YOUR DISTRICT MAY NOT BE PROTECTING YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS FROM EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS!
Exposure to airborne asbestos fibers is known to cause a number of diseases, including mesothelioma, cancer and several other debilitating respiratory ailments. In August 2011, the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS) requested that all school superintendents comply with the requirements of the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). DLS expected to receive more than 2,600 school-based reports, but it received roughly 1,600. DLS characterized the majority of reports received as either “severely deficient” or “deficient” in some way. Almost 1,000 schools ignored DLS’s request altogether.
WHERE DOES YOUR DISTRICT STAND?
MTA’s Division of Training and Professional Learning and the MTA Environmental Health & Safety Committee are offering seven workshops around the state for health and safety activists on the essentials of addressing the asbestos issue. We will also provide information on general health and safety concerns, as well as establishing and running an effective Health & Safety Committee.
EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PROTECT YOUR MEMBERS AND THEIR STUDENTS
- Learn which schools are non-responding in your district and receive information on how to make your district comply with the law.
- Learn the legal requirements of AHERA and what constitutes adequate compliance.
- Learn how to form a Health & Safety Committee to educate and organize your members to become involved in finding solutions to asbestos and other health and safety issues.
- Learn how to evaluate asbestos and other health and safety concerns such as mold, indoor air quality and new construction. Determine the appropriate balance of legal and self-help remedies.
- Learn how to write contract language and bargain over the contents of AHERA reports.
- Receive electronic health and safety survey tools in order to produce reports for your local.
All workshops scheduled for 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Dinner will be served.
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DATE
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SITE
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Tuesday, December 2
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MTA Lynnfield Office
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Thursday, December 4
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MTA Raynham Office
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Thursday, December 11
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MTA Auburn Office
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Tuesday, December 16
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MTA Braintree Office
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Tuesday, January 6
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Cape Cod Community College
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Monday, January 12
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MTA Holyoke Office
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Tuesday, January 20
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MTA Pittsfield Office
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Presenters: George Luse, MTA Division of Training and Professional Learning
Michael Sireci, MTA Affiliate Services
Sarah Gibson, Law Office of Sarah Gibson