Barb Wilkie's EHN Website
Last updated 2008

Policy

In a spirit of cooperation and caring for our fellow campus community members, we present this policy as a starting point for addressing health and safety concerns related to air quality on the North Seattle Community College (NSCC) campus.

North Seattle Community College recognizes that the air is shared by all members of the college community and those who visit the campus; that suitable air quality is important in fostering a healthful and creative learning and working environment; and that maintaining suitable air quality requires continual attentiveness to mitigate or to eliminate unfavorable conditions.

This policy is undertaken in the context of NSCC's identity as a learning community, with a commitment to the ideals outlined in our Mission and Goals and Shared Vision statements. In the service of these ideals, and with a recognition that much remains to be learned about air quality issues, community members are expected to participate, with respect and civility, in informing, teaching, and learning from one another about matters related to this policy.

Selection of products for use on campus should be consistent with the goal of this policy, which is to reduce or limit exposure to airborne contaminants. Product selection should take into consideration factors such as effectiveness of alternatives, application process, location of use, extent of exposure, and cost.

NSCC supports the concept of a fragrance- and pollutant-free environment on its campus and in its programs. The college seeks to maintain the best possible air quality attainable within fiscal, legal, and regulatory constraints. In pursuit of that goal, the following procedures will be implemented.

Procedures

1. Air Supply. NSCC community members are expected to exercise care when undertaking projects which may affect building air quality by mitigating or eliminating pollutants from, for example, idling vehicles, construction projects, sign-making, etc.

    

2. Approval/Adequate Notice. A product evaluation must take place whenever there is a potential for hazardous chemicals being present in any manner such that community members may be exposed to them. Plans for using potentially hazardous products or new applications of products which were previously approved must be submitted to the Health and Safety Committee for evaluation. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) must accompany the plans. (The Health and Safety committee, in the absence of adequate expertise on the committee, may need to seek outside assistance in the form of private consultants familiar with the issues of indoor air quality.)

   Product evaluation will include any possible route of human and environmental exposure as well as physical hazards which could cause an accident or injury. Plans and MSDS must be submitted at least five working days in advance, with the understanding that approval may not be granted in that time period due to testing requirements, searches for alternative products, or a requirement that work be performed under special circumstances. When required, approval will be contingent upon the user notifying members of the NSCC campus community about the location of areas which may be affected.

    

3. Training and Educating. The Academic Vice President, in conjunction with Human Resources, will develop information and training for faculty, staff, students, and other members of the community who use college facilities. Subjects covered will include: the appropriate uses for and alternatives to chemicals; reduction of chemical exposure; multi-chemical sensitivity (MCS); and the effects of scented products, including personal care products, on sensitive individuals.

    

4. Information Posting. The Safety and Security Supervisor will post air quality guidelines on safety bulletin boards to be installed in each building.

    

5. Inspection and Updating. The Manager of Facilities Operations will ensure that air delivery systems are regularly maintained and inspected.

    

6. Use of Scented Products. NSCC community members are asked to refrain from using or wearing scented products while on campus. NSCC community members are asked to also respect the more strict requirement to not wear any scented products in classrooms which have been specially designated as scent-free.

    

7. Policy Dissemination. On a continuing basis, every office with purchasing authority will notify vendors and contractors about this policy. Quarterly the office of the Vice President for Student Programs will inform students, staff, and faculty about this policy, and will include this policy in the quarterly class schedule, as well as in the Student Handbook. Human Resource Services will provide all new employees with a copy of this policy.

    

8. Facilities' Use. Staff, faculty, and students who make arrangements for use of NSCC's facilities will provide non-college groups with written information about this policy. Groups using college facilities will be expected to observe this policy.

    

9. Monitoring. The Health and Safety Committee (or an IAQ subcommittee) will have the responsibility of monitoring campus procedures to ensure that provisions of this policy are adequately observed.

    

10. Complaint Process. A complaint process (below) is available for addressing air quality concerns.

     

Purpose

The goals of these compliance guidelines are to improve communication and to effect fair, uniform, and timely resolution of air quality complaints and concerns.

Steps you may use are listed separately based on the source of the problem. Any of the persons receiving a complaint which requires other resources may call on other offices within the college.