3-Day K-12 Facilities Leadership & Compliance Academy (Nov 2025)

Build Safer Labs. Reduce Liability. Lead with Confidence.
Presented by Safer STEM and Rutgers University

The 3-day K-12 Facilities Leadership & Compliance Academy is an intensive professional learning experience, co-presented by Safer STEM and Rutgers University. It is designed to build leadership, compliance, and risk‑management expertise for anyone responsible for school science and STEM safety. Led by nationally recognized safety experts and experienced peers, this collaborative program delivers proven frameworks, practical strategies, and real‑world case studies to help you protect students, staff, and your institution while reducing legal and operational risk.

While this Academy is essential for current and aspiring Directors of Facilities, it is also highly valuable for Chemical Hygiene Officers, Principals and Administrators, who carry legal accountability for safety compliance; Science Supervisors and Educators, who design and implement lab‑based learning; and Environmental Hygiene Officers, who manage chemical safety across multiple programs. You will gain the tools to coordinate effectively, close safety gaps, make informed decisions, and lead a proactive safety culture in your school or district.

Program Structure

• Start Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
• End Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
• Schedule: 9 AM – Noon ET
• Format: Online, live instruction + self-paced tasks
• Total Commitment: 9 hours of instruction + guided assignments
• Audience: Recommended for current Directors of Facilities and those interested in moving into this role, Chemical Hygiene Officers, Principals, Science Supervisors, Science Educators, and Environmental Hygiene Officers.
• Instructor: Taught by an NRCC-credentialed safety expert with over two decades of experience supporting K–12 school systems

What You’ll Learn

By attending this Academy, you will gain actionable leadership training in:

• Chemical Management: Storage, labeling, handling, disposal, and inventory protocols
• Emergency Readiness: Fire safety, spill response, PPE requirements, and ventilation strategies
• Safety Planning: Writing and maintaining an OSHA-compliant Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP), including SOPs and documentation
• Risk Recognition & Mitigation: Hazard analysis and planning for safer demonstrations and lab activities
• Compliance and Liability: Understanding key legal standards—OSHA 1910.1450, 1910.1200, 1910.132; NFPA 101 and 45; ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 D3 2020
• Creating a Safety Culture: Coaching teachers, supporting facilities staff, and sustaining grade-appropriate safety training across science departments
• Real-world Peer Scenarios: Learn how other Facilities Directors and safety leaders turned serious incidents into teachable moments to prevent future accidents

This is not just another compliance course; it’s a transformational leadership academy that equips you with the frameworks, case studies, and tools to lead science safety proactively and professionally.

Real Educators. Real Impact.

The Leadership Academy is an exemplar program for all school districts K-12! With key experts in the field moderating the safety concerns seen across the nation and highlighting what actually should be taking place in school laboratory settings, the CHO Leadership Academy shines as a leading force in building safety competence in educators!

Karen Jacobs, Alief ISD Admin Services

I think that this course is just what any CHO needs to take. Now all 23 of my districts are much more safety-minded and take things seriously. The biggest benefit is that they teach lab safety to the students. Not only that, the course brings together other CHOs to bounce ideas or questions off of. Highly recommended.

Patrick, Questar III BOCES

Earn Your Certificate

Upon successful completion of the Academy, participants will receive an official Certificate of Completion jointly issued by Safer STEM and Rutgers University, a mark of distinction in K–12 science safety leadership and CHO preparedness.

Seats are limited.
Enroll now and join a national cohort of science safety leaders trained by Safer STEM and Rutgers University.