Policy 4:160
Environmental Quality of Buildings and Grounds
The Superintendent shall take all reasonable measures to protect: (1) the safety of District personnel, students, and visitors on District premises from risks associated with hazardous materials, and (2) the environmental quality of the District’s buildings and grounds. Before pesticides are used on District premises, the superintendent or designee shall notify employees and parents/guardians of students as required by the Structural Pest Control Act, 225 ILCS 235/, and the Lawn Care Products Application and Notice Act, 415 ILCS 65/.
Hazardous Materials
The superintendent or a designee shall prepare a list of toxic substances used by District employees and develop procedures for their proper and safe containment and use. The list of toxic substances must include those contained in the definition of “toxic substance” in the Toxic Substances Disclosure to Employees Act as well as those listed in Illinois Department of Labor regulations.
The superintendent is directed to provide District personnel with procedures and training on the purchase, storage, use, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials. Emergency response and evacuation plans will be a part of the procedures.
District staff shall substitute non-hazardous material for hazardous substances whenever possible and minimize the quantity of hazardous substances stored in school facilities. No art or craft material containing a toxic substance shall be ordered or purchased for use in kindergarten through grade 6; material containing toxic substances may be used in grades 7 through 12 only if properly labeled according to state law.
The Superintendent or a designee shall ensure that before the staff member begins a position requiring work with hazardous or toxic materials on a regular basis, he or she attends an approved training course on safe handling and use of such materials as required by 105 ILCS 5/10-20.17a.
Infectious Materials
The superintendent or a designee shall make available an Occupational Exposure Control Plan to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure to potentially infectious materials. The plan shall be reviewed and updated by the superintendent at least annually. The plan shall address the following issues:
- exposure determination;
- implementation schedule;
- procedures for evaluating an exposure incident.
Pesticides
Restricted use pesticides will not be applied on or within 500 feet of school property during normal school hours. Before pesticides are used on District premises, the Superintendent or designee shall notify employees and parents/guardians of students as required by the Structural Pest Control Act, 225 ILCS 235/, and the Lawn Care Products Application and Notice Act, 415 ILCS 65/.
Coal Tar Sealant
Coal tar sealant and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are prohibited in the Village of Wilmette per Village Ordinance 2017-O-10.
Adopted: April 20, 1998
Revised: June 17, 2019; February 28, 2022