Keeping everyone safe

Electrical safety, the handling of compressed gases, identifying permitted and banned chemicals, acid neutralization tanks and lab fume hoods: most of these are not everyday topics of concern to most people. But in schools throughout the city, laboratory specialists use the ongoing training they receive in these areas to protect staff and students from accidents and mishaps. Health and Safety Staff Development Day for around 200 laboratory specialists was held starting late in January in UFT borough offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Lab specialists, who must attend training each year mandated by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, systematize and operate preparation rooms, stock rooms, store rooms and laboratories at schools, and perform many duties crucial to the successful administration of science programs. Their training in chemical handling, waste removal and spill response is unique among school employees. "A large part of our job is working with chemicals,” Lab Specialists Chapter Leader Laurie Campetella said. “We learn which ones are safe and which are banned or potentially dangerous as well as how to properly dispose of them.” Attendees found the training not only informative but also entertaining. There were demonstrations, exercises, PowerPoint presentations and facts about eye protection and school fire codes. "These training events are a great chance for lab specialists to share their mutual concerns and issues," Campetella said. Campetella gave credit to Emerson Greenidge, director of the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Occupational Safety and Health, for his cooperation in putting the events together. right: Lab specialists attending training at the UFT Manhattan office observe as Stuart Rosenthal of A. Philip Randolph HS extinguishes a fire under the direction of consultant Catherine Henihan, a retired lab specialist.