General and Office Safety

1
General and Office Safety

• Oregon State University
• Environmental Health and Safety
• 130 Oak Creek Building
• Corvallis, OR 97331
• 541-737-2273
• safety_at_oregonstate.edu

2
General Safety

• Applies to Everyone

3
Safety Rules

• Employee's Responsibility
• It is the responsibility of every employee to
  perform work in a safe manner.
• Knowledge of appropriate safe work procedures and
  safety rules is essential.
• Employees are expected to follow established
  safety rules and to maintain their work areas
  free of hazards by correcting unsafe conditions
  or by reporting them to supervisors.

4
Safety Rules (continued)

• Supervisor's Responsibilities
• Every supervisor will provide and document
  initial and continuing safety training.
• New employees experience a high number of
  injuries, primarily because they may be
  unfamiliar with proper safe work procedures.
• Guidelines for safe work practices are provided
  in the links below.
• Safety Instructions were developed to provide
  basic safety information for work environments
  found at OSU, based on prudent safety procedures
  and safety codes. Safety Instructions are helpful
  tools for initial safety training, but should not
  be considered as complete and may not include all
  necessary precautionary measures.
• Departments and supervisors are encouraged to
  establish additional safety rules appropriate for
  their work environment.
• Safety Rules/Instructions
• Acknowledgement of safety rules (form)

5
Emergencies

• (Medical emergency, fire, personal safety threat,
  etc.)

• Campus Emergency -- 737-7000
• Off-Campus Emergency -- 911
• Non-Emergency -- 737-3010

OSU Emergency Response Policy and Procedure
http//oregonstate.edu/dept/budgets/SAFManual/SAF1
02.htm
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Emergency Preparation

• The following Emergency Preparation items are
  important review them with your supervisor.
• Know the meaning of emergency warning signals in
  your work area.
• Know the location of fire alarm pull stations and
  fire extinguishers.
• Know the location of exits, escapes, and
  evacuation routes.
• Know the location of first aid kits, and how to
  report accidents.
• Know how to get help in case of an emergency.

7
Department of Public Safety and Oregon State
Police

• Department of Public Safety and Oregon State
  Police web page http//oregonstate.edu/dept/secur
  ity/home

Safety Related Services 24-hour Public
Assistance Building Access Building and
Perimeter Security Incident and Emergency
Response Provide Personal Safety Escorts
Student Medical Transport to Student Health
Center Crime Prevention Programs
8
Office Environment Safety

• Close a drawer to a filing cabinet as soon as you
  are through with it and before opening another
• Use the handle for opening and closing drawers

9
Office Environment Safety

• Do not open more than one of the top drawers at
  the same time
• Heavier materials should be kept in the lower
  drawers of filing cabinets.

10
Office Environment Safety

• Do not use electric cords which are frayed or
  defective.
• Power cords should be attached directly to the
  wall or floor outlet whenever possible.
• Do not place cords, cables, or telephone wires
  across. walkways creating a tripping hazard.

11
Office Environment Safety

• Extension cords must not be used to connect
  permanent electrical equipment.
• The only exception to this are "fused"
  multi-outlet strips which are "UL listed."

12
Report All Injuries and Unsafe Conditions To Your
Supervisor

• Failure to comply could delay correction of the
  situation that caused the injury.
• Near misses and unsafe behavior should also be
  reported.

Accident recording system http//oregonstate.edu/
ehs/sd0018 Report of Accident form
http//oregonstate.edu/admin/hr/benefits/roa.pdf
13
Possession or Use of Alcohol on State Property
Prohibited

• No worker shall report for duty, or perform
  duties, while under the influence of intoxicants.

14
Use of Narcotics or Tranquilizers During Work
Hours is Prohibited

• This includes over-the-counter medications if
  they cause drowsiness, impaired judgment, or
  diminished physical skills.
• (There may be an exemption for employees who are
  under the supervision of a physician and with the
  knowledge of their supervisor.)

15
Fighting and Horseplay Will Not be Tolerated

• This includes distracting a fellow employee.

16
Maintain Good Housekeeping

• Clean up waste materials promptly after a job is
  completed.
• Keep floors and walkways clear of clutter.

