Yearly Archives: 2010

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety, Weather Protection

IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR THE WINTER OLYMPICS!

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If you are not among the lucky ones that are going to the spectacular country of Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympics, get out the hot chocolate, popcorn, candy and other goodies and get ready for some excitement and beautiful scenery.   British Columbia, Canada, is home to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games from February 12 through 28, and the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 through 21.  Host venue cities are Vancouver, Whistler, and Richmond.  The official torch is already crossing Canada.

Officials have been preparing for months, and Canadians are excited to welcome athletes and fans from all over the world.  The government is taking serious precautions with safety, health and security concerns for all visitors and athletes, as well as their own citizens.

One of the health issues is the spread of the H1N1 virus.  The World Health Organization is sending a representative to monitor for potential disease outbreaks, but officials feel the threat has passed.  However, British Columbia health officials have been planning for the possible impact it would have on the games since before the pandemic was declared in June.  In their planning, they decided to keep a large supply of antiviral drugs on hand, just in case.

To avoid a major outbreak, the best practices are to continue with these sanitary protocols: washing hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, and when sick, don’t get out in public.  Persons traveling to the games need to be watchful for exposure to sick persons, and not touch surfaces if they can keep from it.  Those with children should be extra cautious in protecting them from the illness.  Keeping hand sanitizer in ones’ bag or purse will serve as a reminder to keep your hands clean.  First and foremost, persons planning to attend need to get both the seasonal flu shot and H1N1 shot.  Hopefully, the athletes will have had theirs.  More than 100 staffers of the U.S. Olympic Committee are getting their H1N1 vaccines before they head to Vancouver.  Athletes are saying there may be more “elbow bumps” than hand shaking this time!

The Canadian organizers of the games have contingency plans for staffing should the virus affect regular staff members.  A security team of 750 officers will be on stand-by in case of illness or emergency.  There is a pool of volunteers that can be ready in short-order time.  Although they can’t make it a requirement, all staff members and volunteers have been asked to take the vaccine.  Many teams are arriving this month, and will have the opportunity to take the vaccine in time for it to be effective, if they haven’t already taken it.  Public health nurses will be at the athletes’ villages, as well as venues, including hotels where officials and sponsors will stay to monitor for illnesses.

We wish the country of Canada much success in keeping athletes, their families, and all the visitors to the Olympics both safe and well.  There are many security issues that they are dealing with, as well as health concerns.  With the very best athletes representing their home countries, this is a time for focusing the eyes of the world toward the good sportsmanship that is displayed by those who have worked so very hard to achieve their goals.  We wish good traveling and health to all those who are fortunate to attend these Winter Olympics, in addition to the excitement of seeing the true beauty of Canada.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Uncategorized, Weather Protection

WE CAN ALL HELP HAITI!

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In the early evening of January 12th, an earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale struck the tiny Caribbean nation of Haiti. The epicenter of the quake was about 10 miles south of Port-Au-Prince, the country’s densely populated capital, and the damage was disastrous.

The U.N. headquarters and the Presidential Palace became piles of rubble, with persons buried underneath them, in addition to businesses, hospitals, schools, and homes.  Some buildings are still standing, but it is feared that they could come crumbling down at any time.  An estimated 200,000 people are dead, thousands more are injured and countless more are still missing.  Aftershocks continue to rock the capital.  Countries from all over the world have sent rescue and medical personnel to the aid of Haitians and others who live there – from babies to the elderly.  Medical professionals worry that many of the injured will not be able to survive their wounds, due to the risk of infection and disease, and lack of antibiotics and other badly needed medicines.  The arrival and distribution of medical supplies, water and food, has been slowed down due to the lack of sufficient landing space, as there is only a single-runway airport.

The United States plans to have around 16,000 troops in Haiti by the end of this week.  Heavy construction equipment will be used to clear pathways for transportation of food, water, clothing, and medicines to reach the people who so desperately need it. There are more than 2 million persons who have been left homeless.

