This Safety Manual establishes the health and safety standards, rules, and procedures for all operations at Filter King. Our goal is to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses through hazard identification, risk control, and a culture where every employee takes ownership of safety. Filter King operates four manufacturing plants — Miami, Pennsylvania, Dallas, and Las Vegas — each producing standard and custom HVAC air filters. This manual applies to all of them equally.

This manual applies to:

• All full-time, part-time, and temporary employees at all four Filter King plants
• Contractors, subcontractors, and visitors on any Filter King premises
• All shifts, departments, and facilities operated by Filter King

Filter King operations comply with, but are not limited to:

• OSHA 29 CFR 1910 — General Industry Standards
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212 — Machine Guarding
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 — Lockout/Tagout (Control of Hazardous Energy)
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 — Respiratory Protection
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 — Hazard Communication (HazCom)
• NFPA 654 — Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions
• EPA regulations governing waste and emissions
• All applicable state and local regulations at each plant location

• Provide resources, training, and leadership for safety programs at all four plants
• Enforce safety policies consistently and fairly across Miami, Pennsylvania, Dallas, and Las Vegas
• Conduct regular safety audits and act on findings promptly
• Review and update this manual at least annually

• Ensure all workers under their supervision follow safety procedures
• Conduct pre-shift safety briefings and toolbox talks
• Investigate near-misses and accidents and report within 24 hours
• Verify PPE is worn correctly and in good condition
• Authorize and verify completion of lockout/tagout procedures

• Follow all safety rules and procedures at all times
• Wear required PPE for their work area
• Report unsafe conditions, near-misses, and injuries immediately to a supervisor
• Participate in all safety training and drills
• Never operate equipment they are not trained and authorized to use
• Keep work areas clean and free of trip/slip hazards

• Conduct monthly safety inspections of all production areas at each plant
• Review accident and near-miss reports and recommend corrective actions
• Coordinate emergency drills (minimum twice per year per location)
• Serve as a communication link between employees and management on safety concerns

A clean workplace is a safe workplace. All Filter King employees must:

1. Keep aisles, exits, and fire extinguisher access clear at all times
2. Clean up spills (adhesive, water, filter media dust) immediately using the correct absorbent
3. Dispose of filter media scraps and trim waste in designated bins — never let accumulation exceed one shift
4. Return tools and equipment to their designated storage locations after each use
5. Conduct a 5-minute end-of-shift clean-up of personal work area

The following are strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination:

• Working under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or impairing medications
• Bypassing, removing, or disabling machine guards or safety devices
• Operating equipment without proper training and authorization
• Horseplay, fighting, or distracting other workers
• Using personal mobile phones while operating machinery
• Smoking except in designated outdoor smoking areas
• Running in the plant at any time

Threats, intimidation, or acts of violence toward any employee, visitor, or contractor are strictly prohibited. Report any threats or concerning behavior to HR or your supervisor immediately. Filter King will investigate all reports promptly and confidentially.

• Inspect PPE before each use. Damaged PPE must be removed from service and replaced immediately.
• Clean PPE per manufacturer instructions.
• Hard hats must be replaced after any impact or if the shell is cracked or shows UV degradation.
• Respirators must be fit-tested annually and inspected before each use.
• Report lost or damaged PPE to your supervisor. PPE is provided at no cost to employees.

1. Only trained and authorized personnel may operate production machinery
2. Inspect machines before starting each shift — report defects before operating
3. Never reach into a machine while it is running or under power
4. All guards must be in place before starting a machine — a machine without its guard cannot run
5. Allow machines to come to a complete stop before any adjustment, clearing a jam, or cleaning
6. Tag out any defective machine with a "DO NOT OPERATE" tag and notify maintenance immediately

LOTO is required any time maintenance, cleaning, or unjamming requires exposure to hazardous energy (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, or gravity).

1. NOTIFY affected employees that equipment will be shut down
2. IDENTIFY all energy sources (electrical panels, pneumatic lines, hydraulic accumulators)
3. SHUT DOWN the equipment using the normal stopping procedure
4. ISOLATE all energy sources using their isolation points
5. APPLY your personal lock and tag to each isolation point
6. RELEASE or restrain stored energy (bleed pneumatics, block gravity-held parts)
7. VERIFY zero energy state — press start button, test controls, check pressure gauges
8. Perform the task
9. REMOVE lock and tag only after all personnel are clear and tools are removed
10. NOTIFY affected employees before re-energizing

Filter Media Cutting & Slitting Equipment: Two-hand controls must never be defeated or bypassed. Never clear waste or adjust blades while the machine is capable of cycling. Wear cut-resistant gloves at all times near cutting heads.

Adhesive / Gluing Machines: Hot-melt adhesive systems operate above 300°F — use heat-resistant gloves and avoid splatter contact. Allow hot-melt to cool and solidify before cleaning nozzles.

Automated Filter Assembly Lines: Ensure all guarding and light curtains are operational before starting. Test light curtains at the start of each shift using the test rod.

