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Purdue University

Wood Research Laboratory (WRL)

LAB SAFETY GUIDE

Issued January 1995

PREFACE

PREFACE

This guide is written with the intent to provide information to all Wood Research Laboratory facilities users that will make each aware of:

(1) All known hazards present in the Lab that could cause physical impairments or disease to ones health, and (2) Procedures, safe guards and training, when properly applied that will prevent the likelihood of physical injury or illness.

Much of the information provided in this guide is required by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).

Periodic updates to this guide will be conducted to keep current information available to users, physical plant workers, or anyone with a reason to know.

The WRL Lab Manager is responsible for updating and issuing this guide. However, each user should notify the Lab Manager or faculty member when they identify any hazard that results in injury or illness of themselves or others.

Each person’s best efforts and ideas are necessary for continued and improved safe work conditions here at the WRL facility

INTRODUCTION SG 020-

Orientation 3/

Overview A new lab user will complete the Safety and Facilities Use Instruction (SFI) Program before being introduced to the lab’s resources.

The SFI program includes hands-on training on each piece of wood and metal working equipment, a thorough review of lab use and safety procedures, plus reading and understanding the WRL Safety Guide is required.

In addition, each user must be familiar with the Purdue Chemical Hygiene Plan and Hazardous Materials Safety Manual. Refer to the Hazardous Chemicals and Materials Use section in this guide for further explanation.

Safety Guide Structure This guide can be divided into two parts. The first part being the main subject material addressing responsibilities of use and safe practices that apply to the lab’s use in general. The second part (appendices) will address specific safety practices or specific machine safety in detail. Please use the resources of this guide to its fullest extent.

INTRODUCTION SG 020-

Your Responsibilities 3/

From the previous page it is obvious that to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses each person must make safety a way of life. You and your fellow users of the WRL have the responsibility to work in a safe manor and assure your fellow workers to do the same.

A few safety guidelines should be kept in mind.

• Never do a task you consider unsafe
• Always be conscience of other people in the lab
• Understand the capabilities of the machine you are using and never attempt to use the machine for other functions.
• Do not use a machine that is not functioning properly
• Ask for training on an unfamiliar machine or in doing and unfamiliar task. Seeming simple uncomplicated task often present hazards to the untrained person.
• Concentrate on the task at hand.

Reading this guide will give you a deeper insight to the importance and the scope of the safety requirements in the workplace. Remember an injury or illness can result in an impairment that will modify the quality of your life and the life of your loved ones.

INTRODUCTION SG 020-

Reporting & Treatment of Workplace or Illness 3/

Purdue University Injury/Illness Reporting (cont.) PUSH operates between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with urgent care to 11: p.m., phone 49-46504.

For serious injuries call 911.

OSHA Injury/Illness Records OSHA requires that OSHA defined injury/illness occurrences on OSHA Form No. 200. For the WRL, the OSHA Form No. 200 is maintained by the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) business office.

An OSHA recordable injury/illness is generally defined as a condition that requires medical attention on two or more occasions or results in a temporary or long term impairment/disfigurement. For example, an injury requiring stitches must be recorded while a strain, that does not result in restricting one’s work, requiring initial medical attention on a follow-up visit, may not be recordable.

The OSHA 200 log, covering the previous year, is posted in the business office from Feb. 1 to March 1. for personnel review.

GENERAL WRL SAFETY SG 100-

Overview 3/

Due to the nature of wood/metal working machines and testing equipment, there are certain hazards in the work place. It is the intention of the WRL Faculty and Staff to provide a safe work environment for all lab users through identification and elimination, if possible, of workplace hazards and through training of safe use of equipment.

In order to provide this safe environment, every users assistance is required. Any unsafe condition is to be immediately reported to the Lab Manager and/or the WRL Director.

Simple uncomplicated tasks often present hazards that an untrained person would not recognize. For this reason, every user must receive training before performing tasks in a new or changed work centers. The Faculty and Lab Manager will assure that proper training programs are available and being used. It is each user (your) responsibility to assure that the training received gives sufficient confidence in safe performance of the task.

