General Safety Awareness

General Safety Awareness

Safety

First
General Safety Awareness

Wheel Chocking

·  All trailers must be chocked before entering them with a lift truck.

·  Do not enter a trailer if the yellow safety chain is across the door.

·  Only authorized personnel may use mechanical materials handling devices.

·  Lift truck operators: Exercise caution and control your lift truck.

·  Keep alert! Observe all safety signs.

·  Watch out for hazards that could hurt you or your co-workers.

·  Make sure that electrical tools are properly grounded and that no electrical hazard exists from standing water.

·  Never make changes on equipment to bypass safety devices.

·  When on the dock or in the yard, be aware of the lift trucks, tractors, trailers and other equipment moving nearby.

·  Always use a hook to pull a dock plate.

·  Use approved ladders to climb.

·  Do not jump off the dock.

·  Do not run. No job is so urgent that running is required.

·  Do not engage in horseplay.

·  No individual may be under the influence or in possession of controlled substances or alcohol while on the premises.

·  Familiarize yourself with all escape exits and the location of any emergency cutoff valves or switches.

·  Smoke only in authorized areas.

·  Adequate fire extinguishers are provided throughout the area. Be aware of their locations and proper operation.

Proper Lifting Techniques

Persons performing lifting and strenuous activities must follow proper lifting techniques at all times. Back injury is the most common of employee injuries. Every year, back injuries cost employers and employees tens of billions of dollars in lost wages and medical expenses.

1.  Employees may reduce injuries by:

·  minimizing any materials handling;

·  using mechanical devices and equipment for assistance whenever possible; and

·  following proper lifting techniques.

2.  Employees should follow these practices while lifting:

·  Lift using leg muscles.

·  Keep head high, chin tucked in, and back arched.

·  Keep object close to body and stand straight.

·  Create a balanced base of support by using one foot ahead and one foot behind to get the object close to the body.

·  Pivot with the load.

·  Put one foot up and change positions often when standing for long periods of time.

·  Keep work at a comfortable height.

·  Stand, if possible, on a cushioned mat.

·  Interrupt or change stressful positions frequently.

·  Keep heavy loads close to the body. (Ten pounds at arm’s length generates 100 pounds of pressure on spine.)

·  Keep back-support belt snug while lifting (if one is worn).

3.  Employees should avoid these practices while lifting:

·  Don’t twist your back while moving material. (Remember, always keep shoulders in line with your hips.)

·  Don’t wear high-heeled, hard-heeled, or platform shoes when standing for long periods of time.

·  Don’t stand in one position too long.

·  Don’t stand with knees locked, stomach muscles relaxed, and back swayed.

·  Don’t bend forward at the waist with work material in a low position.

·  Don’t remain in the same position for a long period.

·  Don’t reach with a heavy load.

·  Don’t lift with your back flexed.

Injury/Illness Reporting

·  All on-the-job injuries and illnesses must be reported to the facility manager, even if minor in nature.

·  The facility manager will report injuries by completing the Injury Report E-Forms for employee injuries, or by EMS to the Safety Department for contract personnel.

·  If the injury is serious or emergency in nature, the Safety Dept., or Road Service after hours, must be contacted immediately.

Vehicle Accident Reporting

·  All accidents involving CMVs or lift trucks resulting in injury, freight, property or vehicular damage must be reported to the facility manager or dispatcher immediately.

·  The operator is required to complete an accident report.

·  If the accident involves injury or is otherwise of a serious nature, the Safety Representative must be immediately contacted.

·  The Safety Representative will follow up with all parties involved to ensure all necessary measures including reports, retraining, and repairs are complete.

All vehicular accidents that occur on the property are to be reported immediately to the facility manager and processed like lift truck accidents.

General Emergency Response

·  Immediately notify the facility manager. Remain calm, think -- avoid panic and confusion.

·  If instructed to do so, sound the alarm or notify other personnel, call “911” - describe the whereabouts of the problem by physical location. The facility manager will report all emergencies to the Safety Representative.

