Monthly Archives: March 2012

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

PHARMACY SAFETY AND SERVICE

Most of us visit our pharmacies on a regular basis – if you don’t, you are very healthy,  and lucky!  We depend on our pharmacist to ensure that the medications we take are safe.  First, how on earth they are able to read the doctor’s prescription is amazing!  (I used to wonder if they taught doctors how to write in some unintelligible script while they were in medical school).   Pharmacists and their technicians must understand the doctor’s order, enter it accurately into the computer record, identify potential problems with the prescription that the physician may have missed, pick the correct drug and strength from their supply, and place the drug in a container that has been correctly labeled for the drug.  Most pharmacies use a system of checks and double checks designed to help optimize the safety of patients.  It is also the responsibility of the patient to double check that you are taking the right dose of the right drug at the right time, in the correct way.  It is your duty to read the instructions that your pharmacist gives you, along with your prescription.  Here are some other tips about medications and your safety: 

  • Make sure that your doctor has provided enough refills until your next visit.  Prescriptions and refills are valid for one year.
  • Call ahead for refills.  It should be ready within 24 hours or less.
  • Be sure your pharmacist knows all the other medications and over-the-counter drugs you take.  He /she can identify potential drug interactions.
  • Check your medications to be sure they are imprinted with some identifying marks.
  • If you take certain drugs over a long period of time, know what each one looks like.
  • Some generic pills are all white and look alike, so be sure you look closely to ensure you aren’t taking two of the same pill.
  • Confirm your child’s medication dose with your child’s doctor and/or pharmacist.  Most drugs’ dosages are based on weight and pediatric medications are at high risk for dosage errors.
  • Be sure you understand why your physician prescribed every medication you take.
  • Know the brand name (the name given to a medication by the manufacturer), and the generic name (the chemical name of the medication.)
  • Many times your pharmacist can confirm any side effects you may experience.  (This is usually on the printout he gives you, but call him/her to be on the safe side.)

 Be especially careful when dispensing medicine to small children.  Pay attention to any recalls of pediatric medications, as it does happen.  Keep medicines out of the reach of children, and pets.  A curious kitty or pup can get into things that can be harmful to them.  Our grandpug, Truman, knocked over a bottle of dog pills one time, and all five dogs had to be taken to the vet; three had to have their stomachs pumped!  Truman isn’t too trustworthy, he’s sweet, but he gets into things that are not his business. 

Keep a list of your medications and the times of day you take each medication.  This drug list and schedule for doses is critical in keeping your medications organized.  The use of a pill holder really helps for a daily schedule.  

Lastly, every place of business should have first aid kits available, and over-the-counter medicines stocked for headaches, and other minor aches and pains, as well as bandages, etc.  Texas America Safety Company (www.tasco-safety.com) has the very supplies that can complete your first aid needs for your employees.  Mention you read this blog article, and receive 5% off your purchase! 

Source: (NPSF) The National Patient Safety Foundation has been pursuing one mission since its founding in 1997 – to improve the safety of care provided to patients and is a central voice for safety.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

NATIONAL SLEEP AWARENESS WEEK

Sorry, friends, but  I slept through this national observance, which was March 5th through 11th!  Last week was exceptionally busy, with out-of-town guests, and being away from my desk a day or two.  I do apologize, but it’s never too late to talk about how important sleep is to everyone – no matter how young or old you are!  Sleep profoundly affects our health and safety.  Just this past Sunday, those of us in parts of the United States reset our clocks forward one hour, losing one hour of sleep.  Experts have said that more early morning car accidents occur the first week after “springing ahead”, because that earlier hour means it’s darker.  The same holds true when we set our clocks back one hour in November, when accidents happen more frequently because it gets darker earlier than we are accustomed to.  

March 2 and 3rd, the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Health & Safety 2012 convention took place in downtown Washington, D.C., at the JW Marriott Hotel.  Causes of sleep deprivation were examined from both clinical and public health perspectives.  They offered two tracks – a Health Care Professional Track targeted to primary care physicians that provides CME credits for physicians and health care professionals, and a Public Health Safety Track targeted to public health, transportation, and safety professionals, as well as government officials and sleep researchers.  It will be interesting to read their findings. 

Many Americans are sacrificing their sleep health by working longer into the night.  Thousands of fatigue-related car crashes occur each year.  Many persons have sleep disorders, and most go undiagnosed and untreated.  The National Sleep Foundation recommends that U.S. adults receive on average, 7 – 9 hours of sleep per night.  It is reported, however, that 37.1 per cent of adults say they sleep less than seven hours per night.  Persons reporting sleeping less than 7 hours on average during a 24-hour interval are more likely to report unintentionally falling asleep during the day at least 1 day out of the preceding 30 days, and nodding off or falling asleep at the wheel during the previous 30 days.  Frequent insufficient sleep (14 or more days in the past 30 days) also has been associated with self-reported anxiety, depressive symptoms, and frequent mental and physical distress.  This suggests the need for greater awareness of the importance of sufficient sleep.

Sleep deprivation is one of the most common disorders affecting one-fourth of all Americans.  Those most prone to the effects of sleep deprivation are those late shift or night shift workers, which has been nicknamed the “graveyard shift.”  This name has been assumed for good reason if you understand the large amount of adverse effects sleep deprivation has on late shift workers.  The most helpful thing these folks should know is understanding the natural sleep cycle in humans.  The sleep cycle is dependent on the number of factors, including melatonin, a hormone, which reacts to stimulation from the suprachiasmic nucleus within the brain. (Caught on yet?)  Melatonin has a drowsiness inducing effect on the mind and body and it is secreted when the light begins to dim naturally at the end of each day.  It is only logical to assume that night workers will feel drowsy and sleepy on the job, but bright lights in the work place help to reduce and inhibit melatonin release.  Late shift workers still need at least six hours of sleep to remain healthy.  Sleeping only four hours or less is not enought to sustain good human health.  We all know when we are fatigued, we are more likely to have a workplace accident.

Here is an easy test you can try if you believe you are sleep deprived.  Simply go into a very dark room with a place to recline.  You only need to seclude yourself in a dark room with a reclining chair or bed and close your eyes.  If you can stay awake for 15 minutes, you are not sleep deprived; however, if you find yourself nodding off after only a matter of 5-10 minutes, you are most likely sleep deprived.  It is important to take this tet during the time of day or night when you are usually awake.  There are many steps you can take to get your daily (or nightly) right amount of sleep, as well as eating healthy foods and exercising. 

Now, if someone could just explain to me why I can relax and go to sleep early in the evening in front of the television, then have trouble going to sleep later, it would really help.  Maybe I just answered the question – don’t take catnaps before bedtime!  I hope the sandman visits you when you need to sleep!

General Safety Issues

Four Health Hazards in Your Kitchen

GUEST BLOG

Written by Console and Associates, P.C.

When one thinks about keeping their family safe in the kitchen, a few things come to mind, such as keeping children away from the stove and other burn hazards and properly preparing food to avoid food borne illnesses.  What many people fail to realize, or forget about, are the other, less-obvious dangers in your kitchen that could make your family ill.  Here are four hazards that are found in almost every kitchen:

