By Allen Barkkume and Debra Coyle
This issue of the Health and Safety column covers some perennial hazards and resources that we have written about in the NJEA Review over the years. The health and safety section of the NJEA website, njea.org/health-safety, houses several resources from past health and safety columns as well as factsheets and the NJEA Health and Safety Manual.
Use the QR codes below to read the articles that are referenced. If you wish to find these articles on a laptop or desktop computer, visit njea.org and search the various article titles.
Summer mold
In New Jersey, summer weather conditions bring high heat and high humidity. When those conditions are combined with a large building of many separate rooms, all of which have their doors and windows closed for two months out of the year, we might return to a building that has been impacted by mold growth. These are the perfect conditions for mold to thrive. Controlling mold means getting the water, moisture and humidity out of school buildings.
Mold is perhaps the most troublesome indoor air quality (IAQ) problem facing NJEA’s local associations. Mold is a problem confusing to many, difficult to prove and expensive to fix. Mold is sometimes visible but is often hidden behind walls and ceilings, under carpets and inside ventilation systems, which can make detection challenging. To learn more about mold—not just from summer conditions—read the past below.
“Get the Mold Out But Say NO To Air Sampling” (April 2016): This article explains why local associations should say “no” to mold air sampling and insist on better approaches by districts and their consultants.
“A Damp New Jersey Spells Mold in Schools” (October 2011) This article goes in depth on the effects mold can have on your health, actions local associations can take, and ideas on possible sources of money available to District if it is related to a major natural disaster or emergency.
“Measuring Air Quality in Your School” (March 2013) This article references mold and other indoor pollutants that can impact the quality of air from asbestos to lead and more.
“Ventilation Systems Affect Air Quality” (March 2012) In this article, you get some basic of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to help you be a better advocate.
Construction and renovation
Public schools need to be maintained and upgraded, but large-scale construction projects can be a major disruption to the learning environment. When a place of learning also becomes a construction site, there are several hazards to threaten the health and safety of occupants. Past articles include:
“Prevent Construction Related Hazards” (November 2022) This article covers ways to prevent construction related hazards. Whether it’s renovations, additions, electrical upgrades, or dealing with mercury flooring, mold or ventilation, the activities can affect those in school buildings during the work or after that work is supposed to have fixed a problem.
“When School is Out Construction Begins” (October 2022) This article covers what steps are involved to ensure a safe return after construction and the role of the health and safety committee.
“Summer Construction and Renovations” (June 2013) Although this article mentions renovations after Sandy the steps to take before, during and after construction and renovations apply to any project.
“Remedies for Contaminated School Sites” (May 2011) This article reviews best remedies for contaminated sites. It’s worth noting some of these methods can be costly, so beware of recommendations for less effective measures.
Natural disasters and climate change
Rising sea levels are a certain outcome of the climate crisis, but there are many other threats that directly affect schools, students and workers. Wildfires are becoming more common, bringing tiny particles into the indoor air where they can accumulate to dangerous levels. Pollen has increased to levels almost three times the norm, exacerbating allergy symptoms for those occupying buildings with poor air filtration. Temperatures beyond a certain threshold make it difficult for students to learn, and dangerous for some workers to do their jobs. Extreme weather events can leave lingering threats in their aftermath, such as the ones listed below:
“The Importance of Understanding Heat-Related Illness in Schools Year-Round” (May 2023) This article covers heat related hazards for both indoor and outdoor workers.
“Beware of Hazards Caused by Hurricanes” (December 2012): This article explains how the climate crisis is causing more frequent extreme weather events and how that is exacerbating existing common hazards in schools.
“Sandy: Is It Safe to Come Back?” (January 2013): This article dives into flood waters, which can be a “toxic stew” that may contain toxic chemicals and harmful bacteria, especially if flooding came from polluted rivers or bays, nearby industrial sites or underground industrial waste or storage sites, or sewage treatment plants in the area lost power or overflowed in the storm.
Organizing around health and safety
There is power in numbers. Local associations that want better working conditions for members need to organize. Organizing is necessary because nothing else works. Never rely on school districts or government agencies to do the right thing. Below are articles on how to organize health and safety committees and tools the committee can use to address hazards:
“Ten Steps to School Health and Safety” (September 2015) This article lists the NJEA 10-step organizing approach for effective local association health and safety programs and how to start.
“Health and Safety Committees” (May 2022) This article reminds us self-care is important and what stressed and burned-out committees can do.
“Activism Gets Results” (December 2020) This article highlights success stories from health and safety committees.
“Organizing Solves Health and Safety Problems” (May 2015) This article covers ways to organize a health and safety committee and steps to make it happen.
Allen Barkkume is an industrial hygiene consultant for the New Jersey Work Environment Council. Debra Coyle is the WEC’s executive director. WEC is a coalition of labor, community, and environmental organizations working for safe, secure jobs and a healthy sustainable environment. Visit njwec.org to learn more.
WEC to honor Barkkume
The New Jersey Work Environment Council will honor Allen Barkkume, an industrial hygiene consultant, at its awards program on Dec. 2. Barkkume has worked with numerous local associations across the state to assist them in fixing hazardous school conditions. He has also attended many NJEA conferences conducting health and safety training.
Barkkume will be recognized at the WEC Awards Dinner and Ceremony, which will be held at the College of New Jersey in Ewing starting at 6 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets go to njwec.org.