b'FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESOURCESThe Importance of Healthy and Safe School EnvironmentsE nvironmental health and safety in schools meanSafe Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidance for Schools:clean air, clean water, products free from harmfulCleaning, sanitizing, and disinfection are all different but chemicals, and spaces that limit injury and illness.important processes. Cleaning physically removes visible Moving your schools focus from reaction to prevention candirt, dust, and debris. Sanitizing reduces reduce costs in the long term. germs to a level considered safe but has a limited effect on viruses. Disinfecting kills WHO WE ARE germs on surfaces. Each step in the cleaning The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Schoolprocess, including sanitizing and disinfecting, Environmental Health and Safety Program partners with localis important.health departments, other agencies like educational serviceThis guidance explains how to safely clean, sanitize, and districts, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instructiondisinfect. It includes where to find safer chemicals, when (OSPI), and schools around the state. We listen, research, andto use them, and how. It details how to clean bodily fluids, respond to requests for guidance on a wide variety of schoolproper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and how safety issues. We partner with internal and external experts toto clean different surfaces. Also see our printable Classroom keep guidance current. Find all the information on our schoolCleaning Tips for Teachers.website or by scanning the QR code.School Supply List:HOW WE SUPPORT YOU Commonly used school supplies can contain fragrances or We provide: chemicals that trigger asthma and allergies. Always look for Guidance to help develop school policies and procedures. fragrance-free products. Fragrance-free products have no Videos, webpages, and guides to help prevent andscent added while unscented products can respond to concerns. have chemicals added to mask the original Flyers and handouts for faculty and staff. scent. This guidance provides safer supply Technical assistance and connections to local partners. options to promote a healthier classroom environment. Schools or districts should RESOURCES AVAILABLE have policies that prohibit certain classroom Health and Safety Guide for K-12 Schools in Washington State: supplies. Also see our printable guides on Essential Oils, The K-12 Guide works in tandem with the school healthfragrances titled Healthy Air for Healthy Schools Flyer, and and safety code, Chapter 246-366 WAC, to provide clarityHealthy Air Quality in Schools.and insight on health and safety items in the code. It is used by local health departments when working with a school toSchool Integrated Pest Management (IPM):ensure student safety. It is also used by schools and districts,Pests can harbor allergens, exacerbate asthma, and staff, concerned parents, and others tocarry diseases. Pesticides can cause illness. IPM is a well-understand the rationale behind the code andestablished method to control pests by to elaborate on health and safety concerns. Itreducing their sources of food, water, and includes many topics, like animals in schools,shelter. It uses the least toxic pest controls pesticides use, science lab safety, and more. when necessary. Our new webpages The K-12 Guide is maintained by partneringprovide strategies to identify pest-conducive with OSPI, local health, educational service districts,conditions and provide actions to effectively WAMOA members, school nurses, industry experts, andcontrol pest problems. Also check out the Pest Press others. Send questions and feedback to SchoolsEHS@doh. Handouts on specific pests.wa.gov to improve this working document.14 WAMOA JOURNALFALL 2025'