  • Sponges.  The Problem: You use a sponge to clean dirty dishes and other kitchen tools, but often times we forget just how quickly our sponges become breeding grounds for bacteria.  Shine reported that in a study conducted that analyzed various household items, the kitchen sponge has 150 times more yeast, mold, and bacteria than they found when analyzing the bathroom toothbrush holder.  No one would think to disinfect the item they are using to disinfect other objects.  If a sponge becomes contaminated with E.coli or Salmonella, it could result in serious illness for one of your family members.
  • Quick Fix: Make sure you replace your sponge every two weeks.  In between replacements, you can disinfect your sponge by wetting it and sticking  it in the microwave for two minutes – this should be done daily.
  •  Refrigerators.  The Problem: How often do you check the temperature of your fridge? Most likely you do only on a rare occasion such as when the power has gone out.  The temperature of your fridge is extremely important because bacteria growth is slowed in cooler temperatures.  Your fridge should never be above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Quick Fix: If your fridge did not come equipped with a thermometer you can easily (and cheaply) purchase one at many major retailers.  Be sure to keep an eye on the temperature to help reduce bacteria growth.
  • Cutting Boards.  The Problem: Certain cutting boards are more apt to hold bacteria than others.  For example, while wooden cutting boards may look nice on your countertop, but wood is porous and bacteria can get into it and thrive.  There is also a risk of injury if you are using a glass cutting board.  One,  it is not kind to your knives, and will likely ruin them, but more importantly they break easily, which poses a risk for cuts and lacerations.  Another cutting board risk is contaminating your food based on what you are cooking.  If you are preparing uncooked meat, fish or poultry you should not use the same cutting board for produce.  If you do you could run the risk of transmitting harmful bacteria.
  • Quick Fix: Buy plastic or acrylic cutting boards.  They are easy to clean, durable, and will not hold bacteria.  Also make sure you use separate cutting boards for your produce and meats.  You may have more dishes, but it’s better than ingesting Salmonella.  When you clean the boards, they should be washed in hot, soapy water, and air dried.  If you need them to dry faster, always use paper towels and not a dish towel (think of all the things you used that towel for, it is crawling with bacteria).  Acrylic and plastic boards can be run through the dishwasher.  Culinary experts also suggest sanitizing your board with a chlorine bleach-water solution (1 tablespoon bleach per 1 gallon of water); soak or spray the solution on the board, let it sit, and let it air dry.
  • Recalled Items.  The Problem: Perhaps it is stating the obvious, but when a food product or kitchen tool/appliance is recalled there is a significant threat to your health and well-being.  That being said, any and all recalled items should be disposed of immediately.  A study conducted by Rutgers University found that only 60 per cent of Americans will search their kitchens when a product is recalled.  While that is a large number of people, it should be 100 per cent.
  • Quick Fix: Stay up to date on any and all recalls (food and kitchen related or otherwise) by visiting www.recalls.gov.

There is no hard-and fast rule that will give you a 100 per cent guarantee that you will prevent foodborne illnesses in your home, but these safety tips will greatly reduce the chances.   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that each year roughly 76,000,000 people in the country are made ill from food.  There are, of course, common knowledge ways to avoid this, such as washing your hands, and using clean kitchen tools when preparing food, but there are many surprising ways that food borne illnesses can make their way to your family.  If you or someone you love has been injured or made ill as the result of a kitchen accident or food borne illness, you may be entitled to compensation, speak with a qualified injury attorney in New Jersey today to find out your legal rights and options.

Thanks  to our friends at Console and Associates, P.C. for this interesting article on easy ways to spot and fix problems with germs that are found in kitchens.  With a little inspection and proper cleaning, we can hopefully stay healthy.

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

AVOIDING SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS!

Remember when you were in school, and you would see someone pull the chair out from under another child that was ready to have a seat, but not on the floor?  Sure, it was funny for the observers, but for the victim, it didn’t seem quite so funny.  We are older now, and hopefully, hold the horseplay for home, not work.  As we get older, a fall that might only embarrass a 20-year-old can cause a more serious injury to a 40-year-old, or older! 

Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common injuries that happen at the workplace.  Employees can hurt their head or back, or have a fracture, pulled muscles, or deep contusions as the result of a fall.  Management must commit to actions that implement engineering and work practice controls; supervisors must conduct inspections and monitor work practices; and employees must use the safety training they received to avoid hazardous conditions. 

First, training employees into the hazard control process is essential in developing an effective injury prevention program.  Footwear should be low-heel and non-skid.  Pant legs should not extend to within less than an inch of the floor.  Workers should understand the need for immediate cleanup for spilled liquids.  Running and horseplay at work should not be tolerated.  Here are some other tips: 

  • Loose floor mats can cause slips. 
  • All aisles in the workplace should be at least 22 inches wide in order not to turn sideways while navigating the area.
  • Poor lighting causes employees to not recognize hazards, especially those workers with poor vision. 
  • Conduct pre-shift inspections of all work areas to ensure all slip and trip hazards are controlled. 
  • Employees should not leave any material on stairs, crossovers, or between ladders and walls. 
  • Have waste containers easily accessible. 
  • Floors that occasionally have fluid spills should have a good anti-slip coating. 
  • Salt down walkways in snowy, icy weather.
  • Hoses and cords strung across walkways in production areas are a continual hazard. 
  • Cords are always a problem in offices and conference rooms. 