Texas America Safety Company the parent company for www.blog4safety.com has donated respirators, gloves, and disposable clothing for use in the relief effort through FEED THE CHILDREN.  We encourage everyone to join us in giving to a reputable charity.  All donations will help these folks survive until they are able to rebuild their lives and their country.  Pray for the homeless, injured, those who have lost loved ones, and for the wonderful volunteers who are working so hard to help them.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

DO YOU TALK AND TEXT WHILE WALKING?

We’ve talked about drunk, drowsy, distracted, and deadly drivers in the past, but how about “distracted walkers?”  The American College of Emergency Physicians issued a warning several months ago after gathering information from across the United States about the increasing number of patients that are treated in emergency rooms after being injured in pedestrian accidents while using their cellphones to text or talk.  And worse, just this week, a 14-year old boy in Florida was killed when he stepped in front of an oncoming car that he did not see because he was texting on his cellphone.  This follows pedestrian deaths in New York and Illinois that have prompted two state lawmakers to submit bills banning texting while walking in their states.

The thought of such legislation is sure to be the source of late-night jokes, but this is a serious matter.  Several states have already banned the use of cell phones while driving in school zones, and texting while driving has been shown to be as deadly as drinking while driving.  There’s just no way one can pay attention while typing and walking or driving.  As a public relations ploy last March, (which lasted only twenty-four hours), a busy street in London was pictured with lampposts covered with rugby goalposts cushions.  This was in an area that is known for heavy digital gadget users.  This gimmick showed that persons walked into lampposts, trash containers, telephone poles, and even walls while focusing their attention on their mobile gadgets.  Most injuries are superficial; however, there have been many deaths caused by either inattention of walkers, or drivers that have hit pedestrians who were either jaywalking or stepping off a curb while texting or talking on their phone.

If bicyclists, rollerbladers, pedestrians, and skateboarders could wait to use their electronic devices after they are finished with their activities, they will have a better chance to stay in one piece.  If they receive a message, they should wait until they stop to check it out.  It is the misuse of these expensive gadgets that is getting us in trouble – both behind the wheel and now on our own two feet.  It’s been proven that multitasking leads to less efficient production than focusing on one job at a time.  True, it’s hard to believe we ever got along without cell phones because of the convenience they afford.  But trying to communicate at a time we should be thinking about where we are going, and how we are getting there, is a risk we shouldn’t be willing to take.  Better to send or retrieve that message when you reach your destination safely than while you are waiting to be seen in an emergency room.

More than 1,000 pedestrians required emergency room visits in 2008 because they were distracted and tripped, fell, or ran into something while using a cellphone to text or talk.  The number of accidents is probably much higher than that, because many of the injuries are not severe enough to need a visit to the hospital.  Ira Hyman, a psychology professor at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, recently conducted a study on this subject.  He noted that many times pedestrians using their phones don’t even notice objects or people right in front of them.  He says the term commonly applied to such preoccupation is “inattention blindness”, which means a person can be looking at an object but fail to process what it is.  He proved this when he and his students had one of the students dress as a clown and ride a unicycle around a central square on campus.  Twenty-five percent of people talking on a cellphone at the time did not even see the clown.

Hopefully, this will serve as a reminder to walk with care, just as you drive.  Teach your kids that safety should always come first.  It may be cool to walk around with an iPod, or phone, but tell them to get in the habit of thinking about the trouble these devices can cause by simply not paying attention.  This applies to folks of all ages; you could trip over your cat in your own home while you are talking on the phone.  Stay focused on the task at hand, and you will stay safe!

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

YOU CAN STOP CRIME!

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Would you want to be a detective?  Watching a crime show or a re-enactment of a real-life robbery or murder makes it look pretty simple to figure out who the bad guy is.  But in the real world, it isn’t so easy.  It takes a village to bring about justice after a crime is committed.  Law enforcement personnel depend on the public to give them information that leads to solving the puzzle.

