Yearly Archives: 2012

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

WE’RE A “DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT” ON A VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT!

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Yesterday, November 15, was The Great American Smokeout, and we FAILED  to remind you!  Sponsored by the American Cancer Society since 1977, Great American Smokeout has encouraged tobacco smokers and chewers to quit for the day, and hopefully, forever.  The Smokeout draws attention to deaths and health damage caused by smoking.  It has also contributed to bans on smoking in workplaces and restaurants, increased taxes on cigarettes, limitations on cigarette promotions in the media, attempts to discourage teen smoking, and other countless actions to reduce tobacco use.

By quitting even for one day smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life- one that can lead to reducing cancer risk. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes; that’s almost 1 in every 5 adults. As of 2010, there were also 13.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.2 million who smoke tobacco in pipes other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.  According to the CDC, 440,000 deaths and $193 billion in health care costs and lost production occur annually.

Here are some facts from the U.S. Surgeon General and American Cancer Society that point out the benefits of quitting:

  •         Your heart rate and blood pressure drop 20 minutes after quitting.
  •          Your circulation improves and your lung function increases within 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting.
  •          The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal 12 hours after quitting.
  •          One to nine months after quitting, coughing and shortness of breath decrease; normal function in the lungs is regained, which reduces the risk of infection.
  •          One year after quitting, the risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
  •          Five years after quitting, the stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
  •         Ten years after quitting, the lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker’s.  The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease.
  •          Fifteen years after quitting, risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker’s. 

Workplaces that make the choice to become smoke-free would see increased productivity, fewer sick days and lower insurance claims by employees.  Employers could reward their workers that stop smoking by paying a membership fee to a health club, treat non-smokers to an occasional free breakfast or lunch, or come up with other ideas. 

People have the right to choose what to do with their body; however, when facts prove that smoking damages almost every organ in the human body and is linked to at least fifteen different cancers, that should be reason enough for tobacco users to stop and think about it.  Besides that, think of how much money could be saved!    

We hope that you made that decision on the 15th to start a healthier lifestyle.  If you smoke, please don’t smoke in your home or in your car if you have other passengers to consider, especially children.  Consider the health benefits as listed above, not to mention creating a safer environment for those non-smokers who have to breathe secondhand smoke!

 

General Safety Issues

FIVE IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS FOR HOLIDAY ROAD TRIPS (GUEST POST)

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By Sam Banai – Some great suggestions for everyone planning to travel next week for Thanksgiving, or later on, Christmas.

Everyone loves to travel on the holidays, but not everyone is willing to deal with the stress and hustle of flying on a major airline.  Choosing to drive to your holiday vacation spot can cut down on the bothers of airports and even create a little adventure in your life, especially if you have someone to keep you company and a good mix to drive to.  There are some added safety issues though that you must deal with if you’re driving long distances.  Keeping these precautions in mind before and  during your trip can make the difference between a festive vacation or one that spells disaster.

Funds For the Road

When embarking on a long journey through the country, make sure you have enough money.  Imagine driving down the highway and narrowly running out of gas about two miles from a station.  You walk the two miles in the cold — it is winter after all — and you arrive at the gas station with no cash and all your money in savings and not checking.  This might seem rare, but the vacation frenzied and excited mind will do silly things sometimes.  Just make sure you have emergency funds for those times that you run out of something that you will need in the middle of nowhere: gas, food, oil, payphone calls — when reception is elusive.   

Proper Rest is Best

Driving on slick roads is dangerous; driving on slick roads when you’ve been driving for 10 hours, or through the night, is suicide.  Pick out spots along the way where you can rest or even sleep.  If you’re really driving through nowhere, or if you just want to save some much needed cash, switch off driving with your road trip buddy.  You would be amazed how even a 30 minute nap can revitalize your awareness.  

Have a Clear Mind and Few Distractions

Music is great, but make sure it’s not distracting you from signs, lights, and noises of the road: horns, sirens, and railroad gates.  If you take medication, make sure it’s non-drowsy.  If it is, have someone else drive when you feel the effects, or don’t take it at all.  Nothing ruins a vacation like driving through Florida on the holidays and getting a DWI Charlotte officer pulling you over for swerving.  Just be responsible; don’t drive if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol.      

