Environmental Health and Safety
About Our Organization
The Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and Central Custodial Services function as a self-directed work team within the Facilities Services Division. While the organizational structure follows a traditional chain of command, team members collaborate closely to fulfill the department’s mission. Decision-making is decentralized, delegated to the lowest reasonable level to promote responsiveness and accountability. All team members are expected to deliver high-quality services across a broad range of responsibilities.
Strategically positioned within Facilities Services, the team benefits from access to substantial manpower and financial resources. It is tasked with managing a diverse portfolio of programs, and both staffing and budget allocations are reviewed annually to ensure alignment with operational needs. A key distinction that sets this team apart from other public school safety programs is its dual responsibility: identifying safety and environmental concerns and coordinating or directly performing many of the corrective actions.
In-house personnel are actively engaged in every aspect of each practice area. Contracted services are utilized selectively to complement in-house capabilities, particularly when cost-effectiveness and service quality can be maintained or enhanced. Support from the District’s Purchasing Department, Facilities Services, and the Finance Department is essential for funding and contract administration. Utilizing internal staff with institutional knowledge and a vested interest in district facilities provides a strategic advantage, enabling rapid and effective responses to emerging needs.
The team operates from a central office and provides support to both schools and ancillary facilities. Assignments within various practice areas are determined based on individual strengths, interests, and expertise. In some cases, tasks are allocated geographically, often aligning with employees’ residential locations to improve logistical efficiency. This method of workload distribution, combined with cross-training for operational depth, fosters a harmonious and productive work environment.
Beyond its internal collaborations, the EH&S and Custodial Services Team works closely with other BPS departments, including Risk Management, Human Resources, and Security. It is important to distinguish between the responsibilities of EH&S and the Security Department. While the Security Department addresses safety issues resulting from criminal or deviant behavior—referred to as "security" or "public safety" within BPS terminology—the EH&S Office focuses on environmental and operational safety. The Security Department is also charged with maintaining the BPS Critical Incident Response Manual and updating the district’s Emergency Preparedness Plan, which includes protocols for natural disasters and certain man-made incidents, such as campus violence.
The EH&S and Central Custodial Services Team plays a vital role in supporting Security during preparation, response, and recovery phases of both natural and human-made emergencies. Its work spans every aspect of district operations and is grounded in a steadfast commitment to BPS’s core values, vision for student success, and mission to serve every stakeholder with excellence.
Forms and Procedures
Comprehensive Safety Plan
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