Welcome to Library Safety Week! Today’s topic is about evacuation and when and how to exit the library safely. Thank you to those submitting ideas for the safety soundtrack! A sampling of the catchy tunes inspired by emergency exiting can be found below.

When do we evacuate the building?

• When you hear the fire alarm (even if you think it’s a false alarm)
• After an earthquake
• During an active shooter event (if you can do so safely)
• For bomb threats or suspicious objects
• For power outages that last longer than 15 minutes

How do we evacuate the building?

• Proceed to the nearest emergency exit quickly and calmly
• Look for red signage that guides the way
• Circulation staff and students will be located outside near the exits to direct you to the north end of the building (library quad) where you will assemble in the designated location for your department.
• Wait until the “all clear” is given.

Do not

• Use the elevators
• Exit through the loading dock
• Do not go out of your way to collect personal items
• Do not block the street, driveways or entrances

What if I can’t use stairs due to disability?

• 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.

Be Prepared

It’s always best to be prepared ahead of time. Everyone should know where to find the nearest:

• emergency exit
• fire alarm pull switch
• fire extinguisher

Maps with this information, with details floor by floor, can be found on the Library Safety Council wiki page here.

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Tunes for today: “Get Out Alive”, “Ready To Run”, “Leave”, “Get Out”, and “The Floor is Lava.”

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

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 2^nd 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. 18^th.

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

(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:

• two emergency exits (wherever you may be in the building)
• fire alarm pull switch
• fire extinguisher
• Look for red signage that guides the way
• Consult the detailed safety maps on the library wiki

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?

(Subject: Safety Week Challenge: Building Evacuations)

Sometime Monday, September 14, The Valley Library is running an evacuation drill. Are you ready?

Be Ready

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

• two emergency exits
• fire alarm pull switch
• fire extinguisher
• Look for red signage that guides the way
• Consult the detailed safety maps on the library wiki

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!)

Kittens demonstrate safe egress and assembly in a designated area

Assembly Areas

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

New this year: designated assembly areas for all departments. Monday is the perfect opportunity to practice assembling with your department outside the building. Now is the perfect opportunity to make sure you know where to find your department 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.

Cat demonstrates multiple safety faux *paws*

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.

Now that you’re all brushed up on your building evacuation know-how ahead of Monday’s drill, you are cordially invited to The Ultimate Get-Out-of-the-Building Challenge!!! (1) Find your way out of the library maze and (2) label your department’s assembly area on the map, and you’ve earned your first Safety Week raffle entry. Just drop off your response at Katie W.'s desk.

Thank you,

The OSULP Safety Council

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

(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.

• Look for red signage that guides the way
• Consult the detailed safety maps on the library wiki
• Take the emergency exit scavenger hunt challenge!

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 During Emergencies and Disasters

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.

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

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.

• More information can be found at FCC and FEMA: How to Communicate Before, During and After a Major Disaster and FCC/FEMA Tips for Communicating During an Emergency.

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 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?

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

 In the Workplace

Are you prepared for a fire emergency? Every employee should know the location of:

• 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, what should you do?

1. Pull the fire alarm, if it has not been activated
2. Call 9-1-1
3. Evacuate the building at the nearest emergency exit, notifying others as you leave
4. 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.

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 ready.gov/home-fires

 Resources

 MedlinePlus Fire Safety, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/firesafety.html

Ready.gov Home Fires, http://www.ready.gov/home-fires

American Red Cross Home Fires, http://oregonpacific.redcross.org/Home_Fire_Prevention.php

The OSULP Safety Council

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

 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)

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

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.

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

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

Earthquakes!

Despite the fun graphic above, earthquakes are a destructive reality here in the region. Today’s message will look at responding safety to these rumblers and serve as a shout-out for the “Great Shake Out” (details below)!

