University of Alaska Fairbanks
THE SAFETY SENTINEL
| UAF Codes and Safety |
October 2001 |
"Safety Demands Responsibility"
IN THIS ISSUE
Next Issue: November 2001
Questions or comments regarding The Safety Sentinel can be directed to Annette Chism, UAF Safety Officer, fnapr@uaf.edu
Message
from the Director
Edie Curry
October is Fire Prevention Month
While fire departments throughout the Fairbanks North Star
Borough will be providing as assortment of fire prevention programs, I would
like to address one specific topic. Candles!
According to NFPA home fires caused by candles have doubled over the last
decade. In 1998, there were 12, 540
fires caused by candles and out of those fires, 157 people died.
Almost half of home candle fires start in the bedroom and the month of
December, historically, has had almost twice the number of candle related fires
than any other month.
The demand for candles has increased drastically over the
years. There are now candles for
almost anything. Every color, every
size, and every shape imaginable; including those marketed to young children.
37% of the fires were started because candles were left
unattended, abandoned or inadequately controlled. 19% occurred because some form of combustible material was
left too close to the candle.
In 1998 direct property damage from home candle fires was
approximately 176.1 million dollars.
NFPA’s vice president for public education, states “while candles
create a beautiful atmosphere and are especially popular around the holidays, it
is important to remember that safe use of candles is the only way to use them in
any room. Experts agree it is
too risky to leave a lit candle burning in a room where no one is present, or
where you’ll fall asleep.”
While individuals may use candles in their homes, I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that no lit candles are allowed at UAF. Also the holiday season is fast approaching. Codes and Safety will be providing holiday safety tips in the upcoming editions of the Safety Sentinel.
Until then, I would encourage you to continue reading the monthly Safety Sentinel for useful safety information. If, at any time, you have questions or concerns regarding safety, please feel free to call us at x5413 or send us a note, fycodes@uaf.edu
Fire Safety 101
A Factsheet for Colleges and Universities
Every year college and university students experience a growing number of fire-related emergencies. There are several causes for these fires; however, most are due to a general lack of knowledge about fire safety and prevention.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) offers these tips to help reduce and prevent the loss of life and property in dormitory and university housing fires.
THE FACTS
In cases where fire fatalities occurred on college campuses, alcohol was a factor. There is a strong link between alcohol and fire deaths. In many adult fire fatalities, victims were under the influence at the time of the fire. Alcohol abuse often impairs judgment and hampers evacuation efforts. Cooking is the leading cause of fire injuries on college campuses, closely followed by careless smoking and arson.
THE CAUSE
Many factors contribute to the problem of dormitory housing
fires.
Improper use of 911 notification systems delays emergency response.
Student apathy is prevalent. Many are unaware that fire is a risk or threat
in the environment.
Evacuation efforts are hindered since fire alarms are often ignored.
Building evacuations are delayed due to lack of preparation and pre-planning.
Vandalized and improperly maintained smoke alarms and fire alarm systems inhibit
early detection of fires.
Misuse of cooking appliances, overloaded electrical circuits and extension cords
increase the risk of fires.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Provide students with a program for fire safety and prevention.
Teach students how to properly notify the fire department using the 911 system.
Install smoke alarms in every dormitory room and every level of housing facilities.
Maintain, regularly test smoke alarms & fire alarms systems. Replace smoke
alarm batteries per semester.
Regularly inspect rooms and buildings for fire hazards. Ask your local
fire department for assistance.
Inspect exit doors and windows and make sure they are working properly.
Create, update detailed floor plans, make available to emergency personnel,
RA's, & students.
Conduct fire drills, practice escape routes, evacuation plans. Urge students
to take each alarm seriously.
Do not overload electrical outlets and make sure extension cords are used properly.
Learn to properly use and maintain heating and cooking appliances.
For more information contact:
The United States Fire Administration
Office of Fire Management Programs
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Visit the USFA website: www.usfa.fema.gov
Visit the Kid's Page: www.usfa.fema.gov/kids
Ergonomics Program
(By Annette Chism, Safety Officer)
During the past 12 months Codes and Safety has been developing a campus wide Ergonomics Program. The program consists of three parts: 1. Employee Training, 2. Evaluation, and 3. Corrective Action. I held employee training in ergonomics twice a month over an 8 month period in 2000 and 2001. Only a small number of employees took advantage of this free training.
I decided to take my show "on the road" in May of 2001. What this means is I will come to your department staff meetings. The class takes roughly 45 minutes with a 10 minute video. After the class I will then set up individual evaluations with anyone who attended the class and is interested in an evaluation. Keep in mind that not everyone who attends the training will feel they need a formal evaluation. A lot of times the educational information they get at the training leads them to make changes to the workstations on their own. Any department head, supervisor, or employee who would like me to present the ergonomics class in their office, just give Codes and Safety a call at 474-5413.
To date 157 employees have attended the training session and 87 employees have had a full ergonomic evaluation at their workstation.
5 Common Myths About Your Eyes
There's nothing you can do to prevent
sight loss.
FACT: Wearing eye protection when working with shop tools, playing
sports or using pesticides will help save your sight.
Reading in dim light will hurt your eyes.
