Occupational Health and Safety

Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is an almost indestructible.  Asbestos containing materials (ACM) may be found in many different products and many different places.  Examples of products that might contain asbestos are:

• sprayed-on fire proofing and insulation
• insulation for pipes and boilers
• wall and ceiling insulation
• ceiling tiles
• floor tile

Asbestos materials present a potential hazard only if the material can be easily broken up by hand (called friability) and becomes airborne.  Non-friable ACM that is in good condition is not a hazard and can be safely managed in buildings.

Breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of:

• lung cancer.
• mesothelioma, a cancer of the chest lining and the abdominal cavity.
• asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue.

Probably everyone has breathed asbestos fibers.  It is rare, however, for people exposed to small amounts of asbestos to develop these health problems.  

While the newer DU buildings do not contain ACM, some DU buildings contain ACM.  Wherever identified ACM is found to be in poor condition or where building renovation is planned, ACM, such as floor tiles and pipe insulation in the mechanical rooms are removed using regulated methods to protect building occupants.

If you see damaged or deteriorated materials, such as floor or ceiling tiles or pipe insulation that may be asbestos avoid contact with the material.  Notify the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Director, at 1-7501, so that the material can be verified as to its asbestos content.

Using Chemicals and Your Right to Know

Over 30 million American workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals in their workplace.  Chemicals can be dangerous, particularly if they are not used properly.  Even seemingly non-hazardous chemicals such as cleaning agents can be harmful if high enough concentrations are inhaled.  Some chemicals also can cause adverse health affects if absorbed into the skin.  Anybody using chemicals in their work should be thoroughly trained on the associated hazards of the chemical and on its proper use.  

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has mandated that employees have a right to know of the associated health and safety hazards of chemicals being used at work and that employers implement appropriate measures to protect the worker.  Through the Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, OSHA requires (1) the employer to train its employees and (2) manufacturers to evaluate the hazards of chemicals that they produce or import.  Additionally, the manufacturer must convey hazard information to its customers by way of labeling and a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).  The MSDS provides for the user detailed information that includes:

• the properties of the chemical
• the associated hazards
• methods for safe use
• recommended personal protective equipment (PPE)
• emergency protocols
• disposal consideration

Remember while you have a right to know about the hazards of chemicals in your work area you have an obligation to make sure you fully understand such hazards.  Prior to working with a chemical you should be very familiar with its hazards.  Make sure you read the container label and the MSDS very carefully. Your health and safety, as a University of Denver employee, is top priority.  If you feel unsafe or even uncomfortable about working with a chemical you are encouraged to stop work to discuss your concerns with either your supervisor or the EH&S Director.

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

Imagine you are performing a job, one that you have never performed or haven’t performed in a long time.  How do you know if it is safe?  Will you be protected from potential hazards that may arise?  Have you stopped to identify what could go wrong with the job and how you may get injured?  More importantly, have you put in control measures that will reduce the likelihood of an accident or at least reduce the consequences of a mishap.  If you answered “No” to these questions, you are at an increased risk of getting injured.  A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a mechanism to be used collaboratively by the supervisor and the worker to identify potential hazards and to implement measures to control those hazards.

A JHA is a simple analysis that basically asks:

What can go wrong?  In other words, is there a risk of falling?; is there an electrical hazard?; could fingers or hands get pinched, etc.

What are the consequences? For example, could a serious injury or fatality occur?

What are the controls to prevent or reduce the consequences of a mishap?  For instance, de-energizing and isolating a hazardous energy source would eliminate the hazard. If a worker is hit in the head a hardhat may reduce the injury from a fatal concussion to a slight headache.

Completing a JHA is very easy.  First, break down the job into a series of activities.  Secondly, identify potential hazards for those activities.  Finally, establish and implement control measures where those hazards are identified.

Here’s an example of a JHA for doing a simple job of pruning a tree in which branches interfere with phone lines approximately 20 feet above the ground.

