“We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once.”

Calvin Coolidge

Accident Prevention and Reporting
By Karen Garrison, Benefits Coordinator, PSU

It is the policy of PSU to protect the health and safety of our employees, students, and visitors. Injury and illness losses from accidents are not only costly but can be preventable. The Facilities and Planning Occupational Health and Safety/ Environmental Services has adapted fundamental health and safety concepts that will reduce and prevent injury and illness due to hazards.

The PSU Safety Committee will assist management in making recommendations on issues that will promote health and safety in the workplace. Its purpose is to bring staff and management together in a cooperative effort to promote health and safety in the workplace.

Every employee is responsible for taking safety precautions and exercising good safety judgment, and immediately reporting any activities or situations that may contribute to employee injury or illness. This article is intended to refresh and inform us on some of the key elements of accident prevention and Reporting.

Who to Contact?

1. Employees can report safety and/or injury concerns to their supervisor/manager for investigation and resolution.
2. PSU Environmental Health & Safety may be contacted at 503-725-3738.
3. Campus Public Safety should be contact immediately when serious safety concerns are present - 503-725-4407.
4. Office of Human Resources may be called at 503-725-4926.

Handling and Storage of Hazardous Chemicals and Materials

Each supervisor or manager is responsible for ensuring that employees are knowledgeable of, and trained in, the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals and materials. Departments that use or store hazardous chemicals or materials must be knowledgeable of OSHA Hazard
Communications Rules (http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/pubs/2274.pdf) and have a written Hazard Communication Plan that includes the following information:

The PSU Lab Chemical Hygiene Plan

The Hazard Communication Plan for our chemical labs requires the following:

1. A plan for labeling hazardous chemical containers to ensure the content, appropriate hazard warning, and manufacturer name and address on the labels.
2. A program for training employees in the use and care of hazardous chemicals.
3. A plan for informing employees about non-routine hazards (i.e. pest control spraying).
4. A plan for notifying outside contractors of chemical hazards they are exposed to when doing business with/for the University.

For additional information go to http://www.ehs.pdx.edu/Sections/LaboratorySafety/index.php. Look for posting requirements at this side in Section IX – Signs and Labels, including topics of chemical labeling and safety signs. Also visit Section X – Spills and Accidents, including the topic of emergency procedures. The completed Hazard Communication Plan must be sent to Environmental Health & Safety.

The following excerpts from these sections briefly summarize important posting requirements:

• Emergency phone numbers are to be posted at telephones in all lab work areas.
• Signs with emergency phone numbers are to be posted at all lab entrances.
• Signs locating showers, eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits are to be posted at entrances to labs and chemical preparation areas.
• Written emergency procedures must be prepared in advance, and posted at work areas where there is a potential for emergencies. All employees must be trained and instructed in these procedures.

Please call Environment Health & Safety at 503-725-3738 for additional information regarding the Hazardous Communication Plan and the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals and materials.

On-The-Job Injury or Illness

Employees who suffer an on-the-job injury or illness during the course of the working day may be covered under the University’s Workers’ Compensation insurance policy. Work-related injuries or illness must be reported immediately by close of business the same day of the incident.

Supervisors are required to complete the PSU Injury Report Form and send a copy to the Office of Human Resources. In the event of time missed or restricted activity due to injury or illness, supporting physician information must be submitted to the Office of Human Resources. If medical attention is sought due to an on-the-job injury a form titled Workers' Compensation Claim Form 801 - SAIF Corporation must be completed and sent to HR within 5 days of the medical visit.

To learn more about topics such as employee pay while experiencing absences to due a worker’s compensation claim or who is covered by this program, please visit the Human Resources web page at http://hrc.pdx.edu/benefits/workerscompfaqs.htm.