University of Alaska Fairbanks
THE SAFETY SENTINEL
| UAF Codes and Safety |
September 2002 |
"Safety Demands Responsibility"
Questions or comments regarding The Safety Sentinel can be directed to Annette Chism, UAF Safety Officer, fnapr@uaf.edu
Message from the Director
Codes and Safety will continue to add employee training opportunities in the upcoming year and we will continue to work with all of the campus users to provide a safer and more enjoyable workplace. If you have any questions, we are a phone call away. If you have specific areas of concern, please feel free to contact us via our email address fycodes@uaf.edu or call us at 5413. Together we can have a safer campus!
Industrial Hygeine Corner with Leah Boback
Winter Indoor Air Quality
Winter is well on its way signaling many changes. For Codes and Safety it signals the oncoming rise of indoor air quality (IAQ) complaints. Winters are synonymous with dry, uncomfortable conditions, and Fairbanks is no exception. Actually, Fairbanks is at a great disadvantage due to its geographical location. Locates in a "bowl", strong inversions occur in the winter which creates a lid effect over Fairbanks that traps carbon Monoxide (CO) and other toxins.
Vehicle Exhaust
Vehicle exhaust problems, such as exhaust entering the fresh air intake, are directly related to these inversions. Some simple things you can do to reduce your building's fresh air intake from being contaminated are:
These tips will help improve the IAQ but it will not solve the problem completely. Stuffy or stale air can still be expected especially during times when several vehicles are arriving / departing at the same time, such as lunch and at the end of the day. If you are not sure where the fresh air intake(s) is (are) located for your building, call Codes and Safety at 474-5812.
Change in Your Building's Ventilation
Starting the end of August, the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems have begun their winter mode. The majority of them were disengaged over the summer so particles have been given a chance to settle in the units. Upon starting again, these particles (some seen and unseen) will again become airborne and may find their way into your office space. If you are experiencing discomfort, keep in mind that it is a natural occurrence and any problems will most likely subside within one to two weeks. If you are having problems that last longer than you feel is expected, please call Codes and Safety at 474-5812.
Low Humidity Discomfort
Relative humidity is the term given to the ability of air to hold water vapor (gas.) The ability of air to hold water decreases as the temperature is lowered, hence outside air has less humidity in the winter than it does in the summer. Because of this, some people like to bring humidifiers into their workspaces. This practice, however, is discouraged. The negatives of humidification are worse than the trade off for comfort. Excess moisture can cause the growth of biological organisims, including dust mites and fungi. Dust mites are microscopic animals that cause allergic reactions. The fungi can produce allergic reactions or may be toxic. Adding moisture to the air only makes it a better environment for fungi, bacteria, and dust mites.
Increasing relative humidity to improve comfort is not recommended. However, there are steops that an individual can take to improve comfort. These include:
Questions? Contact UAF Industrial Hygeinist, Leah Boback.
Shocking Statistics About Extension Cords
Even when used properly, extension cords, power strips, and surge protectors can pose a serious fire and electrocution hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported
In 1996 electrical cords and plugs were involved in about 7,100 fires resulting in 120 deaths.
In 1997, more than 12,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for electrical burns and shocks,
and about 2,500 people were treated for injuries associated with extension cords.
Since 1994, CPSC has announced 25 recalls involving two million extension cords, power strips, and surge protectors having undersized wires, loose connections, faulty components, or improper grounding.
Most of these faulty cords were sold at discount stores and small retailers. Many have no identifying marks or model numbers, and most were made in China. Some have coutnerfeit Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification labels. Electrical cords that do not meet industry safety standards can easily become a hazard even under light duty use.
The following are some safety rules to remember when using and working with extension cords:
Unsafe Condition Reporting Program
What is "Unsafe Condition Reporting?"
The "Unsafe Condition Reporting Program" is a proactive way to help reduce future incidents, accidents, and injuries. It is a program to identify and prevent an unsafe act or unsafe condition before it causes injury. Codes and Safety is asking your assistance in identifying unsafe conditions on campus. If you see something unsafe on the UAF campus, please take the time to fill out this form on the web, hit the send button and it will come directly to Codes and Safety.
Report an unsafe condition.
