Monthly Archives: August 2010

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW

Every American has the right to know the hazards to which they may be exposed in their daily living. Right-to-know laws provide information about possible chemical exposures. There are two forms that involve the right to know: Right to Know in the Workplace, and Right to Know in the Community.  Below is a list of some of the information that the EPA provides the public in the spirit of right to know in regard to their communities.

  • Emergency Planning
  • Toxic Substances and Releases
  • Environmental in the Community
  • Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996
  • Air Pollution
  • Water Quality
  • Lead Program
  • Hazardous Waste

The Right to Know in the workplace was established in 1985 with OSHA’s Hazardous Chemicals Standard.  Information that the workplace must have accessible to employees are:

  • Workplace Inspection Reports
  • Medical Records
  • Noise, chemicals, and other hazards workers are exposed to
  • Workers Comp claim forms and records
  • Injury and Illness Records OSHA Standards
  • Monitoring Methods
  • Accident Investigation Reports
  • MSDS– Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to assess hazards of chemicals and pass this information on to purchasers through container labels. Employers must provide information to workers through Material Safety Data Sheets.  This detailed information is to be furnished to all employees, and they must be trained to understand  the importance of the MSDS, and the risks of the chemicals their workplace may use.  These are to be accessible to employees in all work areas. 

Because of confidentiality of medical records and other personal data, different laws may apply to certain records, as applicable.  It will be interesting to research the different aspects of employees’ and citizens’ right-to-know laws.  We hope to bring more detailed information on various subjects to you in the future.

It is important that we do our part to control pollution in our country.  We want our schools, communities, homes, and workplaces to be safe havens that don’t make us sick.  If you have questions about situations in your surroundings or work environment, contact your local governmental authorities, or the Environmental Protection Agency.  It’s your Right to Know.

General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

WATER KEEPS YOU RUNNING IN THE SUMMER HEAT!

August days are sweltering in Texas, as well as many other parts of the country.  There are many athletes – baseball players, football players, and runners that are exposed to the heat during the hottest time of the day, in many cases.  There are some keys to staying healthy while exercising, whether as an athlete, or worker who is exposed to the elements every day,  becoming dehydrated.

Mild dehydration is the loss of no more than 5% of the body’s fluid. Loss of 5-10% is considered moderate dehydration. Severe dehydration (loss of 10-15% of body fluids) is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical care. 

One of the first steps to getting used to the heat is to become acclimatized.  As the weather heats up, you must ratchet down your outdoor workout for at least five days to two weeks, in order to build up heat tolerance.  If you ride a bike, ride it a little slower until you get used to hotter temperatures.  Walk instead of running, if you are a jogger.  If you are involved in an intense workout, you are creating more heat for your body.  

A sweat rate test will tell you how much fluid you need to replace from your workout: weigh yourself without clothes before and after a workout; add the amount of any fluid you drank from your weight-loss difference, and you’ll have the amount of fluid you lost through sweat.  Hydration keeps your body from overheating.  The best policy is to know what works best for each individual.  The American College of Sports medicine suggests that too much water can cause a sodium imbalance in the body.  Listen to your thirst.  Some fitness program coaches recommend athletes drink 16 to 20 ounces of water before training, carry 20 ounces of water to sip during the workout, and change to an electrolyte sports drink such as Gatorade after the first hour.  Lost sodium can also be replaced with salty snacks.  

There is a common belief that caffeinated drinks dehydrate you, but according to cardiologist Benjamin Levine, caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea will help hydrate your body throughout the day, because they contain water. Dr. John Carlo, Medical Director of Dallas County Health and Human Services recommends that drinking more fluids the day before strenuous exercise will help prevent dehydration.  Hydrating at night is also a good idea, says Dr. Carlo. 

If you have health problems or are more susceptible to heat, you may want to exercise in an air-conditioned wellness center, or gym.  They contain all types of equipment that will enable you to get the amount of conditioning you want.  

Even when the weather is just a few degrees higher than normal, it can take its toll on our bodies.  Those who work outdoors should always take the proper precautions and be able to take breaks away from the sun as often as possible.  Always have fresh water available, and drink it often.  We all need to keep our cool anyway we can!