Have a Backup Plan

It might be worth investing in a service like AAA to give you peace of mind and security during the holidays.  If you can’t afford a service like that, or if you are Mr. or Mrs. Self Sufficient, make sure you have a spare of all major car elements.  The main ones include tires, windshield wiper fluid, and oil.  Also, make sure you have the tools and knowledge to use these things.  You need to have a car jack for changing tires and a working understanding of your engine in case something goes wrong.  And, please bring a windshield scrapper; it’s winter, and it tends to snow or get icy.

Keeping all of these things in mind will dramatically increase the chances that your holiday road trip goes well.  Be aware of the weather, supplies, your state of mind, and the route that you’re taking.  It may seem like a lot of work, but it can be a lot less stressful, more fun, and more rewarding to take a road trip with a loved one than fly to your holiday spot.

Saam Banai is a freelance writer and editor.  He contributes this article for Powers & McCartan PLLC, a firm with experience in DWI Charlotte based crimes.  If you have been taken in for a DWI in the State of North Carolina, you should quickly contact a defense attorney who knows this area of law.

 Thanks, Saam, for another great article! Travelers may also want to pack supplies, as you mentioned, such as blankets, water, snacks, fully-charged cell phone, and always carry a first aid kit.  Pat

General Safety Issues

Five Common Car Seat Misuses (Guest Post)

 Submitted by Sophie Leake, of aupaircare.net

In September 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the findings of its National Child Restraint Use Special Study, a national sur­vey of child restraint system use in children from birth to age 8.  The study revealed five significant and common car seat mistakes.

These included:

1. Using the wrong harness slot. When it comes to car seat harnesses, best practice dictates that in rear-facing seats the slots at or below the child’s shoulders should be used. For forward-facing seats, the slots at or above the child’s shoulders should be used. According to the study, when the wrong slots are used it can increase the risk of excessive excursion.

2. Improper chest clip positioning. The proper place for the chest clip to be positioned is at armpit level. When the chest clip is positioned over the abdomen, down by the crotch, or not used at all it can also increase the risk of departure from the seat.

3. Loose installation. Car seats should not move more than one inch front to back or side-to-side across the belt path. Loose installation may allow for excessive movement of the seat which could increase the risk of injury.

4. Loose harness straps. The harness straps of a child’s car seat should be snug and there should be no slack when pinched at the child’s shoulder. Loose straps not only can result in a greater risk of excessive excursion, but can increase the risk of ejection and injury.

5. Improper belt positioning in booster seats. When riding in a booster seat, the lap belt should lie snugly across the child’s thighs, not across the stomach, and the shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder, and not the child’s neck, chest, or face. Improper positioning of seatbelts can increase the risk of excessive excursion and abdominal injury.

The study also cited that one in five parents do not read any instructions when installing their child’s car seat. Reading the car seat installation manual carefully can help prevent critical misuses that can increase the risk of injury in the event of a motor vehicle crash.

SafeKids and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator encourage everyone to conduct an at-home car seat safety check.  In addition to reading the car seat installation manual, parents and caregivers should be sure that:

1. The child is in the right seat for his age, weight, and height.

2. The car seat is placed in the back seat and that all children under the age of 13 ride in the back seat.

3. Children use rear-facing car seats for as long as possible, until he outgrows the seat.

4. The installed seat can’t be moved more than one inch front to back or side-to-side along the belt path.

5. The child’s harness is in the correct slots and that, when in use, they’re adjusted snugly with the chest clip at armpit level. Parents and caregivers should not be able to pinch the straps at the child’s shoulder once he’s properly fastened in.

When it comes to car seat safety, parents and caregivers must be on the same page. An agreement to follow best practices should be made and parents and caregivers should commit to ensuring that all passengers are properly secured in an appropriate car seat restraint system at all times.

