Biosafety is a critical part of maintaining healthy educational environments. It focuses on preventing exposure to biological hazards such as infectious diseases, environmental contaminants, and materials used in instructional labs or health-related programs. By incorporating foundational biosafety practices, school districts and community colleges can reduce risks, protect their learning communities, and ensure safe day-to-day operations.
CSRM partners with school districts and community colleges to strengthen biosafety readiness, compliance, and overall campus health and safety. With CSRM’s support, educational institutions are better equipped to maintain safe, compliant, and health-focused environments for students, staff, and the broader community.
Addressing Common Indoor Quality Issues in Schools
Biosafety Basics in Educational Settings
Bio safety refers to the policies, procedures, and safeguards designed to protect individuals and the environment from harmful biological agents. In K–12 and higher-education environments, biosafety supports safe lab operations, limits the spread of infectious illnesses, and promotes overall campus health.
- Check the area for garbage or waste material that has not been properly disposed of or removed.
Ensure plants are not rotting and soil is not smelly. - Run all cup sinks, other sinks, and eyewashes that haven’t been run recently for 2-3 minutes.
Fill floor drains with a half-gallon of water. - Determine if non occupant is working with a strong-smelling material without proper ventilation.
- Ensure all chemical or biological waste is in a proper waste container, if applicable.
If the above measures are taken and the odor does not abate after 15 minutes, occupants should contact maintenance and operations (M&O) for further evaluation. The occupant who makes the complaint should be available when M&O arrives to describe the conditions or odors they are detecting.
Building Discomfort or "Sick Building Syndrome"
There are several actions occupants can do to alleviate symptoms of building discomfort issues if the source can be controlled by the area occupant, including:
- Keep offices and work area clutter to a minimum.
- Discard food and other items that can attract vermin.
- Have thermostats adjusted to a temperature that is acceptable to all occupants.
It is recommended to have the carpet or floors shampooed or washed at least twice per year to prevent dust accumulation, and to vacuum them regularly.
Maintain plants by removing dead leaves, avoiding overwatering, and preventing any spillage
- Avoid keeping flowering plants in indoor environments.
- Promptly clean up all water and food spills.
Notify M&O of leaks or floods from plumbing, roofing, or other sources immediately.
Water Intrusion and Suspected Fungi Contamination Concerns
The following procedures should be taken by occupants to preventmold and other microbial contamination.
- Keep the area dry. Do not overwater plants, and promptly cleanall water and beverage spills.
- Examine the ceiling (if the space is under a roof) after heavyrains or snow for signs of leak or water damage.
- Do not use bleach, as bleach will not remove underlying fungalstructures.
- Promptly report all leaks and water intrusionto campus Maintenance & Operations.
Have questions or need help? Please email slc@csjpa.org or contact yourCSRM Risk Consultant.
