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One Safety Week tradition is the daily email to building staff (the Valley Bldg Announcements list) with safety tips and a puzzle challenge.

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titleSafety Week 2017: Protection of people is our first priority: Evacuation of the Building

Protection of people is our first priority: Evacuation of the Building

 

  • Remain calm. Always respond to an evacuation order and do not assume the situation is a drill or a false alarm.
  • Everyone will leave the building through the nearest safest emergency exit, encouraging library users to leave as they move toward exits. Do not use the elevators. Proceed to your department/unit assembly area (map).
  • Please avoid using the loading dock area as an emergency exit. You should leave the building through the nearest designated emergency exit in your location (includes main 2nd floor and Java II exits). Check safety maps for each floor for the nearest emergency exit.
  • Do not block the street, driveways or entrances.
  • Do not go out of your way to collect personal items. Items of value/necessity should be with you at all times in case of an evacuation.

Further info:  See “Evacuation” and “Power Outages” in the Library Safety A-Z list under Library Safety Essentials.

 Assembly areas

  • All employees should exit the building at the nearest safe emergency exit and proceed to their assigned evacuation assembly area (map).
  • Employees should remain at their assembly area until the “all clear” is given or the building has been closed.
  • Circulation staff and students will be outside the main exit and the east and west exits and will use megaphones to instruct people to move to the north end of the building (library quad). They will also provide updates about when and if it is safe to return to the building.
  • Emergency personnel will be responsible for clearing the building. If you notice someone in the building who is having problems leaving the building (refuses to leave, disabled person, etc.) notify emergency personnel once you have evacuated the building. (Library Building FAQ)
  • LEAD door monitors have two-way radios to communicate with each other.
  • Department heads, supervisors or designated staff members will account for all employees in their department and report anyone not accounted for to the building manager or emergency personnel.

Floors without an outside exit

Disabled persons not on a floor with an outside exit should:

  • go to the nearest stairwell landing 
  • use the red emergency phone to notify emergency personnel you are there. Your location is noted on the phone.
  • wait there for emergency personnel to help you evacuate the building if needed.

University policy can be found at OSU Disability Access Services Evacuation Procedures. There is an emergency red phone on every floor of the building stairwells, so disabled persons are expected to pick up the phone and be directly linked to public safety if they have any concerns or safety issues. You do not need to dial 911. Public Safety will notify the emergency response team know you are there. Disabled persons will not be evacuated if there is no actual danger in the building. Another alternative is to stay in an exterior room with a window as our sprinkler system will keep fires contained to the source.

Quiz

If you respond with your answers you will be entered into a raffle for safety-related prizes (including a Grand Prize) being conducted on Monday, Sept. 18th.

  1. The best place to evacuate through is the loading dock exit? – True or False?
  2. In an evacuation, all departments in the library have assigned assembly areas somewhere on the north end of the building (library quad)? – True or False?
  3. Elevators are not to be used in the case of an emergency evacuation. Where should disabled persons who are not located on the main floor go in the event of an evacuation?
  4. All evacuations should be responded to as if they are an actual emergency, even if it is known or assumed that the evacuation is a drill or a false alarm. – True or False?


The OSULP Safety Council

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titleSafety Week 2016: Evacuation Drill Time!

(note: you may recognize some of the content from Katie Warrener’s email from last year. She did such a good job.)

Evacuation Drill Time!

During the week of Oct. 3-7, we will be conducting our annual Valley Library building evacuation drill. Are you ready?

Everyone who works in the building needs to know the nearest:

Seize the moment! Review the location of these building features in your work environment (and be ready for a pop quiz from the fire marshal!)

Everyone’s Favorite Activity: An Evacuation Drill


(gif animation)

Always remember that in an emergency situation to remain calm.

(gif animation link)

Assembly Areas

You’ve proceeded to the nearest emergency exit in an orderly fashion and emerged into the open. Now what?

Each department/unit in the library has been designated an assembly area to assemble in and account for each other. Now is the perfect opportunity to make sure you know where to find your department/unit outside. You’ll find the map of assembly areas linked in several places on the library wiki and attached to this message for good measure!

Circulation door monitors will help guide everyone to the north quad and away from the building


(gif animation link)

When to Evacuate

Where does a building evacuation fit into different emergency scenarios?

  • the fire alarm
  • an earthquake
  • an active shooter
  • a bomb threat or suspicious object
  • a power outage

Use the Library Safety Essentials to refresh your knowledge of building evacuation protocol. Ask a member of the OSULP Safety Council if you have questions.

Quiz Time

Reply with your responses to enter the daily and grand prize raffle!

  1. During a building evacuation it is ok to use an elevator if they are working?
  2. Where should you go after leaving the building?
  3. When is it ok to re-enter the building after an evacuation?

...

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titleSafety Week 2014: Building Evacuations

(Subject) Safety Week Tips: Building Evacuations

The Valley Library is having an evacuation drill sometime this week. Are you ready?

