Office building safety and health

CHAPTER 1 –– INTRODUCTION.............................................................. 1 SAFETY AND HEALTH (MANAGING) ....................................................... 2 THE HAZARDS (SAFETY)............................................................................ 4 HEALTH HAZARDS....................................................................................... 5 EMERGENCIES .............................................................................................. 6 SECURITY....................................................................................................... 8 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 9 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER 2 –– PLANNING OFFICE BUILDING SAFETY AND HEALTH ................................................................... 11 DESIGNING SAFETY .................................................................................... 12 PLANNING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE ....................................... 13 PURCHASING SAFETY ................................................................................ 14 YOUR ROLE IN SAFETY AND HEALTH .................................................... 16 SELECTING OCCUPANTS ............................................................................ 16 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 17 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 18 CHAPTER 3 –– MANAGING OFFICE BUILDING SAFETY AND HEALTH ................................................................... 19 PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT ................................................................ 20 SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM ............................................................ 21 Reasons for Having a Safety and Health Program ............................. 23 Building a Safety and Health Program .............................................. 24 Other Required Written Programs ..................................................... 25 OSHA Guidelines for a Safety and Health Program .......................... 25 Safety and Health Program Elements ................................................ 27 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 29 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 30 CHAPTER 4 –– WORKER INVOLVEMENT ............................................ 31 WHY SHOULD EMPLOYEES BE INVOLVED? .......................................... 32 WHAT CAN EMPLOYEES DO TO BE INVOLVED? ................................... 32MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................. 33 JOINT LABOR/MANAGEMENT SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEES. 34 Committee Make-Up.......................................................................... 35 Record-Keeping ................................................................................. 35 Do’s and Don’ts of L/M Committees ................................................. 36 Organizing a Joint Committee ........................................................... 37 Expectations ....................................................................................... 37 Outcomes ........................................................................................... 38 JOINT LABOR/MANAGEMENT OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEES........................................ 39 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 39 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 40 CHAPTER 5 –– WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ...................................... 41 EMPLOYER LIABILITY ................................................................................ 42 AN EXCLUSIVE REMEDY ........................................................................... 43 COVERED EVENTS ....................................................................................... 44 SELECTING A PHYSICIAN........................................................................... 44 BENEFITS ....................................................................................................... 45 Medical Benefits ................................................................................ 45 Cash Benefits ..................................................................................... 45 SURVIVOR BENEFITS .................................................................................. 47 REHABILITATION ......................................................................................... 48 Medical Rehabilitation ....................................................................... 48 Vocational Rehabilitation ................................................................... 48 ADMINISTRATION ........................................................................................ 49 SECOND INJURY FUNDS ............................................................................. 50 RISK AND INSURANCE................................................................................ 50 LOSS CONTROL ............................................................................................ 52 Return-to-Work Programs .................................................................. 52 Job Modification ................................................................................ 54 Hiring Practices .................................................................................. 54 Substance Abuse Programs ................................................................ 55 Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) ............................................ 55 Ergonomics Programs ........................................................................ 55 Wellness Programs ............................................................................. 55 INJURY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS ....................................................... 56 Medical Case Management ................................................................ 56 Directing Medical Care ...................................................................... 56 Preferred Provider Networks ............................................................. 57 Claims Reviews .................................................................................. 57 Claim Audits ...................................................................................... 57 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 57 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 59 CHAPTER 6 –– OSHA’S ROLE AND RULES ........................................... 61 OSHA STANDARDS....................................................................................... 63PROTECTIONS UNDER THE OSHAct ......................................................... 63 NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH)................................................................... 63 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION (OSHRC)................................................. 64 EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE OSHAct .......................... 64 WORKERS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE OSHAct ............................................................................................. 65 DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WORKERS .................................................. 66 RIGHT TO INFORMATION ........................................................................... 67 OSHA INSPECTIONS ..................................................................................... 