BUILDING &OFFICE & SAFETY Trig Trigiano UAA Environmental Health & Safety And Risk Management Support

OBJECTIVES Familiarization and Awareness of Common Safety Concerns at UAA Provide Resources and Reference Material for Building and Safety Coordinators

What Can Happen In An Unsafe Work Area? Injuries & Illnesses physical psychological diseases Which Can Lead To: absences conflicts decreased morale decreased productivity crabbiness

Policies & Procedures and Lots of Other Safety Resources http://ehsrms.uaa.alaska.edu

Workplace Specific Hazards & Risks? Slips, Trips & Falls Manual Handling & Ergonomics Chemical & Biological Hazards Physical Hazards Psychological Hazards Aggression & Violence Hazard - Something that has the potential to do harm or damage Risk - The likelihood of that harm or damage occurring

Slips, Trips & Falls Icy Conditions (sand & Spikies) Not Paying Attention General Housekeeping Cords, Cables & Wires Cupboards, Cabinets, Drawers & Carpets Personal Belongings Furniture (44” clearance) Fluid Spills & Floor Surfaces Chewing Gum and Walking At the Same Time 

Workplace Specific Hazards & Risks? Slips, Trips & Falls Manual Handling & Ergonomics Chemical & Biological Hazards Physical Hazards Psychological Hazards Aggression & Violence Hazard - Something that has the potential to do harm or damage Risk - The likelihood of that harm or damage occurring

Manual Handling Techniques “To Do or Not To Do” Twisting & Bending Pushing vs. Pulling Center of Gravity Frequency Walking Teamwork Lifting & Moving Mechanical Aids

Ergonomics: Evolution or Devolution?

What is Ergonomics? According to Webster: “Ergonomics is the study of equipment design in order to reduce operator fatigue and discomfort.” According to Trig: “Making the equipment work for the worker rather than the worker working for the equipment.”

Office Ergonomics Office Equipment & Placement: Worker Posture: workstations, chairs, keyboards Worker Posture: height & distance of equipment periods of sitting & standing Breaks & Exercises: 5 – 10 minutes per hour suggested Web Ergonomic Self Evaluation training button at the EHS/RMS Website if problems are detected, call EHS at 786-1351 UAA EHS/RMS Ergonomics Policy 24

Workplace Specific Hazards & Risks? Slips, Trips & Falls Manual Handling & Ergonomics Chemical & Biological Hazards Physical Hazards Psychological Hazards Aggression & Violence Hazard - Something that has the potential to do harm or damage Risk - The likelihood of that harm or damage occurring

Office Hazardous Material Toners, Developers & Inks Cleaning Agents Solvents Paints Air

Material Safety Data Sheets MSDSs are required for all hazmats Should be available near or at the worksite during or before the shift when the associated material is to be used Provide detailed chemical, health, and safety information Often need an interpretation by a chemical professional “Grain of Salt”

Contaminated Air or Indoor Air Quality Stale air (lack of fresh air) Carbon dioxide (CO2) vs. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Temperature Humidity Cigarette Smoke Micro-organisms (molds, mildews, bacteria, viruses) Ozone Miscellaneous odors and episodic contaminates Neighbors Measurements Control Measures: Effective air filtration Ensuring adequate levels of fresh air enter the building Maintenance of airconditioning units & regular cleaning Preventing the obstruction of vents Locating equipment using solvents in areas of substantial air movement and/or installing local exhaust ventilation

Workplace Specific Hazards & Risks? Slips, Trips & Falls Manual Handling & Ergonomics Chemical & Biological Hazards Physical Hazards Psychological Hazards Aggression & Violence Hazard - Something that has the potential to do harm or damage Risk - The likelihood of that harm or damage occurring

Office Machinery Electricity Photocopiers Printers Computers - VDUs cords, cables & electrical hazards faulty or arcing switches Photocopiers toner, developer/toner, noise, ozone, light Printers noise, inks, ozone (laser) Computers - VDUs Eyestrain and ergonomics computer games Typewriters repetitive motion strain VDUs emit minute amounts of radiation Weak electromagnetic fields Maintenance & Servicing Fit ozone filters to photocopiers & laser printers Ensure adequate ventilation

Electrical Safety Problems Lock-out or Secure the Problem Area Notify Your Co-workers and Supervisor Call Maintenance at 786-6980

Noise - In Here - Pardon? What is noise? Legal limits: 85dB(Action Level) How it’s measured Control strategies Elimination & Hearing Protection Engineering separating enclosing absorbing and diffusing Administration staff rotation, shift duration timings

Lighting & Glare How do you Know? Benefits of Eliminating Glare headache? fatigue? eyestrain? nausea? can usually see it Benefits of Eliminating Glare reduced absenteeism reduced illnesses

Fire Safety in the Office Call these numbers for all fire and medical emergencies: UPD 786-1120 & EMS 911 Know two ways to get out! Know how to trigger the building alarm Appropriate Equipment? alarms, extinguishers, hoses, detectors Training? Evacuations, Fire Extinguishers Visitors, Clients, Public? Should I put the fire out?