When to Evacuate

A building evacuation may be part of your response to different kinds of emergencies. Take a few minutes to review the Library Safety Essentials and the OSU Emergency Poster for evacuation procedures in the event of:

  • the fire alarm
  • an earthquake
  • an active shooter
  • a bomb threat or suspicious object


Federal Art Project, 1936 or 1937

Be Ready

Everyone who works in the building needs to know where to find the nearest:

  • emergency exit
  • fire alarm pull switch
  • fire extinguisher

So step up your emergency preparedness (and study up for a pop quiz from the fire marshal!) Take a few minutes to go locate these building features in your work environment.

And please remember:

  • do not use elevators during an evacuation
  • do not use the loading dock as an emergency exit during the current Waldo Place street closure – a good alternative is the emergency exit just beyond the loading dock, in the southwest corner of the Learning Commons

Emergency Exit Scavenger Hunt

Tuesday to Thursday, the building’s emergency exits have a unique identity, each inspired by a literary conflagration (or other calamity) and characters who had to evacuate a danger zone. Your task is to identify the two emergency exits nearest your work station and some other places you frequent. Which literary emergencies will you encounter there? Look for the little laminated placards, and see the attachment (PDF) for more details!

Kudos to Kelly Holcomb and David Moynihan in the Circulation office for braving the letter tiles scramble attached to yesterday’s message. Both of them earned an item from the prize box and a chance to win the grand prize, a free 3D print. Here’s hoping the scavenger hunt challenge will be less opaque and more appealing! If you have any questions, give me a ring – Katie Warrener, 7-4772.


Thank you,

The OSULP Safety Council

Communication

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titleSafety Week 20172021: Communication During Emergencies and Disasters!

Communication

During Emergencies and Disasters

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Calling 9-1-1

  • Is a person hurt or in danger? Do you need the police, fire or ambulance? If yes, call 9-1-1
  • If you are unsure, call 9-1-1 anyway. The dispatcher can determine the type of assistance you need.
  • Do not hang up. You need to stay on the phone (unless you are in danger) to answer any questions the dispatcher may have.
  • Stay calm and answer all questions.
  • Know the location of the emergency.
  • Teach your children how to call 9-1-1. If capable, teach them their name, parent’s name, telephone number and most importantly, their address. Also when to call 9-1-1.
  • Post your address clearly and prominently at your entrance and on your home. Know the address of your workplace.
  • Know the phones you own. Others may need to use someone else’s phone and will need to know how to use them.
  • Further information at NENA: The 9-1-1 Association

LEAD created tips on When to Call for Help for non-emergency situations.

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Emergency Red Phones: Remember that on each library stairwell landing there is an emergency red phone. There is also one located at the Circulation desk.

As soon as you pick it up you are connected to public safety dispatch. If you cannot speak on the phone, leave it off the hook and public safety will send someone to the library to check on the situation.

Communicating With Others During an Emergency or Disaster

 Image Removed

To ensure that your telephone call gets through to family, friends and loved-ones during an emergency or disaster, here are things to consider:

  • Limit non-emergency phone calls. Helps free up network congestion and conserves battery power on wireless phones.
  • Keep all phone calls brief. Call only to convey vital information to emergency personnel and/or family.
  • Try text messaging. In many cases text messages will go through when your call may not. Also frees up network congestion.
  • Try a variety of communication services if you are unsuccessful with one. Wireless phone, text messaging, landline phone, social media or email.
  • Wait 10 seconds before redialing a call. If you redial too quickly, the data from your cell phone to the cell sites do not have enough time to clear and contributes to a clogged network.
  • Know what type of landline telephone service you have. Some newer forms of telephone service will not work without electric power.
  • Charge your phone and/or laptop/tablet computer before a storm or predicted event. Have charged batteries or car-charger adapters available for backup power for your wireless phone.
  • Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers in your phone. Have a paper copy available in your wallet or purse.
  • If in your vehicle, place or receive calls when stationary.
  • Have a family communication plan in place. Designate someone out of the area as a central contact, and make certain all family members know who to contact if they become separated. Create a family/friend contact sheet.
  • Program “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) contacts into your cell phone so emergency personnel can contact those people for you if you are unable to use your phone.  Let your ICE contacts know that they are programmed into your phone and inform them of any medical issues or other special needs you may have.
  • If you have Call Forwarding on your home number, forward your home number to your wireless phone in the event of an evacuation.
  • If you do not have a cell phone, keep a prepaid phone card to use if needed during or after a disaster.
  • Be sure that you have at least one corded phone that is not dependent on electricity in case of an electrical power outage.
  • Subscribe to text alert services from local or state governments to receive alerts in the event of a disaster.  Parents should sign up for their school district emergency alert system. Be sure you are subscribed to and have updated your information on the OSU Alert Portal.
  • Broadcasters are an important source of news during emergencies, so consider keeping a battery-operated, solar-powered, or hand-crank-operated radio or digital portable television for use during power outages. Make sure you have charged or fresh batteries if needed. Some hand-cranked radios can also be used to charge cell phones, but check the instruction manual before assuming this is the case.

Image Removed

It is important for consumers to keep in mind that during an emergency, many more people are trying to use their wireless and wireline telephones at the same time when compared to normal calling activity. When more people try to call at the same time, the increased calling volume may create network congestion.

