Yearly Archives: 2014

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Health Issues

THE EFFICACY OF WASHING YOUR HANDS AND DISINFECTING SURFACES TO REMOVE WORKPLACE BACTERIA (GUEST POST)

Anago Savannah Guest Blog Post – The Efficacy of Washing Your Hands and Disinfecting Surfaces to Remove Workplace Bacteria: 

A CNN report from last week talked about the rise of drug-resistant superbugs that are beginning to plague hospitals all across the nation, and that “the overuse and misuse of antibiotics is contributing to an increase in drug-resistant bacteria, which render antibiotics useless.” The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) agrees, adding that “drug-resistant germs called carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE, are on the rise and have become more resistant to last-resort antibiotics during the past decade… Currently, almost all CRE infections occur in people receiving significant medical care. CRE are usually transmitted from person-to-person, often on the hands of health care workers.” 

According to “Effectiveness of Hand Washing and Disinfection Methods in Removing Transient Bacteria After Patient Nursing,” a study conducted by the US National Library of Medicine discussed why “in hospitals, none of the washing and disinfection methods always removed all patient-borne bacteria from the hands,” and stated an emphasis on “the importance of always using gloves when nursing a profuse spreader of bacteria or one who must be protected from infection.” The general consensus of the study is that even in areas that the general public imagines and hopes would remain sterile, such as medical facilities, the war against germs of all kinds can be long-standing and difficult to win.

When an ordinary citizen reads these sorts of reports, their assumptions of the ways in which modern advancements in technology and the mass proliferation of medicine are combating the germs we encounter on a daily basis are rapidly dashed. If hospitals cannot fight the proliferation of microbes, how then can the other places we visit on a daily visit? One source of major concern for most Americans is the cleanliness of the workplace. Many people spend over eight hours each day in a small environment surrounded by others. For this reason, it is somewhat worrying to consider how the standard work environment could already be a potential hive for harmful microorganisms that are ready to pounce. 

If you are wary about the overall cleanliness of your workplace, there are many areas to look out for, including kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, doorknobs and toilet seats that may be contaminated with bacteria, even when they do not look visibly stained or “dirty”. Regular cleaning products successfully remove some types of dirt, but only antibacterial cleaning products and powerful disinfectant cleaners can effectively kill germs that cause serious health problems. 

According to Web MD’s “The Six Dirtiest Places in your Office” article, the following places scored the highest when tests were carried out to see if they provide a breeding ground for bacteria: break room sink-faucet handles, microwave door handles, computer keyboards, water fountain buttons, refrigerator door handles and vending machine buttons. Many pairs of hands come into contact with these places during the day. Due to the fact that “80% of common infections are spread by hands,” it is extremely important to wash your hands thoroughly. Always remember that proper hand sanitation is the best way to decrease the possibility of infection and illness in the workplace. 

Seeing as the majority of office workers use a keyboard for long periods of time, it is imperative that you clean it out at least once a week. Unfortunately, it is a sad fact of life that germ levels will keep increasing. Consequently, you should have some disinfecting wipes close at hand for the surrounding desk area, as well as a strong alcohol-based sanitizer to clean the keyboard. Before doing so, a few sprays of compressed air can help to uproot any keyboard gunk and food crumbs that have accumulated over time. 

It is vital that everyone partakes in disinfecting their own desk. This is because, no matter how spotless your own area is, germs can multiply swiftly and, if your neighbor is guilty of having a filthy workstation, then all of your hard time and effort will be for naught in the long run. Germs can travel from one desk and/or cubicle to another unless those who work in your vicinity do enough to curb their propagation themselves. It is essential that you wipe clean and disinfect areas in the kitchen, break room or around your desk, including your keyboard and telephone. 

Regardless of the time of year, an extensive spring-clean will help you to carry out the proper precautions necessary to curtail the spread of bacteria. After all, untidy, disorganized and overcrowded workplace areas help no one and are a hindrance to everybody’s general wellbeing! 

