© 2003 Crockett Grabbe, Ph.D.
SeaLane Research & Consulting Austin, TX 78758-4123 512-551-2008 (telemarketers will be prosecuted)
| Injury | Fire | Illness | Criminal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Accessible stairs | In | |||
| 2. Walls & doors | In | F | ||
| o Useful for isolating fire or disaster? | ||||
| o Designed for safety? | ||||
| 3. Storage shelves/racks | In | |||
| o Adequate for avoiding unnecessary clutter? | ||||
| 4. Portable storage | In | |||
| 5. Workbenches | In | |||
| o Large & strong enough for necessary labor? | ||||
| 6. Power supplies (extra) | In | |||
| o Adequate for emergency power needs? | ||||
| 7. Large machinery/equipment | In | F | ||
| 8. Large furniture | In | F | ||
| 9. Computers & IT equipment | In | |||
| 10. Rest rooms | Il | |||
| o Available & accessable? | ||||
| o Kept sanitary? | ||||
| 11. Kitchens & vending machines | Il | |||
| 12. Fire extinguishers | F | |||
| o Operational for emergency use? | ||||
| o Locations obvious for emergency use? | ||||
| 13. Smoke alarms | F | |||
| o Operating for emergency? |
| Injury | Fire | Illness | Criminal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Signs for visitors | In | |||
| o Clearly marked? | ||||
| 2. Lights on buildings for evenings | In | Cr | ||
| o Adequate and working? | ||||
| 3. Parking areas | In | |||
| o Clearly marked & free of obstacles? | ||||
| 4. Vehicle turning areas | In | |||
| o Adequate for safety to both vehicles & pedestrians? | ||||
| 5. Routes for fork-lifts, trucks... | In | |||
| o Clearly identified? | ||||
| 6. Trashbins & waste holders | F | Il | ||
| o Easily accessible by workers even in poor weather? | ||||
| o Adequate for avoiding safety & fire hazards? | ||||
| 7. Chemical & flammables storage areas | F | |||
| o Stored in separate, safe, & secure areas? | ||||
| 8. Liquid storage tanks (water, oil) | In | Il | ||
| o Adequate, secure, & well-maintained storage? | ||||
| 9. Old machinery, vehicles, equipment | F | |||
| 10. Perimeter gates & fences (security) | Cr | |||
| 11. Lights & Closed-Circuit TV (security) | Cr | |||
| 12. Power lines and outside fuse boxes | F | |||
| 13. Robust roof (weather & burglars) | In | Cr | ||
| o How accessible to burglars? | ||||
| o How fragile is it? | ||||
| o Maintence & accessibility of damage areas? |
1. The Fire Triangle -- Break it!
a. Ignition -- sources are:
_o Discarded cigarettes, matches, lighters
_o Heaters
_o Naked flames (eg pilot lights)
_o Welding or sparking machinery
_o Hot lights or office equipment
_o Faulty electrical equipment
_o Static electricity (including lightning)
b. Fuel -- sources are:
_o Paper, cardboard, & packing material
_o Wood
_o Furniture, shelving, furnishings
_o Foam, polystyrene, etc
_o Chemicals, solvents, alcohol
_o Paint, varnish, adhesives
_o Acetylene, petroleum by-products
c. Oxygen
_o Air, venilation
_o Chemicals that are oxidizing agents
_o Pressurized cylinders
2. Information everyone should know (OSHA 1910.157)
NOTE: OSHA regulations are the same as Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (e.g. reference above is 29 CFR 1910.157)
REFERENCE: www.ELaws.DOL.gov/OSHA/fire/fire.html
_o Monitor major areas with smoke & Co alarms. Check them regularly to ensure reliability.
_o Create a fire suppression & escape plans and see that all employees know how to escape in the event of fire. Workplace must have 2 escape routes remote from each other.
_o Keep safety routes and emergency exits available & clear. Fire doors cannot be blocked or locked.
- OSHA regulations allow exit doors in mental, penal and correctional institutions to be locked provided supervisory staff is available to unlock them in an emergency and has been trained in emergency evacuation procedures.
_o Isolate all ovens and coffee stations from flammable materials.
_o Never leave lit candles unattended, and isolate them from all flammables.
_o Never smoke near flammables, or even inside a building. Ensure cigarettes are stubbed out and disposed of carefully
_o Keep matches in a safe non-flammable place
_o Keep clothing away from heating appliances & fireplaces
_o Provide usable fire extinguishers in accessible locations
- OSHA regulations specifically require that fire extinguishers be provided on powered platforms and in work areas involving use, storage or dispensing of flammable, explosive, or combustible materials, hazardous wastes, clean-up of hazardous materials releases, and grain storage.