·  If you discover a fire, you are advised not to attempt to extinguish the blaze unless you have been trained in the use of a fire extinguisher.

·  For a fire emergency/evacuation, exit the building via predetermined escape routes avoiding the hazard area. Meet in the safety zone which is located. The West side of the facility by the Employee Parking

·  For severe weather/tornadoes, seek shelter inside a room with no exterior walls, away from glass or other possible flying objects.

·  For black-out conditions, stay where you are and stop all vehicles. Wait for an adequate source of light before proceeding.

·  Do not close or lock doors when vacating the facility.

·  If evacuation is called for, do not delay for any reason, leave the facility immediately.

·  Re-join your group at the pre-designated area (safe zone). Check in with the facility manager or department manager for a head count.

·  Remain with your group until instructed otherwise.

·  Do not re-enter the facility until directed to do so.

If a disaster should occur, be on the look-out for others who might be in need of your assistance. This includes people who may have been injured, disabled workers, and co-workers who panic. To help them and yourself, remain calm and confidently direct them. Act quickly and follow the correct procedures outlined in the plan.

Hazard Communication

·  The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is the basic communication tool which gives details on chemical and physical properties, dangers, safety procedures, and emergency response techniques for workplace products.

·  The MSDS gives you information you need to work safely with chemicals. You won’t find exactly the same amount of information on every material safety data sheet. But you will find what’s known about the chemical, its hazards, and the things you can do to avoid injury and illness when handling the product.

·  Read the MSDS before you use a product. That way you will be prepared.

·  The MSDS’s for the products used in this location are kept in the “MSDS” binder at the main office. If you have any concerns when working with any of these products, consult the binder for information.

Make these common sense rules part of your job:

à  Identify hazards before you start a job.

à  Respect all precautions - don’t take chances.

à  Ask the facility manager when in doubt.

à  Know in advance what could go wrong, and what to do about it.

à  Know how and where to get help.

·  All product containers must be marked so the exact product in the container can be identified.

Chemical / Hazardous Emergencies

In the event of a chemical incident or an unintentional release:

1. REMAIN CALM - Your fear is quickly communicated to others.

2. REMOVE PERSONNEL - All unnecessary personnel shall be removed from the immediate area.

3.  IDENTIFY THE PRODUCT - From the shipping paper, labels, markings, Material Safety Data Sheets, or customer contact, identify the product. If the product is a DOT regulated hazardous material or you suspect it is harmful, leave the area and notify the facility manager who will contact a designated outside responder to clean up the product.

4. STOP THE FLOW if safe to do so - Do not attempt to respond to the spill if you feel you may put yourself or others at risk. Place leaking containers on their side or upside down to stop leak. Contact your facility manager who will notify the contracted responder for further guidance.

5. CONTAIN THE FLOW - Primary concern is run-off into a storm drain, drainage ditch, sewer, or waterway. Take whatever action is required to prevent the material from spreading or leaving the immediate spill site. Use floor-dry, cardboard, paper towel, sand, dirt, or any other safe available absorbent.

6. ISOLATE THE AREA - If strong fumes are present, or if personnel become ill or in contact with the chemical, remove them from the scene and follow label, MSDS or Emergency Response Guidebook instructions for initial decontamination. If a strong odor is present, close the trailer and move it a reasonably safe distance from the facility and other yard traffic.

7. REPORT THE LEAK - The facility manager will report the leak to the Safety Representative. Either the facility manager or a Safety Representative will get the shipping papers and write down all information from markings or labels found on the leaking container or a like container.

General First Aid Practices

First Aid Kit

Items in first aid kit: Eyewash solution, bandage gauze, adhesive tape, Band Aids, ace bandages, antibacterial salve, burn ointment, iodine, and ______

______

First aid kit is located at: The Main Office

Eyewash station is located at: The Battery Station

Eye Irritations and Injuries

For eye irritation caused by abrasives, flash burns or chemical fumes: Flush with fresh water and wash eyes with natural salt solution, OCUCOL eye lotion, butyl sulfate, or an equally effective solution. If eye irritation persists, contact a physician or transport the injured worker to a medical center for treatment.