Anago are proud to offer their green cleaning services to residents living in the Greater Savannah area, including Beaufort County, Sheldon, Pooler, Georgetown, Savannah, Thunderbolt, Allenhurst, Ridgeville, Townsend and Brunswick. Anago specializes in affordable cleaning services for auto dealerships, restaurants, country clubs, healthcare facilities and government buildings. Please visit us online at

Anago Cleaning Systems or call 912-544-6401 today for more details.

Sources:

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2014/03/05/cdc-hospitals-contributing-to-rise-of-superbugs/http://www.cdc.gov/media/dpk/2013/dpk-vs-hai.htmlhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2133933/Ibid. http://www.healthunit.org/infectious/handwashing.htm

General Safety Issues

FILLING MACHINE SYSTEM SAFETY (GUEST POST)

Filling Machine Safety

When purchasing a filling machine system, one of the most important factors to consider is the safety features. Filling machines are used in a wide variety of industries and environments, making it essential to ensure that they are built to the highest standards and meet all regulated safety standards. These safety features are necessary to protect operators and other workers, as well as to prevent product and revenue loss during production.

Filling Machine Safety Features

Although each industry may have different safety needs for their products and environment, there are some standard safety features to look for on filling machines. It is important that the machine is built to meet all UL standards and has the proper safety precautions and guards in place to make it safe to use. Some of the features to look for include: 

  • Guard enclosures. Operators must be properly protected from possible splashing or spilling of hot or dangerous products that may be used on a filling machine. Guard enclosures insulate the operators from hazardous materials by the use of interlock doors, with a safety feature that does not allow machine function unless the doors are shut. These doors should be made to withstand chemical and heat exposure, protecting the operators behind them.  In some cases, it may be necessary for operators to wear protective clothing.
  • Electrical panels. All electrical panels should meet UL standards for safety. For filling machines used in hazardous locations, they should come equipped with electrical panels that are built to UL listed Class1/Division1/Group D electrical standards that meet all insurance requirements. This protects the electrical components from exposure to possible combustible materials that are found in these hazardous locations.
  • Machine construction. Filling machines should meet construction requirements for safety, such as components made of stainless steel and stainless shrouded aluminum for wash down capabilities. In addition, the filler functions should meet all NEC regulations using mechanical activation features.
  • Software. The software used in filling machines is also critical for safety. Software should include built-in safety features to regulate automatic shut-off or no-start mode when there is a jam or filling jets are not properly aligned. In addition, software should prevent spills that may be hazardous to workers, as well as costly during production. 

Ensuring your filling machine is made to the highest standards of safety should be a top priority when purchasing new equipment. Lack of quality safety features can be costly, causing unnecessary employee injuries and expensive losses in production. It is worth taking the time and money to invest in filling machines that meet and exceed all safety standards for your company’s industry.

 

Sam Lubus is the owner of Inline Filling Systems, a liquid filling machine manufacturer with over twenty years of experience in the industry. Made in the USA, and installed Worldwide, we believe in safety first when installing our machinery at business locations.

 
 

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Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

SAFETY TIPS FOR GARAGE DOOR PROFESSIONALS (GUEST POST)

 Garage doors having worn out parts can pose serious safety challenges for both novices and veterans. Read on to know what garage door professionals should keep in mind when at the site!   

Garage doors are highly useful for numerous reasons including storage and safety, but they always have certain potential risks associated with them. Since your garage door is the biggest moving thing within your home, it can lead to serious injuries and damages when out of order or wrongly used! 

Handling a garage door, especially during repair and maintenance work, can be risky not only for homeowners, but also trained and experienced professionals. There are several complicated parts such as a torsion spring that can turn highly dangerous after wearing out.

Considering this, ASAP has come up with some handy and useful safety tips for garage door experts to practice when at work:

Stay Attentive While Replacing Broken Springs

While torsion springs are doubtlessly the most important part of a garage door, it is equally true that they can be highly risky to handle when worn out. Since broken springs become easily breakable, they often cause injuries during garage door inspection and repair.

When replacing a torsion spring, use complete safety equipment including gloves and safety glasses. Also, if the garage door you are repairing has two springs, consider replacing both with new ones, even if only one has worn out. This will prevent any serious mishap from happening in future and keep the door functioning with all its efficiency.