Task description                     Hazard                             Controls

JHA’s may not be necessary for simple routine jobs, if potential hazards are identified and appropriately controlled.  For the more complicated jobs, that may, for example, include elevated work, overhead work, energized work, or electrical work a JHA is highly recommended.  A great benefit of JHA’s is that it provides for the worker to focus on safety in preparing for a job.

A problem with many work activities, either here at work or at home, is that you think that an accident won’t happen to you.  These comments are probably familiar: “Nothing’s going to happen”; “I’ll only be up there for a few minutes”; “I know what I’m doing”; “I’ve been doing this for years”.  This can be dangerous thinking.  Take a little time to identify potential hazards and implement control measures to prevent or reduce the consequences of an injury.

Lead

Lead is a very toxic material that can enter the body by inhalation (breathing) or ingestion (eating).  Lead exposure is perhaps the oldest known occupational health hazard.  Long term exposures can cause disorders such as headaches, poor appetite, dizziness, and muscle weakness.   It has the potential to cause irreversible health effects to the nervous system and the reproductive system.  Children are at the greatest risk to lead poisoning due to their rapid development of the neurological system.

Just about the only workplace source for lead is in lead–based paint (LBP).  The good news is that almost all of the paint used in the industry now is lead-free paint.  If LBP is present it does not become a hazard unless the paint material is eaten or the material becomes airborne whereby it could be inhaled.  Lead exposures by ingestion have often occurred among workers, such as blasters and painters who inadvertently ingested lead while eating or smoking without first washing their contaminated hands.  A lead inhalation hazard occurs if lead dust is created by mechanical means such as sanding or sandblasting.  Remember, if your work area contains paint that has lead in it, it is not a hazard if the material is not disturbed.

Removal or disruption of lead containing materials must be conducted in accordance with appropriate regulating agencies and with the University of Denver Lead Exposure Plan.

Indoor Air Quality

What exactly is Indoor Air Quality?  There is no legal definition of acceptable indoor air quality but it’s generally considered to be air in which (1) there are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations and (2) a substantial majority (80% or more) of the building occupants do not express dissatisfaction. 

Indoor air quality (IAQ) problems, for the most part, involve concerns with (1) temperature (too warm or too cold), (2) ventilation, i.e., air is stuffy, stale, or drafty, and (3) air pollutants, which may come from the outside or within the building.  Outside air contaminants include pollen, dust, fungal spores, industrial pollutants, and vehicle exhaust.  In the past, a significant office air pollutant was smoke form cigarettes or cigars.  Smoking in DU facilities is not permitted (see smoking policy) however, cigarette smoke can infiltrate the building if smokers are near the outdoor building air intake vents.

Pollutants, from within the building may include discarded food, emissions from cleaning materials or stored supplies, ordinary dust accumulated on surfaces or carpeting, and perfumes.  More significantly, the source may be mold, typically as a result of water damaged material like dry wall or carpeting, or microbial growth within the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.

People, who express concern about their indoor environment, may have complaints of odors, feeling the air is stuffy, feeling the air is too warm or too cold, or having symptoms such as a headache, runny nose, or itchy eyes.  The good news is that significant consequences to air contaminant exposures are rare, as the usual health affect is being uncomfortable.  The not-so-good news is that it is often very difficult to identify the cause of IAQ problems because of the number and variety of possible sources and the varying individual sensitivities.

It is not unusual where one or two individuals experience discomfort while co-workers in the same area have no complaints.  In instances where only a small minority have complaints it probably is due more to that individual’s hypersensitivity rather that not having acceptable air quality.  Some measures that management can take to mitigate IAQ problems include:

Enhance or increase the frequency of housekeeping.

Initiate steps to keep smokers are away from the building air intake vents.

Avoid excessive use of perfumes.

Immediately clean and adequately dry areas where water spills occur.

Remove water damaged material such as cardboard.

