Fall 2011

2011 Annual Visual Inspection Report now available online

The NYSED's Facility Planning Department has launched its online 2011 Annual Vision Inspection (AVI) submission form.
Instructions for completing the survey are posted, as well. With a copy of your field notes, you need only enter those items which have changed from the 2010 building condition survey, bypassing entirely any items that have  not changed.

November 2011

• Between November 1 and December 31, conduct a second round of bus safety drills. 
• Within 20 days of submitting fire reports to SED, publish a public notice in the official newspaper or in a general circulation newspaper, or post in 10 conspicuous district areas. Notice must include fire inspection completion date and report locations.

December 2011

• Conduct four fire drills in each school from December 1 through June 30. 
• Include health and safety costs in 2012-13 budget planning, such as: fire inspections, Annual Visual Inspections (AVI), potential sampling, personal protective equipment, chemical and sharps disposal and workshops.
• Ensure the six-month asbestos periodic surveillance is conducted and recorded.

January 2012

• Electronically submit Annual Visual Inspection (AVI) reports to SED by January 15. The Board of Education must review this report at a public meeting.
•  Send written pesticide application summary reports to parents/guardians and staff within two days of the end of the December/January recess if non-exempt pesticides were used between September and December.

February 2012

• By February 1, submit annual in-house pesticide use report to DEC if in-house certified applicator applied pesticides in previous calendar year.

January 4, 2012

Handler Refresher

January 25, 2012

Supervisor Refresher

February 22, 2012

Inspector/Management Planner Refresher

February 27-March 2, 2012

5-day Supervisor Initial Course

Online bloodborne pathogens training available for districts

Capital Region BOCES Heath/Safety/Risk Management staff recognize that time is valuable, and sometimes there just aren't enough hours in a day to complete necessary tasks.

That is why Risk staff members developed online training modules for mandatory safety trainings for busy school district employees.

More details can be found here.

Save the Date!
DEC to provide free green chemistry workshop for science teachers

The Department of Environmental Conservation will host a green chemistry workshop for high school teachers. This is first-of-its-kind training in the Capital District will take place on January 20 at Siena College in Loudonville.

DEC is sponsoring this educational workshop in an effort to reduce toxic and hazardous chemicals purchased and used by teachers in their high school laboratories. Green chemistry will also result in cost savings at disposal time, as well as less liability and improved health and safety for New York's students and school staff.

BOCES Heath/Safety/Risk Management Service will share more information about this event with schools as it becomes available.

Schools with pools should be aware of latest change in safety requirement

An updated pool regulation requires that single drain pools be upgraded to include a suction release valve by May 28, 2012.

More details can be found here.

Health/Safety/Risk Management takes action after Irene

When Tropical Storm Irene swept through the northeast in late August, the resulting damage prevented some Capital Region school districts from opening on time.

Several members of the Capital Region BOCES Health/Safety/ Risk Management Service jumped into action to help those school districts devastated by flood waters as a result of excessive rainfall.

More details can be found here.

Health/Safety/Risk Management advises districts regarding potential post-flooding hazards

After the floodwaters receded, the Capital Region BOCES Health/Safety/Risk Management Service helped address another concern of schools that sustained heavy water damage: mold.

Risk Management staff advised schools to follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guidelines for clean up following a flood. The first step involves removing the source of water, then eliminating materials that have gotten wet or are porous.

More details can be found here.

Importance of reviewing
school safety plans, ICS

Earthquakes, tornadoes, tropical storms, flooding. During the past few months, the greater Capital Region has experienced several natural disasters of varying magnitudes that serve as a reminder to schools about the importance of reviewing and practicing emergency plans.

More details can be found here.

To post or not to post school building floor plans and virtual tours online?

According to New York State Police Outreach Coordinator, George Murphy, posting virtual tours of buildings on school websites is not a good idea and strongly recommends against making this type of information available online.

More details can be found here.