Yearly Archives: 2012

General Safety Issues

Shut That Fire Door! Get Your Office Complying with Fire Regulations without Raising Your Voice

No one wants to be the office mother but enforcing health and safety rules, particularly ones that seem a little harder to understand the reasons behind, can take some epic nagging.

GUEST POST

Offices are prone to poor air flow and when summer approaches it’s all the more tempting to prop open the fire door to get a cool breeze flowing through but I’m sure anyone that cheekily wedge it open will have gotten an ear full of it by their HR manager, without really understanding the reason. This is because leaving a fire door wedged open is a direct violation of the health and safety regulations in the UK. Many other countries also have similar fire safety regulations.
Fire doors are installed to prevent a fire from rapidly spreading. By containing the fire gives a better chance for employees to escape unharmed and limit the damage to the commercial building
Not all doors are fire doors, as the must be certified, but they are required when:
·A door leads to a stairwell exit
·A door leads to a hazardous area, such as cleaning supply room holding flammable cleaning products.
·A door opens onto a hallway or from one fully enclosed room to another
Whilst it’s clear that fire doors help to save lives and minimise damage they can be a nuisance. Fire doors can be a particular nuisance when you have lots of employees moving around the building. Or try pulling open three fire doors with a tray of tea and coffees!  This is why many companies turn a blind eye to the practice of wedging a door open on a hot day believing that there is little chance of a fire actually occurring but in the UK figures show that in 2007 31,000 fires were reported in buildings other than dwellings. This also includes private gardens and sheds but they only account for 22% of the reported fires.
If you hate enforcing the rules, particularly when you too like having the door open, there are options available that allow you to keep your cool image and have the fire door legally open. A <a href=”http://www.firecoltd.com/Fire/dorgard.aspx”>fire door guard</a> or fire door retainer allows you to prop open the door safely, without having anything wedging that may be an obstruction. The fire door guard actively listens for the fire alarm and will automatically shut in the event of a fire.
By installing a door guard you can save the nagging for other health and safety risk such as the ones reported in <a href=”http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/editors-choice/2008/11/20/the-crazy-world-of-health-and-safety-rules-86908-20909703/”>this article</a>.
The author of this post writes for Fireco, manufactures of intelligent products and systems that listen for the sound of the <a href=”http://www.firecoltd.com/”>Fire Alarms</a> and help service providers comply with their responsibilities and legal obligations under legislation.

No one wants to be the office mother but enforcing health and safety rules, particularly ones that seem a little harder to understand the reasons behind, can take some epic nagging.

Offices are prone to poor air flow and when summer approaches it’s all the more tempting to prop open the fire door to get a cool breeze flowing through but I’m sure anyone that cheekily wedge it open will have gotten an ear full of it by their HR manager, without really understanding the reason. This is because leaving a fire door wedged open is a direct violation of the health and safety regulations in the UK.  Many other countries also have similar fire safety regulations.

Fire doors are installed to prevent a fire from rapidly spreading. By containing the fire gives a better chance for employees to escape unharmed and limit the damage to the commercial building.

Not all doors are fire doors, as the must be certified, but they are required when:

·A door leads to a stairwell exit

·A door leads to a hazardous area, such as cleaning supply room holding flammable cleaning products.

·A door opens onto a hallway or from one fully enclosed room to another.

Whilst it’s clear that fire doors help to save lives and minimise damage they can be a nuisance. Fire doors can be a particular nuisance when you have lots of employees moving around the building. Or try pulling open three fire doors with a tray of tea and coffees!  This is why many companies turn a blind eye to the practice of wedging a door open on a hot day believing that there is little chance of a fire actually occurring but in the UK figures show that in 2007 31,000 fires were reported in buildings other than dwellings. This also includes private gardens and sheds but they only account for 22% of the reported fires.

If you hate enforcing the rules, particularly when you too like having the door open, there are options available that allow you to keep your cool image and have the fire door legally open. A fire door guard or fire door retainer allows you to prop open the door safely, without having anything wedging that may be an obstruction. The fire door guard actively listens for the fire alarm and will automatically shut in the event of a fire.