17
Smoking is Prohibited

• There is no tobacco use allowed on OSU property.
• More information can found at http//oregonstate.e
  du/smokefree/

18
Hazard Awareness Sign System

• A caution sign system has been established at
  OSU its purpose is to warn employees and
  visitors entering laboratories and other
  hazardous areas.
• The appropriate sign will be placed at entrances
  to each laboratory room or complex by
  Environmental Health Safety.
• Signs are produced by EHS, but providing
  information to keep the sign up-to-date is the
  responsibility of laboratory personnel.
• Go to the Lab Hazard Sign Request to provide
  current information to EHS.

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Hazard Awareness Sign System (cont.)

• http//oregonstate.edu/ehs/sd0028

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Hazard Awareness Sign System (cont.)

• The sign shown above will typically have only a
  few hazard symbols, as appropriate for the lab.
• All signs will contain emergency contact
  information.

21
Safeguards, Safety Devices, Notices and Warnings

• Hazard signs and barriers should not be
• Removed
• Displaced
• Damaged
• Destroyed

22
Use Approved Step Stools or Ladders

• Never use a box, bucket, chair or shelf as a
  ladder.
• Use the ladder only as it is intended.

23
Report Damaged Or Faulty Equipment

• Report to Supervisor.
• No need to report if you are qualified to repair.
• Reports of malfunctioning building equipment
  should be made to Facilities Services.

Facilities Services Work Coordination Center
(WCC) 737-2969 FacilitiesCustomerServe_at_oregonstate
.edu
24
Electrical Mechanical Repairs Are to Be
Performed by Authorized Employees Only
25
Cords and Cables

• Extension cords are not to be used as permanent
  wiring.
• The use of a "Fused UL Rated" multi-outlet strip
  is permissible as long as it is plugged directly
  into a wall outlet.
• Do not place cords, cables, or telephone wires
  across. walkways creating a tripping hazard.
• Electrical cords must be free of cracks, splices,
  frayed areas, loose connections, or other damage.
  

26
Fire Safety

• Know the location of fire alarms.
• Access to electrical panels must be free from
  obstructions.
• Burning decorative candles is prohibited.

27
Fire Safety (Continued)

• Do not hang items on fire sprinkler systems.
• Do not block or cover extinguishers, sprinkler
  heads or fire alarms.
• Do not block open fire doors.

28
Upon Discovering a Fire

• Pull Fire Alarm, or otherwise alert other
  occupants.
• Call 911 give name, department and location of
  fire.
• Small fires may be fought with fire extinguisher.
• When in doubt, get out!

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Purpose of Fire Extinguishers

• The main reasons for having fire extinguishers
  readily available are to
• Suppress a fire along an escape route so trapped
  persons can exit a burning structure.
• Extinguish or contain a fire to protect property.

Unless you have been properly trained to use a
fire extinguisher, leave firefighting to the
professionals. Remember life safety is more
important than saving property.
30
Egress From Building

• Do not block
• Aisle, passageway, hallway, stairway, or exit.
• Do not use these areas for storage.

31
Stair Safety

• Keep one hand free for the hand rail.
• Do not carry loads so large that the view of the
  treads is obscured.
• Keep stairs clear of objects.
• Pick up anything you find.

32
Chemical Safety

• Keep in mind that not all chemicals are used in
  laboratories.
• Do not remove labels from chemical containers.
• Properly dispose of hazardous materials this
  includes all types of batteries.

OSU Hazardous Materials Disposal Guide
33
Chemical Safety (Continued)

• Immediately report spills of hazardous materials
  to the Department of Public Safety (737-7000)
• Clean up spills of non- hazardous materials
  immediately, as they may pose a slip hazard.
• Place warning signs near wet areas.

EHS 737-2273 safety_at_oregonstate.edu
34
First Aid Kits and Supplies

• General
• Oregon OSHA codes require that first aid supplies
  be available in all work areas for the immediate
  treatment of minor injuries.
• First aid supplies must be stored in clearly
  marked containers and adequately protected from
  damage, deterioration, or contamination.
• Contact EHS to discuss types of first aid kits
  and training necessary for remote sites.
• Kits should be inspected monthly and supplies
  replenished when necessary.
• Safety Instruction 6 First Aid Kits and Supplies

35
Observe All Traffic Rules Regulations When
Driving

36
Vehicle Safety

• Employees are not permitted in the back of moving
  trucks.
• Drivers renting 8 passenger, 12 passenger, or
  large cargo vans from the Motor Pool have
  additional training requirements . See the
• Motor Pool Van Safety Policy

37
Office Safety

• Post emergency numbers on or near your phone.
• Know the location of the nearest fire alarms and
  exits.
• Familiarize yourself with activities being
  conducted in your building and locations of
  hazardous materials.
• Be aware of suspicious individuals or behavior.

