Yearly Archives: 2009

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety, Uncategorized

SWINE FLU MYSTERY

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On April 26th, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano wants to assure Americans that health officials are taking appropriate steps to minimize the impact of an outbreak of Swine Flu, by issuing a “declaration of emergency preparedness”.  This follows reports of approximately twenty cases of this type of flu in 5 states: Texas, California, New York, Ohio and Kansas.  As of today, Mexico has reported this same strain of flu has killed eighty-six people and sickened approximately 1,400 people, since April 13.

Public Health experts are puzzled by the differences experienced in the two countries.  In Mexico, several of the victims were between 20 and 40 years old and died of severe pneumonia from this flu-like illness.  It is unusual to be this acute to healthy young adults.  In the U.S., patients ranged from ages 9 to over 50, and thus far, the cases have been mild.  Canada has reported today four confirmed cases of the virus, said to be mild cases.  However, it would seem that throughout the countries involved, persons who have traveled to Mexico are thought to be ones that have carried the virus to their homes.

Swine flu is a respiratory illness in pigs that is caused by a virus; however, it rarely kills very many of them.  Thought to be only affecting those people who work on farms and have direct contact with pigs, this outbreak is different.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, this is a mix of human virus, bird virus from North America and pig viruses from North America, Europe, and Asia.  The Mexican virus samples match the U.S. virus samples.

It is also the opinion of the CDC that the seasonal flu shot in the United States this year won’t likely protect against the latest swine flu virus.  Ironically, there’s a vaccine for pigs, but not humans.  Twelve million doses of Tamiflu will be moved from U.S. government stockpiles to states that can receive their shares as needed.  World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said the outbreak of the never-before-seen virus has “pandemic potential”, but it is still too early to tell if it would become a pandemic – an epidemic that spreads in humans around the world.  

Symptoms of this virus are almost the same as any other type of flu: fever, cough, fatigue, lack of appetite, and some experiencing vomiting and diarrhea.  Routine precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases should be taken: washing hands often, covering nose and mouth when coughing/sneezing, avoiding close contact with sick people.  If you are sick, stay at home and limit contact with others.

Respirators and Face masks have been issued to citizens in Mexico City, in hopes of decreasing the spread of this virus.  Many church services and places of public entertainment have been closed, as well.  By taking immediate action, officials are hoping to catch this disease before it reaches pandemic proportions

Source: Associated Press

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

RETURN TO WORK PROGRAMS

Studies show that most employees that have been injured on the job want to go back to work as soon as they possibly can, following their recovery.  Businesses, large and small, should have Return to Work policies in place and be sure that all employees understand them.

Employers should consistently demonstrate concern for their welfare and treat all employees the same.  At the time an employee seeks medical attention, the physician should give him/her a prognosis as to when they can regain their full time employment.  Companies may set a limit on transitional periods, i.e., 90 days, that the employee can perform lighter duties in order to resume some type of work plan.

There are also studies that show the following:

  • The longer an employee stays off work, the less likely they are to return.
  • It is to the benefit of the employer to prevent replacing the worker, by offering transitional work to the injured worker, in order to avoid a possible lawsuit, and face increased workers compensation costs.
  • It is better to accommodate the person with on-the-job light duties than for them to work from home with restrictions.
  • Companies with good return to work programs reduce lost workdays and have employees that want to return to work.
  • Those employees who miss 6 months’ work are 50% more likely to not return.
  • One-fourth of employees who miss 1 year of work will probably not return.
  • If they are off 2 years or more, there is little chance of their return.

Companies that have disability programs that enable their employees to fulfill some form of duties prove to the employee that they are reliable and capable, and an asset to the employer, letting them know that their expertise makes them valuable employees.  This also enables employees be self-sufficient.

“Early” Return to Work Programs decrease temporary total disability payments, as employees that are back on the job are earning wages again.  The American Medical Association encourages their members to release employees to work as soon as they are medically able.  It is proven that employees heal more rapidly and their treatment time is reduced, if the doctor releases them as soon as possible.  This early return to work plan also serves as a cost reduction on Workers Compensation premium rates for the employer, and in certain cases, reduces legal costs.

Everyone needs to be on an even playing field in all walks of life.  Employers that treat their employees fairly when they have been injured on the job are rewarded by employees that want to get back to their job and will do a good job for them.  Successful safety programs and practices reduce injuries, making everyone happier, both the employer and employee!

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

As we become more health conscious and think about the quality of the air we breathe, here is some information about what we can do to improve indoor air quality.  Listed below are sources that may create poor air quality:

  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Asbestos
  • Pressed Wood Products/Formaldehyde
  • Lead
  • Pesticides
  • Radon
  • Secondhand Smoke/Environmental Tobacco Smoke
  • Bilogical Pollutants
  • Chimneys, Stoves, Heaters, Fireplaces
  • Respirable Particles

The best way to improve air quality is to remove the sources of pollution or reduce emmissions, such as sealing or enclosing asbestos and adjusting stoves to decrease their emmissions.  Ventilation systems should be installed that bring in and circulate the required amount of outside air.  In your home, opening windows when possible to allow fresh air to come inside is a great way to freshen things up.  High quality air cleaners are built into whole house systems, but can be very expensive.  Sometimes there are factors outside our place of work that contribute to unhealthy air being brought into buildings.  Engineers or builders have guidelines on ways to eliminate such problems when designing or remodeling offices or other workplaces.

Sources that cause many health problems in the workplace may be dust, fragrances, or smoke.  Good housekeeping practices, ventilation systems, managing pesticide applications and microbal contamination are very important for schools, offices, and other workplaces.  Workers may complain of asthma, allergies, or headaches, and report chronic issues to their managers.  For serious concerns, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts an Health Hazard Evaluation at the request of employees or employers to determine if any substance normally found in the place of employment has potentially toxic effects, including air quality.

Source: EPA

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

EARTH DAY

The beginning of a modern environmental movement started on April 22, 1970, with the theme, Earth Day.  Approximately 20 million Americans participated to reach the goal of a healthy, sustainable environment.  At this time, separate groups that had been fighting against polluting factories, power plants, toxic dumps, oil spills, loss of wilderness and extinction of wildlife realized that they shared common goals.  Through the years and with the help of the internet, the efforts of those concerned with the environment have multiplied.  April 22, 1990, more than 200 million people in 141 countries mobilized to raise the status of environmental issues.  This led to the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.  Matters such as global warming and clean energy have now emerged, as well.

Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously throughout the world by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities.  There are now more than one-half billion people that participate in Earth Day network campaigns every year.

Earth Day 2009, April 22, will mark the beginning of The Green Generation CampaignTM, which will also be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. With negotiations for a new global climate agreement coming up in December, Earth Day 2009 must be a day of action and civic participation, to defend The Green GenerationTM’s core principles:

  • A carbon-free future based on renewable energy that will end our common dependency on fossil fuels, including coal.
  • An individual’s commitment to responsible, sustainable consumption.
  • Creation of a new green economy that lifts people out of poverty by creating millions of quality green jobs and transforms the global education system into a green one.

Are you doing your part to keep your little corner of the world green?  There are things each of us can do to preserve our country’s beauty, protect our wildlife, and keep our air clean.  In exchange, if we do the things required to improve our environment, won’t we also be making the world a safer place, as well?  It is our focus to ensure that persons whose jobs are to contend with cleaning up pollution or other acts of negligence of the earth remain safe as they do their job.

We are given the opportunity to keep our towns, states, and country beautiful and protect the environment. Let’s make every day a “Safe” Earth Day!

Sources:
Wikipedia, Earth.net

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

HAZARDS OF WORKING IN AN OFFICE!

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Yes, that’s right, most people think that working in an office is a pretty cushy job, but have you ever looked around?  There are potential accidents just waiting to happen, when you really check it out!

