NOS SAFETY/ENVIRONMENTAL QUARTERLY REPORT

**3^nd^ EDITION JULY 2004**

#### The field season has begun for many program activities and, unfortunately, our incident rates are showing it. The third quarter showed 8 incidents compared to 2 last year for the same period. We are double the number of incidents for the first three quarters compared to the same period last year. The increase, however, appears to be due to better reporting and one particular incident that affected 10 individuals. Hopefully, with the increased focus on safety we can keep our numbers down. THINK SAFETY!

**[SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS]{.underline}**

# NOS Safety Action Plan Approved

The NOS Safety Action Plan for the remainder of FY 2004 was approved by
the NOAA Safety Council in May (see attachment). The Plan covers NOAA's
highest priorities including safety inspections, safety training,
incident reporting, small boat/motor vehicle operations, awareness and
communication activities, and occupant emergency planning. Individual
Program/Staff Offices developed additional goals and these were approved
by the Assistant Administrator. Sometime in July or August a request
will come out for FY 2005 plans.

# Official Start of the STAR Program

Although many supervisors began implementing monthly safety
inspections/observations shortly after they completed the STAR training,
the official start of the program in NOS didn't begin until the May 2004
inspection. The first summary reports were submitted June 15 for the
Deputy Assistant Administrator's review. A summary of the May
inspections showed that 91% of the supervisors conducted inspections and
172 findings were cited. The top five findings had to do with earthquake
issues, emergency information, ergonomics, safety equipment/supplies,
and trip hazards. A complete breakdown was sent out to Program/Staff
Office Directors and Designated Responsible Officials for their
information.

# Recycling at its Best

The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Center for
Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research (CCFHR) in Beaufort, NC, has a
caretaker's house on campus that was constructed in 1929. The structure
was occupied until 2003, but because of safety and environmental
concerns it was determined that it should no longer be occupied. The
house would be very expensive to restore and does not have a use in the
Center's development plan so it is no longer needed. What to do? Tear it
down? No, donate!

The CCFHR Laboratory is transferring the entire structure to the North
Carolina Maritime Museum to be the focal point in a historic village
being planned in Beaufort. The Museum will relocate the building at
their cost, place a plaque on the building denoting the NOAA donation
and allow CCFHR the opportunity to display historic and modern sampling
gear and information concerning NOAA's mission. A win/win situation for
all!

**[New ECHSSO Staff Members]{.underline}**

The NOAA Environmental Compliance, Health and Safety and Security Office
(ECHSSO) has reorganized and filled some badly needed positions. The
Regional Safety Managers (RSM's) now report directly to the NOAA Safety
Manager instead of the Administrative Service Centers and they have
combined the Eastern and National Capital Area regional positions for
safety and environmental compliance. Following is a current staff
listing:

**[NOAA ECHSSO Director]{.underline}** <Bruce.Zaczynski@noaa.gov>
301-713-2870 x122

Secretary <Gail.P.Gebert@noaa.gov> 301-713-2870 x113

Budget <Jon.Randle@noaa.gov> 301-713-2870 x123

Special Projects <Janet.M.Williams@noaa.gov> 301-713-2870 x118

IT Support <Tom.Simon@noaa.gov> 206-526-6295

[Health and Safety Division Chief]{.underline}
<Thomas.Altvater@noaa.gov> 301-713-2870 x132

EASC/NCASC RSM Currently reviewing applicants 301-713-2870

CASC RSM <Ronald.D.Mattox@noaa.gov> 816-426-3925 x242

MASC RSM <Rhonda.S.Carpenter@noaa.gov> 303-497-3912

WASC RSM <Joe.G.Duran@noaa.gov> 206-526-6049

[EC Division Chief]{.underline} <Bernie.Denno@noaa.gov> 301-713-2870
x101

EASC/NCASC RECO <Daniel.B.McGoldrick@noaa.gov> 301-713-2870 x110

CASC RECO <Andy.Poppen@noaa.gov> 816-426-3925 x284

MASC RECO <Mark.George@noaa.gov> 303-497-3064

WASC RECO Vacant (Trinh Actg.) 206-526-6647

Environmental Engineer <William.L.Freeman@noaa.gov> 301-713-2870 x111

NOAA NECSAS/EMS Coordinator <Thanh.M.Trinh@noaa.gov> 206-526-6647

Engineer <Craig.Gillis@noaa.gov> 301-713-2870 x116

New Parking Lot at NCCOS Oxford Cooperative Laboratory Reduces Nonpoint
Source Pollution

