Monthly Archives: November 2009

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

THOSE DARING YOUNG MEN/WOMEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES!

Flying is such a glamorous profession.  I have a friend who is a retired commercial airline pilot, and he has flown all over the world.  He has many interesting stories to tell, and I have always been proud to know he and his crews took their passengers safely to their destinations.

In our series on Most Dangerous Jobs, flying is always on the top ten list.  Statistics show that most often commercial pilots are at less risk than those who fly small aircraft, such as crop dusters, banner planes, fire-fighting planes, air-taxi’s, etc.  Our skies are full of both large and small aircraft, and the future brings even more planes to transport us across the country, and world.  Reports indicate that for every 100,000 pilots, 88 perish annually.

Fifty per cent of active aircraft are considered small, and seventy-five per cent of pilots are licensed to fly only small aircraft.  Many times these pilots are landing in airports that do not have control towers.  Crop dusters work for long periods of time, fly low to the ground, and are exposed to chemicals.  Helicopters and medical flight crews provide air rescue services to stranded adventurers, or to ill patients who must be carried to specialized facilities.  All of these pilots of both large and small aircraft furnish needed transportation to the public.

Alaskan bush pilots have an even higher fatality rate than those who fly in the lower states.  They have to contend with weather conditions that can suddenly lower visibility, and fly in dangerous, mountainous terrains.

Other risks involved in flying are:

  • Pilot error;
  • In-flight icing;
  • In-flight instrument failure;
  • Improper loading;
  • Negligent maintenance;
  • Air traffic controller mistakes;
  • Defective onboard computers or software;
  • Poorly maintained equipment.

We don’t even have to think twice about the risks our military pilots and crews take in their careers.  How would you like to land one of those big helicopters in battle sites, or a guide a jet onto an aircraft carrier?  No, thanks, I will just stay behind my desk!

We have outlined just some of the risks that pilots face in their occupations. We’ve heard the saying, “flying in a plane is less dangerous than driving in a car.”  Those men and women who maneuver an airplane, either large or small, have my respect.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

HAVE YOU TAKEN A TAXI LATELY?

If so, you may not be aware that taxi drivers in our nation’s cities are on the top ten most dangerous jobs list.  We aren’t trying to keep you from taking a cab, but only to point out the many hazards these persons whose occupations are driving people around day and night come face to face with.

The ratio of deaths per 100,000 workers is 24 annually.  In 2000, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported that 183.8 taxicab drivers per 1,000 were injured from assaults or other violent acts.
Safety training is crucial for potential drivers.  They get valuable advice from experienced drivers on how to reduce their risk of violence.  Working alone, drivers must learn how to read their customers, and never trust anyone, regardless of how well-dressed or well-mannered they may seem.

In New York City, only Yellow Cabs with medallions are allowed to pick up fares off the streets.  (This comes from the 1930’s, and is regulated by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission.  Medallion numbers are on the side of the cab.)  Gypsy cabs are licensed, and will take customers to many isolated areas that other cabs will not.  The cabs and minivans may be any color but yellow.  Many drivers are from other countries, may have a problem with language, and are treated with hostility by some passengers.  Another “fun” part of drivers’ jobs is dealing with inebriated customers.

There are many safety precautions that drivers should take:  OSHA recommends having an open mike switch on the taxi; bullet-proof shield partitions, and on-board cameras.

Other safety ideas are:

  • Don’t carry a lot of cash; ask fare to use debit/credit cards if possible.
  • Don’t discuss that you have had a good shift with passengers.
  • If they need change for big bills, tell them you do not carry change- you will have to stop at a store before you can make change.
  • Know the city’s emergency procedures.
  • Know trouble call signals.
  • Practice defensive driving.
  • Don’t wear jewelry, especially necklaces.
  • Have a good relationship with your company dispatcher; they may be your lifeline.
  • Keep a flashlight and first aid kit in your taxi or van.
  • Keep windows rolled up, and doors locked.
  • GPS devices help your company track your whereabouts.

Many cabs are equipped with a danger light located beneath the rear license plate, on the left side of the trunk, or in the front grill of the vehicle, which can be switched on by the driver to alert the police to trouble.  Drivers learn through experience how to watch for threatening circumstances and make split-second decisions for self-protection.  They must be constantly vigilant, never letting their guard down.

The next time you need transportation to or from an airport, or another destination, remember the person behind the wheel has a big responsibility with each and every fare – getting them safely to their destination and staying safe himself in the process.

