Workplace Safety

Safety responsibilities depend on the work, the employment or contractor relationship, and applicable law. Team members receive the information and instruction appropriate to their duties, and hazards are evaluated before or during the work when conditions change. Production goals do not override a safe-work decision.

For employees who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, Tri State Enterprise's hazard-communication practices address the applicable parts of 29 CFR 1910.1200, including:

• identifying hazardous products used in the work;
• keeping required manufacturer or workplace labels legible and connected to the correct container;
• making current Safety Data Sheets reasonably accessible during the work shift;
• providing information and training at initial assignment and when a new chemical hazard is introduced; and
• explaining exposure controls, spill response, emergency procedures, and required protective equipment in language the worker can understand.

• Use a product only for a surface and task permitted by its label and current Safety Data Sheet.
• Follow labeled dilution, ventilation, storage, and disposal directions.
• Do not mix materials or chemicals unless the manufacturer expressly directs that use.
• Do not use an unlabeled secondary container, a damaged container, or a product with missing hazard information.
• Keep materials controlled and separated from incompatible materials according to label directions and site conditions.

Materials are selected for the accepted scope, manufacturer instructions, and task hazards. Marketing terms do not replace label directions or a Safety Data Sheet.

Required personal protective equipment is selected for the product and task based on the label, Safety Data Sheet, hazard assessment, and applicable requirements. Depending on the work, this may include gloves, eye protection, protective clothing, slip-resistant footwear, hearing protection, or respiratory protection. Equipment that requires fit testing, medical evaluation, or a written program is not assigned without the required program controls.

Customers and site contacts should disclose known hazards before work begins, including damaged electrical systems, active construction, unsafe ground conditions, unsecured animals, weapons, hazardous materials, unstable surfaces, excessive heat, or restricted areas. Work involving ladders, elevated work, energized systems, moving equipment, cutting tools, heavy lifting, or other specialized hazards requires the equipment, training, and scope appropriate to that task.

A team member may exclude an unsafe area, request that a hazard be corrected, use a safer method, or reschedule work that cannot be completed safely within the accepted scope.

Outdoor and unconditioned-space work is adjusted for temperature, humidity, direct sun, workload, worker acclimatization, and weather. Controls may include water, rest, shade or cooling, schedule changes, reduced workload, additional monitoring, or suspension of the task. Severe weather, lightning, flooding, or another immediate hazard may require the team to leave the area.

A team member who identifies an unsafe or unhealthy condition should pause the affected task, move away from immediate danger, and report the condition so it can be corrected or the work reassigned. No one is expected to continue a task that presents an imminent risk of death or serious physical harm. Rights to refuse dangerous work and protections from retaliation are governed by applicable law, including the conditions established by OSHA.

For an emergency, call 911 and move to a safe location. A work-related injury, suspected exposure, spill, near miss, or property hazard should be reported promptly so medical guidance, containment, documentation, and any legally required notice can occur. Product labels and Safety Data Sheets should be available to emergency or medical personnel when relevant.