Reading manuals is one thing that we all usually say, ” If all else fails, read the manual.”  In this case, as instructed, the first thing you should do is read the manual and follow instructions.  As a grandmother, I never was good at hooking up those carseats, but the parents knew how and did it correctly.  And the grandkids wouldn’t let me start the car until they were buckled up!  Their parents did a good job in teaching them the importance of seat belts. pb

General Safety Issues

POP QUIZ: CAR SEAT SAFETY (GUEST POST)

 This article is being shared with us by Debbie Denard, of Nanny.Net.  If you have a child or grandchild, take this quiz and see how well you do! 

1.) Installing your car seat, as well as maneuvering your child in and out of it, is easier when the seat is on one side of the car or the other. However, the recommended placement is in the center of the backseat. Is this rule one that can be safely bent?

  • A)   Yes. The placement of your child’s car seat should be what’s easiest for you to manage.
  • B)   No. It’s important to adhere to the center placement guidelines, as it’s significantly safer for your child in the event of an accident.
  • C)   Yes, if there’s a console between the two front seats.

2.) When should a child transition from rear-facing seats to those of the front-facing variety?

  • A)   When her feet touch the back of the vehicle’s seat.
  • B)   Around one year of age.
  • C)   When she’s reached the top weight or height limit allowed by the manufacturer of her car seat.

3.) You’re in a financial bind after purchasing baby items, and find a great deal on a used car seat. Is it okay to use a second-hand car seat?

  • A)   Yes. Every penny counts and you should save money wherever possible.
  • B)   Yes, as long as the seller assures you it’s never been in an accident.
  • C)   No, it’s never a good idea to purchase a second-hand car seat.

4.) When making a car seat purchase, is it better to choose one with a high weight limit, or a lower one that your child will outgrow in time to transition to a booster seat?

  • A)   A high weight limit.
  • B)   A smaller seat.
  • C)   The cheapest possible option.

5.) Your child is almost at the legal weight and height to transition from a car seat to a booster seat in your state, but she still fits comfortably in the high-limit car seat you purchased. Should you:

  • A)   Transition to the booster seat on the schedule recommended by your state.
  • B)   Continue to use the car seat until she no longer fits properly.
  • C)   Ask the child what she’d prefer.

6.) Your ten-year-old is clamoring to sit in the passenger seat. Is it okay to let him do so?

  • A)   Yes, as long as there’s no air bag, or an existing air bag has been disabled.
  • B)   Yes, as long as he wears his seat belt.
  • C)   No, even if there is no risk of air bag deployment.

7.) You’re planning to take a long-distance train with your toddler, who is far from graduating out of his car seat. Should he ride in his safety seat on the train?

  • A)   Yes, his safety seat is non-negotiable.
  • B)   No, his car seat is not a necessity for rides on a long-distance train.
  • C)   Only if he wants to ride in a safety seat.

8.) You’re bringing your newborn home from the hospital for the first time. Should after-market items like head positioners and strap covers be placed in her car seat?

  • A)   Yes, these products keep your baby comfortable in her car seat.
  • B)   No, these items can actually prove to be dangerous.
  • C)   Yes, but their value is mostly decorative.

9.) Your child is prone to motion sickness, which becomes problematic during longer car rides. Will turning his seat around so that he’s facing forward help?

  • A)   Yes.
  • B)   No.
  • C)   Maybe.

10.) You’re traveling by plane for a family vacation. The airline doesn’t require you to purchase a seat for children under the age of two; does this mean that it’s okay to leave the car seat at home?

  • A)   Yes. You’ll be forced to carry enough through the airport, and his car seat is an unnecessary burden.
  • B)   No, it’s safer to purchase the additional seat and properly install a car seat before take-off.
  • C)   Only if you plan to hold your child for the entirety of the trip. 

Answers:

Question 1: B. Because a child whose car seat is placed in the center of the back seat cannot be directly struck in a crash, he’s 43% safer than he would be on either side of the vehicle. The myth that consoles make center placement risky has been dispelled.

Question 2: C. Even if your child’s feet are touching the back of your car’s back seat, she’s still not too big to ride in a rear-facing position until she’s reached either the height or weight limit for her rear-facing car seat.

Question 3: C. In addition to the fact that you’re simply not able to accurately ascertain whether or not a seller is being honest with you regarding prior accidents, car seats also have expiration dates that older, used seats may have exceeded.

