2013 Safety News
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NMSU designated Bicycle Friendly University .
[posted May 2013]
NMSU Homepage highlights Bicycle Friendly University designation by League of American Bicyclists.
The status recognizes the university's commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies. The NMSU taskforce submitted the BFU application in February (details)
NMSU has taken numerous steps in the last year to increase safe-bicycling practices on campus, including
1. increasing bicycle traffic law enforcement,
2. cyclist safety training classes,
3. newfeeds on bicycle rules of the road,
4. working to improved bicycle security on campus,
5. safety improvements on campus streets and
6. a bicycle advocate website at bike.nsmu.edu
See news at http://newscenter.nmsu.edu/9371/nmsu-named-bronze-bicycle-friendly-university
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NMSU Consumer Confidence Water Report (for 2012) (posted 5/23/13)
The Environmental Protection Agency requires water system operators to test and publish an annual report on the quality of water delivered. NMSU, through Facility Services (FS), owns and operates the campus water system.
The NMSU Consumer Confidence Report describing the 2012 testing and NMSU's water quality was emailed to the NMSU Community in May. NMSU provides a very good quality drinking water that is safe and has not exceeded any contaminant levels established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency's "Safe Drinking Water Standards" during the past year.
A copy of the report is available on the Facility Services home page at http://www.ofs.nmsu.edu/, directly at http://goo.gl/NekNy or via EH&S web at http://safety.nmsu.edu/faq/2013/2013_0523-NMSU2012CCWaterReport.pdf (pdf copy).
More: Information and reports on Las Cruces drinking water, EPA water standards & contaminants as well as frequently asked questions on water quality are available at
Las Cruces 2012 Municipal Water Report 2012 West Mesa Water Report
http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/index.cfm
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/ccr/frequentquestions.cfm
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Work continues as EH&S collects data for NMSU's greenhouse report.
EH&S and Central Utility Plant have been working to collect data for NMSU’s 2012 calendar year Greenhouse Gas Report which will be publicly published this Fall. The good news is the amount of carbon dioxide emission in 2012 is 5% less than in 2011. NMSU’s turbine and three boilers only burn natural gas which is a relatively clean fuel. Also, the turbine only generates electricity that is needed on campus and the boilers only generate heat that is needed on campus and when it’s not needed, the units are adjusted down.
Katrina Doolittle Phd, Executive Director, EH&S, has received the university’s 2013 Ralph B. Crouch Memorial Award.
NMSU Interim President Manuel Pacheco presented the award to Doolittle on April 30.
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Distracted Driving Video from NSC
(video - 1953 vintage film)
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NMSU Annual Laboratory Inspections set for 2013 (posted April 2013)
Checklist
The Annual Laboratory Inspection program has been conducted each summer for the last six years. For 2013, we will start on early May with an expected completion of all campus lab by early August. The inspection schedule is provided on EH&S's training & event calendar and we contact each department head in advance of the inspection.
The intent of these inspections is to improve safety in the laboratories. In addition to inspecting the physical facilities with the "inspection checklist", EH&S is hoping to review laboratory work practices and other activities. Derrick Wootton & Dave Schoep, EH&S, are available to help to review the lab research practices. They can meet with the Principal investigator, lab manager, primary researcher, and/or department head to review the processes at each lab location. Individuals can schedule a specific date and time with the inspectors.
The inspection checklist as well as instruction on use are posted on the laboratory safety section of safety programs page on the EH&S website (http://safety.nmsu.edu). As in the past, EH&S will be using this checklist, so it will be useful for review prior to the inspection. If you have questions or concerns on the inspection program or other safety issues, please E-mail or call EH&S at 575-646-3327.
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Campus Drivers: Best Practices to avoid accidents
(posted March 2013).
Watching for Pedestrians, Bicycles & Carts are the main topics in the EH&S webpage detailing best practices for campus driving.
As of March [2013] EH&S provides a Safe Campus Driving Refresher class every month (schedule).
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April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month (DDAM).
Government and safety organizations continue to note the hazards of driving while texting or talking on cell phone, i.e. distracted driving. For more information please see highlighted links.
- In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in crashes involving driver distraction, and an estimated 448,000 were injured. (NHTSA)
- 16% of fatal crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving. (NHTSA)
- 20% of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving. (NHTSA)
- In the month of June 2011, more than 196 billion text messages were sent or received in the US, up nearly 50% from June 2009. (CTIA)
- Teen drivers are more likely than other age groups to be involved in a fatal crash where distraction is reported. In 2009, 16% of teen drivers involved in a fatal crash were reported to have been distracted. (NHTSA)
- 40% of all American teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger. (Pew)
- Drivers who use hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Monash University)
- Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. (VTTI)
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Suspension of Chemical Waste Pick-up (4/11/13 - 5/3/13)
On April 11, 2013, EH&S will suspend chemical waste collection during preparation for quarterly disposal shipment.
