Safety Checklist Program for Schools

October 2003
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2004-101
School Checklists logo

Appendix A: Resource Agencies and Organizations

Inclusion in Appendix A of a private company or organization does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute. This is not a comprehensive list of resources.

Federal Government Agencies

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
ATSDR provides public health information to prevent harmful exposures and disease related to toxic substances in the environment.
1-888-42-ATSDR

Apprenticeship Programs/ U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)external icon
DOL assists industry in developing and improving apprenticeship and other training programs designed to provide the skilled workers needed to compete in a global economy. Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by joint employer and labor groups, individual employers, and/or employer associations. The Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Dept. of Labor registers apprenticeship programs and apprentices in 23 States and assists and oversees State Apprenticeship Councils which perform these functions in 27 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people – at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.

National Prevention Information Network
(HIV, AIDS, STDs, TB)
1-800-458-5231

  • National Center for Infectious Diseases
    The mission of the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID) is to prevent illness, disability, and death caused by infectious diseases in the United States and around the world. NCID conducts surveillance, epidemic investigations, epidemiologic and laboratory research, training, and public education programs to develop, evaluate, and promote prevention and control strategies for infectious diseases. NCID works in partnership with local and state public health officials, other federal agencies, medical and public health professional associations, infectious disease experts from academic and clinical practice, and international and public service organizations.
    (404) 639-3311
  • National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
    Provides resources for Sanitarians, Environmental Health Specialists, Environmental Health Officers, Students and other Public Health professionals. This information is available to anyone in the public interested in the field of Environmental Health and reducing illness and death due to environmentally-related disease and injury.
    email: email
  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Department of Health and Human Services. NIOSH provides national and world leadership to prevent work-related illness, injury, disability, and death by gathering information, conducting scientific research, and translating the knowledge gained into products and services.Toll-free Information Assistance
    1-800-35-NIOSH

    NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations
    Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies
    Mail Stop R 12
    4676 Columbia Parkway
    Cincinnati, Ohio 45226
    (513) 841-4428, FAX (513) 841-4483

    NIOSH Publications
    4676 Columbia Parkway
    Cincinnati, Ohio 45226
    (513) 533-8471
    1-800-35-NIOSH, FAX 513-533-8573

    A NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) could determine whether workers are exposed to hazardous substances. NIOSH also has many excellent publications; ask to receive a copy of their Publications Catalog and to be put on their mailing list. Many documents cover topics of interest to career-technical educators including automotive air bag repair hazards, ergonomics, infection control, noise, respiratory protection, video display terminals, printed circuit board etching solutions, heat/stress exhaustion, insulation protection, nonionizing radiation, and sunburn.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)external icon
4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814

Consumer Hotline
1-800-638-2772

Evaluates the safety of products sold to the public and provides printed materials on different aspects of consumer product safety.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)external icon
Information Services Branch
Public Information Center
401 M Street, SW PM-3404
Washington, DC 20460

(202) 260-2090, EPA Directory Assistance
(202) 260-2090, Ext. 2080 – Public Information Center
FAX (202) 260-6257

Provides non-technical information about environmental issues. Information is available from PIC on drinking water, air quality, pesticides, radon, indoor air, Superfund, wetlands, hazardous waste, and many other environmental topics.

National Association of State and Territorial Apprenticeship Directors (NASTAD)external icon
The association promotes and achieves an effective national apprenticeship system. It provides a forum for states and territories that have their own state apprenticeship law with which to govern Registered Apprenticeship training programs within their respective jurisdictions.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
see entry under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)external icon
NIEHS provides information for reducing the burden of human illness and dysfunction from environmental causes. They conduct multidisciplinary biomedical research, prevention and intervention efforts, and communication strategies that encompass training, education, technology transfer, and community outreach. The Web site provides kids’ pages and teacher support for K-12, and links to science teacher resources.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)external icon

National Office
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Washington, D.C. 20210
(202) 693-1999

Contact OSHA for information about workplace safety and health regulations or to file a complaint about working conditions if you work in the private sector. OSHA has regional and area offices throughout the United States. Contact these offices first for information.

OSHA State-Plan States—List
The following table contains Web site links to OSHA State-Plan Statesexternal icon. Please refer to these programs individually as they may have additional regulations and requirements.