As a person who has worked in offices all my life, I think back to several things that I did that could have resulted in injury………..like, having a file cabinet tip over on me because it was top heavy and I was working out of the bottom drawer.  Or not using the correct posture when lifting heavy boxes, my back still hurts!   I’ve had many coworkers trip over a low file drawer that got left out.  (Once, I witnessed an engineer set fire to a wastebasket he was sitting on while talking to his secretary, dropping ashes from his pipe into the trash. Boy, did he get a hotseat!)

There are many simple things that can be done and don’t require a lot of extra time to keep our office employees safe.  Also, office workers should pitch in and report any potential risk hazard to their supervisor, whether it’s a slippery floor, too-dark area, or electrical problem, in order for it to be taken care of before someone gets hurt.

Here are several questions regarding office safety, and we want you to see how many apply to your office:

Office Safety

  • Are your file cabinets top heavy?
  • Are boxes, papers and books stored safely on top of files?
  • Are lights turned on in dark work areas?
  • Are there broken lights?
  • Are drawers left open on desks and file cabinets?
  • Do people tilt back in their chairs?
  • Are there signs to watch your step at elevators?
  • Are spills cleaned up promptly?
  • Do you see people standing on their chairs, desktops, to reach something high, rather than use a step stool?
  • Do electric cords stretch across floor?
  • Are power strips used correctly?
  • Are fire exits clearly marked, and are employees familiar with them?
  • Is there enough space under desk or workstation for employee to take cover in an emergency?
  • Are fire drills conducted regularly?
  • Are coffee makers, griddles, heating elements, safely placed and inspected on a regular basis?
  • Are storage areas clean and neat?
  • Are handrails and stairways well lighted?
  • Does your office have a good housekeeping program?
  • Do employees leave open food, i.e., cookies, crackers, in their desk?
  • Is the floor or carpet in bad condition? Uneven floors can be fall hazards.
  • Do people leave wastebaskets or boxes in walkways?
  • Do you see persons wearing dangling jewelry or floppy clothing while running a shredder?  Guys with ties shouldn’t try this.

We know part of your answers will be no and some yes, but hopefully they apply in a way that shows you have a safe office!  Typically, though, we all need to pitch in and keep our workspace clean, neat and safe for our fellow workers.  Try placing safety posters that relate to the work being done in each area to convey a good safety theme.   Posters work wonders!

Uncategorized

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

This week, April 19-25, is National Volunteer Week.

National Volunteer Week is a time to thank one of our nation’s most valuable assets — volunteers — and call the public’s attention to all that they do to improve our communities.

Sponsored nationally by the Points of Light Institute, National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard M. Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Every president since has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week. The theme, “celebrating people in action,” truly captures the meaning behind this signature week — honoring the individuals who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in their communities.

What would small communities do without volunteers?  Persons who work on city councils, hospital boards, and many other types of community boards receive no pay, but do it because they want to serve.  Many places of entertainment utilize volunteers, such as museums, theatres, art shows and others.  Most cities have annual festivals or celebrations and depend on volunteers for to ensure their success.

Young students volunteer on summer projects; rather than spending their time going swimming, to the mall, or other fun things, they are swinging a hammer, painting, or performing other duties such as helping repair homes for folks that otherwise can’t afford them.  Students also volunteer in many ways by collecting for worthwhile causes, or running a race for financial pledges to help on special projects.

Lately, there have been many fires in Texas and Oklahoma; news reports revealed that the only ones fighting part of these devastating fires were volunteer firemen and women.  In some cases, there was assistance from professional support teams.  However, most of the time, smaller communities rely on their volunteer firemen and first responders.

Hospital volunteers help their hospital meet budget by doing all types of clerical work at no charge.  They also hold fundraisers in order to buy needed equipment, thereby freeing up the hospital to make other purchases.  Church members are permanent volunteers, doing all they are able to do to help out their communities in times of troubles.  And what on earth would we do in times of destruction: fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, just to name a few, if it weren’t for the Salvation Army, Red Cross, and many other groups that depend on their volunteers to help them provide needed relief?

