Auxiliary Adviser"Providing Services That Power Education" |
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| Volume 2, Issue 1 |
September
2001
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Message from the Board of Education Chair
Kathryn Watson Quigg
Hats off to Child Nutrition for offering free breakfasts on End-of-Grade testing day. That's truly all areas working toward the Goal. Thanks for all the great work that is done in Auxiliary Services. It takes everyone to make the system work, and I fear we don't recognize everyone as we should. I'm proud to be Chair of the BOE with such great service providers on staff.
The Joy of Pepsi
EnergySavers and Pepsi have formed a partnership to assist in our schools' efforts to save energy. Pepsi will remove the lights in the front of Pepsi machines in all of the teacher lounges. The coin return will still be lit and removing the lights will not affect the temperature of the drinks, it will only reduce energy costs. The machines will still work, even after the lights have been removed. This program will save Wake County schools more than $94,000/yr and save individual schools $218/yr per machine.
Also, as part of a pilot program in most high schools, Pepsi will install a piece of equipment (VendingMiser) on every Pepsi machine. The VendingMiser reduces the number of cycles that the compressor operates while maintaining a steady temperature so that the drinks stay cold. Half of the high schools will have the lights in the front doors removed and half of the high schools will keep the lights. In the Pepsi machines with lights, VendingMisers will turn off the lights when there is no movement.
The purpose of the pilot program is to see if removing the lights permanently (which ultimately saves more energy) will negatively affect sales. If we let everyone know that we have removed the lights to save energy and that the machines still work, the program will not affect sales - it will only reduce energy costs! If the pilot program proves to be successful, all Pepsi machines will be fitted with a VendingMiser and the lights will be removed starting February 1, 2002.
In the near future, all snack machine vendors will be required to remove the lights from their machines to save schools even more energy. If you have any questions, please call Jeri Preddy at 856-8011.
Second Time Around
Everyone knows that recycling can make a world of difference for our environment, and that is why the EnergySavers Program has made recycling so easy for schools to do their part. School staff can simply place empty cartridges into the EnergySavers Ziplock bag and send through the courier. All types of empty cartridges are accepted. Encourage the help of neighbors, friends and area businesses. Parents can be involved by bringing in cartridges from their place of employment. Schools will earn up to $1.50 per cartridge.
We can't solve the entire recycling issue, but the EnergySavers Program can make a difference with your help. Each empty ink jet cartridge that we recycle back into circulation decreases the amount of solid waste that is put into our landfills. It also reduces the amount of limited natural resources required to produce new cartridges. There are over 125 million pounds of empty toner cartridges dumped into U.S. landfills annually. Unfortunately, these cartridges are made up of high-grade industrial plastics that take at least 10 centuries or 1,000 years to decompose.
Please take an interest in the future of our children and our environment. If you have any questions, please call Christina Larkins at 856-3715.
On A More Personal Note
In an effort to boost the technology skills of state and local government workers and public education employees, North Carolina government is offering employee discounts and low-interest loans for employees to purchase personal, home computers. You must be, or become, a member of the State/Local Employees Credit Union to take advantage of this opportunity.
Through a partnership with computer manufacturers, the State Employees' Credit Union and NC Local Government Employees' Federal Credit Union offer loans at a fixed rate of seven percent with a three-year term for up to $3,500.
To take part in this program, first choose a computer system from the approved list of vendors. Next, select a payment option and place the order (on-line, by phone or in the store).
For a list of vendors and other details, go to www.getapcnc.net or call 1-800-722-3946.
Welcome Aboard
Cynthia Holzschuh is the new secretary to the senior director of maintenance and operations. Monday, Aug. 20, was her first day with WCPSS after working for the City of Clayton the past few years.
Jeff Fleegle is the new heat shop foreman. Fleegle has served in a lead role for some time and has been a tremendous support to energy and physical plant.
The Dirty Dozen: OSHA's TOP 12 VIOLATIONS
By Robin Pace
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) cites
employers for failing to comply with safety and health standards
that protect you and help eliminate life-threatening mistakes.
The top 12 violations are as follows:
1. Lack of a written Hazard Communication Program
2. Lack of employee information and training regarding hazard
communication
3. Lack of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
4. Lack of an Energy Control Program
5. Lack of machine guarding
6. Lack of exposure adjustment
7. Lack of identification of hazardous materials
8. Lack of medical services and first aid
9. Lack of appropriate hazard warnings
10. Lack of guarding of pulleys
11. Lack of personal protective equipment
12. Lack of guarding for point of operation on machinery
Last month we looked at the top six violations, this month we will examine the next six most common OSHA citations.