Check Cables Carefully

It remains important to be careful when visually inspecting the cables that combine the entire spring system with the bottom brackets at each side of the door. When worn out, they can break easily and lead to serious and fatal injuries. The right way to handle these cables is to stay fully equipped and always use the right tools. You need to be a little extra considerate when completely replacing cables, for they are associated with high-tension springs.

Tackle a Struggling Door with Care

A garage door that doesn’t properly go up and down implies a risky and dangerous situation, regardless of how old a garage door system you are repairing. If you are trying to operate the door manually and the problem is still the same, it must be due to a faulty spring system. And since an out-of-order spring system is dangerous, it should be tackled with complete care. Make sure you fully replace the broken spring system as it can wear and tear other door components that are adjacent to it.

Get the Old Track Replaced

Most homeowners want to save some dollars by using the old track while getting a new garage door replaced. As a garage door expert, however, it is on your part to make the garage owner understand why changing the old track is important.

Technically, a new door will barely fit well on an old track because of the difference in the weight of the door, thickness of sections and several other parts. Emphasize on the installation of the track that best fits the garage door.

Author Bio

Oren Linder is author and founder of ASAP Garage Door Services Inc. He usually writes for garage door repair, safety tips and garage door installation etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection

HOW TO PREVENT WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS (GUEST POST)

When it comes to safety in the workplace, there should be a cooperative effort between the employer and workers to avoid accidents and injuries while on the job. As the employer you are legally responsible to ensure that proper safety procedures are in place in the workplace, and as an employee it is in your best interest to follow them. By taking preventive action you can drastically decrease accidents and create a work environment that is void of hazards and promotes your company’s stance on health and safety. 

According to the latest statistics from the UK’s Health and Safety Executive, HSE, between 2012 and 2013 there were 27 million working days lost due to workplace injuries or illness, 78,000 officially reported injuries and 148 deaths. 

Almost all work-related injuries are preventable, yet they are still happening at an alarming rate. Employers need to take responsibility for the health and safety of their employees by creating stringent policies that are strictly enforced. These three steps will help you to avoid accidents in the workplace, and move forward toward a safer and brighter future for all.

 Implement Company Safety Policies 

Every employer should have formal safety rules and procedures in place for their employees to follow. If you don’t have an official company policy yet, this is a great place to start. Creating a Health and Safety section in your company handbook that employees can reference not only provides helpful guidance, but is there officially when an employee does not follow official protocol. 

There should be a person in your company that is in sole charge of safety at the workplace. This safety coordinator ensures that protocols are followed, policies are adhered to, and government regulations are being met. 

Perform a Thorough Inspection of the Workplace 

Once you have a clear company safety manifesto in place, along with a person in charge of it’s implementation, you should do a top to bottom inspection of your workplace to pinpoint safety risks and create a response plan.

Identify areas that could be improved or that require further safety protection, and meet with the area’s supervisors to discuss possible solutions to the issues. 

Common problems include faulty vehicles, lack of proper personal protective equipment, debris and clutter, and areas prone to spillage. Do frequent checks to make sure your vehicles and machinery are inspected frequently and repairs are done as necessary. Requiring your employees to keep a certain standard of housekeeping and to wear protective equipment such as eye safety goggles, hard hats, and steel toe shoes will go a long way. Always be sure that any areas with safety concerns have clear signs informing employees, as well as company protocol that addresses the best way to handle those concerns. 

Provide Comprehensive Safety Training 

Safety in the workplace is an ongoing issue and should be addressed with your employees by providing regular training. Any new employee should be required to go through full training before stepping foot on the work floor, and permanent employees should have refresher trainings at least annually and anytime they will be using new equipment or performing a task they haven’t in the past. 

Putting a transparent and enforced safety policy in place at your workplace will help to decrease accidents and injuries on the job. Employees will be more productive and happier when safety concerns are at a minimum, and you will have done your legal duty to protect those under your watch. 

This article was provided by Essential Industrial, specialists in bearings and power transmissions and provide PPE equipment.

 

 

General Safety Issues

ARE YOU CONSIDERING DOING “SHIFT WORK?”

