                          SUBMITTED BY

                        KENNETH P. SOBEL
                      SAFETY ADMINISTRATOR
                       CITY OF LOS ANGELES
                         (213) 485-4691
                       FAX (213) 485-8765


No. 59                                              June 1989


                    NONSTRUCTURAL EARTHQUAKE
                        HAZARD MITIGATION


NONSTRUCTURAL WHAT??!!

That's right - "NONSTRUCTURAL EARTHQUAKE HAZARD MITIGATION".  In
plain English, its what to do now to prevent furnishings and equip-
ment from possibly falling and injuring you or blocking exits dur-
ing an earthquake.  Whether you survive the next major earthquake
can depend solely on you and the actions that you take to eliminate
potential hazards.

Raymond Hill, Safety Engineering Associate, recently produced an
excellent videotape concerning nonstructural earthquake hazard
mitigation, what to look for and how to help protect yourself, both
at work and at home.  If you have not yet had the opportunity to
view the tape, ask your supervisor to obtain the program from your
Safety Coordinator and show it at your next safety meeting.  Then
take the time to look around your work area.  Has it been earth-
quake proofed?  Are telephones and computers and keyboards secured
to the desk or table top?  Are file cabinets, bookcases and office
partitions secured in place to prevent them from overturning and
blocking egress?  To secure larger items, request that General
Services, Building Services, install whatever necessary safeguards
are required for the equipment and furnishings in your area (the
videotape will have indicated the items that you should identify
as potential hazards). Safeguarding desk and tabletop equipment and
other small items requires no technical expertise whatsoever. 
Installing hook and loop pads, such as Velcro, between the
equipment and the table top will prevent costly damage and possible
injury.

City Stores recently ordered and received a significant amount of
heavy duty Velcro products specifically intended to protect against
loss and/or damage to equipment in the event of an earthquake.  All
employees should evaluate their needs and order necessary supplies. 

For your convenience, we have provided the following product infor-
mation and descriptions to use when requesting Velcro hook and loop
fastening material from City stores.


     MATERIAL CODE              DESCRIPTION                       UNIT


1.      8700439                 2" X 2" X 3/4" BLOCK-     8 / PK
                                        QUAKE/GRIP for fastening
                                        medium to heavy desktop
                                        products.

        This package contains enough product to secure one computer
     and one monitor to a desktop.  Use it for larger items that
     require an air space between the desktop and the equipment.


2.      8700440                 6" LEASH-QUAKE/GRIP              4 / PK
                                        for limited movement of
                                        keyboards & desktop items.

        Use this product to secure items that require frequent minimal
     movement, such as, keyboards, telephones, calculators, etc.


3.      8700441                 1" X 1" X 1/2" FOOTPAD-   16 / PK
                                        QUAKE/GRIP for fastening of
                                        lightweight equipment.

        Similar to item #1, but used for lighter equipment that
     doesn't require as much of an air space between the desktop
     and the equipment.


4.      8700442                 1" wide X 3 ft each       2-25 yd rolls
                                        QUAKE/TAPE Extra strength
                                        for general purpose fastening
                                        applications.

        Use this product to secure items such as flower pots, mail
     in/out boxes, etc.


5.      8700443                 2" X 2" Loop fastening pads      32 / PK
                                        QUAKE/GRIP pressure sensitive
                                        pads, adhesive backing, cut to
                                        size.

        These are replacement pads to be used if a piece of equipment
     is to be moved to another location.



The supplier of Velcro to the City recommends the following:

1.      Get a supply of sample fasteners.  Become familiar with types,
     applications and holding strength according to the size and
     number used.

2.      Visually inspect each item you intend to fasten.  Consider its
     size, shape and weight for needed stability and holding
     strength of the fasteners.  More than one type or size
     fastener may be needed in certain applications.  Also, check
     to see that the height of the fasteners you intend to use
     exceed the height of the footpads that come with the machine
     or product, if any.

3.      Two fasteners of the same size may be "piggybacked" for
     additional height.  This is done by fastening the adhesive
     side of two fasteners together, thus doubling their original
     height.  Note:  Do not stack more than "two-high".  Over-
     stacking can jeopardize the stability of the fasteners.

4.      Use sample fasteners to determine the size and number needed
     for honeycomb or molded grid type bases, such as tilt stands
     for CRT (VDT) monitors.  Usually, only the smaller size
     fasteners can be attached.  Try to end up with the equivalent
     holding strength of the larger fasteners you would have
     preferred to use (i.e. 8 - 1" X 1" fasteners have the same
     holding strength as 4 - 1" X 2" fasteners.)

5.      The fasteners are usually installed in sets of four for
     product balance and stability.  You may decide you need twice
     this number for special applications or on heavier equipment. 
     There is no "preferred" number of fasteners that should be
     used, only guidelines for the weight range of each fastener.

6.      For most computers with monitors, a matched set of eight 2"
     X 2" fasteners works best (along with a desk leash for the
     keyboard.) 

At your home, use the same principles that the film suggests to
protect yourself and your family from the damage that an earthquake
can produce.  By mitigating nonstructural earthquake hazards both
at home and at work, injuries will be reduced, equipment can be
protected, and your return to a normal life will be quicker.




                          ___________________________________
                                    Kenneth P. Sobel
                                  Safety Administrator