7 - Lack of identification of hazardous materials
There are two types of chemical hazards: physical hazards
which produce a dangerous situation outside the body and health
hazards which cause internal damage. Each department must
compile a list of the hazardous chemicals used in their respective
areas.
Chemical manufacturers must identify all physical and health hazards and report them by attaching warning labels and accurate MSDSs to chemical containers. But, it is up to you to read the labels and MSDSs.
8 - Lack of medical services and first aid
Whenever there is a chance for exposure to chemicals or corrosive
materials, first aid facilities must be immediately available.
Not having these facilities accounts for numerous violations.
According to OSHA, eye wash stations must not be blocked and
should be accessible within 10 seconds. Ideally, they should
be located less than 100 feet away from employees. First aid
facilities should be clearly marked and all personnel trained
in their use.
9 - Lack of appropriate hazard warnings
Hazard warnings come in the form of labels on containers and
equipment, and on signs in areas where hazards are present.
A good hazard warning sign must be clear, easy to read and easy to understand. Then it must be prominently displayed so that every employee who needs to see it, will.
Look at the hazard warnings in your workplace and make sure they clearly state: BE CAREFUL!
10 - Lack of guarding of pulleys
Pulleys are rotating wheels driven by a belt or chain. Pulleys are deceptively dangerous and must be adequately guarded when they are seven feet or less from the floor - such as those on drill presses. Pulleys must also be guarded when serving as balancing wheels, where the point of contact between belt and pulley is more than six feet and six inches from the floor to the platform.
11 - Lack of personal protective equipment
Violating the personal protective equipment (PPE) Standard
may have painful or devastating consequences:
· Chemical burn to the hand or eyes because of not wearing
gloves or goggles
· Amputation of a foot or toes for not wearing appropriate
foot protection
Make sure you wear the appropriate personal protective equipment for the job you are performing. This may mean that you will only need safety goggles or gloves for a particular job. It depends on the potential hazards that exist for that particular task. Personal protective equipment you may be required to wear includes gloves, safety glasses, hard hats, respirators, and safety shoes. Follow the WCPSS policy and procedures for PPE and consult the job safety analysis for the task at hand. Also, be sure that you know how to properly wear your PPE, as well as maintain it.
12 - Lack of guarding for point of operation on machinery
This violation is closely associated with #5, machine guarding.
The point of operation is where work such as cutting, shaping,
grinding or boring is involved. Accidental contact with the
point of operation can cause a disabling accident in a millisecond.
Well, there they are, the Dirty Dozen, the top 12 OSHA violations according to the Department of Labor. These 12 important safety violations are regularly cited year after year. Do your part to prevent violations - and to protect yourself - by putting safety first. Don't let working with machinery and chemicals become routine. When you find yourself no longer concentrating on your job because it has become second nature - STOP! Remember that your job can be extremely hazardous if you don't take every precaution.
Your safety, and the safety of your co-workers, depends on YOU!
Safety hotline, 713-0588
Robin Pace, safety officer, 856-8141
Training Classes
Basic Tao E-Mail
Sept. 26
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Training Center
Basic Tao E-Mail
Sept. 26
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Training Center
Introduction to Windows 98
Oct. 2
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Training Center
Overview of Word
Oct. 4
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Training Center
Overview of Excel
Oct. 9
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Training Center
Sign-up sheets are in the Operations Building break room. If the Tao classes fill up, two more will be scheduled for Oct. 3. All training classes will be held in the Operations Training Center (room 262). If you have any questions, please contact Judy Cox at 664-5728 or e-mail jscox@wcpss.net.
Stay Informed
The Auxiliary Adviser is e-mailed to subscribers in the school system and the community; and posted on the Intranet, Internet, and Auxiliary Services Tao bulletin board. A hard copy of the Adviser is also posted on bulletin boards in the Maintenance and Facilities Buildings, placed in each maintenance shop's box, and one is sent to the head custodian and child nutrition staff at each school.
To have the newsletter e-mailed to you directly, simply send an e-mail with "subscribe" in the subject line, to kwood@wcpss.net.
Auxiliary Services Division
Vision
Providing Services That Power Education
Mission Statement
Provide quality facilities and support services to ensure
safe, healthy, inviting and optimal learning environments.
Goals
1) Recruit and retain qualified employees
2) Secure funding to provide quality facilities and support
services
3) Provide a safe and comfortable working environment