Highlights

In the early hours of Saturday, October 21, a fire broke out at a recyclable plastics storage warehouse, Intercontinental Export Import, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. With outdated safety data sheets, it is unclear what is in the toxic smoke that continues to billow from the building. A list given to the public includes the possible presence of PVC, nylon, carbon black, titanium dioxide, fiberglass, formaldehyde, Teflon and styrene in the warehouse. Throughout the weekend, 31 volunteer fire departments from seven counties in West Virginia and Ohio assisted with efforts to quell the fire. Concerns over air quality and public safety have led the governor to declare a state of emergency for all of Wood County. Community members have sought medical treatment for fire-related symptoms since Saturday. Symptoms being treated include respiratory issues, headaches, sore throat, eye irritation, coughing and shortness of breath. Though residents were told to stay in their homes to avoid the smoke, they were not given any instructions as to how they could keep the air quality in their homes safe. Schools continue to be closed and residents as far away as 30 miles can smell the toxic smoke. This catastrophic event highlights two important needs: 1) [...]

For two years in a row, the Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) 1910.1200 is the second most cited violation on OSHA’s Top 10 list. The sections within the HazCom standard most often violated include implementation of a HazCom program and training, followed by the requirement to maintain Safety Data Sheets. Are you aware of the major changes to OSHA’s HazCom Standard and how it is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals? Employers have a responsibility under OSHA’s HazCom Standard to educate and train employees about the chemicals they work with and how to protect themselves from any potential hazards. The NJ Work Environment Council training may be able to help. On September 30, 2017 WEC was awarded a Susan Harwood Training grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for our Preventing Exposures to Workplace Chemicals project. The project goal is to train employers and workers on recognizing hazardous conditions, preventing exposure to chemicals, and the importance of effective Hazard Communications programs and safe handling procedures. WEC can provide FREE training to employers and workers on recognizing hazardous conditions, preventing exposure to chemicals, OSHA’s HazCom Standard and how it is now aligned with the [...]

In another example of the severe facility conditions confronting many New Jersey public school districts, the Monroe Township public school district in Gloucester County has closed all district schools because of mold contamination concerns.  Students, parents, staff, and community members are concerned about the health and safety implications of mold contamination.  To learn more about how mold impacts school, student, and staff health and safety, please read Unite for a Mold-Free School factsheet. If you have any concerns around school facility issues, including but not limited to mold, please reach out to Healthy Schools Now campaign organizer Jerell Blakeley at [email protected]. Healthy Schools Now

On Thursday, September 28, from 11:00am - 12:15pm, Jerell Blakeley, campaign organizer for Healthy Schools Now, will chair a panel titled ‘Healthy Schools Now: What You Can Learn From the Battle at Trenton High’ at the NJ Black Issues Convention’s “Still We Rise: Moving NJ’s Black Agenda Forward” conference being at the Masonic Temple in Trenton, New Jersey.  The panel will explore the intense struggle to replace the unsafe and unhealthy Trenton Central High School with a new state-of-the-art school facility and provide strategies for other communities interested in replacing dangerous school facilities.  Panelists will include former Trenton Board of Education President Dr. Diane Campbell, Trenton Education Association President Naomi Johnson-Lafleur, and New Jersey Assemblyman Reed Gusciora.  If you are interested in attending, please use this link to register.

The Healthy Schools Now Student Leadership Academy will provide an opportunity for students to receive training in civic engagement and to develop leadership skills. The focus will be to equip students to be advocates for school facility quality, but the lessons will be transferable, so that participants will be better equipped to advocate on social, economic, and environmental justice issues in the future. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for each session. Transportation costs will be reimbursable. Using the subject of healthy and safe school facilities as the general theme, over the course of one year, we will provide eight trainings on topics as diverse as public health, healthy and safety training, effective advocacy, communications and media training. We are looking for students from the pilot districts who are interested in a unique leadership development opportunity. We want to transform students into exceptional leaders empowered to create solutions for healthier communities. Deadline to apply is Friday, September 22! Apply Today! Healthy Schools Now