Safety, Environmental and Sustainability Awareness

1. This course contains optional audio. To listen to the course, make sure your audio is NOT set to mute. Safety, Environmental and Sustainability Awareness An Online Program for NOAA Employees Welcome to NOAA’s Safety Environmental and Sustainability Awareness program. We're glad you could join us. In addition you will notice captioning across the bottom of the slides when there is audio that does not correspond to text on the slide. After a brief introduction to our topic, there will be information on how to navigate through this course. Let's start with a very important question. Why is Safety Awareness so important?

2. Why is Safety Awareness Important?

3. As a NOAA employee, you are expected to follow all safety and environmental rules and procedures. Course Purpose This course provides a basic overview of NOAA’s safety, health, environmental compliance, and sustainability requirements. • This course does not satisfy program-specific or requirement-specific training necessary to execute certain safety or environmental duties. This course should take approximately 1 hour to complete.

4. Evaluation of your learning 4 Knowledge Checks: you will be evaluated on your knowledge by answering questions throughout the course. There is a Knowledge Check for each topic in the course. Respond to each question in the Knowledge Check and click on the “Submit” button to advance. Given that this course meets mandatory training requirements, you will be evaluated on your knowledge by answering questions throughout the course There may be additional Safety related training you are required to complete, depending on your position and responsibilities. So, please coordinate with your Supervisor to determine if there are additional training requirements.

5. Focus to learn Click the round “arrow” button below to advance to the next slide. How to exit or resume How to navigate Take these steps: Turn off your cell and office phones. Exit email. Place a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door or cubicle. Be familiar with course elements. To get the most out of this course, please take these steps to help you focus to learn: Click on the tabs in the upper right hand corner to view the important files and links, like How to Verify Course Completion and Instructions for Printing a Certificate For instructions on how to navigate through this course, click on the How to Navigate button on your screen. For instructions on how to exit or resume this course, click on How to exit or resume.

6. How to navigate this online course You can also use the right and left arrow buttons on your keyboard to move to the next or previous slide. Note This screen describes the course navigation buttons. You can use these buttons to:

7. Navigation panel • Use the navigation panel on the left side of your screen to move to specific sections or topics. • Expand or collapse sections by clicking on the white triangle. Notice the panel to the left of your screen.

8. Close the window by clicking the in the upper right hand corner and then • In the Learning Center, click the round “Exit” buttonin the course window. To exit the course before completing: Your place will be “bookmarked” so you can return to the course where you left off.

9. To resume the course • Click the “my training plan” button, and then click on the course link. The Resume Course pop-up window appears: 2) Click on “Yes” (To start over again, click “No”) To resume the course, you will need to re-enter the NOAA Learning Center.

10. Goals and Objectives Work in a safe and healthy work setting Protect the Earth’s environment Improve environmental sustainability As NOAA works every day to achieve its missions, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, contractors, interns, collaborators, tenants, the communities we serve, and our environmental resources. NOAA’s goals are clear. NOAA is committed to provide a workplace environment free from known hazards that could place employees at risk of injury. We will conduct our activities so as to cause no harm to the environment and we will comply with all permits and requirements. We will continually strive to improve environmental sustainability by: conserving energy, water, and other valuable resources; increasing the use of renewable energy; reducing our carbon footprint; by recycling; and implementing other similar initiatives.

11. Safety Awareness means … If you see something, say something! Better yet, DO something! Immediately correct unsafe conditions and unsafe acts that are in your control! All NOAA employees must follow all safety and environmental rules and procedures.: Immediately correct unsafe condition and unsafe acts that are in your control! If an unsafe act or unsafe condition that you see is beyond your control, bring it to the attention of your supervisor or project leader right away. If you are a supervisor, you must ensure that programs, procedures, and training systems are in place to protect your employees and the environment, and to comply with all requirements.