University-Based Organizations

NIOSH Education and Research Centers (ERCs)external icon
The sixteen NIOSH-funded universities provide multidisciplinary graduate and continuing education programs in occupational medicine, occupational health nursing, and industrial hygiene. The ERCs serve as regional resources for occupational safety and health.

Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI)external icon
170 Frelinghuysen Road
Piscataway, NJ 08855-1179
(732) 445-0200

EOHSI is co-sponsored by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. EOHSI sponsors research, training, education, and clinic and service programs to improve the understanding of the environment and occupational health issues and their impact on individual and societal health.

The Public Education and Risk Communication Division is one of six divisions within EOHSI. It includes the Centers for Education and Training and the Resource Center, which are described below.

  • EOHSI Centers for Education and Trainingexternal iconCET offers more than 250 continuing education and training courses annually for environmental and occupational safety and health professionals, paraprofessionals, and workers.
  • Resource Center of EOHSIexternal icon
    Public Education and Risk Communication Division
    170 Frelinghuysen Road
    Piscataway, NJ 08855-1179
    (732) 445-0110, FAX (732) 445-0122The Resource Center provides videos, curricula, books and brochures on a variety of environmental and occupational safety and health issues. Teacher training is also available. The materials below would be of special interest to career-technical educators. Contact the Resource Center for prices and ordering information.

    Teaching Modules:

    Occupational Health Awareness: Lessons for Vocational Students in Secondary Schools

Educators in career-technical programs can also use ToxRAP™, an innovative, K-9 curriculum that uses concepts from toxicology and environmental health risk assessment. Students learn to identify a problem, gather information, form a hypothesis, conduct experiments, make observations, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, and defend their conclusions on the basis of scientific evidence. This is accomplished by teaching students how to apply the ToxRAP™ Framework to investigations concerning environmental health problems relevant to their lives. The ToxRAP™ curriculum series includes three modules: Early Elementary/K-3 (The Case of the Green Feathers), Intermediate Elementary/3-6 (What is Wrong with the Johnson Family?), and Middle School/6-9 (Mystery Illness Strikes the Sanchez Household). To order these EOHSI materials, see above.

California Resource Network for Young Workers’ Health and Safety/”youngworkers.org”external icon
Provides information on workplace rights and responsibilities, work hours and job restrictions, hazards on the job, ways to prevent job injuries and more. It also includes educational resources, fact sheets, and ideas for how to work with others in the community to keep young workers healthy and safe on the job. The laws noted at this site are specific to California. It is sponsored by the California Department of Industrial Relations and the California Partnership for Young Worker Health and Safety. The Labor Occupational Health Program at the University of California at Berkeley coordinates the Resource Network.

Labor Occupational Health Programexternal icon
Robin Baker, Director
Labor Occupational Health
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley
2223 Fulton Street, 4th floor
Berkeley, CA 94720-5120
(510) 642-5507, FAX (510) 643-5698

Provides educational materials on safety and health in the workplace.

Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (SWOECH)external icon
R. Palmer Beasley, M.D., Dean
The University of Texas-Houston
School of Public Health
1200 Herman Pressler
Houston, TX 77030

Provides educational seminars and training workshops in occupational and environmental safety and health.

UCLA-Labor Occupational Safety and Health Youth Project Programexternal icon
Laurie Kominski, Youth Project Director (310) 794-5992
UCLA-LOSH Program
Hershey Hall
Box 951478
Los Angeles, California 90095-1478
310/794-5992; (310) 794-6403
fax 310/794-6403

The UCLA-Labor Occupational Safety and Health (LOSH) Youth Project Program provides educational materials (including 2 videos), downloadable curricula, and training for teachers and youth job training programs on young worker health and safety.

Professional and Standard-Setting Organizations

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
1330 Kemper Meadow Drive—Ste. 600
Cincinnati, OH 45240

ACGIHexternal icon is a community of professionals who advance worker health and safety through education and the development and dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge.

(513) 742-2020, FAX (513) 742-3355

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
2700 Prosperity Avenue
Suite 250
Fairfax, VA 22031

AIHAexternal icon promotes, protects, and enhances industrial hygienists and other occupational health, safety and environmental professionals in their efforts to improve the health and well being of workers, the community, and the environment.

(703) 849-8888, FAX (703) 207-3561

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
11 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

ANSIexternal icon administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. The Institute’s mission is to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity.