Quiz

If you respond with your answers you will be entered into a raffle for safety-related prizes (including a Grand Prize) being conducted on Monday, Sept. 18.

  1. You cannot not get your call through, so you should redial as fast as possible. True or False?
  2. All landline phones are not dependent on electricity to function. True or False?
  3. You have checked your information with the OSU Alert Portal within the last 6 months. True or False?
  4. You should have several methods of communication available in case one does not work. True or False?

The OSULP Safety Council

...

!

Image Added

Jane Wyatt here wasn’t likely phoning about a building disaster (like a gas leak, say……) but she could have with this amazing communication technology!Knowing who to contact in the course of an emergency is good to know.
So who do we call and when? Here are some hints:

When do I call?

When do I need to call someone? When you believe there is imminent threat of harm to yourself or others. This could be a:

  • Medical emergency
  • Physical threat
  • Mental Health Crisis
  • Natural or Manmade disaster

Who do I call?

  • 911
  • Public Safety’s Emergency Line (737-7000); non-emergency line (737-3010)

How do I call?

  • Red Emergency phones are located at the Circulation Desk and in both stairwells on every landing. This will connect you directly to Public Safety.
  • Any landline in the building including the black campus phones located on every floor.
  • In most cases, your personal cell phone if you are getting a signal.

What should I do when I call?

  • Stay on the line until you are told you can hang up.
  • Stay calm and answer all questions.
  • Keep details specific and brief unless asked for more information. Avoid using a paragraph if a sentence will do the job.
  • Know where you are located and convey specific location details (address, building, room number, etc.)
  • Send someone out to meet with emergency services to direct them into the building while you remain on the phone.

*******************************************************************************************************

Tunes for our continuing safety soundtrack!

Our communications playlist: “Radio Ga Ga”, “Call Out My Name”, “Help!”, “Safety Dance”, “Call Me”, Communication Breakdown”, “Floor Is Lava”   (thanks again to those submitted these fun selections!)

Tomorrow, our last day of safety week, will be about Medical Emergencies/First Aid. Take care and stay safe!

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titleSafety Week 2017: Communication During Emergencies and Disasters

Communication During Emergencies and Disasters

 Image Added

Calling 9-1-1

  • Is a person hurt or in danger? Do you need the police, fire or ambulance? If yes, call 9-1-1
  • If you are unsure, call 9-1-1 anyway. The dispatcher can determine the type of assistance you need.
  • Do not hang up. You need to stay on the phone (unless you are in danger) to answer any questions the dispatcher may have.
  • Stay calm and answer all questions.
  • Know the location of the emergency.
  • Teach your children how to call 9-1-1. If capable, teach them their name, parent’s name, telephone number and most importantly, their address. Also when to call 9-1-1.
  • Post your address clearly and prominently at your entrance and on your home. Know the address of your workplace.
  • Know the phones you own. Others may need to use someone else’s phone and will need to know how to use them.
  • Further information at NENA: The 9-1-1 Association


LEAD created tips on When to Call for Help for non-emergency situations.

 Image Added


Emergency Red Phones: Remember that on each library stairwell landing there is an emergency red phone. There is also one located at the Circulation desk.

As soon as you pick it up you are connected to public safety dispatch. If you cannot speak on the phone, leave it off the hook and public safety will send someone to the library to check on the situation.


Communicating With Others During an Emergency or Disaster

 Image Added

To ensure that your telephone call gets through to family, friends and loved-ones during an emergency or disaster, here are things to consider:

  • Limit non-emergency phone calls. Helps free up network congestion and conserves battery power on wireless phones.
  • Keep all phone calls brief. Call only to convey vital information to emergency personnel and/or family.
  • Try text messaging. In many cases text messages will go through when your call may not. Also frees up network congestion.
  • Try a variety of communication services if you are unsuccessful with one. Wireless phone, text messaging, landline phone, social media or email.
  • Wait 10 seconds before redialing a call. If you redial too quickly, the data from your cell phone to the cell sites do not have enough time to clear and contributes to a clogged network.
  • Know what type of landline telephone service you have. Some newer forms of telephone service will not work without electric power.
  • Charge your phone and/or laptop/tablet computer before a storm or predicted event. Have charged batteries or car-charger adapters available for backup power for your wireless phone.
  • Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers in your phone. Have a paper copy available in your wallet or purse.
  • If in your vehicle, place or receive calls when stationary.
  • Have a family communication plan in place. Designate someone out of the area as a central contact, and make certain all family members know who to contact if they become separated. Create a family/friend contact sheet.
  • Program “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) contacts into your cell phone so emergency personnel can contact those people for you if you are unable to use your phone.  Let your ICE contacts know that they are programmed into your phone and inform them of any medical issues or other special needs you may have.
  • If you have Call Forwarding on your home number, forward your home number to your wireless phone in the event of an evacuation.
  • If you do not have a cell phone, keep a prepaid phone card to use if needed during or after a disaster.
  • Be sure that you have at least one corded phone that is not dependent on electricity in case of an electrical power outage.
  • Subscribe to text alert services from local or state governments to receive alerts in the event of a disaster.  Parents should sign up for their school district emergency alert system. Be sure you are subscribed to and have updated your information on the OSU Alert Portal.
  • Broadcasters are an important source of news during emergencies, so consider keeping a battery-operated, solar-powered, or hand-crank-operated radio or digital portable television for use during power outages. Make sure you have charged or fresh batteries if needed. Some hand-cranked radios can also be used to charge cell phones, but check the instruction manual before assuming this is the case.

