Number of work-related accidents drop

Total work-related accidents for the university dropped 20 per cent during the past year, from 105 during 1997-98 to 84 during 1998-99. Accidents involving lost workdays dropped from 23 during 1997-98 to 15 during 1998-99, while non-disabling accidents fell from 82 to 69. Facilities Management saw in excess of a 66 per cent drop in disabling accidents for the year, from 12 during 1997-98 to 4 in 1998-99, a remarkable achievement.

All university units are to be commended on their injury prevention efforts during the year. Let's keep the downward trend moving into the new millennium.

Work Place Accidents

Table 1: Total accidents reported.
		          1997 - 98		 1998 - 99
Disabling		      23		     15
Total	                     105		     84

Table 2: Total accidents reported by department.
			     1997 - 98                   1998 - 99
Department            Disabling  Non-disabling	  Disabling  Non-disabling
Facilities Mgmt.          12	      14               4	   13
Canada Games Park	   4	      12	       3           14
QEII Library		   1	       6	       0            8
Marine Inst.		   1	       4	       1            5
O.S.C.			   0	       9	       0            2
Other (less than 5)        5	      37               7           27
Total			  23	      82	      15           69

Bike racks are the best storage place

The Safety and Environmental Services unit has recently received complaints about bicycles being taken into campus buildings and stored in offices and corridors. This practice creates problems for the people responsible for building security, safety and cleanliness. On first glance, a bicycle stored in an office, away from public access would not seem to present a problem, but the fact is that bicycles obstruct the workplace. They can create tripping hazards, take up space, damage flooring and transfer dirt into buildings. Bicycles stored inside buildings may also impede the flow of pedestrian traffic in the event of an emergency and lead to personal injury.

Appropriate bicycle racks, placed strategically around building entrances, are the only authorized parking areas for bicycles. If you feel that there is a need for additional racks in your area or if the racks in your area are damaged, contact the Facilities Management Work Control Centre. Plans are in place to upgrade signage around building entrances to inform and give guidance on this issue.

The support and assistance of bicycle users will help make the campus a safer and cleaner place for all.

Glass-cleaning agent can cause explosion

An old bottle of chromic acid exploded recently in a university laboratory causing damage to a storage cupboard and the floor tiles. No one was injured in the incident. Chromic acid, used as a glass cleaning agent, is highly corrosive, toxic and a strong oxidizer. During long-term storage, gas production in the acid can create enough pressure build-up to rupture a glass bottle. Bottles of chromic acid should be vented to avoid this build up. Laboratory staff are reminded to use extra caution when using this chemical and, wherever possible, to find a safer alternative. If you are unsure of the condition or age of a chromic acid solution, do not attempt to open it -- call Safety & Environmental Services at 737-4320 for assistance.

Safety Notes is compiled by the Office of Safety and Environmental Services, Department of University Works, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada, A1C 5S7. It is distributed in the university's employee newsletter, The Communicator, and to external safety organizations. For further information contact Wally Drover, manager of safety and environmental services, 709-737-4349.