January is National Crime Stoppers Month.  Crime Stoppers began in 1976.  Albuquerque, New Mexico was a city with one of the highest per capita crime rates in the country.  Citizens were afraid to get involved.  But a gas station robbery/murder, and a Police Detective named Greg MacAleese changed things in that city.  A young college student was working an extra shift at a gas station, in order to give his co-worker a night off.  During this shift, there was an armed robbery and the soon-to-be married student lost his life.  There were no witnesses to the shooting.   Detective MacAleese knew he would need public involvement to help him and others find the killers.  Having previously worked for a newspaper, he felt it would take something original to persuade citizens to get involved.  He had a video re-enactment of the crime produced, promised anonymity and a reward (his own money) to those who called in.

The re-enactment of the crime worked – it triggered the memory of a man who had passed by the station and recalled hearing a loud bang and seeing a car taking off.  He recognized the car and told police that the person who owned it lived in a nearby apartment complex.  Detective MacAleese and other detectives arrested two men within 72 hours and charged them with the murder, as well as other previous armed robberies.

The first Crime Stoppers program was started by the Albuquerque Police Department soon after.  Since adopting this program, Albuquerque’s crime rate has dropped significantly.  It is no longer among the 20 cities with the highest per capital crime rate.  Detective MacAleese was named one of the persons in the 70’s that changed the country, and received the U.S. Police Officer of the Year Award.

Crime Stoppers is not a law enforcement agency.  They encourage you to contact your local law enforcement agency or local Crime Stoppers program with information that can lead to the arrest of someone you suspect has committed a crime.  Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, Crime Stoppers programs are located in the U.S., Europe, South Africa, Canada, United Kingdom, Central America and many Pacific and Caribbean nations.

The objective of the group is worldwide grassroots gathering of information, with the guarantee of anonymity to anyone who can assist law enforcement agencies.  In the United States alone, Crime Stoppers programs have been responsible for taking millions of tips that have led to nearly 514,000 felony arrests, and the recovery of almost $4 billion in stolen property and drugs.  Their impact across America is amazing.

Recently, Crime Stoppers has been asking the public for assistance in preventing crime during the Winter Olympic Games in British Columbia, Canada, slated for February.  The Canadian government is working diligently to keep everyone:  athletes, trainers, staff, and the public safe.

If you have any relevant information, call Games 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or text keyword “BCTIP” to 274637 crimes, or go to website: www.solvecrime.ca.

We commend Crime Stoppers for the success this program has had worldwide.  They have brought the importance of crime prevention to the forefront, followed by news media and programs such as “America’s Most Wanted” that ask for the public’s help in apprehending criminals.  Now it’s time we do our part to help keep our world safer.  Instead of being an “armchair detective” at home, we must pay closer attention to what’s happening in our neighborhoods.  If you haven’t considered joining your local Crime Stoppers program, think about it.  It’s time to get involved!

Source: Crime Stoppers International

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

WHAT’S BLOWING IN THE WIND?

In many sections of the United States, you have probably seen these tall, windmill-looking structures on the landscape. They look very peaceful, gracefully creating a new type of power to help energize our country.

Wind turbines have been used in Europe for a number of years, and in the past several years have become popular in the U.S.  Mechanical power from windmills is used to pump water, energy for grinding, etc.

Working opposite of a fan, which makes wind, turbines use wind to make electricity.  The huge blades spin a shaft inside, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.  A large group of these turbines contribute energy to the utility grid of power companies, and in turn, are distributed to homes, schools, and businesses.

  1. For persons who are contemplating using this type of energy, there are many things to be considered. The cost of interconnecting with the electric company, insurance in case the turbine causes damage or problems to utility systems, and liability insurance for damage to nearby properties.
  2. One of the hazards of the turbines are icing of blades, which could result in shedding of ice.Severe weather might cause problems.
  3. Blade throws are another hazard mentioned; however, these wind turbines are state-of-the-art and very safe. Equipped with sensors, blade throws are virtually non-existent.  The turbines have controllers that start the turbine when the wind is 8 to 16 MPH, and stop it if the wind reaches 55 MPH, due to risk of damage.
  4. Lastly, studies have been done by several medical experts that in certain cases, there is a correlation between persons who have been exposed for long periods of time to low frequency noise and vibration and living too close to a wind farm, that have experienced health problems.

