Applicable Contractor Programs

 

 

Zoetis Union City may request contractors to provide written safety programs or be asked to produce these plans when submitting a bid or proposal. The following programs may be requested to verify competency of the contractor or vendor.

 

 

Bloodborne Pathogens

 

 

Because OSHA defines contract phlebotomists and janitors as having an occupational risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, each contractor is required to administer its own program and to be in compliance with both OSHA standards and Zoetis Union City policies.

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Potentially at-risk contract workers should be aware of our practices for the safe handling and disposal of bloodborne pathogens and will be expected to implement their own programs for the following:

 

• Hepatitis B vaccinations

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Spill response practices

• Housekeeping

• Response to exposures

 

Contractor workers should be aware that individual instruction for proper handling of bloodborne pathogens may be required, and that any response to spills or exposures is handled in a manner that protects workers and complies with Zoetis Union City procedures.

 

 

Confined Space Entry

 

 

It is important for contract workers to be aware of what confined spaces are and the potential hazards they represent, and that only those individuals who received specialized training are permitted to enter a confined space regardless of circumstances.

 

 

Confined spaces are defined as:

 

• Large enough to enter

• Limited or restricted to only one means of entry or exit

• Not designed for continuous occupancy

• Confined spaces at Abaxis may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Pits

• Storage areas

• Trenches (may also require a trench safety program)

• Tanks

 

 

If entry into a confined space is necessary then the contractor is required to implement an OSHA-compliant Permit-Required Confined Space Entry Plan. The contractor is responsible for assuring safe conditions before and during the entry.

 

 

Electrical Safety

 

 

Contractors who work on energized circuits must be able to demonstrate that an OSHA-compliant Electrical Lockout/Tagout program is part of their operations. Contractors will be expected to use their own locks, hasps, and blocking devices if the work involves blocking out other energized sources, such as valves, gas-actuated systems, and other forms of stored energy. Abaxis work areas that are affected by an electrical shutdown must be given ample warning to prevent against compromising processes or building systems.

 

 

Contractor’s workers will be expected to be aware of safe work practices involving the following:

 

 

• Electric Line Awareness – Contractor’s workers who work around overhead, buried, or concealed electric lines must have an understanding of working clearances around energized lines and safety practices related to conductive equipment (e.g., back hoes, cranes, and aerial lifts) and platforms and scaffolds.

• Flexible/Extension Cords – Contractor’s workers are expected to be aware of safety practices involving extension cords so they do not overload existing circuits or pose a risk of sparks or power surges.

• Lockout/Tagout - Contractor workers will conduct circuit tests whenever equipment or circuits are de-energized and re-energized.

• Conductive Materials – Contractor’s workers must restrict the use of conductive materials to prevent injuries.

• Personal Protection Equipment – Contractor’s workers will use appropriate specialized PPE when necessary to do a job safely.

 

 

Hot-work

 

 

Hot-work involves welding, cutting, brazing, soldering, and related activities that present a risk for fire and explosions. Hot-work requires specialized personal protective equipment for those involved; therefore it must be isolated from high traffic areas to protect Zoetis Union City colleagues who work in the near vicinity. It also requires that colleagues and other people in the vicinity of the potential risks be alerted and cautioned.

 

 

Contractor’s workers will be aware of fire hazards presented by hot-work and will implement procedures and use equipment to eliminate or control the dangers. The contractor must be aware of the following safety provisions when conducting hot-work at our facilities:

 

 

• Combustion and fire sources

• Location of fire extinguishers

• Nearby storage of flammable and combustible liquids and gases

• Hot work permits, if part of the contractor’s program

• Other potential ignition sources

 

All hot-work performed at Zoetis Union City must be cleared with the area manager and Facilities before it begins.

 

 

Hazardous Waste Production

 

 

Contractors and vendors who generate hazardous waste are responsible for handling it according to EPA requirements, and for removing the waste from the facility under their own Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identification number. Unless other agreements are in place, Zoetis Union City does not accept hazardous waste generated by a vendor or contractor due to the liability associated with noncompliance. When vendors generate waste under the Zoetis Union City EPA identification number, then the contractor is responsible for handling and disposing of it according to company policies and procedures.

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Walking/Working Surfaces

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Contractors and vendors are expected to comply with OSHA's Walking/Working Surfaces standard including but not limited to:

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• Safe use of portable ladders

• Use of fall protection/fall arrest systems when operating more than 10 feet above the ground

• Providing barricades and signage to prevent Abaxis workers from entering work areas which may be unsafe due to slip, trip & fall hazards or the potential of falling objects from contractor operations at height.

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