Appropriately discard garbage.

Keep windows closed, where obvious outside pollutants, such as from nearby construction activity, may be present.

Notify Facilities Management HVAC personnel for concerns about temperatures and ventilation.

If you have a IAQ concern, feel free to notify the EH&S Director, at 1-7501.

Workstation Ergonomics

Our goal is to provide you with the necessary tools to perform your job, safely and productively. Good ergonomics will provide you with a healthful and safe work environment and minimize the risk of associated occupational injury or illness. Let’s look at exactly what ergonomics is and what the consequences are of poor ergonomics.

What is ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the science that deals with the relationship of the worker and his/her work environment. Good ergonomics is being able to adjust your chair, keyboard, monitor, etc. to get a neutral and relaxed position. Good ergonomics also includes work activities that are varied, with short breaks that prevent overstressing parts of your body. If your work involves frequent awkward positions (your body or limbs), if you are reaching excessively, or if you are doing prolonged work on one type of activity, then you have poor ergonomics.

When you are performing work follow these tips:

Adjust your equipment, i.e., chair, keyboard, and monitor, etc., to fit you. [Your equipment should adjust to you, not you to the equipment]

Maintain a neutral and relaxed position (including your hands, arms, legs, whole body).

Take frequent breaks. (stand up, stretch, massage your eyes for 5 seconds)

Avoid prolong work on a single activity by varying your work tasks to avoid stressing certain parts of your body.

What are the consequences of poor ergonomics?

Poor ergonomics can result in occupational illnesses or injuries called musculoskeletal disorders or MSD’s. MSD’s include a range of disorders involving nerves, tendons, muscles, and bones. MSD’s cause pain, numbness, and tingling. They result in reduced productivity, lost time from work or temporary or permanent disability.

What do I do if I have pain or discomfort?

If you believe that your work is causing you pain or other medical problems you should seek medical treatment through the DU Workers’ Compensation Program (Workers' Compensation Procedure).  The Loss Control Manager can be contacted at 1-2354.

You should also get an individual workstation evaluation to see if your workstation can be improved by identifying and reducing any ergonomic risks. Please contact the EH&S Director, at 1-7501, to set up an appointment for an evaluation.  Please provide the following information: name, phone number, building, room number, and a brief description of your concern.

I don't have any pain or discomfort but I want to make certain that my workstation is correct?

Try evaluating your own workstation. Print out the Ergonomic questionnaire to perform a self assessment.  We recommend that you also check the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, OSHA web site on Computer Workstations. It provides excellent tips on how to achieve sound ergonomics, including good working positions and how your workstation should be set up. If you have any ergonomic questions or concerns after taking the self assessment or reviewing the OSHA web site, feel free to contact the EH&S Director, at 1-7501.

The EH&S Deparment can also provide classroom training on ergonomics and safe lifting.  We ask for an audience of at least 5 people.  Contact the EH&S Director, at 1-7501, to request training.

Heat Stress

Heat stress is a potentially serious phenomenon that can cause different types of heat illnesses ranging from simple cramping or fatigue to death.  The sum total of the external heat from the environment and the internal heat from the body determines your Heat Stress.  As the temperatures increase and you start working harder your risk of a heat illness increases.

Living in Colorado, one might think that heat stress is not a concern.  It’s true that it’s hotter and much more humid in our southern states.  A significant difference, however, is that workers in southern climates are usually acclimatized to hot weather, which means their bodies have the capability to effectively cool themselves.  A Colorado worker, who is not used to hot temperatures and therefore not acclimated, may be at a higher risk for heat illness.

The best way to avoid heat stress is to drink plenty of water before you start work, wear light clothing, and make sure that you are feeling well enough to work.  Some signs that you may be experiencing heat stress, during hot weather work, include fatigue, weakness, nausea, dizziness, headache, red face and skin, and disorientation.  If you are not feeling good while working in hot weather it is highly recommended that you stop work, find a cool place to rest, and drink cool water.  For concerns about heat stress contact the EH&S Director, at 1-7501.