By installing a door guard you can save the nagging for other health and safety risks such as the ones reported in this article.

The author of this post writes for Fireco,  manufacturers of intelligent products and systems that listen for the sound of the Fire Alarms and help service providers to comply with their responsibilities and legal obligations under legislation.  Blog4Safety and Texas America Safety Company appreciate Kate sending this important information.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Head Protection, Protective Clothing

HOW TO IMPROVE SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

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Free PPE Guide from Graphic Products Lists 12 Major Workplace Hazard Categories and Required PPE for Each Category

By Jack Rubinger, jarubinger@graphicproducts.com, 503-469-3024

Safety in the workplace is easy to neglect but the price of doing so can be high. Think increased Worker’s Comp and debilitating injuries. Certain procedures have been proven to increase workplace safety. So if you’re serious about safety, conduct an Industrial Facility Safety Audit at your workplace.  One reason? In the U.S. in 2005, OSHA conducted more than 38,700 inspections and over 85,000 violations were issued – almost half were un-programmed or surprise inspections.

Getting Started

Have you stopped and thought about facility-wide safety? If so, what activities were checked and implemented?  The following criteria should determine the task prioritization:

  • ·Accident frequency and severity
  • ·Potential for severe injuries and illness
  • ·New jobs
  • ·Infrequently performed jobs

Encourage co-workers to get on board with safety. Take a closer look at your facility and equipment. Then, re-read all the applicable documentation and chat with coworkers who work in these areas.

When evaluating the facility, assess the following:

  • ·Are workers wearing appropriate PPE – hard hats, boots, reflective vests?
  • ·Warehouse signage. Hazardous carbon monoxide fumes may be present around loading docks and forklifts. Clear all aisles for better traffic flow.
  • · Go through chemical storage areas. Look for spills, exposure to flammable materials, proper air flow and leaks.
  • ·Maintenance shops must be examined for chemicals hazards such as gas, solvents and cleaning supplies and possible electrical (arc flash) and mechanical hazards that need to be identified.
  • ·Ensure large format RTK and arc flash labels (6” x 9” and larger) are used in locations where greater visibility is needed.
  • · Turn off and lock out energy sources when machines are serviced to prevent accidents. Energy sources that can’t be locked out must be tagged out.
  • ·Buildings must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Life Safety Code 101. Check exits and restrooms for proper and required signage.
  • ·Conduct a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA).

Consultant James Pryor has conducted and been on the receiving end of many industrial facility safety audits. “The JHA, if conducted properly, is the single most important tool in preventing accidents,” explained Pryor.

JHA steps include:

  • ·Selecting job to be analyzed
  • ·Breaking job into sequences
  • ·Identifying hazards
  • ·Determining preventive measures to overcome hazards

It doesn’t help to develop a to-do list that winds up on a manager’s shelf. Safety action plans should be a work in progress. After the audit has been conducted and changes and corrections have been made, document the following in a safety log book and make it available:

  • ·Have injuries decreased?
  • ·Has exposure to potential hazards decreased?
  • ·Have attitudes changed? This is hard to gauge unless surveys and open discussions are conducted and recorded.
  • ·Have changes been made to increase safety?

While an industrial facility safety audit should result in a mutually-agreeable number of restorative phases to apply, consider this: Do you feel safe at work? If the answer “no,” then you’ve got your work cut out for you.

# # #

Texas America Safety Company and Blog4Safety wish to thank Jack for these instructions on how to keep your workers safe and compliant.  We appreciate the information and hope you will think about following his instructions for a safe workplace. 

General Safety Issues

PROTECT YOUR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WITH ASSET TAGS – GUEST BLOG

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Whether you’ve a swanky new Notebook or an old (but much-loved) PC, it’s essential to protect your belongings. Security labels from asset tags providers like Seton can really help, so why not stock up on these handy products? They’re pretty useful – here’s why.

Asset tags deter thieves.

Asset tags are small, adhesives that can be applied to all kinds of office and personal equipment. They can help protect your laptop, printer, mobile phone – or anything else that might prove valuable to an opportunistic thief – as they show each item’s accounted for. These burglars are less likely to pinch anything that can be retraced, so it makes sense to label your products.