An SDS must be available for every chemical used at Filter King. SDS binders are located at each plant in the production area, maintenance shop, and chemical storage area. Every employee who works with or near chemicals must be trained to read an SDS. Training is documented and on file with HR.

All chemical containers — including secondary containers — must be labeled with the chemical name and GHS hazard pictograms. Never use an unlabeled container. Never remove or deface a label.

• Use the smallest practical quantity of adhesives and solvents at the point of use
• Close containers when not in use to minimize vapor generation
• Use approved grounding and bonding when transferring flammable materials
• No ignition sources (open flames, sparks) within 25 feet of solvent use areas

1. ALERT — Notify coworkers in the area immediately
2. EVALUATE — Only approach if safe; if the spill is large or unknown, evacuate and call emergency response
3. CONTAIN — Use the appropriate spill kit to stop the spread
4. CLEAN UP — Follow SDS guidance for disposal; place waste in labeled, sealed containers
5. REPORT — Complete a spill report and notify your supervisor

Filter media dust is a primary respiratory hazard unique to Filter King's operations. An approved N95 or higher respirator must be worn whenever working with filter media. Dust collection systems must remain operational during all production runs. Air quality readings must be logged during monthly audits. Report any visible dust accumulation to your supervisor immediately.

• Filter media and cardboard are Class A combustibles — accumulations must be controlled and removed each shift
• Maintain a minimum 18-inch clearance below all sprinkler heads at all times
• Electrical equipment must be turned off when not in use
• Inspect electrical cords daily; remove and tag any frayed or damaged cords
• Hot work (welding, grinding) requires a Hot Work Permit and a fire watch for 30 minutes after completion
• Flammable materials must be stored in approved flammable storage cabinets

Only attempt to fight a fire if: it is small (wastebasket-sized or less), you have a clear escape route, you have been trained, and the alarm has been activated.

1. Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station
2. Call 911 if safe to do so
3. Shut down your machine using the normal stop procedure if time allows
4. Exit via the nearest marked emergency exit — do NOT use elevators
5. Report to your designated Assembly Point (posted at each exit and break room)
6. Do not re-enter the building until the All Clear is given by the Fire Department or Safety Officer

• Work-related injuries or illnesses (including minor cuts, strains, and chemical exposures)
• Near-misses — events that could have caused injury or damage but did not
• Property damage
• Environmental releases (spills reaching drains, air releases)

Use this app's Incident Log and Near Miss sections to record all events immediately.

• First aid kits are located at each workstation area and break room at every plant
• Eye wash stations are located in production areas — inspect weekly
• For any eye exposure: flush continuously for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention
• Trained first aiders are assigned to each shift — see posted list at your plant

Supervisors must complete an Incident Investigation Report within 24 hours of any accident or near-miss. The investigation must identify root causes and propose corrective actions with assigned owners and due dates. The Safety Committee reviews all reports monthly.

1. Plan the lift — clear the path, check the weight; get help or use a mechanical aid if over 50 lbs
2. Stand close to the load with feet shoulder-width apart
3. Bend your knees — do not bend your back
4. Get a firm grip and hold the load close to your body
5. Lift smoothly using your legs; do not jerk
6. Avoid twisting while carrying — turn your whole body
7. Set the load down by bending your knees, not your back

Use forklifts, pallet jacks, or hand trucks whenever available and practical. Do not handle heavy filter media rolls, large filter bundles, or full pallet loads by hand. Filter media rolls can be deceptively heavy — always check weight before lifting.

• Rotate tasks where possible to reduce repetitive motion exposure
• Workstations should be adjusted to the worker — report poorly adjusted stations to your supervisor
• Report early signs of musculoskeletal discomfort (tingling, numbness, persistent soreness) promptly — early intervention prevents serious injury

• Only employees with a current, company-issued Filter King forklift authorization card may operate forklifts or powered pallet jacks
• Authorization requires completion of OSHA-compliant classroom and practical training, and evaluation every 3 years (or after an accident/near-miss)

Operators must complete a documented pre-shift inspection before each use. Inspect: brakes, steering, forks, mast, tires, lights, horn, seat belt, and fuel/battery level. Any deficiency must be reported and the truck taken out of service until repaired.

• Wear your seatbelt at all times while operating a sit-down forklift
• Maximum speed: 5 mph in production areas; 3 mph in pedestrian crossings
• Yield to pedestrians — always. Sound horn at intersections and blind corners
• Carry loads with forks as low as practical (6–8 inches) when traveling
• Never carry unauthorized passengers
• Never leave a running forklift unattended — lower forks, neutralize, apply parking brake, and remove key
• Do not operate a forklift under the influence of medication that impairs alertness

• Training records: 3 years minimum (or duration of employment, whichever is longer)
• OSHA 300 Log and 300A Summary: 5 years
• Incident investigation reports: 5 years
• Equipment inspection records: Life of equipment + 1 year
• SDS library: Retain for 30 years after chemical is no longer used (OSHA requirement)

This Safety Manual will be reviewed and updated at least annually by the Safety Committee and approved by plant management. Reviews will also be triggered by any serious incident, significant process change, or change in applicable regulations. The current version is always available in this app.