TAC
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprises public school facility experts, Educational Service District representatives, local health jurisdiction school inspectors, and private school representatives.
We are advising the State Board of Health on its rewrite of the school environmental health laws. Two important issues that came up at yesterday’s meeting were the state’s ongoing requests to have specialized employees handle each of the many “most important” safety issues that the state identifies. The group agreed that these expectations are unrealistic and unnecessary.
An interesting observation was made by a participant at the end of the TAC meeting: The state has competing goals regarding energy use, with the Clean Building Program limiting energy use versus air quality goals for schools (which often depend on excessive electricity use) and requirements around thermal comfort. Schools are currently left trying to manage the State Departments’ competing goals.
Tacoma Pierce Health
The Tacoma/Pierce Fall Advisory Workgroup will meet on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 1:30–3 pm for rule revision updates:
- Health and Safety Guide for K-12 schools.
- Infectious Disease Control Guide.
- New epinephrine standing orders.
- Playground surfacing during winter.
To receive the Teams invite, contact the TPHD Community Safety Program at co*************@tp***.org or (253) 649-1713.
Benton-Franklin Health Department Meeting
Erin Hockaday, Senior Manager of Surveillance and Investigation, and her staff emphasized that the inspection team’s goal is to be a resource and partner to the schools. They will send an email with details on how to schedule your school’s upcoming inspection. Email co*******************@bf**.gov if you have any questions.
BFHD inspectors are currently concentrating on science labs and playgrounds. In addition to checking that teachers appropriately store chemicals in the science rooms, the inspectors want to emphasize that students should not drink or fill water bottles out of the science sinks. They also want schools to ensure that the acceptable age range is posted on all playground equipment, appropriate fall zones are maintained, and teachers and facility experts are committed to ongoing playground maintenance.
The next areas of concentration for inspectors will be the art rooms and career and technical education (CTE) areas. Their concerns are about chemicals, protective gear, and machinery maintenance.
Hockaday reminded schools that new buildings and renovations require a plan review, which can be expensive and time-consuming. She emphasized that connecting with the local health department in the EARLY STAGES of building development saves time and money in the long run.
