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Emergency Action Plans

An emergency action plan (EAP) is a written document required by OSHA standards as per 29 CFR 1910.38(a). For smaller organizations, the plan does not need to be written and may be communicated orally if there are 10 or fewer employees.

The purpose of an EAP is to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies. Well-developed emergency plans and proper employee training (such that employees understand their roles and responsibilities within the plan) will result in fewer and less severe employee injuries and less structural damage to the facility during emergencies.  Not having an EAP, having an inadequate one, or not properly implementing your EAP, will likely lead to a disorganized evacuation or emergency response, resulting in confusion, injury, and property damage.

The elements of the plan must include, but are not limited to:

• Names or job titles of persons who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan
• Emergency phone numbers including local emergency offices
• Procedures for reporting fires and other emergencies
• Evacuation procedures, emergency escape routes and emergency meeting points
• Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate
• Procedures to account for all employees after an emergency evacuation has been completed
• Rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them (in case you have an emergency response team at your location)

OSHA’s eTool can help small, low-hazard service or retail businesses implement an emergency action plan, and comply with OSHA's emergency standards. You can access this eTool at: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/index.html.

If you need some assistance and help to develop an EAP specific to your operations, please contact the UVICELL Safety In Paradise office at 340-693-1146 or via email at safetyinparadise@uvi.edu for additional information.

UVICELL Safety in Paradise can help small and medium-sized employers by providing free OSHA On-Site Consultation Services. To learn more about this free and confidential safety and health program visit: http://safety.uvi.edu/.

Also, Like US in Facebook: @SafetyInParadise   so you can stay in touch with the latest news regarding occupational safety and health!

Millions of people work with computers every day. Today's computer workstation has few hazards that the typical worker will be exposed to if all components are functioning properly. Many injuries or illnesses associated with a computer workstation will be of an ergonomic nature and thus may be difficult to diagnose. Likewise, workstation hazards may be a bit challenging to identify since there is no single "correct" posture or arrangement of components that will fit everyone. Even though there are no specific OSHA standards that apply to computer workstations or extremely low frequency electric and magnetic field exposure, some existing OSHA standards apply. Some are the standards on electrical safety, radiation exposure, and noise, which apply to all workplaces including office environments.

Hence, any physical factor within the environment that harms the musculoskeletal system, known as an ergonomic hazard, need to be addressed and corrected. Ergonomic hazards include themes such as repetitive movement, manual handling, workplace/job/task design, uncomfortable workstation height and poor body positioning. The work area, the equipment used there and the work environment itself must be designed in a way that provide a safe and healthful surrounding for all employees.

OSHA has developed an eTool to illustrate simple, inexpensive principles that will help you create a safe and comfortable computer workstation. You can access this eTool at: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/

If you need some assistance to recognize potential hazards associated with computer workstations and possible solutions to address those hazards, please contact the UVICELL Safety In Paradise office at 340-693-1146 or via email at safetyinparadise@uvi.edu for additional information.

UVICELL Safety in Paradise can help small and medium-sized employers by providing free OSHA On-Site Consultation Services. To learn more about this free and confidential safety and health program visit: http://safety.uvi.edu/.

Also, Like US in Facebook: @SafetyInParadise so you can stay in touch with the latest news regarding occupational safety and health!

Do you know there is a new tool right at your fingertips that can help keep workers safe from heat illness?  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has collaborated with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to release the re-designed, co-branded OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool smartphone app. The app is available for download on both iOS and Android devices and features the following:

• A visual indicator of the current heat index and associated risk levels specific to your current geographical location;
• Precautionary recommendations specific to heat index-associated risk level;
• An interactive, hourly forecast of heat index values, risk level, and recommendations for planning outdoor work activities in advance;
• Editable location, temperature, and humidity controls for calculation of variable conditions;
• Signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses including: heat stroke, heat exhaustion, rhabdomyolysis, heat cramps, and heat rash; and
• First aid information for heat-related illnesses.

Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in extreme heat or humid conditions. Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing workplaces free of known safety hazards. This includes protecting workers from extreme heat. An employer with workers exposed to high temperatures should establish a complete heat illness prevention program.

• Provide workers with water, rest and shade.
• Allow new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent breaks as they acclimatize, or build a tolerance for working in the heat.
• Plan for emergencies and train workers on prevention.
• Monitor workers for signs of illness.

