Nebraska Health and Human Services Policy for Schools

The following regulations for Nebraska's schools are presented as minimum standards. Some of the provisions set forth may he subject to additional local ordinance requirements

SITE SELECTION AND SAFETY

The school shall be so located as to provide the student with the maximum amount of health and safety possible as it relates to access and usage. In addition, the site shall be large enough to accommodate such things as playground area, water and sewage systems if community systems are not conveniently available. Consideration with regard to site selection should also be given to such things as noise and odors.

The grounds, including playground equipment and structures, shall be maintained so as not to present any unreasonable health and safety hazard.

STRUCTURE, PREMISE SANITATION AND VECTOR CONTROL

All school buildings shall be structurally sound and of such construction as to include materials which enables the facility to be properly cleaned.

Proper premise sanitation is to be practiced both within the school structure and the adjacent grounds so as to prevent the school area from being an attractant for rodents and insects.

Failure to follow such practices will eventually result in costly structural damage and pose a potential health hazard to school staff, students and visitors.

In relation to the proper storage and use of pesticides, schools having insect and/or rodent related problems or questions are to contact the Nebraska Health and Human Services, Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Sanitation for assistance.

HEATING, LIGHTING and VENTILATION

Adequate heating, lighting and ventilation systems are a must. An inadequacy of any of these three systems will affect the health of an individual, and in the case of a student, serve as an irritant, thereby preventing the student from getting the most out of the educational process.

The following minimum standards should be met:

Heating System -- Must be capable of providing a room temperature of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months.
Lighting System -- Must be capable of providing at least thirty foot candles in the classroom.
Ventilation System -- Must be capable of removing stale air and eliminate moisture problems.

WATER SYSTEMS AND PLUMBING

Basic Water Systems

An adequate and safe water supply is of prime importance for every school. The best source is a safe municipal supply. In the absence of a municipal supply, it will be necessary for the school to develop its own pressurized water supply. For schools located in areas where pressurized water supplies are not possible, alternate means of supplying water will be considered on an individual basis.

Water Systems Serving a School:

Shall be located so as to be protected from any source of contamination, both surface and sub-surface;
Shall consist of water wells, distribution piping, or storage facilities which are constructed of materials specifically approved and designed for such use, and constructed according to state regulations and local standards to include plumbing codes.

Water supplies must meet the physical, chemical and biological requirements set forth in the current accepted state and/or federal potable water quality standards.

Water quality shall be monitored through a water sampling program* consisting of two bacteriological analyses during the school year (one sample prior to the beginning of the school year, and the second sample at mid-term); and one nitrate analysis every year. Additional sampling may be required by the Nebraska Health and Human Services.
*Note: The Water Sampling Program does not apply to schools which use water systems serving villages, cities, or a rural water district, as these systems are presently involved in a water sampling program.
Any water supply serving 25 or more individuals shall comply with the sampling and quality provisions of the Nebraska Safe Drinking Water Act.

These samples are to be submitted to the State Department of Health Laboratory or any other laboratory approved by the Department.

Detailed information relating to proper water system construction is available from the Nebraska State Department of Health, Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Sanitation upon request.

Dispensing of Drinking Water

Where water under pressure is available, the number of water fountains provided shall be based on the ratio of one unit for every 90 students. At least one fountain should be located on each floor. There should be one or more drinking fountains in the school lunchroom, shops, and locker-dressing rooms. In schools where a pressure system is not possible, the dispensing of water will be considered on an individual basis. The use of a common drinking container is prohibited.

SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

Wherever possible, the school shall be connected to the municipal sewage collection system. If this is not feasible, then an alternate form of sewage treatment must be determined. However, regardless of the methods of disposal, sewage shall be disposed of in a manner which will protect the health of the general public and members of the immediate school community.

This requires that wastes be disposed of as follows:

Sewage disposal systems shall be located, designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with Title 124 Rules and Regulations for the Design, Operation and Maintenance of Septic Tanks.
Systems shall not give rise to public health hazards by being accessible to children, insects, rodents, or other potential disease vectors (carriers).
Systems shall not contaminate any surface waters of the state.
Systems shall not create a nuisance (odors, unsightly appearances, etc.) so as to serve as an annoyance to the citizens of this or of any other state.

Detailed information relating to the proper design, operation and maintenance of privies, septic systems and stabilization ponds is available from the Nebraska State Department of Environmental Quality upon request .

TOILET FACILITY

Each school shall be provided with at least one toilet room for boys and one toilet room for girls. Flush-type toilets, chemical toilets, earth-pit toilets or any other approved type of toilet facility will meet this requirement provided all flush-type toilets shall have sufficient pressurized water supply to properly operate such a toilet.

Facilities shall be conveniently located and provided on the ratio of one toilet for every 35 girls. The same ratio shall apply for boys except where urinals are provided at a ratio of one to every 30, one toilet for every 90 boys is adequate.

Provisions shall be made for adequate ventilation of the restroom area. The floors, walls, and ceiling of the restroom facility shall be of such construction as to allow proper cleaning of the area. Lighting of the area shall be such as to enable adequate cleaning and disinfection of the facility on at least a daily basis when in use.

HANDWASHING FACILITIES

Running water shall be provided for handwashing facilities. Handwashing facilities located in the restroom area, served by running water, shall be provided at the ratio of one lavatory for every 50 students. Both hot and cold water dispensed through a mixing tap -- or better still, tempered water -- should be made available. In all cases, the temperature of the hot water supplied to shower and handwashing facilities shall not exceed 120°(Fahrenheit). Soap and an approved method for drying hands shall be provided.

Provisions for handwashing facilities in schools not equipped with running water will be considered on an individual basis provided school with flush-type toilets shall provide hand-washing facilities in the restroom areas.

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

The outside storage of solid waste shall be accomplished with the use of an adequate number of containers which shall be cleaned as necessitated to eliminate odors and to prevent the container from serving as a breeding area for flies and other insects.

The refuse shall be disposed of at least weekly or more frequently if necessitated during the summer months in an approved manner.

FOOD SERVICE

The degree of food service which a school provides to the student(s) is optional.

However, those food services that are provided and used in relation to the school's food program (to include facilities, equipment, etc. ), must conform to the applicable portion of the then current standards and specifications approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration or its successor association.

Copies of the food standards are available from the Nebraska Slate Department of Health, Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Sanitation, upon request.

SWIMMING POOL

The design and construction of swimming pools must be approved by the Department of Health before they are constructed or put into operation.

The Department of Health is charged with the responsibility of surveillance of school swimming pools, conducting training sessions for swimming pool operators leading to operator certification, and issuing and revoking permits to operate pools.

Swimming pools must comply with the rules and regulations and operational procedures as described in the "Rules and Regulations" embodied in the Nebraska Swimming Pool Act of 1969 as amended, copies of which are available from the State Department of Health.

For further information, contact the Nebraska State Department of Health, Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Sanitation.