Whether doing a small thing, such as reading to someone in a nursing home, running errands, or cooking a meal for a family with a sick member, one can never know what that act of kindness means to others.  Anyone who can spare an hour or so any time should give volunteering a try.  The best reward a person can receive is knowing that they have given a part of themselves to make the world a better place.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

LET’S GO FISHING!

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Football and basketball are over, and if you are one that doesn’t enjoy watching golf, what better way to spend time than fishing with a friend, your kids or grandkids?  Warm weather is almost here, so start getting that tackle box ready, clean up the boat, get your license, and let’s go!

Fishing, as well as any other sport, can be hazardous if you don’t keep safety in mind.  We have some common-sense reminders for you, just in case you have forgotten:

  • Always consider safety factors when you are choosing your fishing spot.
  • If you are in a boat, you and everyone else must wear a life jacket.
  • Know the weight restrictions of your boat, and do not overload it.
  • Whether in a boat, or fishing off the bank, stay away from areas that are marked “off limits.”  Their purpose is to protect wildlife, vegetation, and/or your safety.
  • Remember, “don’t drink and drive” applies to boats as well as cars or trucks.
  • Be sure to check out weather forecasts.
  • Carry a flashlight, water, cell phone, and portable radio.
  • Be sure to wear safety glasses and a hat.
  • Also take sunscreen with at least 15 SPF.
  • It’s important to wear tennis shoes, (old ones), to not slip, or get cut by rocks, hooks, glass, or other items that may be in the water where you are wading.
  • Look before you cast.  There have been many trips to the emergency room by folks that have gotten hooked.  (Another good reason to keep those safety glasses on!)
  • Use caution when baiting and removing hooks.
  • Handle fishing tackle responsibly.  Don’t leave any of it lying on the ground, dock, or boat.
  • Lastly, take along some insect repellent.  Our pesky little friends always like to go along on fishing trips, too.

Have a great fishing trip, whether it’s a lake, pond, or river.  There’s no better way to enjoy the outdoors and relax a little.  Just always play it safe.

High Visibility Safety

HIGH VISIBILITY SAFETY VESTS, PART II

The purpose of these articles is to help everyone understand the difference in ANSI Standard 107-2004, and ANSI Standard 207-2006, High Visibility Safety Vests that are required to be worn by workers on all federally funded highways.  As previously stated, the ANSI 207-2006 vests do not replace or interchange with the ANSI 107-2004.   It is hoped that the Standards of the 207-2006 vests will be amended soon.  Strong public safety justifications exist to recognize the 207-2006 vests.

Garment design is the key distinction in the two standards.  By allowing less (450 sq. inches) of background fabric to be used, law enforcement could now combine Police Blue fabrics with fluorescent orange or yellow.  Fire Service could use their traditional red, orange, or yellow fabrics, but needed Fire Resistant fabrics per the (NFPA 701) and or (ASTM F-1506) standards.  EMS personnel traditionally wear navy or white.  The National Incident Management System (NIMS) encouraged the use of colorcoding response personnel and/or the use of ID panels.  The result is new vest designs that combine non-traditional fire resistant and poly-cotton fabrics with fluorescent fabrics to create entirely new designs for “Public Safety Vests” and “First Responder Safety Vests”.  Many are one-size-fits-most, which allows for difference in personnel that will use these vests in an emergency.  Clear and velcro removable ID panels permit fast changes in assignments during Incident Management.  (There is also a new Incident Command Vest, which we will discuss later.)

The main difference is that the 207 vest features a shorter length. It has velcro “break-away” sides and shoulder designs on select products, which provide an extra level of protection in the event that the vest becomes tangled or caught on something.  Another advantage of the shorter vest is the ease of access to belt mounted tools, or handguns for law enforcement.  Following these considerations, the new ANSI 207-2006 standard allows Public Safety personnel to maintain their identity as First Responders.

The new standard suggests many design options, such as breakaway, colored identifiers, pockets, loops, badge holders, microphone tabs and ID panels.  These are suggestions and not mandatory to the standard.  The design options are intended to encourage inventive ways to meet end user needs for functionality, while still offering a high visibility safety garment.

