Page 77 - School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

Chapter 4: Selection of Products, Dispensing Equipment, and Application Systems
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Chapter 4.E. Using Information from Hazardous Materials Rating Systems for
Product Selection
Introduction
The information found in the NFPA and HMIS symbols can help to compare the hazardous
properties of products to find the least toxic one. The National Cleaning for Healthier Schools
and Infection Control Workgroup recommends that schools establish a Health and Safety Cap*
that determines acceptable ratings for products before purchase and the criteria for evaluating
and accepting products that exceed that rating cap.
Workgroup recommendations for selecting an acceptable rating for a product
0 to 1 Rating – Selection of products with a rating of 0 would be ideal; however, it may be
necessary to use products with a rating of 1 in one or more of the other categories when no other
alternatives are available.
2 Rating – Although products with ratings in the 2 range can be considered, alternatives should
be sought whenever possible.
3 to 4 Rating – Products with ratings of 3 or 4 in any category should be avoided, if possible.
These products are dangerous, and often there are safer products available that can perform the
same services with less risk to an employee or the environment.
Workgroup recommendations for PROHIBITING the purchase or use of products with the
following hazard ratings. Note that many chemicals will fall into more than one category:
‰ Chemicals with a Flammability or Reactivity rating of 4
‰ Chemicals with a Health rating of 4
These materials are generally fatal at very low exposure levels.
‰ Chemicals with a Health rating of 3
‰ Chemicals that require use of a respirator
Respirator use requires a formal respirator program, including medical monitoring and fit
testing. Realistically, this is not going to occur in the school environment.
‰ Chemicals with special storage requirements
Consider the cost of the equipment (e.g., explosion-proof refrigerator), space requirements,
and other storage issues.
‰ Chemicals with special requirements for emergency response equipment
An example is flammable metals that require a class D fire extinguisher, which would not be
needed for any other products.
‰ Chemicals with a regulatory designation of “extremely hazardous substance”
These materials can change a school’s regulatory status to a more stringent one.
*The Health and Safety Cap concept was developed by Hilary Eustace of the Massachusetts Division of
Occupational Safety, and modified by Lynn Rose of the Massachusetts Facilities Administrators
Association.