safety and health working group meeting january 24, 2006 status report by stephen mallinger, cih

Safety and Health Working Group Meeting

January 24, 2006

Status ReportBy

Stephen Mallinger, CIH

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 2

Hazard Communication

• Discussion at last session• During 109th , doing program reviews

• Still have instances of no program or major deficiencies

• At the end of warning period for offices

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 3

Hazard Communication (continued)

• Good programs should identify toxic chemicals

• MSDS should list ingredients

• MSDS should be organized for quick retrieval

• Program should be more than binder

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 4

Methylene ChlorideFound 6 Instances of Use

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 5

Hazard Communication (continued)

• OOC provides advice and assistance– Working with LOC and CAO on campus wide

improvements– If you need assistance, don’t be afraid to come

to us– We will and have asked for copy anyway

• Lack of good program could result in enforcement

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 6

Hazard Communication (continued)

• Haz Com is not Haz Whopper– 1910.1200 is different from 1910.120(q)

• Can not have generic Haz Com Program: must be tailored to chemicals

• Employees trained on chemicals they use

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 7

Other Program Reviews

• Portable fire extinguisher training

– No training, no use

• Confined space – 1910.146

– Labeling permit required areas only

• Asbestos awareness for employees

– Damaged or disturbed asbestos materials

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 8

Other Program Reviews (continued)

• ADA Office Inspection issues

– Measuring door opening forces

– Magazine rack height: old style too low

– Wheelchair access - width

– Special evacuation plans

– Employees self-identify to police

– Buddy system has flaws

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 9

Other Program Reviews (continued)

• Emergency Action Plans - 1910.38

– What to do in case of emergency

– Routes to closest exits

– Employees trained on plan

– Different types of emergencies

– Frequency of drills

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 10

Specific Hazards

• Electrical Hazards & Fire Safety

– Finding many bare wires or live contacts

– Problems not reported by employees for repair

– Educating staff using Fast Facts• Hand out copies during inspections• Can be retrieved from OOC Web site

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 11

Current Fast Facts

• Slips, Trips and Falls (newest)

• Damaged Power Cords

• Electric Panel Accessibility

• Extension Cords

• Fire Doors

• Space Heaters

• Sprinklers

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 12

Upcoming Fast Factshttp://www.compliance.gov/forms-pubs/forms-pubs.html

– Portable Fire Extinguishers

– Smoke Detectors

– Exposed, Energized Wiring

– Fire Wall Penetrations

– Improper Signage

– More +

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 13

Specific Hazards (continued)

• Lack of space in most buildings– Add more people to current space– Egress deficient capacity in

floors/buildings– Leads to inadequate workspace egress

width• 18 inches required single person access• 28 inches required for multiple people

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 14

Lack of SpaceAlso Results in

• Frequent extension cord use– Some running under rugs

• Daisy chaining power strips (11 in series is record)

• Other non-approved electrical devices– Cube taps, cheater converters, bad plugs

• Vertical clearance with sprinkler heads

January 24, 2006 OOC 109th Biennial Inspections 15

Lack of Space (continued)

• All Office Safety Awards were given to offices having modular furniture

• Modular furniture must have electrical connections

• Just renovated offices are better

• In-charge person must actively monitor hazards

Stephen Mallinger724-9235

stma@loc.govFax 426-1663

www.compliance.gov

Questions?