Parking lot runoff is a major source of chemical contaminant loading in
urban watersheds, due to impermeable surfaces (concrete or asphalt)
accelerating the runoff. A newly constructed parking lot at the Oxford
Cooperative Laboratory has used permeable brick pavers, which allows for
water infiltration, significantly reducing nonpoint source runoff of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other contaminants. The use of
brick pavers allows for rainfall to infiltrate the soils and reduce
chemical contaminant runoff. This is the second NCCOS facility to
construct a permeable parking lot, as earlier a permeable gravel parking
lot was constructed at the Hollings Marine Laboratory.

**[SAFETY STATISTICS]{.underline}**

[Number of Incidents FY 2003 FY 2004 YTD]{.underline}

1^st^ Quarter 9 5

2^nd^ Quarter 2 14

3^rd^ Quarter 2 8

4^th^ Quarter 2

[Safety Statistics]{.underline}

[Near Miss]{.underline} [Minor]{.underline} [First Aid]{.underline}
[Recordable]{.underline} [Light Duty]{.underline} [Lost
Time]{.underline} [Fatality]{.underline} [Total]{.underline}

2003 0 4 1 7 1 2 0 15

2004 YTD 0 12 6 7 0 2 0 27

2003 Total Recordable (includes all recordable, light duty, lost times,
fatalities): 10

2004 YTD Total Recordable (includes all recordable, light duty, lost
times, fatalities): 9

Total Recordable Goal for FY 2004: 0.93

Total Recordable YTD: 1.20

Lost Time Accident Rate Goal for FY 2004: 0.18

Total Lost Time Accident Rate YTD: 0.27

**[SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL TIPS]{.underline}**

# Green Purchasing

You are required to purchase environmentally preferable and
energy-efficient products and services. This is commonly referred to as
Green Purchasing. Further you must consider environmental factors in all
aspects of Federal acquisition including acquisition planning,
conducting market surveys, describing an agencies needs, evaluating and
selecting a vendor, contract administration, etc. Valuable green
purchasing information including products, tools and resources, can be
found on the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive's (OFEE)
website at: <http://www.ofee.gov/gp/gp.htm>. The OFEE's mission is to
promote sustainable environmental stewardship throughout the Federal
government. Take a look!

## **Stretching**

Stretching is for exercise, but stretching is just as important at work!
During the course of the day, we may repeatedly lift objects, work in
confined spaces, work in/on high risk work areas such as boats/piers, or
sit idle at a desk for hours on end. For these jobs, and every
occupation in between, stretching is a must for optimal performance and
comfort while working. Employees should always remember to stretch
before beginning strenuous activities. Following are some websites
showing stretches for office and computing that all employees can do at
work:

<http://www.shelterpub.com/_fitness/_desk_stretches/stretches_graphic.html>

<http://www.lib.msu.edu/ergomsu/stretch.htm>

<http://www.pc.ibm.com/ww/healthycomputing/index.html>

<http://www.healthycomputing.com/mobile/> (this one addresses laptops,
PDU\'s, Phones)

<http://www.healthycomputing.com/health/stretches/>

# NOAA\'s Homeland Security, Emergency Information for NOAA Employees Website

The Emergency Information for NOAA Employees website
(<https://www.emergency.noaa.gov/>) is a secure website where employees
can get information on occupant emergency, shelter-in-place and
preparedness guides; and up-to-date advisories regarding risk and the
operating status of the federal government. Also included are links to
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, and others. To access the page, you will need
your NOAA user name and e-mail password.

# Cell Phone Usage Update -- Washington, DC

Effective July 1, 2004, anyone using a cell phone while driving in
Washington, DC, must use a hands free device. The penalty is \$100 and
one point.

