ES&H updates
Martha Michels, deputy head of the ES&H section, wrote this article.
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| Martha Michels |
The ES&H Section covers a lot of ground. While our section's three topic areas are diverse, one common thread brings them all together: awareness. The ES&H Section's success in all areas depends on how aware employees are of their impact on the environment, their surroundings and their interactions with equipment, personnel and more. While section staff members work hard at putting the information out there, we need your participation. Here are some ways that you can help the laboratory further its environmental leadership efforts and safety culture and keep yourselves healthy.
Environment
Last fall, Department of Energy staff signed an executive order expanding the federal government's commitment to leadership in environmental, energy and economic performance. Significantly reducing green house gas emissions is one aspect of that leadership. DOE recently established a goal to reduce green house gas emissions by 28 percent by 2020. As a DOE site, Fermilab will take a look at our own carbon footprint to see where we can make reductions.
If you have ideas for improving our current practices or ideas about how you and your group can reduce emissions, talk to your supervisor or your Environmental Officer.
Safety
At 7 months old, Fermilab's Take 5 for Goal 0 safety awareness program is starting to sink in. In an effort to keep this initiative fresh, we are starting a new contest. We will post a staged picture on the Take 5 Web page. The picture will display obvious safety issues. Your job will be to list all of the safety issues in the photo. The Senior Safety Officer's Subcommittee will choose two submissions at random on March 25, and each will win a prize.
To view the picture and submit a caption, click here.
Health
Musculoskeletal injuries are one common risk associated with regularly working at a computer workstation. To help prevent these types of injuries you can incorporate various ergonomic principles, including taking frequent breaks from routine tasks. The Ergonomic Subcommittee members have identified a free computer-based program that employees can use to remind them to take regular and effective breaks. The program, Workrave, prompts individuals to take 30 second mini breaks and two-minute rest breaks with stretching. Employees interested in using this program should ask their supervisor and then contact the Service Desk for installation assistance.
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