Yearly Archives: 2009

Uncategorized

WHERE WERE YOU ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001?

There’s probably not one single American (who is old enough) to remember what they were doing on that fateful day when four commercial jetliners were hijacked and intentionally crashed on United States soil.  Two of the planes hit New York City’s twin towers of the World Trade Center, taking the lives of thousands of innocent civilians- persons who represented more than 90 countries. One other jetliner hit the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania.  The hijackers’ target on that fourth plane was our Nation’s capitol, but because brave passengers and the flight crew had been in touch by cell phone with what was going on elsewhere, they fought to retake the plane.  There were no survivors on any flights.

I was at a workshop in Abilene, Texas, when the terrible news was announced.  Everyone gathered around televisions to witness what could only be described as watching a horror movie, and finding it hard to believe that those images were very real.  After gathering for prayer, we were dismissed to go home.   The grief that Americans felt that day remains.  It’s hard to believe that one can lose their life in such a cruel way by simply going to work.  Besides the passengers and persons in the buildings, there were many firefighters, police, EMS personnel and others who lost their lives.  We can only pray that we never see another day such as that one.

Along with hundreds of suppliers and businesses in America, Texas America Safety Company sent hardhats and respirators for the dedicated workers in the cleanup and recovery phase, which lasted until May, 2002.  OSHA distributed more than 131,000 respirators, 11,000 hard hats, 13,000 safety glasses and goggles, and 21,000 pairs of protective gloves. They identified more than 9,000 hazards that had to be dealt with.

Texas America Safety Company, along with all Americans, salutes the workers for the difficult tasks performed during the 10 months of the recovery mission.  As with all Americans, we will never forget that day.  Let’s pledge to keep ourselves, and our country as safe as possible.

General Safety Issues

LET’S KNOCK OUT THE SUPERBUGS!

With all the talk about the H1N1 virus, there are some other bugs out there, and we’re not talking about big cockroaches!  These bugs can be anywhere: at your home, grocery store, the gym, and your place of work.  Because they have developed a resistance to antibiotics, more and more persons are becoming infected with various germs that the antibiotics once knocked out with ease.  Helen W. Boucher, M.D., a specialist in the division of infectious diseases at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, says “drug resistant bacteria have developed mainly because of our overuse and misuse of antibiotics, leading us to a crisis point.” She also said that they are seeing bugs today that resist all antibiotics.

Here are a few supergerms that you may not be aware of, and what to do:

  • Strains of flu: bird flu, swine flu, and seasonal flu.  Get flu vaccines when available, and practice good hygiene, especially washing your hands very often with soap and water.  Stay away from crowds when you don’t feel well.
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).  There has been much more said about staph infections in the last few years.  Staph can be a deadly infection.  Athletes need to be careful not to share towels or equipment.  In a gym, don’t hesitate to wipe down equipment you plan to use with an antibacterial wipe.  Daycare centers and schools may harbor this bug, so teach kids to wash, wash their hands!  Any public place you visit, especially hospitals, we caution you to be extra vigilant about what you touch.  Most of us carry staph on our skin, without ever developing a problem.  Staph causes skin and soft-tissue abcesses.  Cover the places and seek medical attention to ensure this infection doesn’t get into your system.
  • Clostiridium difficile (C.diff.) This is one that most people don’t know anything about, unless they have worked in a hospital or had a family member that has experienced it.  C.diff. is a very aggressive killer of hospitalized patients.  Persons who have had a single dose of antibiotics for a sinus or urinary tract infection may come down with this bug, which is a toxic bacteria in the intestines.  Bleach is one of the best things to wipe surfaces in order to kill this bug.  Hospitals and nursing homes are facilities where this germ thrives.  Wash your hands often and don’t touch anything the patient has touched.

One way to help keep your body from becoming antibiotic resistant, is to not take them unless you absolutely have to.  Ask your doctor for the shortest course of antibiotics.  Be proactive: if you have to take an antibiotic, take a probiotic at the same time to build up the healthy bacteria in your body. Wash your hands the right way.  And if you or someone you know is hospitalized, don’t be shy about asking the caregiver to wash their hands, as if their hands are not clean before they put on gloves, the gloves will be contaminated, as well.

Now that we’ve warned you about some of the “little monsters” lurking out there, we hope you have a great day, and a “germ-free” one!

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products, Respiratory Safety, Uncategorized, Weather Protection

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

The United States Department of Homeland Security’s READY campaign, along with AD Council, and Citizen Corps, announced their sixth annual National Preparedness Month on September 1st.  Their purpose is to encourage Americans to be prepared for emergencies in their communities, homes, and businesses.  Americans must understand what being ready really means.  This month, this National Public Service advertising campaign will promote individual emergency preparedness to respond to emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.