Image Added

It is important for consumers to keep in mind that during an emergency, many more people are trying to use their wireless and wireline telephones at the same time when compared to normal calling activity. When more people try to call at the same time, the increased calling volume may create network congestion.


Quiz

If you respond with your answers you will be entered into a raffle for safety-related prizes (including a Grand Prize) being conducted on Monday, Sept. 18.


  1. You cannot not get your call through, so you should redial as fast as possible. True or False?
  2. All landline phones are not dependent on electricity to function. True or False?
  3. You have checked your information with the OSU Alert Portal within the last 6 months. True or False?
  4. You should have several methods of communication available in case one does not work. True or False?


The OSULP Safety Council


Fire Safety


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titleSafety Week 2021: Fire!

Fire!

Image Added

Welcome to Tuesday of Library Safety Week! Today’s topic, as the flames above suggest, is fire safety (check the bottom of this message for our continuing safety soundtrack.

The most thing to remember concerning fire safety is to never ignore a fire alarm. Always evacuate, even when you think it is a false alarm. Here are some tips for being prepared in the building:

Know your twos: 

  • the nearest two fire alarms
  • the nearest two fire extinguishers
  • the nearest two emergency exits

During a fire, could you find your way out of the building in the dark? 

  • Count the doors or desks between your work space and the nearest exit
  • Know where the nearest flashlight is located 

 If you detect smoke in the building or see a fire, what should you do? 

  1. If you see a fire, leave the room and close the door.
  2. Pull the fire alarm, if it has not been activated
  3. Call 9-1-1
  4. Evacuate the building at the nearest emergency exit, notifying others as you leave
  5. Once outside, move away from the building and stay back until the fire department says it is safe to reenter

At Home 

Safety Week is a great opportunity to practice fire prevention and preparedness at home too. 

Monitor smoke alarms and fire extinguishers 

  • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas
  • Test alarms every month and replace the batteries every year
  • Purchase a basic fire extinguisher, learn how to use it, and know where it is stored

 Make an evacuation plan 

  • Determine the best escape routes from your home - each household member should know two ways out of each room
  • Quiz all household members about the plan twice a year so they remember what to do
  • Conduct a fire evacuation drill

Identify and remove fire hazards 

  • Clear clutter out of halls and other pathways
  • Replace all worn or damaged electrical cords immediately, and do not run cords under rugs or furniture
  • Leave space around appliances, and keep combustibles away from heat sources
  • Read how to Prevent Home Fires at gov/home-fires

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tunes for today: “I’m On Fire”, “Burning Up”, “Fire on the Mountain”, “Set Fire to the Rain”, “Danger! High Voltage!”, “Burning Down the House”, and “The Floor is Lava.”

Thanks for reading, stay tuned for tomorrow, when we focus on earthquake preparedness!

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titleSafety Week 2016: Fire is Everyone's Fight

Fire is Everyone's Fight. 

Keep yourself and fellow Beavers safe by being familiar with the Library Safety Essentials and Evacuation Assembly Areas (Attached pdf). Here's a few tips:

Fire

1. Activate the fire alarm

2. Call 911 (cell phones will work)

3. Evacuate - Notify occupants as you leave

Don't use elevators

Close doors to contain fire as you leave

Feel closed doors - don't open hot doors

Only attempt to extinguish a fire if preventing evacuation

Fire Alarms

Fire alarms are located near each exit and at the west and east ends of the avenue on each floor (safety maps). Only use if you discover a fire in the building, call 911, and leave the building. Report any problems to emergency personnel. Do not block access to fire alarms.

Fire Doors

The fire doors between each floor and the stairwells will automatically close when the fire alarms are activated. They are meant to keep fire from spreading and keep smoke out of the stairwell evacuation routes. If they are closed you can still exit to the stairwell by pushing on the hand bar. Circulation staff will re-open after a fire alarm event.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are located near exits throughout the building and are indicated by a wall sign above the extinguisher (safety maps). They are to be used only to egress the building if fire is blocking your path or small trash can size fires. An online fire extinguisher training video is available at The ABC's of Portable Fire Extinguishers. More information can be found at Fire Extinguisher Policy.

Do not block access to fire extinguishers.

Quiz Time

Reply with your responses to enter the daily and grand prize raffle!

  1. How many Emergency Exits are available on each floor of the Valley Library?
  2. What classification of Fire Extinguishers is the Valley Library equipped with?
  3. What should you do if you catch on fire?
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titleSafety Week 2013: Fire Safety at Work and at Home

Welcome to Safety Week 2013 in The Valley Library

One way you can participate is by taking a few minutes each day to review safety information and prepare for emergencies. Test your knowledge against the daily puzzle for a chance to win prizes and glory!

One way we’ll all participate is by practicing building evacuation in an unannounced drill. The fire marshal might even surprise some of us with a pop quiz. Are you ready?

