Keeping Employees Safe in the Workplace Center for Discovery

Session Objectives You will be able to: –Recognize office hazards –Know what to do in emergencies –Take proper precautions to avoid accidents –Reduce ergonomic risk factors –Use proper lifting techniques –Manage stress effectively

What You Need to Know –Emergency procedures –Fire prevention –Preventing common office injuries –Ergonomic safety –Back safety –Stress management

Safety in the Workplace Sustains productivity Promotes morale Is required by law Requires everyone’s participation

Safety Attitude Think safety Look for hazards Fix or report hazards

Good Housekeeping Keep items in their proper place Clean or report spills Clear clutter Keep items off stairways and aisles Report safety issues Use common sense

Office Safety Keep drawers closed Sit upright in chairs Don’t horse around with furniture or supplies Keep flammables away from hot office equipment

Slips, Trips, and Falls –Spills and wet floors –Torn carpet or damaged flooring –Cords in walkways –Improperly stored items –Open drawers –Standing on chairs

Prevent Slips –Clean up spills –Repair leaks –Pick up objects –Sweep up debris –Wear slip-resistant shoes

Electrical Safety Use extension cords properly – Don’t run them across stairs or aisles – Don’t fasten them with nails or staples Don’t overload outlets Don’t use plugs with bent or missing prongs Obey locks, tags, barricades, and signs that warn of electrical hazards

Safe Stacking and Storing –Store items in a safe place –Stack evenly and carefully –Don’t stack too high –Make sure shelves can hold the weight –Inspect your work

Preventing Cuts and Bruises –Box knives –Scissors –Paper cutters –Pinch points

Back Safety –Maintain good back posture when sitting, standing, or lifting –Do not lift more than you can handle –Use material-handling aids –Make sure you can see over and around loads you are carrying

Safe Lifting –Establish a wide and stable stance –Bend at your knees and hips and squat down next to the object –Grip the object firmly –Use material handling equipment

Safe Lifting (cont.) –Pull the object close –Tighten your stomach muscles –Keep your back straight –Rise up using your leg muscles, not your back muscles

Ergonomics Arrange your workstation Sit properly Avoid repetitive motions Take breaks Keep wrists straight Use proper equipment Carry objects palm down

Ergonomics (cont.) Know symptoms of Musculoskeletal Disorders –Pain –Tingling –Stiffness –Weakness –Numbness –Swelling Report any MSD symptoms immediately for medical attention referral

Prevent Contamination by Employees Wash your hands Use utensils to handle ready-to-eat food Minimize bare hand contact with exposed food Use utensil only once when taste testing

Foodborne Illness Potentially hazardous foods Bacteria, such as salmonella Virus, such as hepatitis A Parasites in meat

Wash Hands and Arms Wet hands with warm water Use soap Rub hands briskly together Rinse hands under running water Dry hands on paper towel

When to Wash Before touching anything used to prepare food After touching bare human body After using the restroom After coughing or sneezing After eating, drinking, smoking After handling trash or dirty utensils After working with raw meat Before putting on disposable gloves

Good Hygiene Practices Eat, drink, and smoke only in designated areas Wear hair restraints or hats Keep fingernails clean and trimmed Don’t wear jewelry on hands Keep clothing and aprons clean

Fire Prevention –Store flammable and combustible liquids in proper containers –Keep reactive chemicals separated –Prevent the accumulation of combustibles –Keep combustibles away from electrical equipment and hot machinery

Emergency Evacuation Procedures –Evacuation signal –Location of emergency exits –Evacuation routes –Emergency exits and access to exits

Emergency Evacuation Procedures: (cont.) –Emergency duties –Designated meeting area –Drills

Emergency Fire Response –Activate the fire alarm –Call the fire department –Use an extinguisher on small fires

Emergency Situations Know location of fire alarms and extinguishers Know what alarms sound like Know how to use extinguishers Know at least two evacuation routes Know meeting place outside building

What to do if there is an injury Report injuries to you supervisor and human resources immediately Unless you are trained in First Aid/CPR or the injury is minor, do not attempt to give medical aid to an injured employee or guest If the injury appears to be serious (broken limbs, passed out, etc), call 911 immediately All WC injuries are to be treated at our designated WC clinic Worker’s Compensation

First Aid Call for professional medical help Bring help to victim Check victim’s ABCs Check victim’s vitals Interview victim Use appropriate first-aid measures

Infectious Diseases and Bloodborne Pathogens Wash hands often Use precautions when giving first aid Treat all blood as contaminated Use PPE Clean up thoroughly Get medical attention if you’re exposed

Security Follow company procedures Keep doors locked Don’t loan keys or access cards Report unknown people Report security gaps

Workplace Violence Take threats seriously Recognize signs of potential violence in co-workers Report signs Arrange a danger signal with co-workers Remain calm with emotional people Alert proper authorities

Personal Protective Equipment Use the right equipment for the job Inspect it before every use Make sure it fits Follow manufacturer’s instructions Clean and store properly

Machine Safety Obey tags Make sure guards are in place Report problems Wear correct PPE Focus on work

Hazard Communication Read chemical labels Read MSDSs Use proper PPE Follow procedures Seek medical attention if exposed

Workplace Stress –Stress factors –Symptoms of stress –Episodic stress –Benefits of stress

Stress Management –Control your reaction to stress –Exercise, eat right, and get enough sleep –Avoid stressful situations –Get organized –Laugh, relax, and take quiet time

Summary: Workplace Safety Follow safety rules and procedures Keep walkways, aisles, space around desks, all exits, work areas clean and clear Use proper lifting techniques (anything over 50 lbs must use the “buddy” system) Do not climb on chairs or shelves, use a ladder to step stool Know location of all exits Appropriate containers for all waste Report hazardous or unsafe conditions to the facility manager or human resources Never perform a job you feel is unsafe Report all injuries, however minor Poster

Test What You Know 1.List three reasons for maintaining a safe workplace. 2.What government agency monitors safety in the workplace? 3.What hazards are present in offices? 4.What two things should you never do with extension cords? 5.What is the proper way to reach?

Test What You Know (cont.) 6.List four things you can do to practice good ergonomics. 7.What five things do you need to know to be safe during emergency situations? 8.When is it OK to loan your access card or to leave an outside door open? 9.How often should you inspect your PPE? 10.Where can you find the most complete safety and health precautions for hazardous substances?

Test What You Know Answers 1.List three reasons for maintaining a safe workplace. Safety sustains productivity, promotes morale, is required by law, and requires everyone’s participation. 2.What government agency monitors safety in the workplace? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 3.What hazards are present in offices? Open drawers, unstable furniture, and hot equipment.

Test What You Know Answers (cont.) 4.What two things should you never do with extension cords? Don’t run them across stairs or aisles and don’t fasten them with nails or staples. 5.What is the proper way to reach? Move your body close to the object; don ’ t twist. Stand for objects on high shelves (get a stepstool, if necessary), and don ’ t overextend.

Test What You Know Answers (cont.) 6.List four things you can do to practice good ergonomics. Arrange your workstation, sit properly, avoid repetitive motions, take breaks, keep wrists straight, use proper tools and PPE, and carry objects palm down. 7.What five things do you need to know to be safe during emergency situations? The location of fire alarms and extinguishers, what alarms sound like, how to use extinguishers, two evacuation routes, and where to meet outside the building.

Test What You Know Answers (cont.) 8.When is it OK to loan your access card or to leave an outside door open? Never. 9.How often should you inspect your PPE? Before every use. 10.Where can you find the most complete safety and health precautions for hazardous substances? Material safety data sheets.