. Using the chemical Toolkit provides and proven and effective way to manage chemical products and waste without causing unnecessary harm to students or the school environment.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: The federal and state regulations for chemical waste are always changing and being updated. Keep you and your employees educated about can and cannot be done with them. Staying informed will not only help to keep everyone safe but also keep you from incurring fines or penalties for illegal and improper storage and disposal practices!