12. Key resources Tip: In addition, bookmark this page for easy reference. http://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.html (OSHA's publication webpage). Although many publications from this site are referenced in this training, many more may be of particular interest to you. Find NOAA’s Safety and Environmental Compliance Office webpage at the url documented below. URL: http://www.seco.noaa.gov/ Additional safety information and links to OSHA’s Publications is offered in the Resources Tab of this course to provide further details on requirements and hazards of interest. A key resource for you to use during this course and on the job is NOAA’s Safety and Environmental Compliance Office web page. This web page contains information on program standards, training, and incident reporting requirements. The url address is displayed on the slide: http://www.seco.noaa.gov/. The image is actually a hyperlink that will take you to the page if you wish. Then, you might want to bookmark this page in your browser for easy access later.

13. Action Item: contact your supervisor for your specific safety training requirements. Your Point of Contact: Line Office Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer Contact Your Supervisor …. If you are unsure about who your compliance officer is, please call: 301-713-2870 (Safety & Environmental Compliance Office - SECO) A listing of Environmental Compliance Officers by office is located in the Resources Tab. As stated earlier, this course give you a basic overview of NOAA’s safety, health, environmental compliance, and sustainability requirements. It does not satisfy program-specific or requirement-specific training that are necessary in your specific office or with your position to execute certain safety or environmental duties.

14. Topics of InterestTo learn more, select the topic • Incident Reporting • Policies and Programs • Common Injuries • Fires and Other Emergencies • Driving • Selected Safety Topics Course Conclusion • Sustainability • Environmental Compliance Now that we have introduced the course and we know our goals and objectives, we are ready to learn about safety topics of interest. As displayed on the slide, this course is divided into eight topics. The topics displayed are the ones you should at least know about and where to get assistance if or when you need it. Select the one you would like to learn about first. Please note that you will be able to navigate to topics in the order you choose, but you will be required to view all of them in order to complete the course. Select the Course Conclusion button after you have viewed all the topics.

15. Policies and Program Overview NOAA and all of us as employees must meet certain requirements for: Occupational Safety and Health Environmental Compliance Sustainability First, let’s review the NOAA policies and programs that relate to Occupational Safety and Health.

16. 1. NOAA’s Safety Policy (NAO 209-1) and Programs • Occupational Safety and Health Act NOAA Safety Policy • To see the entire policy, go to the Resources Tab. • Comply with safety rules and policies, including attending training. • Report unsafe conditions and safety incidents to your supervisor. • Perform work that does not jeopardize you, your fellow workers, or the public. If you are a Supervisor, you have additional training requirements. Click here for more information. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (29 CFR 1960.8) requires NOAA to furnish employees with a workplace that is free from known hazards. Following safe procedures is actually a condition of employment for all employees.

17. NOAA Safety Policy 209-1 • Employees have a right to decline to perform their assigned task because … • …of a reasonable belief that the task or situation poses an imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm, and, • There is insufficient time to reduce the risk through normal hazard reporting and abatement procedures…” A link to the entire policy can be found on the SECO webpage (http://www.seco.noaa.gov/Policies/NOAAorders.html)

18. Knowledge Check: Safety Policy

19. NOAA’s Safety Programs • Hazard-Specific programs for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Compliance and Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines are at the site level. • Examples of NOAA-wide programs: • Dive Safety • Aviation Safety • Small Boat Safety • New programs continually develop for emerging issues. Talk to your supervisor or project leader about the hazard and program-specific training for your job!

20. 2. NOAA’s Environmental Compliance Program (NAO 216-17) • Describes roles and responsibilities for all levels in NOAA • Environment regulations require NOAA to protect the environment, prevent pollution, and prevent degradation of natural resources (40 CFR) • Violations may result in criminal and civil penalties and monetary fines

21. 3. NOAA’s Sustainability Program For more information, visit http://www.fedcenter.gov/programs/sustainability/ Who is Responsible? YOU! Executive Leadership Line Office Leadership and Staff positions All NOAA Employees Contractors Executive Orders 13423 and 13514 require that NOAA ensures sustainable operations. NOAA is responsible in how we manage people, natural resources, and productivity. To learn more about this program, review the Sustainability topic found in this course. Please note, the material presented in this course represents only some of NOAA’s requirements for Sustainability.

22. Common Injuries • Slips, Trips, and Falls • Are the number one cause of lost time injuries at NOAA in fiscal year 2010–2011. • These injuries occur in laboratories, hallways, doorways, sidewalk, roads, boats, ships, docks and ramps, shops, intertidal zones, icy and snowy parking lots, and streams, just to name a few places. • Result in broken bones, sprains, and more This topic covers Common Injuries. As in many organizations, NOAA employees are often hurt when they slip, trip, and fall. These injuries can occur anywhere and are often serious and may result in broken bones, strains or sprains.