So if you’re in the building and feel an earthquake:

• Protect yourself (Drop, Cover and Hold-on).  Evacuate the building as soon as you deem it safe.
• Stay away from glass
• Do not use a doorway unless you know it is a load-bearing doorway
• Do not exit the building while shaking is going on.  Falling debris can kill you
• Do not use elevators
• Do not pull fire alarm
• If outside during the shaking, move away from buildings or other objects that could fall
• Bring only items you can easily grab, including backpacks especially packed with emergency gear, coat, hat, phone, essentials (e.g. handbag).

After the earthquake:

• Do not re-enter a building until it has been seismically inspected
• Expect aftershocks and more building damage to occur
• Extinguish small fires
• Follow OSU guidance for follow-on activities.

If you want to practice your earthquake response technique, join in on the campuswide Great Shake Out scheduled tomorrow at 10:21.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Tunes for the continuing safety soundtrack! (many thanks to those have submitted these songs-remember there is a prize drawing!)

“All Shook Up”, “Run-I’m a Natural Disaster”, “It’s the End of the World As We Know It”, “Shake, Rattle, and Roll”, “Little Earthquakes”, “Shake It Off”, and “The Floor Is Lava.”

Stay safe and stay tuned for tomorrow’s topic: communication!

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

(Subject: Safety Week Challenge: Earthquakes)

ICYMI, a dramatic New Yorker article about the Cascadia subduction zone sent proverbial shock waves across the region this summer: How on earth should we prepare for the Really Big One?

Know Your Home

We face particular kinds of natural disasters in the Willamette Valley. Take some time to remind yourself of the potential hazards and get ready to respond, at work and at home.

What’s happening right now? Online resources help you track current hazards in Corvallis and around the state.

Goat quake! 

Prepare for the Really Big One

Living in the Cascadia subduction zone means we are at risk of earthquakes, and along the coast, tsunamis. Are you prepared?

When an earthquake strikes:

1. DROP to the ground
2. Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table
3. HOLD ON to your shelter until the shaking stops

Before an earthquake strikes:

• Review the Oregon.gov Earthquake Preparedness 101 (and before heading to the coast, Tsunami Preparedness 101)
• Make an emergency plan – free workbooks are available inside the main entrance or at the Circulation desk
• Participate in the Great Shakeout earthquake drill next month! Thursday, October 15, at 10:15 AM, the library will take a minute to simulate an earthquake over the PA and give you the opportunity to practice your response.

Thank you all for participating in Monday’s building evacuation drill! And thanks for the responses to Monday’s puzzle challenge – keep ‘em coming! Today’s challenge is a safety message that got all scrambled in an earthquake (PDF). Solve the puzzle and earn yourself a Safety Week raffle entry. Just scan and email your response to katie.warrener@oregonstate.edu or drop it off at the Circulation Desk.

Thank you,

The OSULP Safety Council

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

(Subject) Safety Week Tips: Natural Disasters

natural-disasters-word-search.pdf

Preparing for Natural Disasters

We risk facing certain types of natural disasters in the Willamette Valley. Take a few minutes to understand the potential hazards and prepare.

What’s happening now? Online resources help you track current hazards in Corvallis and statewide.

Earthquakes and Tsunamis

Living in the Cascadia Subduction Zone means we are at risk of earthquakes, and along the coast, tsunamis. Are you prepared for the big one?

During an earthquake:

1. DROP to the ground
2. Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table
3. HOLD ON to your shelter until the shaking stops

Before an earthquake:

• Review Oregon.gov Earthquake Preparedness 101 (and before a day at the beach, Tsunami Preparedness 101)
• Make an emergency plan – free workbooks available inside the main entrance or at the Circulation desk

Winter Storms and Floods

Anyone who has lived through a recent Corvallis Snowpocalypse is well aware of the potential for severe inclement weather. Take a few minutes, here in the heat of summer, to prepare for the next round of stormy weather.