Personal Protective Equipment

Every workday over 1000 people are injured on the job, in the United States.  These injuries range from relatively minor lacerations or sprains, to serious accidents with multiple days off of work, to fatalities.  The seriousness of an accident may be significantly reduced by the use of personal protective equipment or PPE. 

What exactly is PPE?  PPE includes various types of equipment that protect the whole body or parts of the body exposed to a hazard. Examples of PPE include hard hats, gloves, safety shoes, safety glasses, ear plugs, and respirators.

The use of PPE will not reduce the chance of an accident happening.  It can, however, reduce the consequences that may result.  Consider the use of seat belts.  Statistics show that vehicle accident victims who wore seat belts fared significantly better than those who did not wear seat belts.  Similarly, consider the work involved in a metal shop where grinding and sanding occur.  Those who wear safety glasses will be much safer and are less likely to receive a serious eye injury.

The problem with wearing or using PPE is that often people think that “It will never happen to me” or “I’ll only be doing this job for a couple of seconds and I’ll be careful.” or “It’s uncomfortable”.  It is true that one could go a long time without using PPE and never have an accident or be hurt.  It just takes that one time, that split second in which something hits your eye, and then you are blinded for life.

The use of PPE is extremely important.  If you are working a hazardous job:

1. Identify the hazard. (see JHA above)

2. Determine what PPE should be worn.  Know its limitations.

3. Take care of your PPE.  Store it properly.

4. Make sure your PPE is not malfunctioning or damaged.

One final note, while some PPE can be uncomfortable, take steps to make sure that your PPE is reasonably comfortable and does not cause additional problems.

Electrical Safety

All of us use electricity everyday but the risk of an electrical shock is reduced because of the safety measures in place such as insulated wiring, guarding, grounding, and electrical protective devices, which include fuses, circuit breakers, and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI).  Electrical protective devices are designed to stop current flow when a circuit is overloaded or in the case of the GFCI, when a loss of current occurs.  A GFCI, which is specifically designed to protect people from severe or fatal shocks, will switch off power to that circuit if the electrical current escapes from appliance to the individual.

So for most workers there is basically very little risk associated with electricity.  What about the employee who specifically works on electrical equipment?  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all employees who are at risk of electrical shocks must be trained in electrical safety practices.  Additionally, OSHA defines Qualified Workers as persons permitted to work around energized electrical parts.  These people are required to have special training determined by the nature of their responsibilities.

What are the causes of electrical accidents?  There are basically three factors that contribute to an accident or injury in working with electricity:

1. unsafe equipment and/or installation
2. unsafe workplaces caused by environmental factors
3. unsafe work practices

What’s wrong with this picture?

This picture represents an OSHA violation.  First, the metal conduit box is not designed as a portable outlet box at the end of an extension cord.  The box should be mounted permanently on a wall.  Also, note the exposed wires (not insulated) at the end of the box.  could result in an electrocution hazard or an electrical fault which could ultimately lead to a fire of nearby combustible materials.

List below are some basic rules to follow regarding electricity:

• Only authorized, qualified electricians shall install, service, or repair electrical equipment or wiring.  
• All electrical equipment, including wiring, must be tested and approved by a recognized testing laboratory, e.g., Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

• Use power tools and appliances that are free of cracks, fraying, and insulation damage.
• Use only electrical equipment that has grounded three-pronged plugs.
• Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.
• Use non-conducting or insulated tools and equipment when working near electricity.
• Do not touch electrical tools, equipment, or cords that are wet, or with wet hands.
• Use only outdoor receptacles that have a weatherproof cap installed.
• A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) must be used whenever work is outdoors, in damp areas, or located within 6 feet of a water source.
• Do not run cords through puddles of standing liquids, such as water or oils.
• Electrical panels must have a minimum of three feet of clearance.  Circuit breakers must have a current legend identifying each breaker switch’s area of control and have no exposed wiring.
• Extension cords must always be used in accordance with manufacture’s guidance and applicable codes.  Specifically, the use of extension cords as permanent wiring is prohibited. 