Because every contractor is concerned with safe operations, the wind energy industry poses unique safety concerns.  The size of the propellers and remote location of the wind farms are two issues.  There has been a lack of a cohesive industrial study for wind project safety; however, a process has recently begun by an ANSI A10 subcommittee made up of wind industry experts and safety professionals.  As with any industry, training and planning are key elements to successful safety programs.

Issues being considered are:

  • On-Site Rescue: because of their remote locations, emergency personnel are not close by or may not be equipped with tools necessary to rescue persons from high structures.  Personnel of the contractor must be trained and able to reach injured workers, getting them to the ground and ready for local EMS to take over.
  • Weather Planning: Because some of the farms are located where harsh conditions exist, such as high winds, dust, ice, rain, the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment must be used, and workers must be trained to recognize when weather circumstances exceed safe working conditions.
  • Multiple Contractors: Several specialty contractors are involved in building wind farms, and all have to work in close proximity with each other.  Each contractor should know what hazards are present in the project, and communicate this information with all other contractors.  Communication is necessary to have successful safety performances.

It will be fascinating to see how many more of these wind farms will be built.  It’s a great plan to help with the demand for energy that is needed to keep our country going.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

RIDE LIKE THE WIND!

Kids of all ages love to ride on ATV’s (All-Terrain Vehicle, 3 or 4 wheels).  Before you hit the trail, however, there’s a lot to think about, safety being primary.  ATV accidents cause hundreds of deaths and thousands of emergency room visits yearly.

In our area not too long ago, a couple riding together on an ATV out in the country were unable to stop when they suddenly turned onto a road and hit the back of a dump truck.  The driver of the truck saw them coming from a side road and tried to veer out of the way, but they were coming pretty fast.  When the ATV driver tried to stop, the girl was thrown off the ATV and hit the back of the truck.  The rider was not hurt but the girl lost her life.  If they had been more aware of the risks involved, maybe this could have been avoided.

Here’s some Do’s and Don’t’s that could make a difference:
DO:

  • Get properly trained.  Drivers that have had formal training have a lower risk of injury.
  • Always wear protective gear.  Head injuries are a risk, so you should purchase a helmet that is certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Snell Memorial Foundation, or American National Standards Institute.
  • Wear other types of clothing such as ankle boots, goggles, gloves, long pants and long-sleeved shirts.  They help avoid cuts and abrasions, as well as injuries from rocks, trees, and other debris.
  • Be sure the ATV fits you like a glove.  Many accidents are caused because an ATV is too large for the rider.  Grip reach, throttle reach, and brake reach are very important.  There should be the right clearance between the seat and your inseam to stand up to properly absorb shock while riding in rough terrain.  Clearance should be 3” to 6” when standing.  Get advice from the dealer to be sure you choose the right size.
  • Go by ATV Safety Institute recommendations for appropriate age/engine size:  Age 6 and older to 70 cc’s; Age 12 and older to 90 cc’s, and Age 16 and older to 90 cc’s and up.

DON’T:

  • Take kids on adult ATV’s. One-third of all ATV-related deaths and emergency room injuries are kids.  Those under age 16 that ride on adult ATV’s are twice as likely to be hurt as those who ride youth ATV’s.
  • Ride tandem. Most ATV’s are designed to carry only one person, who is able to shift weight more freely in all directions.  Interactive riding is critical to maintain safe control, especially on varying terrains.  Passengers make it hard for the driver to control the vehicle.
  • Ride on pavement; it is very difficult to control an ATV on paved roads and there’s the threat of collision with cars or other vehicles.  Many fatal ATV accidents happen on paved roads.
  • Ride under the influence of drugs/alcohol; reaction time and judgment are impaired, plus, it’s illegal.

