Keeping the classroom chemical-free

Chemical products may pervade information your school environment, often with labels that are incomplete or misleading about their ingredients and the health hazards they pose. Eight types of chemical exposures…

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Bloodborne diseases a risk in schools

Strong standard, but weak compliance in schools The Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) standard is clear. It requires that staff who could be exposed to…

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What are you drinking with your water?

A refreshing sip of water from the school water fountain is deceptively simple. Drinking water, essential for life, may bring health risks when it contains toxic, radiologic, or infectious agents—whether…

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Old fluorescent fixtures pose risk

When polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) leak from aging uorescent lighting ballasts, they expose staff and students to sig- nificant amounts of toxic and poten- tially carcinogenic chemicals. Chronic, long-term exposure to…

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PEOSH inspections require savvy

Many local associations have learned the hard way that filing a complaint with the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Program is not necessarily a short cut…

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Toxic Chemicals not needed for cleaning

Sensible measures enough to prevent the spread of disease Exaggerated fears of infectious diseases spreading in schools are leading to the overuse and misuse of toxic chemicals for cleaning. The…

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Cancer clusters difficult to prove

Concerns must be addressed A cancer cluster is a greater than expected occurrence of cancer cases in a group of people in a given workplace or geographical area. Concern among…

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Ten steps to reduce violence

Violence against school staff is a serious work-related hazard and a legitimate concern for NJEA members. While it is true that schools are among the safest places in communities, it…

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