 At Work

Library Safety Essentials. Everybody who works in the building should know the location of:


  • the two nearest emergency exits
  • the two nearest fire alarm pull switches
  • the two nearest fire extinguishers

Exits, as well as red emergency phones, are marked on the building floor maps. Detailed safety maps are in the works. Meanwhile, look for fire alarm pull switches near the emergency exits and red phones. Look for the red ceiling placards throughout the building that mark the location of fire extinguishers.

What do you do if you see fire or detect smoke?

  1. Pull the nearest fire alarm switch
  2. Call 9-1-1 if it’s safe to do so
  3. Evacuate the building at the nearest emergency exit, notifying others as you leave

During an emergency, could you find your way out of the building in the dark?

  • Count the doors or desks between your work space and the nearest exit
  • Know where the nearest flashlight is located

 At Home

Safety Week is also a great time to practice fire prevention and emergency preparedness at home.

  • Test smoke alarms and check fire extinguishers
  • Review your evacuation plan
  • Identify and remove fire hazards

MedlinePlus, Ready.gov, and the American Red Cross provide helpful guides to fire safety at home.

The OSULP Safety Council

...

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titleSafety Week 2011: Fire Safety & Prevention

Word Search Puzzle- fire.pdf

Fire Prevention & Safety Checklist

v  The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards.

v  Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms.

v  During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.

  

 

Be Red Cross Ready

v  If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL for help.

v  Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test them every month and replace the batteries at least once a year.

v  Talk with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

Additional information: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b80f78a0/?vgnextoid=5e06a5f0f013b110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

 

Housekeeping 

v  Keep clutter out of halls, lobbies, alleys, and other public areas.

v  Keep waste paper, empty boxes, dirty rags, cleaning supplies, and other combustibles out of exits, storage areas and stairways.

Wiring  

v  Replace any cracked, frayed or damaged electrical cord.

v  Never run extension cords across doorways or where they can be stepped on or pinched or run over by chairs or other furniture.

v  Do not plug extension cords into each other and avoid plugging more than one extension cord into an outlet.

v  Be sure to use an appropriate extension cord for the appliance being used.

Equipment and Appliances  

v  Leave space for air to circulate around heaters and other heat-producing equipment, such as copy machines, coffeemakers, and computers.

v  Keep appliances away from anything that might catch fire.

v  Do not stack books or papers on top of computer monitors.

  

Employees should

v  Count the doors or desks between their work areas and the nearest exit.

v  During a fire, employees may have to find their way out in the dark.

v  Learn the location of alternative exits from their work areas in case the primary exit is blocked by smoke.

v  Know the location of the nearest fire alarm and how to use it so co-workers can be alerted to the fire.

If Fire Strikes 

v  Sound the alarm and call the fire department immediately, no matter how small the fire appears to be.

v  Leave the area quickly, closing doors as you go to contain the fire and smoke.

v  If you encounter smoke or flame during your escape, use an alternative exit. Heat and smoke rise, leaving cleaner, cooler air near the floor. If you must exit through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees, keeping your head 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) above the floor.

v  Test doors before you open them. Kneeling or crouching at the door, reach up as high as you can and touch the door, the knob, and the space between the door and its frame with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, use another escape route. If the door is cool, open it slowly.

v  Once outside, move away from the building. Never go back inside the building until the fire department says you may go back in.

  

Additional Information:

http://www.abcofire.com/2011/04/office-fire-safety-tips-stay-calm/ 

http://www.compliance.gov/forms-pubs/publications/bulletins/bulletin_fire_feb2007.pdf

http://www.discoverdixon.org/fire-department/office-building-fire-safety.html

...

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titleSafety Week 2015: Emergency Preparedness Beyond the Office

 Safety Week at work can help you prepare for emergencies beyond the office.

 Medical emergencies

Memorize the basic steps for responding to a medical emergency, no matter where you are:

  1. Call 9-1-1
  2. Keep the victim still, comfortable, and safe
  3. Provide first aid if trained
  4. Send someone to meet the ambulance
    (Animate this cat)


    Is your cat prepared to recognize a medical emergency?

Then ponder the details:

Are you prepared to recognize the signs of a medical emergency?

How would you call 9-1-1?

What is involved in keeping someone safe on the scene?

The Medical Emergencies Information on the library wiki compiles answers.

And are you ready to provide first aid or CPR?

You can get certified right here in the library during Safety Week or at Dixon Recreation any other time of year.

(Animate this fox)

Learn CPR now and be ready to dive in

Fire safety

Memorize the basic steps for responding to a fire, no matter where you are:

  1. Pull the fire alarm in a public building
  2. Call 9-1-1 and provide as much information as you can
  3. Contain the fire by using an extinguisher or by closing doors as you escape
  4. Evacuate, notifying others as you go
  5. Once outside, move away from the building

Then ponder the details around your home:

Have you checked your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers lately?

Do you have an evacuation plan for your household, including your pets?

Are there any fire hazards that need addressing?

The Ready.gov and American Red Cross websites provide guidance.