What’s more, asset tags made from tamper-evident materials leave a nasty stain when removed – helping police track stolen goods. Experts highly recommend them for keeping your equipment safe, so it’s definitely worth seeing what’s available online. Browse the web, make an order and safeguard your gadgets and gizmos (which can be expensive to replace).

Security labels can help with inventory management.

If you run a small business or own lots of technical equipment, asset tags can help you keep track of everything. The idea is, you buy them in bulk, label up your valuables and scan the serial number or barcode into an inventory management system. This will make stock taking a lot easier and will give you more time to do other tasks. If equipment’s goes missing, you’ll know what items need replacing and will be able to report the specific product to the police.

Barcoded and non-barcoded asset tags can be bought from reputable suppliers at a great price, so you can choose a product to suit your needs. They can be attached to a whole range of surfaces and are highly durable – meaning they’ll last for years. Portable scanners and label printers can also be bought online, so why not find out more today?

Asset tags aid identification

Believe it or not, security labels can now be custom made to suit your business requirements. They can contain a personal message or logo and help identify all products if they go lost or missing. Asset tags of this kind also look highly professional and stand out among Windows 7 logos, Intel Core stickers and other branded adhesives.

If you decide to tag your equipment, place all labels on the front of gadgets so they can be easily seen. Well-positioned tags will offer maximum protection and will safeguard anything expensive.

You can most definitely increase security at work and home by using asset tags. Click here to have a look at Seton’s range and see if they’re right for you.

This good advice comes to us from our friend Matt Hornsby, who lives in Liverpool.  We appreciate your sharing this with our readers, Matt.  I’ve also heard that taking pictures of your valuables can be helpful when replacing them in the event of a fire, storm, or burglary.  More of Matt’s articles can be seen at www.whatishealthandsafety.co.uk.

 

 

General Safety Issues

A SPECIAL SAFETY MESSAGE FOR MAY 1ST, 2012

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May 1st marks the sixth annual “Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 – A Call to Action” campaign.  Speeding and running stop signs in residential neighborhoods represent the single greatest complaints to police departments and city council representatives throughout the United States.  Most of these speeders live in your neighborhood.  Some have been clocked at 40 or 50 mph in 25 mph zones.  This type of driving is a special threat to our children.  Running stop signs causes 200 pedestrian deaths and 17,000 injuries per year. 

The mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25  is to change the way we drive on neighborhood streets and beyond.  Their goal is to put an end to deaths and injuries caused by speeding and distracted driving on our nation’s roads.  No one wants to be behind the wheel and hit someone.  Observing the speed limit is a great way to significantly reduce crashes, injuries and deaths.  Citizens should be engaged in a common commitment to create safer streets for the benefit of all, starting in our own neighborhood.  

Here are some Fast Facts from KKAD that may inspire us to slow down:

  • 500 children under 14 years were killed while walking in what should be their safe haven – their neighborhood. (NHTSA)
  • The death rate on residential streets is over twice that of highways – measured per miles driven. (NHTSA)
  • A pedestrian hit in a 30 mph speed zone is three times more likely to die than one hit in a 25 mph zone. (General Estimates Database of Police Reported Accidents – NHTSA)
  • If you hit a pedestrian: At 20 mph, 5% will die.  At 30 mph, 45% will die.  At 40 mph, 85% will die.
  • The distance necessary to stop a vehicle is extended by speeding:  At 20 mph, the total stopping distance needed is 69’.  At 30 mph, the distance needed is 123’.  At 40 mph, the distance needed is 189’, which may not be enough distance and time for you to avoid hitting an object or person on the road. (USDOT, NHSTA)
  • Speeding triples the odds of crashing. (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety) 

Here are five reasons you shouldn’t speed –  from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association:  

  • Save lives – Slowing down increases the likelihood of surviving a crash.  Over 12,000 persons died in speed-related crashes in 2008.  Don’t become a statistic.
  • Save money – Speeding reduces fuel efficiency, causing you to buy gas more often.  With today’s high fuel prices, slowing down will pay dividends in savings, as well as safety.
  • Save the environment – Ford Motor Company research shows that driving a vehicle at 65 mph consumes about 15% more fuel than driving the same vehicle at 55 mph.  More fuel consumed means more CO2 released into the atmosphere.
  • Save yourself a ticket – Highway safety agencies and law enforcement are cracking down on speeders.  Obey the sign or pay the fine!
  • Save your license – A speeding ticket could lead to points on your driving record.  Too many points and you could lose your license and your insurance premiums could go up. 