For more information on this topic, about this app, and on how three simple words—Water, Rest, Shade—can help prevent heat-related illness and fatalities, visit OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Heat page (https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatstress/index.html).

UVICELL Safety In Paradise assists small and medium-sized employers by providing free OSHA On-Site Consultation Services. Request our FREE services at 340-693-1146, via email at safetyinparadise@uvi.edu or through our web page at http://safety.uvi.edu. Also, Like US in Facebook (@SafetyInParadise) so you can stay in touch with the latest news regarding occupational safety and health!

Our Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November and peaks between August and October. While hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property, tropical storms and depressions can also be devastating. The primary hazards from tropical cyclones are storm surge flooding, inland flooding from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes and high surf and rip currents. Employers can best protect themselves, their employees and their business from these hazards by conducting emergency planning for the hurricane season. Remember, few people can think clearly and logically in a crisis, so it is important to train and practice in advance.

Create a Plan. It is important to have an evacuation plan in place to ensure that workers can get to safety in case a tropical cyclone may affect the area. A thorough evacuation plan should include:

• Conditions that will activate the plan
• Chain of command
• Emergency functions and who will perform them
• Specific evacuation procedures, including routes and exits
• Procedures for accounting for personnel, customers and visitors
• Equipment for personnel

Conduct Employee Training.

In addition to having evacuation plans in place, provide training for your employees to ensure that all workers know what to do in case of an emergency. It is important to be familiar with the warning terms used for hurricanes, as well as your local community's emergency plans, warning signals, and shelters. Practice evacuation plans on a regular basis and remember to update plans and procedures based on lessons learned from exercises. Show employees what disaster supply kits are (if you have them) and let them know where they are located.

Additional information on hurricane preparedness may be found at OSHA’s Preparedness webpage (https://www.osha.gov/dts/weather/hurricane/preparedness.html) and the FEMA website Ready.gov.

UVICELL Safety In Paradise assists small and medium-sized employers by providing free OSHA On-Site Consultation Services. Request our FREE services at 340-693-1146 or via email at safetyinparadise@uvi.edu.  To learn more about this free and confidential safety and health program visit: http://safety.uvi.edu/.

Also, Like US in Facebook: SafetyInParadise so you can stay in touch with the latest news regarding occupational safety and health!

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a major concern to businesses, managers, workers and room occupants because it can potentially impact the health, comfort and well-being of building occupants. Poor IAQ can be hazardous to workers’ health.  As such, it is in the best interest of everyone that a proactive approach is taken to address IAQ concerns.

Common Indoor Air Contaminants and Their Sources The most common indoor air contaminants include carbon monoxide (CO, which is a colourless, odourless gas), pesticides, damp indoor environments and biological contaminants (such as pollen, dander, mold and bacteria). The sources of these contaminants include inadequate ventilation of key areas (such as kitchens, toilet rooms and trash rooms), exposure to dust or other by-products due to painting or renovations taking place nearby and/or the presence of wet/damp surfaces (e.g. walls, ceilings, carpets, shades) that can provide a breeding ground for insects, mold and bacteria. There are a variety of issues or symptoms that develop when individuals are exposed to significantly high levels of indoor air contaminants; excessive CO levels can cause headaches and nausea, exposure to high doses of pesticides can lead to seizures, high levels of biological contaminants may have adverse health effects (e.g. triggering allergies, asthma, immune system disturbances).

What can employers do to improve indoor air quality (IAQ)? There are several steps employers can take to improve indoor air quality. Employers can:

• Maintain a good working relationship with building management on indoor environmental issues.
• Avoid procedures and products that can cause IAQ problems.
• Work with the building manager to ensure use of only necessary and appropriate pest-control practices.
• Encourage building management to develop a preventive IAQ management program following guidance issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

What can workers do to improve indoor air quality (IAQ)? Workers have an important role to play in improving and maintaining good IAQ.

• Do not block air vents or grills.
• Water and maintain office plants properly.
• Dispose of garbage promptly and properly.
• Avoid bringing products into the building that could release harmful or bothersome odors or contaminants.
• Notify the building or facility manager immediately if you suspect an IAQ problem.