It is our hope that all of our highway workers, Public Safety Workers, and First Responders remain safe as they perform their important jobs on our nations highways.

High Visibility Safety

HIGH VISIBILITY SAFETY VESTS- Part I

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In January, 2006, the Federal Highway Administration published the most recent Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (The MUJTCD.)  This MUJTCD revision accepted and coded into law for the first time the ANSI 107-1999 High Visibility Apparel Standard.  The acceptance of the ANSI 107-2004 Standard (current revision) was a distinct advancement for highway workers.

For Public Safety Workers such as Fire, Police, State Patrol, Emergency Personnel, and other First Responders, however, the circumstances and use of High Visibility Apparel on the job was unclear.  Many Public Safety workers were exempted from using high visibility apparel, and were only partially covered by the ANSI 107 standard and the MUTCD.  In 2006, the FHWA announced that effective in 2006, ALL workers working on a highway that received federal funds must wear high visibility ANSI apparel.  The new rule now included Public Safety personnel, such as those named above, as they are a part of directing traffic, investigating crashes, handling lane closures, clearing obstructed roadways, and all other disasters within the right of way of federal highways.  All First Responders working on any highway that received federal funds were being advised to use ANSI High Visibility Apparel.  The vests must be Class 2 or Class 3.

There was the concern by Public Safety Workers that completing hazardous work such as heat/flame exposure, use of weapons and fire/chemical/electrical exposure, are all part of the risks of on-the-job traffic accidents and required judgment in the use of High Visibility apparel, and flexibility of design for these workers.

The ISEA, working in conjunction with select law enforcement, fire, rescue, EMS, and other city and state First Responder organizations began work on a new consensus standard specifically for Public Service Safety Vests.  The result was the publication of the ANSI 207 Public Safety Vest standard, approved by canvas method and published in late 2006, and it is hoped that the regulation will soon be amended, as the 207 is not intended to be interchangeable or replace the 107.   The ANSI 207-2006 accepted as “Best Practices” much of this standard as defined by the already published ANSI 107-2004 for workers.  In regard to definitions of fluorescent fabrics, retro-reflective tapes, 3rd party testing care labels, marking, and other requirements, the same standards for high visibility public safety are nearly identical.  The required amount of retro-reflective material is the same (201 square inches).

Our next segment will explain the details of the 207-2006 vests that Public Safety Workers felt would better meet their needs.  Stay tuned…………………

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

NATIONAL ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

As promised, we want to pass on some information regarding April being National Alcohol Awareness Month.  One of the reasons for this month being chosen is that many schools hold their proms in April, and the consequences of underage drinking need to be stressed to both parents and students.
Addiction to alcohol and drugs is not limited to young people, however.  Drug and alcohol dependence are America’s #1 health problem.  There are more deaths and disabilities each year in the United States from substance abuse than any other cause: more than eighteen million Americans have alcohol problems and between five and six million have drug problems.

Statistics from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence show that almost one-half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related.  Costs of more than $276 billion per year in lost productivity, crime, traffic crashes, health care expenses and other conditions are attributed to these addictions.  Untreated addiction is more expensive than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined.
Families and coworkers play an important in convincing persons with these types of problems to get help.  Treatment improves health, job performance, and family cohesiveness.  When persons work with or live with someone who abuses alcohol or drugs, their safety and well-being are at risk.

Documentation from the Comprehensive Assessment Treatment Outcomes Registry in Ohio shows the following drastic results in occupational problems after treatment:

  • Tardiness decreased by 92%
  • Problems with supervisor decreased by 56%
  • Mistakes in work decreased by 70%
  • Incomplete work decreased by 81%
  • Absenteeism decreased by 89%

There are many places one can turn to for help.  Call: Substance Abuse Treatment Locator, 1-800-662 HELP, or www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov.  If you or someone you know needs to deal with this issue, this may be the best call you or they ever made.

Sources:
NCADD
USDHHS
SAMHSA