23. What Can You Do? Take action! *Only trained employees can clean up chemical, human blood and body fluid, and other hazardous spills. If you’re not trained, you can keep people away from the area by posting a sign or roping it off, and wait at a safe location, until help arrives. Clean a spill that can cause a slip* Repair hazards wherever possible Warn others if you know about a hazard that’s not obvious Use protective gear (for example, wear slip-resistant shoes, put down slip-proof mats) where hazards can’t be otherwise controlled If you observe a slippery condition or trip hazard, take immediate action to correct the hazard, if you can and warn others of the hazard! Note the fourth item on the list: Employees who work in potentially slippery higher risk areas may need to use slip-resistant footwear or other walking aides. In some instances, matting/floor/deck treatments to increase surface friction/grip may be required where standing water or exposure to the weather is an issue.

24. Falls from Heights • You may be interested in the following topic on the OSHA Publications webpage: Fall Protection in General Industry QuickCard™. FIRST: wherever possible, is to put guardrails around unprotected sides, edges, or floor openings, and hand rails on stairs. SECOND: provide special equipment (like harnesses and lanyards) and special training to use fall protection equipment in situations where employees are working near or around unprotected sides, edges, or floor openings, and where guardrails can’t be installed. If there is a risk of falling from a height of 4 feet or more onto dangerous equipment, a hazardous environment or onto an impalement hazard, the following actions should be taken: Falls from heights (such as stairs, ladders, roofs, or scaffolds, working areas on ships) may cause serious injuries or even death. Per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.23, “Walking-Working Surfaces” fall protection must be provided to personnel exposed to fall hazards on any elevated walking/ working surface with unprotected sides, edges, or floor openings, from which there is a possibility of falling four feet or more to a lower level, or where there is a possibility of a fall from any height onto dangerous equipment, into a hazardous environment, or onto an impalement hazard. Falls overboard from a vessel are characterized as a fall into a hazardous environment.

25. Minimize your risk of falling!A few reminders …. • NEVERuse a chair instead of a ladder or a stool! • ALWAYSuse the hand rail when climbing or descending stairs. Never carry so much while using the stairs that you have to use both hands to hold the carried items. • If you have MOBILITY ISSUES, use the elevator whenever possible. • Take your time! People can sometimes miss steps when they are in a hurry. • LADDERS: Follow safe practices such as: face the ladder when going up or down, secure the ladder, and maintain a three-point contact, (for example, both feet, one hand)

26. Do not lift things that weigh too much or lift incorrectly. Sprains and Strains Quick tips to avoid a back injury: Get a good grip on your object. Bend with your knees, not your back! Keep your back straight and avoid twisting. Get help lifting a really heavy object. Use carts, dallies, hand trucks instead of trying to carry an item yourself over a long distance. If you have to carry a load, do it close to your body and at waist level. Store objects at waist level. The most significant category of strains and sprains are back injuries, which was the number one lost time injury for NOAA employees in fiscal year 2010–2011. These soft tissue injuries are painful, disabling and often accompanied by lengthy recovery periods. Maintaining good physical fitness is essential to avoid sprains and strains. Most strains and sprains affect the back, arms, and shoulders. Lifting, twisting, pushing, and overreaching, often in awkward positions, are common causes of strains and sprains. Any job that requires you to sit or stand bent in an awkward position for long periods of time will cause excess stress and strain on muscles. Many strains and sprains occur because of poor material handling.

27. Strains & Sprains: Tips and Resources Tip Sheet: Back Safety and Ergonomics (Resources Tab) OSHA Fact Sheet on Laboratory Ergonomics (OSHA Publications webpage) • NOTE: workstation adjustments to accommodate a physical condition should be handled as a reasonable accommodation. • To learn more: http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/~civilr/reas_acc.pdfQuestions? Debbie Ferrara, WFMO at  (816) 426-7822. • If you work in the Washington, D.C. area, and want to get a free workstation assessment through CAPTEC, go to the link in the Resources tab in this course.

