Truman Health and Safety Annual Notification 2018-2019
Truman Public
Schools is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for all
employees, students, and public citizens utilizing the school facilities.
The District maintains a Board approved Health and Safety Program that lists
and documents the procedures and plans for maintaining a safe and healthy
environment. The Health and Safety Program also helps the District
maintain compliance with the numerous state and federal regulations and laws
governing health and safety issues in the District. As a part of that
compliance, each year the District notifies the
employees and parents of following ongoing programs.
- Presence of Asbestos
within District Buildings
The Truman
Public School District has continued to respond to asbestos present in our
school buildings through monitoring and maintenance. Asbestos, most often
found contained in thermal pipe insulation, is a mineral fiber associated with
increased levels of disease when inhaled.
Since the implementation of the Asbestos Management Plan in 1989 the District
has continued with its ongoing asbestos operations and maintenance program,
including a periodic surveillance every six months in each of the District’s
buildings. During the periodic surveillance, damage to material
containing asbestos is noted and repaired following strict procedures.
Asbestos is dangerous only when it is broken loose from building material into
fine, dust-like fibers and inhaled. When this condition becomes a possibility,
asbestos is removed.
This summer,
the District conducted the 3rd year asbestos inspections as required by the Asbestos Management Plan. These
inspections are done to maintain asbestos-containing materials in a safe
condition in all areas of the buildings where asbestos is present.
The detailed Asbestos Maintenance Plan and updated information for each
building, and for the entire district, is open to public review. You can
find the Asbestos Management Plan located in the District Office of Truman Public Schools.
If you have any further questions about asbestos or other safety related
issues, please contact the District’s Safety Coordinator, Timothy Harbo, at
(507) 351-5495 or the District Office .
- Integrated Pest
Management
Truman Public
Schools, as part of the District’s Health and Safety Program, has an Integrated
Pest Management Program. This program establishes procedures on the use
of pesticides in and around the District’s Buildings.
Truman Public
Schools utilize a licensed, professional pest control service firm for the
prevention and control of rodents, insects, weeds, and other pests in and
around the district’s building. Their program consists of :
1.
Inspection
and monitoring to determine whether pests are present, and whether any
treatment is needed;
2.
Recommendations
for maintenance and sanitation to help eliminate pests without the need for
pest control materials;
3.
Utilization
of non-chemical measures such as traps, caulking, and screening;
4.
Application
of EPA registered pest control materials when needed after regular school hours
or when school is not in session.
Pests can sting, bite, cause contamination, damage property, and spread
disease, therefore we must prevent and control them. The long-term health
effects on children from the application of such pest control materials, or the
class of materials to which they belong, may not be fully understood. All
pest control materials are chosen and applied according to label directions per
Federal law.
In addition, school district personnel may apply pest control materials inside
or on school grounds as needed.
Pest control materials are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and are selected and applied according to label directions.
An estimated schedule of interior pest control inspections and possible
treatments is available for review or copying at each school office. A
similar estimated schedule is available for the application of herbicides and
other materials to school grounds. Parents of students may request to
receive, at their expense, prior notification of any application of a pest
control material, should such an application be deemed necessary on a day
different from the days specified in the schedule.
- Air Quality
The District maintains a comprehensive program for Air Quality in the school
buildings. The purpose of this program is to maintain optimum air quality
in the District buildings. Throughout the year air quality is monitored
and air handling systems are maintained on an established schedule to insure
good air quality. The District will continue to monitor, maintain, and
address air quality issues. If you have any questions or concerns
regarding air quality and the Air Quality Management Program please contact Ben Hoppe, Buildings and
Grounds, or the District Office.
- Emergency Procedures
The District has developed detailed plans for emergency procedures such as
fires, tornados, or other crisis issues. Some of those plans have
building specific procedures which will be provided by the building
administration at the start of the school year. Plans can be found in each
office.
- Employee
Right To Understand
The Health and Safety Program provides detailed information on chemicals and
conditions determined to pose potential hazards to employees who work with
these chemicals. Affected employees receive annual training and the District
maintains material safety data sheets on these chemicals and conditions. For
more information on this program, contact the District Office.
- Lead
Truman Public
Schools, as part of the District’s Health and Safety Program, has collected
water samples from all fixtures used for drinking and/or cooking. Samples are
taken and analyzed for lead content by a MDH certified laboratory every 5
years. Samples were last collected Ben Hoppe
and analyzed by Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratories(MVTL). Results are
available for review at the District office. Truman Public Schools is making
every effort to eliminate or reduce building occupant's exposure to lead through
the drinking water. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this issue,
you may contact Tim Harbo, 507-351-5495.
- Safety Committee
The District has an employee/administration safety committee that meets
regularly during the school year to address safety concerns and issues.
Please feel free to contact Timothy Harbo at the District office if you have
concerns or issues relating to health and safety in the District.
Timothy Harbo
Environmental Coordinator