Safety and Health Working Group Meeting January 24, 2006 Status Report By Stephen Mallinger, CIH

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections2 Hazard Communication Discussion at last session During 109 th, doing program reviews Still have instances of no program or major deficiencies At the end of warning period for offices

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections3 Hazard Communication (continued) Good programs should identify toxic chemicals MSDS should list ingredients MSDS should be organized for quick retrieval Program should be more than binder

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections4 Methylene Chloride Found 6 Instances of Use

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections5 Hazard Communication (continued) OOC provides advice and assistance –Working with LOC and CAO on campus wide improvements –If you need assistance, don’t be afraid to come to us –We will and have asked for copy anyway Lack of good program could result in enforcement

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections6 Hazard Communication (continued) Haz Com is not Haz Whopper – is different from (q) Can not have generic Haz Com Program: must be tailored to chemicals Employees trained on chemicals they use

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections7 Other Program Reviews Portable fire extinguisher training –No training, no use Confined space – –Labeling permit required areas only Asbestos awareness for employees –Damaged or disturbed asbestos materials

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections8 Other Program Reviews (continued) ADA Office Inspection issues –Measuring door opening forces –Magazine rack height: old style too low –Wheelchair access - width –Special evacuation plans –Employees self-identify to police –Buddy system has flaws

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections9 Other Program Reviews (continued) Emergency Action Plans –What to do in case of emergency –Routes to closest exits –Employees trained on plan –Different types of emergencies –Frequency of drills

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections10 Specific Hazards Electrical Hazards & Fire Safety –Finding many bare wires or live contacts –Problems not reported by employees for repair –Educating staff using Fast Facts Hand out copies during inspections Can be retrieved from OOC Web site

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections11 Current Fast Facts Slips, Trips and Falls (newest) Damaged Power Cords Electric Panel Accessibility Extension Cords Fire Doors Space Heaters Sprinklers

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections12 Upcoming Fast Facts –Portable Fire Extinguishers –Smoke Detectors –Exposed, Energized Wiring –Fire Wall Penetrations –Improper Signage –More +

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections13 Specific Hazards (continued) Lack of space in most buildings –Add more people to current space –Egress deficient capacity in floors/buildings –Leads to inadequate workspace egress width 18 inches required single person access 28 inches required for multiple people

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections14 Lack of Space A lso Results in Frequent extension cord use –Some running under rugs Daisy chaining power strips (11 in series is record) Other non-approved electrical devices –Cube taps, cheater converters, bad plugs Vertical clearance with sprinkler heads

January 24, 2006OOC 109th Biennial Inspections15 Lack of Space (continued) All Office Safety Awards were given to offices having modular furniture Modular furniture must have electrical connections Just renovated offices are better In-charge person must actively monitor hazards

Stephen Mallinger Fax Questions?