- OSHA regs forbid portable fire extinguishers of CCl4 or ClBrCH4. Limited to fixed extinguisher systems discharged in areas with posted hazard warning signs protecting employees. (OSHA 1910.160)
_o Install fire sprinklers (OSHA 1910.159)
- OSHA has specific requirements for installation of automatic sprinklers, other fixed automatic extinguisher systems or automatic fire detectors in workplaces where high hazard materials are stored, dispensed or processed. If you are unsure about whether your workplace is covered contact your OSHA area office or state occupational safety advisory service.
- High hazard materials include flammable liquids, gases, & metals.
3. When there is a fire in your workplace:
_o Do not use the elevator -- go down the stairs
_o Check the doorknob before opening any door. If the knob is hot, Do NOT open the door!
_o Put bedding & clothing at the bottom of shut door to block the smoke.
_o If there is a lot of smoke, crawl along the floor where the air is clearer.
4. Fire Prevention Plans (3 components)
_o A list of the major workplace fire hazards and their proper handling and storage procedures, potential ignition sources (such as welding, smoking and others) and their control procedures, and the type of fire protection equipment or systems which can control a fire involving them.
_o Names or job titles of employees responsible for maintaining equipment and systems installed to prevent or control ignitions or fires.
_o Names or job titles of employees responsible for control of fuel source hazards.
_o Iowa & Indiana have OSHA-approved plans, but Illinois & Wisconsin do not.
1. Hazards Electricity Presents:
_o Electric shock
* Body contact with voltage source
_o Arc blasts & burns
* Vaporized metal causes intense current flow over voltage gap
_o Fire
* Electric arc ignites flammable solids
_o Explosion
* Electric arc ignites flammable vapor or combustible dust in air
2. Information everyone should know
_o The body (70% water) is an excellent conductor, so when there is a voltage difference across it.
_o If voltage is contacted, current (determined by resistance of body, etc) will flow to where body is grounded (eg to feet). Moisture, oil, or skin abrasions will reduce the total resistance.
_o NEVER use both hands for work where there is a possibility of a live wire or conductor. Current thru the heart can easiy electrocute!
_o Do not touch those paralyzed by live current. Break their contact using insulated protection, turn off the current at the breaker, & call 911.
_o Electrical terminals are required to have ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) for protecting personnel against electric shock.
_o OSHA new record-keeping rule as of 2002: must annually report injuries in workplace.
| Current at 60 Hz | Effect on 150 lb person |
|---|---|
| 3 mA | Pain threshold |
| 10 mA | Arm Paralysis Threshold |
| 30 mA | Respiratory Paralysis Threshold |
| 75 mA | Fibrillation Threshold (0.5%) |
| 250 mA | Fibrillation Threshold (99.5%) |
| 4 A | Heart Paralysis Threshold |
| 5 A | Tissue Burning Threshold |
1. Dangers presented by compressed gas
a. Suffocation
b. Explosion (if flammable)
c. Propulsion
2. OSHA requirements for compressed gas cylinders inside buildings (OSHA 1910.253)
_o Well-protected, well preserved, dry location, 20 ft from highly combustible material (eg oil or excelsior).
_o Definitely-assigned storage spaces away from elevators, stairs & gangways.
_o Storage space must be ventilated (no lockers or cupboards)
_o Valve protection caps must be in place & hand-tight when cylinder in use.
_o Install monitoring systems to detect leakage, and visually inspect for leakage
3. Metal Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinets (29 CFR 1910.106):
_o Designed & constructed for max temps below 325 deg-F in test fire
_o Max capacity of 60 gals for Class I,II flammable liquids and 120 gals for Class III
_o Can be of double-walled sheet iron or of good grade of plywood,
meeting specs.
1. Air-borne
_o Airborne diseases are spread through microscopic droplets released into the air, usually when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
_o Airborne pathogens include influenza, chicken pox, measles and mumps, as well as more dangerous diseases such as tuberculosis, plague, botulism, smallpox, and anthrax.
