OSHA and General Safety Training

1. OSHA and General Safety Training

2. What is OSHA? 1970; legislation known as the Occupational Safety and Health Act passed; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (DOL) Section 5(a)(1) of OSH Act: (a) Each employer -- (1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees;(2) shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.29 USC 654(b) Each employee shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this Act which are applicable to his own actions and conduct.

3. OSHA OSHA regulates any scenario where there is an Employer/Employee relationship. Most states (including NC) have an authorized program, which must meet all OSHA requirements, but can exceed current OSHA standards.

4. OSHA’S MISSION To assure the SAFETY and HEALTH of America’s workers, By setting and enforcing standards, Providing training, Establishing partnerships, Outreach and education Encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.

5. OSHA’S SERVICES APPROXIMATELY 2100 INSPECTORS COMPLAINT DISCRIMINATION INVESTIGATORS ENGINEERS, PHYSICIANS, EDUCATORS STANDARDS WRITERS

6.  OTHER TECHNICAL AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL MORE THAN 200 OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. THE STAFF ESTABLISHES PROTECTIVE STANDARDS, ENFORCES THE STANDARDS

7. What does all this mean? OSHA sets standards for a variety of health and safety issues in the work environment: Hazardous Chemicals Personal Protective Equipment Needlestick Prevention Fire Safety Office Safety Workplace Violence (personal safety)

8. What is a Hazardous Chemical? Any chemical that may present a Physical or Health Hazard Physical Hazards A combustible liquid A compressed gas Explosive Flammable Organic Peroxide An oxidizer Unstable Water-Reactive

9. What is a Hazardous Chemical? Health Hazard - Any chemical that may produce acute or chronic or health effects in exposed employees. Examples are: Carcinogens Toxic Agents Reproductive Toxins Irritants Corrosives Sensitizers (cause allergic reactions) Hepatotoxins (cause liver damage) Neurotoxins (cause damage to the nervous system) Agents that damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membrane

10. Material Safety Data Sheets MSDSs are written by chemical manufactures for the chemicals they produce or import. Purpose of a MSDS is to communicate information on recommended safe uses and handling procedures for the chemical. MSDSs are required by law 29 CFR 1910.1200

11. Material Safety Data Sheets MSDSs must provide the following information: Identification ( physical and chemical) Hazardous Ingredients Emergency and 1st aid procedures Recommended control measures Physical and Health hazards Safe handling precautions Date of preparation Manufacturer’s name, address and phone number

12. Material Safety Data Sheet – Example

13. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Always the last line of defense, but necessary in many cases to protect workers from offending agents in the workplace Examples include: respirators, safety glasses, safety shoes, gloves, aprons, face shields, and hearing protection A written certification of hazard assessment must be done to determine what PPE is required to be worn.

14. NEEDLESTICK PREVENTION Never recap a needle Use needless systems (retractable, etc.) Don’t over fill sharps container Sharps container needs to be replaced when it is ¾ full. Drop sharps in container with needle down. Employers must evaluate (annually) feasibility of newer, safer needles on the market What about in the office? Scissors, knives, how should they be passed from one to another? Never wave sharps around, they may slip and fly out of your hand. Use good common safety sense when dealing with sharp objects. What about in the office? Scissors, knives, how should they be passed from one to another? Never wave sharps around, they may slip and fly out of your hand. Use good common safety sense when dealing with sharp objects.

15. Fire Safety In the office environment, know where the fire extinguishers (“PASS”) and emergency exits are. In the home, smoking is the number one cause of fires; heating equipment in the winter months; also consider coffee pots, toasters, microwaves, lint traps; candles, etc. (plug directly into outlet – no extension cords) Keep heating equipment at least 3 feet away from combustibles Ignition sources near oxygen equipment Smoke detectors operating properly (monthly checks) Smoke (hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, etc.) causes most deaths.

17. CHAIRS AND DESKS GOOD LOWER BACK SUPPORT ADJUSTABLE - KNEES AND HIPS ARE LEVEL. CHAIRS ON CASTORS MUST HAVE 5 LEGS IF YOUR DESK IS TOO HIGH, COMPENSATE BY RAISING THE SEAT HEIGHT OF YOUR CHAIR NEVER STAND ON THE CHAIR TO REACH ANYTHING, PARTICULAR IF THE CHAIR HAS WHEELS OR IS OF THE SWIVEL KIND.

18. COMPUTERS A BADLY POSITIONED COMPUTER NOT ONLY MAKES THE USER UNPRODUCTIVE, IT ALSO CAUSES DISCOMFORT. IF THE MONITOR IS BADLY POSITIONED THE USER WILL PROBABLY SUFFER EYESTRAIN, HEADACHES, STIFF NECK AND SHOULDERS, AND BACKACHE. THE MONITOR SHOULD BE PLACED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE USER TO OPTIMISE A VISUAL RANGE OF 30? IN ANY DIRECTION THE SCREEN SHOULD BE 45-60 CM AWAY FROM THE USER’S EYES

19. STACKING AND STORAGE LIGHT OBJECTS STORED ON TOP AND HEAVY OBJECTS IN THE BOTTOM - ALSO IN FILING CABINETS. BOXES, FILES AND OTHER HEAVY ARTICLES MUST NOT BE STACKED ON TOP OF CABINETS, CUPBOARDS OR WINDOW SILLS. KEEP PASSAGES CLEAR AND FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT UNOBSTRUCTED.