With the recent “Spring Forward” change to “Daylight Saving Time” for certain areas, it makes us wonder if the hour’s difference affects those who work on shifts.  It would seem that getting up an hour earlier might be the worst part of it.  However, those who work day shifts would get home an hour earlier than usual, but the night shift folks have to adjust as well.

It has always seemed that the “graveyard” shift would be the hardest, but there are certain people who love to work during those hours.  If you are considering changing to night shift work, it means you’ll be awake when other folks are snoozing, and trying to sleep when most of the world is active.  Some folks take well to the transition, but it can take time and effort on your part.

Here are some of the jobs that include shifts, and we’ll take a look at what health effects may be involved:

  • Nurses
  • E.R. Physicians
  • Manufacturing plant employees
  • Pilots
  • Airline attendants
  • Ground crews
  • Air Traffic Controllers
  • Convenience store employees
  • Police
  • Firemen
  • EMT Rescue Teams
  • Trucking
  • Miners
  • Military

You may be able to name many others, but these are among the busy folks that work day and night, through shift work.  Our military forces must be on the alert all the time, 24/7, and we mentioned them because of the stress factors they face.  Police, firemen, rescue teams are also under much stress.  Firemen work shifts that require them to be on the premises for 48 hours, then off 48 hours, etc.  This may take away from the rest they try to get, because of noise going on in the firehouse.  Earplugs would be of help to them!  They also have a greater risk of injury and metabolic syndrome.

Airports are some of the busiest areas in the world; anyone involved with working for an airline will tell you there is plenty of stress on their job, night or day!  Weather delays, controlling flights, getting passsengers safely to their destinations, can be telling on the health of pilots and other employees.  Lack of sleep is one of the obstacles that have caused problems for pilots.

Laws forbid long-haul truckers to log over a certain amount of driving hours, but they are under pressure to get their loads to a certain spot at a designated time, causing them to try to go a little farther down the road.  Miners are certainly under a strain, to say the least, regardless of the shift they work.  It’s dark in those mines; of course they are well-lit, but miners face so many hazards on a daily basis.

It is a proven fact that long hours + overtime + short sleep (less than 6 hours per day) = depression, injuries, and poor health.  If you decide to take a job that requires shift work and changes your routine, go to your physician and get a good checkup to ensure that your body is healthy enough to adapt.  Be sure you eat the right kinds of food and exercise, as well as take breaks regardless of the shift you work.  It is a fact that night shift is a little harder on the body, so take care of yourself and stay healthy and safe.

 

 

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

TOP FIVE TIPS FOR CREATING AN EFFECTIVE SAFETY PLAN FOR ONSITE EQUIPMENT OPERATION (GUEST POST)

Onsite equipment operation can put operators at high risk for injury, no matter their skill or experience level. In fact, it was reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that in just one year, 8,450 amputations were performed due to occupational injuries caused by machine operation. To significantly reduce the risk of worker injury, it is imperative that employers make equipment operation as safe as possible on their job sites. While there is always risk for injury, there are certain measures you can take to eliminate a substantial amount of risk in your operations. To give you a better idea of how you can start developing a plan for safer equipment operation, we’ve provided the following five safety tips to help you get started!

  1. Safety equipment

Safety equipment is a vital component of any workplace, especially for onsite equipment operations. To increase the safety of your workers, facilitate and enforce the use protective clothing and gear. Goggles should always be supplied and used to protect your workers’ eyes. Depending on the type of equipment you operate on your site, you may want to use full face goggles. It is also imperative that your employees wear gloves and closed toe shoes. Hard hats are, of course, another important item to include in the safety gear you provide your workers with. You will also want to include ear protection, dust masks, safety signs, and first aid kits.

       2.  Training

Workers face fewer hazards when they have the proper training and information necessary to operate the machinery onsite. Employers need to provide employees with training, offer instruction manuals, and make certain that each employee can effectively operate their equipment before allowing them to work independently.

         3.  Driving and Operating

Before your employees operate any equipment, it is important that you make sure that it has been properly inspected and serviced. Training your employees to thoroughly check surroundings and confirm full clearance before moving or backing up will also prevent accidents. It is important that your employees know to never leave a machine on an inclined surface with the engine running and never allow additional riders on equipment that does not permit them.