Uncategorized

A BRIEF HISTORY LESSON – VETERAN’S DAY

Wednesday, November 11 will be Veterans Day.  We aren’t history teachers, yet we want to share some information about this important observance.  Originally known as Armistice Day, it was set aside as a day to honor the military servicemen who fought so valiantly in World War I.  Here is part of a resolution made by Congress on June 4, 1926:

“Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations;”

At the time this was written, WWI was called “the end of the war to end all wars”.  In 1938, Congress made Armistice Day a legal holiday.  Then World War II was declared, which required the greatest mobilization of military in our history.  Next, we entered the Korean War.  The name was changed in 1954 to Veterans Day in order to honor veterans of all wars we have been engaged in.  Since then, we have been engaged in the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Veterans Day focuses attention to its important purpose: a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Our forefathers who wrote the above quote from 1926 had no idea what the future would bring.  They only thought WWI was the Big One.  We are a great nation and we need to look back on those words and try to follow their hopes for us.  We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the brave men and women who have fought so courageously.  Let’s hope someday, somehow they will be able to serve our country in a safer, more peaceful world.

Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

TRAGEDY AT FORT HOOD

It is our mission to present safety information that helps folks stay safe at home, work, and while enjoying outside activities.  In an earlier article, “Violence in the Workplace”, we noted that homicide is the third leading cause of deaths in the workplace.  Yesterday, November 5th, what is thought to be the worst mass killing in history at a United States military base happened at Fort Hood, Texas, the largest military base in the world.

Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan is believed the be the lone perpetrator of a deadly shooting at Fort Hood, when he entered the Soldiers Readiness Center, and shot a number of military persons and two civilians.  The total count is 13 dead and 30 wounded, as of November 6th.  The Readiness Center is a large building where troops have medical and dental exams prior to deployment.  There are all types of comings and goings in the Center, as it even has restaurants.  He was shot by a female police officer, but is expected to recover.  She was shot, as well.

Major Hasan received his medical training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in psychiatry, as an intern, resident, and last year a fellow in disaster and preventive psychiatry.  (Ironic?)   He received his M.D. from Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, in 2001.

During his time at Walter Reed, he received poor performance evaluations, and had problems that required counseling and extra supervision, according to authorities that could not give further information due to confidentiality.  Law enforcement personnel had been aware that six months prior to yesterday’s tragedy, Hasan had posted some disturbing thoughts on the Internet.  One of his web postings equated suicide bombers with soldiers that throw themselves on a grenade to save their comrades.  Federal search warrants have been issued to seize Hasan’s computer, and it will be interesting to learn of its contents.

As with any workplace violence, there are red flags that indicate problems that might occur.  Who knows if yesterday’s incident could have been prevented?  Hindsight is always 20-20, and it seems there were many red flags popping up in regard to this quiet man, whose job it was to counsel hundreds of soldiers who had returned from battle and recounted horrors they lived through.  Hasan had been ordered to go to Iraq although he was adamant that he did not want to go.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were innocent victims, their families and the entire military family.  It is sad to think that a base that trains soldiers to protect us has been added to the lists of other unlikely places that we never imagined something this terrible could happen: Columbine High School, Virginia Tech, an immigrant community center in Binghamton, N.Y., and Luby’s Cafeteria in nearby Killeen, Texas.

Governor Rick Perry ordered flags to fly at half-staff through Sunday.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES

Northwest Airlines brought another “distracted driving” issue to the forefront recently, when one of its flights’ two pilots missed their destination by 150 miles because they were busy with their laptops.  It seems they became so engrossed in researching a newly designed work schedule system, they failed to hear the air traffic controllers frantically trying to restore contact with them.  Delta Airlines, which recently purchased Northwest Airlines, stated “using laptops or engaging in acts unrelated to command of aircraft during flight is strictly against the airlines flight deck policies.”  One former pilot noted that it is not unusual for one pilot to possibly use a laptop during flight, but it is highly unusual for two persons to use laptops at the same time.  This led to two of the biggest safety violations in commercial aviation: pilot complacency and lax cockpit disciplines.  Many airlines, such as Southwest, prohibit electronic devices, i.e. laptops, cell phones, PDA’s, unless they are approved by FAA and, in the case of Southwest, supplied by Southwest Airlines.

In the past, we have talked about distracted drivers being deadly drivers.  There has been an abundance of articles about persons in charge of trains, buses or cars causing many deaths, all because they were texting on their cell phones!  It seems the 144 persons onboard the flight mentioned above landed safely, along with the crew, but it does bring this issue to the forefront: we must not let all those sophisticated “toys” distract us from the job at hand.  Pilots of planes, bus drivers, train engineers, and all other persons who have command of vehicles should give their full attention to the safety of passengers.