ATV’s do not handle the same as a motorcycle.  Most savvy riders will acknowledge that knowing how to properly drive either an ATV or motorcycle through getting the right training is very important.  You wouldn’t put a kid in a car and tell him to put it in Drive and take off, would you?  The old saying of “sink or swim” doesn’t cut it in today’s world.  Take the time to learn “safety first”, and you’ll have hours and hours of fun while “riding like the wind!”

General Safety Issues

NEW OSHA CRACKDOWN

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(O.S.H.A.)-Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s role is to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women.

Here is valuable information regarding seven significant OSHA standards that will have an impact on American employers:

1. Recordkeeping: On October 1, 2009, OSHA announced its national emphasis program on recordkeeping. This emphasis program will include greater scrutiny of employer maintained OSHA logs, whether employers are recording all workplace recordable injuries/illnesses, and more.

2. Annual verification of lockout/tagout procedures: OSHA will focus on whether employers are complying with the requirement to conduct periodic inspections (at least annually) of the energy control procedures as required by 20 CFR 1910.147 (c)(6)(i).

3. A general lockout/tagout policy does not comply with OSHA regulations: Employers must have a separate lockout/tagout procedure for each piece of different equipment.

4. Combustible dust standard: On April 29, 2009, OSHA announced it would initiate rulemaking on combustible dust hazards. OSHA will issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and convene related stakeholder meetings to evaluate possible regulatory methods, and request data and comments on issues related to combustible dust.

5. Per employee penalties for PPE and training violations: OSHA has issued its final rule allowing OSHA to cite employers on a “per employee basis” for failure to wear/use required personal protective equipment (PPE). This rule went into effect January 12, 2009, and applies to PPE and training. As a result, an employer who has failed to properly train employees or who has employees not wearing or using PPE may receive a citation per employee.

6. Liability of general contractors for hazards they did not create and/or where their own employees were not exposed: In February 2009, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals a certain case held that OSHA regulations do not preclude OSHA from issuing citations to a general contractor under the multi-employer citation policy simply based on the fact that the general contractor “controls” the worksite regardless of whether or not the general contractor created the hazard or had its own employees exposed to the hazard.

7. OSHA settlement agreements and additional employer obligations: Employers should be aware that OSHA is mandating uniformity in the language of ALL settlement agreements. Additionally, OSHA is including in all settlement agreements language that seeks to use the settlement process as a way to get employers to agree to undertake additional obligations.

Safety should be the #1 priority chosen by all employers.  Taking the time for proper safety meetings and training for on-the-job accident prevention is not nearly as costly as just one tragic accident.

Source: ProfessionalDevelopmentUniversity.com

Uncategorized

SMILE….YOU’RE ON “COPS” CAMERA!

Most often, if and when you get pulled over by a police officer, you are probably not going to be in a very good mood, because chances are, that patrol car has an onboard camera.  The fact that you are the star of the show may not be much fun – you really don’t want to be known as a speedster, and you sure don’t want your friends to see you if you’ve had too much to drink!

Currently, there are more than 600 law enforcement motorcycle officers across the United States that are equipped with clip-on video cameras.  The clip-on video cameras are also being utilized by private security companies, firefighters, and insurance adjusters, as well as motorcycle police.  In Texas, 45 to 50 law enforcement agencies are using the Vievu cameras.

Law enforcement has come a long way…. They first wore voice recorders attached to their uniform shoulders, and later, video cameras were placed in patrol cars.  The price for this type of camera ranges from $699 to $899, and $500 for extra hard drive storage.  There’s one switch, no wires, and the camera holds up to four hours of video.  With an average traffic stop taking only 2 to 3 minutes, they easily have enough room for a 10-hour shift.  The video can then be downloaded from the camera to a computer.