The following pages in this section provide information on achieving safe practices and the use of personal protective equipment.

Safety is everyone’s concern.

General A Safety Orientation is conducted with each new user before they are introduced to the lab area. In addition, Safety Training sessions will be conducted periodically to cover changes to the Safety Guide, Hazardous Material Safety Manual, Purdue University or OSHA imposed standard and to provide training on new or modified equipment.

WRL users will be briefed on activities being conducted in the lab and the hazards present as a result. Training, personal protective equipment, etc. will be provided to users as needed for protection against these hazards.

Central Facility and Contract Workers Central Facility and Contract workers are given a tour of the area in which work will be done. They are made aware of physical hazards and chemical hazards present.

GENERAL WRL SAFETY SG 100-

Back Injury Prevention 3/

General It is estimated that 8 out of 10 American will have a back injury sometime during their lives. And yet, preventing back injury can be as simple as learning proper lifting and material handling techniques, eliminating excess body weight, strengthening neglected back muscles, and adopting good posture habits.

One of the most important changes you can make is to lift with your mind before you lift with your back. Think ahead and if you see hazards, take responsibility for eliminating them, make suggestions to your fellow lab users and the lab manager.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) takes a neutral stand on the use of back support belts for the purpose of back injury reduction. There is not enough evidence that supports or refutes the effectiveness of back support belts. Therefore, WRL will neither encourage or discourage their use.

Proper Lifting Techniques (Source - Good News for Back Blues by Mary Hass, PPT.) Most back injuries result from improper lifting. According to the principles of good body mechanics, the worst lifting situation occurs when the body is extended over the load; the lower back becomes a fulcrum supporting the weight of the body plus the load. Keep your back upright to shift weight onto the powerful leg muscles and reduce the lever effect.

1. Get a firm footing. Keep your feet apart (shoulder width) for stable base; point toes out.
2. Bend you knees. Don’t bend at the waist.
3. Tighten stomach muscles. Abdominal muscles support your spine when you lift, off-setting the force of the load.
4. Lift with your legs. Let your powerful leg muscles do the work of lifting, not your weaker back muscles.
5. Keep load close. Don’t hold the load away from your body. The closer it is to your spine, the less force it exerts on your back.
6. Keep your back upright. Whether you are lifting or putting down the load, don’t add the weight of your body to the load. Avoid twisting; it can cause injury.

GENERAL WRL SAFETY SG 100-

Back Injury Prevention 3/

Back Conditioning Learning to reduce stress, combined with a sensible diet and exercise program, can relieve back pain and start you on the road to a happier, healthier, and more enjoyable lifestyle.

Reduce stress Your spine is sensitive to muscular tension that builds up during the day. Organize your daily routine to make it easier on both mind and body.

Exercise Eighty percent of back pain can be traced to lack of exercise. Start a regular physical exercise program. Increase flexibility while you’re building strength. Stretching exercises make muscles more flexible and motion easier.

A Healthier Back Every move you make, on and off the job, depends on your back. So keep your back in mind throughout your day, while you sit, stand, lift, and carry.

GENERAL WRL SAFETY SG 100-

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) 3/

Overview Safety glasses and hearing protection i.e. ear plugs and ear muffs are the most common used Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), but also included are face shields, gloves, steel toe shoes, dust mask, hard hats, other protective devices, and clothing that aid in the prevention of bodily injury.

Before you begin a project evaluate the work area and task being performed. Ask yourself what additional protection can I use to reduce my injury risk. For example, if an overhead danger (low ceiling) is present, wearing a hard hat would be in order. If moving heavy objects, steel toe shoes and the use of lifting devices are in order. When welding, wearing a leather apron, gloves, and welding helmet are appropriate. Almost always the wearing of safety glasses is a must. A quick analysis of any task from the safety standpoint to determine the use of appropriate PPE will greatly reduces your risk of injury.

