Every day, Michael Walling and Janie Morse process incoming packages in Berkeley Lab’s Shipping and Receiving department. But late last year, they spotted a potentially dangerous problem. One vendor’s packages of hazardous materials regularly began to arrive with improper labeling.
“We started noticing inconsistencies and things that didn’t look right regarding the packaging,” says Michael. “We’d have a box with a flammable liquid, which is supposed to have the placard on it. Certain data is supposed to be there. But it would either not be there or covered up.” Such packaging violates Department of Transportation regulations.
Janie Morse and Michael Walling,Shipping and ReceivingImproper labeling of hazard materials can result in worker injury — or worse. “I don’t want myself or anybody else to get hurt handling this material in an unsafe way,” Janie says.
Both Michael and Janie are Material Handlers whose job includes monitoring packaging. While they could have simply reported the problem, they took the extra step by alerting their shipping expert, Chuck Horton, who immediately recognized the deficiencies. With supervisor Jon Cleveland, he contacted the vendor to work out a solution.
Mike and Janie’s efforts prevented possible mishandling of hazardous material during a spill, leak, or emergency response. For their extra effort, Michael and Janie received Berkeley Lab Safety Spot Awards, which recognize workers for exemplary safety actions and accomplishments.
Eli Dart, a Berkeley Lab network engineer, is adept at spotting and fixing problems in ESnet’s operations. He used his problem-solving skills in an unexpected and potentially dangerous context last year.
“I heard a crash on the walkway below my window,” says Eli. He looked out and saw that a large window had fallen from a floor above his Building 50 office, showering a sidewalk with broken glass. Quickly going down to the walkway, Eli began to divert foot traffic.
Eli Dart, network engineer with ESnet“We started coning the area off. An on-site electrician saw us, and brought caution tape so we taped off the area. When building safety members arrived,” says Eli, “I stepped back and let the folks who know how to handle these things do their job.”
For his work to protect fellow Lab employees from a dangerous area littered with broken glass, Eli received a Berkeley Lab Safety Spot Award.
--Photos by Roy Kaltschmidt, Berkeley Lab
Nominate a Berkeley Lab worker for a Safety Spot Award! |
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Help the Lab recognize exemplary safety behavior like that of Michael, Janie, and Eli! If you know an employee or team who made outstanding safety contributions to protect fellow workers, the Lab, or the surrounding community, that person or team may be eligible for a Safety Spot Award, which can include a cash award. The LBNL Safety Spot Award Program is funded from and administered by the EH&S Division — cash awards are not charged to the nominating division or department. A new online form makes submitting a nomination simple and fast — just fill out the form and hit the Submit button! For more information on how the awards work, visit http://www2.lbl.gov/ehs/html/spotawards.shtml, where you will find requirements for eligibility, nomination forms, and lists of previous Safety Spot Award winners. Questions? Send an e-mail to [email protected]. |