On May 3, 2013, the pickup service will resume after the scheduled shipment. During the suspension, chemical laboratories and other chemIcal waste generators should follow the "NMSU Waste Accumulation Point Checklist” procedures at http://www.nmsu.edu/~safety/programs/haz_wst/app_checklist_waste_accum_point.htm Please call EH&S at 575-646-3327 to schedule free pickups before or after the noted dates. For distribute to all Campus Lab Supervisors. Message from Drew Kaczmarek, EH&S (3/26//13).
April 16, 2013 Details
Departments/Divisions may incur significant costs as a result of laboratories and research materials that have not been properly decommissioned. Following the Laboratory Decommissioning Procedure prior to vacating any laboratory or other space where chemical, biological, or radioactive agents have been used or stored, will help prevent this.
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GHS RULE CHANGES OSHA HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM (HAZCOM)
On March 26, 2012, the Federal Register published the final rule on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (known as GHS). The effective date of the rule was 60 days after publication or May 25, 2012.
Major changes to the 1984 HazCom Standards are as follows:
1. Hazard classification: The definitions of hazard have been changed to provide specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, to help ensure that evaluations of hazardous effects are consistent internationally, and that the labels and safety data sheets are more accurate. (details)
2. Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers must provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. (details)
3. Safety Data Sheets (SDS no longer called MSDS): The revision requires that the information on the Safety Data Sheet is presented using consistent headings in a specified sequence (same as ANSI standard format) which follows a specified 16-section format. (details)
More details on the harmonization of chemical hazards, labels & SDS; an implementation schedule; and a summary video are available at http://safety.nmsu.edu/news/updates/global-harmony-hazcom.html
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Top Ten OSHA Safety Violations for 2012
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1. Fall protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501) [1. top/highest 2012 penalty] 2. Hazard communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) 3. Scaffolding, general requirements (29 CFR 1926.451) [2. highest penalty] 4. Respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134) 5. Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) (29 CFR 1910.147) [3. highest penalty] 6. Powered industrial trucks (29 CFR 1910.178) [5. highest penalty] 7. Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment (29 CFR 1910.305) 8. Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053) 9. Machines, general requirements (29 CFR 1910.212) [4. highest penalty] 10. Electrical systems design (29 CFR 1910.303) |
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NMSU Safety Policy requires that all employees have the proper equipment and training prior to working in these activities. EH&S provides regular safety training (description) for NMSU employees on many of these topics. Please see EH&S Training Schedule to register.
NMSU-related employment units should print the injury log and posted it on a bulletin board in a central employee area for information. Details ....
Date: January 2, 2013
To: All Lab Supervisors (affected departments please distribute)
From: Drew Kaczmarek, Environmental Manager, EH&S
Subject: Pick Up of Hazardous Waste & Chemicals for Disposal
1. Effective: Thursday, January 10, 2013
Chemical pick ups for disposal will be suspended in preparation for our quarterly hazardous waste shipment.
2. Effective: Friday, February 1, 2013
The pick up service will resume after the scheduled shipment.
3. In the interim, please follow the "NMSU Waste Accumulation Point Checklist” procedures. A copy of these procedures can be found at:
http://www.nmsu.edu/~safety/programs/haz_wst/app_checklist_waste_accum_point.htm
4. Please call EH&S at 575-646-3327 to schedule free pickups before or after these dates.
Thank you for your assistance.
SUPERVISORS PLEASE POST
2012 Safety News Link
2012 Maintenance Safety Blitz
On September 12th, 13th & 14th, EH&S will provide six 4-hr long refresher training sessions on maintenance safety, a maintenance training blitz at the Safety Training facility, room 110, Academic Research C.
The safety training blitz is directed at affected employees in the Facility Services, Housing, Special Events, Physical Science Laboratory, Corbett, DACC, and ARS/agriculture as well as other NMSU departments or locations with maintenance activities.
Back to work in the lab!
Forgotten what bad and whats not?
1. What protective gear, gloves, or PPE should you wear in the lab for your research?
2. What changes in lab & chemical safety are there?
3. What is the hazard with this chemical?
Need to refreshen a bit? Well...
EH&S is providing the annual lab refresher in September and October.
More details and disclaimers .....
Flyer for posting at http://safety.nmsu.edu/faq/2012/2012_0906-AnnualLabRefresherFlyer.pdf
at Academic Research C, Rm110 (Safety Training Facility, 1620 Standley Drive, map).
Agenda:
1. Injury reports - 3rd & 4th quarter 2011
2. NMSU's 2011 OSHA 300 injury log - NMSU safety web link
3. Pedestrian & Bicycle Survey data - NMSU safety web link
4. EH&S activity report/changes/news
5. Webcast: Lab Accidents in the News: Institutional & Individual Risks, Roles & Responsibilities
This is the archived NACUBO & CSHEMA web presentation from April 2, 2012 - NMSU safety web link. (webcast slides)
I estimate 30 minutes for items 1-4 (above) and 90 minutes plus for item 5 webcast.
The University Safety Committee meeting and webcast is open to NMSU community and guests. If there are questions on this webcast or on safety concerns, please call NMSU EH&S at 646-3327.
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