       4.  Maintenance and Repair

When gear is under repair, place a sign saying “Under Repair” in the seat, remove the start key, or lock out controls. Remind your workers to stop engines during refueling and shut off equipment before making repairs. It will also be important to carefully inspect all used construction equipment before putting it to work to ensure that it has been properly maintained and is ready for safe operation.

         5.  Parking and Security

Remind your workers to always lower allocates and set the parking brake before dismounting the equipment. Be sure that they are securing the equipment when finished for the day, making sure it is clear of foot traffic. If it is not clear, they will need to mark it with glares or red lights and lock it up.

Your employees need proper training, safety evaluated work areas, proper safety equipment and effective operation procedures to operate industrial machinery and high-tech equipment. Safety is always the most important objective when operating heavy equipment. Now that you know how you can create a safety plan, it’s time to get to work! Start by developing policies, ordering necessary safety equipment, and updating your workers’ training as well as your machine maintenance. 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

Industrial Gloves Raises Safety Level of Its Workers (Guest Post)

 
There are specific Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) laws in place that makes protective equipment like gloves and sleeves mandatory for industrial workers. Indeed, without the use of these protective and secure gloves, it is quite possible that workmen may the victims of damages to, or even total loss of their hands through accidents caused by moving parts of machinery, chemical exposures, electrical shocks, fire and burns, hand injuries caused during welding and a host of hazards that make the protection of hands through industrial gloves mandatory and absolutely necessary to avoid damages or losses, either of temporary or permanent kind. 
To a very large extent, the kind of industrial gloves that would be necessary depends largely on the kind of industrial activity that is being carried out. However, the main types of gloves are:
  • Fire Resistant types
  • Cotton gloves
  • Inspection Gloves
  • Latex gloves
  • Knitted gloves
  • Leather gloves
  • Rubber gloves
  • Any other synthetic materials that is warranted due to danger of industrial activity
It must be remembered that the hands of industrial workers, especially when handling dangerous and moving parts of machines or welding, are highly risky and accident prone, and thus need full gloved protection while handling. There have been cases and instances when the entire ungloved hand of the workman had been severed by moving machine parts, or welding burns causing  third-degree burns perhaps beyond medical treatment, thus raising the bar for safety measures and regulatory regimes regarding the use of industrial gloves.
  1. The demands of the trade measure the quality, kind and toughness of the industrial gloves: Indeed choices of gloves are work based, the more hazardous the work, the more tougher, protective and robust the gloves need to be. Gloves made of asbestos (fireproof), leather or rubber (fire and acid proof) and latex gloves (liquids and water proof) are major kinds in demand, although certain activities specify the kind of gloves needed.
  2. Heavy work requires a tough pair of gloves: Protection against rough and unidentified objects, fire sparks, heat, fire and dust particles, need leather gloves that are all resistant and also durable and non-abrasive. Rubber gloves offer protection against chemical spills and oils too. 
  3. Sometimes a combination of gloves may be needed: for some hazardous and tough jobs, where the palms also begin to sweat profusely, it becomes necessary to have inner coating of cotton gloves (mops up sweat and body fluids) with outer coating of leather or synthetic gloving. While dealing with electricity and electronic devices, it is best to use insulating rubber gloves which offer better protection against leakages and shocks. In nuclear plants, specially designed gloves are required. 
  4. Workmen must be trained and educated on the safe and efficient use of gloves: During times of emergencies, it is important that workmen make good use of putting on and removing gloves and other hand safety devices and they need to be trained and modulated on the techniques of hand protection and other issues. 
In the context of industrial protection and safety, hand protection devices are indeed very critical and important, making the difference between safety and hazard, and thus gloves need to be a fully integrated port of workmen’s armory, both for defense and safe working. Historical records bear testimony on the number of accidents which could have been avoided if there had been sound and practiced safety measures and factory managers need to learn from past mistakes and learn for the future betterment and Zero Accident Tolerance standards. 
 
 
Author Bio: Christy Nelsen is a good researcher. And for the past several years, concentrated on academic assignments for students who require top-quality articles to accomplish their assignments and other projects. He helps students for write to learn many subjects.  He enjoys writing about current trends and innovations in education, technology and traveling.  
 
 
 
 
Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

Unseen Dangers of Workplace Nobody Will Tell You About (Guest Post)

1 Comment

It would not be wrong to say that every workplace has some dangers lurking for the employees. These often go unnoticed by the employees,  sometimes causing much damage and irreparable injury.  It could be a result of carelessness on the part of the management, lack of required security for workers or simply ignorance about the existence of the danger a particular activity or device holds. This post looks into those potential dangers and discusses workplace hazards we need to be careful and alert about. 

Workers in the Hospitality and Services Industry 

All those working in hotel kitchens and whipping up delicious dishes would probably never have thought about constant dangers they are exposing themselves to. The heat and fumes that they are constantly functioning in are extremely damaging to the health of the lungs. The hot pans and bulky vessels are other sources of burns and injuries that workers in the kitchen often work with and take little care. Poor lighting in kitchens, uncared for inflammable substances are other dangers lurking around in the kitchen. 

The owner of the place must ensure proper lighting, storage, ventilation and functioning appliances in proper condition for the employees.   On the other hand, the relatively innocent looking fryers and pans could also be sources of danger. While there should be a warning board displayed in every restaurant kitchen for newbies, that isn’t the case always. And so nobody will tell you that you never put anything frozen in a fryer, the oil will bubble up and burn your hands. Similarly you must always use gloves to handle pans and pots, even those that have handles. Also a slightly unwelded or loose handle can cause the pan and its contents to fall on you. Sharp objects in the kitchen exist in abundance and you must always be careful when handling knives, scissors, peelers and other sharp objects. 

Workers in the Construction Industry 

Construction workers have one of the most high risk jobs. They are constantly exposed to all sorts of danger at work. Four workers falling to their death on Christmas Eve in Toronto was a complete jolter and again brings into focus the nonchalant, lackluster attitude some employers have towards the safety of their workers. 

While working around a backhoe, being electrocuted, cut by machines and crushed between boulders and vehicles are the obvious dangers workers are encountering at all times, there is another latent kind of danger that is of late becoming increasingly common in the construction industry. It is this phenomenon called “independent contractors”. A lot of desperate, migrant workers function as cheap labor and pump in their blood and sweat (literally) into these industries. The scarey fact here is, that employers are completely exploiting these “independent contractors” as they are not properly covered within the employment benefits.  The employers as well as the insurers can get around not paying them benefits and worker’s insurance coverage. 

States must take into account these desperate workers and make laws that help them to cover expenses and financial blows experienced due to an injury at the workplace. These workers can also seek legal counsel from aggressive and dedicated personal injury lawyers who will fight for their rights and litigate to secure them the best possible settlement in the given circumstances. 

Besides these, construction workers are exposed to a number of other things that can be highly dangerous to them. Contaminated building products lead to a lot of damage in the worker’s bodies but one building product that few people know is very harmful for workers is asbestos. Painters, demolition workers, roofers, masons and bricklayers are all exposed to asbestos in some form or the other. There has been an increased incidence of peritoneal cancers and lung cancers in asbestos exposed workers. Studies have revealed that employers are using much higher concentration of asbestos than recommended,  which is immensely harmful for the employees.  Respirator protection, eye protection, and safe gloves are required for these workers.

When Working as Drivers

Motorbike delivery services, truck drivers, taxi-drivers, chauffers may get into the job thinking it is relatively risk-free. After a few days into the job they will know it’s not. You are expected to meet deadlines when you are in the delivery service and travelling on a bike, you will be speeding for your job. A fall or an accident can never be too far and you are always at risk.

Those jobs that involve loading and unloading can give you serious spine and back injuries. Many drivers also become a victim of violence and assault while on the road, which most of them do not expect and are not prepared for.  Prolonged sitting on the job  can lead to a lot of health problems like backaches and bad posture. Handling of constant communication tools even while on the road is dangerous though not deemed so by the owner of the vehicle or the driver. If you are in this profession, avoid using your cell phone as much as possible. Moreover, your job can involve engines, brakes, doors malfunctioning anytime, which can again lead to serious accidents.Regular servicing and maintenance of the vehicle is a must to make the automobile/truck as safe as possible for the drivers.

When You are a Farmer or a Rancher

While many believe farming as one of the most safe and satisfying occupations, the truth is slightly deviated from that. Satisfying, yes, probably for most, however, there are a lot of dangers lurking in farming as well. Constant exposure to various types of chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides can lead to breathing problems as well as allergies. Ask a farmer and you will believe me.  In addition, you are also dealing with some pretty big animals (who have horns and teeth) on your ranch. They are well behaved and somewhat tame, but if any of these animals get out of control, they can severely injure you – causing fractures, deep cuts, or spinal injuries.  Hence, it is not surprising to know that the death rate percentage among farmers and ranchers as high as 21.3 per cent, which makes it  actually counted as one of the most dangerous occupations in U.S.A.

Conclusion

Most of us spend the largest chunk of our lives at the workplace whether it is a farm, car or office. Each place and each job comes with some inherent risks and potential dangers. Some of these dangers are known to us and we know how to tackle them. But there are other physical and emotional dangers associated with the job as well, which we may not be aware of and that is what makes them all the more risky. If you have discovered any such unknown danger at the workplace, letting others know will help save many from injuries, fatigue and fatalities.

Author’s Bio: 

Attorney Mike Hulen is a personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of Hulen & Leutwyler, LLC in Colorado. Hulen has more than 30 years of legal experience in helping the people to rebuild their lives after being injured in accidents.  Whether you are looking for a strong representation in your personal injury case or need immediate help, call us at 888-717-7891.

Ergonomics, Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hearing Protection

IS YOUR JOB THE “SECOND TIME AROUND?”

Many senior citizens have found themselves taking on a semi-retirement job.  Due to financial need or simply because they enjoy working, more and more seniors are working past the retirement age. 

Those who have certain professional experience from their first job, or the one they retire from, may use those skills in another setting.  Employers are happy to have older employees with experience, as they are very dependable and have a work ethic not found in many younger workers.  There is aways new technology they must learn, but they are willing and able to do so. 

Continuing to work helps keep our minds sharper.  We have to think about each step, especially when learning a new skill set.  Employers are conscious about the safety of all workers, but know that they must provide all employees with the personal protective equipment that fits the job duties, whether it is hearing protection, eye protection, gloves, or ergonomic products.  Older employees may be more susceptible to injuries, but their job descriptions must fit their physical abilities.

By working after age 65 into their 70’s, senior citizens have the feeling of accomplishment.  Most of them are just not ready for the rocking chair.  There are many activities to participate in that allow us to enjoy life, but when we are working, there is not only the sense of pride in doing a job well, but there’s also a paycheck that helps, as well.

It is sad that there are so many unwilling to work because they think a job is beneath them.  Too many citizens draw benefits that should be going to ones who really need and deserve them.  When you see an older person working at a grocery store, convenience store, or any other business, you should admire what they are doing.  You have no idea why they haven’t retired, so be happy for them that they are able to work.

Having worked in many different occupations during my life, I have enjoyed every one of them.  It would be hard to imagine what I would do if I didn’t have this part-time, semi-retirement type of job!  There are other things that fill our lives, our family and friends, but each day that I can work on this safety blog is a gift.  I have met so many friends through this website; ones from countries all over the world, and it is a pleasure to have had them share their safety tips with our readers.  In this type of work, there is no age barrier.  I have no idea the ages of our guest authors, nor do they know mine.

That’s the way all work should be: respect for your co-workers, no matter how young or old they are.  Everyone’s expertise is needed, and it’s amazing how much we can help each other if we just try.  Keep yourself safe at all times, and if you aren’t ready to retire, don’t.  Just find something that keeps you going and be proud that you still have your talents to give to the world.

Without the help of our team (of all ages) at Texas America Safety Company, my job would be very different, but thanks to their support and assistance when I need it, there’s always someone who lends a helping hand.  I can honestly say “work is better, the second time around”, and mean it. 

Pat