Question 4: A. When your child transitions from an infant seat, or if your chosen car seat is a convertible model, the longer you can keep her in a full car seat, the safer she’ll be. Don’t rush to transition to a booster seat.

Question 5: B. State requirements are often the bare minimum in terms of safety, so your child should continue to ride in a booster seat until she’s reached a weight or height that meets the upper limits put in place by the manufacturer.

Question 6: C. Even if the air bag in your front passenger seat is disabled or non-existent, the CDC recommends that they ride in the back seat until at least age 13.

Question 7: B. In fact, trains seats aren’t equipped with safety belts, making it impossible to install your child’s car seat safely.

Question 8: B. Any after-market items that are advertised as being an additional comfort measure may actually adversely affect proper head positioning and the fit of the car seat’s harness.

Question 9: B. The evidence supporting facing forward as a remedy for carsickness is purely anecdotal. A study reported by The Car Seat Lady shows that both front and rear-facing children showed identical 2% rates of carsickness.

Question 10: B. In addition to keeping your child safely restrained in the event of turbulence or difficulty in takeoff and landing, bringing your child’s car seat along ensures that you won’t be tempted to take the “short drive” from the airport to your destination without one.

How did you do on this test?  Make your child passenger(s) the safest little travelers they can be!

General Safety Issues

Ten iPhone Apps Focused on Child Safety (Guest Post)

Submitted by Paul Taylor, of BabySitters.net

The highest priority of any parent or quality childcare provider is ensuring the safety of the children under their care. The world can be a very dangerous place, and many of the hazards are all but hidden to inexperienced youngsters. If you’re responsible for the wellbeing of a child and are the owner of an iPhone, there are several applications in the App Store designed to help you keep your little ones safe. From product recalls to content filters, here are 10 of the best child safety apps available for the iPhone.

  1. FBI Child ID – No parent or caregiver wants to think about the possibility of a child going missing, but unfortunately from time to time it does happen. With the free FBI Child ID app you can save and organize personal information relevant to your child for use by law enforcement professionals. The app also provides tips for helping keep kids safe from harm in the first place, making it a great resource for anyone responsible for the care of a child.
  2. Consumer Reviews – Grocery, Baby & Health Product Barcode Scanner – Choosing the best and safest products for your child can be a challenge when you’re browsing the available options at a brick-and-mortar store, as there are no helpful product reviews sitting on the shelves alongside the many options. With this free app, you’ll be able to scan product barcodes to access allergy information, hidden food ingredients, and product reviews from real users.
  3. Sex Offender Search – While you cannot legally act on the information in any way, being aware of any sex offenders that live in your area is essential for the parents and caregivers of children. Registering for an account will also allow you to sign up for monthly update emails that notify you of any new offenders in the area, keeping your knowledge of the neighborhood and its residents current.
  4. Child Safety Poison – Kids, especially very young ones, explore the world using all of their senses to gather information. Unfortunately that means that a lot of dangerous substances can end up in their mouths. It only takes a single unsupervised moment for a child to gain access to and ingest poisonous substances, but this $4.99 app will let you know exactly how to treat a child who’s managed to swallow any one of the 252 household substances or 72 plants stored in its database. Of course, Child Safety Poison is no substitute for medical attention, which you should seek immediately if you suspect that a child has ingested a poisonous substance.
  5. Evoz – Imagine being able to listen to your baby from the office, the gym, or during your morning commute with a few taps of your iPhone’s screen. With the free Evoz app, that scenario is no longer a far-fetched one. The app will even push notifications or send emails when your infant cries, allowing you to track and monitor sleeping patterns all day long. There are no range limitations, so you can monitor the activity in your home and your baby’s sleeping habits from anywhere.
  6. iHound – Using GPS technology, iHound allows parents to track the movements of every member of the family. Know when your children arrive at their designated destinations, and if they leave them unexpectedly. In addition to providing you with valuable information regarding the whereabouts of your children, iHound also allows you to communicate with a lost or stolen iPhone.
  7. Nearparent – When children get old enough to explore the world and spend relatively unsupervised time with their friends, the ability to check in periodically to let you know they’re okay is invaluable. As an added bonus, this free app also allows parents to receive notifications when a child leaves a designated “safe” zone and gives you contextual weather warnings.
  8. Life 360 Family Locator – Know where every member of your family is at any given time and stay informed of any safety hazards in their area with Life360′s Family Locator. Available for free in the App Store, this app even allows you to track family members that have regular cellphones. There’s no need to buy pricey smartphones for young children in order to keep tabs on their location.
  9. Pocket First Aid & CPR from the American Heart Association – Knowing how to properly perform CPR and administer first aid is one of the most essential skills a parent or childcare provider can master. From the United States’ largest and most venerable voluntary health organization, Pocket First Aid & CPR provides you with valuable information, including child and infant CPR techniques.
  10. Mobicip – Before presenting your child with his first iPhone, be sure to install this $4.99 app to protect him from questionable or objectionable content. Your youngster will only be able to access age-appropriate content, even providing safe and non-threatening YouTube usage.

