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

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

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

4. Policies & Procedures and Lots of Other Safety Resources

5. 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

6. 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 

7. 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

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

9. Ergonomics: Evolution or Devolution?

10. 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.”

11. 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
UAA EHS/RMS Ergonomics Policy 24

12. 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

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

14. 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”

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Fire Safety in the Office
Call these numbers for all fire and medical emergencies: UPD & 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?

22. 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

23. 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

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

25. 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

26. 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

27. Stress Statistically increasing Costs Causes Effects Personal Social
Organizational

28. 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

29. Go Fishing … A Great Stress Reliever

30. 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

31. 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.

32. Occupational Aggression & Violence
Laws & Policies
Types of Violence
Physical & psychological
Control Measures
Procedures
Reporting system
Infrastructure & training
Call UPD at
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.

33. 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 )
specific safety code consultations
safety program development assistance
risk analysis
whole bunch of other stuff

34. 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

35. 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

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

37. FEED TRIG PIZZA AND NOBODY GETS HURT