Others who actively participate in this endeavor are the Better Business Bureau, Boy Scouts of America, National Volunteer Fire Council, Home Depot, ASPCA, and the American Red Cross.

This is a true story, from my little home town:
Shortly after 9-11, one of the schools got a suspicious package in the mail. The postmark showed it was from a foreign country, and seemed to have a powdery material seeping out of it, so the secretary immediately reported it to the proper authorities.  All types of activities proceeded, as planned, with a HazMat team coming from 90 miles away, emergency responders setting up areas to wash down anyone who was possibly contaminated, hospital locked down, etc.  As it turned out, it contained some educational tapes and the packing material had become crushed in the process of being mailed.  She was very embarrassed, but she did the right thing, as the materials had not been ordered, and at that particular time, we were all nervous about the unexpected.  What we found out was, though, we were really not prepared.  Many things were done that should have been done, but not necessarily in the correct order.

In earlier articles we have presented, Being Prepared, and Dog Rescuers in Times of Disaster, we have listed tips on basic safety kits that families should have, as well as ideas for those who rescue animals in emergency situations, so you may want to review them.

It would take time to gather up all the things needed to for an emergency disaster kit, but we want to point out many basic necessities:

  • Water: 1 gallon per day, per person, for up to 3 days
  • Three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Can opener
  • Battery powered NOAA weather radio, and extra batteries
  • Flashlight
  • First Aid Kit
  • Blankets
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust Masks
  • Tools
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags, plastic ties
  • Prescription medications
  • Pet food, water
  • Paper products, towels, plates, etc.
  • Cell phone

Natonal Preparedness Month membership is open to the public and private sector organizations.  For information, go to www.ready.gov.  Businesses, families, school administrators, and individuals should all get involved and spread the word that we must be better prepared.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

FARM SAFETY MONTH

September is Farm Safety Month, so what better time than to review just one of the things that our farmers and ranchers have to worry about: pests!  In their fight against pests, they must use pesticides, running the risk of being exposed to harmful chemicals.

Pesticides help our agriculture industry through the EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) Integrated Pest Management system.  In agricultural settings, their approach is to:
(1)    Use bio-pesticides, which are less risky.
(2)    Decide when the pest is an economic threat.
(3)    Determine what type of pesticide is needed.
(4)    Try rotating crops.
(5)    Use broadcast spraying of a non-specific pesticide as a last resort.

New EPA safety requirements are meant to protect agricultural workers against pesticides used in crop fields.  Since soil fumigants are restricted-use pesticides, only specially trained personnel can apply and oversee these types of operations, which involves injecting pesticides into the soil to create a gas that kills several types of soil-borne pests in the fields.  This type of pesticide can cause health problems ranging from eye or respiratory irritation to more severe and irreversible effects.

All workers on farms need to use caution when applying pesticides:

  • Read labels on pesticide containers.
  • Handle pesticides in well-ventilated areas, and on calm days.
  • Never store pesticides in food or drink containers.
  • Don’t mix pesticides or drain sprayer near pond, stream, or well.
  • Obey restrictions at entries and watch for warning signs.
  • Wear appropriate PPE, i.e., goggles/wrap-around safety glasses, gloves, respirators, etc.

Pest control is just one of the many problems that our agriculture industry copes with as they produce the nation’s food.  Keeping farm workers safe from the effects of pesticides is foremost.

USDA
EPA

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, Home Safety Products, Uncategorized

OBSERVE LABOR DAY BY NOT LABORING

Well, another Labor Day is rolling around again. Where does the time go? Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the Fourth of July! In case you don’t already know, here are a few facts concerning Labor Day:

  • Canada led off with the idea in 1872. Parades and other festivities honored workers following The Trade Union Act, which legalized and protected union activities.
  • In the United States, the Central Labor Union followed suit, and started the holiday for workers in 1882.
  • Labor Day became a federal holiday in the U.S. in 1894.
  • Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September.

Now that we have our facts behind us, we hope that your Labor Day holiday will be a safe one. We know that most Americans regard this holiday as the official winding up of summer fun, the beginning of school, start of football season, and last holiday until Thanksgiving.

As the dog days of summer are here, make the most of the long weekend (September 4th -September 7th) by traveling safely, allowing plenty of extra time to get to your destination and back home, in order to avoid a ticket from your friendly state trooper.

If you are going on an outing, such as fishing, camping, hiking, etc., be sure to take along your sunscreen, first aid kit, sunglasses, insect repellent, and protective gear. Because the weather is still warm, you’ll want to keep all perishable food items cold, and not leave them out of the ice chest for more than one hour. Taking along a NOAA weather radio would be a good plan, too, as this time of the year, there may be weather changes that would affect your outdoor activities.

We hope the weekend will be a good one for you, and that you go back to your job rested and/or energized for fall. Play it safe, whatever you choose to do.