For particles on eye surface or under eyelid: Remove particle if possible and wash eye with eye lotion. If particle cannot be removed in the field or if the irritation persists, contact a physician or transport the injured worker to a medical center for treatment.

For paint materials or cleaning solvents in eye: Wash continually with clean fresh water. If problems persist, contact a physician or transport the injured worker to a medical center for treatment.

Skin Abrasions and Injuries

Paint on skin: Remove with soap and water. Do not use paint thinners or strong solvents. Use rubber gloves to mix epoxy putty. If skin irritation develops, consult a dermatologist.

For skin abrasions and cuts from water blasting: Treat as open cut and forced entrance of a foreign material:

·  first, wash with fresh water and apply dressing;

·  next, transport worker to medical center for further attention.

For skin abrasions caused by sandblasting: Treat as a burn:

·  wash with fresh water;

·  keep affected area cool; and

·  transport injured worker to medical center for further treatment.

Nausea and Loss of Consciousness

Nausea or hallucination from solvents or paint fumes: Transfer worker away from painting area; provide clean air, ventilation, and rest before intake of fluids. Consult physician if the condition recurs or circumstances indicate.

Loss of breathing: Call for emergency medical service.

·  ONLY IF TRAINED TO DO SO, apply artificial respiration immediately and supplement with use of emergency resuscitator.

Loss of blood circulation: Call for emergency medical service. Check for possible bleeding and immediately apply first aid treatment plus cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Bloodborne Contaminants Exposure

All personnel must be aware of the potential dangers of infection by bloodborne pathogens (blood contaminants).

For all practical purposes, accidental exposure to blood contaminants would most likely happen through contact with co-worker’s blood or bodily fluids discovered in restrooms or "break" areas.

·  In case of an exposure, notify your facility manger immediately who will contact emergency responders (“911”) if necessary.

·  Don't take unnecessary risks. If you should decide to help an injured co-worker, focus on stopping the bleeding and wear latex gloves from the first aid kit if available.

·  Do whatever you have to do to save a life, but:

 DON'T touch blood or body fluids.

 DON'T give unprotected mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

·  Control the bleeding and stay with the injured person.

·  Should unprotected contact occur, notify the responding emergency medical personnel and the facility manager as soon as possible.

·  If you get blood or body fluids on your gloves, clothing, or shoes, remove them as soon as you can and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Wash immediately with a non-abrasive soap and water. Contact the facility manager for the proper procedure for decontaminating or disposing of contaminated items.

·  Don't clean up blood or body fluids unless you have been trained to do so.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The company will first use engineering and administrative controls to eliminate or reduce (if elimination is not possible) any hazards. Whenever necessary, the company will also use personal protective equipment (PPE) to provide additional protection.

1.  Foot Protection: Safety-toe footwear must be worn whenever foot injury could result from accidental contact with heavy objects. Employees generally are responsible for providing their own safety-toe footwear. Footwear must meet all requirements in American National Standard for Men’s Safety-toe Footwear, Z41-1991.

2.  Head Protection: Employees must wear helmets whenever there is a danger of injury from falling objects. In using helmets, employees must also consider electrical shock and burn hazards. Protective helmets must meet all the requirements of American National Standard Z89.1-1986.

3.  Eye and Face Protection: Eye and face protection must meet all requirements in ANSI Z98.1-1989. Eye and face protection must be worn during grinding, chipping, buffing, chemical handling, cutting, and other operations where steel, wood, or dust particles are likely to be present.

4.  Hand Protection: Gloves should be used as needed. Leather or leather-like gloves should be used when handling wire rope. Rubber or PVC gloves should be worn when acids, caustic soda, or other chemicals are handled.

5.  Clothing: Personal clothing must match working conditions and weather. Each person must wear full-length trousers and a shirt that covers the shoulders while working in ship areas. Employees are encouraged to wear clothing made of cotton or wool as opposed to synthetic fabrics because of the greater resistance of natural fabrics to fire, chemicals, etc.