(212) 642-4900, FAX (212) 398-0023 (Order Dept.)

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
1791 Tullie Circle, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30329

ASHRAEexternal icon advances the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and related human factors to serve the evolving needs of the public and ASHRAE members.

(404) 636-8400, FAX (404) 321-5478

American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)
ATTN: Education
1800 East Oakton Street
Des Plaines, IL 60018-2187

ASSEexternal icon is the oldest and largest professional safety organization. Its more than 30,000 members manage, supervise and consult on safety, health, and environmental issues in industry, insurance, government and education.

(847) 699-2929, FAX (847) 296-3769

Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)
(formerly, American Vocational Association (AVA))
1410 King St.
Alexandria, VA 22314

ACTEexternal icon is the largest national education association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. Its members are technical educators, administrators, researchers, guidance counselors and others involved in planning and conducting career and technical education programs at the secondary, post-secondary and adult levels. ACTE provides leadership in developing an educated, prepared, and competitive workforce.

(703) 683-3111, FAX (703) 683-7424

American Welding Society (AWS)
550 N.W. LeJeune Road
Miami, Florida 33126

AWSexternal icon advances the science, technology and application of welding and related joining disciplines. From factory floor to high-rise construction, from military weaponry to home products, AWS supports welding education and technology development to ensure a strong, competitive and exciting way of life for all Americans.

1-800-443-9353, FAX (305) 443-7559

Building Officials and Code Administrators International
4051 W. Flossmoor Rd.
Country Club Hills, IL 60478-5795

BOCAexternal icon, ICBO and SBCCI formally consolidated into a single, 50,000-member organization: the International Code Council (ICC). The ICC will provide world-class service to members and customers, and remains dedicated to public safety through the development of building safety and fire prevention codes.

(708) 799-2300, FAX (708) 799-4981

For information about BOCA standards, see the section that follows, titled “Where to Obtain Copies of Regulations and Standards.”

Compressed Gas Association, Inc. (CGA)
1725 Jefferson Davis Highway
Suite 1004
Arlington, VA 22202-4102

Compressed Gas Associationexternal icon has been dedicated to developing and promoting safety standards and safe practices in the industrial gas industry.

(703) 412-0900, FAX (703) 412-0128

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
1 Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02269-9101

The mission of the international nonprofit NFPAexternal icon is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research, training and education.

(617) 770-3000, FAX (617) 770-0700

1-800-344-3555 for orders

National Fire Codes Subscription Service. Thirteen-volume set of National Fire Codes in loose-leaf binders. Includes quarterly newsletter in notices of updates and proposed changes. Also includes the latest edition of the National Electrical Code.

National Safety Council (NSC)
P.O. Box 558
Itasca, IL 60143-0558

NSCexternal icon is the nation’s leading advocate for safety and health. NSC’s mission is “to educate and influence society to adopt safety, health and environmental policies, practices and procedures that prevent and mitigate human suffering and economic losses arising from preventable causes.”

1-800-621-7619, FAX (708) 285-0797

Has educational materials on safety and health topics including respiratory protection and eye safety.

New Jersey State Safety Council, Inc.
6 Commerce Drive
Cranford, NJ 07016

(908) 272-7712, FAX (908) 276-6622

NJSSCexternal icon is a nongovernmental, nonprofit public service organization, dedicated to the prevention of harm in New Jersey, and it has been the state’s strongest advocate of preventing and mitigating human and economic losses arising from accidental causes.

National School Boards Association (NSBA)
1680 Duke Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

NSBAexternal icon is the nationwide organization representing public school governance. Their mission is to foster excellence and equity in public education through school board leadership. NSBA achieves that mission by representing the school board perspective before federal government agencies and with national organizations that affect education, and by providing vital information and services to state associations of school boards and local school boards throughout the nation. NSBA advocates local school boards as the ultimate expression of grassroots democracy. It supports the capacity of each school board–acting on behalf of and in close concert with the people of its community–to envision the future of education in its community, to establish a structure and environment that allow all students to reach their maximum potential, to provide accountability for the community on performance in the schools, and to serve as the key community advocate for children and youth and their public schools.

