Yearly Archives: 2012

General Safety Issues, Head Protection, High Visibility Safety, Weather Protection

MARCH 20TH – FIRST DAY OF SPRING

MARCH 20TH – FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

 

Well, we’re a “DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT,” but it’s never too late to acknowledge the arrival of Spring!  With warmer weather, American workers will start planning how to stay cool, especially those who work outside.  Our parent company, Texas America Safety Company (www.tasco-safety.com) has the very products to help you keep your cool.

Of course, we can’t talk about safety products without mentioning the all-important safety sunglasses with UV protection.  There are many fun styles to choose from that meet the ANSI Z87.1 standards for protecting your eyes.  Along with safety glasses, it’s very important to keep sunscreen on hand, especially if you work outdoors all day.   

In case you haven’t seen some of these products, we’d like to introduce them to you.  These are great for work, and many of them are good to wear playing golf, mowing the lawn, and other “fun” chores.  Let’s start out with the Miracool Bandannas.  Full of tiny crystals, these MiraCool Cooling Crystals encased within the 100% cotton fabric absorb and hold up to 1000 times their weight in cool refreshing water. MiraCool Crystals work in combination with the evaporation process. When worn against head, neck or body, cooling sensations are passed to pulse points and carried throughout the body….The only thing you need to do, is soak the bandanna in cold water for about 30 minutes prior to using it.  My husband and his friends wouldn’t go to the golf course without them! 

Next, there’s cooling pads for hardhats.  Here’s the information on these handy cooling pads:

  • Just Soak In Cold Water for 30 Minutes
  • Stays Hydrated For Several Days
  • Reusable Thousands Of Times
  • Works Without Freezing Or Ice
  • Increases Alertness & Productivity

Other head cooling products include absorbent sweatbands for hardhats, Velcro terrycloth headbands, and snap-on sweat bands for headgear.  The MSA V-G and Omega II hardhats allow for sunshields to be attached in order to provide extra shade.  A cloth neck shield is also available to attach to the hardhat and protect workers from sun and heat.  Also available for warmer weather (or anytime), is powdered Gatorade.  

Check out T.A.S.C.O.’s ERB Boonie hats!  Brightly colored in lime or orange, these mesh vented, high-visibility hats are great for walkers, workers, and anyone who works in their yard or garden.  Guys and gals will enjoy these wild little hats! 

Thanks for letting us take the time to tell you about some “cool” products for spring.  Summer is just around the corner, and now’s the time to stock up so your employees can be protected as much as possible.  Most of these are great for individuals at home, too!  Please work safely and take breaks as often as possible.  Drink plenty of water during the day.  Have a pleasant spring!

General Safety Issues

RECENT CPSC RECALLS OF FURNISHINGS AND APPLIANCES

GUEST POST

by Judith Stern

Unless you check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website regularly, you may not know that every year, they recall thousands of products such as cars, appliances, baby and kids’ items, furniture and more.  Here is a brief list of appliances and home furnishing recalled in the last six months. Each company has advised consumers to immediately stop use of the recalled product and contact the company directly for information on repairs or refunds.

Furniture

Company issuing recall: Big Lots
Date: October, 2011
Product: Glider Recliners with Ottomans (Microfiber and Leather)
Reason for recall: A gap between the moving parts and the base of the chair is large enough for a small child to become trapped; in addition, there are other parts on the chair that can pose finger pinching or crushing risks to anyone who uses the chair.
Company issuing recall: Dutailier Group
Date: November 2, 2011
Product: Drop-side cribs
Reason for recall: The crib’s drop-side slats can detach, leaving a space large enough for an infant or toddler to become trapped or fall.
Model number(s): E1230C2, E3500C2, E3540C2, E5100C2, E5140C2, E5530C2, E9000C2 and E9100C2.
What to do if you bought one: Consumers should contact Dutailier Group toll-free at (800) 363-9817 to receive a free repair kit, which consists of a new fixed side to replace the drop side of the crib.

Company issuing recall: Pottery Barn Kids
Date: December 28, 2011
Product: Madeline Bedroom Collection Bed Canopy
Reason for recall: The connections from the bedposts to the canopy’s top rails can come apart and cause parts of the canopy to fall.
What to do if you bought one: Call Pottery Barn Kids toll-free at (855) 662-4114
Company issuing recall: Elegant Gifts
Date: January, 2012
Product: 1,600 chairs and 1,300 stools for children
Reason for recall: (Yellow) surface paint contains excessive levels of lead.
What to do if you bought one: Contact Elegant Gifts Mart at 787-290-5625 for a full refund.

