The New Employee Quick Guide to Safety

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease in humans. They include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There is a very little potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens at DRI. Operations where exposure to bloodborne pathogens is a potential include custodial services and employees who are designated to respond to medical emergencies (first aid responders).

Before working in a job where there is a potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, you will be offered the Hepatitis B vaccination series (three shots). You will be required to sign a declination statement should you chose not to receive the vaccine. You will also be educated annually on bloodborne pathogens. The training will include a discussion of the DRI’s Exposure Control Plan, universal precautions, engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment, waste disposal, etc.

Depending on your job assignment, you may also have potential exposure to other human pathogens, such as Hanta Virus, Bubonic Plague, Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Histoplasmosis. The potential for exposure to biological hazards is identified as part of the Pre-Hazard Assessment (PHA) process. If these kinds of hazards are present, you will receive training on how to protect yourself from exposure.

In a few of the site’s operations, there is a potential for exposure to radioactive materials. These operations include experiments that use radioactive markers, radiologically contaminated soils or waters and the use of radioactive sealed sources, such as those found in soil moisture and density probes.

All radioactive isotope and radiation producing equipment use must be pre-approved by the University of Nevada, Reno Radiation Safety Committee. The committee meets quarterly. If your new job includes using these materials you will be required to attend annual training on radiation safety. You might also be required to wear a personal dosimeter and/or to participate in bioassays for radioactive material exposure monitoring. For more information, consult the UNR Radiation Safety Manual or ask your supervisor.

Additional radiation safety training may be required for DOE work on the Nevada Test Site or off-site locations. This training will be outlined in the Radiological Work Permit for the project and will be provided by the Radiation Safety Prime Contractor (RSPC), Bechtel-Nevada. For more information, contact your DRI DOE task manager.

Lasers or laser systems are devices which emit intense electromagnetic radiation (light) that has the potential for causing irreparable damage to human skin and eyes. They also pose a hazard associated with the electrical power supplies or other ancillary equipment used in conjunction with these devices.

If you will be working with or around lasers, you will receive initial training on DRI’s Laser Safety Program and annual training, thereafter. You will also need to familiarize yourself with work-area specific laser safety procedures. Ask your supervisor for these procedures.

If the lasers in your area are the more powerful Class IIIb or Class IV devices, you may also be advised to have an initial eye examination. Cost for this exam comes out of your project budget. Contact your supervisor for more information.

If your job requires you to drive a forklift or other powered industrial truck (PIT),

you must first obtain a PIT driver’s license. DRI has in-house trainers for powered industrial truck training. They conduct a training class that includes a discussion of DRI ’s Powered Industrial Truck Safe Operating Procedure, a written examination and a driving evaluation for each type

of powered industrial truck you will use on the job. In order to obtain your license, you will need to contact one of them to arrange for the training class.

The control of hazardous energy standard (lockout/tagout, LOTO), covers the servicing and maintenance of equipment where the unexpected energization or start-up of equipment could injure employees. Before working in situations involving repair and replacement work, renovation work, and modifications or other adjustments to energized equipment, you must lock out all energy sources, including sources of stored energy.

DRI’s Energy Control Program discusses our lockout/tagout procedures. In addition, departments must develop specific lockout/tagout procedures for the their equipment which falls under this standard. If your job requires you to work on equipment as described above, you will receive training on this program. Contact your supervisor or the Facilities Supervisor at your site if you have any questions regarding how this program applies to your new job.

In many of DRI’s operations, there is a potential for exposure to electricity or electrical equipment. As a partner to DRI’s Energy Control Program, a second document, Electrical Safety Work Procedures, has been developed. If your new job involves working on, with or near electrical circuits or electrical equipment, you will receive training in electrical safety. In addition, your department will have specific work procedures which must be followed to assure the safety of you and your coworkers. Contact your supervisor for more information.

A confined space is a space that 1) is large enough for an employee to enter and perform assigned work, 2) has a limited or restricted means of entry or exit, and 3) is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

These spaces may include, but are not limited to underground vaults, tanks, storage bins, pits and diked areas, vessels and silos.

Confined spaces can be dangerous because of presence of chemical and physical hazards. For example, dangerous vapors and gases can accumulate in these spaces and fires and explosions can occur. Therefore, confined spaces that may pose a safety or health hazard require a written Confined Space Program which outlines institute procedures, including training requirements and the use of entry permits for access of these spaces. A permit-confined space is one that meets the definition of a confined space and has one or more of the following characteristics:

• Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;
• Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing the entrant;
• Has an internal configuration that might cause an entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross section; and/or
• Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.

Besides the sewer and storm drain manholes, DRI has identified the following confined spaces:

Before conducting work in any confined spaces, the employee and/or his/her supervisor must evaluate the space to determine if a safety or health hazard may exist making it is a permit required confined space. The current policy at the DRI is that No employee may enter any permit required confined space. Any work that needs to be conducted in permit-confined spaces must be contracted out to a company that has a confined space entry program, trained personnel and the appropriate equipment and emergency response personnel to do the job safely.

Once identified, Permit Required Confined Spaces must be labeled with the following sign: