Monthly Safety Bulletin
K SU
Di vi si on
o f
Faci liti es
Congratulations Custodial Staff
Recent KDOL survey of the Engineering Complex included
all custodial closets. Congratulations! There was only one
deficiency noted. Doing your monthly inspections leads to
excellent survey results. Fantastic Job!
Volume 6, Issue 1
January 30, 2013
KDOL Survey
S H A R P C O N TA I N E R S M A R K E D W R O N G
T h e r e c e n t s u r v e y c o n d u c t e d b y t h e K a n s a s D e p a r t m e n t o f La b o r r e s u l t e d i n a
deficiency issued to Environmental Health and Safety for using the Biohazard Label
on non-approved containers. You cannot place items that contain blood in the
c o n t a i n e r s t h a t a r e b a s i c a l l y a m a yo j a r w i t h a l a b e l o n i t . If yo u h a v e b l o o d i t e m s
yo u n e e d t o h a v e t h e m i n a n a p p r o v e d c o n t a i n e r s i m i l a r t o t h e o n e p i c t u r e d . C o n t a c t
S a r a h i n t h e s t o r e r o o m s h e w i l l o r d e r yo u a n a p p r o p r i a t e c o n t a i n e r . I f yo u h a v e a n
o l d c o n t a i n e r i n yo u r d e p a r t m e n t p l e a s e c o n t a c t t h e H e a l t h a n d S a f e t y O f f i c e .
Facilities KDOL Deficiencies
1.
Chemical not labeled appropriately.
2.
Electrical knockouts missing.
3.
Electrical panels not labeled.
4.
Belts and Pulleys not guarded.
5.
Damaged Ladders not labeled “Damaged Do Not Use” and taken out of service.
6.
Electrical panels or junction boxes not covered and items stored on transformers.
Page 2
Monthly Safety Bulletin
Compressed Air Safety
With the use of compressed air, industry today does everything from running huge equipment to powering simple air tools.
Compressed air is a valuable tool but can also be very dangerous when used in an unsafe manner.
If you work with Compressed Air...be sure that you follow these safety guidelines:
1. Never apply compressed air to the skin or direct it at a person. Never use a compressed air hose to clean dirt or dust from your
clothing or body can cause serious injury.
2. When using compressed air for cleaning purposes, ensure pressure does not exceed 30 psig (per OSHA regulations). Always use
goggles or a face shield over approved safety glasses for this application.
3. Wear ear protection. Exposure to excessive noise can damage hearing. Noise reducing mufflers can be fitted to machines to
lessen the noise health hazard.
4. Never crimp, couple, or uncouple pressurized hose. Shut off valves and bleed down pressure before making any hose
connections.
5. Use heavy duty clamps and fittings made especially for compressed air hose. Use only the correct type and size of hose end
fittings and connections.
6. Never use frayed, damaged or deteriorated hoses. Always store hoses properly and away from heat sources or direct sunlight. A
hose failure can cause serious injury. Hose Reels can decrease your chances of injury, as well as help hoses last longer.
7. When blowing compressed air through a hose or air line, ensure that the open end is held securely. A free end can whip and can
cause injury. Open the supply air valve carefully and ensure that any ejected particles will be restrained. A blocked hose can
become a dangerous "compressed air gun."
8. Make sure all hoses exceeding 1/2 inch ID have a safety device at the source of supply or branch line to reduce the pressure in
case of hose failure (per OSHA regulations).
9. Do not use air directly from a compressor for breathing purposes unless the system has been specifically designed for such
purpose and suitable breathing air filters and regulators are in place.
10. Isolating valves should be of the self venting type and designed to be locking in the "off" position so that air pressure cannot be
applied accidentally while the machine is being worked on.
11. Never alter or install an A.S.M.E. safety relief valve that has a higher PSIG rating than the pressure vessel rating to which it is
installed.
12. Only pressure vessels built to a national or international standard should be used for air receivers.
OSHA says...Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each
of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to
cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and
health standards promulgated under this Act".
Tom McGuire, Compressed Air Inc.