# Using and Storing Gasoline

#  In the summer, lots of portable containers are used to store and transport fuels for lawnmowers, chainsaws and recreational vehicles. These portable containers can emit hydrocarbons; in addition, spills can leak into ground water. Here are some tips to follow to reduce these concerns:

> **-** [Use Proper Containers]{.underline}. Use only containers
> approved by a nationally recognized testing lab, such as Underwriters
> Laboratories (UL). Containers should be fitted with a spout to allow
> pouring without spilling and to minimize the generation of vapors.
> Always open and use gasoline containers in a well-ventilated area away
> from children and animals.
>
> **-** [Fill Cautiously]{.underline}. Fuel equipment on a hard surface
> such as concrete or asphalt and use a funnel and/or spout to prevent
> spilling or splashing when fueling lawn and recreational equipment and
> always fuel outside where there is adequate ventilation to disperse
> the vapors
>
> **-** [Store Carefully]{.underline}. Store as little gasoline as
> possible and be certain to keep your gasoline container properly
> sealed. Store the gasoline in a cool, dry place and never in direct
> sunlight. Store at ground level to minimize the danger of falling and
> spilling. Do not store gasoline in a car trunk. There is a threat of
> explosion from heat and impact. Do not store gasoline in your
> basement.
>
> **-** [Avoid Spills]{.underline}. Avoid spilling gasoline on the
> ground, especially near wells. If a small spill occurs use kitty
> litter, saw dust or an absorbent towel to soak up the spill, then
> dispose of it properly
>
> **-** [Dispose Properly]{.underline}. Do not dispose of gasoline down
> the drain, into surface water, onto the ground, or in the trash. You
> should check with your town concerning using your local household
> hazardous waste collection for safe disposal of excess or old
> gasoline.

**[SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CALENDAR (EVENTS AND
REMINDERS)]{.underline}**

(Note: Items with an asterisk are DOC/NOAA/NOS sponsored events)

[Monthly]{.underline}

\- Supervisors conduct weekly/monthly STAR safety
observations/inspections (summaries due to the NOS Safety/Environmental
Compliance Office by the 15^th^ of the following month)

\- Supervisors update their lists of who've taken mandatory safety
training (Dupont, STAR, NOAA Safety Awareness)

\- Review and update corrective action plans each month. Those
facilities that have had a NOAA Environmental Compliance and Safety
Assessment Survey (NECSAS) should remember to update their corrective
action plans in the Web-Hosted Assessment Manager (WHAM) until all
findings are closed.

\- Conduct monthly Above-Ground Storage Tank (AST) inspections

\- Conduct monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspections

[July 2004]{.underline}

\- July is Eye Injury Prevention Month

\- \*July 12-17, NECSAS at Olympic Coast NMS and Western Regional Center

\- July 13-14, Dupont Safety Training, Baltimore, MD

\- \*July 21, STAR Supervisory Safety Training, SSMC, MD

[August 2004]{.underline}

\- August 8-11, Energy 2004, Rochester, NY
(<http://www.energy2004.ee.doe.gov/>)

\- \*August 16-20, NECSAS at NCCOS' Cooperative Oxford and Beaufort
Laboratories

[September 2004]{.underline}

\- September 1-7, National Childhood Injury Prevention Week
(<http://www.assafeaspossible.org/>)

\- September 16-17, Dupont Safety Training, New Orleans, LA

\- \*September 27-30, OSHA 600 Collateral Duty Safety Training,
Charleston, SC

[October 2004]{.underline}

\- Energy Awareness Month

\- Children's Health Month (<http://www.childrenshealth.gov/index.html>)

\- October 5-6, Dupont Safety Training, Denver, CO

\- \*October 6-7, Dupont Safety Training, SSMC, MD

\- October 3-9, National Fire Prevention Week - "Test Your Fire Alarms"
(<http://www.nfpa.org/FPW/index.asp>)

\- \*October 13, STAR Supervisory Safety Training, Seattle, WA

\- October 20-24, National Radon Action Week

If you have any questions, would like further information regarding any
of the items in this report or have suggestions of what you'd like to
see included in this report, please contact the NOS Environmental
Compliance and Safety Officer, Jean Durosko on 301-713-3050 or at
<Jean.Durosko@noaa.gov> For a complete list of NFA headquarter and
regional safety and environmental contacts, visit the following website:
[http://echsso.noaa.gov/Contacts/index.html](http://www.ecs.noaa.gov/contacts/index.html)