28. Good Housekeeping to Prevent Injuries Keep your office/workstation free from obstructions At meetings: Tape down AV equipment cords (use bright-colored tape) Keep floors clean and dry Clear walkways of wires, cords, and hoses Put tools and other materials away Clear away clutter and trash Organize and label workspaces to make sure things are put away properly Poor housekeeping is a major contributor to both slip/trip/fall injuries as well as strains/sprains from lifting, pushing, pulling, etc. Improving housekeeping will not only make the workplace much safer for our employees, but it also leads to improved efficiency. The Slip/Trip/Fall Prevention Program at each NOAA Line and Staff Office should include housekeeping standards (as appropriate) within its buildings, structures, aircraft, vessels, and grounds. At a minimum, the program should include the following provisions to remove trip hazards promptly: Keep your office/workstation free from obstructions that could be trip hazards including open file cabinets, stacked files and books on the floor, potted plants and other objects on the floor. During meetings and presentations, make sure cords for audiovisual equipment are taped down with a bright-colored duct tape. If cords, wires, and hoses are placed temporarily in walkways, use controls (such as warning signs, barriers, protective covers, and cord organizers) to reduce trip hazards.

29. Knowledge Check: Common Injuries

30. Incident Reporting If you have a workplace incident, report it. This is not an option! In accordance with the NOAA Safety Policy (CAO 209-1 3.07 (d), all workplace incidents must be reported within 24 hours to management levels responsible for conducting the incident investigation and the Director of SECO via the online reporting system. Supervisors must report serious incidents within 8 hours.   • Serious incidents involve: • A fatality • 3 or more employees hospitalized overnight • A loss exceeding $1 million • An incident with the potential for any of the above To report the incident: Use the on-line reporting system: https://ops13web.nws.noaa.gov/accform/acc_info.info_scn This system may also be accessed via the SECO website. http://www.seco.noaa.gov/incident_reporting/ If you have a workplace incident, report it immediately to your Supervisor. This is not an option! NOAA no longer uses Form CD-137 (Report of Injury, Illness, Accident or Fatality). Instead NOAA now uses the on-line reporting system noted above. NOAA Ships must continue to submit their accident reports via the MOC Accident Report (MOC 137) electronic reporting system, which, in turn, will be entered into the online reporting system

31. Incident Reporting: You Can Never Tell A near miss Any injury, even while teleworking Work-related medical conditions (carpal tunnel syndrome, radiation exposure, hearing loss) Work-related illnesses which may involve exposure to chemical, physical (sun, heat, cold, noise), and/or biological agents (bacterial, viral) directly or through animal bites, scratches or stings, aerosols in necropsies, exposure to human blood/fluids, etc. Work-related injury or medical condition to a contractor, visitor, volunteer, student, intern, etc. An environmental release or spill Fires Damage to vessels and vehicles and other property damage, even where there are no injuries Other, less serious workplace incidents must also be reported to your supervisor immediately. Once the verbal report is received, the supervisor must report the details via the on-line incident reporting system within 24 hours. Incidents that require on-line reporting include:

32. In case of injury Need to fill out a workers’ compensation claim form for an injury or illness? Go to the “Worker’s Compensation Claims and Forms” link in the Resources Tab of this course to learn more. Seek treatment Call 9-1-1 for a serious injury Your supervisor needs to report the injury on the on-line reporting system: https://ops13web.nws.noaa.gov/accform/acc_info.info_scn When a minor work-related illness or injury occurs, you should seek initial treatment at NOAA health units where available. On board NOAA ships, employees should seek assistance from the medical person-in-charge.