 

Control of Hazardous Energy

Hazardous energy is any electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy source that could cause injury to personnel.  If any work will be performed on such systems that contain these energy sources steps must implemented that ensures the energy is isolated and secured before work continues to prevent workers from getting injured.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has implemented an extensive Standard called Control of Hazardous Energy, also referred to as the Lockout Tagout or LOTO Standard.  In summary, the Standard mandates the following:

• identification of systems or equipment in which lockout/tagout procedures are required
• personnel training for persons affected by the LOTO and persons authorized to perform LOTO
• annual audit inspections performed by the EH&S Manager to review and verify procedures are in place
• a written program establishing the procedures to be followed for control of hazardous energy.

The following specific steps must be performed when work will be performed on hazardous energy:

• notification to all affected employees that work will be performed on certain equipment
• shutting the machinery or equipment down
• isolation or disconnection of the machinery or equipment
• release of the energy from the equipment by methods such as grounding, repositioning, blocking, bleeding down, etc.
• lock out the equipment with individual locks to physically secure the equipment
• testing the equipment to make certain the equipment will not operate
• performance of the work
• removal of the lockout devices and restore energy system.

It is imperative that lockout/tagout procedures be in place whenever hazardous energy systems are serviced.  In accordance with OSHA, the university has implemented an Energy Control Program that provides for the necessary control of hazardous energy.  Please contact your supervisor or the EH&S Director, at 1-7501, if you have any questions about work on hazardous energy systems.

Confined Space

Oftentimes work is required to be performed in crawlspaces, manholes, tankers, vaults, etc.  Confined spaces, such as these, may contain hazards which can be deadly to the worker and, therefore, require strict procedural requirements to protect the health and safety of the worker.  The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has established a Pemit-Required Confined Space Standard in 29 CFR 1910.146.  The Standard establishes that a permit must be completed for entry into certain confined spaces to establish that the confined space is safe to enter and that the necessary precautions have been implemented prior to entry.

As stated above, certain confined spaces require a permit, meaning that some confined spaces do not require a permit.  A distinction must be made between a non permit confined space and a permit-required confined space.  First, let’s look at OSHA’s definition of a confined space.  For a space to be determined to be a confined space, all three of the following must be true:

- It is large enough for bodily entry.

- It has limited or restricted means for entry or exit.

- It is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Once a confined space is identified it must be determined if it is a permit-required confined space.  A Permit-Required Confined Space is a confined space which:

- has an existing or potential hazardous atmosphere (such as toxic materials or a lack of oxygen) or

- has material that may cause engulfment or

- has walls that may collapse or flooring that may cause entrapment; or

- contain any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

Remember, a confined space exists if all three above parameters are true.  It becomes a permit-required confined space if any one of the above four conditions exists.  A Permit-required confined space is basically a confined space that contains hazards.  Therefore, once a confined space is identified it must be determined if it is a non-permit confined space or a permit-required confined space.

OSHA requires that all permit-required confined spaces must be posted as such, informing workers that the space requires a permit for entry.  OSHA also says that personnel must be trained on confined spaces and the associated hazards.  If you need to enter a confined space make sure that:

- the space has been adequately identified

- you have received confined space training

- a permit is properly completed.

If you have any questions about confined spaces contact your supervisor and the EH&S Director, at 1-7501.

Slips, Trips, & Falls

One might not think that slipping, tripping, or falling is that serious, especially when you think of comedy routine in which someone takes a plunge (see cartoon).

In reality, Slips, Trips, & Falls (STF’s) are the #1 leading cause of injury.  Let’s look at the common causes of each of these and ways to prevent them.

