General and

Office Safety
Oregon State University
Environmental Health and Safety
130 Oak Creek Building
Corvallis, OR 97331
541-737-2273
safety@oregonstate.edu
General Safety

Applies to Everyone
Safety Rules
Employee's Responsibility
 It is the responsibility of every employee to perform work in a safe
manner.
 Knowledge of appropriate safe work procedures and safety rules is
essential.
 Employees are expected to follow established safety rules and to
maintain their work areas free of hazards by correcting unsafe
conditions or by reporting them to supervisors.
Safety Rules (continued)

Supervisor's Responsibilities
 Every supervisor will provide and document initial and continuing
safety training.
 New employees experience a high number of injuries, primarily
because they may be unfamiliar with proper safe work procedures.
 Guidelines for safe work practices are provided in the links below.
 Safety Instructions were developed to provide basic safety information
for work environments found at OSU, based on prudent safety
procedures and safety codes. Safety Instructions are helpful tools for
initial safety training, but should not be considered as complete and
may not include all necessary precautionary measures.
 Departments and supervisors are encouraged to establish additional
safety rules appropriate for their work environment.

Safety Rules/Instructions
Acknowledgement of safety rules (form)
 Emergencies
(Medical emergency, fire,
personal safety threat, etc.)

◼ Campus Emergency -- 737-7000

◼ Off-Campus Emergency -- 911
◼ Non-Emergency -- 737-3010

OSU Emergency Response Policy and Procedure:

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/budgets/SAFManual/SAF102.htm
Emergency Preparation
 The following Emergency Preparation items
are important; review them with your supervisor.
 Know the meaning of emergency warning
signals in your work area.
 Know the location of fire alarm pull stations and
fire extinguishers.
 Know the location of exits, escapes, and evacuation
routes.
 Know the location of first aid kits, and how o
t
report accidents.
 Know how to get help in case of an
emergency.
Department of Public Safety
Oregon State
and
Police
Department of Public Safety and Oregon State
Police web page:
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/security/home
Safety Related Services:
24-hour Public Assistance
Building Access
Building and Perimeter Security
Incident and Emergency Response
Provide Personal Safety Escorts
Student Medical Transport to
Student Health Center
Crime Prevention Programs
Office Environment Safety

 Close a drawer to a filing

cabinet as soon as you are
through with it and before
opening another

 Use the handle for

opening
and closing drawers
Office Environment Safety

 Do not open more than one of

the top drawers at the same
time

 Heavier materials should be

kept in the lower drawers of
filing cabinets.
Office Environment Safety

 Do not use electric cords

which are frayed or defective.

 Power cords should be

attached directly to the wall or
floor outlet whenever possible.

 Do not place cords, cables, or

telephone wires across.
walkways creating a tripping
hazard.
Office Environment Safety

 Extension cords must not be

used to connect permanent
electrical equipment.

 The only exception to this are

"fused" multi-outlet strips
which are "UL listed."
Report All Injuries and Unsafe
Conditions To Your Supervisor
 Failure to comply could
delay correction of the
situation that caused the
injury.
 Near misses and unsafe
behavior should also be
reported.

Accident recording system:

http://oregonstate.edu/ehs/sites/default/files/pdf/si/a

ccident_recording_system_si018.pdf
Report of Accident form:
http://oregonstate.edu/admin/hr/benefits/roa.pdf
Possession or Use of Alcohol on
State Property Prohibited
◼ No worker shall
report for duty, or perform
duties, while under the
influence of intoxicants.
Use of Narcotics or Tranquilizers
During Work Hours is Prohibited
 This includes over-the-counter
medications if they cause
drowsiness, impaired
judgment, or diminished
physical skills.
 (There may be an exemption
for employees who are under
the supervision of a physician
and with the knowledge of
their supervisor.)
Fighting and Horseplay Will Not
be Tolerated

◼  This includes
distracting a fellow
employee.
Maintain Good Housekeeping

 Clean up waste materials

promptly after a job is
completed.
 Keep floors and
walkways
clear of clutter.
Smoking is Prohibited

 There is no tobacco use allowed on

OSU property.
 More information can found at
http://oregonstate.edu/smokefree/
Hazard Awareness Sign System
 A caution sign system has been established at OSU; its
purpose is to warn employees and visitors entering
laboratories and other hazardous areas.
 The appropriate sign will be placed at entrances to each
laboratory room or complex by Environmental Health &
Safety.
 Signs are produced by EH&S, but providing
information to keep the sign up-to-date is the
responsibility of laboratory personnel.
 Go to the Hazard Awareness Sign System to
provide
current information to EH&S.
Hazard Awareness Sign System (cont.)