Everybody has a role to play to in maintaining or improving their indoor air quality. UVICELL Safety In Paradise is here to help small and medium-sized employers by providing free OSHA On-Site Consultation Services, program development and occupational training. We look forward to helping you meet your company’s safety and health needs! To learn more about this free and confidential safety and health program or to request our services online, visit: http://safety.uvi.edu/

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is based on a simple concept -- that employees have both a need and a right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to when working. There are an estimated 650,000 existing chemical products, and hundreds of new ones being introduced annually. This can pose a serious problem for exposed workers and their employers.

The standard itself is long and some parts are technical, but the basic concepts are simple. In fact, the requirements reflect what many employers have been doing for years. The basic goal of the standard is to be sure employers and employees know about work hazards and how to protect themselves; this should help to reduce the incidence of chemical source illness and injuries.

You may find that you already largely comply with many of the provisions and will simply have to modify your existing programs somewhat. The HCS requires information to be prepared and transmitted regarding all hazardous chemicals. The HCS covers both physical hazards (such as flammability) and health hazards (such as irritation, lung damage, and cancer.) Most chemicals used in the workplace have some hazard potential, and thus will be covered by the rule.

Important parts of a Hazard Communication Program at your workplace must include:

• Labels and Other Forms of Warning –in accordance to the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) – in a place accessible to all employees
• Employee Information and Training

To ensure the safety and health of your employees, we also encourage employers to confirm that all companies contracted to perform work on-site (examples could include cleaning and pest control companies) have a Hazard Communication Program and provide you with a listing of any chemicals introduced to your employees’ work areas.

For more information and/or assistance creating or updating your Hazard Communication Program please contact us at Safety In Paradise or visit: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/

UVICELL Safety In Paradise assists small and medium-sized employers by providing free OSHA On-Site Consultation Services. Request our FREE services at 340-693-1146 or via email at safetyinparadise@uvi.edu.  To learn more about this free and confidential safety and health program visit: http://safety.uvi.edu/.

Also, Like US in Facebook: SafetyInParadise so you can stay in touch with the latest news regarding occupational safety and health!

Happy New Year! Drinking water is important for your health. Most people working in an office environment get their water from a water cooler. It is recommended that you clean and sanitize the inside of your water cooler at least every 6-12 months as a film of bacteria and debris can develop over time affecting the taste and smell of water. In addition, the outside of your water cooler should be cleaned daily to prevent the transmission diseases such as the common cold and flu.

Sanitizing the inside of your bottled water cooler is not difficult. All you will need is 30 minutes, clean rubber gloves, lint-free towel or lint-free paper towels, a clean 1 or 2-gallon container and a teaspoon of unscented household bleach. Remember to disconnect the water cooler power cord from the outlet before you start!

1. Remove the empty bottle from your cooler and drain the reservoir through the cold water faucet. Allow any ice to melt and drain, adding hot water to speed up the process.
2. Remove the water guard or spill-free top from your cooler, followed by removing the baffle (a white plastic or stainless steel plate/tube assembly that lifts straight out), if available. 
3. Clean/Wash water cooler exterior & faucets with hot water and mild soap. Rinse and dry thoroughly with paper towels.
4. Prepare a sanitizing solution consisting of one gallon of clean water and one teaspoon of unscented bleach. Using rubber gloves, wet and wring out a clean, lint-free towel with sanitizing solution to wipe down the interior surfaces of the reservoir. Fill reservoir with the chlorine solution, leaving it for about ten (10) minutes.
5. Sanitize the spill-free top and baffle by simply wiping (not soaking) them down with the towel saturated with the sanitizing solution. Allow the spill-free top and baffle to sit for at least 3 minutes, rinse well with clean water and set aside to dry.
6. Fill reservoir full with clean water and completely drain that water through the cold and hot faucet. Repeat this 1-2 more times.
7. Replace the baffle and spill-free top assembly by pressing firmly into place. Place a bottle on the cooler and drain two cups of water from each faucet (hot, room temp, and cold). Keep draining if a chlorine taste is still present.

UVICELL Safety In Paradise is here to help small and medium-sized employers by providing free OSHA On-Site Consultation Services, program development and occupational training. We look forward to helping you meet your company’s safety and health needs! To learn more about this free and confidential safety and health program or to request our services online, visit: http://safety.uvi.edu/

Workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, clients, customers and visitors. Homicide is currently the fourth-leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States.