(Animate these cats)

Planning for emergencies can help you rest easier


We have a new challenge for you today: Don created a story adventure to get you thinking about emergency preparedness at home… in the event of, say, an outbreak of zombies or, you know, an incoming asteroid. Go forth and choose your own adventure! To earn a raffle ticket, respond by emailing a screenshot or text grab of your story conclusion to katie.warrener@oregonstate.edu (or print it and drop it off at the Circulation Desk). Provided you make a decent effort at emergency preparedness in your story, the raffle ticket is yours.

And we’ll continue accepting your responses to any of the puzzle challenges until the end of the week, so keep ‘em coming!

Thank you,

The OSULP Safety Council

(Bryan, Dan, Don, Ed, Elizabeth, Katie, Victoria)

...

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titleSafety Week 2016: Medical


 

Someone has collapsed and you are the nearest witness. Are you prepared?

Health emergencies can occur at any given moment. Whether it’s a heart attack, an accidental fall or even an unexpected baby delivery (see this story involving our own Zac Laugheed), you can prepare yourself by knowing a few basic steps that can give you the confidence to make quick decisions when every second counts! 

The basic procedures if you are witness to a health emergency are as follows:

1)    Call 9-1-1

2)    Keep the victim still, comfortable and safe

3)    Provide first aid, if trained (You can be trained right here on campus!)

4)    Send someone to meet an ambulance

You can view the response guidelines for Injury and Illness outlined by OSU Emergency Management HERE

Be proactive!

 

You don’t have to be specifically trained in First Aid response or CPR to make a positive difference in the victim’s outcome. However, training can help you become more confident in not only applying these basic guidelines in initiating the Emergence Response System (ERS), but also being able to play a critical role in applying critical emergency care in sustaining a victim’s life (and possibly ensuring their future quality of life) until emergency responders are on the scene.

The OSULP Safety Council arranged in-house First Aid and CPR/AED Training each year in September. The session for this year has completed, but you can sign up for individual training (with your supervisor’s permission) at the Dixon Recreation Center at any time of the year. For more information on safety courses, visit the Dixon Recreation Center website. The OSULP Safety Council maintains a list of current Valley occupants who are First Aid and CPR/AED certified. It is always a good idea to be aware of who can perform First Aid and CPR/AED duties around your work space.

Wait, what is an AED?

 

An AED is an Automated External Defibrillator – a device used to diagnose and treat cardiac arrhythmias by sending an electrical shock in an effort to re-set the rhythm of a heart. Every workplace and public location SHOULD have one or multiple. As you know now, you can be trained in the use of this potentially life-saving device. Signs (like the image above) are posted at or near the location of an AED device. Even if you are not trained in the use of an AED, it is VERY IMPORTANT to know the locations of this device in and around the workplace, as quick retrieval of an AED device saves precious seconds in an emergency situation.

How do I know what an emergency looks like?

This is not a silly question – a lot of people are unsure of themselves when it comes to responding to a medical emergency. Medline Plus provides a handy list of warning signs as well as more tips on what to do to prepare yourself in case of an emergency.

What do you know now?

Reply directly to this e-mail with your answers to be entered in the daily and grand prize raffle!

  1. How many AED units reside in the Valley Library building?
  2. Where is the First Aid kit nearest to your office/desk/where you do most of your work?
  3. Google challenge: What is the first thing you must be aware of when witnessing a health emergency, even before any interaction with the victim
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titleSafety Week 2016: Medical & Fire

Safety at work can help you prepare for emergencies beyond the office.

Medical emergencies

Memorize the basic steps for responding to a medical emergency, no matter where you are:

  1. Call 9-1-1
  2. Keep the victim still, comfortable, and safe
  3. Provide first aid if trained
  4. Send someone to meet the ambulance

(Animate this cat)

Is your cat prepared to recognize a medical emergency?

Then ponder the details:

Are you prepared to recognize the signs of a medical emergency?

How would you call 9-1-1?

What is involved in keeping someone safe on the scene?

The Medical Emergencies Information on the library wiki compiles answers.


 And are you ready to provide first aid or CPR?

 


You can get certified right here in the library during Safety Week or at Dixon Recreation any other time of year.

(Animate this cat)

Don’t be afraid to give it a try.

Fire safety

Memorize the basic steps for responding to a fire, no matter where you are:

  1. Pull the fire alarm in a public building
  2. Call 9-1-1 and provide as much information as you can
  3. Contain the fire by using an extinguisher or by closing doors as you escape
  4. Evacuate, notifying others as you go
  5. Once outside, move away from the building

Then ponder the details around your home:

Have you checked your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers lately?

Do you have an evacuation plan for your household, including your pets?

Are there any fire hazards that need addressing?

The Ready.gov and American Red Cross websites provide guidance.

(Animate these cats)

Don’t try and hurt yourself by lifting too much!



We have a new challenge for you today: FEMA has a nice disaster preparedness site with information for all ages!  Try out their disaster preparedness game and submit the final kit checklist to Bryan at circulation for your chance to win today!  Other materials can also be found on the FEMA site with recommendations on how to build a disaster response kit.

And we’ll continue accepting your responses to any of the puzzle challenges until the end of the week, so keep ‘em coming!

Thanks to Katie Warrener for the content of this e-mail.