Also, this from Keep Kids Alive Drive 25: Seat belts are FASTENATING!, an initiative to educate drivers and passsengers about the benefits of wearing seat belts.  Focus on all the good that comes from using seat belts, especially when it comes to relationships with family and friends.  Also, please don’t text and drive. You may be driving slower in neighborhoods, but a child could run out into the street for a ball, or on a bicycle, and that split second could cost their lives.  The driver and family alike would never rebound from those kind of circumstances.  Watch out for our kids!

With only a few more weeks of school remaining, we need to think about keeping our kids safe as they play near the streets in their neighborhoods.  Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 is a friendly reminder to slow down in our fast-paced world and take personal responsibility for our driving behavior.

Back Safety, Ergonomics, General Safety Issues

ERGONOMICS OF PREVENTATIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT – GUEST POST

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Guest Post

Ten tips to ensure a healthy workplace

Workplace wellness is becoming a very popular conversation among employees and employers alike. Managing preventive pain management in the workplace can do much to save both staff and business owner a great deal of time and money. Once an employee experiences pain, for instance in the lower back, due to sedentary work environment, they must seek medical help, which could include missed time from work, decreased productivity during work hours, and medical claims.

On the opposite side of that coin, preventative pain management works to remedy the time and damage resulting from long hours sitting in one position doing repetitive tasks—for example, typing, factory assembly, etc., which can lead to medical conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain and stiffness, chronic lower back pain, eye strain, and even migraine headaches. Simple preventative measures can be taken by employers who choose to install ergonomic desks, for better lower back support, or implement regular breaks for stretching out sore, inactive muscles during the workday.

Here are 10 ergonomic preventative pain management tips to consider in your workplace:

1. Adjust your desk to the right height for you. If your desk is still too high use an inclined foot rest.

2. Adjust your desk chair as well. Your legs should bend at a precise 90-degree angle when you place your feet flat on the floor.

3. When choosing a desk chair with ergonomics in mind, select a chair with good back support.

4. Arm rests are important chair aspects as well and your arms should bend at the elbow and rest on these also at a 90-degree angle.  

5. Place your monitor directly in front of your face. The top of your monitor should be just below eye level. Check for height by extending your arms directly in front of you. Monitors that are too far away will cause you to lean forward for long periods of time, causing the muscles of your chest, neck, back, and arms to strain and remain out of balance.

6. If you type all day long an ergonomic keyboard will be heaven for sore wrists.

7. Your mouse should fit in the palm of your hand properly. Remember, there is not a one size fits all workers.

8. If your job entails talking on the phone while typing, a headset will eliminate neck and shoulder strain (from balancing the phone between your shoulder and ear while you talk and type).

9. Natural lighting is best so workplaces with lots of windows are healthiest for employees’ eyes. If lighting is dim, ensure workers have adequate lighting by removing any harsh fluorescent lighting with track lighting that is easy on the eyes and install desk lamps where necessary.

10. Take frequent breaks throughout the day to move, get the blood circulation flowing in your body, stretch achy muscles as well as the spine. Take the break to also ensure you’re getting enough hydration, as staying well-hydrated will helps your body to detoxify, lubricates joints, and prevents the discs in your back from compressing too much. Compressed discs can cause lower back ache and headaches.

About The Author

Gina M Casillo is a staff writer for Serenity Living Stores, your choice place to buy an Eames chair. She enjoys writing about home décor—especially when it comes to the spaces she’s most intimate with—decorating the perfect play spaces and bedrooms for her two active twin boys, and decorating the ideal work sanctuary.  Thank you very much, Gina, for sending this very informative article.  As one who has done clerical work for a number of years, there is  much truth to the ten tips you mentioned.

General Safety Issues

INTERNATIONAL WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY – 2012

Saturday, April 28th is International Workers Memorial Day.  It is a day when unions around the world campaign for improvements in workplace health and safety.  Started by the Canadian Union of Public Employees in 1984, and adopted by the Canadian Labour Congress the following year, the day has been officially recognized by more than twenty countries, including the USA and the UK.  The Canadian National Day of Mourning is also observed on this day.   The U.N. adopted the day in 1996. 

The following  information comes from r@w news, in Australia.  This day is one to remember workers who died, were injured or fell ill due to unsafe, unhealthy or unsustainable work and workplaces around the world.  The most updated information shows that there are almost 360,000 fatal occupational accidents in any year, and almost 2 million fatal work-related diseases.  Every day, more than 960,000 workers get hurt because of accidents, and on average 5,330 workers die because of work-related diseases.  April 28th should be commemorated for those who have lost their lives or their health at or because of their work; to raise awareness about the risk of disease, injury or death for workers in all sectors and countries; and to engage all workers and unions in a positive action day for dialogue, transformation, and progress on occupational safety. 

We checked out other announcements from countries that also commemorate this day, such as our own country, the United States.  The IAFF is encouraging its affiliates to observe Workers Memorial Day and National Day of Mourning on April 28, remembering those who have suffered and died on the job and to renew the fight for safe workplaces.  In 1989, April 28 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the day OSHA went into effect.  OSHA protects workers by instituting occupational health and safety standards that cultivate safe working environments and remove recognized hazards that may cause death or serious harm to workers.  The theme for the AFL-CIO for this year is “Safe Jobs Save Lives.” 

UNISON Scotland, Scotland’s biggest and liveliest trade union’s theme is “Cuts Cost Lives – Mourn for the Dead, Fight for the Living.  In the United Kingdom, IOSH feels that this  is the most important day of occupational safety and health calendar on the horizon.  They are encouraging persons to send in snapshots of themselves and their co-workers and describe “What does Workers’ Memorial Day Mean toYou?”  The images will then be uploaded to IOSH’s Twitter and Flickr accounts to give people around the world an insight into the real meaning of the Day. 

For your information, here are the countries that observe and promote this day around the world: Argentina, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Greece, Luxembourg, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, U.S.A., Ukraine and the United Kingdom.  In addition to which the Andean Community of countries has adopted this day on behalf of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and their associate member Venezuela. 

Whether you are union or non-union, chances are every one of us has known someone who died on the job.  We must do everything possible to encourage employers to make jobs safer for workers around the world.  Pause and be thankful on this day that is set aside to honor those who lost their lives simply doing their job.

General Safety Issues

MORE DISTURBING NEWS ON DISTRACTED DRIVING

It seems there just can’t be enough discussed about the importance of stopping the use of cell phones while driving.  The Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently published an article with this byline: “He survived Iraq but was killed by a distracted driver.”   

Javier Zamora, who served in Iraq as a helicopter door gunner and lived to tell about it, was killed after returning to the United States by a driver fumbling with a cell phone.  He lost his life in 2007 in Southern California, when his car was struck head-on by one driven by a woman who was reaching between the seats for her phone.  This Thursday, his wife, Jennifer Zamora, will relate the family’s story during a Texas Distracted Driving Summit in San Antonio.  Ray LaHood, Transportation Secretary, is scheduled to speak, and experts will talk about scientific studies on distracted driving and what politicians and phone and auto manufacturers are doing to curb it. 

Ms. Zamora, who is a Lockheed Martin air traffic controller at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, will serve on a panel of survivors who will discuss what it is like to live with the loss of a loved one – caused by a preventable accident.  USAA, a Texas-based military financial services provider, the Department of Transportation, and Shriners Hospitals for Children are presenting the summit.  In addition to LaHood’s appearance and testimony from survivors of crash victims, experts will take part in panel discussions about the latest technologies, corporate policies on mobile devices and public officials’ willingness to forge change. 

For Javier Zamora, it’s too late.  He was a “Mr. Mom” to their three children, and Jennifer’s daughter by a previous marriage.  According to his wife, he was their foundation.  He handled a more domestic role, seeing that the kids ate properly, wore nice clothes and did their schoolwork.  He served his country, yet was taken in his prime by a preventable accident.  

There are still about 54 per cent of motorists that believe that their driving ability is unchanged while they talk on the phone.  Even if one has all the hands-free devices in the world, it remains possible that just concentrating on the conversation takes away from paying attention to the road.   We continue to observe National Distracted Driving Awareness Month throughout this month, and should persist in doing so every day.  The Texas Transportation Department bought radio spots and billboard space for ads with the slogan: “Talk. Text. Crash.” 

Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

General Safety Issues, Head Protection

HELMET LAW REPEALS: TWO OPPOSING VIEWS – GUEST POST

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Michigan’s recent helmet law repeal has people debating over whether helmet laws are a matter of personal safety or public affairs. Michigan now allows motorcyclists over the age of 21 to ride without a helmet as long as they carry $20,000 worth of additional insurance and have passed a motorcycle safety course within the last two years. Many motorcyclists are excited about this development, as they believe that wearing a helmet comes down to personal safety, and should be their choice. Opponents of the bill say that the repeal will spell out millions of dollars a year in additional healthcare costs, paid by the government and state taxpayers, which could be prevented if all riders wore helmets.

According to statistics, motorcycle helmets reduce the chance of fatality in a crash by 37%. A motorcyclist riding “lid-free” is 40% more likely to suffer from a fatal head injury. Oklahoma is an example of a state that enforces helmet use for riders under a specific age – in this case, anyone under the age of 18.

Currently, twenty nine states have repealed a universal helmet law. A total of 19 states still require all motorcyclists to wear helmets. Another 28 states enforce some motorcyclists to wear helmets, usually requiring it for riders under a specific age, such as Michigan and Oklahoma. Only three states currently have no motorcycle helmet laws in place – New Hampshire, Iowa and Illinois.

After Florida repealed  its motorcycle helmet laws in 2002, it saw a 40% increase in riders admitted to hospitals to treat motorcycle injuries, and the fatality rate rose by 24%. The costs to treat motorcycle injuries, where head wounds were the primary focus, increased by $22 million dollars in the first two and a half years following the repeal.

Smarter-usa.org claims that only slightly more than half of all motorcycle crash victims have private health insurance, which means the millions of dollars in annual injury healthcare costs for uninsured riders is paid by the government (aka taxpayer dollars). Michigan’s repealed law requires riders to have personal health insurance, plus additional insurance- though many say it is not enough. The average motorcycle claim paid by the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association is $418,000 – hardly touched by the additional $20,000 of insurance that Michigan bikers are being required to carry.

Bikers who oppose helmet laws say that such laws infringe on their rights. They argue that personal safety is their own choice and is not a decision that should be made by lawmakers. Some cite that other activities such as alcohol consumption and the use of tobacco cause more deaths and cost the economy much more in healthcare costs, and yet the law does not prohibit the use of these substances because the use of these products is a personal choice.

Some bikers who oppose helmet laws also point out that allowing motorcyclists to ride “lid-free” will encourage tourism to the state, boosting the state economy.
Others still, say that most motorcycle accidents, whether the bikers are wearing helmets or not, are caused by negligence or lack of experience – things a helmet can’t fix.

Whatever side of the fence you are on, one thing is clear – this is a heated topic, and one that will continue to stir debate as more states consider repealing their own helmet laws. But for now, many Michigan motorcyclists are happy to feel the wind in their hair as they ride home, for the first time, without a helmet.

Noble McIntyre is an experienced Oklahoma motorcycle accident attorney and the senior partner and owner of McIntyre Law.  Thank you, Noble, for this very informative article.  It’s hard to understand why anyone would be “hard-headed” enough to take chances by not protecting their head!

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK

April 23-27 is set aside as the week to remind drivers to be aware of the workers who build and repair our highways and bridges.  Those workers must face not only speeding drivers, but the hazards of working around heavy equipment, as well.  From the time you see a flagger, slow down to the speed limit and drive with care.  He/she will be wearing a high viz safety vest, so they are not that hard to spot.  These are state and/or contract workers who have the duty to keep our roads operable, in addition to building new ones, because of the growing demands of more and more traffic.  They want to go home when their shift is complete, just as the rest of us.  Working in all types of weather is another factor that they contend with, just to keep us rolling. 

Each year in April, National Work Zone Awareness Week is held to bring national attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones.  Since 1999, FHWA has worked with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the American Safety Services Association to coordinate and sponsor the event.  Other transportation partners have joined the effort to support NWZAW, over the thirteen years that this observance has been highlighted.  This years’ theme is “Don’t Barrel Through Work Zones! Drive Smart to Arrive Alive!” 

We also want to share this information from OSHA, who renewed an alliance with the Roadway Work Zone Safety and Health Partners to protect workers while working in roadway construction work zones.  The Alliance will concentrate on preventing worker injuries and deaths from construction vehicle runovers and backovers by focusing on increased outreach to non-English-speaking or limited-English-speaking workers.  David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, said, “most fatalities that occur in road construction work zones involve a worker being struck by a piece of equipment or other vehicle.  This group of concerned Partners will help reach workers and employers with critical education and information to reduce preventable injuries and death.”  

The Alliance will provide fact sheets for paramedics, police officers, truck drivers and other work zone visitors on the proper personal protective equipment and high-visibility apparel to wear, and how to enter and exit a work zone during the day and night.  Additional fact sheets will also be developed for less knowledgeable contractors detailing which traffic control requirements apply, particularly focusing on short-term temporary work zones. 

The Partners comprise a group of construction industry associates committed to protecting the health, safety and rights of workers, and understanding the responsibilities of employers, representing more than 1.2 million members and workers nationwide.  Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.  OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, education, and assistance.  

When you see the signs indicating that there is Road Work within so many miles, you might also notice that the fine for speeding through these work zones doubles.  So not only are you respecting the safety of the workers, you can keep a little more money in your billfold by being extra cautious!  Drive friendly!

General Safety Issues

SAFE PLAYGROUNDS FOR OUR CHILDREN

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April 23 – 27 is National Playground Safety Week, a time to spread the word about the benefits of safe, free playgrounds.  A long-term study, published in early April, warns that half of American preschool-aged children are not getting enough daily, supervised outdoor play.  The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and other play advocacy and safety organizations are building awareness this week in an effort to improve the health of children and increase activity on playgrounds nationwide.  If regular, physical play begins at a young age, chances are it will continue with regular exercise  through adulthood. 

The National Program for Playground Safety asks families to check their playgrounds for safety hazards and report them to owners or authorities.  National Playground Safety Week is the time to focus on children’s outdoor play environments.  Here’s what you can do:

  • Challenge your school to an injury-free week on the playground.
  • Have a guest speaker to discuss safety on the playground.
  • Check out local playgrounds.
  • Write to the editor of your hometown newspaper commenting on any playground safety issues in your community.
  • With children, have a maximum of five playground rules, ones that they will remember and follow.
  • Playgrounds don’t become safer all by themselves.  People should take action!   

Each year over 200,000 children are injured on America’s playgrounds.  Although some measures have been taken in recognition of this need, the National Program for Playground Safety was created in October, 1995, to help create a safe playground atmosphere.  This week also serves as an opportunity for play advocates, parents, organizations, manufacturers and professionals to band together and spread national awareness of the importance of both play and play safety as necessities for healthy living. 

In conclusion, here are some considerations  from S.A.F.E.:

  • Playground equipment should be properly maintained.
  • The design of playgrounds should be age-appropriate.
  • Fall surfacing under and around playgrounds should be furnished.
  • Always provide proper supervision of children on playgrounds. 

My daily walking route brings me by our local elementary school, and the playground is always full of children, playing games, using the equipment, and having a great time.  I always thought that the squeals of happiness they make during this time resembles the same sounds you’d hear if they were at a carnival.  The difference is that playgrounds are free and probably much safer – so let the kids enjoy them by keeping them safe, 52 weeks per year!  If it’s a public playground, be sure to stay with your child.