Housekeeping Part of YOUR Job What is Housekeeping? cleanliness, tidiness, maintenance taking care of your work area good housekeeping calls for constant care Good Housekeeping Benefits safer, easier, better, more fun less tiring, more work and play space, less aggravating, more business-like Part of YOUR Job

Corridors or Exit Systems What is a Corridor? Means to get out of a building Suite corridors vs. main or public Doors in corridors Common Deficiencies Excessive storage (includes furniture, surplus material, free standing displays, etc.) Obstructions to smooth traffic flow Open and blocked doors Requires constant vigilance

Excessive Storage Fire loading 18” Sprinkler head rule Flammable storage restrictions Requires constant vigilance

Room Capacity 50 or more people requires two widely separated exits Fixed seating rooms are limited to the number of fixed chairs and few additional. Labs are limited to the number of workstations plus a few additional Standing room only is used some on buses We aren’t the airlines and cannot overbook rooms with the expectation that enrollment will drop after a few weeks. Requires constant vigilance

Workplace Specific Hazards & Risks? Slips, Trips & Falls Manual Handling & Ergonomics Chemical & Biological Hazards Physical Hazards Psychological Hazards Aggression & Violence Hazard - Something that has the potential to do harm or damage Risk - The likelihood of that harm or damage occurring

Stress Statistically increasing Costs Causes Effects Personal Social Organizational

Stress – Things You Can Do Talk with a co-worker, friend, your S.O. , or your supervisor in private Analyze the situation & consider constructive approaches to address the problem Talk with an HRS consultant Use your EAP benefits Pick your battles

Go Fishing … A Great Stress Reliever

Workplace Specific Hazards & Risks? Slips, Trips & Falls Manual Handling & Ergonomics Chemical & Biological Hazards Physical Hazards Psychological Hazards Aggression & Violence Hazard - Something that has the potential to do harm or damage Risk - The likelihood of that harm or damage occurring

What is Workplace Violence? Any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the workplace. The workplace may be any location either permanent or temporary where an employee performs any work-related duty. Violence can be perpetrated by clients against workers or against other clients and customers It may also manifest itself internally, within the organisation between workers and management Violence includes verbal and emotional threats and physical attacks on an individuals person or property by an individual or group The level of fear an individual feels and the way they respond during and after a violent act relates to their own experiences, skills, training and personality Violent acts may include: verbal abuse in person or over the phone; threats of a sexual nature; threats of violence; bullying; “ganging up” by a group over an individual ; physical or sexual assault.

Occupational Aggression & Violence Laws & Policies Types of Violence Physical & psychological Control Measures Procedures Reporting system Infrastructure & training Call UPD at 786-1120 When less severe, call HRS, Diversity & Compliance or Dean of Students depending on the nature of the event Violence can be perpetrated by clients against workers or against other clients and customers It may also manifest itself internally, within the organisation between workers and management Violence includes verbal and emotional threats and physical attacks on an individuals person or property by an individual or group The level of fear an individual feels and the way they respond during and after a violent act relates to their own experiences, skills, training and personality Violent acts may include: verbal abuse in person or over the phone; threats of a sexual nature; threats of violence; bullying; “ganging up” by a group over an individual ; physical or sexual assault.

Resource: EHS/RMS Most environmental and occupational health and safety issues to include: EHS training and education hazardous materials and waste management ergonomic evaluations (temporarily discontinued) fire code compliance accident investigation and prevention safety audits indoor air quality (with FMS 786-6980) specific safety code consultations safety program development assistance risk analysis whole bunch of other stuff

Resource: University Police Department Commissioned police officers (real cops) Most public safety and security matters Campus violence situations Criminal and traffic law enforcement Criminal investigations Non-employee accident reporting Crime statistics and reporting Safety and security training, evaluations, and consultations After hours safety escorts and unlocks Emergency campus phone system www.uaa.alaska.edu/upd 786-1120

Resource: Facilities Maintenance Services Most grounds and building maintenance issues Along with EHS, indoor air quality investigation and amelioration Electrical, mechanical, carpentry, and plumbing concerns www.uaa.alaska.edu/fcs/maintenanceoperations/index.cfm 786-6980

Reporting UPD 786-1120: crimes, personal and auto accidents, thefts, personal injuries, overly aggressive behavior, misconduct, suspicious persons or activities, moose, free donuts and free food EHS/RMS 786-1351: unsafe conditions, hazmats and hazwastes, regulatory contacts, IAQ problems, ergonomics, food safety, permits, fire safety, insurance claims, a whole bunch of other stuff Parking 786-1119: parking lot problems Maintenance 786-6980: plumbing, electrical, mechanical, carpentry, locks, grounds, IAQ problems (with EHS/RMS) Custodial 786-4762: janitorial concerns and general sanitation SORS 786-7755: Workers Compensation, liability and major loss claims

FEED TRIG PIZZA AND NOBODY GETS HURT