• Bookmark OSU Alerts - alert.oregonstate.edu on your computers and phones. Log in and check your contact information!
• Review Oregon.gov Winter Storms Preparedness 101

Corvallis has a history of floods too. Check out Oregon.gov Flooding Preparedness 101 to learn what to do before, during, and after.

Puzzle Challenge

Emergency Exit Scavenger Hunt entries are rolling in – hooray! (You are still welcome to do the scavenger hunt through tomorrow morning.) Everybody who completes a Safety Week puzzle challenge gets to pick an item from the prize box and enter the drawing for a free 3D print. Today we add a word search (PDF) to the mix (solution).

safety-earthquakes-wordsearch.pdf

Earthquake Preparedness in the Pacific Northwest

Why should we prepare for earthquakes and tsunamis in Oregon? The Cascadia Subduction Zone, for one thing. Plus, you could be anywhere when one happens. Oregon Emergency Management offers a brief history of earthquake activity in our region, and you can learn even more from the Robert S. Yeats book, Living with Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest, published by our very own OSU Press (find it in the library with call number QE535.2.U6 Y42).

Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety

Fortunately we have lots of information at our fingertips to help us prepare. The Seven Steps lay out a clear path to earthquake safety.

Before

1 - Secure your space

2 - Create an emergency plan

3 - Prepare disaster kits

4 - Identify and fix building weaknesses

During

5 - Drop, cover, and hold on!

After

6 - Check for injuries and damage, and evacuate if necessary

7 - Follow your emergency plan

Congratulations to Kerri Kunda of Circulation Services and Dorothy Loftin of Ecampus, who unscrambled Tuesday’s puzzle at the same time. And kudos to David Moynihan of Circulation and Collection Maintenance for being the first to crack those obscure clues in Wednesday’s crossword. Keep the answers coming, puzzlers, to earn more entries in the Friday raffle!

Try your hand at today’s challenge, the attached word search. For a bonus challenge, test your earthquake preparedness by playing Beat the Quake or taking the Quake Quiz

The OSULP Safety Council

(Subject) Safety Week Tip & Puzzle: Earthquake Preparedness

Earthquakes_Crossword.pdf

Be Prepared

A recent OSU study found increased probability of a major earthquake hitting the Oregon coast in the next 50 years. During Safety Week, get prepared for this kind of natural disaster by following the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety:

1. Identify potential hazards in your spaces and begin to address them
2. Create an emergency communication plan
3. Build an emergency kit
4. Identify potential weaknesses in your building and begin to fix them
5. During the earthquake—DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON
   
   
6. After the earthquake, check for injuries and damage
7. When it is safe to do so, follow your emergency plan

Resources

A wealth of resources is available to help you prepare:

• The Great Oregon ShakeOut

• Ready.gov Earthquakes
• MedlinePlus Earthquakes
• OSU Press book Living with Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest (QE535.2.U6 Y43 2004)

Puzzle Challenge

Tuesday’s Safety Week challenge is a crossword puzzle (PDF) related to earthquake preparedness. Be the first to reply with a complete and correct crossword, and win your choice of door prize. Ready, steady, go

Word Search Puzzle- earthquake.pdf

Take Protective Measures

Before an Earthquake

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your property in the event of an earthquake:

• Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas lines, and inflexible utility connections. Get appropriate professional help. Do not work with gas or electrical lines yourself.
• Bolt down and secure to the wall studs your water heater, refrigerator, furnace, and gas appliances. If recommended by your gas company, have an automatic gas shut-off valve installed that is triggered by strong vibrations.
• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves. Fasten shelves, mirrors, and large picture frames to walls. Brace high and top-heavy objects.
• Store bottled foods, glass, china, and other breakables on low shelves or in cabinets that fasten shut.
• Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.
• Be sure the residence is firmly anchored to its foundation.
• Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid gas or water leaks. Flexible fittings are more resistant to breakage.
• Locate safe spots in each room under a sturdy table or against an inside wall. Reinforce this information by moving to these places during each drill.
• Hold earthquake drills with your family members: Drop, cover, and hold on!