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Comfortable Computing

• Advice for setting up your computer can
• be found in the EHS Comfortable Computing Guide
• Topics include
• Adjusting Your Workstation
• Adjusting Your Environment
• Chair Adjustment
• Work surface/Keyboard Adjustment
• Monitor Adjustment
• Workstation Accessory Adjustment
• Work Habits

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Keyboard and Mouse Use

• Warm up.
• Use correct hand position.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Ease up on your grip and hold the mouse lightly.
  It is not necessary to hold the mouse tightly.
• Relax your hand and let go of the mouse when it
  is not being used.
• Further information can be found the EHS
  Keyboard and Mouse Use Guide

40
Ergonomic Evaluations

• Upon request, Environmental Health Safety will
  perform ergonomic evaluations and make work
  station recommendations.

41
Back Care and Lifting
42
Back Injuries

• Some back injuries involve the soft tissue that
  is the muscle, ligament type injury.
• A more serious injury occurs when the discs of
  the spine are involved.

43
Disc Herniation Factors

• Many factors increase the risk for disc
  herniation
• Lifestyle choices such as tobacco use, lack of
  regular exercise, and inadequate nutrition
  substantially contribute to poor disc health.

• As the body ages, natural biochemical changes
  cause discs
• to gradually dry out affecting disc strength
  and resiliency.
• Poor posture combined with the habitual use of
  incorrect
• body mechanics stresses the lumbar spine and
  affects its
• normal ability to carry the bulk of the
  body's weight.

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Disc Problems

• Combine these factors with the effects from daily
  wear and tear, injury, incorrect lifting, or
  twisting and it is easy to understand why a disc
  may herniate. For example, lifting something
  incorrectly can cause disc pressure to rise to
  several hundred pounds per square inch!
• A herniation may develop suddenly or gradually
  over weeks or months.

45
Safe Lifting
Carrying the load

• Hold the load close so you can see over it.
• Keep the load balanced.
• Avoid twisting the body.
• Watch out for pinch points -- doorways, etc.
• Face the way you will be moving.

46
Safe Lifting
For those Awkward Moments...

• If you must lift or lower from a high place
• Stand on a platform instead of a ladder.
• Lift the load in smaller pieces if possible.
• Push the load to see how heavy and stable it is.
• Slide the load as close to yourself as possible
  before lifting up or down.
• Get help when needed to avoid an injury.

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Safe Lifting
From hard-to-get-at places...

• Get as close to the load as possible.
• Keep back straight, stomach muscles tight.
• Push buttocks out behind you.
• Bend your knees.
• Use leg, stomach, and buttock muscles to lift --
  not your back.

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Safe Lifting
Use Your Head and Save Your Back!

• Bend your knees - not your back!

• Let your legs do the lifting

• STAND close to the load

Get Help with heavy or awkward loads!
Use the right tools!
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Push and Pull in the Right Direction

• Pushing is preferred over pulling because it
  requires less muscle effort to the low back plus
  increases your visibility.
• Lighten the load when possible.
• Make sure items are secured to equipment and they
  do not obstruct your vision.
• Maintain neutral posture. Do not bend or twist at
  the back.

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Additional Safety Instructions

• 15 Fire Safety A Safe Quick Exit
• 5 Unsafe Condition Notice
• 3 Unsafe Conditions Top Ten  

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Useful Links

• OSU Safety Policies and Procedures
• http//oregonstate.edu/dept/budgets/SAFManual/SAFT
  OC.htm
• OSU safety documents
• http//oregonstate.edu/ehs/safety-instructions
• OSU Environmental Health and Safety web page
• http//oregonstate.edu/ehs/
• OSU Environmental Health and Safety contacts
• http//oregonstate.edu/ehs/staff

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Office Safety Training Acknowledgement

• Click on the link below for the acknowledgment
  form
• Online Training Acknowledgement