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titleSafety Week 2014: Medical Emergencies

medical-emergencies-letter-tiles.pdf

Welcome to 2014 Safety Week in The Valley Library

You are invited to dedicate a few moments each day to refreshing your safety knowledge. We’ll break down the essentials for you in a daily message. Practice your skills with a puzzle, and prepare for a building-wide evacuation drill with the scavenger hunt challenge!

 In the Event of a Medical Emergency

Memorize these basic steps for responding to a medical emergency:

  1. Call 9-1-1
  2. Keep the victim still, comfortable, and safe
  3. Provide first aid if trained
  4. Send someone to meet the ambulance

Then think over the details:

Are you prepared to recognize the signs of a medical emergency?

How would you call 9-1-1?

 What is involved in keeping someone safe on the scene?

The Medical Emergencies Information on the library wiki compiles the answers.

 First Aid and CPR Training

 And are you ready to provide first aid or CPR?

 You can get certified in first aid and CPR/AED by signing up for in-house training during Safety Week (happening tomorrow and Wednesday). If you miss out on this week’s classes, individual training is available at Dixon Recreation throughout the year.

 

The first puzzle of the week is attached, in the form of a scrambled phrase. Get busy reviewing the Medical Emergencies Information and then rearrange the letter tiles to reveal the hidden message. Send your answer to katie.warrener@oregonstate.edu or drop it off at the Circulation desk.  All correct entries are eligible for prizes!


Thank you,

The OSULP Safety Council

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titleSafety Week 2013: Medical Emergencies

safety-medical-emergencies-cryptogram.pdf

Today we wrap up Safety Week by reviewing how to respond to a medical emergency. Visit the Library Safety Essentials wiki page anytime to refresh your knowledge of emergency response procedures.

Responding to a Medical Emergency

The basics

  1. Call 9-1-1
  2. Keep victim still, comfortable, and safe
  3. Provide first aid if trained
  4. Send someone to meet ambulance

The basics PLUS

  1. Remain calm and call 9-1-1. Use a cell phone, office phone, black campus phone in the avenue, or red emergency phone in the stairwell. Give the operator your name, location, and phone number, and provide as much information as you can about the victim and the injury or illness.
  2. Do not move the victim, unless it is dangerous for the person to stay there. Keep the victim as calm and comfortable as possible.
  3. Provide first aid, or start CPR when necessary, if you have been trained in the proper techniques. (See below for more information about training.)
  4. Stay with the victim until medical assistance arrives. Send someone to meet the ambulance and guide the emergency responders to the scene.

So, how do you recognize a medical emergency in the first place? MedlinePlus offers a summary of warning signs

Red Cross workers with regimental dogs in World War I

National Library of Scotland on Flickr

Training in First Aid and CPR/AED

Excellent turnout for the in-house first aid and CPR/AED training this week! If you were not able to attend and are still interested, you can take advantage of the classes offered throughout the year at Dixon Recreation Center. You’ll find training instructions and links on the Safety wiki. Simply approach your supervisor for permission, find a session to attend, and register directly with Recreation Services. After class, share a copy of your certification record with the OSULP Safety Council to join the list of certified staff.


Congratulations to Kristin Swetland of the Teaching and Engagement Department for being the first (who hadn’t previously won) to finish the word search yesterday. Today you are challenged to crack the cryptogram (attached)! And you are invited to submit answers to any of the puzzles by 5 PM today to enter the raffle.

Thanks to everyone for participating in Safety Week at The Valley Library

The OSULP Safety Council

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titleSafety Week 2016: Earthquakes

Earthquakes

 Not to shake you up, but all of us should be prepared for what to do in the case of an earthquake.

As always, take a look at Library Safety Essentials for basic tips about what to do in the case of an emergency.

For earthquakes, the library safety essentials page reminds us the basic steps are.

1)    Drop, cover and hold until shaking stops.

2)    Evacuate.

 

In more detail:

  1. Drop down to your hands and knees. This position protects you from falling but allows you to move if needed.
  2. Cover your head and neck. Also preferably shelter your entire body by getting under a sturdy desk or table. If there is no shelter nearby, get down near an interior wall or next to furniture that won’t fall on you.
  3. Hold on to your shelter (and/or your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if needed.
  4. Only evacuate once the shaking of the earthquake has stopped.

 See OSU Emergency Management and Oregon Healthy Authority’s earthquake preparedness page for more details about how to drop, cover, and hold on and details about evacuation.

 How can you prepare?

1)    Review Library Safety Essentials

2)    Consider your surroundings during your work day and where the best place would be to take cover/shelter. Prepare for other scenarios such as being outside or driving while the earthquake happens.

3)    Review the OHA’s earthquake preparedness page:

http://public.health.oregon.gov/Preparedness/Prepare/Pages/PrepareForEarthquake.aspx

 and if you’re going to visit the coast, OHA’s tsunami preparedness page:

 http://public.health.oregon.gov/Preparedness/Prepare/Pages/PrepareforTsunami.aspx

Quiz Time

Reply with your responses to enter the daily and grand prize raffle!