Next, we come to working on elevated work areas.  It is required by OSHA that fall protection devices are used when working six feet above the ground.  Employees must be trained in the use of fall arrest equipment, and it must be used in order to prevent falls.  

When safety personnel and supervisors analyze the potential for workplace hazards, it is important that they assess the different physical abilities of their workers.  Some may have health or physical conditions that impairs their vision, judgment and balance.  Others may be older, ill, under stress, or taking medications.  Supervisors should train employees that the actions they choose and control can contribute to a slip, trip, and fall injury if they set themselves up for one.  Signage should be placed wherever slip or trip hazards exist.  

Since it’s hard for some people to walk and chew gum at the same time, workers shouldn’t be walking and talking on their cell phones while at work.  Inattentive behavior while walking, distractions, such as not watching where they are going, can contribute to a fall.  Don’t take shortcuts; use walkways or designated paths, and slow down – don’t be in a hurry.  This can result in an injury and then you’ll be late for sure!

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

DON’T FORGET TO “SPRING FORWARD” THIS SUNDAY!

Once again, the time has rolled around to wind those clocks ahead one hour, or “Spring  Forward”!  Sunday, March 11th is the day you lose an hour of sleep, but there will be more light at the end of the day.  (A little more time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th!)  Here’s some information that we presented previously about the pro’s and con’s of Daylight Savings Time, plus an extra tip or two:

A study done by the National Sleep Foundation showed that immediately following the time change in the spring:

  • 40% of adults were sleepy enough that it interfered with their daily activities,
  • 62% drove while drowsy,
  • 27% dozed off (if only for a few seconds) while driving,
  • 18% experienced sleepiness at least a few days per week, and
  • 32% know someone who had an accident by falling asleep at the wheel.

Those favoring Daylight Savings Time enjoy sporting activities after working hours, and retail businesses love it because it gives them the opportunity to remain open in order for folks to shop after work.  Farmers who rise before dawn and depend on working by sunlight may not be as happy with Daylight Savings Time.  During harvesting of grain, for example, they must wait until the dew evaporates, leaving less time for their helpers to do their job.

It was predicted that there would be a reduction in power usage with days having more sunlight, but it has been shown that power usage increased in the early morning hours, as people must get up for work in the dark to prepare for their day.  Maybe it’s a Catch-22, because research has shown that traffic fatalities are reduced when there is more afternoon light; however, the early morning darkness brings more danger for workers commuting to work, and children walking to catch the school bus in the dark.   This would be a good time to be sure your children are highly visible if they ride their bikes or catch a school bus, as there are all types of high-visibility decals that can be attached to their bikes or backpacks to ensure they will be seen.  When the time changes again in November, statistics show an increase in evening traffic accidents immediately following the change.

Some of us take the change in stride, and never worry about the difference an hour makes. (After all, we get it back in the fall.)  The main thing is that we adapt and be thankful we are able to carry on, and have the freedom to complain about things we don’t like, such as the time change.  Stay safe, and make the most of that extra hour of sunshine!

P.S. Let’s not forget our friends in Japan, who suffered the earthquake and tsunami this time last year.  They are still struggling to recover, and searches for those lost continue.

General Safety Issues

ARE YOU A GOOD LISTENER?

Don’t you just hate it when you are telling something really interesting (to your spouse) and they are not even tuned in?  My husband says he doesn’t have to look at me to hear what I am saying, but it’s pretty hard to figure out if he is really listening to me when he’s watching a ballgame, or reading the paper!  When it comes to safety, however, we really should pay attention.  Our health and safety leaders are specially trained to help us all stay safe on the job.  Truly listening to the lessons they teach at work takes a skilled ear.  Communication skills, such as listening, are very important in the workforce.  There is a difference between “hearing” and “listening”.  You must focus with your ears, and your head, eyes, body, and heart.  What they are trying to teach you is for your own good. 

