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Workplace Safety. Robyn Hathcock University of Oregon Campus Recycling. CURC 2007 Teleconference Series “Effective Management of Recycling Operations” December 4, 2007. Who is the person responsible for safety in your recycling program?. ?. Overview. UO Recycling Program
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Workplace Safety Robyn Hathcock University of Oregon Campus Recycling CURC 2007 Teleconference Series “Effective Management of Recycling Operations” December 4, 2007
Who is the person responsible for safety in your recycling program? ?
Overview • UO Recycling Program • 10 Things a Recycling Coordinator Needs to Know about Safety
UO Campus Recycling • Recycling Program institutionalized in March 1991 • Operates as a department within Facilities Services • 5 full-time staff members (supervisors) • ~40 student recyclers during academic year work (500 labor hours per week) • 1500+ recycling sites • Student crews service sites by electric truck, Step Van or on foot • Processing warehouse for paper, county depot transfer station for bottles/cans
10 Things a Recycling Coordinator Needs to Know About Safety • How to recognize job hazards • What PPE is required for each job • When safety audits are conducted and by whom • What safety rules and policies are in place • What safety training new employees receive • What year-round safety training employees receive • If employees are reporting hazards and accidents • How accidents are responded to and investigated • Where accident information is kept and how to access it • Safety Resources
Recognizing Job Hazards • Job Hazard Analysis & PPE Assessments • Equipment changes • Checking PPE • Accessible in all work areas • Condition of gloves, glasses • Employee comfort • Pre-Operation Checklists • Vehicles and mechanized equipment
Recycling Bottles & Cans Sorting ü ü Closed Toe Shoes Nitrile Gloves http://facilities.uoregon.edu/safety/misc/ppecert.pdf
Safety Audits • Required and voluntary audits • Trip hazards, labeled hazardous materials • Train employees to conduct audits
Safety Policies & Rules • Management leadership • e.g, vehicle first aid kits, vehicle operation, PPE, accident procedures • Clear expectations for employees • Create policies specific to your recycling program • Vehicle backing and stretching policies
UO Recycling Program Policies • Vehicle Backing • Many solo vehicle accidents • Most student recyclers work in pairs • - Passenger spots for backing maneuvers • - Training on how to be effective spotters Stretching - 10 minute stretch at start of work day - Prevents/decreases severity of injuries - Opportunity to get focused for work - Supervisors stretch too! Both policies were so successful in reducing recycling program accidents, Facilities Services adopted similar policies for all FS employees!
New-Hire Safety Orientation • Emphasize safety rules and policies • Reiterate that PPE is not optional • Personalize the message • Work injuries impacts life outside of work • Individual responsibility • Fellow workers’ safety • Have a safety orientation with volunteers
UO Recycling Safety Orientation • Introductory and University Safety videos • Personal Protective Equipment Applications • Emergency Medical Plan • Chemical Hazard Communication & MSDS Training • Locations, Jobs and Equipment to Avoid Without Prior Training • Watch stretching video and discuss the stretching policy • First Aid station, safety manual and MSDS book
Safety Training • Monthly trainings • Address seasonal issues • Address past accidents • “Training” can happen daily through daily work • Empower employees to conduct trainings • Involve recycling employees on safety committees
Reporting Hazards & Accidents • Safety Hazard reporting (“potential accidents”) • Formal hazard report forms • In vehicles, emergency contact list, first aid kit and accident information packet • Emphasize importance of reporting hazards and accidents • Barriers to employees reporting an accident • Fear of discipline • Fear of a negative reputation
Accident Investigation • Investigation kit – required paperwork, camera (for vehicle accidents) • Conduct an investigation in a neutral manner • Involve the employee in the analyzing the accident • Extracting something good: Accidents are learning opportunities
Accident Tracking • Past accidents help prioritize efforts in training, education and equipment • Common incidents in recycling: • Lifting injuries • Slips, trips and falls • Vehicle accidents • Catch hazards • Demonstrate need for equipment changes • Hydraulic tailgates • Collection toters with better ergonomics • Gloves with better puncture protection
Resources • Campus environmental health & safety department • U.S. OSHA http://www.osha.gov/ http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3071.pdf • Nonprofit Risk Management Center http://nonprofitrisk.org/tools/workplace-safety/public-sector/wsp-ps.htm • UO Facilities Services Safety Office http://facilities.uoregon.edu/safety Questions? Robyn Hathcock: rjhath@uoregon.edu (541) 346-0929