Company issuing recall: Steelcase, Inc.
Date: January 18, 2012
Product: Amia desk chairs
Model number and manufacture date: The model 482 Series Steelcase Amia desk chairs that were manufactured between March and June of 2011.
Reason for recall: The chair’s pivot pins underneath the seat can fall out, causing the risk of falling.
What to do if you bought one: Call Steelcase toll-free at (800) 391-7194 or email them directly at retrofits@steelcase.com to schedule a free repair.

Appliances

Company issuing recall: Walmart, Inc.
Date: September 14, 2011
Product: Goldstar and Comfort-Aire 30-pint portable dehumidifiers
Manufacturer: LG Electronics
Reason for recall: The dehumidifier compressor’s power connector can short circuit, which poses fire and burn hazards to consumers and/or their property.
What to do if you bought one: Contact LG toll free at (877) 220-0479, or visit the firm’s website at www.30pintdehumidifierrecall.com.
The first time the LG dehumidifiers were recalled was in December 2009. The CPSC adds this important note regarding the recalled LG Electronics dehumidifiers:
“Because of the severity of the risks, CPSC and LG Electronics are concerned with the lack of consumer response to the recall. Only two percent of the 98,000 consumers who purchased these units have received a free repair, which means that consumers and their property remain at serious risk.”

Company issuing recall: General Electric
Date: October 25, 2011
Product: GE Monogram® Pro Rangetop with Grill
Reason for recall: The Rangetop burners may fail to light if the gas control knob is left between the positions of “Off” and “Lite,” which poses a risk of delayed ignition or possible explosion. (Note: Sixteen explosions have occurred with no injuries.)
What to do if you bought one: Turn off the gas supply to the product, and call General Electric toll-free at (866) 645-3956 or visit their website at www.geappliances.com/products/recall to schedule a free repair.

Company issuing recall: W.P. Appliances Inc. (sold exclusively through the Home Shopping Network)
Date: November 10, 2011
Product: Wolfgang Puck Electric Reversible Tri-Grill/Griddles
Reason for recall: An electrical wiring defect in the electric grills/griddles poses risks of overheating, melting and electrical shock to consumers.
What to do if you bought one: Recalls can be serious business, and your safety is of the utmost importance. If you have questions concerning any of the above products, contact the companies directly for more information. For up-to-date information about these or any other product recalls
Many thanks today for this very important information.  Please do not ignore any notice of a product recall.  Today’s guest author, Judith Stern,  began her interior design career as in-house designer to a prestigious furniture retailer. 

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

POISON PREVENTION WEEK – MARCH 18 – 24TH

Congratulations to the Poison Prevention Week Council, marking  their 50th anniversary this year !  An act of Congress was signed into law on September 16, 1961, by President John Kennedy, after which the Poison Prevention Week Council was organized to coordinate this annual event.  Congress designated this event as a means for local communities to raise awareness of the dangers of unintentional poisonings and to take such preventive measures as the dangers warrant. 

There are two basic themes – “Children Act Fast ….So Do Poisons!”  and “Poisoning Spans a Lifetime.”  It is up to parents to watch when household chemicals or drugs are in the home.  An adult may be distracted by the phone or doorbell; but parents know that small children act fast, so they should make sure that all medicines and household chemicals are stored away from children at all times.  In addition to knowing most emergency numbers, the Poison Control Center is 1-800-222-1222.  Keep this number near your phone, and have the following information ready:

  • Age and weight of the victim.
  • Existing health conditions and/or problems.
  • Substance involved and how it contacted the person.  Was it swallowed, inhaled, absorbed through skin contact, or splashed into the eyes? How long ago did they swallow or inhale the substance?
  • Any first aid you may have given.
  • If the person has vomited.
  • Your location, and how long it will take you to get to a hospital.

If medicine has been swallowed, do not give anything by mouth until advised by your poison control center.  If chemicals or household products have been swallowed, call the poison control center or follow the first aid instructions on the label. 

Medications:  Child-Resistant Packaging 

Labeling requirements and educational programs have had some effect in reducing the number of childhood ingestions; however,  some children are still being poisoned by ingesting hazardous household products.  Although child-resistant packaging does provide an additional barrier, children may try to figure out different ways of opening the container.  If  their fingers don’t work, their teeth might.  

The Poison Prevention Packaging Act requires that packages be difficult for children under 5 years of age to open.  (I’ve found some pretty hard to open, too)!  Here are good instructions that make it easier for us adults to open the packaging, as well as other safety tips:

  1. Read the instructions to make it easier to open the packaging.  (If you need reading glasses, keep a pair handy by your medicine cabinet).
  2. If using cap and vial packages, be sure to resecure the closure tightly.  Blister cards never have to be resecured; however, don’t transfer the contents to other containers.
  3. Do not leave loose pills anywhere.
  4. Keep medicines and household products (even those with safety caps) locked up and out of sight.
  5. Use locks or child-resistant latches to secure storage areas.
  6. It’s wise for adults to ask for their medicines in child-resistant vials because poisonings have happened when youngsters have visited homes where no children live.  Little ones have been poisoned after finding medicine containers left in purses or on bedside tables. 
  7. Avoid taking medicine in front of children.  Always refer to medicine as “medicine,” and not “candy.” 

Even though most medicines are packaged in tamper-evident packaging, they are not tamper-proof.  Each consumer must be alert for the packaging to be protective.  You should always read the label and inspect the outer packaging.  If anything about the product looks suspicious, you should be suspicious.  If there are tablets or capsules that differ in any way, don’t take them.  Never take medicine in the dark.  Read the label and look at the medicine every time you take a dose.  If you suspect something wrong with a medicine or packaging, take it to the store manager. 

If you think someone has been poisoned from a medicine or household chemical, call 1-800-222-1222 for your Poison Control Center.  This national toll-free number works from anyplace in the United States (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).  Keep the number on your phone.  It will connect you to a poison control center.  There are currently 61 Poison Centers across the country that maintain information for the doctor or the public on recommended treatment for the ingestion of household products and medicines.  They are familiar with the toxicity (how poisonous it is) of most substances found in the home, or know how to find this information.   We hope this never happens to you or your family or friends, but it is vital information to have.

Source: Poison Prevention Control.org

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

DANGERS OF NURSING HOMES – RESEARCH ALL FACILITIES BEFORE ENTRUSTING A STRANGER WITH YOUR PARENT

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GUEST BLOG – JOHN BISNAR, ATTORNEY

As our parents and grandparents age, we want to find the very best care possible for them.  With most people facing the dilemma of balancing work and elder care, it is impossible to do what we might really like to do:  keep our parents at home.  If one or both parents suffer from debilitating illnesses that require round-the-clock care, few people can afford to provide that care in the privacy of a personal residence.  Instead, more and more people turn to managed elder care in the form of retirement communities and nursing homes to provide the day-to-day care our senior family members need.

However, it is frightening to consider the statistics of nursing home injuries and deaths.  Over 30 percent of all nursing homes have experienced some form of abuse of the residence by staff members or other residents.  Only about 20 percent of abuse cases are ever reported.  This means that many instances of abuse or neglect are occurring every day in nursing homes across the country, and that family members and governing authorities are unaware of the majority of these incidents.  In those cases, an attorney should be contacted.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of poor treatment, neglect, or abuse at the hands of staff or residents of a nursing home or elder care facility, you do not have to remain silent.  An Orange County nursing home lawyer will be happy to talk with you about your case and determine the best course of action to stop, prevent, or recover damages due to the abuse.

Nursing home abuses range from minor inconveniences, such as forcing a resident to wait excessive periods for food or service, to major and deadly actions such as beating or withholding needed medication.  More than fifty percent of nursing home patients do not have close family members who visit regularly, so these seniors are often the target of severe abuse and neglect on the part of careless or unkind staff members.  Many of the staff employed by nursing homes are also severely overworked, with one nurse responsible for up to thirty patients.  Under these conditions, it is very easy for abuse or neglect to take place, and highly unlikely it will be reported.

What can you do to prevent your elderly loved ones from experiencing nursing home abuse and neglect?  First, stay visible.  It is important to visit on a regular, but not predictable, basis and observe carefully the conditions under which your loved one is kept.  Next, talk to your relative about his or her treatment in the nursing home.  Do not automatically discount any stories of bad treatment, but make assertive inquiries with the staff.  Often, knowing that someone is watching and interested is enough to deter any bad staff behavior.  Finally, if you know that someone you love has been mistreated in a nursing home, or if you yourself are the victim of nursing home abuse, contact an Orange County nursing home attorney immediately for a consultation.

Our thanks to John Bisnar, of the Law Firm of Bisnar & Chase.   Every elderly person deserves the attention and care that they would receive if they were able to safely live in their own home.  Many nursing homes and private care homes offer that type of service; however, too many of our little citizens fall into the category of questionable care.  As John mentioned above, one of the best ways to ensure their safety is to pop in as often as you can, and never at a regular time.  A visit to a family member or friend means so much to the residents that we all should do a better job of checking on them, and let them know we care.  I want to add one thing: if you suspect any abuse or other problem, go to the administration and speak up.   My concern is especially for the ones that have no one to stand up for them.  In that case, an Ombudsman or other representative should contact a local attorney.  Our parents took care of us; it’s our turn to see that they are taken care of.  This article is very important to anyone who is facing the decision of relocating their parents or grandparents or a loved one.

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.