Category: Health and Safety

All districts and schools must train staff in Global Harmonization System

Department of Labor responds to federal mandate with free online training video

AUGUSTA – All employees in the state of Maine—in both the private and public sectors—must be trained in the federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) new Global Harmonization System Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) by Dec. 1. As part of this federal mandate, schools and districts are responsible for training their staff on GHS and must be able to demonstrate compliance upon inspection.

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Restraint and Seclusion updates available

Non-regulatory guidance

The Department has posted non-regulatory guidance to help schools and other covered educational programs understand the requirements and limitations contained in Rule Chapter 33: Rule Governing Physical Restraint and Seclusion. The guidance document, which is available online, provides information about the rule, describes student behavior scenarios and analyzes potential responses to those scenarios, and provides links to additional resources including tools for managing student behavior.

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New pest management requirements for schools

The State of Maine has revised its integrated pest management (IPM) and pesticide regulations pertaining to all public and private schools serving any grades kindergarten through 12.  These changes were made to improve communication and provide training and tools for IPM coordinators. There are three important changes.  Continue reading “New pest management requirements for schools” →

Free webinar on school mold, moisture control

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency webinar on mold and moisture control in schools this Wednesday will be headlined by two Mainers.

Alyce Swann, facilities supervisor for RSU 21, and Steven Caulfield, senior vice president for Turner Building Science and Design and president of the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council, will be the featured speakers for the webinar Mold and Moisture Control in Schools: Potential Health Effects and Safe Clean-Up Practices. Jennifer Lemon, of EPA’s Indoor Environments Division, will facilitate the free webinar, which will be held Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Continue reading “Free webinar on school mold, moisture control” →

Free webinar series supports healthy school environments

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is offering a free webinar series to help school communities take sensible, low- or no-cost steps to create healthier environments in their buildings. Each webinar will feature school district personnel from across the country presenting their real-life examples and solutions.

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Governor, Commissioner congratulate nationally-recognized School Resource Officer at Massabesic High School

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today congratulated Deputy Jason Solomon of the York County Sheriff’s Office on being selected as the 2013 National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) School Resource Officer (SRO) of the Year.

Solomon is a 12-year veteran of the York County Sheriff’s Office who has been the school resource officer for Massabesic High School in Waterboro since 2010.

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CTE instructors become authorized trainers for OSHA

The Maine Department of Education Career and Technical Education (CTE) team helped provide CTE instructors with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) professional development, which gives instructors the ability to issue OSHA cards to CTE students.

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Report annual use of restraint and seclusion

Schools and other educational entities covered by Department of Education Rule Chapter 33 are required to report annually on the use of restraint and seclusion of students. This reporting requirement took effect on July 1, 2012, as part of the comprehensive revision of Rule Chapter 33.

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