Unsafe Condition of the Month
On June 28, 2002, Deb Brownfield, Space Planning and Management, contacted Codes and Safety to inform regarding an unsafe condition. A "sinkhole" had opened up for no apparent reason (left picture.) The sinkhole was about six feet wide and eight to ten feet deep, and growing. We met with Frank McKirgan, Facility Services Vehicle Shop, on the site and he and his crew had the hole filled within the hour (right picture.)
A big thanks goes out to Deb for reporting it and to Frank and his crew for fixing this unsafe condition!
We strongly encourage you to put your name on the form, with your name we can have follow up contact with you. We can better follow up on the unsafe condition and we may have questions for you regarding what you saw, when and where. Questions or comments regarding this program can be directed to Safety Officer Forrest Kuiper, Unsafe Condition Reporting Program director. If ever in doubt - Report it! 474-5413.
SLIP,
TRIP, STUMBLE AND FALL 
How to Prevent IT
It is that time of year in Fairbanks when everything becomes frozen and the ground becomes icy for the next five months. Slip and fall injuries are the third leading cause of disabling work injuries in the United States in all types of business. Gravity can get the best of anyone, on and off the job. The following are several tips to help in the prevention of slips, trips and falls.
Wear the proper foot gear.
Take small steps to keep your center of balance under you.
Walk slowly and never run on icy ground.
Keep both hands free for balance, rather than in your pockets.
Use handrails from start to finish.
Avoid carrying loads on stairways; or carry loads that you can see over.
Keep you eyes on where you are going.
Test potentially slick areas by tapping your foot on them.
Step - Don't jump from vehicles and equipment.
Keep walkways clear of debris, water, ice and slippery materials.
When these helpful hints don't work, and you know you are going to slip, try to reduce your potential injury when falling by:
Roll with the fall. Try to twist and roll backwards, rather than falling forward.
Relax as much as possible when you begin to fall.
Toss the load you are carrying. Protect yourself instead of the objects being carried.
Hopefully these tips will help you this winter in preventing slips. If you should sustain a slip injury inform your supervisor as soon as possible and fill out an incident report. If you notice an area on campus that is slippery or could cause a slip hazard please contact the physical plant at 474-7000, or let Codes and Safety know at 474-5413.
Safety Tip of the Month
The "dark season" is fast approaching. Are you prepared? Here are some safety tips to light up the next several months of darkness....
If you notice any exterior lights out on campus, please call Facility Services at extension 7000 to have it repaired.
Ergonomic Educational Program
During the past 12 months
Codes and Safety has completed 300 Ergonomic Evaluations for faculty, staff
and student employees. It is estimated that each ergonomics evaluation takes
20-30 minutes on-site at the workstation, and another 30 minutes in the office
to complete the report. Due to the time involved, and manpower available to
complete these evaluations, the Director of Codes and Safety, Edie Curry, has
determined that to be eligible for an on-site workstation Ergonomics Evaluation
the individual requesting the evaluation must attend a 60-minute ergonomics
presentation.
An ergonomics plan has been developed which includes three parts.
1. Training the employee (60 minute presentation)
2. On-site evaluation (one on one with employee)
3. Corrective action (The employees' department will be responsible for corrective
action)
The presentation will cover ergonomic principles, common signs and symptoms
of musculoskeletal disorders, how to maximize what you already have, exercises,
and a discussion regarding the evaluation process. The employee will receive
a copy of the evaluation to perform at their workstation. If discrepancies are
found, the employee and supervisor should attempt to correct them prior to contacting
Codes and Safety for assistance.
The ergonomic program director, Annette Chism, has been conducting the presentation at departmental staff meetings. If you would like to book a presentation contact her at x6164 or fnapr@uaf.edu
We have found a majority
of problems can be fixed by simply moving existing monitors, keyboards, phones,
etc.; with little money being involved to fix problems. If the employee and
supervisor cannot fix the problems, please contact Codes and Safety for an evaluation.
After an evaluation has been performed by Codes and Safety a copy of the final
report will be e-mailed to the employee's supervisor as well as the employee
for corrective action. The department the employee works in will be responsible
for all corrective actions.
We feel by educating individuals regarding workplace ergonomics we can help
to alleviate potential hazards prior to them occurring. Performing an evaluation
without education is not the answer. If you have any questions, please
direct them to Codes and Safety at fycodes@uaf.edu
September, October, Novemeber, 2002
Safety Training Schedule
Please see the UAF Master Calendar for training schedule
Until next time, remember - Together we CAN have a safer campus!
