Spring is in the Air!

Don't let the little snow showers we have had lately fool you, Spring definitely is here. Robins, geese, crocuses, and even hints of green grass are all around.

This Spring issue of Spotlight on Safety will cover University construction, indoor air quality, and noise exposure. Some safe gardening tips are also included.

Construction Abounds on and around Campus

As the weather warms up, so will the amount of construction taking place on and around campus. Some of the construction projects that will be taking place or are currently in process on the campus are: Englestad Arena, Barnes and Noble, Animal Research Facility, and replacing steam lines and water lines. Another project that is scheduled to begin soon is construction on 42nd Street, which will impact those trying to reach campus from the west end.

With such a busy construction season approaching, it is important to remember a few safety tips to protect you and construction workers alike.

• When navigating through and around campus, pay attention to construction signs and barriers, and choose routes with the least amount of construction.
  
  
• If you see a construction hazard that could pose an immediate threat to the public, such as an unprotected hole in a sidewalk, report it immediately to the Safety Office, 777-3341.
  
  
• If you have children, make sure they are not allowed to play in and around construction sites. Piles of dirt are inviting areas for kids to play, but at construction sites they are not safe places for children. These dirt piles often contain large rocks and scrap metal, which could cause potential injury to children. Dirt piles can also shift and collapse onto a child.

Indoor Air Quality

Health problems may arise when the air quality in a building is poor. The University of North Dakota follows recognized guidelines for new building ventilation systems and air quality control; however, building occupants are also responsible for the quality of their indoor air.

Because indoor air often contains a variety of contaminants at levels far below most exposure standards, it is difficult to link specific health problems with known pollutants. It is the responsibility of all building occupants to minimize all contaminants to reduce the low-level pollutant mixtures that commonly cause health problems.

Some people also suffer from allergies, or other conditions such as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Individuals with MCS can have symptoms from chemical exposures at concentrations far below the levels tolerated by most people. Smoke, perfumes, lotions, air fresheners, etc. may affect the overall health and well-being of an individual with MCS.

To ensure optimum indoor air quality for all, observe the following practices:

• Keep laboratory doors closed.
  
  
• Minimize usage of fragrances (e.g., colognes, perfumes, after-shave, air fresheners, potpourri, etc.) Be aware that while a certain fragrance may smell pleasant to you, it may trigger an allergic reaction for another individual.
  
  
• Minimize chemical and aerosol usage. Ventilate your area when chemicals or aerosol usage is required. (These compounds include paints, cleaning agents, hair sprays, perfumes, etc.)
  
  
• Do not attempt to control temperature by blocking air ducts.
  
  
• Do not smoke in your office. The smoke goes through the ventilation system and affects others. Smoking is also strictly prohibited within University facilities and vehicles, except for some designated UND apartments and smoking rooms in the residence halls.
  
  
• Keep unwanted moisture out. Mold growth can develop in wet areas.
  

Safe Gardening Tips

Spring is here! For many of us, that means gardening and other yard work is right around the corner. Many hours are spent outside working on gardens and lawns, and it is important to be safe while working outdoors. For those days of gardening, it's important to be aware of the following safety tips.

• Stretch before beginning your afternoon of gardening.
  
  
• Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands from blisters and callouses.
  
  
• Use a knee pad when kneeling on the ground for long periods of time,
  and protect your back by using the proper lifting technique; bend at the
  knees, not the back.
  
  
• If working with pesticides, be sure to wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants,
  and protect your hands, eyes and mouth. Only handle and apply garden
  chemicals in strict accordance with the label recommendations. Be sure to
  wash your hands afterwards.
  
  
• Make sure your gardening equipment is in good shape and use the
  appropriate tool for the job being done.
  
  
• If it is a sunny day, do not forget to apply your sunscreen and wear a hat.

What? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!

Everyone has been subjected to a loud noise at one time or another, possibly on the job, at home, or at a concert. Typically a single exposure to a loud noise will not result in any physical damage, but continuous exposures over a long period of time can result in permanent hearing damage.

The recognition, evaluation, and control of noise hazards on the job is very important. The OSHA Noise Standard establishes permissible employee noise exposures in terms of duration in hours per day at various levels. According to OSHA, an employee can be exposed to 90 decibels for an 8-hour duration. The Safety Office has sound-measuring instruments that can be used to determine noise exposures to employees. If you feel there are noise hazards in your workplace, contact the Safety Office for a preliminary noise survey.

Safety Manual Update

Several new policies have been aproved by the Loss Control Committee. They are:

1. General Safety - ADA	6. Industrial Safety - Machine Guarding
2. General Safety - Smoking Policy	7. Industrial Safety - Lockout/Tagout
3. General Safety - Swimming Pools	8. PPE - Eye and Face Protection
4. Office Safety - Space Heaters	9. PPE - Foot Protection
5. Industrial Safety - General Shop Safety

Hard copies of the above policies can be requested from the Safety Office by contacting us at 7-3341, or can be viewed on the web: www.safety.und.edu. As policies are approved, they will be added to our website, so check back often for new policies.

Visit Us!!

For More Information:


University of North Dakota
Box 9031
Grand Forks, ND 58202
Phone: (701)777-3341
Fax: (701)777-4132