[TheForge] Re: List Monitoring

[dan at irontreeworks.com]

Bruce, et all,
   Our district has a very good system in place regarding OSHA regulations and
correct disposal of chemicals.  Since I am my school's OHSA liason and
Chemical Health Supervisor, I also knew all those regulations.  My school sent
me to OHSA training some years ago for this very purpose. Our school passed a
surprize OSHA inspection last year precisely because of that training and my
anal retentive :) adherance to it's guidelines!  The question is both a matter
of safety and of liability and of the role the school is legally allowed to
play.
   The safefty issue is obvious to everyone.  As a matter of law, the district
must take reasonable steps to keep it's students and staff safe.  Letting me
take the chemicals would not be a reasonable step. The chemcials must be
disposed of by a Licensed Hazardous Waste Company.
   The liability issues if someone was to get hurt by these things was enormous.
Unfortunatly I equated the situation to much simpler examples.  The school
replaced a solid metal door some time ago and the old door was sitting in the
dumpster.  I asked if I could take the old door to use as a ramp at home on my
farm for lifting my lawn tractor of the the ground for maintenance.  Taking the
door is on a much different level then taking these items.  The district was
rightfully concerned that if someone was to get hurt with these chemicals the
district could be liable.
  The chemicals were purchased with school funds which are paid by the local
taxpayers. The school must keep careful records of it's purchases and
inventory.  The school cannot be seen as a vendor for anything.  That would be
a misuse of funds. The safety and liabilty issues FAR outweigh the cost savings
of me using these chemicals instead of the district disposing of them.
    There is no question that I was in the wrong in this situation.  I am
grateful that my Principle and Superintendent are only considering a reprimand
letter in my file.  The consequences could have been much worse.

And on that note!  SUBJECT DROPPED!



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