It’s a sure bet that the FAA and other government officials will be looking at this incident.  It may not be the first time something like this has happened, but let’s hope it will be the last!  Regardless of working an 8-hour shift or 12-hour shift, our employer is paying us for doing our job.  We don’t get paid to sleep, play games, or use personal electronic equipment on the job.   It’s too bad that being on long flights are boring for some pilots; but considering the pay they receive, and the lives that are in their hands, giving full attention to performing their job safely is a small thing to ask.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

LET’S KEEP CHILDREN IN SCHOOL, NOT IN THE FIELDS!

We witnessed a disturbing story aired by ABC News last week, regarding child labor.  Four graduate students working as fellows with Carnegie Corporation, and ABC, observed children ages 5, 7, and 8 working alongside their parents on a Michigan blueberry farm.  As a result of this report, some popular stores have severed their ties with this particular supplier of blueberries, pending further investigations of child labor.

Countries have minimum age requirements for child labor.  The lowest exist in countries like Syria, Paraguay, or Bangladesh, where minimum age is 12. Many youngsters in developing countries begin work prior to reaching the minimum legal age.  Most countries set minimum age at 15-16 years old; but in a few cases, the minimum age may be 14. The minimum age in the U.S. ranges from 15-16, and generally, one must have permission from parents to work prior to being 18 and being considered an adult. (Read on, for federal law regarding agricultural work.)

Child labor has been a going on for decades.  It is a sad fact that families that live in poverty depend on the help of their children just to make a living.  Many are migrant, seasonal workers.  Our federal labor laws have been very lax in the past, according to some legal aid attorneys that work with migrant families.  Federal law says that children ages 12-13 are allowed to have non-hazardous jobs if they work on the same farm with their parents and have parental consent.  Many youngsters are on farms with other family members because the parents cannot afford childcare during the summer months.  Many health hazards exist on farms, such as pesticides and chemicals.

One wonders if we shouldn’t be trying to see that our laws are enforced when it comes to child labor, as this is a problem throughout our country.  Aren’t we all guilty of buying certain things that are made outside the U.S., because they are cheaper?  Chances are that inexpensive item may have been made by some child.  Probably the stores that boycotted this particular industry sell many items that are made by child labor.

Laws requiring children to attend school are essential, thereby giving them the opportunity to get decent work once they have completed their education.  If they work on farms or elsewhere, it should be when they are out of school.  We must keep our children learning skills and not perpetuating poverty.  Foremost, we must keep those children safe!

One last thought: there’s so much unemployment in this country, why don’t some of the unemployed who are healthy and able to work take these seasonal, agricultural jobs?

There are many jobs out there that are waiting for someone to come along.  It seems that many times there are certain tasks that no one wants to do, but it’s not the place of children to fill in the gaps.

General Safety Issues, Head Protection

USE YOUR HEAD – WEAR THAT HARDHAT!

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The key to a successful safety program is to protect employees from head injuries.  The easiest and most important way is by wearing safety hard hats.

These protect workers from the shock of a blow to the head, and penetration.  The shell should be 1 to 1 ¼” away from the head to cushion impact, and the hardhat should have instructions for proper adjustment and replacement of suspension and headband.  Proper fit is of the utmost importance.

Most hard hats have slots to accommodate safety glasses, face shields, mounted lights, and/or earmuffs.

Three industrial classes of hardhats are:

  • Class A – Impact and penetration resistant and limited voltage protection – up to 2,200 volts.
  • Class B – Highest level of high-voltage shock and burn protection – up to 20,000 volts.  These protect from impact and penetration hazards such as falling/flying objects.
  • Class C – Lightweight comfort and important protection but not electrical hazard protected.

There are some important facts one should know about their hard hats:

  • Hard hats won’t last forever.
  • Hard hats should be replaced after no more than 5 years of use.
  • The suspension of a hard hat should be replaced after no more than 12 months of use.
  • Hard hats must meet ANSI Z89.1-2003 requirements.
  • Hard hat suspensions should not be interchanged with other manufacturers’ suspensions.
  • The service life of a hard hat starts when it is placed in use, not when it is manufactured.  This date should be placed inside the helmet.

Personal protective equipment such as hard hats, should be maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition.  It can only be effective if used properly and the user understands its care, maintenance, and limitations, according to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132.

There was a time when hard hats were pretty “Plain Jane”, but no longer.  Workers can choose from NCAA/TEAM/NASCAR, World War II themes, Patriotic, Glow-In-The-Dark, customized ones with logos, and even Cowboy styles!  Different types of hard hats allow persons to reflect their personalities, as well as be safety compliant.