Table of Contents

Section I

Basic Rules of Safety

1. The Law Says
2. Elements of On-the-Job Safety
3. Safety Tips for New Library Employees
4. Safety Tips for Supervisors

Section II

Monitoring Health and Safety in Your Library

1. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Responsibilities in Your Library
2. Workplace Inspection
3. Accident Investigation
4. First Aid

Section III

The Library Work Environment

1. Indoor air quality (IAQ)
2. Formaldehyde
3. Solvents: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
4. Asbestos
5. Dusts
6. Mould
7. Dust Mites
8. Sanitation/Housekeeping
9. Pests
10. Noise
11. Temperature & Humidity
12. Lighting
13. Radiation from VDTs
14. Fragrance Sensitivity

Section IV

Ergonomic Concerns in the Library Workplace

1. What is Ergonomics?
2. How do Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) Occur?
3. Controlling Ergonomic Hazards?
4. Posture
5. Ergonomic Aspects of Visual Display Terminals
6. Workstation Exercises
7. Shelving Units
8. Shelving Books
9. Shelving Equipment
10. Work Organization

Section V

Psychosocial Issues in Library Work

1. Psychological Stress
2. Workplace Violence
3. Stress and Violence Checklists

Section VI

Emergency Preparedness

1. Fire Safety
2. Bomb Threats
3. Emergency Evacuation Procedures

Section VII

Safe Work Practices

1. Library Safety
2. Manual Materials Handling
3. Basic Electrical Safety

Section VIII

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

1. Determining the Need for PPE
2. Foot Protection
3. Respirators

Section IX

Health and Safety (OSH) Policy and Program

1. Purpose
2. Health and Safety Policy
3. Program Elements
4. Simple Checklist for An Occupational Health and Safety Program
5. Sample Health and Safety Policy Statement

Section X

Occupational Health and Safety Legislation

1. Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Legislation
2. US Occupational Health and Safety Legislation
3. Examples of Regulations and Codes Applicable to Libraries

Section XI

Information Sources

1. Canadian Government Departments with Responsibility for Occupational Health and Safety
2. U.S. Federal Safety and Health Agencies
3. State Occupational Safety and Health Plans

Section XII

Key Sources Used to Prepare this Publication

1. Bibliography
2. Websites