(703) 683-7590

Where to Obtain Copies of Occupational Regulations

Free access to OSHA regulations via the Internet:

General Industry Regulationsexternal icon

Construction Regulationsexternal icon

Free access to information pertaining to Child Labor Lawsexternal icon via the Internet orexternal icon orexternal icon
Free access to the Code of Federal Regulationsexternal icon can easily be accessed via the Internet

Printed Copies (Federal Government)

  • Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs)—the Codes are updated annually
    Government Institutes, Inc.
    4 Research Place, Suite 200
    Rockville, MD 20850
    (301) 921-2323, FAX (301) 921-0373
    Call for price information.
    • 40 CFR 1-51 (Air Regulations, Grants and other Federal Assistance)
    • 40 CFR 52 (Air Programs)
    • 40 CFR 53-59 (Air Programs)
    • 40 CFR 60 (Air Programs)
    • 40 CFR 61-71 (Air Programs)
    • 40 CFR 72-80 (Air Programs)
    • 40 CFR 81-85 (Air Programs)
    • 40 CFR 86 (Air Programs)
    • 40 CFR 87-135 (Water Programs)
    • 40 CFR 136-149 (Water Programs)
    • 40 CFR 150-189 (FIFRA – Pesticide Programs)
    • 40 CFR 190-259 (RCRA, Radiation Protection, Ocean Dumping, Solid Wastes)
    • 40 CFR 260-299 (RCRA, Hazardous Wastes)
    • 40 CFR 300-399 (CERCLA/Superfund and SARA Title III)
    • 40 CFR 100-149 (Water Programs)
    • 40 CFR 400-424 (Water Effluent Guidelines and Standards)
    • 40 CFR 425-699 (Water Effluent Guidelines and Standards cont’d)
    • 40 CFR 700-789 (TSCA)
    • 40 CFR 790-END (TSCA)
    • 29 CFR 1900-1910.999 (OSHA Standards for Subpart A-T)
    • 29 CFR 1910.1000-1910.END (OSHA Standards for Subpart Z [Haz. Comm.])
    • 29 CFR 1911-1925 (OSHA Longshore)
    • 29 CFR 1926 (Safety and Health Standards for Construction)
    • 29 CFR 1927-End (OSHA Agriculture, State Plans, OSHRC, Pensions)

The individual books above of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) can also be ordered from

Superintendent of Documents
Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402-9371

(202) 512-1800, FAX (202) 512-2250

Federal Registerexternal icon (one year, published daily)

This is the official government publication for informing the public about proposed and final regulations, with accompanying explanations and justifications. Order from the Superintendent of Documents at the address above.

U.S. Congress Public Laws (slip laws)
Superintendent of Documents
PO Box 37194
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954

Organizations:

  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI)external icon
    To order ANSI standards; call for price information.By phone: (212) 642-4900

    By purchase orders:
    Attention: Sales Department
    American National Standards Institute
    11 West 42nd St.
    New York, NY 10036
    By FAX: (212) 302-1286

    By mail:
    Attention: Customer Service
    American National Standards Institute
    11 West 42nd St.
    New York, NY 10036

  • Building Officials and Code Administrators, International (BOCA)external icon
    To order BOCA standards, contact the address below. There are discounts for educational institutions. Call for prices.
    BOCA International
    4051 West Flossmoor Rd.
    Country Club Hills, IL 60478-5795
    Publications Order Department (708) 799-2300National Building Code
    National Mechanical Code
    National Plumbing Code
    National Fire Prevention Code

Commercial Newsletters About Regulations

The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.external icon
1231 25th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
1-800-452-7773 FAX: (202)-822-8092

Publications: Occupational Safety and Health Reporter, Environmental Reporter, Chemical Regulation Reporter

You can obtain regulations, compliance directives, Federal and State regulations and updated newsletters.

Business and Legal Reports, Inc.external icon
39 Academy Street
Madison, CT 06443-1513
1-800-7-ASK-BLR, FAX: (203)-245-2559

Matthew Bender
1275 Broadway
Albany, NY 12204
(518) 487-3000, FAX: (518)-487-3584

Publication: Occupational Safety and Health Act

This is a 2-volume set in loose-leaf format, updated by supplements and revisions. Provides sample forms, standards, and checklists. Call for prices.

The Merritt Company
Dept I60000M
P.O. Box 955
Santa Monica, CA 90406
1-800-638-7597, FAX: (310)-396-4563

Publication: OSHA Reference Manual

This monthly updated service consists of complete 29 CFR 1910 standards, in an easy-to-understand format and self-inspection checklists. Call for price.