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING IS A GOOD IDEA

Do you take pride in keeping your home and yard nice and tidy?  How do you feel about keeping your workplace the same?  I have worked with some pretty messy people, ones who would throw their paper coffee cups on the floor, missing the wastebasket, and leaving other trash behind, and I wondered if they did the same at their houses.  Clutter, debris, and spills are a serious hazard, both at home and work.  Good housekeeping in the workplace pays big dividends, by preventing injuries, saving time by not having to look for tools or materials, and keeping  the boss happy. 

A sloppy workplace contributes to accidents such as tripping over objects that may have been left in the aisles or on stairs, getting hit by falling objects, or slipping on wet, dirty, or greasy floors.  Broken fixtures  in buildings that are not properly repaired can also cause accidents.  If the workplace is not kept free from dust and vapors, health problems could be an issue.  A safety officer should  complete a housekeeping checklist weekly.  Each department should be responsible to see that they pass the inspection with flying colors.  Housekeeping safety programs should include inspection, maintenance, upkeep, and repairs.  Aisles, fire equipment, first aid stations and emergency eyewash stations should never be blocked by clutter or debris. 

Employee facilities should be cleaned daily and stocked with soap, towels, and disinfectants. Many companies have individual lockers for workers to be able to change from their work clothes, in order to not contaminate their homes if they work in environments that contain hazardous materials.  

We’ve all heard the saying, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.”  This saying applies to our homes and places of employment.  Being organized is the best way to be efficient.  Dispensers play an important part of being organized in the workplace.  There are dispensers for everything from tape, to earplugs, eyeglasses, goggles, facemasks, medicines, hairnets, shoe covers, beard covers, and just about anything that requires being ready for use. 

Let’s all try a little harder to be good stewards at work. If every one of us keeps our little corner of the world tidy, what a safer world it will be.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

NEW HIRES NEED YOUR HELP

During this time of a bad economy, there are persons that are desperate for a job, and they may be happy to take one that has nothing to do with the type of work they have done in the past.  People from all professions have found themselves ousted from occupations that they have been doing for years, and are willing to take whatever comes their way, even when they may be overqualified, or lack experience in the particular job they take.  When this happens, becoming familiar with a new work situation and understanding safety issues are two of the most important things they must learn. 

It’s a known fact that during the first month on a new job, new hires are susceptible to injuries.  They should receive basic safety training from the very beginning.  Getting them acquainted with their coworkers and new surroundings is very important.  Other workers can serve as mentors and see that they understand the requirements of their job before letting them proceed alone.  In a work environment that involves machinery, the new hires must be properly taught the use of the machines, all about tools, and hazardous processes.

Of course, in occupations where Personal Protective Equipment is required, the new employee should be instructed to wear it at all times while on the job.  Whether it’s head, hand, eye, hearing, or any other type of protection, new workers should understand how to wear and maintain each particular item that they are furnished.  

Knowing how to fill out an accident report or a near miss report is another important part of orientation.  If there is an on-the-job injury, they must realize that it is urgent to notify a supervisor at the time of the injury.  If chemicals are involved in the job, understanding about Material Safety Data Sheets is a must. 

We’ve all been through the “first job” experience.  Everyone understands how nerve-wracking it can be to tackle and understand all that is expected of you.  Put yourself in the place of a new young hire, eager to learn, but somewhat overwhelmed.  You may be able to teach that person lessons that will stay throughout his/her career.  For someone who is starting all over, do whatever you can to make his/her transition a little easier. 

Take your job seriously.  There’s no room for horseplay in the work area.  Time for fun is during breaks, not when someone might get hurt while working.   Most companies train their employees on what to do in case of an accident, or how to call for help. First aid kits should be available in all areas of the workplace. 

Even though Human Resources Departments complete a checklist of items while conducting an orientation, it takes time and experience for a new hire to really get the big picture.  Once they are on the job, workers must not be afraid to ask their supervisors questions.  Paying attention to the answer may keep everyone safer.  Good luck to everyone who is starting a job, and best of luck to those who are looking for employment.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized, Weather Protection

SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS RESULTED FROM 1985 AIRLINE CRASH

On August 2, 1985, Delta Flight 191 dropped out of the sky near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, taking the lives of 137 persons.  The cause of the crash was wind shear conditions during a thunderstorm, which created a weather phenomenon known as a microburst –  first speeding the plane up, then slowing it down dramatically, causing it to hit the ground before it reached the runway.  