A transactional leader has a different approach than a transformational leader.  Both play very important roles.  The transactional leader is task-oriented and focuses on regulatory compliance.  He/she preserves the existing conditions and practices of the company, and is more likely to focus on the work than the worker.  A transformational leader prompts results in which the workers’ values coincide with the leaders’ values.  This type of leader is personally engaged with the worker and cares about them.  He/she focuses on both the work and the worker. 

I can remember going to safety meetings because they were required; I probably had other things on my mind; however, it was up to me to take the minutes, so I had to pay attention!  The thing was, though, most of the other employees were there because they either had to give a report, or it was mandatory.  Listening is a two-way deal.  The safety leader should listen to the employees when they tell them about any hazards on the job – after all, they are the ones who see them first-hand.  A good leader can prepare a message all day long – but it has to catch the attention of the others and deal with things that are of importance to their safety.  He must emphasize the importance of on the job safety supplies – how to wear it, and take care of it.  Otherwise, they may get injured because they did not pay attention.  OSHA has standards for all types of on-the-job hazards.  If company leadership doesn’t pay attention and insist on 100 per cent compliance, and an injury occurs, there could be fines to the company, and lost time from productivity. 

Listening is also a good skill to learn at home.  Your children may be trying to tell you something important, but you may be too busy to hear what they are saying.  Figuring out what teenagers are telling you is very important, and takes some “reading between the lines.”  Listening is a skill to have with your friends, too.  We all have so much to tell a good friend that we are just waiting for our turn to talk, rather than really taking note of what their news is.  A good friend who listens is truly a gift.   

If you have watched Undercover Boss on CBS, you have seen bosses in action, actually going out on the job and finding out what their employees go through to make money for the company, and earn their living.  They find out that it is a different world out there than sitting behind the desk making executive decisions.  Most have shown a very caring attitude for their employees after this experience. 

So, please “listen” to this advice:  pay attention at work, home, and play.  Stay safe and follow your safety leaders.  They know what they are talking about.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

HOW TO MAKE OUR HEALTHCARE SAFER

We are midway through National Patient Safety Awareness Week, an important observance to remind us all that we, as patients, must do what we can to stay safe when we are in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital.  Mistakes do happen, and may seem small, but it all adds up to the saying, “the worst place to be if you are sick – a hospital”.  We know that many lives are saved by treatment and surgeries that were unimaginable years ago; however, there have been patients who have been harmed by medical errors.  If this happens, it is often a result of a series of small failures that are individually not big enough to cause an accident, but combined can result in an error.  Patients must become involved and informed about their treatment.  Everyone has a role in patient safety, and all will benefit from its successes when patients and caregivers communicate more effectively.

Here are some suggestions from the National Patient Safety Foundation:

  • Keep track of your history: Include medical conditions you have, allergies, hospitalizations, etc.
  • Have the names of your pharmacy, doctors, and clinics ready for quick references.
  • Become a more informed health care consumer: seek information about illnesses or conditions that affect you.  Don’t hesitate to ask questions of your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurance coordinator.
  • Work with your doctor and other health care professionals as a team: give up to date information to everyone who is treating you.  Be sure you understand the care and treatment you will be receiving.
  • Pay attention.  If something doesn’t seem right, call it to the attention of your doctor or health care professional.
  • Involve a family member or friend in your care.  If you are not able to observe or participate fully in your care, ask a family member or friend to help you.  Everyone should have an advocate – a friend or family member, especially for check-in and discharge or doctor’s visits.
  • If you have to be in the hospital, bring a notebook with a list of your medications.  If questions arise, write them down.  Take a big bottle of hand sanitizer, and place it by your bed to remind you and the staff to keep hands clean.
  • Follow the treatment plan agreed upon by you and your doctor.  Ask questions about any instructions that are confusing or unclear.  Take medications exactly as prescribed.  Report anything unusual to your doctor.

Infections can occur after many types of medical procedures.  This is particularly true if you have surgery.  My husband contracted a Strep B infection after hip surgery, which required six weeks of home health care.  Staph infections are very serious and difficult to get over, so both the patient and staff must take all precautions to not allow an infection.

