State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Waste Management Safety and Risk Management Program Revised: January 5, 2015
FOREWORD This North Carolina Division of Waste Management endeavors to provide a workplace free of recognized hazards. Sections within the Division (Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste, Underground Storage Tanks and Superfund) have their own, more specific Heath and Safety programs and employees within these Sections should adhere to those Health and Safety Manuals. This manual provides general Division safety polices and the Division staff personnel with health and safety guidelines. The Brownfields Program will follow the Hazardous Waste Section s Health and Safety Manual. This Manual shall be made available to all North Carolina Division of Waste Management employees and will serve as a source for training new employees as well as a reference document. Each staff member is expected to be familiar with every section within this manual. TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Policy 3 II. Purpose 4 SECTION 1.0 Division Safety Committee 5 1.1 Safety Committee Structure 1.2 Auditing 1.3 Incident Investigation SECTION 2.0 Workplace Hazards 8 2.1 Electrical Hazards 2.2 Fire and Explosion 2.3 Slips, Trips, Falls, and struck-by 2.4 Workplace Violence 2.5 Ergonomic Hazards SECTION 3.0 Emergency Action Plan 11 SECTION 4.0 Occupational Hazard Assessment 11 SECTION 5.0 Training 12 5.1 Requirements 5.2 First Aid/CPR 5.3 Training Responsibility 5.4 Safety Tracking Spreadsheet SECTION 6.0 Personal Injury and Workers Compensation 13 6.1 Reporting 6.2 First Aid Kits Referenced Documents: Computer Workstation Checklist Safety Training Policy Personal Appliance Policy
I. General Safety Policy It is the policy of the North Carolina Division of Waste Management to provide safe and healthy working conditions free from all recognized hazards for employees and the visiting public. Division management values the heath and welfare of employees and is fully committed to preventing occupational illnesses, injuries and accidents. Total support by all Division employees is required to comply with the applicable regulations within the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the State of North Carolina s Safety and Occupation Health Program and other appropriate national and state consensus standards. The structure of the Division of Waste Management includes four separate Sections (Hazardous Waste, Solids Waste, Superfund, and Underground Storage Tanks) each with their own more specific workplace hazards and therefore their own Health and Safety Programs. Employees with in the Brownfield Program while considered Division Staff will adhere to the Division of Waste Management Hazardous Waste Section s Health and Safety Program. The Hazardous Waste Section s Health and Safety Program is more closely related to workplace hazards associated with Brownfield job responsibilities. All Employees not assigned to a Section are considered Division and should adhere to this Health and Safety Manual. The Division s Safety Consultant shall adhere to the Hazardous Waste Section s Health and Safety Manual. It shall be the responsibility of the Division s Safety Consultant to maintain a safety and risk management program in accordance with North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources policies, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, the State of North Carolina s Safety and Occupational Health Program, Federal EPA requirements, and other appropriate national and state consensus standards. Additional Safety Police(s): Individual Sections may have specific polices.
II. Purpose The manual outlines guidelines for the North Carolina Division of Waste Management s Occupational Safety and Health Program. ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL- refers to staff members that spend no required work time outside of the normal office environment. These positions do not require medical monitoring and are not issued personal protective equipment. Positions deemed administrative include Business Officer, Processing Assistant (I, II, III, IV), Administrative Secretary, Accounting Technician, Personnel Technician, Accounting Specialist, Computing Training Specialist, Public Information Officer, Computing Consultant, Accounting Clerk (IV) and all temporary positions. TYPICAL OFFICE ENVIROMENT- refers to the employee s duty station. DIVISION EMPLOYEES- refers to employees not assigned to a Section
SECTION 1.0 Division Safety Advisory Committee 1.1 Safety Advisory Committee Safety Committees are an integral part of a successful safety and risk management program. The primary function of the Division s Safety Advisory committee is to review policies, documents, procedures, and advise on safety matters. The Division s Safety professionals will include the suggestions and requests in the overall management of the Division s Safety and Risk Management programs. 1.2 Auditing The Safety Advisory committee, in conjunction with the Division s Safety Professionals, will conduct inspections in the Central and all Regional Offices. Findings will be reported to the regional office managers, regional staff, and supervisors. Regional supervisors should participate in the inspections. The Division Director shall immediately be made aware of any serious deficiencies identified during a safety inspection. Discrepancies and any corrective actions noted during the inspection applicable to the facility shall be reported to the building owner within three business days. Discrepancies and any corrective actions applicable to items and work practices relevant to the Division/Office/Program shall be corrected within the Division/Office/Program structure. 1.3 Incident Investigation All incidents resulting in an injury or near miss shall be investigated by the employee s supervisor and/or safety. Serious incidents will be reviewed by the Safety Advisor Committee.
