In this issue of the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Listserv, December 8, 2010: 1. NEW! Electrical Safety Training 2. The Web‐based Ladder Safety Course? 3. Don’t “Slip” Into “Fall” (or Winter) ‐ Avoiding Slips, Trips, Falls 4. Mark your calendars! ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 1. Electrical Safety – At Work and at Home Muster some energy and check out the most recent addition to the EHS web‐based training: General Electrical Safety. This course is an “awareness level” training designed for any UNL employee who is at slightly greater risk of occupational exposure to hazardous electrical energy as a function of their assigned tasks. Examples of worker categories are: custodians, carpenters, painters, some laboratory workers, agricultural and landscape workers. Since electrical shocks account for thousands of death and injuries per year, both in the workplace and at home, this training is useful for all employees. The following sections are of particular interest during the holiday season when additional lights and decorations are added to our homes, both indoors and out, and sometimes to our workplaces as well: 
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Avoiding Hazards – Circuits. o Don’t overload a circuit or use a larger amperage fuse/breaker to prevent tripping. A fuse/circuit that trips frequently should be checked by a qualified electrician. o If a cord, plug, outlet or wall switch feels hot, stop using it immediately and call an electrician. o Work on electrical systems should be RESTRICTED to properly trained and qualified persons. o Circuits and outlets in wet, damp, or OUTDOOR locations must be protected by ground fault circuit interrupters. o Do not block electrical panels, boxes and shut‐offs or use/store flammable or combustible materials near electrical systems. Avoiding Hazards – Extension Cords o Extension cords are for TEMPORARY use only and should ALWAYS be unplugged from the outlet when not in use. o Extension cords and other electrical devices to be used outdoors MUST be rated for OUTDOOR use. o Use only factory‐assembled cords and do not use in series with other extension cords, power strips and/or surge protectors. o Select a gauge of extension cord appropriate to the current it will carry, using the shortest suitable length. o Preferably use extension cords with a 3‐prong grounding plug and ALWAYS if the appliance/tool/device has a 3‐prong plug. o
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Inspect extension and other cords to ensure integrity—no cracks in insulation, damaged plug housing, plug housing not pulled away from cord exposing wires, etc. DO NOT attempt to repair cords with electrical tape. Remove from service. Use Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL)‐approved surge protectors with internal fuse/circuit breakers and preferably an indicator light, plugged directly into a permanently installed outlet. NEVER string several surge protectors together or use a surge protector in combination with an extension cord to gain more length. NEVER run an appliance or extension cord under carpet or other combustible material or through walls. This applies to Christmas lights too. Handle cords carefully, removing from outlets by the plug. NEVER staple or nail a cord to affix it where desired. Make sure your hands are dry when plugging in equipments/devices. The General Electrical Safety course provides additional information to help raise electrical safety awareness, in web‐based format for your convenience. Resources:  General Electrical Safety SOP http://ehs.unl.edu/sop/s‐electricalsafety.pdf  EHS Web‐based Training (General Electrical Safety) http://ehs.unl.edu/onlinetraining/ 2 The Web‐based Ladder Safety Course? Have you reviewed the Portable Ladder Safety web‐based course highlighted last month? Even if ladder use is not part of your work tasks, most people use a ladder at home for holiday decorating inside and/or outside, reaching those holiday items stored on out‐of‐the way shelves, or retrieving gifts hidden away until time to wrap them, and more. Before you need to ‘climb’ review the Portable Ladder Safety web‐based training. Keep the Ladder Safety Safe Operating Procedure (SOP) on hand for periodic review before you change light bulbs and perform other household tasks. Do NOT become an injury statistic this holiday season! Resources:  EHS Web‐based Training (Portable Ladder Safety) http://ehs.unl.edu/onlinetraining/  Ladder Safety SOP http://ehs.unl.edu/sop/s‐ladder.pdf 3. Don’t “Slip” Into “Fall “(or Winter) – Avoiding Slips, Trips, Falls Slips, trips, and falls account for 15‐25% of work‐related accidents at UNL. ALL types of workers, including office workers, need to take precautions to avoid slips, trips and/or falls. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that falls are one of the four most‐frequent work‐related fatality events. Nearly 25% of all injuries incurred in the home are a result of falls. Most of the injury incidents due to slips, trips and falls can be prevented with improved housekeeping, using provided hand rails, maintenance/awareness of walking surfaces, and remaining alert in general to the work surroundings. Here are some tips to avoid slips, trips and falls:  Do not use makeshift ladders, i.e., chairs, stools, stacked boxes, etc. Use only ladders in good condition and in the manner intended.  Promptly clean up spills. Keep walkways clear and free of clutter.  Use handrails when navigating stairs. Walk at a reasonable pace, one step at a time, and remain aware of your surroundings. Maintain visual contact with the stairs when ascending or descending.  Do not leave cupboards, doors, drawers, file cabinets, etc. ajar. Make sure phone lines, electrical and extension cords are not positioned across a walkway, or where your feet can become entangled (e.g., under desks, near sitting areas, etc.). Ensure all floor coverings are securely anchored.  Report or replace burnt out or inadequate lighting. Winter brings with it a special set of hazardous conditions. Just like winter driving, winter walking requires anticipation. Think "defensive walking". Follow these guidelines to help avoid injury:  Use footwear appropriate for the surface/conditions. Avoid slick‐soled shoes if it is snowy and/or icy.  Avoid routes that have not been cleared or appear glazed over. PAY ATTENTION to your surroundings, whether walking or getting into/out of a vehicle.  Avoid carrying large/heavy/awkward objects that can obstruct your view or affect your balance. Resources:  Slips, Trips, Falls – Reducing Risk and Avoiding Injury http://ehs.unl.edu/sop/s‐
slips_trips_falls.pdf  U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor ‐ 2009 Preliminary Report http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/cfch0008.pdf 4. Mark Your Calendar! The next Laboratory Safety Colloquium, “Flammable‐Corrosive‐Toxic Gas Safety” , sponsored by EHS and the Office of Research and Economic Development, will be held February 22 & 23, 2011. There are five sessions available for your scheduling convenience:  Tuesday, 2/22/2011 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. @ East Campus Union (room posted)  Wednesday, 2/23/2011 o 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. @ Beadle Center, Rm. N176 o 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. @ East Campus Union (room posted) o 1:30 – 2:20 p.m. @ Othmer Hall, Rm. 110 o 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. @ Hamilton Hall, Rm. 104 Pam Hendershot, Praxair Specialty Gas & Equipment, will review safe storage and use of these types of gases being used at UNL. Be sure to attend if your laboratory uses hydrogen, anhydrous ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride or other flammable, corrosive, or toxic gases. No pre‐registration is required. Refreshments are provided courtesy of Praxair. For questions, contact Elizabeth (Betsy) Howe, ehowe2@unl.edu or 472‐5488. Review/print out a publicity calendar for February 2011 sessions OR view video and/or PDF of previous colloquia at:  Environmental Health & Safety http://ehs.unl.edu/training/Colloquium/  Office of Research & Economic Development http://research.unl.edu/lsi_9‐06.shtml Remember...SAFETY IS AN ATTITUDE!