A hazardous material is defined as: "...a chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees.
The term "health hazard" includes chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes."or". . . a chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, or compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive) or water-reactive." ---- OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Hazardous waste is defined by the State Board of Health as "any material you are ready to discard which can be harmful to health or to the environment." The Commonwealth of Virginia, State Board of Health and Hazardous Waste Management Regulations require that the School Division participate in this program. Regulation 403.10-1, Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedure & Removal of Excess Supply, was implemented by the School Board on July 14, 2001. This regulation outlines the procedure for the removal of hazardous waste or excess supply and states that all requests for removal must be submitted on Form No. 61582451253G, Request for Hazardous Waste Disposal & Removal of Excess Supply, to the Office of Risk Management & Security Services. Hazardous materials shall be removed by qualified individuals or contractors as determined by the Office of Risk Management & Security Services.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDSs) are usually prepared to a product’s manufacturer, importer or distributor. There is no specified format, but all must contain the following information:
- Name of the material as listed on the product label;
- The supplier’s name, address and emergency telephone number;
- The identity of the material (chemical names, common names, mixtures);
- Hazardous ingredients or mixtures;
- Physical hazards (e.g., flammable, corrosive, explosive);
- Health hazards (e.g., symptoms of exposure, target organ effects);
- Physical characteristics (e.g., boiling point, vapor pressure);
- Routes of entry (i.e., how does chemical get into the body to cause harm);
- Exposure limits (regulated or recommended standards for inhalation exposure established by
OSHA, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, the National Institute
of Occupational Safety & Health, or based on the manufacturer’s research; - Carcinogenicity status and toxicity information;
- Recommended personal protective equipment (e.g., nitrile gloves), engineering controls (e.g.,
local exhaust ventilations), storage precautions, chemical incompatibilities; - First aid procedures; and
- Date of MSDS preparation or latest revision date.
Go Back Go to Top 
Go to 3E Company 
To further enhance the Virginia Occupational Health and Safety Standard, 1910.1200 Hazard Communication Standard, the Office of Risk Management & Security Services has implemented anMSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) Program with 3E. 3E is a company that specializes in providing MSDS to companies and government agencies via facsimile.
To obtain a needed MSDS from 3E, call their 800 number, provide 3E with your account information,
the product’s name and the manufacturer’s name. 3E will fax the MSDS directly to the employee.
3E has been provided with a list of facsimile numbers for the school division. This service is available
24 hours a day and seven days a week. 3E’s 800 number also provides first aid information and an
exposure and poison control hotline.
The schools and central departments have been provided with start-up kits which consisted of
compliance posters and stickers for their facsimile machine, which are required to be posted to
comply with MSDS standards.
“Right-to-Know” is a generic term describing an employee’s legal right to obtain information about the hazards of chemical substances used on the job, and the precautions necessary to safely work with these materials. The Virginia Occupational Safety & Health Administration (VOSH) requires Prince William County Schools to communicate this information to affected employees. The regulation is logically named “Hazard Communication.” The Office of Risk Management & Security Services coordinates implementation of the Hazard Communication Program. All employees of Prince William County Schools are provided with information or training to become familiar with the Hazard Communication Program. If you work with hazardous materials, specific training will be provided concerning the hazardous chemicals in your workplace and safe work practices.
The Office of Risk Management & Security Services is available to answer questions, respond to concerns or provide information related to hazardous materials or practices in your workplace.
According to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard all employees have a right to know what chemicals they are exposed to at work. As a result, all manufacturers have to provide to the buyer a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for every product they sell. By law the information found on the MSDS must give all product information including safety precautions and emergency information. Upon request employees have the right to review any MSDS. If a MSDS can not be found in the event of an emergency, PWCS have contracted 3E Company to provide this service. If you need a MSDS, simply:
Contact 3E by referring to the posters distributed throughout your school or your department.
If you would rather have the MSDS e-mailed to you, give the operator your valid PWCS e-mail
address. If you don't tell them to e-mail the information, it will be sent to the nearest fax
(according to their records).For example, you are called to a science lab because of a spill. If you have the container or know
what was spilled and can not locate the MSDS quickly, call 3E and get the Material Safety Data
Sheet. The emergency medical technicians, fire department personnel, hospital staff, etc. will need this information to respond to the needs of people involved and to clean up the area in the proper manner.
Please remember that this particular service is for emergencies only. Any questions or
concerns regarding this service should be directed to the PWCS Safety Specialist at 703.791.8330
in the Office of Risk Management and Security Services.
All locations shall maintain on-site "Red Bags" (bio-waste) for the sole purpose of discarding regulated bio-waste products. Universal precautions, as defined by the Virginia Occupational Safety & Health Administration Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 1910.1030, states everyone must treat all blood and body fluids as if they are contaminated. To minimize the risk of exposure, the use of personal protective equipment shall be utilized.
Examples of Regulated Waste:
Liquid or semi-liquid or OPIM (other potentially infectious materials).
Contaminated items that would release blood or OPIM when compressed.
Items caked with dried blood or OPIM that are capable of releasing such.
Contaminated sharps.
“Red Bags” (bio-waste) will be stocked in Supply Services as Item #66524451429G
(Bags, Bio-hazard, 9”x10,” Red, 100/Box) and available for approximately $30.00 per box. Requests
for removal of bio-waste products shall be made through the Office of Risk Management &
Security Services. (See Regulation #403.10-1, Hazardous Waste Disposal Procedure & Removal of
Excess Supply) All requests for removal must be submitted on Form No. 61582451253G, Request
for Hazardous Waste Disposal & Removal of Excess Supply, to the Office of Risk
Management & Security Services.
 |
CLICK HERE for the Standard Procedure for Blood/Body Fluid Clean Up, which is also outlined in the Prince William County Public School's Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan. BloodBodyCleanUp |
 |
CLICK HERE for the Procedure for Sharps Management, Obtaining Sharps Containers or for the Disposal of Sharps Containers. |