Fall Safety, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

DO Y0U PREACH TO THE CHOIR?

For more than a year now, I have been talking about safety: at home, work, and play.  I have researched all types of accidents and how they might have been avoided.  By writing about safety-related issues, I have prided myself on the things I have learned through research. Preached to my family, from swine flu to staying hydrated while playing sports- my expertise has been offered to anyone who would listen, whether they wanted to or not.

A bad thing happened this week: a friend of mine fell from her back porch, breaking her arm in two places, as well as receiving a black eye and bruised ego.  And what was the first thing I did when I saw her in the E.R? Aside from telling her how sorry I was that this terrible accident happened to her, I advised her to carry her cell phone in her pocket from now on, so she could call for help. (Unable to get up after the fall, she was on the ground for more than an hour before her husband came home and called for an ambulance.)

Later, I began to think: my cell phone is not always in my pocket.  When I am running a short errand, my seat belt sometimes is not buckled up, even though it is the law.  I’m still tempted to talk on the cell phone while driving down the road, but I have realized that it is not the safest thing to do, so I have cut down on those calls.  It’s very tempting to drive through a yellow traffic light, just as it’s changing.  And how many of us haven’t run a stop/yield sign at one time or another?  An added note: (the chief of police in our little town ran a yield sign just yesterday, and almost hit my son’s truck.)

If we all took the time to consider the little chances we take on a daily basis that could result in mishaps, we probably could figure out ways to ensure an accident won’t happen.  Example: my friend will need a rail to hold on to when she enters or leaves her house.  And I bet that rail will be put up when she comes home from the hospital.  She has had a number of surgeries, and if a rail had been there, maybe that fall could have been prevented.

Sometimes in life, we all need a rail or someone to hold on to.  Think about ways that would make your life safer.  We all need to practice what we preach.  I promise I will from now on!

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

H1N1: SAME SONG, SECOND VERSE!

1 Comment

The swine flu was a major cause of economic hardship for Mexico when it first broke out last spring.  Officials say they are not going to handle things in quite the same way if an outbreak occurs again this fall.  Restaurants, schools, public sports events, and any number of activities were closed in order to stop the spread of the virus.  Instead, they are emphasizing the importance of hand washing and other protective measures individuals can take.  The streets and sidewalks are being kept much cleaner.

Many countries are taking the same precautions and issuing the same warnings.  Schools are teaching hygiene and telling their students to not spread germs if they begin to feel sick.  Everyone, everywhere needs to get on board; maybe together we can overcome the obstacles presented by the virus.  Here are some things you probably already know, but if not, we’ll tell you again:

  • So far, the virus has not been much more threatening than the regular flu.  More people are susceptible to it, though, and it did persist through the summer, which is unusual.
  • It has been rather baffling to health professionals in that it seems to affect different groups.  Most flu affects older persons; however, this one has hit teens and otherwise healthy young adults.  Other groups that are vulnerable are those with underlying health problems like diabetes, asthma and heart disease, as well as pregnant women, children under age 2, and health care workers.
  • Alcohol-based sanitizers are excellent hand hygiene tools; however, using soap and water often is the best practice.  It’s recommended that you take the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday”, or the “Alphabet Song” to do a thorough hand washing.
  • Vaccinations are important.  Pregnant women, children age 6 months and up through young adults age 24, and health care workers should be the first to receive the vaccinations.  When the vaccine is available, everyone should take the shots.
  • Taking the shots as early as possible will help, as the vaccine will probably require two shots, three weeks apart, and effectiveness will take place approximately two weeks following.
  • Vaccines are being tested and companies are working diligently to produce enough vaccine for mass production.  There are several facilities throughout the US and worldwide that are testing their vaccines.
  • Use your head. Be cautious if the swine flu breaks out in your area.  Avoid going to the mall, churches, sports events, and any other place you usually go where there are large groups of people.
  • If you become ill with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, chest pain, call your doctor.  He/she may prescribe Tamiflu or Relenza, which will help reduce the severity.  A trip to the Emergency Room may be needed if children experience rapid breathing along with fever, or adults don’t improve after receiving the common flu drugs.
  • You cannot catch swine flu from eating pork.  Handling uncooked or cooked meat does not spread the virus.

Source: A.P.

