Executive Housekeeping Today - June 2008 - (Page 4)

Safety fundamentalS (continued from previous page) risk of exposure, especially if they have allergies, become pregnant, or note reactions to products that are not immediately apparent to their supervisors. They must be reminded that their skin is permeable and that they can unknowingly ingest VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) through their nose, mouth, and eyes. Does your team understand how to read MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets)? Do they know where the MSDS information is located? If a supervisor was not present, do they know how to respond to a fellow worker getting a specific product in their eyes or inhaling a chemical vapor? Make clear documentation that states ALL staff must be trained in proper, safe use of chemicals. DO NOT allow a vendor or staff member to bring unauthorized chemicals on-site without your expressed knowledge and consent. Executing plays is fundamental to winning the “Safety Bowl.” For example, how do you prepare for stripping and waxing floors? It is unwise to strip and wax during times when the facility is occupied with tenants who could slip/fall on the wet floor. Try to schedule these tasks when you do not have tenants present in order to minimize risk. Remember to barricade (or tape off) the areas you are working in to alert anyone of the situation. Use wet floor and caution signs generously. Slip/fall incidents can be very costly to service contractors, resulting in lost profits and possibly loss of business in the future. injuries in football, your players have to know how to use their PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Read the chemical labels to determine what PPE is needed. If the label says to use a respirator, you should provide a respirator without question. Have you looked at the types of PPE you are using? Eyewear, gloves (latex, nitrite, leather), hearing protection, foot protection, and other items are required, simply to fulfill the intent of the law. Correct use of PPE should be mandatory and rigidly enforced, with violators written up and reprimanded when necessary. Conduct regular training sessions for everyone and make sure to explain why PPE is important. Your primary responsibility is to provide your staff with training in the safe use of all chemicals and equipment, as well as the most effective procedures. PPE is vital to your staff’s protection. You will not win many games without proper use of PPE. Now is the perfect time to dust off your playbook for the year and review it with a critical eye. es—OSHA code 29 CFR1910.1200, the Hazard Communication Standard (www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/ owadisp.show_document?p_ table=standards&p_id=10099). You should have a copy readily available for reference and should review it periodically to make sure that you have not forgotten any key points. Knowledge is power and you should invest in your own continuing education. Remind yourself that the head coach has to know more than his players if they are to trust and respect him or her. There are several guides published with outlines and letters of interpretations concerning various parts of the standard. There are also training classes that you can attend. The fundamentals of safety are similar to the fundamentals of football in that you have to have a game plan and your players have to execute the plays correctly if they are to score. Do you want to win the “Safety Bowl”? How badly do you want to win it? What are you doing right now to reduce injuries, lower workers compensation rates, and protect your employees from unnecessary exposure to injury and possibly death? Remember that safety does not cost; rather it pays in winning the game. Good luck and play to win! OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard Personal Protective Equipment In football, helmets must fit correctly in order to prevent injury. In custodial operations, the misuse of equipment can be expensive, not only by damaging a customer’s property, but also exposing a player to unnecessary risks. Just as a helmet can reduce How many games could be won without a quality playbook? Although there is a certain amount of time and paperwork involved in executing a winning safety plan, it is certainly worth the effort when compared to diminished productivity due to an accident, injury, or even death. You must have up-to-date documentation of your training that meets OSHA’s guidelines. It must be in writing and you should be able to document consistent enforcement of all mandatory requirements. A worker who resists or fails to cooperate may need to find a job elsewhere. Of course, there is the master playbook that should be utilized by all professional safety coach- W John Poole, R.E.H., is a Project Manager for American Building Maintenance in Atlanta, GA. He may be reached at johnpoolereh@yahoo.com. 4 Executive Housekeeping Today/June 2008 www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=10099 www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=10099 www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=10099

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - June 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - June 2008 Contents Executive Corner The Fundamentals of Safety Man vs. Machine: Equipment Safety in Professional Cleaning Operations Frugal Housekeeper Planning for Disaster Eliminating Bed Bugs 2008 Candidate Information Executive Profile IHW Product Information The Green Scene Spring Board Briefing 2008 Call to Convention 2008 Convention Information USGBC Green Tip Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members CEH/REH Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside I.E.H.A. What I.E.H.A. Has Done for Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - June 2008

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