_o Get fall flu shots
_o Install in workplace new fixture AiraBella patented by Indoor Air Technology www.airabella/com
* UV energy lamp system that kills 97% of the airborne pathogens (unveiled in 2002)
2. Blood-borne (particularly hospitals & health-care workplaces)
_o Hepatitus B -- 1.25 million cases in US; 78,000 new cases each year
-- Vaccine available for pre-exposure (~100% effective)
-- 3-drug regimen for post-exposure (~80-85% effective)
_o Hepatitus C -- 2.70 million cases in US; 25,000 new cases each year; ~ 9,000 deaths each year and rising
_o HIV (AIDS) -- 500,000 cases in US; 40,000 new cases each year; ~ 10,000 deaths each year
_o Infections come from:
-- Infected needles (eg nurses in clinic or giving flu shots)
| Risk | |
|---|---|
| HBV | 30% |
| HCV | 3% |
| HIV | 0.3% |
-- Abraded skin contacts
-- Mucous membrane (be careful who you kiss at work!)
_o Needlestick Safety & Prevention Act of 2000
-- Revision of Blood-borne Standards Act of 1992
-- Requires health care employers to document in their exposure control plan that they have evaluated and implemented safety-engineered sharp devices to reduce exposure
-- Requires that exposure control plans be reviewed and updated at least annually to reflect changes in sharps safety technology.
-- Requires each health care facility to maintain a sharps injury log with detailed information on percutaneous injuries (including type and brand of device involved in exposure incident, department where exposure occurred and an explanation of how it occurred).
-- Requires employers to solicit input from non-managerial (e.g., frontline) health care workers when identifying, evaluating and selecting safety-engineered sharp devices, and to document this process in the exposure control plan.
-- Expands the definition of "engineering controls" to include devices with engineered sharps injury protection.
1. Table of Most Frequently Cited OSHA Construction Standards for
Physical Hazards (1991)
| Rank | Description of Standard | Title 29 CFR 1926.____ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Fall Protection | Guarding open sided floors/platforms | 500(d)(1) |
| 2 PPE | Head protection from impact, falling or flying objects | 100(a) |
| 3 Electrical | Ground fault protection | 404(b)(1)(i) |
| 4 Electrical | Path to ground missing or discontinuous | 404(f)(6) |
| 5 Trench/Excavation | Protective Systems for trenching/excavation | 652(a)(1) |
| 6 Scaffolding | Guardrail specifications for tubular welded frame scaffolds | 451(d)(10) |
| 7 PPE | Appropriate PPE used for specific operation | 28(a) |
| 8 Ladders/Stairways | Stair rails required @ 30" change of elevation or 4 risers | 1052(c)(1) |
| 9 Fire Protection | Approved containers or tanks for storing or handling flammable or combustable liquids. | 152(a)(1) |
| 10 General Provisions | General Housekeeping | 25(a) |
| 11 Trenching/Excavation | Daily inspection of physical components of trench and protection systems | 651(k)(1) |
| 12 Scaffolds | Safe access for all types of scaffolds | 451(a)(13) |
| 13 Electrical | Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI's) | 404(b)(1)(ii) |
| 14 Concrete/Masonry | Guardingprotruding steel rebars | 701(b) |
| 15 Scaffolds | General requirements for guarding | 451(a)(4) |
| 16 Trench/Excavation | Spoil pile protection | 651(j)(2) |
| 17 Welding/Cutting | Securing compressed gas cylinders | 350(a)(9) |
| 18 Welding/Cutting | Additional rules for welding as per ANSI Z49.1-1967 | 350(j) |
| 19 PPE Eye/Face | Protection for operations which create exposure | 102(a)(1) |
| 20 Fall Protection | Guarding floor openings | 500(b)(1) |
| 21 Ladder/stairway | Ladder extended 3' above landings | 1053(b)(1) |
| 22 Trench/excavation | Access/Egress from trench/excavation | 651(c)(2) |
| 23 Electrical | Listed,labeled or certified equipment used in manner prescribed | 403(b)(2) |
| 24 Electrical | Flexible cords designed for hard or extra hard usage | 405(a)(2)(ii)(j) |
| 25 Electrical | Strain relief for cords | 405(g)(2)(iv) |
| 26 Woodworking Tools | Additional rules for woodworking tools as per ANSI 01.1-1967 | 304(f) |
PROTECT YOURSELF WITH PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Hard hats, goggles, face shields, earplugs, steel-toed shoes,
respirators. What do all these items have in common?
They are all various forms of personal protective equipment.
Yet, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show:
o Hard hats were worn by only 16% of those workers who sustained
head injuries, although two-fifths were required to wear them
for certain tasks at specific locations;
o Only 1% of approximately 770 workers suffering face injuries were
wearing face protection;
o Only 23% of the workers with foot injuries wore safety shoes or
boots; and
o About 40% of the workers with eye injuries wore eye protective
equipment.
A majority of these workers were injured while performing their normal
jobs at regular worksites.