33. Exposures and Injuries Employees Sometimes Don’t Take Seriously Enough Find references for these topics and more on the OSHA Publications webpage. Human Blood and Body Fluid Exposure • OSHA Bloodborne - Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Fact Sheet Bites, Scratches, and Stings • Rodents, Snakes, and Insects QuickCardTM Heat and Cold Stress • Cold Stress QuickCardTM • Heat Illness: Health Effects of Heat Worksite, Poster • Heat Stress QuickCard™ • Heat Illness: Protecting Yourself in the Sun If you are in a remote location, have a plan to respond to any medical emergencies that may occur. Exposures from being punctured by a needle stick contaminated with human blood, or human blood/ body fluids exposure with broken skin or mucous membranes (nose, mouth), should be taken seriously and reported to your supervisor immediately so the exposure can be evaluated. Animal bites, scratches and stings may lead to infections, diseases that animals can transmit to humans (zoonoses), and other potentially serious medical problems and should be reported and evaluated immediately. Bee and wasp stings have the potential to develop severe complications (allergic reaction, reaction to venom, etc.). Employees with known bee allergies are encouraged to carry their own doctor-prescribed epinephrine in the event that they are stung in a remote location. Some animals and spiders are venomous (spiders, snakes). A thorough risk assessment of field work should include procedures for dealing with animal, insect and spider encounters. Many NOAA employees conduct their work outdoors. Illness from heat and cold stress can be fatal! You might find it worthwhile to check out the OSHA publications listed on the slide.

34. Injury Prevention: What Can You Do? States* of mind that may lead to many accidents: • Rushing • Frustration • Fatigue • Complacency • Other states of mind and body that may lead to accidents: illness, depression, fear, panic, and elation Being self-aware when you’re doing your work, may make the difference in being able to avoid an accident. *Gary Higbee 2012

35. Injury Prevention: What Can You Do?Report Unsafe/Unhealthful Acts & Conditions Immediately correct unsafe conditions and acts that are in your control! If it is beyond your control, bring it to the attention of: • Your immediate supervisor or team leader first, • If you can’t find anyone to respond, talk to your local, regional or national Line or Staff Office safety and environmental compliance officer • If you can’t find anyone in your line to respond, contact NOAA’s Safety and Environmental Compliance Office, SECO@noaa.govor call (301) 713-2870. • You may use form CD-351 and email to SECO@noaa.gov if time permits (Resources Tab). According to the NOAA Safety Policy, employees must “promptly report all unsafe conditions … to their immediate supervisor … .”

36. Knowledge Check: Incident Reporting

37. Fires and Other Emergencies Despite all of our efforts, emergencies may happen anyway. Prepare now to take action! An emergency is a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or environment. Most emergencies require urgent intervention to prevent things going from bad to worse. Sometimes it’s not possible to help or control the situation — in such cases, we may only be able to help in the aftermath. But we can take steps to prepare for emergencies. Please advance to the next slide to review these steps.

38. Steps to Prepare for Emergencies Learn all your office and building emergency action plans and emergency telephone reporting numbers. Practice emergency drills. Know how to report fires, chemical spills, other emergencies. Know how to find and use fire alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency exits, evacuation chairs, Automated External Defibrillators (AED), first aid equipment and supplies. Recognize alarm signals that will tell you to evacuate or take other action. Alarms may be audible and/or visual. Know and walk to your evacuation routes and rally points. Check in with your floor monitor when you are safely out of the building. Locate shelter areas.

39. Make an Emergency Kit A supply of essential medication Bottled water High energy snacks Personal hygiene items Walking shoes Small flashlight Loud whistle Make a personal emergency kit for the office in case you must shelter in place that contains at least these items:

40. In Case of a Natural Disaster Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, wind storms, earthquakes, and tsunamis are a possibility in many NOAA locations. You must call the Emergency Contact Data phone number (888) NOAA- 911  so NOAA will know where you are and if you are all right. Never approach a fallen overhead power line. Always assume that a fallen line is live. Certain locations have periodic drills.Talk with your supervisor to see if your location holds drills. When a natural disaster strikes, you may not be physically in the office or on duty and easily be accounted for. Trees and other structures falling down on outside electrical lines from these events can cause down electrical lines in roads and walkways.

41. In Case of Fire Stay calm and assess the scene. Only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is very small and you are trained to use one. Activate the fire alarm (pull station) or call 9-1-1 to notify the fire department immediately. Evacuate. • Opposite direction of fire • Close doors that you exit • Use stairs – not elevators Fires are relatively rare, which means we’re often less prepared to deal with them properly. Here’s what to do if there’s a fire: If a fire is in your building, you must get out immediately! Smoke can make it difficult to see, so learn the best way to exit your building now. Before a fire even happens, plan different escape routes so you can escape in the opposite direction from the fire, and talk with co-workers about different ways to get out.

