STATEMENT OF SAFETY

Safety is not the job of any one person. Rather it requires the coordinated efforts of all the staff working together as a team to prevent accidents and work related injuries. The first line of safety comes with recognizing potential dangers, and then having the knowledge to effectively deal with that danger. Safety is something which needs to be taken seriously, and applies to every person within the campus. Clerical and office workers face safety issues unique to their environment, as does the health care workers, maintenance personnel, instructors, professors, and work study students. However, since many employees and departments work together, and work environments are dynamic rather than static, the safety issues of one may be applicable to another.

This book is intended to bring awareness of the common safety issues faced by UMF employees, although it is important to keep in mind that safety isn’t limited to the work place. The safety practices outlined in the preceding pages can be used in every day life, at the work place and in the home. It is important to note the information provided serves as general guidelines as cited from OSHA standards and adopted by the university. For clarification and further information regarding safety, please contact Bob Lawrence, Safety Officer, located at facilities management.

Purpose:

To get a better understanding of blood borne pathogens, and prevent the transmission of disease.

Definition of Blood borne Pathogens:

OSHA defines blood borne pathogens as pathogenic microorganisms that are present in blood, blood components, and products made from human blood and body fluids and can cause cause disease for humans. These pathogens include but are not limited to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Pathogens are spread when a contaminated object touches: skin abrasions, eyes, nose, mouth, open wounds, or inflamed skin.

Hazards:

- Exposure to contaminated blood or body fluids could lead to the transmission of the diseases (HBV) and (HIV).

Precautions:

- Use universal precautions by treating all blood as though it is contaminated.

- Wash hands with soap and warm water.

- If there is a potential to being exposed to blood or bodily fluids, get a HBV vaccination.

- Always wear personal protective equipment when its reasonably anticipated that the employee may have contact with blood. Personal protective equipment includes gloves, goggles, and masks to cover both nose and mouth.

- All equipment and environment working surfaces shall be decontaminated with appropriate disinfectant immediately or as soon as possible.

- Broken glassware which may be contaminated shall be picked up by mechanical means and not by hands.

Those at Risk:

Custodians, public safety personnel, maintenance personnel, and all employees who may come into contact with infectious materials, such as items contaminated by blood, or body fluids.

References:

EZ facts, Blood borne Pathogens. (29CFR 1910.1030) OSHA Standard.

Purpose:

To make all UMF employees aware of the chemicals, which have become a necessary part of many work environments, and to help employees get a better understanding of how to properly handle those chemicals. This programs intent is to prevent injuries and maintain a safe work environment.

Definition of Hazardous Communication:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) first established the Hazardous Communication Standard, or the Right-to-Know Law in November of 1983. The hole function of Hazardous Communication is to identify all chemicals in the workplace, and evaluate them for safe handling. This information is to be made available to employers as well as employees by way of a Hazardous Communications program, chemical and, or container labeling, material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and employee training. The Hazard Communication (Right-to-Know) standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) has six categories:

1) Hazard Determination: (29 CFR 1910.1200 (d)).

2) Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS): (29 CFR 1910.1200 (d)).

3) Chemical Labeling: (29 CFR 1910.1200 (d)).

4) Employee Training: (29 CFR 1910.1200 (d)).

5) The Written Program: (29 CFR 1910.1200 (d)).

6) Trade Secrets: (29 CFR 1910.1200 (d)).

Please refer to the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) for the specifics of the above listed categories located at Facilities Management.

Hazards:

As employees it is your right to have information made available to you concerning the chemicals in the work place. But, the program is only as good as the employees knowledge of its components: hazard evaluation, warning labels, MSDS’s, employee training, and a written program. Failure to comply with the standard can result in unnecessary injuries to employees. Exposure to chemicals from mishandling can cause a variety of illnesses, and in some cases death. For this reason it is vitally important to be aware of all chemicals in the work place.

Precautions:

It is the employers responsibility to update the Comprehensive Hazcom program when needed. It is the employees responsibility to use the program effectively. A good understanding and effective use of the program by employees is all they will need to prevent injuries and work place illnesses related to chemical exposure.

Those at Risk:

Custodians, laboratory personal, maintenance personnel, contracted services, such as; plumbers, carpenters, welders, electricians, masons, inspectors, or any personnel who have the risk of exposure to chemicals in the work place.

References:

The Hazard Communication (Right-to-Know) standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200.