Remember, you are your best advocate when it comes to your health.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you didn’t understand the first time.  Especially when in the hospital, and you have waited for the doctor to make rounds, have your questions ready so you won’t forget important things to ask.  Our hospitals are there to help restore us to good health.  They are making strides to correct errors that have been made in the past.  Many times our lives may be in the hands of nurses and physicians.  It is only right to hope for the best care possible.

General Safety Issues

WHY WE LOSE OUR TEMPER!

First, let me thank Carol Fredrickson, CEO and Founder of Violence Free.  She and her partner are workplace violence experts who conduct seminars, workshops, and more, on Managing Angry Clients, Customers, Employees, and Patients.  People have benefitted since 1993 from her powerful messages.  Carol extended permission to me to pass on some valuable information on the understanding of anger and the part our brains play under stress.  With increasing workplace violence and violence in schools, much of the following is her insight explaining why our brains take completely over in times of stress or anger.  

Have you ever experienced so much anger, stress, or frustration that you become very emotional when someone triggers your “hot buttons?”  According to Ms. Fredrickson, the cerebral cortex is the thinking part of the brain where logic and judgment reside; the emotional center of the brain is the limbic system, which is more primitive than the cerebral cortex.  She then introduces us to the amygdala, a part of the limbic system of the brain, which acts like a fire alarm for our brain.  It reacts only to previously stored patterns.  

The reason this is so fascinating to me is that a few years ago, I had what Ms. Fredrickson calls an “amygdala hijacking” – where I had no cognitive thought such as judging, evaluating, or thinking a situation through, without regard for consequence.  I was attending a town hall meeting concerning our hospital (where I had previously worked, in administration).  The person doing all the talking was continually belittling things that I found offensive, until I exploded into stepping onto my “soapbox” to let him know how insulting the things he was saying were to many people.  I was on a roll until my head began to feel as though it were going to split wide open, so I stopped talking. A physician friend took me to the clinic adjoining the hospital, where my blood pressure was at stroke level.  

According to Carol, again, here is what the “hijack” looks like within the brain – and what it looks like on the outside:

  •          The person is usually out of control and will say or do things they later regret. (However, I didn’t regret what I said.)
  •          This state lasts an average of 20 minutes.
  •          Although the adrenaline clears the body fairly quickly, longer lasting hormones and their impact can last several hours or even a couple  of  days.   (In  my case, just talking to another doctor and nurse calmed me down, and I was able to go home.)

The lesson I learned from this experience was to stay away from situations that are that upsetting.  We know it is impossible to stay away from stress and conflict in the workplace.  This lesson, though, does teach us that when someone is having one of these “hijacks”, the person must be allowed to vent and then wait until their thoughts move from the emotional area to the thinking area of the brain before we try to reason with them.  Self-awareness of our own responses to anger will help us manage our own, and can be the key to de-escalating anger in others. 

Sometimes our brain makes us act like a bully, but if we know what our hot buttons are, and understand not to trigger someone else’s temper, we can manage to work with others in a better manner.  There are stressful situations that everyone works under, but allowing them to reach a boiling point, resulting in violence, must be prevented at all costs.  If you are aware of conflicts in the workplace, consult your supervisor.  Leaders cannot fix things if they don’t know about them. 

Thank you again, Carol Fredrickson, for the advice on understanding what can cause us to do things we shouldn’t, in public, at home, or work, by letting our tempers fly.  More good tips on safety and reducing liability can be found at the website, http://www.violence-free.com.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

WORKPLACE EYE WELLNESS MONTH

Each day, about 2,000 U.S. workers sustain job-related eye injuries that require medical treatment, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).  The National Eye Institute estimates that 90% of those workplace eye injuries could be prevented through the use of proper protective eyewear.  Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require employers to see that workers have suitable eye protection.  Yet the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nearly three out of every five workers injured were not wearing eye protection at the time of the injury, or were wearing the wrong kind of eye protection for the job.

NEI, the AOA Eye Safety Project Team, and safety eyewear manufacturers all say optometrists can play a critical role in bringing proper safety eyewear to workers-particularly the employees of small and medium-size businesses.  While most of the nation’s larger employers have established formal safety eyewear programs for workers, relatively few smaller employers have such programs, the AOA Eye Safety Project Team notes.  To assist AOA members in conducting public education efforts on safety eyewear during Healthy Vision Month (March), and in developing safety eyewear practices, the AOA Eye Safety Project Team has compiled the follow materials:  Eye Safety — You Can Make the Difference – an Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association from the AOA Eye Safety Project Team.  Eye Safety is Everyone’s Business – a comprehensive practice management tutorial on the development of a safety eyewear practice, from the Practice Strategies section of Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association.  The Importance of Eye Protection for Work and Recreation – a PowerPoint presentation. And, Eye Safety Fact Sheet – a handout for use in presentation to employers, workers or public education efforts.  Please follow the instructions below to protect your workers:

Eye Safety Fact Sheet (Share these with your employees)

  • Approximately 60 percent of workers sustaining eye injuries were not wearing proper protective eyewear, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “I didn’t think I needed them” should never be the answer as to why safety glasses were not worn.
  • Under the Healthy People 2010 program, the nation’s official public health agenda, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services hopes to cut workplace eye injuries by almost a third over the course of this decade.
  • Industry standards now recognize two classes of industrial safety lenses: traditional basic impact lenses and high impact lenses, shown in ballistic tests to offer improved protection against flying particles. Basic impact protectors can only be worn in situations where known or presumed hazards are low impact in nature. High impact protectors (Z87+) provide protection to hazards of high velocity and/or high mass.
  • Safety eyewear is now available in a variety of new styles and materials that make it more attractive and comfortable to wear.
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require employers to ensure workers have suitable eye protection.
  • To that end, OSHA requires employers to formally assess workplace eye hazards, select the appropriate type of eyewear to use, train and certify employees in eye protection, and plan for eye emergencies. (See the OSHA Eye and Face Protection eTool, a step-by-step guide to OSHA requirements, hazard assessment and safety eyewear selection at www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/eyeandface/index.html)
  • Workers who wear prescription glasses must also wear required eye protection.
  • Protective eyewear must be properly fitted to be effective. Don’t let lack of comfort be a barrier to full-time safety eyewear use.
  • The American Optometric Association recommends that supervisory officials in the workplace, in schools, and at recreational events should mandate wear of eye protection in all activities in which a risk of eye injury exists.
  • The National Eye Institute (NEI) has dedicated Healthy Eyes Month to workplace eye safety. Now is an appropriate time for employers to ensure that all workers have proper eye protection.

Healthy Eyes are required for a Productive Workforce. 

In a recent article from About.com, we learned that according to the AOA’s American Eye-Q survey, nearly half of all Americans (46 percent) spend five or more hours per day using a computer or a personal digital assistant.  While technology improves work productivity, the prolonged use of electronic devices may lead to problems such as eye strain, headaches, dry eyes, fatigue, blurred vision, and loss of focus.  Here are five steps to vision care, as recommended by the AOA: 

Give It A Rest: Remember the 20-20-20 rule.  At least every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break and look at something 20 feet away.  The survey found that the majority of Americans don’t follow this rule.   

Size Up: Smaller screens on hand-held devices usually favor tiny type that challenges your vision.  Increase the font size so the device can be used at a distance more comfortable for your eyes. 

Sharpen Up: Better resolution offers greater clarity and creates more comfort.  Keep the brightness of the screen at a comfortable intensity, not too bright or too dim. 

Reduce Glare: Try to make sure lighting is not directly behind the head or in front.  Hand-held devices present challenges in various lighting conditions. 

Look Down: It’s easier on the eyes to focus on reading material that is below eye level; therefore, the AOA recommends a computer monitor or hand-held device be positioned slightly below eye level. 

Hopefully, most employers include vision insurance for their employees and dependents in their benefits package.  If this is not the case, vision education and testing should be done.  Day and evening seminars (sponsored by the company) that cover vision information can educate workers on the need for eating proper foods for healthy vision, and changes in vision as people age.  Providing initial vision testing for family members on vision day could be an added perk.  It is important that employers encourage compliance in eye protection. 

Source: AOA; About.com

 

General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

2012 TORNADO SEASON BLOWS IN TOO SOON!

If it’s a tornado or severe thunderstorm – NEVER is too soon!  It seems very early for twisters, but on the last day of February, into the morning hours of March 1st, at least 18 tornadoes left their aftermaths in the states of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, and Indiana.  These terrible tornadoes were spawned by a powerful storm system that blew in from the Rockies on Tuesday.  The latest death count was 12 persons, with more expected, as several severe injuries were reported; rescue efforts are being made throughout the hardest hit places, whether small towns or cities.  Branson, Missouri, was ravaged, as hotels and theaters were hit just days before their tourist season starts.  According to news sources, Branson would be host to around 60,000 visitors on any given day during their busy season. Harrisburg, Illinois, experienced an EF4 tornado, the second-highest rating given to twisters based on damage.  Scientists say it was 200 yards wide with winds up to 170 mph.  According to the National Weather Service, more tornado watches are in effect today for Kentucky and Tennessee.  Last year, tornadoes killed 550 people in the United States, and caused $28.7 billion in damages.  Mississippi and Alabama were hit especially hard. 

In an article written last April by Bryan Walsh, about “The Hows and Whys of A Possibly Record-Breaking Tornado Month”, the focus was on April, 2011, going down as a record-breaking month for tornadoes, even worse than April, 1954, when an estimated 407 tornadoes struck. April 27, 2011, saw 139 separate tornadoes being reported on that one day, ripping through Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia, killing at least 200 people.  April 3, 1974,  a tornado that killed 315 people was reported.  Walsh continues: “Those statistics don’t convey the sheer terror and destruction brought on by these storms.”

Everyone wants to know: What Is Causing It? 

Andrew Freedman of the Washington Post’s great Capital Weather blog, explains the conditions behind monster tornadoes.  “In order for tornadoes to form, several factors have to combine in just the right way:

  • warm and humid atmosphere;
  • strong jet stream winds;
  • atmospheric wind shear;
  • a mechanism to ignite this violatile mixture of ingredients –a cold front.

 Many folks want to know is if climate change plays a role in those tornadoes, and if the world continues warming, will we see more destructive cyclones like these?  As Bryan Walsh states, even scientists don’t know.  Many of the tornadoes would have been missed by meteorologists in earlier days before Doppler radar and the Weather Channel.  Now, experts could almost never overlook an actual tornado touchdown, no matter how weak or brief.  Warmer temperatures and more moisture will give storm systems  much more energy to play with, like adding nitroglycerin to the atmosphere.  Waters of the Gulf of Mexico are warm, and feed moisture northward to storm systems as they move across the country, and when that moisture meets cold, dry air from the Plains, can result in some powerful weather conditions.

We have previously talked about being prepared by having a home safety kit ready.  Last year, I subscribed to a weather alert system from a Dallas TV Station, and it works great.  This system provides us with a timely alert by email, landline, and cell phone.  When both phones start ringing at the same time, we know a familiar meteorologist is giving us warning to seek shelter with information as to a severe thunderstorm watch or warning, or tornado watch or warning.  We must be as prepared as possible, although there may not be time to take anything out of your home but yourself and your pets.  Please do not get in a car to try to outrun a tornado.  Find a safe spot in your home, away from windows, either in a hallway or bathroom.  For any emergency, it’s a good idea to have medications and nonperishable food, along with three days supply of water, ready in a container if you must leave your home.  Keep first aid kits, in your home and car.  If you are outdoors, experts advise you to seek shelter, (storm cellar or basement.)  If that isn’t possible, get in a ditch, or the lowest place you can find, and not under an underpass. 

We must remember that tornadoes and other stormy seasons have always been with us.  We can keep people from being killed by those storms through better forecasting, better building and better emergency preparation.  We have actually improved over the years through National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration statistics showing that the number of Americans killed by tornadoes  per capita has steadily declined since the 1920’s.  A warmer world may cause us to experience more severe weather, and a more populated world will mean more people at risk from those events.  Therefore, we need to encourage lawmakers to support vital agencies like the NOAA and National Weather Service in disaster preparation and response, rather than impose budget cuts.  For people in the south and Midwest, these entities’ remaining strong is of the utmost importance.  The entire country needs to know they can count on these important warning services. 

Source: Bryan Walsh,  ABC News, Ft Worth Star-Telegram