While your iPhone can be a powerful tool for ensuring the safety of your children or charges, it’s important to remember that it can also become dangerous if it presents a distraction. Never text, email, or use complex apps while driving or performing other tasks that require your full attention. Be sure to comply with all local and state laws regarding the use of a hands-free headset for voice calls while driving, and that your phone use doesn’t affect your ability to supervise the children under your care.

General Safety Issues

Benefits of 2-Way Radios (Guest Post)

Guest post by Charlie Curtis-Jones

Planning an event is never easy at the best of times. Perfect preparation may prevent pretty poor performance but all your best laid safety plans may go to waste when hundreds of people descend on one space and the chaos begins. It’s not always possible to prepare for every eventuality.

The life of an event planner may call for a cool head and organisational skills that border on obsessive but there are certainly a few tools out there which can make life somewhat easier. In recent years, the 2 way radio has become something of a life saver for those hoping to keep an event flowing and ensuring everything and everyone is in the right place at the right time.

The key benefit of having instant communication at an event, and large events in particular, is safety. Having tens, hundreds, or even thousands of people in one place at the same time can be difficult to manage and it is even harder to ensure everyone arrives safe and goes home in one piece.

This is an area where 2 way radios can really help. The primary benefit of instant communication across a whole site is emergency response to an incident. If your event is a large one, say a festival, wedding or party or club night – or any place where alcohol is served – then it is paramount you are able to keep on top of everything and limit any possibility that someone could get hurt or cause damage.

Being able to contact either an on-site medical team or designated first-aid personnel instantaneously could prove to be vital, and that is something the use of 2 way radios can grant you.

Coupled with the ability to call upon medical assistance straight away is the fact that with mobile communications you are able to co-ordinate more efficiently, and therefore even further restricting time that could be wasted if an event organiser and other parties are not constantly instantly contactable. The fact signal won’t ever drop out like it does on mobile phones further increases their benefit.

Improving your control of a site and in turn your control of events, is undoubtedly helped by increasing communication.

If for example, an event planner is charged with organising a large wedding then it is not only important to make sure guests are in the right place and ready to move on to the venue or to the dining area to keep the day running smoothly to ensure everyone has the best day possible, but to also keep everyone safe.

If, say, caterers are setting up a dining area with cutlery, glasses and crockery and guests are coming in and out of the area then an accident is a real possibility.

Through communicating across a large space, an event organiser can ensure every person at the venue is away from the hustle and bustle and enjoying themselves while behind the scenes everything is set up seamlessly to ensure they have a day to remember for all the right reasons.

Before an event, those charged with organising it will put hours of planning into making sure everything runs smoothly across the day. Having the right communication device can be paramount in ensuring that these well laid plans are administered and adhered to ensure the safety of visitors and guests at any event.

Guest post by Charlie Curtis-Jones who writes for Brentwood Communications, a leading UK supplier of digital and analogue two way radio communication equipment.

 
First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

TWELVE TIPS TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY AT WORK (GUEST POST)

By Brandon Allred

While people may feel that they are safe at work if nowhere else, this is a common misconception that can lead to unfortunate incidences. No matter where you are – work, home, shopping- you can fall victim to crime. Understanding this can help protect you, and learning about some simple things that you can do to keep yourself safe at work can make all the difference in the world.