During an Earthquake

Minimize your movements during an earthquake to a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

After an Earthquake

• Be prepared for aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures.
• Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
• Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations.
• Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called “tidal waves”). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way. Stay away from the beach.

Information copied from http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/earthquakes.shtm

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:

• Attend Safety in Motion classes – our very own Bryan Feyerherm and Elizabeth Thomas are certified trainers
• Do an ergonomic assessment of your work station
  
  (Animate this paperweight)
  Perhaps it’s time to reassess the ergonomics of your work space?
  (From Frank Capra’s You Can’t Take It with You)
  
  Healthy U

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

• OSU’s anti-bullying policy encourages you to report behavior that is severe, pervasive, or persistent
• OSU promotes several programs, such as Healthy Team Healthy U, that support your health and wellness
  
  (Animate this office)
  You too can achieve the zen of health and safety at work

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)

occupational-health-safety-scramble.pdf

Safety in the Construction Zone

The OSU campus is experiencing one of the most intense periods of construction in its history, and building is booming off campus too. Ubiquitous construction zones intensify the everyday importance of avoiding environmental hazards that may cause tripping or other accidents. Capital Planning and Development offers several resources to help us negotiate campus construction:

• Review their construction zone map and safety tips
• Track closures and other impacts on campus facilities
• Get the scoop on project profiles and timelines
  
  
  You can be safe around construction,
  whether or not you join the cult of the Crane
  
  Health and Safety in the Office

Meanwhile, back in the Valley Library, we can prevent accidents by minimizing hazards in our work environment:

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

And we can work with care to preserve our health and safety on the job:

• 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 carefully move one cart at a time
• Sitting and typing and staring at glowing screens – do an ergonomic assessment of your work station

WPA poster by Nathan Sherman, 1936

(Library of Congress on Flickr)

Thank you for participating in today’s building evacuation drill. You are welcome to keep the puzzle answers coming! Everybody who completes a Safety Week puzzle gets to pick an item from the prize box and enter the drawing for a free 3D print. Attached is the latest puzzle, a double scramble related to occupational health and safety (hint: look for phrases in this message and among the construction zone safety tips).

The OSULP Safety Council

(Subject) Safety Week Tip & Puzzle: Environmental Health and Safety 

ehs-word-scramble.pdf

Did you know OSU Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) offers training and checklists for employees? Supervisors are offered a self-paced e-learning module (fix link), and a variety of workplace health and safety tutorials are available for anybody to download. Below you'll find highlights relevant to our workplace, and today's puzzle challenge too!

Prevent Accidents

Avoid tripping hazards

• Close cabinet drawers as soon as you are done
• Keep walkways clear of cords and clutter

Climb carefully

• Do not use chairs or boxes as a makeshift ladder
• Use ladders and step stools properly

Practice safe lifting

• Bend at the knees, not the back
• Lift with your legs and avoid twisting your body
• Face forward and hold the load close so you can see over it

Take care when transporting heavy materials

• Use a cart or a dolly
• Distribute the weight evenly, and do not overload it
• Move one vehicle at a time, pushing book carts from the end, not the side
• Navigate elevators, corners, and narrow passages with caution

Practice Ergonomics

Optimize your workspace and work habits

• Review the EHS guide to Comfortable Computing (PDF)
• Evaluate your Keyboard and Mouse Use
  
• Conduct a self-audit using a guide from OSU or Oregon OSHA (both PDF)

Take regular breaks from sitting or standing

• Try some office stretches (For even more ideas, check out the Mayo Clinic's short video series.)

Puzzle Challenge

Thanks for your enthusiastic responses to Monday's puzzle. Enjoy Tuesday's challenge, a word scramble (PDF), and take care as you move through the day, at work and at play (fix link).

safety-puzzle-fallen-phrases.pdf

Good afternoon!

We take safety seriously in The Valley Library, but we can also have fun brushing up on safety knowledge and preparing for emergencies. You can dance if you want to, or you can tackle the attached fallen phrase puzzle.

Choose from the letters that have “fallen”  below each column to reconstruct three important Safety Week phrases. The title is a big hint, and you’ll find all the answers by studying today’s email tip.

The first person to reply with a correct answer wins a door prize, and everyone who completes the puzzle earns a raffle entry.

The OSULP Safety Council

Safety_Word_Search.pdf

The conclusion of Safety Week is a great time to review the OSU General and Office Safety presentation (download). Below are some highlights that address health and safety in our work environment.

Accident Prevention

We can keep the following ideas in mind every day to help prevent accidents at work.

Avoid tripping hazards

• Close file drawers as soon as you are done
• Do not place cords across walkways
• Keep floors and stairways clear of clutter

Practice safe climbing

• Do not use chairs or boxes as a ladder

Use ladders and step stools properly
Kids, do not try this at work!

Practice safe book transport

• Do not overload carts
• Distribute weight evenly on the cart
• Move one cart at a time
• Push the cart from one end—Do not pull it or push it from the side
• Navigate carefully around elevators, corners, and narrow passages

Ergonomics

You can take these steps to help ensure your comfort and health at work.

Evaluate your workstation

• Review OSU’s advice on Comfortable Computing
• Review your typing style using OSU’s Keyboard and Mouse Use guide
• Conduct a self-audit using the OSU guide (PDF) or the Oregon OSHA guide (PDF)
• On request, OSU Environmental Health and Safety will perform ergonomic evaluations and make workstation recommendations

 Work is not supposed to hurt!

Practice safe lifting

• Use the right tools for moving things
• Bend your knees, not your back
• Lift with your legs
• Avoid twisting your body
• Face forward and hold the load close so you can see over it

Thank you for participating in Safety Week at The Valley Library!

The OSULP Safety Council

Word Search Puzzle- ergo.pdf

The following workplace stretches & checklists were pulled from the Department of Consumer & Business Services Oregon OSHA website. http://www.orosha.org/pdf/pubs/1863.pdf This document is full of wonderful information, including links, contacts, images, and expert advice.

Workplace Stretches

v  Daily stretching exercises can help reduce muscle tension and eyestrain, but

stretching doesn’t take the place of a properly setup workstation or cure existing

discomfort. The stretches below take about five minutes. Repeat each

stretch three to five times. Do all of the exercises or just those that relieve tension

in a particular area.

If you have concerns about an existing medical condition or injury, see your

physician before you do any of these exercises.

1. Neck

• Move your head back as far as it will go,

keeping your head and ears level. Next,

move your head forward. Repeat three

times.

• Shrug your shoulders, raising them for

a count of three, then lowering them.

Rotate your shoulders backward, arms

relaxed at your sides. Repeat three times.

2. Shoulders

• Squeeze your shoulder blades together

with your elbows lifted away from your

body. Imagine you have a pencil between

your shoulder blades and you are trying

to trap it and then release it.

3. Back

• Hold your arms straight in front of you

and stretch them forward. Raise your

arms above your shoulders and stretch

them upward.

• Sit relaxed, feet flat on the floor. Imagine

a cable attached to the top of your head

pulling you up. Hold for a count of three,

then relax. Repeat three times.

4. Wrist and hands

• Clench your fists, then release them,

spreading out your fingers. Hold each

position for a count of three.

• In a sitting or standing posture, drop

your arms to your side. Gently shake out

your arms and hands.

5. Lower back

• From a seated posture, lift your leg,

leaving your knee bent slightly. Rotate

your ankle slowly. Point your toes and

then pull them toward your shin.

• Stand up and take a short walk.

Additional Information--- http://www.saif.com/employer/safety/safety_1600.aspx

Environmental Health & Safety will provide workplace ergonomic assessments by appointment. For more information you can contact Dan Kermoyan at 541-737-2505 or email dan.kermoyan@oregonstate.edu

Evaluation Checklist

Work posture

? Head and neck are upright or in line with the torso

(not bent down or back).

? Head, neck, and trunk face forward (not twisted).

? Trunk is perpendicular to the floor

(may lean back into backrest but not forward).

? Shoulders and upper arms are in line with the torso,

perpendicular to the floor, and relaxed.

? Upper arms and elbows are close to the body

(not extended outward).

? Forearms, wrists, and hands are straight and in line.

? Wrists and hands are straight

(not bent up, down, or sideways).

? Thighs are parallel to the floor and the lower legs are

roughly perpendicular to floor.

? Feet rest flat on the floor or are supported by a stable footrest.

? Alternate computer tasks and other activities or take short

breaks to reduce fatigue.

Chair

? Backrest supports the lower back (lumbar area).

? Seat-pan width and depth accommodate the user

(seat pan not too big or small).

? Seat pan does not press against the back of the knees and

lower legs (seat pan not too long).

? Seat pan is cushioned and rounded with a “waterfall” front

(no sharp edge).

? Armrests, if used, support the forearms and do not restrict

movement. 

Keyboard and pointing device

? The keyboard platform is stable and large enough to hold a keyboard

and a pointing device.

? The pointing device is next to the keyboard so it can be operated

without reaching.

? The pointing device is easy to activate and fits the hand comfortably.

? Wrists and hands do not rest on sharp or hard edges.

Monitor

? The top of the screen is at or below eye level so that it can be read

without bending the neck.

? Those who wear bifocal or trifocal lenses can read the screen without

bending the neck.

? The monitor distance allows the user to read the screen without

leaning forward or backward.

? The monitor is directly in front of the user.

? Glare from windows or other light sources does not interfere with

text or images on the screen.

Desk or other work surface

? There is enough space between the top of the user’s thighs and the

work surface or keyboard platform so that the thighs aren’t trapped.

? There is enough space under the work surface for the legs and feet

so that the user can get close enough to the keyboard to type

comfortably.

Accessories

? The document holder is stable and large enough to hold documents.

? The document holder is about the same height and distance from

the user as the monitor screen.

? Palm rests are padded and free of sharp or square edges.

? Palm rests allow the forearms, wrists, and hands to remain in a

straight line.

? A telephone can be used with the head upright (not bent) and

the shoulders relaxed. 

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

Campus by Night

Our 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 – 541-737-5000
• DPS and OSP Personal Safety Escort –  541-737-3010
• Night Owl late-night bus
• 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.

(Go, Catbus, go!)

Be Alert(ed)

Have you checked your registration for the OSU emergency alert system lately? Perhaps you will be surprised, like some of us here at Safety Week headquarters, to find your contact information incomplete or out of date. Quick, to the portal!

Safety on Wheels

Whether you drive a car or ride a bike, you can do plenty 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.

(Animate this car)

Today Ed’s team has raised the bar. You have a choice of three—three!—interactive games.

For game #1, all of you folks using Windows-based computing systems (sorry Apple people!) have the opportunity to play Bike Safety!, a scrolling video game available as a downloadable attachment:

1. Double-click the attachment “BikeSafetyGame_rev2.zip” and specify where you would like to save the file. Downloading it to your desktop may be easiest.
2. Locate the downloaded file. Unzip or extract the file by right-clicking and selecting “Extract Files” or “Unzip files”. Extract it to your desktop.
3. Double-click “BikeSafetyGame_rev2.exe” to launch the Bike Safety! game. (If asked to install an add-on feature like DirectPlay, choose “Skip This Installation.”)
4. Dodge cars and collect helmets to boost your Safety Prowess!
5. To earn a raffle ticket, respond with a screenshot of your Bike Safety! score and please also assure us you understand which side of the street to ride on in the real world.

The other two games are crossword puzzles designed to get you thinking about Crime Prevention and Transportation Safety:

Crime Prevention! Answer Key Passcode: Crime

 Transportation Safety! Answer Key Passcode: flattire

Send your Crime Prevention! / Transportation Safety! crossword results to katie.warrener@oregonstate.edu (or drop a printed copy at the Circulation desk).

Due to the epic nature of today’s challenge, we’ll continue to accept any and all responses (via email or in person at the Circulation desk) until Monday at high noon, when the raffle drawing will be held.

Thank you,

The OSULP Safety Council

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

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

safety-transportation-crossword.pdf

Transportation is the focus of today’s safety message.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

OSU bike commuters have so far logged more than double the miles of our UO rivals in this year’s Bike Commute Challenge, huzzah! Bicycling is an inexpensive, healthy, and fun way to get around. You can take precautions to avoid accidents and keep your ride safe.

• Follow the Rules of the Road. The national DOT includes a nice summary in their bicycling guide for kids.
• Gear up for a safe ride: a helmet for protecting your head, bright and reflective clothing for visibility, lights and reflectors for nighttime. The City of Corvallis offers a rundown of recommended equipment, along with an explanation of state bicycle laws.
• Take road conditions into consideration. Traffic congestion, weather, and road hazards can intensify riding risks. Read more in the OSU Department of Public Safety guide.

(From OSU SPARC on Flickr Commons)

Just Can’t Wait to Get On the Road Again

You can be a good citizen of the road and reduce the risk of vehicle accidents.

• Make sure your vehicle is safe and in working order. The OSU Department of Public Safety offers a handy checklist.
• It’s the law to wear seat belts and use car seats for children.
• Practice defensive driving: stay focused and alert. Master the Secrets of Super Driving.
• Share the road, and be aware of motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

MedlinePlus is a great place to browse for more information on motor vehicle safety.

(From OSU SPARC on Flickr Commons)

So, whether you ride or drive or walk (or jog or… swim?) please take a minute to review these tips for safe trips. And sharpen your pencil for a crossword puzzle - attached! (I have no idea if the clues will make sense, so in parentheses I indicated the number of words.)

The OSULP Safety Council

Transportation_Safety_Scramble.pdf

Today’s safety tips focus on transportation. Have a safe commute, and get your puzzle skills ready for tomorrow’s Safety Week wrap-up!

 Bicycle Safety

Bicycling is inexpensive, non-polluting, healthy, and fun. While many places have bike lanes and protective traffic laws, accidents are still a risk. Be a careful defensive rider, obey traffic laws, and follow these safety guidelines:

1. Wear a helmet

2. Ride with, not against, vehicle traffic

3. Be visible: wear light-colored clothing and equip your bike with lights and reflectors

4. Look both ways and signal before turning

Further reading:

            Bicycle Safety on campus (Department of Public Safety & Oregon State Police), http://oregonstate.edu/dept/security/bicycle-safety

            City of Corvallis Bike Safety, http://www.ci.corvallis.or.us/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=461&Itemid=405

Oregon Parks & Recreation Bicycle Safety Tips, http://cms.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/GoPlay/Pages/play_safe_tips.aspx#Bicycle_Safety

Kids and Bicycle Safety (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/kidsandbikesafetyweb/

Vehicle Safety

You can be safer on the road by following these basic rules:

• Wear your seat belt. Passengers, too! And use car seats for children.
• Use your turn signals and dim your headlights.
• Share the road: Be aware of bicycles and motorcycles, and watch for pedestrians.

And you can reduce risk by embracing the keys to defense driving:

• Stay focused, and cut out distractions
• Stay alert
• Be aware of your surroundings and your fellow travelers
• Maintain a safe following distance (3-4 seconds)
• Control your speed

Vehicle safety resources:

Department of Public Safety & Oregon State Police Vehicle Safety Checklist, http://oregonstate.edu/dept/security/vehicle-safety-checklist

MedlinePlus Motor Vehicle Safety, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/motorvehiclesafety.html

The Keys to Defensive Driving (KidsHealth), http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/driving/driving_safety.html

The OSULP Safety Council

Word Search Puzzle- bike safety.pdf

Bicycle Safety Tips 

1. Always wear a helmet.
2. Obey all traffic controls; ride in the same direction as traffic.
3. Obey speed limits.
4. Ride your bicycle near the right edge of the road.
5. Obey “No Bikes on Trail” signs.
6. Never “walk” your dog while riding a bicycle.
7. Never carry another person on your bicycle.
8. Always use hand signals when turning or stopping.
9. Look out for cars at cross streets, campsites and parking places.
10. Be careful when checking traffic and don't swerve when looking over your shoulder.
11. Give pedestrians the right-of-way.
12. Keep your bicycle in good condition.
13. Always ride carefully.

In addition, when riding on trails remember:

1. Purchase and use all required and available safety gear.
2. Let others know where you are going riding and when you plan on being back.
3. Always plan ahead. Bring maps, water and overnight emergency supplies for longer rides.
4. Never ride alone.
5. Stay on marked and designated roads and trails.
6. Maintain your bicycle in safe operating condition.
7. Act responsibly and have respect for other recreation users and natural resources.
8. Ride cautiously. Trail conditions are constantly changing, be ready for anything.
9. Take all precautions to have a safe and enjoyable trail ride. A good day riding is one with no damages or injuries at the end.

Additional Information---- http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/GoPlay/play_safe_tips.shtml#Bicycle_Safety_

Additional Information---- http://www.livestrong.com/article/100377-bicycle-safety-tips/

Bicycle Safety in Corvallis…

 Always ride with (in the same direction) as the flow of traffic.
Obey all traffic signs and signals.
On downtown sidewalks and on Monroe Avenue sidewalks from 14th to Arnold Way, you must walk your bike.
On sidewalks where bicycle riding is allowed, you must yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian and give an audible warning before overtaking and passing. You must also slow to a speed not greater than an ordinary walk when near a crosswalk, driveway, or pedestrian ramp.
When riding at less than the normal speed of traffic on streets without bike lanes, you must ride as close as practical to the right curb or edge of the roadway to allow traffic to move smoothly.
Bicyclists must use the following hand signals:  For a left turn, extend the left arm; for a right turn, extend the right arm or extend the left arm creating a 90 degree angle with the hand extended upwards.
For riding at times of low visibility, such as at night or in fog, a white headlight visible 500 feet to the front and a red reflector visible 600 feet to the rear are required.
The law requires bicycle helmets for bicycle riders under the age of 16 and for bicycle passengers under the age of 16. However, a helmet is recommended for all ages at all times.
Park your bike in a safe place where it will not be an obstruction or hazard to others. Bicycles parked on sidewalks, at building entrances, in roadways, and in driveways can be dangerous. Recommended Bike Equipment For night riding wear bright and reflective clothing. Also, have reflectors on the wheel spokes to allow you to be visible from the side. A bell or horn can help to warn people of your presence. Sirens or whistles are prohibited because they may be confused with emergency vehicles. Your brakes should be good enough to skid on dry pavement. While riding, bicycle helmets are HIGHLY recommended for bicyclists of all ages and abilities. When buying a helmet be sure it meets ANSI safety performance standards. Other protective clothing such as sturdy shoes and heavy pants prevent minor spills from causing major abrasion.

Additional Information---- http://www.ci.corvallis.or.us/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=461&Itemid=405

Corvallis Bicycle Laws Under Oregon Law, ORS 814.400(1)(a), all bicycles ridden on public streets are subject to the same rules and regulations as motor vehicles, except for those that cannot apply. Some basic Corvallis bicycle rules are: