UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN –
STEVENS POINT
SAFETY ORIENTATION
Environmental Health & Safety Officer
Walter C. Clark, M.A.
Reviewed and up-dated 8/31/2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
1AccidentReporting…………………………………………………………..3
2Asbestos Awareness………………………………………………………….3
3Blood Borne Pathogens………………………………………………………5
4Confined Space Entry Awareness...... 6
5Emergency Procedures……………………………………………………….8
6Ergonomics…………………………………………………………………...8
7Fire Extinguisher Safety Training…………………………………………….9
8Hazard Communication………………………………………………………12
9Hazardous Material (HazMat – DOT)………………………………………..18
10Hazardous Waste……………………………………………………………...19
11Hoisting Equipment…………………………………………………………..19
12Housekeeping…………………………………………………………………19
13Ladder Safety/Fall Prevention………………………………………………...20
14Lead Awareness……………………………………………………………….20
15Lockout/Tagout Awareness…………………………………………..……...... 21
16Manual Lifting...... …23
17Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)...... …25
18Powered Industrial Vehicles …………………………………………………..26
19Tornado/Severe Weather Response...... …26
20Other Information...... …28
21Quiz……………………………………………………………………………29
ACCIDENT REPORTING
Employees who are performing work for the University and are on the University payroll are covered under Worker’s Compensation for work-related injuries. Injuries must be reported to your supervisor immediately. The closest medical facilities are St. Michael’s Hospital and RiceMedicalCenter. In the event of a medical emergency, 911 or Protective Services (x3456) should be called. The injured employee and the supervisor must complete worker’s compensation injury reports for any work-related injury. These forms must be submitted to the office of Safety & Loss Control within 24 hours. An accident investigation will be conducted for every injury. For additional information, or worker’s compensation packets, call Safety & Loss Control at x2618 or x2320.
ASBESTOSAWARENESS
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a collective name given to minerals that occur naturally and are foundin the earth’s crust. Small amounts of asbestos may be found throughout the ambient environment. Asbestos is a material that is very resistant to heat and corrosive chemicals. In general, any building constructed before 1980 may likely have asbestos containing material (ACM) as it was widely utilized in the past due to its resilient properties. UWSP buildings contain a wide variety of asbestos-containing building materials (see examples below). A large percentage of public buildings and even private homes built before 1980 contain asbestos products. Asbestos is managed at UWSP following our Asbestos Management Program (see UWSP ensures abatement projects follow asbestos management regulations and that other activities do not disturb asbestos still in place.
Un-Milled Mineral Asbestos (Chrysotile)ACM Steam InsulationSign For Regulated Area
Typically, asbestos appears as a whitish, fibrous material which may release fibers that range in texture from course to silky; however, airborne fibers that may cause health damage may be too small to see with the naked eye. Heaviest exposures occur in the construction industry, particularly during the removal of asbestos during renovation or demolition and during manufacturing of asbestos containing productsand asbestos mining.
Examples of Materials That Could Contain Asbestos:
Thermal System Insulation (TSI) (e.g., pipe insulation, duct insulation) / Fire-rated asbestos core doors / Some plasters. Joint/spackling compound
Boiler/Furnace insulation / Fire-stop material / Lamp (insulation)
Chalkboards / Floor tile (especially 9”) and mastic / Some spackling compounds
Cooling towers / Hair dryers (insulating material) / Asbestos cement
Surfacing material on walls or ceilings / Heating pads / Siding
Textured surfacing material / HVAC duct connectors / Textured paints and coatings
Transite panels (e.g.: garage, fume hood walls, etc.) / Fire-resistant drywall / Brake pads / Clutch disks
Electrical insulation and wiring / Theatrical (fire) curtains / Roofing shingles and adhesives
Fire-proofing material / Roofing materials / Vinyl sheet flooring
Fire-protective clothing
What Are the Dangers of Asbestos Exposure?
Exposure to asbestos may cause asbestosis (scarring of the lungs resulting in loss of lung function that often progresses to disability and to death); mesothelioma (cancer affecting the membranes lining the lungs and abdomen); lung cancer; and cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum. Asbestos enters the body through inhalation or ingestion. Asbestos is primarily hazardous when breathed into the body.Therefore, preventing the material from becoming a dust is the critical exposure control measure. The symptoms of asbestos-induced diseases generally do not appear for 10, 20, or even 40 or more years after initial exposure.
Friable asbestos is defined as being easily turned into a dust with only finger pressure. Most uncovered, dilapidated thermal system insulation is in this category. Non-friable asbestos does not meet this definition. However, non-friable material may become friable material by sanding, drilling, cutting, breaking, etc. ACM floor tile is an example of non-friable material. Friable material is the more hazardous form of ACM.
According to the National Institute of Health:“Many studies have shown that the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure is particularly hazardous. Smokers who are also exposed to asbestos have a greatly increased risk of lung cancer. However, smoking combined with asbestos exposure does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma.”
What Protections Are Mandatory?
