Solid Science Practical Solutions

GSE ADVISOR

QSAC Inspections

QSAC - QUALITY SINGLE ACCOUNTABILITY CONTINUUM
 

GSE has received a number of calls recently from school district clients for assistance in preparing for QSAC site inspections. It is an important reminder of the importance of maintaining and documenting your compliance programs on an ongoing basis.

 
The QSAC program is operated under the authority of the State of New Jersey Deptartment of Education. The program is designed to oversee the overall operations of NJ School Districts in these five programmatic areas:
 
  • Fiscal
  • Instructional
  • Governance
  • Operations
  • Personnel
The operations area is of most direct concern to Facilities Managers. The QSAC program conducts periodic site inspections to monitor and document compliance with key operational requirements. On average, site inspections are done about every three years. However, Districts are required to conduct annual building evaluations using the NJDOE Health Safety Evaluation of School Buildings Checklist (see link below). During QSAC site inspections, the NJDOE Inspector will review copies of your annual checklists and confirm that the items reported are actually in place.
 
Key examples of compliance records that must be maintained and will likely be checked during a QSAC inspection:
 
  • AHERA Asbestos Management Plan including current 6-month and 3-year surveillance records, documentation of all response actions, testing or emergency fiber release incidents.
  • Current boiler inspection certificate and applicable licenses.
  • Current drinking water records including full documentation of lead in drinking water testing.
  • Right to Know documentation including up-to-date RTK survey filings, Central Files and labeling.
  • Proper storage, disposal and documentation of hazardous chemicals or other potentially dangerous materials.
  • Proper safety equipment and procedures for hazardous electrical or mechanical machinery and equipment including an OSHA approved Lock-out/Tag-out program for control of hazardous energy.
  • Laboratory safety program in compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450 including written Plan, personal protective equipment, emergency eye wash and safety showers and other safety equipment, sufficient ventilation and dust control methods, proper storage and labeling of hazardous chemicals.
  • Maintenance records for all building facilities (interior and exterior) to ensure occupant safety.
  • Proper and well maintained ventilation to maintain healthy indoor air quality as documented in a written IAQ Plan.
 
These requirements are governed by a variety of State and Federal regulations including:
 
  • AHERA Asbestos (40 CFR Part 763)
  • NJ Right To Know (NJSA 34:5A-1 et seq.)
  • Hazard Communication Standard (NJAC 12:100-7)
  • Chemical Hygiene (Lab Safety) Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450)
  • NJ Indoor Air Quality Regulation (NJAC 12:100-13.1)
  • Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030)