◼http://oregonstate.edu/ehs/sites/default/files/pdf/si
/hazard_awareness_sign_system_si028.pdf
Hazard Awareness Sign System (cont.)

 The sign shown above will typically have only a

few hazard symbols, as appropriate for the lab.
 All signs will contain emergency contact
information.
Safeguards, Safety Devices,
Notices and Warnings
Hazard signs and barriers
should not be:
 Removed
 Displaced
 Damaged
 Destroyed
Use Approved Step Stools or
Ladders
 Never use a box, bucket,
chair or shelf as a ladder.
 Use the ladder only as it
is
intended.
Report Damaged Or Faulty
Equipment
 Report to Supervisor.
 No need to report if you
are qualified to repair.
 Reports of malfunctioning
building equipment should
be made to Facilities
Services.
Facilities Services Work Coordination Center
(WCC) 737-2969
FacilitiesCustomerServe@oregonstat
e.
edu
Electrical & Mechanical Repairs Are to Be
Performed by Authorized Employees
Only
Cords and Cables

 Extension cords are not to be

used as permanent wiring.
 The use of a "Fused UL Rated"
multi-outlet strip is permissible
as long as it is plugged
directly into a wall outlet.
 Do not place cords, cables, or
telephone wires across.
walkways creating a tripping
hazard.
 Electrical cords must be free of
cracks, splices, frayed areas,
loose connections, or other
damage.
Fire Safety

 Know the location of fire

alarms.
 Access to electrical panels
must be free from
obstructions.
 Burning decorative
candles is prohibited.
Fire Safety (Continued)

 Do not hang items on fire

sprinkler systems.
 Do not block or cover
extinguishers, sprinkler
heads or fire alarms.
 Do not block open fire
doors.
Upon Discovering a Fire

 Pull Fire Alarm, or

otherwise alert other
occupants.
 Call 911; give name,
department and location of
fire.
 Small fires may be fought
with fire extinguisher.
 When in doubt, get out!
Purpose of Fire Extinguishers

 The main reasons for having fire extinguishers

readily available are to:
 Suppress a fire along an escape route so trapped
persons can exit a burning structure.
 Extinguish or contain a fire to protect
property.

Unless you have been properly trained to use a fire

extinguisher, leave firefighting to the
professionals. Remember – life safety is more
important than saving property.
Egress From Building
 Do not block:
 Aisle, passageway,
hallway, stairway, or
exit.
 Do not use these areas
for storage.
Stair Safety

 Keep one hand free for the

hand rail.
 Do not carry loads so
large that the view of the
treads is obscured.
 Keep stairs clear of
objects.
 Pick up anything
you find.
 Chemical Safety
 Keep in mind that not al
chemicals are used in
laboratories.
 Do not remove labels
from
chemical containers.
 Properly dispose of
hazardous materials – this
includes all types of
batteries.

OSU Hazardous Materials

Disposal Guide
Chemical Safety (Continued)

 Immediately report spills of

hazardous materials to the
Department of Public
Safety (737-7000)
 Clean up spills of non-
hazardous materials
immediately, as they may
pose a slip hazard.
 Place warning signs near
wet areas.

EH&S 737-2273 safety@oregonstate.edu

First Aid Kits and Supplies
 General
 Oregon OSHA codes require that first aid supplies be
available in all work areas for the immediate treatment
of minor injuries.
 First aid supplies must be stored in clearly marked
containers and adequately protected from
damage, deterioration, or contamination.
 Contact EH&S to discuss types of first aid kits and training
necessary for remote sites.
 Kits should be inspected monthly and supplies replenished
when necessary.

Safety Instruction 6: First Aid Kits and Supplies

Observe All Traffic Rules &
Regulations When Driving
Vehicle Safety

 Employees are not permitted

in the back of moving
trucks.
 Drivers renting 8 passenger,
12 passenger, or large cargo
vans from the Motor Pool
have additional training
requirements . See the
Motor Pool Van Safety Policy
Office Safety

 Post emergency numbers on or near your phone.

 Know the location of the nearest fire alarms and
exits.
 Familiarize yourself with activities being
conducted in your building and locations of
hazardous materials.
 Be aware of suspicious individuals or
behavior.
Comfortable Computing
Advice for setting up your computer can
be found in the EH&S Comfortable Computing Guide

Topics include:
 Adjusting Your Workstation
 Adjusting Your Environment
 Chair Adjustment
 Work surface/Keyboard Adjustment
 Monitor Adjustment
 Workstation Accessory Adjustment
 Work Habits
Keyboard and Mouse Use
 Warm up.
 Use correct hand position.
 Take frequent breaks.
 Ease up on your grip and hold the mouse lightly. It
is not necessary to hold the mouse tightly.
 Relax your hand and let go of the mouse when it is
not being used.

Further information can be found the EH&S Keyboard and

Mouse Use Guide
Ergonomic Evaluations
◼ Upon request, Environmental Health & Safety wli
perform ergonomic evaluations and make work
station recommendations.
Back Care and Lifting
Back Injuries
◼ S o m e back injuries involve
the “soft tissue” that is the
muscle, ligament type injury.
◼ A more serious injury occurs
when the discs of the spine
are involved.
 Disc Herniation Factors
 Many factors increase the risk o
fr
disc herniation:
 Lifestyle choices such as tobacco use,
lack of regular exercise, and
inadequate nutrition substantially
contribute to poor disc health.
 As the body ages, natural biochemical changes cause discs to
gradually dry out affecting disc strength and resiliency.
 Poor posture combined with the habitual use of
incorrect body mechanics stresses the lumbar spine and
affects its
normal ability to carry the bulk of the body's weight.
Disc Problems
 Combine these factors with the effects from daily
wear and tear, injury,incorrect lifting, or twisting and
it is easy to understand why a disc may herniate.
For example, lifting something incorrectly can
cause disc pressure to rise to several hundred
pounds per square inch!
 A herniation may develop suddenly or gradually
over weeks or months.
 Safe Lifting

Carrying the load…

• Hold the load close so you can see over it.

• Keep the load balanced.
• Avoid twisting the body.
• Watch out for pinch points -- doorways, etc.
• Face the way you will be moving.
 Safe Lifting

For those Awkward Moments...

If you must lift or lower from a high place:
• Stand on a platform instead of a ladder.
• Lift the load in smaller pieces if possible.
• Push the load to see how heavy and stable it is.
• Slide the load as close to yourself as possible before
lifting up or down.
• Get help when needed to avoid an injury.
 Safe Lifting

From hard-to-get-at places...

• Get as close to the load as possible.
• Keep back straight, stomach muscles tight.
• Push buttocks out behind you.
• Bend your knees.
• Use leg, stomach, and buttock muscles to lift --
not your back.
 Safe Lifting
Use Your Head and Save Your Back!
•Bend •Let
•STAND your your
close to knees - legs do
the load not your the
back! lifting

Get Help Use the

with heavy right
or awkward tools!
loads!
 Push and Pull in the
Right Direction

• Pushing is preferred over pulling because it

requires less muscle effort to the low back plus
increases your visibility.
• Lighten the load when possible.
• Make sure items are secured to equipment
and they do not obstruct your vision.
• Maintain neutral posture. Do not bend or twist
at the back.
Additional Safety Instructions

 #15 Fire Safety: A Safe & Quick Exti

 #5 Unsafe Condition Notice
 #3 Unsafe Conditions: Top Ten
Useful Links
OSU Safety Policies and Procedures:
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/budgets/SAFManual/SAF
TOC.htm
OSU safety documents:
http://oregonstate.edu/ehs/safety-instructions
OSU Environmental Health and Safety web page:
http://oregonstate.edu/ehs/
OSU Environmental Health and Safety contacts:
http://oregonstate.edu/ehs/staff
Office Safety Training Acknowledgement

Click on the link below for the acknowledgment

form:
Online Training Acknowledgement