GENERAL WRL SAFETY SG 100-

Eye Injury Prevention 3/

General “Disabling eye injuries strike 100,000 workers each year and cost business $373 million annually, yet all are virtually 100% avoidable.” (Boardroom Reports, September 1, 1991).

OSHA Standard 1910.133 - Eye and Face Protection states “Protective eye and face equipment shall be required where there is a reasonable probability of injury that can be prevented by such equipment.”

OSHA Technical Support recommends that contact lens not be worn around any chemical use. The reason is that chemical vapors can damage your contacts and can make contacts adhere to the eye. In the case of chemical splash in the eye, contact lens may start dissolving.

Countless studies and surveys have shown the proper use of safety glasses prevents eye injury.

Eye and Face Protection Face shields and safety glasses are provided by the WRL. Safety glasses are required for all when working with tools and machines in the shop area of the lab.

Face shields and safety glasses are required when mixing or handling open containers of chemicals or where there is any reasonable probability of face injury or irritation. Certain work enters may be posted signifying when face shields are required in addition to safety glasses.

An eye wash and a safety shower station are located near the door to Room 105A in the WRL lab. In the event of foreign matter getting into the eyes, the affected eye should be flushed with water at the eye wash station. After a thorough flushing of the eye go to the PUSH for a eye exam.

Prescription Glasses Persons whose vision requires the use of prescription glasses should wear prescription safety glasses. It is Purdue University’s policy that each department pay for the purchase of prescription safety glasses, limited to 1 pair annually, for its employees requiring such eye protection. The employee must furnish a current eye glass prescription (this can be obtained through the Purdue Vision Eye Plan, call 1-800-622-7444 - cost $5) to the department business office. The department will then issue a Form 12 Requisition, with prescription attached, to Purchasing. Purchasing has

GENERAL WRL SAFETY SG 100-

Hearing Loss Prevention 3/

Introduction Due to longer life spans, hearing loss prevention during a person’s working age years, has become a vital part of a planned enjoyable retirement. Yes, hearing loss is a part of the normal aging process. However, the following article “News About Noise” from an October 1991 National Safety Council publication illustrates that a care-free attitude toward a person’s precious sense of hearing has a far greater effect. “NEWS ABOUT NOISE” Becoming hard of hearing is no longer just a problem for older adults. Recent studies show that nearly 30 million Americans suffer from severe hearing loss. One third of these are a result of exposure to loud noise.

Noise-induced hearing loss can occur through brief exposure to noise levels greater than 100 decibels, such as firecrackers or gun shots. People can also jeopardize their hearing by listening to less intense noises over longer periods of time.

The National Safety Council encourages people of all ages to protect their hearing on and off the job. The following safety tips can help preserve ones sense of hearing.

∗ Wear ear protectors when working or playing around noise-hazardous machinery (any device that produces more than 85 decibels of sound).

∗ When listening on a headset with the volume numbered one through ten, keep the volume no higher than four. If you are unable to hear people around you who are speaking in a normal tone of voice, your headset is too loud.

∗ Avoid loud music. Sit or stand as far away as possible from the speakers and amplifiers at a rock concert. While driving, keep the radio or stereo low enough to be able to hear the traffic and emergency vehicle sirens.

∗ If you experience a constant ringing in your ears or voices seem muffled, have your hearing checked by a doctor.

The sense of hearing is irreplaceable. The National Council suggest safeguarding your hearing at work, at home, and at leisure.

GENERAL WRL SAFETY SG 100-

Hearing Loss Prevention 3/

NOISE LEVELS AND THE HUMAN RESPONSE

Common Sounds Decibels (db) Effects Normal Conversation 50-65 Under 60dB comfortable listening level.

Vacuum Cleaner 70 More than 70dB, interferes with telephone use.

Lawnmower & Heavy Diesel Truck at 20 feet

85-90 More than 85 dB. Very annoying, hearing damage begins after eight hours of exposure.