Tip 1:

When at work you should keep your purse and keys locked up in a locker or drawer no matter how safe you feel your personal items are. Anything can happen to them even when it comes to people that you think that you can trust.

Tip 2:

If any strangers show up at your office you should ask for photo identification to ensure that they are who they say they are. On the same note, if someone whom you do not know makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy, trust your gut and call for security.

Tip 3:

If you notice any broken or flickering lights, corridors that are not well lit, broken windows or doors, or doors or windows that will not properly lock or close, report them to the right person immediately,  as they may be warning signs of something unpleasant to come.

Tip 4:

Keep an emergency kit on hand at all times. In it you should include water, food that is nonperishable, and a flashlight. This is for in case the lights go out because of a storm or because someone has messed around with the wires.

Tip 5:

When someone makes a delivery or pickup at your company, follow the same procedure for tip number two. Always ask for identification before you allow them in the building. Without proper ID you should not allow them to enter the premises.

Tip 6:

If you are the owner or the business, or in a position to make important decisions, take a good look at your office layout to assess any sort of potential security breach risks. Also do through background checks on all employees including criminal background checks.

Tip 7:

Assess  the probabilities of being a victim of fraud, burglary and embezzlement and have basic principles of prevention put in place in case any of these issues arise. This is something that  every business is vulnerable to and taking the proper steps is  important for prevention and recovery.

Tip 8:

If you know about any violence in the workplace, or witness any violence (or even know about the potential for violence), make a report to the appropriate authority right away to prevent an unfortunate event.  The same goes for sexual harassment or harassment of any type. These are serious matters.

Tip 9:

Keep your entire inventory up to date. You should do both regularly scheduled checks and random checks. Also write down equipment and product ID numbers and keep them at the office and at home or a bank safety deposit box so you have backups.

Tip 10:

If you are working alone after hours make sure that all doors and windows are locked up before the last person leaves.

Tip 11:

Have an emergency plan in place and make sure that your employees know what the plan is and understand how to follow it.

Tip 12:

If you work at home all of the above still applies. Keep yourself safe no matter what your working environment may be.  Keep everything locked up and have some sort of alarm system in place in case of emergency.

Staying safe at work is something that everyone should know how to do. Being privy to the proper information can make life much less stressful and much safer overall.

Protective Technologies provides safety equipment for business. Please visit our  website to find out more information.

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

BE ON THE WATCH FOR WINTER STORMS!

Do you know the difference between Winter Storm Watch, Winter Storm Warnings, and Winter Weather Advisories?  Chances are, most of us don’t; only those who must be out in those conditions to work or get to work pay attention to the forecast.  If you don’t understand, please read on: 

WATCHES:  According to weather professionals, there is a 50% chance that severe winter weather will materialize:

  •       Winter Storm Watch:  Possibility of severe life-threatening winter weather conditions that include: heavy ice and/or near-blizzard conditions, or heavy snow. 
  •       Blizzard Watch:  Blizzard conditions may happen.
  •       Lake-Effect Snow Watch:  Heavy lake effect snow likely.
  •       Wind Chill Watch:  Potential of wind chills of -25°F or less, causing risk of hypothermia and rapid frostbite. 

WARNING:

  •       Winter Storm Warning:  Winter weather is expected to cause life-threatening public impact from winter hazards that include ice, near blizzard conditions, heavy snow, drifting snow and dangerous wind chills.
  •       Heavy Snow Warning:  When 7 inches or more of snow is expected in 12 hours or less, or 9 inches or more is expected in 24 hours or less. 
  •       Ice Storm Warning:  Issued for ½ inch or more of ice accumulation, which can cause damage to trees and power lines. 
  •       Blizzard Warning:  When blizzard conditions are about to happen or expected in the next 12 to 24 hours.  These include frequent gusts of or above 35 mph and falling, blowing and drifting of snow, reducing visibility to ¼ mile.
  •       Lake-Effect Snow Warning:  Potential of 7 inches or more of lake effect snow.
  •       Wind Chill Warning: Issued when the wind chill is expected to be -25°F or less.  In less than 10 minutes,  frostbite can happen.

ADVISORIES:

  •       Winter Weather Advisory: Hazardous combination of ice and snow that exceeds warning criteria.  These may be significant and/or life-threatening if proper precautions are disregarded.
  •       Snow Advisory: When forecasters are confident that the entire event will be snow and an average of 4-6 inches of snow is expected in 12 hours or less.
  •       Freezing Rain Advisory: These advisories are issued only when there is a high probability that the whole event will be freezing rain, resulting in very slippery roads.
  •       Snow and Blowing Wind Advisory:  Prediction of frequent gusts or sustained wind of 25 to 34 mph, accompanied by falling and blowing snow, which can occasionally reduce visibility to ¼ mile or less for three hours or more.
  •       Wind Chill Advisory: Given for wind chills of -15°F to -24°F.  

Brrrrrr!  For those of you who must work in these conditions, there are all types of warm weather gear you can layer to be more comfortable!  From winter liners for wearing  under hardhats or hoodies, tube style helmet liners, rainsuits, raincoats, cold weather work gloves, to Kevlar fiber heat sleeves that furnish insulation, check out Texas America Safety Company!  We are your winter warmth headquarters!

General Safety Issues

Shoulder Surgery for Sporting Injuries (Guest Post)

Written by Sharon Freeman.

Out of 7.5 million patients treated for shoulders injuries in North America, at least 4.1 million occur most often in sports. They occur more often in athletics due to powerful and excessive overarm motion notable in swimming, pitching baseballs, throwing balls and swinging tennis rackets.

Learn the warning signs for shoulder injuries

Athletes can help care for their shoulders health by learning the signs of injury developing so they can take measures to prevent further damage that could result in surgeries.

  • Shoulder stiffness: Normal rotation of the shoulder may be limited due to stiffness.
  • Different sensations: The shoulder may feel as if it will either pop out of joint or slide in an odd and uncomfortable way.
  • Strength: Weakness may result that reduces normal activity and ability to lift, press, or push with significant strength.

These tell-tale signs should raise flags. An orthopedic surgeon will be able to examine the shoulder in the office with range of motion tests and he may request x-rays and MRIs to check for further damage and evaluate whether surgery is necessary to repair the shoulder.

Common Shoulder injuries

Most people who try to self-diagnose what is happening to their shoulders will call it a rotator cuff injury. While that may be correct in some cases, it is not always correct. Surgeons group certain types of injuries to the shoulder into two categories:

  • Instability injuries happen when a joint or bone in the shoulder moves out of its correct position, aka dislocated shoulder. This type of injury is recognizable if the patient has intense pain when lifting the arm and feels a sensation that their shoulder is moving out of place.
  • If an athlete tends to use overarm motion with excessive force, like a baseball pitcher or a football quarterback, the muscles may tend to rub against the shoulder blade. This type of injury is grouped under the category, Impingement.

What is a Rotator Cuff Injury?

The rotator cuff is actually a grouping of muscles and tendons in the shoulder that provide the human body with stability for lifting and overarm motion. If an athlete experiences inflammation to these muscles and tendons, early treatment is recommended to prevent severe damage. If severe damage occurs the athlete may never really regain full strength to that shoulder. Surgery may help in some cases.

Treatments for Sports Shoulder Injuries

Treatments for sport shoulder injuries include less invasive physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications that help with the injury itself and help the athlete change his mechanics to prevent re-injury. However, if the injury is severe surgery may be required to repair the damage. Post-surgery PT will help with recovery and retrain mechanics to prevent re-injury.

Shoulder Surgeries

Surgeries for shoulder injuries have come a long way. Less invasive procedures have been added to the repertoire a surgeon may have to choose from for a respective patient.

  • Orthoscopic Surgery allows the surgeon to use a smaller incision and use a tube with a small camera so the surgeon can see and repair the damaged area. The results are similar to other shoulder surgeries, but the recovery time may be lessened.
  • Bankart Procedure is used on athletes who throw a lot in their sport. This procedure tightens ligaments and repairs torn tissues to bring back proper shoulder stability.
  • Rotator Cuff Repair: Repairs tears to the rotator cuff and helps return stability and range of motion. It also helps reduce pain.

These are the treatments and surgeries usually provided to athletes so they can return the games they love to play. Do not try to self-diagnose your pain and injury. Consult a sport doctor about what is going on with you and follow your doctor’s advice.

Sharon Freeman is a freelancer who writes about Shoulder Surgery and health information for companies like Kaliper Orthopedics.

 

 

 

 

 

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

GEARING UP FOR WINTER SAFETY (GUEST POST)

Sent to us by Joel Joshi

Now that the calendar has turned to autumn, the countdown to winter has officially begun. As winter weather can be both severe and unpredictable, anyone who is exposed to the elements, whether to, from or in the workplace should maintain a high level of awareness and preparedness. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as the mercury starts to drop.

Know the Forecast, Be Prepared

It may seem self-explanatory, but knowing the weather is the easiest way to protect yourself from a cold, uncomfortable and potentially dangerous day on the jobsite.

Know the weather report before leaving home and plan accordingly. Try to dress in breathable, moisture wicking layers in order to conserve heat while allowing flexibility if the temperature should rise, with the outer layer being water/wind resistant.

If possible, try to balance warmth and dexterity, particularly if your job is hands-on. Protect your extremities: the head, hands and feet should be covered to avoid heat loss when the temperature dips. Although fingers stay warmer when in contact with one another in mittens, they are more cumbersome.  No matter what your role may be, ensure that the winter clothing you’ve chosen won’t compromise the equipment you need for your job.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is less easily apparent in the winter – but it’s just as dangerous of a threat! As the temperature falls, the level of physical exertion may not and water loss through sweat becomes easier to overlook. Don’t let this go unnoticed; doing so could lead to exhaustion, dizziness and muscle fatigue among other issues, multiplying the risk of error or injury.

Try to drink fluids throughout the day and go ahead and keep your thermos close at hand. Although coffee is commonly perceived as having dehydrating effects drinking coffee in moderation contributes positively to recommended daily fluid intake. The caffeine can increase alertness, and the warmth is obviously welcome on those cold mornings and evenings.

Watch Your Step!

Winter precipitation can cause problems in and around the workplace, particularly for those who work outside – but also because the wet snow can be tracked indoors where it will melt and create a slippery hazard in entranceways. 

The number one cause of accidents in the workplace is slips and falls, you can minimize the risks by taking some basic, proactive steps. Firstly, keep a mop close at hand in order to clean up wet spots and prevent slips. Secondly, keep walkways and entrances clear of snow, and use salt and sand to combat ice in these high traffic areas. Thirdly, consider wearing slip-resistant footwear when necessary. It may not always be fashionable but could save you from a rough tumble. Also, try to take smaller, more cautious steps in potentially icy/slippery areas.

When out on the jobsite, try to mark icy areas to prevent others from slipping. If you find a particularly icy spot, spread the word! Knowing to tread cautiously is often enough to prevent serious accidents.

Travel Safely

Whether headed into work or out to a jobsite, winter driving is inevitable for most workers. Beyond just taking it slow and driving defensively, be sure to equip your vehicle with the appropriate tires for the season. While all-weather tires may seem the cheaper option, a good pair of winter tires can protect you in ways all-seasons just can’t. Never cut costs on equipment that could save your life!

In addition to proper tires, ensure that your vehicle is equipped with a winter safety kit that has all of the essentials: anti-freeze, road flares, a warm blanket, a flashlight, jumper cables, a towrope/strap, waterproof matches, a first aid kit, a small shovel, extra high-energy food and a charger for any cellular devices.

Wrapping It Up

In winter, a little preparedness goes a long way. Spending just a little time planning for the changing conditions can help keep you and your co-workers safe from harm.

This post was shared with us by Workforce Compliance Safety, a safety consulting company from the cold climates of Alberta, Canada.

 Our thanks to Joel  for this great winter advice – we love hearing from our friends in Canada; and please stay warm and safe! Pat