SECTION 2 2.0 WORKPLACE HAZARDS (Division employees only) During the course of employment, Division employees may be exposed to health and safety hazards, any one of which could result in serious injury or death. The following occupational hazards are hazards that Division employees may be exposed to during the course of employment. This Section defines the hazard and list safe operating guidelines to employ if hazards are identified. 2.1 Electrical Hazards 2.2 Fire and Explosion 2.3 Slip, Trip and Falls 2.4 Workplace Violence 2.5 Ergonomic Hazards 2.1 ELECTRICAL HAZARDS Two types of electrical hazards exist: employee contact with an electrically charged device or any situation that could result in fire. Examples include overuse of extension cords, overloaded electrical outlets or improperly grounded or wired equipment. Each poses a danger of electrocution or fire. Employees may be exposed to electrical hazards in the normal office environment. Safe Operating Guidelines: Employees and others working with electrical equipment need to follow safe work practices: these include staying alert, constantly looking for potential hazards, and using good judgment when working near energized lines or equipment. Employees should never work directly with live electrical wiring. Extension cords should not serve as a substitute for permanent wiring; therefore, use should be limited to no more than 90 days. Using an extension cord outside should only be used with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). This device will minimize risk of electrocution. If an electrical hazard occurs, notify the Safety Consultant immediately. Practices to avoid electrical hazards include the following: Surge protectors should only be used for devices needing surge protection. Surge protectors should be plugged directly into a permanently mounted outlet. Water must not be used on an electrical fire. Extension cords shall not be routed through holes, walls, ceilings or floors. Any damaged extension cord or electrical equipment shall be properly discarded. Electrical panels should remain closed and latched and accessible. Disconnect electrical equipment before servicing or repairing (i.e. removing printer jams).
2.2 FIRE Fire and explosion may arise spontaneously for a variety of reasons. Fire and explosion not only pose the obvious hazards of intense heat, open flame, smoke inhalation and flying objects, but may also cause the release of toxic chemicals into the environment. Whenever a fire is suspected, others must be notified (coworkers, visitors, and fire department). Notification can be achieved by activating the Fire Alarm system, via voice or by phone. Employees shall proceed to the nearest exit and assemble in designated areas. Safe Operating Guidelines Keep all potential ignition sources away from an explosive or flammable environment, eliminate use of extension cords; and follow safe practices when performing any task that might result in fire or explosions. Keep all potential ignition sources away from any potentially explosive or flammable substances (this includes cleaning chemicals). Limit storage in areas/rooms and maintain 24-inch clearance from the ceiling. SMOKING IS PROHIBITED INSIDE THE OFFICE. 2.3 SLIP/TRIP/FALL/ STRUCK-BY HAZARDS The normal work environment may contain numerous safety hazards such as: Holes or ditches Precariously positioned objects, such as boards or boxes that may fall from overhead storage Sharp objects, such as nails, metal shards, and broken glass Slippery surfaces Steep grades Uneven terrain Unstable surfaces, such as walls or flooring Heavy equipment Trip hazards Impact hazards (protruding objects, moving objects, falling objects) File cabinets opened or unstable Safe Operating Guidelines If a safety hazard is observed, employees must take action to prevent injury. Actions to be taken include removing or eliminating the hazard where it can be done safely, or advising the Safety Consultant so action can be taken. Personnel should constantly be alert for potential safety hazards.
2.4 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE Workplace violence is defined as acts, behavior or threats that occur in the workplace or are related to workplace. Such acts may be harmful or potentially harmful to people, property or organizational capabilities. Situations that could occur include: Co-workers having a disagreement that results in a physical confrontation. Outsider entering the work environment uninvited. Outsider with a personal relationship with an employee enters the workplace. Disgruntled employees Safe Operating Guidelines: The safety and wellbeing of others must be considered. If any employee feels that the welfare of others is threatened, a call for assistance must be made to a supervisor or the Police. At no time is an employee expected to risk their personal safety or that of other employees. 2.5 ERGONOMIC HAZARDS Ergonomics is a multidisciplinary science that seeks to conform the workplace to the worker. This may include specially designed workplace equipment that adjusts to the worker and the evaluation, elimination or reduction of workplace stressors. The Division recognizes that unconforming workstations may result in productivity loses. Should the employee suffer strain due to physical work environment, an ergonomic study will be conducted to determine if equipment changes can lessen the stressors associated with workplace demands. To assist the employee with ensure an appropriate workstation, refer to www.wastenotnc.org/dwmsafety.org Computer Workstation Checklist.