Specialty Technical Publishers Inc.external icon
Suite 306
267 W. Esplande
N. Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V7M 1A5
(604) 983-3434, Fax: (604) 983-3445

Chemical Emergency Response

CHEMTRECexternal icon
American Chemistry Council
1300 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209
1-800-424-9300, Emergency Hotline FAX: (703)-741-6089

This can be a good source of information on clean-up, neutralizing chemicals, environmental sampling, etc. for health officers or other professionals. Not for general public use.

Other Information Sources

AFL-CIOexternal icon
The federation of America’s labor unions, represents more than 13 million working women and men, also offers workplace safety and health information.
American Federation of Teachersexternal icon
The American Federation of Teachers represents the economic, social and professional interests of classroom teachers. It is an affiliated international union of the AFL-CIO. The AFT has more than 3,000 local affiliates nationwide, 43 state affiliates, and more than 1.3 million members.

Alaska Health Project
218 East 4th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 276-2864, FAX: (907)-279-3089

This project provides training and educational materials about a variety of occupational and environmental health topics.

American Labor Education Center (ALEC)
2000 P Street, NW, Room 300
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 828-5170, FAX: (202)-828-5173

ALEC has information about safety and health and labor related issues.

American Lung Associationexternal icon
1740 Broadway
New York, NY 10019-4374
(212) 315-8700, FAX: (212) 315-8870

This association has developed the Future Workers’ Education Project, which focuses on preventing and reducing occupational diseases and injuries in tomorrow’s workers. Lesson plans and materials for teachers and students in high school, career-technical and technical courses, and community colleges. Series includes units on autobody and repair, health occupations, welding, and cosmetology. Additional units to be developed: agriculture, carpentry, graphics, printing. To order, call, 1-800-292-5542 or contact your local American Lung Association (check the white pages of your phone book for local listings). Price approximately $40 for each unit.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safetyexternal icon

Canada’s premier national center for occupational safety and health information. Provides products and services for the prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses.

Center for Safety in the Artsexternal icon
c/o New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)
155 Avenue of the Americas
14th Floor
NY, NY 10011
Voice Mail Only: 212-366-6900 Ext. 333

This is the only national resource center for performing/visual artists that deals with safety and health hazards. It has fact sheets, a newsletter, consultation, and referral.

Center to Protect Workers Rights (CPWR)external icon
CPWR’s main focus is to develop practical ways to improve safety and health for construction workers and their families. As the research, development, and training arm of the Building and Construction Trades Department and the construction unions in the AFL-CIO, CPWR works with more than 30 organizations nationwide

Chemical Referral Centerexternal icon
American Chemistry Council
1300 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209
1-800-262-8200, FAX: (703)-741-6000

This center provides general, nonemergency information about chemicals. It refers callers to a person at a manufacturing company who can provide the requested information. The center operates 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. It is a public service of American Chemistry Council (ACC) that provides users of chemicals, transportation workers, and the general public with access to safety and health information about chemicals and chemical products.

Informexternal icon
120 Wall Street
16th Floor
NY, NY 10005-4001
(212) 361-2400, FAX (212) 361-2412

This is a national resource center with information about industrial and municipal solid waste issues.

National Clearinghouse for Worker Safety and Health Training for Hazardous Materials, Waste Operation, and Emergency Responseexternal icon
George Meany Center
10,000 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Springs, MD 20903

(301) 571-4226, FAX: (301) 431-6464

This agency has safety and health information about hazardous materials and emergency response.

National Lead Information Center Hotlineexternal icon
1025 Connecticut Ave., NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC, 20036
1-800-424-5323

You can obtain educational materials about lead and health effects on children, lead in drinking water, and abatement.

Prevent Blindness Americaexternal icon (formerly called National Society to Prevent Blindness)
500 E. Remington Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 843-2020 or 1-800-331-2020, FAX: (847)-843-8458

The mission is to preserve sight and prevent blindness through patient, professional, and public education. The organization provides information about eye safety.

SkillsUSAexternal icon
P.O. Box 3000
Leesburg, VA
20177-0300
Voice: (703) 777-8810
Fax: (703) 777-8999

SkillsUSA serves over 280,000 over a quarter-million high school and college students and professional members who are enrolled in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations. SkillsUSA prepares America’s high performance workers for leadership in the world of work.

Page last reviewed: June 6, 2014