Your Responsibility for Safety
Accidents are caused by unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. UCAR uses a teamwork approach to prevent accidents. Management pledges a determined effort to rid the work place of unsafe conditions. Employees are the most important factor in eliminating unsafe acts. Each UCAR employee has the responsibility for working in a safe manner; following health, environmental and safety procedures applicable to their jobs; and reporting unsafe conditions and activities to their supervisors.
This handbook points out commonly accepted guidelines for working safely at UCAR facilities. If you have questions at any time concerning safety, contact your supervisor, safety representative or the Safety and Site Services (SASS) group.
Health, Environment and Safety Policy
UCAR policy is to provide a safe working environment for employees and visitors, while adhering to all applicable federal, state, and local health, environment and safety regulations. In the absence of specific regulations, UCAR's policy conforms to nationally recognized practices.
Please refer to the complete Health, Environment and Safety policy, 1-1-17.
Employee Health, Environment and Safety Committee
All UCAR employees have direct input into the health, environmental and safety programs through an employee-sponsored committee. The committee is composed of representatives from each division/program, remote locations, and special offices such as the NCAR Director's Office, Maintenance, and Human Resources.
The committee meets frequently, reviews matters of concern and makes recommendations to appropriate management where improvements and/or corrective actions are necessary. Meetings are open to all interested employees. Minutes of the meetings are available on-line and through committee representatives. The committee also performs annual safety inspections, conducts safety education programs, and participates in emergency response activities.
Employees are encouraged to utilize the committee to address health, environmental, safety and/or security issues. Committee representation is listed in the yellow pages of the UCAR/NCAR telephone directory.
See the HESS Safety Committee Web pages, including Roster.
General Safety Practices
- Learn the right way to perform your work-related tasks. Read all instructions provided, and most importantly ASK QUESTIONS!
- Work at a speed consistent with safety. Do not operate equipment beyond its design capability. Being in a hurry is no excuse for an accident.
- Obey posted warning signs and tags.
- Immediately report unsafe conditions to your supervisor and safety representative.
- Become familiar with emergency procedures in your area.
- Use handrails on stairways and use the elevator when carrying bulky or heavy objects.
- Use available safety equipment or ask for safety equipment if none is available and a hazard is apparent.
Accidents
In case of an accident:
- If you need help, call the emergency telephone number on the nearest phone.
- Give first aid to the injured TO THE EXTENT you are trained to do so. First aid training is available to "at-risk" personnel. Please contact the Safety office for more information.
- Report accidents promptly to your supervisor and the Safety group (whether it happened to you or someone else). Also, to help UCAR prevent future accidents, please report "near misses" and accidental property damage.
- All work-related injuries, no matter how minor, must be reported to Safety group as soon as is practical and in no case later than four (4) working days to assure appropriate Workers' Compensation coverage.
The Ultimate Accident Report
Dear Sir:
I am writing in response to your request for additional information. In block number 3 for the accident reporting form, I put "TRYING TO DO THE JOB ALONE," as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully, and I trust that the following details will be sufficient.
I am a bricklayer by trade. On the day of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my work, I discovered that I had about 500 pounds of brick left over. Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley which fortunately was attached to the side of the building at the sixth floor.
Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it. Then, I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to insure a slow descent of the 500 pounds of bricks. You will note in block number 11 of the accident reporting form that I weigh 135 pounds.
Due to my surprise of being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate up the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming down. This explains the fractured skull and broken collarbone. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley. Fortunately, by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain.
At approximately the same time however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the bricks, the barrel now weighed approximately 50 pounds. I refer you again to my own weight in block 11. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the building. In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles and the lacerations of my legs and lower body. The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the pile of bricks and fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked.
I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the bricks in pain, unable to stand and watching the empty barrel six stories above me, I again lost my presence of mind....
I LET GO OF THE ROPE
(anonymous source)
Chemical Safety
Results of exposure to chemical hazards include skin and eye damage, acute and chronic poisoning, cancer, birth defects, and physical effects of heat and shock caused by exploding and burning chemicals.
- Keep uncontrolled flames away from flammable materials and strong oxidizers.
- Use adequate ventilation. In laboratories, this requires use of a fume hood.
- Avoid breathing vapors.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including eye protection (provided "free of cost" by SASS).
- Know the location of, and how to use the nearest eye-wash fountain and safety shower.
- Obtain and read all Material Safety Data Sheets prior to engaging in work (see Hazard Communication/Right to Know).
- Identify chemicals and solvents and label their containers.
- Purchase only the amount of chemicals needed for the operation. Disposing of excess chemicals is extremely expensive.
- Use proper containers; for example, do not store chemicals in drinking cups. Do not drink beverages from beakers.
- Do not eat or drink in chemical work areas or labs.