42. Fire and Smoke During an Evacuation • Check closed doors before you open them- hot to touch? Don’t go that way if you have a choice! • Where there is smoke… • Drop down to the floor • Cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth to breathe through • Where there is fire… • Shield yourself with coat or jacket- wet if possible • If you are on fire: STOP, DROP, and ROLL Protect yourself! Fire and Smoke During an Evacuation: Here are a few strategies to protect yourself:

43. Shelter-in-Place (SIP) In the event of a terrorist threat/attack, toxic chemical spill (ex. railway or highway accidents) or severe weather event: • Shelter-in-place means staying inside. Your emergency team will have procedures to seal the building (windows, doors), shut down ventilation, gather at safe shelter points in the building. Drills are important! • Communication with external emergency responders- to initiate and end the shelter-in-place action. • How likely? Depends on where you are located. • How much you have to do depends on what you’re building/ campus is like. Another topic related to emergency response that you should be aware of is Shelter-in-Place. In the event of a terrorist threat, attack, major toxic spill, or severe weather event, you may need to Shelter In Place (SIP). SIP events may last up to 24 hours, but are expected only to last 2 to 4 hours.

44. Knowledge Check: Fires and Other Emergencies

45. Selected Safety Topics • Managing Risk by Controlling Hazards • Everyday Electrical Safety • Chemical Hazards • Radioactive Materials This section of the course, Selected Safety Topics, provides tips and information on a variety of topics. Let’s start with some tips to keep in mind on controlling hazards in general.

46. Managing Risk by Controlling Hazards RISK is a combination of how bad an outcome is, and how likely it is to occur. • For example, a high risk is one where the outcome is very bad and it is very likely to happen. • You want to add controls to work activities with a higher risk of bad or adverse outcomes. Ways to control risk: • Engineering control examples: guardrails, chemical fume hoods, portable blowers, biological safety cabinets, sound barriers • Administrative controls examples: procedures, signs, enforced breaks and time limits • Personal protective equipment examples: gloves, boots, goggles, safety glasses, respirators, ear plugs and muffs, fall protection equipment, etc. This slide presents different means that should be implemented to control hazards in the workplace. They are categorized as: Engineering, Administrative, and Personal protective. To determine what types of controls to implement, you need to assess the risk. So, what is risk? Now that we know what level of risk we have to manage, what controls can we put in place?

47. Managing Risk by Controlling Hazards, cont’d. • Check with your supervisor! Related OSHA Publicationswebpage: • Personal Protective Equipment Fact Sheet • Respirators QuickCard™ • Hearing Conservation • Confined Spaces: Permit-Required Confined Spaces QuickCard™ Continuing our discussion of Controlling Hazards, when establishing controls, use them in this order: There should be written evaluations for personal protective equipment you need to do your job. Check with your supervisor!

48. Everyday Electrical Safety Rules for the following: • Extension Cords • Power Strips • Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Print out the Power Strip and Extension Cord Poster as a guide, available in the Resources Tab of this course. On the OSHA Publicationswebpage, you will find: • Laboratory Safety: Electrical Hazards Quick Facts • Electrical Safety QuickCard™ • Electricity: Working Safely with Electricity Fact Sheet • Lockout/Tagout Fact Sheet (related to Equipment Repair)

49. Rules for Extension Cords • Do not use extension cords as a substitute for fixed wiring. Extension cords in place of temporary wiring may be used for 90 days or less. • Never “daisy-chain” power strips or extension cords. “Daisy-chaining” is plugging one power strip or extension into another one, into another one etc., • Never run extension cords through holes in walls, floors, or windows. • When an extension cord becomes frayed, cut the plugs from the cord and throw it out. • When you are finished using an extension cord- put it away!

50. Rules for Power StripsFYI: OSHA calls these “Relocatable Power Taps” or RPT’s • ONE power strip per outlet. • DO NOT plug the following items into power strips: UPS’s, toasters, refrigerators, microwaves, hot plates, coffee makers, space heaters, other high amperage appliances, other power strips Special rules apply to the use of space heaters. Go to the Resources Tab of this course for more information.