Noisy Factory 90-100 At 90dB Time Weighted Average (TWA)of 8 hours of exposure, OSHA requires mandatory hearing protection for all workers.

Power Saw Chain Saw

110-115 More than 100dB. Regular exposure of longer than one minute risks permanent hearing loss.

Boom Box - Stereo with more than 120 watts

120 Threshold of sound vibration

Jet takeoff 130 125dB. Beyond threshold of pain.

Shotgun firing 130 125dB. Beyond threshold of pain.

Rock concerts 110-140 125dB. Beyond threshold of pain.

This information is supplied by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

Sound and How Measured Sound (Noise) is a result of pressure changes in air (also other mediums) caused by vibrations or turbulence. Therefore, sound is energy (a force) and is only perceived to an individual as loudness. Hence, it is very appropriate to address noise as “sound energy”.

Sound pressure is measured on a logarithmic scale in a similar way to better known Richter scale used to measure earth quake intensity. Decibels (db) is used to express sound pressure levels and is best explained by the following illustrations.

GENERAL WRL SAFETY SG 100-

Hearing Loss Prevention 3/

Conclusions From the previous information it is obvious that the human hearing sense is very fragile. Not only is workplace noise exposure a factor, but often noise exposure in our private lives is also as significant a factor in causing hearing loss.

Exposure to high levels of noise for just a few minutes can cause some permanent hearing loss. Therefore, when using the WRL facility, each person should be very conscience of noise exposure.

The lab machines that produce noise levels at or above 85 decibels are as follows: Machine Name Approx. Decibels levels

Table Saw 92db

Radial Arm Saw 90-106db

Jointer 90-98db

Planer 90-101db

Wearing of hearing protection is strongly recommended, required for uses exceeding 5 minutes, for these specific machines. It is a good practice to wear hearing protection working with any of the power tools in the lab’s shop.

Other areas of the lab or uncommon task will present some high noise exposure hazards from time to time. If in question of noise exposure hazards - wear hearing protection.

Purdue University provides OSHA required annual hearing test for university employees that are exposed to high noise levels. The WRL noise exposure levels are far below the OSHA guidelines, therefore, users of the lab will not need to take annual hearing tests.

If further information is desired on this subject, please call Radiological and Environmental Mgt at 49-41496.

MACHINE SAFETY SG 200-

Overview 3/

Safety in this area is critical. Machines, when not operated properly, represent the largest single source that can cause the most severe bodily damage. Injuries by machines are caused by, in decreasing order of likelihood:

1. Operator error
2. Operator not properly trained.
3. Machine not properly maintained.
4. Machine not properly guarded.

Another very important safety procedure to practice around machinery is not to wear loose clothing, long free flowing hair, or gloves (unless hands are far from feed mechanisms and other moving parts).

Operator Error OSHA stats say if every guard is in place, every operator properly trained, every machine properly maintained, that only 11% of the accidents can be prevented. The other 89% is operator error.

Always, always exercise care and caution when operating machinery.

Operator Not Properly Trained In order to know the dangers of a machine, you must be properly trained. At WRL each person will be trained by the lab manager. Also, owner/operator manuals and prevention maintenance schedules should be well read before operating the machine.

Remember machines have many types of dangers. Metal and woodworking machines have cutters, drill bits, sanding belts, etc., that, even in the stationary position will cause severe injury if struck with a hand, arm etc. i.e. wrench slips on a bolt an hand strikes cutter.

All power sources to the machines should be disconnected or released (see Lockout/Tagout section of this guide) before any work or maintenance is performed. These power sources are usually electric, air, hydraulic, stored energy, etc. Stored energy are springs held in tension, air hydraulic cylinders that will release pressure from activation of a switch even without a source of air or hydraulic pressure, locking devices that when released will allow machine action, etc. The best way to assure a machine is safe to inspect, setup or service is to attempt operation of the machine in all its functions after all known power sources have been disconnected or released.