- Report chemical spills promptly to your supervisor or the Safety group. If the spill is toxic and you believe the building should be evacuated, use the nearest fire-alarm pull station to evacuate the building. Then, call 1-911 to notify Emergency Services of the spill.
- Attend the safety training classes required for any employee working with chemicals. Contact Safety for more information.
See the HESS Chemical Safety Web pages.
Confined Spaces
Some of the most deadly safety hazard present in any work place are those known as "confined spaces." Confined spaces are areas that have limited ventilation and access and are not normally meant for human occupation. Examples include manholes, pits, tanks, large containers and drums, telephone vaults, tunnels, water and sewer pipes, and aircraft fuel tanks. Death can occur with as little as three deep breaths in an oxygen-deficient or toxin-rich environment. There are few, if any, warning signs. Affected individuals usually cannot save themselves.
UCAR has established a confined-space entry program. All known confined spaces are identified with special warnings. It is particularly crucial that employees adhere to these warnings at all times.
Safe entry can be made into confined spaces, but it requires strict adherence to special safety procedures. A confined space permit must be obtained from the Safety office prior to any entry. All individuals entering a confined space must receive special training, the space must be ventilated, and special air and oxygen samples must be taken.
Employees desiring entry into a confined space must coordinate all activities with the Safety office.
Electrical Safety
Nearly everyone has the proper respect for "HIGH VOLTAGE," yet there exists a dangerous misconception that low voltage circuits are not hazardous. It is true that high voltages involve greater danger, but it is the current and current path, not the voltage, that determine the severity of the damage. The three resulting injuries from electrical hazards are shock, burn, and the effects from pulling or jumping back, such as falling or bumping into an object.
- Do not attempt to repair or adjust electrical equipment unless you are fully qualified to do so. Instead, request assistance from a Maintenance electrician.
- Do not wear jewelry, such as rings, wrist watches, bracelets, and necklaces, while working on live electrical circuits.
- Check the insulation on the electrical cord for cut or frayed sections when working with portable electric tools.
- Call Maintenance at extension 1120 to cut electrical power to your area. See that circuit breakers are labeled.
- Do not remove the grounding prong from electrical plugs.
- Do not use electrical equipment if your hands are wet or if you are standing on a wet surface.
- Disconnect electrical equipment by pulling on the plug instead of yanking on the cord.
- Do not use extension cords for "permanent" fixtures (those needed for more than one day).
- Do not overload receptacles.
- Use only electric heaters with automatic tip-over alarms or automatic shut-offs.
Ergonomic Evaluations
Safety will provide one-on-one consultation at the request of any staff member on how to work at computer terminals while avoiding the risk of repetitive stress injuries associated with computer use. These evaluations cover proper seating, monitor height, lighting levels, use of the mouse, locations of phones, recommendations for purchasing ergonomic chairs and equipment, and if desired, measurements of electromagnetic fields.
Safety recommends office equipment and related supplies to promote safe office environments. Ergonomic equipment, chairs, keyboards, mouse controls are available for staff to try out through a loaner program. Please contact Safety for loaner program details or to schedule workstation evaluation.
Ergonomics information can also be found at the HESS Ergonomic Web site, including Stretches.
Eye Protection
Sight is perhaps the most precious of all the senses. Employees should take care to protect their eyes from injury. UCAR provides, at no cost to "at-risk" employees, a complete array of eye protection, including safety glasses, computer glasses, goggles and face shields.
Eye protection should be worn whenever there is a potential hazard from flying objects, such as dust particles, metal chips, chemicals and gases. Safety glasses alone may be insufficient and employees may be required to use side shields, goggles and full face shields. Contact lenses do not protect the eye and are discouraged in hazardous situations. Plano (no-correction) and prescription lenses in approved industrial safety frames are available for employees who need eye protection.
Contact Safety for instructions on how to obtain any of the above-mentioned items.
Fire and Other Emergencies
- When there is a fire, sound an alarm. Depending on the local situation, the "alarm" may include making a telephone call to an emergency number, pulling the handle on an automatic alarm system, using your own voice, or all of the above.
- You MUST evacuate the building any time you hear the alarm. Every fire alarm must be taken seriously.
- Evacuate the building by using the stairs and remove yourself and others to a safe distance. If you work with or are aware of a physically disabled person in the vicinity, assist that person in evacuating the building.
- Use a fire extinguisher only if you have received proper training.
Fire extinguisher training.
- Be sure the extinguisher is appropriate for the fire. The extinguishers are marked for one or more of the following types of fires.
A - Wood, paper, textiles
B - Oils, greases, solvents
C - Live electrical equipment
D - Burning metal
More fire extinguisher training.
- Assemble at your designated assembly area to be accounted for by your group.
- Remain outside until instructed to return to the building.
Lessons Learned
"In retrospect, lighting the match was my mistake. But I was only trying to retrieve my son's rat," Dick Stone told doctors in the severe burns unit of San Francisco City Hospital. "My son left the cage door open, so his rat, Vermin, escaped into the garage. As usual, Vermin looked for a good place to hide and ran up the exhaust pipe of my motorcycle. I tried to retrieve Vermin by offering him food attached to a string, but he wouldn't come out again, so I peered into the pipe and struck a match, thinking the light might attract him."
At a hushed press conference, a hospital spokesperson described what had happened next. "The flame ignited a pocket of residual gas and a flame shot out of the pipe, igniting Mr. Stone's mustache and severely burning his face. It also set fire to the pet rat's fur and whiskers which, in turn, ignited a larger pocket of gas further up the exhaust pipe which propelled the rodent out like a cannonball." Stone suffered second degree burns and a broken nose from the impact of the pet rat. His son was grounded for six weeks.
See other Lessons Learned on the HESS Safety Web pages.
Hazard Communication/Right to Know
Employees have the legal right to know what hazards are presented by chemicals used in the work place. This information is provided in the form of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). MSDSs are contained in bright yellow and black three-ring binders located where chemicals are used and/or stored. Employees who cannot find the MSDSs or have questions should contact the Safety office for additional information. If employees receive MSDSs directly from manufacturers, they should make a copy and send the original to the Safety office.
MSDSs can also be found on-line at the MSDS Search application.
Individuals working directly with chemicals are required to attend special right-to-know training classes. Contact either your supervisor or the Safety office to arrange for training.
All containers of chemicals must be properly labeled. If you find containers that are not labeled, contact the Safety office immediately for further instructions.
UCAR uses the following standard numeric and color rating system to identify the type and severity of hazards presented by a chemical:
RED
|
 Flammability
|
BLUE |
 Health
|
YELLOW |
 Reactivity
|
WHITE |
 Special Consideration
|
0 |
No Hazard |
1 |
Slight Hazard |
2 |
Moderate Hazard |
3 |
Severe Hazard |
4 |
Extreme Hazard |
UCAR has a written right-to-know safety program. The program is outlined in the front of each MSDS book, along with a complete inventory of chemicals in the relevant work place. Copies of the program details can also be obtained from the Safety office.
Hearing Protection
Exposure to loud noises, either instantaneous or prolonged, can cause permanent hearing damage. Loss of hearing can be prevented by reducing the noise sources, wearing hearing protectors, limiting or controlling the exposure time or any combination of these. The Safety group should be notified if the sound level in an area is uncomfortable. A rule of thumb: if you cannot carry on a normal conversation at two feet, then the sound level may be too high. Hearing protectors are available from the Safety group.
Annual hearing tests are provided for employees who work consistently in "high-noise" areas such as the machine shop, carpenter shop and aviation facility. Contact Safety if you believe you work in a high-noise area.
Housekeeping
Cleanliness, order, safety and efficiency go hand-in-hand. A cluttered work place can lead to accidents.
- Keep aisles clear at all times. Do not store equipment and materials in stairways or hallways.
- Keep passageways clear to emergency exits and equipment, showers, eyewash fountains and electrical control panels.
- Do not drape electrical cords, telephone cords or hoses across aisles.
- If items must be stored overhead, stack them carefully to eliminate any possibility of their falling. Leave a minimum clearance of 18 inches beneath fire sprinklers.
- Store tools, equipment and materials in a manner which does not endanger yourself or others.
- Clean floors and stairs immediately when liquids have accumulated or spilled. If a hazardous spill occurs, call the Safety group immediately.
Lockout/Tagout Energy Sources
Many pieces of equipment are capable of starting unexpectedly or suddenly, releasing stored energy resulting in severe injuries or even death. These include electrical systems, lift systems, spring systems and various pieces of machinery.
UCAR has a LOCKOUT/TAGOUT program to minimize these sorts of accidents. Equipment and operations must be locked or tagged with warning signs to prevent the accidental discharge of energy when people are present. Employees engaged in such operations are required to attend special safety training classes. Please contact your supervisor or the Safety office for additional details arrange for training classes.
Machine Shop Safety
- Always wear proper protective equipment.
- Users must be properly trained on all equipment before commencing unsupervised work.
- Turn off and lock out power before attempting to clear a jam.
- Before operating any machine equipped with guards, be sure they are in place.
- Check work area before starting machines or equipment to ensure that operation will not endanger others.
- Remove chips from around the machine with a brush-- not your hand.
- Adjust the tool rest on a grinding wheel as close as possible to the wheel. This distance should not exceed 1/8-inch.
- Place an object on a bench or other solid surface when using a screwdriver. Do not let a harmless screwdriver become a dangerous spear.
- Do not carry sharp-edged tools unshielded in your pocket.
- Use only tools that are in good condition.