68 WORKERS’ COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS FOR INSPECTIONS ......... 69 CITATIONS, PENALTIES, AND OTHER ENFORCEMENT MEASURES ...................................................................................... 69 COMMONLY ISSUED VIOLATIONS FOUND BY OSHA .......................... 71 OSHA REGULATIONS ................................................................................... 72 Federal Laws ...................................................................................... 73 OSHAct ............................................................................................. 73 The Regulatory Process ..................................................................... 73 The Federal Register .......................................................................... 76 Code of Federal Regulations .............................................................. 78 Regulation Paragraph Number System .............................................. 80 STATE OSHA PLANS ..................................................................................... 82 WORKER TRAINING .................................................................................... 82 OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES AND ILLNESSES .......................................... 83 MEDICAL AND EXPOSURE RECORDS ..................................................... 84 POSTING ......................................................................................................... 85 MULTI-EMPLOYER WORKSITES ............................................................... 85 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 86 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 87 CHAPTER 7 –– OFFICE BUILDING SAFETY......................................... 89 IDENTIFYING HAZARDS............................................................................. 90 ACCIDENT TYPES ......................................................................................... 90 Struck-Against Type of Accidents ..................................................... 90 Struck-By Type of Accidents ............................................................. 90 Contact-By and Contact-With Types of Accidents ............................ 91 Caught-In and Caught-On Types of Accidents .................................. 91 Caught-Between Type of Accidents ................................................... 91 Fall: Same-Level and Fall-to-Below Types of Accidents .................. 91 Overexertion and Exposure Types of Accidents ................................ 91 OFFICE HAZARDS ........................................................................................ 92 OFFICE-RELATED INJURIES ....................................................................... 92 Falls ............................................................................................. 92 Struck-By or Striking-Against Objects .............................................. 93 Caught In or Between Objects ........................................................... 94 Material Handling .............................................................................. 94 Electrical Safety ................................................................................. 95 Ungrounded Equipment ....................................................... 96Overloaded Outlets .............................................................. 96 Unsafe/Non-Approved Equipment ...................................... 96 Defective, Frayed or Improperly Installed Cords for Electrically Operated Office Equipment ...................... 96 Improper Placement of Cords .............................................. 96 Electrical Cords Across Walkways and Work Areas ........... 96 Live Parts Unguarded .......................................................... 97 Pulling of Plugs to Shut Off Power ..................................... 97 Working on “Live Equipment” ............................................ 97 Blocking Electrical Panel Doors .......................................... 97 Cuts by Sharp Objects ........................................................................ 98 Preventing Cuts and Punctures ............................................ 98 Burns and Scalds ................................................................................ 98 Elevator and Escalator Safety ............................................................ 98 Elevators .............................................................................. 99 Escalators ............................................................................. 100 File Cabinets and Shelves .................................................................. 101 Desks .................................................................................................. 102 Chairs ................................................................................................. 102 Ladders ............................................................................................... 102 SAFETY IN THE OFFICE .............................................................................. 103 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 105 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 106 CHAPTER 8 –– OFFICE EQUIPMENT SAFETY .................................... 107 NON-POWERED EQUIPMENT..................................................................... 107 POWERED EQUIPMENT............................................................................... 108 Hazards from Powered Office Equipment ......................................... 108 COMPUTER HAZARDS ................................................................................ 109 PHOTOCOPIERS ............................................................................................ 110 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 113 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 114 CHAPTER 9 –– OFFICE BUILDING HOUSEKEEPING ........................ 115 MANAGING HOUSEKEEPING .................................................................... 116 PREVENTIVE HOUSEKEEPING .................................................................. 118 HOUSEKEEPING AND FIRE......................................................................... 119 WASTE DISPOSAL ........................................................................................ 119 INDIVIDUAL WORKSTATIONS ................................................................... 119 GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING GUIDELINES ............................................... 121 EFFECTS FROM POOR HOUSEKEEPING .................................................. 121 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 122 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 123 CHAPTER 10 –– MATERIAL HANDLING AND LIFTING .................... 125 MATERIAL HANDLING ................................................................................ 125HAZARDS INVOLVED .................................................................................. 126 Types of Equipment Being Used Today ............................................. 127 MATERIAL HANDLING OSHA REGULATIONS ........................................ 128 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................... 128 MATERIAL HANDLING/LIFTING PROGRAM .......................................... 129 LIFTING IN OFFICE WORKPLACES .......................................................... 130 Strains and Overexertion .................................................................... 130 Safe Lifting Steps ............................................................................... 131 Lifting from a Seated Position ........................................................... 131 Ergonomic Solutions to Back-Breaking Tasks ................................... 131 MATERIAL STORAGE IN OFFICES ............................................................ 132 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 133 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 134 CHAPTER 11 –– DESIGNING OFFICE WORKPLACES ....................... 135 ARCHITECT’S DESIGN ................................................................................ 135 Exits and Entries ................................................................................ 136 Central Facilities and Common Rooms ............................................. 137 Support and Service Areas ................................................................. 137 Stairs and Stairways ........................................................................... 137 Elevators ............................................................................................. 138 Access Corridors ................................................................................ 138 Electricity ........................................................................................... 139 Lighting ............................................................................................. 139 Emergency Lighting ........................................................................... 142 Indoor Air Quality .............................................................................. 142 Security .............................................................................................. 143 FIRE SAFETY DESIGN .................................................................................. 143 INTERIOR DESIGN ........................................................................................ 147 FURNISHINGS................................................................................................ 148 CONTRACTOR SAFETY ............................................................................... 148 Pre-qualification ................................................................................. 149 Contractor-Management Responsibilities .......................................... 150 Training ............................................................................................. 150 Other Steps to Ensure Safety and Health ........................................... 150 The Agreement ................................................................................... 151 Evaluation .......................................................................................... 152 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 152 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 152 CHAPTER 12 –– OFFICE ERGONOMICS ............................................... 153 WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS .................................................................. 153 Applying Good Work Practices .......................................................... 154 COMPUTER WORKSTATIONS..................................................................... 155 Display Screens .................................................................................. 155 Video Display Terminals .................................................................... 155 VDT Workstation Design ................................................................... 155Video Display Terminal Areas of Adjustability ................................. 156 Workstation Illumination ................................................................... 157 Work Methods .................................................................................... 157 The Chair ............................................................................................ 157 Working Height .................................................................................. 158 Work/Rest Schedules ......................................................................... 158 Other Solutions .................................................................................. 158 OFFICE LIGHTING ........................................................................................ 159 COLOR ............................................................................................................ 159 OFFICE NOISE................................................................................................ 160 Noise’s Effect ..................................................................................... 161 ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS ............................................................ 161 Temperature ........................................................................................ 162 Humidity ............................................................................................ 163 PREVENTING STRESS .................................................................................. 163 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 164 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 167 CHAPTER 13 –– OFFICE BUILDING ENVIRONMENT ....................... 169 INDOOR AIR QUALITY ................................................................................ 169 OVERVIEW OF VENTILATION DESIGN .................................................... 170 INDOOR AIR POLLUTION ........................................................................... 171 CONTROLS TO PREVENT INDOOR AIR POLLUTION ............................ 171 SOURCES OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION .................................................. 172 Inside Air Contaminants ..................................................................... 173 Major Indoor Air Contaminants ......................................................... 173 OUTSIDE AIR CONTAMINANTS................................................................. 175 INADEQUATE VENTILATION ..................................................................... 175 CONTROL STRATEGIES ............................................................................... 176 Education and Training ...................................................................... 176 Dilution Ventilation ............................................................................ 176 Modifying Processes and/or Equipment ............................................ 177 Air Cleaning ....................................................................................... 177 RECOMMENDED VENTILATION RATES .................................................. 177 TYPES OF BUILDING PROBLEMS ............................................................. 177 EVALUATION ................................................................................................. 178 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 179 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 181 CHAPTER 14 –– OFFICE BUILDING CHEMICAL HAZARDS ........... 183 CHEMICALS AND ILLNESS......................................................................... 183 HEALTH HAZARDS....................................................................................... 184 Acute Health Effects .......................................................................... 186 Chronic Health Effects ....................................................................... 186 Chronic Disease ................................................................................. 187 Birth Defects/Infertility ...................................................................... 188HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS ......................................................................... 188 Carcinogens ........................................................................................ 191 OFFICE CHEMICALS .................................................................................... 191 Dusts ................................................................................................... 191 Fumes ................................................................................................. 192 Gases .................................................................................................. 192 Mists ................................................................................................... 193 Vapors ................................................................................................. 193 TYPICAL HAZARDOUS OFFICE CHEMICALS ......................................... 193 Solvents .............................................................................................. 194 Cleaners .............................................................................................. 194 Acids and Bases ................................................................................. 195 Adhesives and Sealants ...................................................................... 196 Fuels ................................................................................................... 196 INFORMING WORKERS ............................................................................... 197 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 199 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 200 CHAPTER 15 –– OFFICE BUILDING HEALTH ISSUES ....................... 201 HEALTH HAZARDS....................................................................................... 201 HEALTH AND IAQ ......................................................................................... 205 SICK BUILDING SYNDROME ..................................................................... 206 INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANTS .................................................................. 206 BUILDING-RELATED ILLNESS (BRI) ........................................................ 207 CONTROLLING BIOLOGICALS .................................................................. 209 SPECIAL HEALTH ISSUES ........................................................................... 209 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 209 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 210 CHAPTER 16 –– OFFICE BUILDING EMERGENCIES ........................ 211 EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN ...................................................................... 212 ALARM SYSTEMS......................................................................................... 214 EVACUATION ................................................................................................. 215 EXIT ROUTES ................................................................................................ 216 ROLES OF RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS ................................................. 218 RESCUE OPERATIONS ................................................................................. 218 MEDICAL EMERGENCY CARE................................................................... 219 ROLE OF EMPLOYEES ................................................................................. 219 EMPLOYEE TRAINING ................................................................................ 220 HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE ISSUES ........................................................... 220 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT .................................................... 221 APPLICABLE REGULATIONS ..................................................................... 222 OSHA COMPLIANCE .................................................................................... 223 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 223 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 227CHAPTER 17 –– OFFICE BUILDING FIRE PREVENTION ................. 229 MANAGING FIRE SAFETY .......................................................................... 229 OFFICE FIRE PREVENTION STRATEGIES ................................................ 232 FIRE PREVENTION PLAN REQUIREMENTS ............................................ 234 FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST .......................................................................... 236 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 237 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 239 CHAPTER 18 –– OFFICE FIRST AID........................................................ 241 FIRST AID KITS ............................................................................................. 242 TRAINING ....................................................................................................... 244 PERFORMING FIRST AID............................................................................. 244 BIOLOGICAL WASTE ................................................................................... 246 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 247 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 248 CHAPTER 19 –– OFFICE BUILDING MAINTENANCE........................ 249 HAZARDS ....................................................................................................... 249 JOB RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................................... 250 PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE ................................................................... 250 DEVELOP A WORK ORDER SYSTEM ........................................................ 251 EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................ 251 SAFE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ....................................................... 253 MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST ...................................................................... 254 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 256 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 257 CHAPTER 20 –– OUTSIDE/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE ..................... 259 APPLICATION OF PESTICIDES ................................................................... 262 OTHER CHEMICALS..................................................................................... 262 PHYSICAL HAZARDS ................................................................................... 262 EXCAVATIONS ............................................................................................. 263 CONFINED SPACES....................................................................................... 263 POISONOUS PLANTS.................................................................................... 263 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE......... 264 Policy ................................................................................................. 264 Procedures .......................................................................................... 264 Personal Protective Equipment and Safeguards .................. 264 Operating Practices Applicable to Push, Self-Propelled, and Riding Mowers ............................................... 264 SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 266 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 266CHAPTER 21 ––