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued regulations covering asbestos exposure in general industry and construction. Both standards set a maximum exposure limit and include provisions for engineering controls and respirators, protective clothing, exposure monitoring, hygiene facilities and practices, warning signs, labeling, recordkeeping, and medical exams. OSHA’s exposure limit for asbestos is 0.1 f/cc, 8-hour time-weighted average.
UWSP follows a practice endorsed by the U.S. EPA known as: Management (Of Asbestos) In Place. The goal is to maintain existing asbestos containing material (ACM) in a stable condition rather than removal of asbestos for the sake of removing asbestos. The mere presence of asbestos does not constitute a hazard. If the ACM is maintained and undisturbed there is no exposure or risk to a building's occupants. Exposure may occur when the ACM is sanded, ground (using a grinder), abraded, or otherwise disturbed during maintenance operations, remodeling, abuse, or some other activity. Asbestos abatement is a routine occurrence in facilities such as UWSP. Specific asbestos procedures may be found in UWSP’s Asbestos Management Program. See for further details.
Key issues to remember with regard to asbestos safety include:
•Practice consistent pre-assessment of your work area if performing maintenance activities which may disrupt asbestos containing building materials. Utilize the WALMS system (see below).
•Report all suspect materials and questions to your Supervisor.
•Damaged suspected or known materials - leave alone and report to your Supervisor. Restrict access to the area as needed (caution tape).
•EHS will have asbestos sampling conducted where needed. Contact 2320.
•Questions – Dick Bartosh (2320).
•Abatement and repair work typically is contracted with outside approved contractor.
•See Wisconsin Asbestos Lead Management System (WALMS) - for detailed asbestos inventory of UWSP buildings. USER ID = UWSP; PASSWORD = 1848. Select desired Building in top of screen, click “Material Inventory by Room” under Standard Reports, click “Display Report” right center.
•Regulated areas. Areas that are being abated will be regulated and only authorized persons may enter a regulated area following safety practices. Warning signs must be displayed at each regulated area.
•Ensure all individuals receive appropriate and required training.
EHS offers 2-hour asbestos awareness training. Anyone interested in asbestos-related issues may attend. Employees who may be exposed to asbestos on the job are required to attend (maintenance individuals, building managers, etc.) and have an annual refresher. This training is free of charge to the department. Call 2320 for details. Individuals required to do basic work directly with asbestos (small repairs) must attend the 16-hour Operations and Maintenance class (contact EHS 2320).
BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS - AWARENESS
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that are carried in blood and may cause disease in people. Bloodborne pathogens include:Malaria; Syphilis; Hepatitis B (HBV); and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a standard on bloodborne pathogens to protect workers.
Bloodborne pathogen waste will carry the following red or orange label:
This OSHA standard was enacted to help reduce workplace incidence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Blood is the single most important source of HIV transmission in the workplace setting.
Job classifications with potential occupational exposure to blood or potentially infectious materials have been identified. Employees who may encounter occupational exposure must be offered HBV vaccination within 10 working days of initial assignment. See Appendix B of the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan in the UWSP Health and Safety Manual for a listing of these positions. See Check with your supervisor about scheduling this vaccination series.
Particular Disease Symptoms
HBV is a disease of the liver. Symptoms may be non-existent or may be flu-like and, in addition, may include jaundice (characterized by a yellowing of the skin).Infection with HBV also puts an individual at risk of acquiring other liver diseases. HBV is considered to be much more infectious than HIV. The HBV virus may survive in blood up to 7 days outside the body. The 3-shot vaccine series for HBV is very safe and effective.
HIV is a progressive degradation of the body’s immune system for which there is no cure or vaccine. The onset of HIV infection may yield flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. AIDS is the stage in HIV infection in which the body’s immune system gradually declines placing the individual at risk of various illnesses and infections. HIV survives only a few hours in dry environments.
Methods of Transmission
Blood is the principle infectious material and any incident in which blood is exchanged from one individual to another has the potential to result in infection. The best methods to reduce the chance of infection are to avoid high-risk behaviors such as unsafe sex, the sharing of hypodermic needles, and to use safe work practices in the workplace. This means treating all blood and bodily fluids as contaminated and handling them accordingly.
All equipment and working surfaces need to be cleaned and decontaminated after contact with blood or other potentially infectious bodily fluids or materials. EHS suggests that all offices have a “blood-spill kit” available. These may be purchased through UWSP Central Stores. The kit contains plastic gloves, a towel to wipe up the spill, an antiseptic towel, and plastic disposal bag. Hands should be washed with soap and running water after contact with any potential infectious material.
Exposure Control
In the event of a potentially infectious exposure, clean the exposed area (hands, face, etc) immediately and notify your supervisor and either EHS, Personnel, or Protective Services. EHS will assist in determining if medical attention is necessary. If EHS is not available, proceed to Saint Michael’s emergency room (or the closest emergency room available) to determine if additional medical attention is required. Notify Protective Services at X3456 during off hours.
For work-related exposure incidents, the exposed employee and their Supervisor must complete the following Worker’s Comp injury reports within 24 hours:“Employee’s Work Injury and Illness Report (UWS/OSLP-1Emp); "Employer's First Report of Injury" form (WKC-12); and "Supervisor's Accident Analysis and Prevention" form (UWS/OSLP-2). In addition, a “Determination of Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids” (WKC-8165)must be completed. Contact your supervisor or the Safety and Loss Control Department, X2618, for forms or assistance in completing the forms.