A Slip is a loss of balance caused by too little friction between a person’s foot and a walking surface.  Common causes include:

• wet or oily surfaces
• occasional spills
• weather hazards
• loose, unanchored rugs or mats
• flooring or other walking surfaces that are worn.

A Trip is where you hit an object, lose your balance and fall.  Common causes include:

• obstructed view
• poor lighting
• clutter in your way
• wrinkled carpeting
• uncovered cables
• drawers not being closed
• uneven (steps, thresholds) walking surfaces

A Fall is when you lose your balance & drop to the floor.  There are three types of falls:

• falls on the same level - Slip or trip immediately precedes fall to floor or walkway
• falls to lower level - Falls are from platforms, docks, ladders, steps or stairs
• Jumps to lower level - An intentional jump from one level to another or the Employee jumps off ladder, dock, equipment.

What can you do to prevent slipping, tripping, or falling?

1.  Maintain good housekeeping:

• Clean up spills immediately.
• Mark spills and wet areas.
• Mop or sweep debris from floor.
• Remove obstacles from walkways.
• Kkeep walkways free of clutter.
• Secure mats, rugs and carpets.
• Close file cabinet or storage drawers.
• Cover cables that cross walkways.
• Keep working areas and walkways well lit.
• Replace burned out bulbs.

 

2.  Maintain the quality of walking surfaces (flooring).  This can be achieved by changing or modifying walking surfaces by:

• recoating or replacing floors
• installing mats
• using pressure-sensitive abrasive strips
• applying abrasive-filled paint-on coating or metal or synthetic decking.

 

3.  Selection and use of proper footwear, which is dependent upon conditions, i.e. wear safety shoes when applicable safety hazards exist or don’t wear high heels when icy conditions exist.

Here are some general tips to avoid Slipping, Tripping, or Falling:

• Pay attention. Watch where you are walking.
• Take your time (react to a change in traction during icy conditions).
• Adjust stride to the task.
• Wear slip-resistant shoes or overshoes.
• Walk with feet pointed slightly outward.
• Make wide turns at corners.
• Treat walking surfaces.

What do you do if you see a hazard?

• Try to fix it yourself. (In both photos below the tripping hazard can be easily removed.)
• If you can’t fix it, immediately report the hazard to your supervisor, to Facilities Management to initiate a work order, or to the EH&S Manager at 1-2356.
• Protect the area, i.e. use barricade tape or safety cones, to keep people from getting hurt.

 

Elevated Work                         

In the work place, over two fatalities occur each day from a fall from above.  Additionally, fall protection was the third-most frequently violated Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Standard in 2005.  Most of these falls occurred from a roof, a scaffold, or a ladder.  The cause of fall accidents can be attributed to many different factors, including having no fall protection or insufficient type of fall protection, inappropriate work activity, i.e. doing work on a ladder when a scaffold should have been used, and just plain carelessness.  No matter the primary cause just about every fall accident is preventable.

Any DU personnel who are performing any kind of elevated work above six feet must:

• have fall protection and
• attend training on fall protection including the proper use of fall protection equipment.

Fall protection is a system designed to control fall hazards through the use of:

• a fall arrest system which includes anchorage, a body harness, a lanyard, and a connector whose function is to stop a fall safely
• a fall restraint system which consists of a body belt and lanyard that is designed to physically prevent a worker from worker near the fall hazard
• guardrails which consist of a top rail, 42 inches above the floor, a mid-rail
• safety nets
• warning line systems
• controlled access zones.

In summary, if you are doing elevated work above six feet you need to use adequate fall protection and you must be trained.  If you have any questions about Fall Protection, contact the EH&S Director, at 1-7501.