  1. Along with dropping, covering, and holding on - what should you attempt to avoid being near during an earthquake?
  2. If the lights go out and the sprinkler system goes on in the building while an earthquake is still in progress, should I evacuate?
  3. What should you consider after you evacuate a building post-earthquake?

Yesterday’s winner to be announced by Bryan. J

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titleSafety Week 2015: Health and Safety in the Office

Safety Week is an opportunity consider ways to create a safer, healthier work environment.

Prevent Accidents and Injuries

In the Valley Library, we can prevent accidents by minimizing hazards:

  • Close cabinet drawers right away
  • Keep floors and stairs clear of cords and clutter
  • Report obstructions (such as bicycles), spills, or other building problems to a public service desk

    (Animate this ladder)
    Climb carefully to reach books and things

And we can prevent injuries by moving with care:

  • Climbing – use stools or ladders carefully (not chairs or boxes)
  • Lifting – face forward, bend at the knees, and lift with the legs (not the back)
  • Carting – distribute weight evenly without overloading, and move one cart at a time

Take advantage of these resources, on campus and in the library, to develop healthy work practices:

Your wellness and work-life balance are important parts of the equation:


Today’s challenge is to go “down under” and troubleshoot hazards in a Virtual Office to create a safe work environment. This safety game is brought to you by the Government of South Australia SafeWork SA, via Elizabeth. J

To earn a raffle ticket, (1) report your favorite hazard in the game and (2) tell us a way that you can improve your health and safety in your own office. Report the hazard and office solution to katie.warrener@oregonstate.edu (or write it up and drop it off at the Circulation Desk).

And we’ll continue accepting your responses to any of the puzzle challenges until the end of the week, so keep ‘em coming!

Thank you,

The OSULP Safety Council

(Bryan, Dan, Don, Ed, Elizabeth, Katie, Victoria)

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titleSafety Week 2017: Getting Around Campus at Night

Campus by Night

As the year moves on, the days begin to get shorter and the nights longer.  Before you know it, it’ll be dark out before you get to work, and dark by the time you leave the office!  If you are on campus late at night or after dark, be aware of these safety resources for getting around:

 

  • Saferide Shuttle Service – 541-737-5000
  • Department of Public Safety Personal Escort –  541-737-3010
  • Blue Light Emergency Phones throughout campus
  • Yellow Box Security Phones at resident hall entrances

On the Campus by Night page, Public Safety provides a custom campus map with lighted walking routes, as well as personal safety tips.

 Be Bright


Whether you drive a car or ride a bike, you can do plenty of things to get around more safely.

  • Free your mind – Drive and ride without distractions.
  • Stay sharp – Stay awake and sober, paying careful attention to the road.
  • Space out – Keep a safe distance from the vehicles ahead.
  • See red – Red lights, that is.
  • Be bright – Be seen by turning on your lights and using reflective gear on your bike.

Are you ready for the coming winter? ODOT has compiled transportation tips for winter driving (and cycling too), and Ready.gov has suggestions for a motor vehicle safety check and emergency kit.

Perhaps you’re in vacation mode? Public Safety has some travel tips for your consideration.

 

Benny thanks you for participating in Safety Week and invites you to mark the Library Safety area of the wiki as a Favorite in order to refresh your safety knowledge and emergency preparedness throughout the year.

If you’re up for it, there’s a little text adventure game for you to play to test your knowledge on traveling safely at night.

Thanks,

The OSULP Safety Council

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titleSafety Week 2014: Getting Around

transportation-safety-crossword.pdf

Welcome back from the holiday weekend! We wrap up Safety Week today with some transportation tips for all year round.

Campus by Night

The Valley Library is a 24-hour operation during the academic year. If you are on campus late at night or after dark, be aware of these safety resources for getting around:

  • Saferide Shuttle Service – 541-737-5000
  • Department of Public Safety Personal Escort –  541-737-3010
  • Blue Light Emergency Phones throughout campus
  • Yellow Box Security Phones at resident hall entrances

On the Campus by Night page, Public Safety provides a custom campus map with lighted walking routes, as well as personal safety tips.

 

 Missouri WPA poster, 1943

(Library of Congress on Flickr)

Be Bright

Whether you drive a car or ride a bike, you can do plenty of things to get around more safely.

  • Free your mind – Drive and ride without distractions.
  • Stay sharp – Stay awake and sober, paying careful attention to the road.
  • Space out – Keep a safe distance from the vehicles ahead.
  • See red – Red lights, that is.
  • Be bright – Be seen by turning on your lights and using reflective gear on your bike.

Are you ready for the coming winter? ODOT has compiled transportation tips for winter driving (and cycling too), and Ready.gov has suggestions for a motor vehicle safety check and emergency kit.

Perhaps you’re in vacation mode? Public Safety has some travel tips for your consideration.


Benny thanks you for participating in Safety Week and invites you to mark the Library Safety area of the wiki as a Favorite in order to refresh your safety knowledge and emergency preparedness throughout the year.

Attached is the last puzzle, a crossword. Submit your answer (and any other Safety Week puzzle answers) by noon Wednesday for an item from the prize box and a chance to win a free 3D print. Puzzlers, stay tuned for information on claiming your prizes!


Thank you,

The OSULP Safety Council

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