Industrial Hygiene
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Falls from portable ladders (step, straight, combination, and extension) are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. Ladder accidents are mainly the result of improper ladder selection or setup, overreaching/loss or balance, and slipping while climbing up or down. The design and use of ladders must comply with all federal, State, and local requirements including, but not limited to, the applicable portions of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standard 29 CFR 1910.23 and/or 29 CFR 1926.1053. OSHA has also created a two page Quick Card with important information for using ladders safely in the workplace.
Additionally, Farmingdale State College (FSC) has developed a ladder safety program that includes employee training, ladder inspections, and taking account of FSC’s ladder inventory. Ladder safety training is provided by FSC’s Industrial Hygiene Officer (or a qualified designee), using a Ladder Safety Training Attestation Form, and ladder inspections are conducted using a Ladder Inspection Checklist.
Energy sources including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other sources in machines and equipment can be hazardous to workers. During the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment, the unexpected startup or release of stored energy can result in serious injury or death to workers.
Proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices and procedures safeguard workers from hazardous energy releases. The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) standard for The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) (29 CFR 1910.147) for general industry, outlines specific action and procedures for addressing and controlling hazardous energy during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment. As such, Farmingdale State College (FSC) endeavors to train each affected employee to ensure that they know, understand, and are able to follow the applicable provisions of FSC's Written Lockout/Tagout Program.
Molds are the most common forms of fungi found on earth. They can grow on almost any material, as long as moisture and oxygen are available. Most molds reproduce through the formation of spores - tiny microscopic cells that are resistant to drying and can be released into the air. Airborne spores are found both indoors and outdoors. When spores land on a suitable moist surface, they are able to grow where they not only can destroy the surface and underlying materials, but they can also cause adverse health effects if inhaled or exposed to in large quantities.
There are no regulatory standards, thresholds, or guidelines that govern mold, but there are resources available that can help with the prevention, and in some cases the cleanup, of mold. For example, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) provides information about reducing mold growth in schools (EPA - Mold and Indoor Air Quality in Schools). The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) created a guidance document (OSHA Mold Guidance Document) to help with the prevention of mold related problems within the workplace. Farmingdale State College’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety has created a Mold Fact Sheet to provide the fundamentals of what to do when mold is encountered on campus. For example, employees can obtain disinfecting wipes to effectively eliminate minor instances of mold by making a request through Mail & Supply. These wipes contain a small amount of sodium hypochlorite, otherwise known as bleach. Since bleach has the potential to irritate the skin, disposable nitrile gloves will also be provided. Please note that bleach (these wipes) can also discolor clothing and fabric. Additional information on proper handling and usage of these wipes can be found on the product safety data sheet (SDS).
environmental health & safety
Service Building, Room 121
934-420-2105
ehs@farmingdale.edu
Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm