Narrator :
The University of Texas
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is a place of energy and purpose, where more than
15,000 people work together toward the elimination of cancer. Responding to
increased patient demand and tremendous advances in research, M. D. Anderson is
experiencing unprecedented growth. And the institution is dedicated to
providing a safe environment for its employees, patients, visitors and students,
as well as for the many construction personnel working here every day.
Title:
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - Construction Safety Orientation
Don Armstrong :
Hello, I’m Don Armstrong. This video highlights the basic safety
requirements for all construction and renovation activities at M. D. Anderson. All
contractor personnel must comply with the rules and regulations presented in
this video, as well as with the requirements in the Project Safety
Specifications and any additional local, state or federal rules and regulations
that may apply to your work. A copy of this document may be
obtained from your M. D. Anderson representative.
Title:
Safety and Good Conduct Requirements
Don Armstrong:
Let’s talk about basic good conduct rules that all personnel must follow in
order to minimize interrupting hospital operations.
First, M. D. Anderson
is a no smoking Institution. Neither smoking nor tobacco use is allowed on
any Institutional property. The consumption of alcoholic beverages or controlled
substances is also strictly forbidden.
One of the “core values” at M. D. Anderson is “caring", caring for our
patients and each other. In keeping with our “caring” values,
contractor personnel should be courteous to all patients, visitors and employees
at all times. Use of foul and offensive language will not be
tolerated, and your personal grooming and hygiene must be acceptable. Also,
clothing, accessories or hardhat stickers that display offensive, derogatory or
inflammatory wording or graphics cannot be worn on the worksite.
Radios or music are not allowed on the project site, because you must be
able to hear alarms and warning announcements in the immediate
area.
Since electronic medical device failures have been attributed to
the close-proximity of wireless communication devices like two-way radios and
cell phones. It’s possible for these devices to cause interference, even
while in the “STANDBY” mode. Be sure to ask if you can use these devices
in your assigned work area.
Title:
Identification Badges & Check-in
Don Armstrong:
It is M. D. Anderson’s policy to issue an ID badge to all contract personnel.
These badges must be worn at all times in a highly visible manner while on
property owned or under the control of the Institution.
All contractors must register their work activities and schedules on a daily basis. This will allow us to know where active work is being performed in the event of an emergency. You’ll be informed of the specific registration procedures for each facility in which you will be working.
Title:
Confined Spaces
Don Armstrong:
Contractors working in confined spaces will be monitored for compliance with
the applicable OSHA regulations. Remember that confined spaces may
not always be clearly identified so it is best to ask before entering any of
these areas. The minimum OSHA requirements for personal protective equipment, or PPE, shall be required of ALL persons on the project site.
Examples of the type of PPE that may be required are safety hard hats, eye
protection, sturdy boots or shoes, clothing, hearing protection, hand
protection, harnesses, lifelines and lanyards for fall protection, and
respiratory protection. If you work in areas that are not protected by a
standard guardrail system, or if the area presents a fall hazard greater than
six feet, you are required to comply with all OSHA applicable fall protection
requirements and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
Title:
Hazardous Substances
Narrator:
On the work site, the proper steps must also be taken to minimize any odors
or disturbances caused by certain materials. A printed, legible copy of the
material safety data sheet must be readily accessible to all personnel.
All materials must be approved for use and must be stored in properly labeled
containers. Approved hazardous materials shall be limited to amounts that
can be used in one shift. If you are unsure whether a product will create an
odor problem, it’s best to contact the Environmental Health and Safety
Department for approval before starting work.
Title:
Environmental Rules/Policies
Don Armstrong:
It’s important for all construction personnel who are adhering to rules of
good personal conduct to also respect environmental rules and
polices.
Narrator:
For example, absolutely no chemicals, trash, or dirt may be
disposed of in storm sewers. You must maintain the silt protection screen
material applied to all exterior drains to prevent accumulation of silt and
trash. And you must dispose of chemicals in an approved manner and never
poured down drains or placed in trash receptacles. Also, if you think your
work may disturb any suspected asbestos-containing building materials…then you
must contact the Environmental Health and Safety office who will ensure that the
materials have tested “safe to disturb.”
Title:
Indoor Air Quality
Don Armstrong:
It is critical to the health of our patients that the correct controls
are in place to ensure good indoor air quality and that site conditions
are maintained during construction and maintenance activities.
Narrator:
Many
construction activities disturb existing dust and/or create new dust, which
could potentially cause the release of Aspergillus and other mold spores into
the air.
Don Armstrong:
These spores can result in serious complications, and possibly
even death, for immunocompromised individuals. An Indoor Air Quality Permit is
required for every project, no matter the duration. The permit will explain the
requirements needed to maintain the best possible air quality.
Narrator:
It also may
be necessary for you to work in a portable work containment unit to minimize the
impact to patients. Many areas may require the use of these containment
units.
All work sites will be subject to periodic inspections by M. D. Anderson’s Environmental Health and Safety Department. When safety and indoor air quality deficiencies are found, they must be corrected immediately to ensure a safe jobsite. The inspectors will also be looking for indoor air quality deficiencies by using instruments to measure particulate matter, bioaerosols and/or other indoor air quality parameters.
Title:
Worksite Housekeeping
Narrator:
You are also responsible for ensuring that project sites are effectively
cleaned at the end of each workday. A clean work area is important in
reducing the amount of injuries and possible fires that could result from
cluttered and dirty work areas.
Eating is not allowed on the jobsite. Limited amounts of soft drinks and water will be allowed but must be removed on a daily basis as to prevent attraction of insects or rodents. Glass bottles are prohibited.
It is prohibited to chain ladders, equipment or tool storage boxes to building equipment or to mechanical, electrical or plumbing fixtures or piping. And all equipment must be stored in a manner to prevent blocked fire exits, escape routes or access to equipment or facilities. Also, you must store and secure all flammable and combustible liquids and gases in proper containers or non-flammable storage cabinets. Proper storage is very important for preventing fires or spills. And finally, all wheeled equipment should have non-marking wheels, or tape shall be used over wheels when moving through non-project areas to prevent marking and damage to floor surfaces. Tape can be removed once the equipment is in the job-site area.
Title:
Roof and Exterior Work
Narrator:
All roof work and work conducted over the side of a building, such as window
washing or exterior work, must be approved by the facility campus operations
managing engineer prior to project start. Some areas of roofs may be
restricted due to potentially hazardous exhaust from laboratories or
processes. Obtain approval before proceeding with entering any roof
areas.
Title:
Warning Signs & Barracades
Narrator:
You’re required to follow all the posted warning signs and barricades at
construction areas. Never deface any posted warning signs. However,
you may remove or relocate warning signs or barricades with permission from your
supervisor when appropriate. If you find yourself working in public areas,
you may need to post temporary warning signs and barricades to warn others of
your activities.
Title:
Electrical Safety
Don Armstrong:
Also, practicing the proper electrical safety techniques is required at M. D.
Anderson. Failure to follow the proper electrical safety procedures is
potentially very dangerous.
Narrator:
All electrical power tools, equipment and
extension cords must be inspected daily before use. Defective items should
be immediately removed from service for repair or replacement. Be aware
that red outlets are for critical emergency power requirements provided by
the Emergency Generator System and should NOT be used by contractor
personnel.
Ground fault circuit interrupters, GFI’s,
should be attached in between the permanent receptacle and any contractor
equipment. Also, battery powered portable hand tool charging stations and
extension cords are not to be plugged into outlets in hallways or near exit
stairs, because these could create a trip hazard. It is also important to
note that contractors are not allowed to turn on or off any electrical source
breakers or switches without permission and assistance from the respective M. D.
Anderson Facilities Management representative for that building or space.
Turning on or off electrical power supplies may interrupt critical operations or
patient care activities.
Title:
Lock Out/Tag Out
Narrator:
It is M. D. Anderson’s policy to protect its employees and contractors from
all potentially harmful energy sources during maintenance and repair or
construction activities. Each M. D. Anderson facility has a Lock Out/Tag Out
program that must be carefully followed. And Lock Out/Tag Out procedures
may be specific to each type of equipment or device. Only the authorized
employee or contractor who applied a lock is allowed to remove it from the
isolated device. M. D. Anderson personnel may add their locks or tags to
tagged-out devices in addition to yours. However, unauthorized
removal of these tags/locks will be grounds for immediate and permanent removal
from the jobsite. If tags/locks remain on equipment, contact the facility
manager for resolution to the removal process
Title:
Fire & Life Safety
Narrator:
A valid and signed Hot Work Permit must be obtained any time work
involves incendiary or heat producing activities such as: welding,
cutting/soldering, grinding or other high heat producing sources. Any work on
medical gas systems must have an approved permit issued from the Facilities
Engineering Department responsible for that area prior to work. The requestor is
responsible for completely filling out sections I, II and III before the
request will be approved. Environmental Health and Safety, or a designee,
will investigate the area and sign and approve or disapprove the request in
section IV.
A good rule of thumb for fire protection is that you should inspect your work area daily to ensure that your fire extinguishers and other fire safety devices and controls are easily accessible and are functioning properly. In order to decrease the amount of “false alarms” from dusts created by construction activities, you must cover and uncover all smoke detectors at the beginning and end of each workweek but only if fire sprinklers are not impaired. Covering smoke detectors or any unapproved items that can agitate or damage a detector is prohibited. Use approved covers that are easily removed without damaging or disturbing the detector. Before covering and uncovering smoke detectors, contact EH&S or Monitoring Services so they can submit a ‘disregard.’
All combustible materials, materials such as cardboard and paper, must be stored only in approved areas. All flammable liquid products are limited to one day’s supply when used inside buildings. Also, no internal combustion engines or portable propane heating devices are allowed in any institutional buildings without the written consent of the Environmental Health and Safety Department. Compressed flammable gas cylinders must be secured by chain or other suitable method to prevent tipping or falling over. Safety caps should be securely installed when tanks are not in use. Also, remember to never tape door locks or latch mechanisms or prop open any exterior door, security door, stairwell door, or fire / smoke door, because construction areas must be secured at all times to resist unauthorized access and to limit smoke and fire spread. And finally, personnel may not disconnect any electronic security device or defeat lock systems. These lock systems are important for life safety and security purposes.
Title:
Emergencies
Don Armstrong:
M. D. Anderson has specific procedures that must be followed in case of
emergency.
Narrator:
In the event of a fire alarm, stop all work and turn off all sources
of ignition or hazardous work. Notify others in your area and proceed to the
nearest stairwell and wait for further instructions. In the event of a
smoke, fire or emergency incident, follow these procedures: RACE – Rescue,
Alarm, Confine, Evacuate/Extinguish. Rescue others if possible. Activate the
fire alarm. Close all doors. Extinguish, if possible, or Evacuate. When
reporting a fire by phone, call 911. Give your name, the location of the fire
and a brief description of the incident. Do not hang up until you are told
to do so.
Don Armstrong:
Be prepared to guide the Fire Alarm Response Team and Emergency
Responders to the fire location. If told to evacuate, all contractor personnel must report to their designated
assembly area immediately.
Title:
Injuries & Incidents
Don Armstrong:
If you suffer an injury requiring immediate
medical treatment, you will be taken to the emergency room of a local
hospital. M. D. Anderson does not provide these emergency services.
Narrator:
If an
injured worker cannot be moved and assistance is needed, contact the Houston
Fire Department at 911 for an ambulance. If you sustain an injury requiring
treatment, beyond minor Job Site First Aid, it should be reported immediately to
your M. D. Anderson representative. Also, all incidents that result in
property damage must be reported to your M. D. Anderson representative.
Don Armstrong:
What we have just covered in this video are a few of the
precautions that must be followed in order to ensure a safe and successful
project here at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Narrator:
For
additional safety requirements and procedures, refer to the Project Safety
Specifications given to you by your M. D. Anderson representative.
Don Armstrong:
Thank
you for watching.
©2008 The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
Center
1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030
1-800-392-1611 (USA) /
1-713-792-6161