- Use the proper tool; for example, do not use a screwdriver for a chisel or a wrench for a hammer.
- When working on machinery or equipment, use lock-out devices to make sure the machine will not be activated.
- Clamp materials securely before drilling with a drill press. Never wear gloves during operation and do not force the drill into material too rapidly.
- When using a hand drill, powered or otherwise, make certain no one is on the other side of your drilling position.
- Use air hoses with caution. Air sources used for cleaning tools and material must be at pressure less than 30 psi. Do not use air to sweep the floor, clean clothing or supplement the ventilating system. Do not direct the air nozzle at yourself or another person.
- Loose clothing, neckties, necklaces, bracelets, etc. should not be worn when working with machinery. Likewise, long hair should be secured when working on a machine.
Material Handling
- When lifting heavy objects, remember...firm footing, firm grip; arms and back straight, buttocks out; bend and lift with legs in a smooth, even motion. Get help when needed. DO NOT lift and twist.
- Safety footwear should be worn if the danger exists that objects weighing 30 pounds or more could fall and injure your feet.
- Poisonous, flammable and explosive items require additional care in handling, use, storage and disposal. Call the Safety group for recommendations.
- Operate material handling equipment, such as forklifts or cranes, only if you are trained to do so.
Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT)
The Mesa Laboratory, Foothills Laboratory, Center Green and Jeffco have Medical Emergency Response Teams (MERTs) that are trained to render first aid to the injured or sick. MERTs respond to ALL medical emergencies, and upon arriving at the scene, decide whether to call for external help. The procedures for summoning the assistance vary according to location. Familiarize yourself with the procedure for your location.
If anyone is interested in joining the MERT at their location, please contact the Safety office for information.
Office Safety
Although an office is statistically a relatively safe work place, the accidents which do happen can be as painful as those which occur elsewhere.
- Keep floors clear of rubber bands, pencils, paper clips, staples and scraps of paper. All of these may cause slips and falls.
- Do not climb on chairs or desks or reach beyond your physical limits.
- Open one file drawer at a time. Load file cabinets from the bottom to the top.
- Close desk and file drawers as soon as you are done with them.
- Do not drape extension or telephone cords over partitions or run them across floors.
- When walking in aisles and hallways, keep to the right.
Personal Protective Equipment
UCAR provides many types of safety equipment, often called personal protective equipment, to "at-risk" employees. This includes safety glasses, hard hats, safety shoes, safety gloves, respirators, face shields and hearing-protection devices. This equipment is necessary in high-risk areas or during hazardous operations.
Contact the Safety office to obtain needed personal protective equipment. Prior to obtaining and using this equipment, employees are required to undergo special training to assure that they are familiar with the hazards and proper use and care of the equipment. If you use personal protective equipment, please contact your supervisor or the Safety office to arrange for training.
See the HESS Personal Protective Equipment Web page.
Radiation Safety
Rules governing the use of radiation and radioactive materials have been established by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the state of Colorado. Because of the technicalities involved, UCAR has a designated radiation safety officer who coordinates all use of ionizing radiation.
Notify the radiation safety officer (see "Radiation Safety" in the yellow pages of the UCAR/NCAR telephone directory):
- to obtain a "Radiation Safety Manual"
- before ordering or obtaining radioactive materials
- when receiving radioactive materials
- before moving any radioactive materials
- to request instructions for disposing of radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment
- if you are pregnant or considering pregnancy and work with radioactive material(s).
All users of radioactive materials must receive special training before acquiring and using the material. Contact the Safety office for more information.
Training
UCAR provides employees with extensive health, environmental and safety training. Topics include hazard communication (right-to-know), forklift safety, fire extinguisher handling, hearing tests, hot operations, machine shop, confined spaces, respiratory protection, fall protection, first-aid/CPR, ergonomics, laser safety, radiation safety, back injury prevention, electrical and radar safety. Employees are normally scheduled for training classes by their supervisor. If you have not been scheduled for a training class for an area in which you need or desire special training, please contact your supervisor or the Safety office.
Waste Disposal
SASS collects, packages, and makes arrangements for proper disposal of all hazardous wastes. Most hazardous wastes are recycled or incinerated; they are never placed in landfills.
- Label all waste containers with chemical names of contents.
- Do not "evaporate" chemicals. Let Safety properly dispose of all materials.
- Do not attempt to handle, store or dispose of the waste yourself, and please do not flush any hazardous waste down the drains or toilets!
If you have hazardous waste, please call the Safety group.
Emergency Numbers by Location
Dial "0" to obtain an emergency phone sticker.
Mesa Lab
Foothills Lab
FL4
Center Green
Marshall |
911 |
| Jeffco |
9-911 |
| SAM's |
9-911 |
| Health, Environment and Safety Services |
8625 |
|