Form WKC-8165 should be presented to the attending physician when seeking medical assistance. If the health care provider has an equivalent form, it may be used in place of WKC-8165. The evaluating physician should provide the employee with a written opinion within 15 days after completion of the evaluation. Contact EHS Department for assistance in obtaining this information as needed.
If the attending physician determines that source testing is warranted, he/she will contact the source individual for consent. If consent is obtained, the source individual’s blood will be tested and those results will, upon consent, be made available to the exposed employee.
Rules to follow:
- Treat all blood or potentially infectious body fluids as if they are contaminated.
- Stay away from the area and contact supervision to have the area cleaned properly by trained individuals (custodians). Do not clean up blood unless you are trained.
If contact is unavoidable, wear personal protective equipment included in biohazard kits (available in the M&M Storeroom), and report all exposure incidents to Supervision.
CONFINED SPACE ENTRY AWARENESS TRAINING
This is awareness-level information regarding confined space entry. This training does not authorize any employee to enter or be involved in a confined space entry. Individuals who are actually involved in confined space entry must receive additional training on proper entry procedures.
A "CONFINED SPACE" means a space that meets all of the below conditions:
(1)Is large enough and so configured that an employee may bodily enter and perform assigned work;
(2)Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit; and
(3)Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
Examples of confined spaces: Steam Pits, Storage Tanks, Compartments of Ships, Process Vessels, Pits, Silos, Vats, Wells, Sewers, Digesters, Degreasers, Reaction Vessels, Boilers, Ventilation & Exhaust Ducts, Furnaces, Railroad Tank Cars, Tankers (part of a Tractor-Trailer Unit),Tunnels, Underground Utility Vaults, Pipes, or Pipelines.
A PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE is a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:
(1)Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere (e.g. methane, CO, oxygen depletion, hydrogen sulfide, etc);
(2)Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant (corn, water, etc);
(3)Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section; or
(4)Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard (e.g. moving parts, hazardous chemicals/materials, fall hazard, poor visibility, etc).
OSHA regulates PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACES. Permit spaces must be identified by posting danger signs at the entrance. See below for an example of a sign:
Specific entry procedures must be followed when entering a permit-required confined space. (Please see for additional Confined Space information) This includes, but is not limited to: coordination with the fire department for rescue before entry, having an attendant, completing an entry permit, making the space safe for entry, locking out moving parts, relieving stored energy, atmospheric testing, ventilation, draining tanks, cleaning, wearing personal protective equipment, etc. Each person involved in a Confined Space Entry must have received specific safety training prior to entry. Entrants and attendants must also have First Aid and CPR Training. Departments are responsible for ensuring confined space procedures are developed. Contact EHS for assistance in confined space compliance. Individuals not authorized or properly trained must never enter a permit-required confined space. This includes entering a permit-required confined space to attempt a rescue. Approximately 2/3 of all individuals killed in permit-required confined space accidents are would-be rescuers. Individuals involved in confined space entry and management must attend confined space entry training provided by EHS.
Call 911 for all confined space emergencies. The Stevens Point Fire Department is our designated confined space rescue provider.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
The UWSP Emergency Management Plan addresses many potential emergencies. The Plan provides detailed procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. The document is available in hard copy to key offices and areas throughout campus and is available from the UWSP homepage for the entire campus community at
Go to this website and review the response steps for the emergencies listed. Click on each emergency type and read the respective procedure. Pay close attention to medical emergencies, fire/explosions, tornado/severe weather, terrorism, violent or criminal behavior, general response guidelines, evacuation procedures, and other emergencies specific to your situation. Contact your supervisor or EHS Office at 2320 with questions. When emergencies occur, you will often be advised to notify Protective Services at 3456 or, 911, especially if there is a personal injury. For fires – evacuate. For tornadoes or severe weather – stay indoors and go to the lowest interior shelter away from windows.
The University has also developed Building Safety Guides and Residence Hall Safety Guides for use as a quick reference to emergencies. These guides are printed pamphlets that may be stored at your desk for easier reference in an emergency. For a copy, contact EHS, at 2320. These may also be viewed at:
- UWSPBuilding Safety Guide:
- UWSP Residence Hall Safety Guide:
Chemical spills and spills of oil (used oil, diesel fuel oil, or used vegetable oil) to the environment (air, soil or river/storm sewers) must be reported to Protective Services or the Env Health & Safety Officer at 2320 and some must be reported to the WI DNR (Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures’ Plan). All spills must be cleaned up.
ERGONOMICS
Workstation Evaluations
The EHS Department offers workstation evaluations for university staff. A workstation evaluation will review the relationship of your body to your keyboard, monitor and desktop to decrease the likelihood of developing muscular skeletal disorders. The evaluator will show you proper spatial relationships and if necessary, advise you of corrective actions or products available to achieve those relationships. Evaluations are free of charge (call 4464). Additional information is available at: