Health & Safety

The Yosemite Office of Safety & Occupational Health Office is designed to keep all employees of Yosemite National Park free from occupational injuries and illnesses. The Office of Safety & Occupational Health is here to help Park employees understand the safety policies and how they will protect you. Our guidance will provide you with the information required to administer safety policies in your work environment and determine the training requirements of all employees. There may be circumstances where more information is needed to plan your work, select certain types of Person Protective Equipment (PPE) or to determine alternatives to current procedures. The Safety Office is prepared to help – INVOLVE US! We are here to assist you with detailed information on exposure levels, regulations, trainings, and collaborating on any safety, occupational health, or environmental program needs.

Remember, safety is a everyone’s responsibility. Whether you are at work or at home, it is important to remain aware of your surroundings. Your support of the safety program is vital to its success, and by you putting safety first, you accomplish the most important aspect of your job – sending you home at the end of the day and at the end of your career safely.

Wilderness Safety

• Designate multiple reliable emergency contacts - Choose at least one local (a roommate or co-worker) and at least one person outside of Yosemite. Give them multiple ways to reach you (cell number, email, social media) and do not count on your cell phone - service is spotty and unreliable. Tell them where you are going and when you plan to be back.

• Evaluate the risks - Consider your own abilities and the worst possible outcome, then take steps to mitigate those risks. For example, find a bridge instead of fording a swift-flowing creek.

• Prepare now for emergencies - Yosemite experiences lots of wildfire, floods, rockfalls, and road closures. Talk to your supervisor now about emergency preparedness and know how to reach them on days off. Sign up for emergency alerts by texting your local zip code to 888777 or go to https://local.nixle.com/register/.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

You should have access to a fire extinguisher in your housing and at work. Locate your nearest extinguisher and read these tips to help prepare to use it:

• Only Fight a Fire If - If the fire is small and contained; If you are safe from toxic smoke; If you have a means of escape; If you have notified the fire department and building occupants.

• When Assessing a Fire, Remember AAA - ACTIVATE the building alarm system or notify the fire department by calling 911. Or, have someone else do this for you. ASSIST any persons in immediate danger, or those incapable on their own, to exit the building, without risk to yourself. Only after these two are completed, should you ATTEMPT to extinguish the fire.

• When Using a Fire Extinguisher, Remember PASS: PULL the pin; AIM the nozzle at the base of the fire from the recommended distance (6’); SQUEEZE the operating lever; SWEEP the nozzle or hose from side to side until the fire is out. Move forward or around the fire area as the fire diminishes. Watch the area in case of re-ignition.

• Monthly Inspection - Is the extinguisher in the correction location? Is it visible and accessible? Does the gauge or pressure indicator show the correct pressure?

For more information, contact the Yosemite Fire Prevention Office:

209-347-9175

HANTAVIRUS

Hantavirus pulmonary disease is a rare but serious disease that humans can contract through contact with infected rodents or their urine, saliva, blood, or droppings. Here are some tips to help you avoid Hantavirus:

• Reduce Your Exposure - Look for evidence of rodent activity (e.g., droppings, nesting materials, gnaw marks); identify where rodents are likely to enter buildings (any opening larger than 1/4th inch) and report issues to Facilities Customer Service Desk, the YOSE Safety Office, or NPS Public Health Consultant.

• Proper Cleaning of Mouse Droppings and Mouse Traps – Ensure that your work group has clean up kits (e.g., disinfectant, paper towels, disposable gloves, trash bags). Follow the instructions on the label of the disinfectant, use gloves and paper towels to clean areas, place rodents and paper towels in double plastic bags and dispose in outdoor garbage receptacle. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

For more information, contact the Yosemite Safety Office:

(209) 379-1079

or NPS Public Health Consultant:

(209) 347-7470

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

Microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that are present in human blood and can cause diseases in humans (e.g. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)). Learn more about these pathogens to reduce the spread.

· Potentially Infectious Substances - blood, semen, vaginal secretions, lung fluid, any bodily fluid containing visible blood, any bodily fluid that cannot be identified

· Possible Exposure Incidents - During an industrial accident; While administering First Aid; During post-accident clean-up; When performing routine maintenance or janitorial work

· Universal Precautions - Treat all human blood and bodily fluids as if they are infected with HIV, HBV, HCV and other bloodborne pathogens

· Engineering and Work Practice Controls - Handwashing facilities; Biohazard waste bags; Personal protective equipment (PPE); First aid response; Spill clean-up; Laundry; Waste disposal; Exposure response

· Exposure Incident Response - Contact with skin: wash exposed areas with antibacterial soap and running water; Contact with eyes or mucous membranes: flush affected area with running water for at least 15 minutes; Contact with clothing: remove contaminated clothing, wash underlying skin; Report exposure to supervisor immediately

· Post Exposure Evaluation - Confidential medical evaluation and follow-up after exposure incident Identify and document source and circumstances of exposure; Test source individual’s blood for HIV/HBV; Provide blood sample; Healthcare professional’s written opinion

For more information, contact the Yosemite Safety Office:

209-372-0268

yose_safety@nps.gov

HAZCOM

You will encounter different chemicals in your personal and professional life. It’s important to learn how to deal with them properly so you stay safe.

· Chemicals Can Be Used Safely If - you know the hazards and how to protect yourself; they are used only for approved purposes; they are stored properly; you use the correct personal protective equipment

· Physical Hazards - Explosive Compressed Gas; Combustible Liquids; Flammable; Unstable; Water Reactive; Oxidizers

· Health Hazards - Can cause cancer; Are poisonous/toxic; Cause harm to your skin, internal organs, nervous system, reproductive system’ Are corrosive - such as acids; Cause allergic reactions after repeated exposure

· Make Sure all Containers are Properly Labeled - Show chemical safety information; Each chemical has a separate SDS; SDS is written by the chemical manufacturer; SDS are kept in the workplace for your use

· Use the proper protective equipment

· Store Chemicals only in Approved Areas – do not store or use chemicals in places where you eat; Store incompatible chemicals in separate areas; Corrosives and Flammables - Limit the amount of flammable material to the minimum needed; Store flammable liquids in approved flammable storage lockers

· Immediately Address and Report Leaks Spill

· In Case of Emergency - Implement the proper Emergency Action Plan; Evacuate people from the area; Isolate the area- keep other from entering; Turn off ignition and heat sources; Only trained employees are permitted to clean up spills

· Dispose of used chemicals and containers properly - Follow SDS requirements for container disposal; Recycle unused chemicals; Do not place hazardous chemicals in normal trash receptacles; Do not pour chemicals into sinks, onto the ground or in storm drains

For more information, contact the Yosemite Safety Office:

209-372-0268

yose_safety@nps.gov

Living with Bears

Your new bear neighbors are super cute, but also pretty dangerous. Here are some tips to keep yourself and the bears safe.

• Remove all attractants around your home – Recycling, pet food, bird feeders, compost piles containing kitchen scraps, and dirty BBQ grills are all attractants.

• Remove all attractants from your vehicle – An attractant is anything with calories or a potential scent. This includes food, drinks, trash, recycling, chap stick, gum.

• Secure you home when you are not in it – When you are at work or on vacation, make sure all windows and doors are closed and securely latched.

• When you are asleep, close the windows in unoccupied rooms – A bear can enter a kitchen and obtain food faster than you can crawl out of bed to chase it away.

• Clip dumpsters – Put all food trash in animal–resistant dumpsters and clip the dumpster so bears cannot get inside. Only non-food items should be placed in open top dumpsters.

• Give wildlife space – Never approach a bear or other wild animal. You must be at least 50 yards from a bear. Approaching a bear for a picture can put you and the bear in danger.

• Report bear sightings and incidents – We can’t help with bears we don’t hear about. Knowing about incidents and sightings helps us to determine where the problems are and how we can work to fix them.

For urgent wildlife issues call dispatch: (209) 379- 1992

Email yose_bear_mgmt@nps.gov

Call the Save-A-Bear Hotline: (209) 372-0322