Factors that increase the risk of workplace violence for some workers include:

• Exchanging money with the public,
• Working with volatile, unstable people,
• Working alone or in isolated areas,
• Working where alcohol is served,
• Time of day (ex. late nights) and
• Location of work (ex. areas with high crime rates).

By assessing worksites for risk factors such as those listed above, employers can identify methods for reducing the likelihood of incidents occurring. OSHA believes that a well-written and implemented workplace violence prevention program, combined with engineering controls, administrative controls and training can reduce the risk of workplace violence.

For further assistance regarding this topic in the form of free consultation services, policy development or training, please contact the UVICELL Safety In Paradise office at 693-1146 or via email at safetyinparadise@uvi.edu. We look forward to helping you meet your safety and health needs.

With the holiday season approaching OSHA wants employers to remain aware that crowd-related injuries can occur during special sales and promotional events. Crowd management planning should begin in advance of events that are likely to draw large crowds. Emergency situation management should always be part of the event planning process.

In the early stages of even tplanning, employers need to consider the potential hazards presented by customers such as crushing between people/structures, trampling and aggressive or dangerous behavior.  Also, hazards present at the location may include failure of equipment (such as automatic doors), fences or other barriers that may collapse if individuals are pushed into it, inadequately lit areas and/or housekeeping hazards. Employers should provide employee training on how to properly manage a planned event and on the procedures outlined in the company emergency action plan. Ensure that legible and visible signs that describe entrance and exit locations, store opening times and other important information are posted, making sure that your standard exit signs are not blocked in the process. In addition, employers should hire additional, seasonal staff as needed based off of the previous years’ experience.

Immediately prior to the opening, ensure that customer lines do not start right at the entrance to your business. This will allow for orderly crowd management entry and make it possible to divide crowds into small groups for the purpose of controlling entrance. For larger sites, provide radios or some other form of communication for store personnel to communicate. Prevent overcrowding by, for example, locating sale items in different parts of the store. Make sure that outside personnel have radios or some other way to communicate with personnel inside the store and emergency responders. If possible, provide a separate exit for staff with door monitors posted to prevent customer entry. In addition, make sure all paths of egress are unblocked and that exit doors remain unlocked and accessible.

During your event, have your security or crowd managers at the side of the entering/exiting public, not at the center of the path. Do not allow customer beyond the maximum occupancy permitted at your location.

In addition to the available OSHA tools and/or guidance on this topic, UVICELL Safety In Paradise provides free services to businesses requiring further assistance. For free consultation services, policy development and training, please contact the UVICELL Safety In Paradise office via email at safetyinparadise@uvi.edu.

What’s the difference between noise and sound? The answer may surprise you: noise is unwanted sound. Unwanted sound exists in almost every workplace, but how do you know if the noise level at your workplace is too loud and doing damage? Over twenty-two million workers are exposed to potentially damaging levels of noise every year and an estimated $242 million is spent annually on workers’ compensation for hearing loss disability.

The human ear is an amazing organ! Sound waves enter the outer ear and impact the ear drum which transmits vibrations to the middle ear. In the middle ear there are three tiny bones that amplify and transmit the vibrations to the inner ear. Inside the inner ear there are microscopic hairs which move with the vibrations and convert them into nerve impulses – those nerve impulses are the sounds (or noises) that we hear. Sadly, loud noises destroy those microscopic hairs in the inner ear which causes hearing loss. The louder the noise and the longer the exposure, the more hearing loss can occur. Hearing loss is permanent; but it is also preventable.

Here is a little self-check you can perform to see if you are exposed to too much noise during your day: before exiting your car in the morning, turn the car radio down until you can just hear it. At the end of the day when you are preparing to depart, listen carefully to notice if you can still hear the radio clearly without adjusting the volume. If you can’t hear it, that is a good indication that you have been exposed to too much noise during your day.

So, how loud is too loud? OSHA mandates that employers with workers exposed to average noise levels at and above 85 dBA over an 8-hour work shift implement a Hearing Conservation Program. For further (free) assistance with program development and/or (free) noise monitoring please request our FREE services by calling us at 340-693-1146 or via email at safetyinparadise@uvi.edu.

UVICELL Safety In Paradise is here to help small and medium-sized employers by providing free OSHA On-Site Consultation Services, program development and occupational training. We look forward to helping you meet your company’s safety and health needs! To learn more about this free and confidential safety and health program or to request our services online, visit: http://safety.uvi.edu/.