FACT: It may cause eye fatigue, but reading with too little light
won't harm your eyes.
Failure to use your glasses will hurt your
eyes.
FACT: While corrective lenses are needed to improve eyesight, using
your eyes without them won't incur any further damage.
You don't need an eye examination unless
you're having vision problems.
FACT: Having your eyes examined regularly ensures that hidden problems
won't go undetected.
Eating carrots will improve your eyesight.
FACT: Although the vitamin A in carrots is essential, only a small
amount is necessary for good vision and eating carrots will not further your
eyesight.
(Source: Prevent Blindness America)
Put a Lid on Office Flames
If you or someone in your area works with flammable substances, there are certain precautions you should take. Workplaces are required to follow National Fire Protection Association guidelines and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards on flammable substances. Check with Codes and Safety (474-5413) on how to follow specific guidelines. In the meantime, here are some basic safety rules everyone should know when working with or near flammable materials.
Keep flammable substances in appropriate containers and label them "flammable." Arrange your work area so that spills would be prevented from spreading.
Store flammable materials away from ignition sources, such as hot surfaces, sparks from electrical or welding equipment, and open flames.
Be sure there's adequate ventilation. Store all flammable substances separately from general storage items.
Never smoke or light a match near any flammable substance.
DID YOU KNOW?
Most residential fires occur between 8 PM and 8 AM. Fire fatalities occur in greater numbers between midnight and 4 AM.
PREVENT = Fire Safety
Plan Ahead. Install smoke detectors and replace batteries every six months. Map two escape routes from each bedroom - the normal exit and another exit through a door or a window. Install escape ladders for the second floor. Practice opening windows and fix jammed windows immediately. Always close bedroom doors while sleeping. Reason: It takes fire 10 to 15 minutes to burn through a wooden door.
Realize the Danger of Smoke. It only takes one or two minutes to succumb to smoke inhalation. Smoke and heat rise, so instruct family members to drop on hands and knees and crawl to the nearest exit. Test all closed doors before opening them. If a door is hot, don't open it. Stuff the cracks with towels or clothing and cover vents to keep out smoke. Use your alternate escape route instead.
Establish a Safe Meeting Place. Find a place for all family members to meet once outside the house, such as a neighbor's driveway or across the street. If someone is missing, alert the fire department, but never re-enter the burning building.
Visit Your Plan Often. Practice, practice, practice. Set off a smoke alarm and go through the drill, doing exactly what you would do during a real fire.
Exit Safely. Purchase fire ladders for the second floor, or instruct children to use an adjacent porch or roof to wait for the fire department. TIP: If you have to jump, jump feet first. If you live in an apartment, never use an elevator to escape fire.
Never Stop to Collect Your Valuables. Save yourself. You and your family can't be replaced.
Take Care of Those Who Can't Help Themselves. Make plans for helping infants, young children, disables or elderly people. Explain to your children not to hide when fire occurs.
Free Safety Training Classes
Codes and Safety is offering the following safety classes.....
| Drivers' Training | Laboratory Safety | First Aid | Asbestos | New Employee Orientation |
| October 11 & 24 | October 11 & 24 | October 9 | October 17 | October 10 & 24 |
| November 14 & 20 | November 14 & 20 | November 8 | November 14 & 28 | |
| December 12 & 20 | December 12 & 20 | December 12 | December 12 |
Please check the UAF master web calendar for brief explanations of each class, locations, and class times. www.uaf.edu/events
Employee Information - Remaining Asbestos at UAF
As many of you know, the last few years have seen a number of construction and code corrections projects on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. One question that has been asked during these projects concerns asbestos; do we have any in our buildings and how dangerous is it?
First of all, asbestos in-place and undisturbed is not a hazard, nor does it pose a threat to employees. Asbestos fibers must become airborne before they become a hazard. That is one reason you see various types of plastic enclosures and protective clothing used when asbestos is being removed from a building. These types of enclosures protect the workers removing the asbestos, as well as the occupants of the building. The type of asbestos that is most easily disturbed and released is the soft fluffy type found sprayed on high ceilings and steel beams. This type of insulation was used as a fire proofing material up until the early to mid 1970's. After that time asbestos could no longer be used. Any building built on campus after 1980 does not contain asbestos.
Asbestos containing insulation was replaced by a similar fluffy sprayed on cellulose insulation which provides the same type of protection without the concerns associated with asbestos. All surfaces on campus covered with a fluffy sprayed on insulation do not contain asbestos. Remember even the fluffy asbestos insulation is not a hazard unless it is knocked off and fibers are released.
Other more commonly installed asbestos containing products are floor and ceiling tiles, pipe made of cement, lab counter tops, roofing tiles, etc. None of these materials are a threat unless they are cut with a grinder, saw or sander, which creates a dust and could release asbestos fibers.
Asbestos has been removed from many campus buildings and continues to be removed as it is identified. If you, as an employee, notice any activity that disturbs the soft fluffy type of spray-on insulation, notify Facility Services at x7000, or Codes and Safety at x5413. The insulation may be cellulose, but we would rather no one touch anything until we can verify that.
If you have any questions with regards to asbestos on campus, please contact Codes and Safety at 474-5413.
Until next time, remember - Together we CAN have a safer campus!