Not knowing how people are going to react to a traffic stop, these cameras document how everyone behaves: the driver, as well as the officer.  The clip-on cameras are a great way to protect the motorist, city, and police officer.

So next time, you get pulled over by a motorcycle officer, smile, because you may just be on “Cops Camera”.  Drive safely, don’t text while driving, pay attention, and you might just avoid being a film star!

General Safety Issues

SAFETY FIRST IN 2010!

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How about starting off this year with a pledge for a banner safety year in your workplace?  We all start off with the best of intentions, but somehow, things happen and our plans go up in smoke!  OSHA reports that on a typical workday:

  • 17 workers are killed on the job (traumatic injury).
  • 137 more workers die of occupation-related injuries.
  • 17,138 workers are injured on the job.
  • Estimates show employers pay almost $1 billion per year for direct costs of workplace injuries.
  • There are hidden costs such as retraining employees and lost productivity due to workplace injuries.

These and many other reasons contribute to the idea that safety policies and procedures should be executed with good planning and follow-up.  First of all, new employees should have safety training from the very first day on the job.  They should understand safety basics and the particular hazards of their specific job responsibilities.

Companies should pay close attention to how many incident reports and safety complaints are issued:  if there is an increase in near-misses or accidents, what departments are involved, what types of injuries, or if there is a certain group that seems to be reporting more accidents or close calls.  Refresher training should be given to groups that have experienced mishaps.

Employees should know they have the right to voice complaints to their compliance officer, if they feel policies are not being followed.  It is the responsibility of the compliance officer to investigate the issues and correct them, if necessary.  Safety committee members should establish good safety and health programs that can help prevent worker compensation claims.

One of the key factors in workplace safety is providing the right Protective gear.  Employees should understand how their PPE works and why it is necessary to wear it at all times while on the job.  This is an important compliance issue and affects everyone if someone gets hurt due to not wearing his/her protective gear.

This is a great time to plan for flawless safety performances at work.  Hopefully, this time next year, you will be getting ready for another completely “accident-free work year”!
Good luck!

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

TIPS FOR SAFELY “UNDECORATING”

This is the perfect time to remind you to be very cautious when taking down Christmas lights and decorations.  The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission notes that thousands of persons are treated annually in emergency rooms, doctors’ clinics, and other medical facilities due to injuries caused from improper ladder use.  Since ladders are the most important apparatus you use when doing this type of work, we want to share this information with you, to help you be sure that you use the right kind:

  • Industrial – heavy duty with a load capacity of not more than 250 lbs. – Type I.
  • Commercial – medium duty with load capacity of not more than 225 lbs. (such as painting or other tasks) – Type II.
  • Household – light duty with load capacity of not more than 200 lbs. – Type III.
  • Stepladders – ideal for chores in the house or office.  A stepladder makes a good choice for many duties: they are easy to manage and take up little storage space.  Be sure to try it in the store before you purchase it, because you want to be sure it is comfortable and feels stable to climb.

Aluminum ladders are the most durable, but they conduct electricity.  Wood ladders are popular, but they eventually may rot.  The most durable and non-conductive ladders are fiberglass.  Always be sure to inspect stored ladders for cracks or breaks.

Other tips on the use of ladders include:

  • Don’t go higher than the 2nd rung on a stepladder or 3rd rung on a straight or extension ladder.
  • Never stand on top or on the paint shelf of a ladder.
  • Do not leave ladders unattended.  Children love to try them out!
  • Maintain 3-point contact while climbing a ladder. (Either 2 hands and a foot, or two feet and one hand.)
  • Stay in the center of the ladder at all times.
  • If you work in an office, or at home, please, please don’t use a chair to change a light bulb or reach something. Find the stepladder, it’s much safer!

According to OSHA, falls from step, straight, combination and extension ladders are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries.  As we all know, accidents happen at home, as well, and might have devastating outcomes.  Play it safe as you take down the trimmings; because time flies, you’ll soon be putting them back up again.