SECTION 3 3.0 EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN The term emergency shall be defined as any situation that is life threatening or can quickly become life threatening. The Division s Health and Safety Manual recognizes the potential for emergency situations that include fire, natural causes (severe storms and tornadoes), medical emergencies, workplace violence. This section is intended to establish a course of action for each emergency situation. The section applies to the normal office environment. Employees working in the field should follow emergency procedures for that site or facility as indicated on the Site Safety Plan. FIRE & ALARMS In the event of fire alarm activation or the discovery of a fire in the building, all occupants should immediately begin exiting the building. Exits are provided at the center and either end of the building. Guests and employees not assigned to Green Square should exit with the presenter or meeting organizer to a designated assembly location. MEDICAL In the event someone becomes ill or is in need of immediate medical attention, call 9-911. First Aid Kits and defibrillators are located on each floor behind the receptionist desk. After calling 9-911, notify the front desk of the emergency by calling 919-707-8384. SEVERE WEATHER In the event of severe weather, all building occupants should seek refuge in the restrooms, east stairwell, and/or mothers room (first floor). WORKPLACE VIOLENCE In the event of a threat to the building or employee, contact the State Capital Police located in the lobby at 919-707-8384 or call 9-911. SECTION 4 4.0 OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD ASSESSMENT A safety analysis of each position has been conducted to determine what hazards an employee can reasonably encounter. Admin employees can expect exposure to the above categories of workplace hazards.
SECTION 5 5.0 TRAINING Orientation for new employees will consist of reviewing the Occupational Hazard Assessment with the Safety Consultant and completing the Office Safety Class. All administrative personnel should attend and complete the Office Safety Class in person or online. 5.1 REQUIREMENTS The Office Safety Class will be offered as needed. Employees are expected to attend the class every 15 months. OFFICE SAFETY TOPICS Hazardous Communication (toner) Fire Safety Emergency Action Plans Slip, Trips, Falls, Struck-by and Ergonomics Back Injury Prevention 5.2 FIRST AID / CPR / AED Division employees may attend a First Aid/CPR/AED class. First Aid certification must be renewed every 3 years, and the CPR/AED certification must be renewed every 2 years. Automated External Defibrillator training is included during the CPR updates. Only trained personals may render aid include the Automated External Defibrillator. 5.3 TRAINING RESPONSIBILITY The responsibility for ensuring that all employees receive the required safety training is shared jointly by the employee, their supervisor, and the Safety Consultant. 5.4 SAFETY TRACKING SPREADSHEET Completion of training classes is indicated on the Safety Tracking Spreadsheet. All required classes are listed along with the employee s completion date. The Safety Consultant will announce and coordinate safety-related training courses, materials and programs. However, approval for staff to attend any of these courses should come from the employee s supervisor.
SECTION 6 6.0 PERSONAL INJURY and WORKERS COMPENSATION 1. Remove yourself or additional personnel from any immediately hazardous situation. If this cannot be done safely, call 911 or other emergency number for assistance. Use the Emergency Action Plan to manage other emergencies. 2. Seek medical attention as necessary. If safe transportation to a medical facility is not feasible, call a 911. 3. After medical attention has been sought, notify the Safety Consultant and the appropriate supervisor. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has acquired the services of Corvel to adjust worker compensation claims. If emergency medical attention is necessary, proceed to the local Emergency Department and inform the medical staff that this is a worker compensation injury. If further verification of employment is necessary, the hospital staff should contact the Division 919-707-8200. If your immediate supervisor cannot be reach please contact: Brian N. Polk at 919-270-3003 6.1 REPORTING OF INCIDENTS Employees must report all incidents within 24 hours of occurrence. All incidents including near misses will be investigated by the employee s supervisor in conjunction with the Division Safety Consultant. Corrective measures will be implemented when the investigation reveals such actions are necessary. 6.2 FIRST AID KITS & AEDs First aid kits are located throughout the office and are available for appropriate use.