OSHA standards require employers to furnish and employees to use
suitable protective equipment where there is a "reasonable probability"
that injury can be prevented by such equipment. The standards also set
provisions for specific equipment.
Shows where to find safety standards by topic in Title 29 of the Code
of Federal Regulations
The revised OSHA Form 300, Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses is now available on OSHA's website at:
http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/new-osha300form1-1-04.pdf.
The forms, which are required for employers to use in recording injuries and illnesses, have changed in several important ways for 2004. Foremost among the changes is the addition of an occupational hearing loss column to OSHA's Form 300, Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. Other changes include:
* "days away from work" column now comes before the days "on job transfer or restriction"
* more clear formulas for calculating incidence rates
* new recording criteria for occupational hearing loss in the "Overview" section;
* more prominent column heading "Classify the Case" to make it clear that employers should mark only one selection among the four columns offered.
These changes were made in response to public suggestions on making the forms easier to use. Employers must begin to use the new OSHA Form 300 on January 1, 2004. The new form has the date of revision (rev. 1/2004) located on the form next to the form number.
Injuries and illnesses for years prior to 2004 should continue to be recorded on the appropriate form for that year (i.e., 2003 and 2002 injuries and illnesses should be recorded on the forms for those years). The forms for 2003 and 2002 will continue to be available on OSHA's website at:
http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/OSHArecordkeepingforms.pdf.
Additionally, employers should use the old OSHA 300A Summary Form (without the hearing loss column) to post as required in February 2004. The new 300A form that includes the hearing loss column should be used to post in February 2005.
Hard copies of the new OSHA 300 form can be obtained using
OSHA's on-line order form or by calling 1-800-321-OSHA.
-- Violence 20.6% in 1993, down to 14% in 2000.
1. Have a receptionist at the entrance to control access
2. Escort visitors in and out of work areas
3. Encourage staff to challenge and assist any unaccompanied strangers they encounter in the workplace
4. Have procedures in place for dealing with suspicious mail and packages
5. Have a prompt responses to incidents of conflict in the workplace
6. Develop and use a Crisis Management Plan
2. Secure and Control the Area
_o Account for everyone in the area
_o Ensure everyone's safety
_o Evacuate if necessary
3. Provide Emergency assistance
_o Have floor plans available if needed
_o Have employee lists available
_o Have all departmental phone numbers on hand
_o Provide suspect information if relevant
4. Deal with threats properly
_o Stay calm (don't panic)
_o Agree with them generally (don't argue, beg, plead, or minimize)
_o If not sure, get the hell out of there
_o Report & document the threat right away
Prior to the termination of his employment, Brian Andresen worked for Shaw's Supermarkets, Inc. at its store in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Shaw's was aware that Andresen suffered from depression. During his night shift on January 20-21, 2000, Andresen had a conversation with a co-worker "about guns, revenge, life and politics"; Following the co-worker's report to management of the conversation, Shaw's immediately suspended Andresen for three days, consulted with Dr. John Diorio, and contacted the Brockton, Massachusetts, police. Summoned on January 24, 2000, to meet with Shaw's officials and union representatives, Andresen was told that Shaw's was terminating him pursuant to its "zero-tolerance" policy as to workplace violence. When Andresen left the building with his final paycheck, two Brockton police officers alerted by Shaw's were waiting for him.
The officers told Andresen that he had to go to the hospital in Brockton for an evaluation, adding (falsely, according to Andresen) that they had a "pink slip," apparently an order or certificate for involuntary commitment. Andresen was held in isolation in the hospital for three days and then released after the hospital concluded that he was not delusional or a danger to himself or others.
Andresen subsequently sued Shaw's and Dr. Diorio. The complaint included a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim, premised on an alleged Fourth Amendment violation, and state claims under Massachusetts law for violation of civil rights, invasion of privacy, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and defamation. The district court dismissed all claims. On appeal, the 1st Circuit affirmed, holding that:
(1) Shaw's and Diorio were not state actors who could be liable under § 1983 for violating Andresen's Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable seizures;
(2) Shaw's conduct of reporting Andresen's allegedly threatening comments, and Diorio's interpretation of those comments, to police was reasonable, and not undertaken with actual malice or recklessness, as required to hold Shaw's liable under the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act (MCRA) for the alleged violation of Andresen's Fourth Amendment rights;
(3) the Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Act (MWCA) provided the exclusive remedy for Andresen's intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED), negligent infliction of emotional distress (NIED), and negligence claims; and
(6) absent allegations establishing that Shaw's was
negligent or engaged in any deliberate falsehood about Andresen, Shaw's
could not be liable for defamation under Massachusetts law.