Spotlight on Safety
Quarterly Newsletter for Safety and Loss Prevention
Fall 2002, Vol. 4; No. 3
Fall...
Many fall activities warrant special consideration with regard to safety. Whether your finishing up home improvements, or headed out to do some hunting or hiking, keep safety in your focus at all times.
This issue of Spotlight on Safety contains useful information on severe weather, laptop ergonomics, carbon monoxide, and van training.
Although such occurrences are rare, severe weather conditions sometimes require UND to suspend services in order to protect public health and secure the campus.
The University will suspend services only under extreme circumstances so that the minimum number of students will lose educational time or opportunity. Information regarding the suspension of classes, administrative functions, special events, or specific building closures or openings will be given to the local media. Information will also be available by calling 777-6700. Please do not call Facilities or Campus Police to verify that the University is closed or classes cancelled. These phone lines must remain open for emergency communications.
Each individual has the ultimate responsibility of deciding for themselves whether conditions are safe for travel. The exercise of common sense is urged. Even when the University is open and classes have not been cancelled, individual instructors who live a distance from campus may not be able to hold their classes due to travel conditions. Students may be well-advised to call the department or the instructor for information about particular classes/instructors.
The operational status of the University will be reviewed regularly, and announcements will be made as to when the campus will reopen.
There are unique ergonomic challenges to consider when using laptop computers. These challenges exist because laptops have little or no adjustability with regard to keyboard, monitor, and mouse positioning. Both frequent and occasional laptop users need to be aware of these factors in order to minimize ergonomic risks when working with laptop computers.
Consideration needs to be given to the size of your hand and position in order to achieve as close to normal alignment as possible. When laptops are used primarily in the office, peripheral devices such as a regular sized mouse, regular keyboard, and monitor can be attached to decrease the chances of cumulative trauma disorders.
Neck and shoulder positions are usually the ones most compromised during laptop use. Posture and spinal alignment is usually not optimal. The user may need to "look downward" and "around" their shoulders in order to see adequately what is on the screen. This makes neutral alignment nearly impossible.
The following is a list of specific suggestions to consider when using laptop computers:
1. Use a laptop when needed but avoid extended work periods without rest or stretching.
2. If using a laptop in a regular office station, elevate the laptop and use a docking station, full sized keyboard, and mouse. Always use a stable chair when using a laptop computer.
3. Do simple stretching and flexibility exercises intermittently
throughout the day.
4. Pay special attention to the shoulders, neck, and upper back
muscles. Do exercises such as shoulder rolls, reversing the back
curve, neck stretching, etc.
5. For individuals with large hands, it is important to include exercises for the fingers and wrists. Exercises may include those that alternate flexing of the fingers and wrist.
6. Do visual exercises such as focusing on a far away painting
or item, resting the eyes intermittently. This applies to other
extended computer use as well.
Carbon monoxide is one of the most dangerous and widespread hazardous materials that you could come in contact with. It is often referred to as the "Silent Killer".
Carbon monoxide is created as a by-product of incomplete combustion of organic fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, and coal. Any machine with an internal combustion engine exhausts carbon monoxide. Some 2,000 persons are killed each year by this odorless, tasteless gas.
Exposure to carbon monoxide decreases the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to cells in the body. Inhalation of carbon monoxide may cause headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, rapid breathing, unconsciousness, and death. High concentrations may be rapidly fatal without producing significant warning symptoms.
A physician must be contacted if anyone develops any signs or symptoms and suspects that they are caused by exposure to carbon monoxide. If a person breathes in large amounts of carbon monoxide, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, artificial respiration should be performed by trained personnel. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention immediately.
Carbon monoxide exposure may be prevented at home and in the workplace by the following:
• Ensure that fuel burning devices such as furnaces, stoves, and engines are adjusted properly so that they burn thoroughly.
• Provide adequate ventilation for fuel burning equipment. Do NOT run vehicle engines in closed places and check for leaks in the exhaust system.
• If you suspect a problem - have it checked by authorized maintenance personnel.
• Monitor the carbon monoxide level in the environment by purchasing a carbon monoxide detector.
• Warm up your car engine with the car outside of the garage.
• Don't close the garage door until you have turned off
your engine and exited the car.
Large Passenger Van Training Offered
Large vans with passenger capabilities of 10 to 15 occupants have become a safety issue across the United States. North Dakota Risk Management and North Dakota State Fleet have implemented a large passenger van policy, this policy includes a training program for all state users of large passenger vans. All users are now required to complete a training program before using a large passenger van. The Transportation Department will administer the program to users at UND and will issue certification cards.
The training program will consist of two components. The first
component is a web-based training program, which takes approximately
20 minutes to complete, consists of watching a short video, and
answering questions at the end. The second component is a behind-the-wheel
course. The course consists of navigating a 15 passenger van on
a driving course. The web-based training should be completed prior
to the behind-the wheel training. To schedule an appointment for
training, please call the Transportation Department at 777-4122.
Safety and Environmental Health Office
Box 9031
Grand Forks, ND 58202
Phone: (701)777-3341
Fax: (701)777-4132