Noise / Hearing Conservation

What is noise?  Basically, noise is unwanted sound.  If the noise is loud it can be damaging to your ears.  The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has established a Standard called “Occupational Exposure to Noise”.  The purpose of the Standard is to preclude occupational exposure to high noise through the identification and control of high noise sources, personnel training, and audiometric testing & evaluation of personnel.  The Standard also has established Personal Noise Exposures which are based on two things: (1) the noise level that you hear and (2) the length of time you’re exposed to that noise.

The university, therefore, is required to identify and control high noise sources.  After high noise sources are identified it must be determined what a worker’s exposure is.  If a worker’s noise exposure exceeds the action level (basically half the exposure) of the Permissible Noise Exposure then the personnel must be enrolled in the university Hearing Conservation Program.

The Hearing Conservation Program includes the following:

Audiometric testing - Testing, which will be at no cost to the employee, will include a baseline audiogram and subsequent annual audiograms.  The baseline audiogram will be used to compare all other audiograms.  Personnel must be advised to avoid high noise (occupational or non-occupational) for 14 hours prior to the test (see Appendix D Memorandum). 

Employee notification – Notification to employees of their audiometric test results and the results of any personal noise monitoring. 

Hearing protection – Protection provided by the applicable department, at no cost to the employee. 

Training – Training required for all employees in the Hearing Conservation Program providing the following information:

• the effects of noise on hearing
• the use of hearing protectors including the purpose, advantages, limitations, the attenuation of various types, fitting, and care
• the purpose of audiometric testing.

If you believe you are exposed to high noise please contact the EH&S Director, at 1-7501.  If you believe you have a hearing impairment that is due to your work environment you can complete a First Report of Injury and contact the DU Loss Control Manager at 1-2354.

Back Safety

Did you know that …?

• more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year.
• Back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries or illness.
• one-fourth of all worker compensation paid claims involve back injuries to the lower back.

As you can guess, back injuries are a national workplace safety problem.  So, you might ask, how do these injuries occur and how can I protect myself?  The answer to the first part of the question is that injuries are basically caused by:

• lifting or moving a load that is too heavy and/or
• lifting or moving a load the wrong way.

The answer to the second part of the question is not always easy.  Essentially you should know your capabilities and the approximate weight of the load.  You should also know how to properly lift.  It may take a co-worker’s help or it may take a mechanical device such as a hand truck.

Prior to doing the work ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I physically & mentally prepared?
• Can I use a mechanical device, such as a hand truck?
• How heavy is the load?
• Is it packed correctly?
• Is it easy to reach to load?
• Should I get help to lift the load?
• Should I make the load smaller?
• Is there a better way?

Follow these tips for a lift: 

• Place feet correctly; firmly apart.
• Maintain neutral body posture; squat down bending at the knees.
• Get a firm grip.
• Begin slowly; avoid sudden movement.
• Keep load close to you.

 

Right way    ____________     Wrong way

___________

Machine Guarding

Each year, there are about 18,000 amputations, lacerations, crushing injuries, and abrasions associated with machine operations.  These incidents involved moving parts of machines or equipment such as saws, presses, fans, pulleys, and rotating shafts.  When a part of the body contacts these moving parts the result can be horrific and often deadly.

These accidents could have been prevented with proper machine guarding.  What exactly is machine guarding?  Machine guarding is safeguarding equipment to protect you from moving parts.  Safeguarding is done by many ways.  Some safeguards include permanent immovable barriers such as screening around fan blades.  Another type includes an interlock system that prevents a machine from operating when the guard is open. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says that “Any machine part, function, or process that may cause injury must be safeguarded”.

If you encounter any machine that is not properly guarded, contact your supervisor or the EH&S Manager at 1-2356.  Things to look for are unguarded fans, openings on fans guards too big, unguarded blades, or unguarded pulleys.  The photos below illustrate machine guarding.  In Photo A, the clear colored device prevents hands from contacting the saw blade (currently retracted).  In Photo B, no machine guarding is provided which means hands are exposed to the blade.

Photo A (Installed machine guard)

Photo B (No machine guard)