Today, twenty-five years to the date of the crash, Dallas/Fort Worth Airport is holding a ceremony to memorialize the victims of Flight 191 and recognize the personnel who worked the disaster.  Another reason to observe the date is to emphasize the tragedy’s legacy for improving the safety of air travel. 

Weather systems have been enhanced to allow precision forecasting.  Instruments on the ground can look inside clouds today to see the churnings that can lead to wind shear and microbursts.  Commercial aircrafts have sophisticated systems that can tell pilots where those dangerous winds are.  D/FW, the third busiest airport in the nation, is at the forefront of this type of detection.  The airport has 18 wind shear detection towers and two Doppler radar systems.  

Another lesson learned from 191 is that these types of accidents may be survivable.  Fire trucks have special firefighting tools that can possibly enable them to rescue passengers.  A probe  attached to a hose, can shoot a fire retardant into the fuselage, and cool it down so rescue workers can get inside.  D/FW’s fire training center has taught 15,000 airport firefighters from 23 countries; its’ staff travels to accidents around the country to see what methods worked and what didn’t work. 

A federal judge found the flight crew of 191 at fault for trying to land in the hazardous weather.  The aviation industry has a training strategy called “crew resource management,” encouraging co-pilots to speak their mind if they are concerned, even if it means challenging the captain.  A standard part of pilot training is a requirement for pilots to “fly” Delta 191, in flight simulators.  This re-creation helps a pilot recognize the unstable winds early on and allows them to give their plane full power while pulling up as hard as possible.  

There were twenty-seven survivors (some with devastating injuries) of this crash; they and the families of the victims will never forget this tragedy.  Quoting the Star-Telegram: “The memorial today is a somber reminder that no matter how advanced technology becomes, we should never take for granted what a complicated and remarkable endeavor air travel is.” 

Sources: Dallas Morning News, Ft Worth Star-Telegram

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

AN AUGUST REMINDER FOR IMMUNIZATIONS!

August is designated by the Centers for Disease Control as National Immunization Awareness Month.  Dr. Anne Schuchat, Director of the CDC’s  National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases states, “Immunization is one of the single most important steps parents can take to help assure their children grow up to be strong and healthy.”  

Communities and cities are already reminding parents through the media such as newspapers, radio, and television  to take their children for the immunization shots now, to be ready for the beginning of school.  Because of the fact that so many people wait until the last minute, schools are announcing that children will not be admitted without proof that they have received the proper vaccines.  It is hard to understand why parents procrastinate about taking their children for these vaccines, when in many cases, there is no cost to them. 

Here is a list furnished by the CDC of preventable diseases for children, thanks to vaccines:

  • Diptheria
  • Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Influenza
  • Measles
  • Meningococcal Mumps
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Pneumonossis
  • Polio
  • Rotavirus
  • Rubella (German measles)
  • Tetanus (lockjaw)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)

Some adults think that vaccines that they got when they were children will protect them for the rest of their lives, but consider these factors:

  • Some never were vaccinated as children;
  • Newer vaccines were not available when they were children;
  • Immunizations may have faded over time;
  • With age, we become more susceptible to serious disease caused by common infections, (i.e., flu, pneumonia). 

It’s wise to remember that young adults to senior citizens can benefit from immunizations.  Vaccines are recommended to adolescents and adults based on factors such as age, health status and medical history.  Some vaccines are vital to most adults, especially senior citizens.  Others are not appropriate for persons with underlying health issues.  Your physician can advise you.  The following diseases can affect persons over 65 very seriously: diphtheria, Herpes Zoster (shingles), pneumonia, flu, and tetanus. 

If you plan to travel outside the United States, you need to visit with your physician at least 4 weeks prior to your vacation or business trip.  Certain vaccines take a period of time to become effective.  There are three types of vaccines in regard to travel – routine, recommended, and required.  You may be exposed to certain diseases in foreign countries that are uncommon in the U.S. 

If you have children, be sure all their shots are current.  Years ago, people died from diseases that are now preventable.  No one  enjoys getting stuck by a needle, but it’s a small price to pay for good health.