20. STAIRS DISTRACTION ON STAIRS TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME DON’T LOAD YOUR ARMS SO FULL OF MATERIALS THAT YOU CAN’T SEE KEEP ONE HAND ON THE HANDRAIL DON’T CONGREGATE ON STAIRS OR LANDINGS KEEP STAIRS WELL LIGHTED

21. FILING CABINETS CLOSE THE DRAWERS! DON’T OPEN ALL THE DRAWERS AT THE SAME TIME USE THE HANDLE TO CLOSE THE DRAWER

22. LEARN HOW TO OPERATE THEM SAFELY BEFORE YOU USE THEM LOOSE CLOTHING, JEWELLERY, LONG FLOWING HAIR TO BE KEPT OUT OF MACHINES. KEEP HANDS AND FINGERS CLEAR OF PAPER INLET AT THE SHREDDER. SWITCH THE MACHINE OFF BEFORE TRYING TO CLEAR A BLOCKAGE.

23. FIRST AID BOX MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE THE BOX IS. ENSURE THAT A FIRST AIDER IS AVAILABLE. ENSURE THE BOX IS WELL STOCKED.

24. MORE OFFICE SAFETY Make sure use surge protectors No unapproved extension cords No worn or frayed cords No obstructed or cluttered pathways

25. Think Safety (know that a danger could exist). Realize that you could become a victim. Have a plan - know what you will do if a dangerous situation comes up. Use good judgement. ALWAYS TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS - If something feels wrong, it probably is.

26. When you are out be aware of your surroundings and avoid potentially dangerous situations. Carry a cellular phone in case of emergency. Choose well-lighted streets when walking at night. Walk with a friend.

27. Your car doors should ALWAYS be LOCKED, even in your own garage. Make it automatic to lock all your doors. After dark you NEVER park where it's dark. If you go there when it's daylight, you never park where it WILL BE dark when you come out. If the only available spaces are dark, you sit in your locked car until one opens up in a lighted spot or go to a different place. Even if your car is locked, you should always look underneath it from a safe distance. From 20-feet you can see under your car to the other side without crouching. NOTICE: LOOK INSIDE before you get into your car. Do this even in the daytime. If you see ANYTHING wrong, like shoes on the other side of the car but no head above the roofline, or a lumpy blanket on the back floor, you act like you've forgotten something and return to the building to call the police. DO NOT act like you SAW anything. If you act like you saw something, the predator will run while you're calling the police and may attack someone else in 10 minutes.

28. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS Lock your car in parking lots and when driving - especially when you are driving in an unfamiliar area. Don’t carry a large amount of cash in your purse or wallet. Keep personal belongings secure. At work direct care staff should: Lock up pocket books, address books, personal planners/calendars while at work. Keep an unlisted phone number. Don’t advertise your possessions or family to the residents. Keep your home address in a safe place (i.e. checkbook, bill statements or other mail, magazine subscription labels, etc..) and be aware of who is around when giving personal info while at work.

29. LOOK IN THE ELEVATOR BEFORE GETTING IN STAND NEAR THE CONTROLS GET OFF IF SOMEONE SUSPICIOUS ENTERS. IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT SOMEONE WHO IS WAITING FOR THE ELEVATOR WITH YOU, PRETEND YOU FORGOT SOMETHING AND DON’T GET ON. IF YOU’RE ATTACKED HIT THE ALARM AND AS MANY FLOOR BUTTONS AS POSSIBLE. Personal Safety - Elevators

30. IF YOU ARE ATTACKED KEEP YOUR HEAD. STAY AS CALM AS POSSIBLE AND EVALUATE YOUR OPTIONS AND RESOURCES. IT MAY BE MORE ADVISABLE TO SUBMIT THAN TO RESIST AND RISK SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. YOU HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION, HOWEVER, DON’T RESIST IF THE ATTACKER HAS A WEAPON.

31. IF YOU’RE ATTACKED KEEP ASSESSING THE SITUATION AS IT IS HAPPENING. IF ONE STRATEGY DOESN’T WORK, TRY ANOTHER. POSSIBLE OPTIONS INCLUDE NEGOTIATING, STALLING FOR TIME, DISTRACTING THE ASSAILANT AND FLEEING TO A SAFE PLACE,VERBAL ASSERTIVENESS, SCREAMING, AND PHYSICAL RESISTANCE.

32. IF YOU’RE ATTACKED YOU MAY BE ABLE TO TURN THE ATTACKER OFF WITH UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR SUCH AS THROWING UP, ACTING CRAZY, OR STATING YOU HAVE A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE.

33. You have to be willing to do what it takes NOT to be a victim. NO ONE can keep you safe but YOU! This requires effort and thought on YOUR PART.