General Safety Issues

SOME NEW LAWS FOR TEXANS

1 Comment

Effective September 1st, there are new laws for Texans to abide by.  State legislators passed several new laws; therefore, we feel it is our duty as good citizens to pass some of them on to our fellow Texans:

  • Handheld cell phones are prohibited from use while in school zones, unless the vehicle is stopped or the driver is using a hands-free set. Fines will not be imposed until June 1st, 2010.  (Hopefully, this will get drivers used to the law and they will stop using them in school zones.)
  • “Click It or Ticket” starts at a new level Tuesday, when all passengers in the vehicle are required to buckle up, even those in the backseat.
  • Children 8 and younger who are shorter than 4’9” are required to be secured in a booster seat.  The same deadline of June 1 for fines applies to this law.
  • Teen drivers under 18 will be prohibited from using cell phones while driving for the first year of their license.  (Previous law was for 6 months.)
  • Penalties will be increased for misusing parking spaces for handicapped or placards for people with disabilities.
  • All applicants under age 18 must take the driving skills exam to receive a driver’s license.
  • Passengers age 5 and younger are outlawed from riding on a motorcycle except in a sidecar or during an emergency.
  • A minor’s driver’s license will be suspended for failing a breath-or blood-alcohol test while operating a watercraft.
  • The license of someone who drives while intoxicated with a child passenger is automatically suspended.
  • Questions regarding rights and responsibilities in relation to bike safety will be added to the driver’s license exam.
  • Convalescent homes, nursing homes and related institutions are required to have an automated external defibrillator (AED), and personnel trained to use one.
  • Restaurants are required to list food and food-handling activities that involve bare-hand contact and to adopt some contamination control guidelines.

While we chose laws that involve the safety of others, we are hopeful that people are aware of these and many other changes, and will respect and abide by them.

Back Safety, Ergonomics, Eye Protection, Fall Safety, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, High Visibility Safety, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety

THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING WHAT WENT WRONG

One of the worst things that can happen to any business is for an employee to be injured on the job.  (It goes without saying, that it’s also a very unfortunate event for the employee.) Workers have the right to know exactly what is expected of them in their daily job performance.  They should be informed of any hazards associated with their duties and properly trained before beginning their job, and given the proper personal protective equipment that is required to ensure their safety.

Efficient businesses have policies and procedures, which should include a proper accident investigation and reporting plan.  Prevention, of course, is the key to avoiding accidents, but when they happen, someone must be assigned to be responsible in determining how and why the injury occurred.   Insufficient reporting of work-related accidents will lead to higher costs for employers.  It also must be reported to company management and workers comp providers in an accurate and timely manner.

Lost time accidents are costly to employers.  According to Cal/OSHA, for every dollar a company spends on direct costs of a workers’ injury, more dollars are spent to cover the hidden and indirect costs, such as:

  • Productive time lost by the injured employee;
  • Productive time lost by employees attending the accident victim;
  • Time to hire/retrain employee while victim is off work;
  • Clean up and start up of operations that were interrupted;
  • Paying employee all or part of wages, in addition to compensation;
  • Cost to repair damaged equipment;
  • Higher workers compensation rates;
  • Cost of paperwork involved in reporting accident.

Employers that do not furnish safe and healthful work practices for their workers are gambling with the future of their very own business.  Hazard assessments, risk management, and safety programs are essential for ensuring successful business practices for everyone involved.

Another angle to consider, as well, is that a thorough accident investigation will prove that the injury did occur on the job, and not elsewhere.  History shows that there are people in this world that will take advantage of their employer and sue them for an on-the-job injury that happened somewhere else.

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety, Uncategorized

CLOUD OF H1N1 VIRUS STILL LOOMING

The mysterious strain of influenza that began last spring is hanging over countries throughout the world like a heavy cloud.  Officials in the U.S. are concerned that the virus could infect as many as 30 to 50 per cent of its citizens, put 1.8 million persons in hospitals, and possibly kill between 30,000 to 90,000 people.  Seasonal flu kills 36,000 Americans in an annual normal flu season, and causes more than 200,000 patients to be admitted to hospitals.

Another main concern from health officials is that prescription medications, Tamiflu and Relenza, are being widely misused.  In the United Kingdom, experts had warned physicians not to prescribe the drug just because of public demand.  These medications can reduce the severity of the illness; however, they should be given only to high-risk patients, such as pregnant women, children under 5, or persons with underlying health conditions.

Excessive overuse can build up a resistance to antiviral drugs, as well as lead to a lack of medicine for those who desperately need them.  Many persons who have been taking Tamiflu in general, have not completed the required dosage, and some have reported side effects, such as vomiting or nausea.

As we witnessed on local television news last night, the first lesson being taught in an elementary school yesterday (the first day of school), was washing their hands.  School officials are aware of the importance these and other precautionary measures are to avert the spread of H1N1 in their schools.  As we have reported, government officials have designated local school administrations to be the decision makers if the need arises to close their schools.  It is felt that long periods of school closures are not necessary, as was done in the spring.  Anyone who has been ill is asked not to return to school until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours.  The same should apply to return to work, as well.

Five vaccine providers are working diligently to get the first immunizations out as soon as possible.  Until they are tested and approved, it is recommended that persons take the regular seasonal flu shot that should be available in September.