Yearly Archives: 2014

General Safety Issues, Head Protection

SAFETY TIPS ABOUT HARDHATS

One time I was required to wear a hardhat when a group of our hospital employees was taking a tour of the new facility that was being built.  We all felt a little silly, but after I started working for Texas America Safety Company, I realized the importance of the personal protective equipment.  (And that something could have been dropped from up above us while we were taking that tour.) 

Hardhats are the most important type of head protection.  A friend once told me that while he worked in the West Texas oilfields for many years, he never had anything fall on his head; however, that hardhat  had kept him from bumping his head many times while maneuvering on drilling rigs. 

Head Protection under OSHA states that it is up to the employer to ensure that each and every employee at risk wears a hardhat.  This is when work has falling debris that could hit an employee or when an employee could possibly fall.  The hard hat that you choose should have the America National Standard for personal protection, as required by OSHA. 

Hardhats fall into three different groups:  C, E, and G.  A hard hat that cannot protect you from an electrical shock is classified under group C.  Hardhats that are capable of withstanding up to 20,000 volts of electricity are in Group E.  Group G can only withstand 2,500 volts of electrical shock.  There are also two types of hardhats.  Type 1, which protects the top of your head, and Type 2, which not only protects the top of your head but the sides of your head. 

Be sure that you make the correct choice of hardhat for the particular job and hazards that may occur: 

  • It should not be too heavy;
  • Needs to be comfortable and fit correctly;
  • Choose one that is made of the material that fits the job you do.
  • Some types of hardhats can be worn backwards, which at times may make your job easier to do.  If the description of the hardhat does not specify that this is possible, do not select that type of hardhat.
  • The lining of the hardhat should be thick enough to absorb shock in case you fall.
  • Straps on the hardhat should fit securely around the chin.
  • Hardhats have mounts for other types of equipment, pencils, lights, faceshields, etc. 

Maintenance should be performed regularly to ensure that your personal protective equipment is in good shape and doesn’t need repair or replacing.  Check for cracks on the hardhat, and if you find one, replace the hardhat.  Take the time to understand the importance of wearing a hardhat.  You are not making a fashion statement; you are complying with safety procedures. 

Another sign that your hardhat needs replacing is when the outer casing becomes dull.  If mounts on the hardhat break, it’s also time for a new one.  Chin straps that create problems should be discarded and replaced. 

There is one way that your hardhat can make a statement, whether it’s patriotic, camo, World War II, pink, or representing teams from the NFL, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, or your favorite NCAA team, wear your hardhat with pride.  Companies that allow their employees to wear the hardhat of their choice can ensure compliance with their safety programs.

So, as we’ve written before: “Use Your Head, Wear that Hardhat!”

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

MENTAL SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

 
Safety in the workplace is paramount. Too often we focus on physical safety. We must not let the emotional and mental safety of our coworkers and employees fall to the wayside. Depending on the workplace, we might need to pay more attention. As much as all companies might want to deny it, some work places are more likely to lead to depression. Flipping burgers, sitting in front of the computer, or burrowing down in a cubicle can be mind-numbingly boring. These types of jobs are repetitive and are often incredibly alienating. One minute blends into another, and another, and another. It’s all too easy to succumb to the black hole of depression. Especially if our personal lives are not what they should be.

Depression in the Workplace

Depression is a serious factor that could affect the safety and productivity of the workplace. It’s so prevalent that we see instances of depression in our situational comedies like Friends and The Office. In “Performance Review” Michael Scott, the self-involved manager, pulls out a suggestion box that hasn’t been touched in a year to impress his boss. One of the first suggestions that he pulls out is “we need better outreach for employees fighting depression.” Michael breezes over this suggestion as a joke. “Nobody in here is suffering from depression,” he says. 

Employees Do Suffer From Depression

Studies have shown that up to 6% of employees experience depression every year, so depression is a little more serious than Michael Scott would believe. The episode of the office, as blasé as it is about the topic of depression, demonstrates how we must help employees who are suffering from depression. When Michael asks what joker wrote the suggestion, a coworker supplies the information. “Tom? He worked in accounting up until about a year ago,” she explained. When no one recognized the name, she pantomimes shooting herself. Suicide is a very serious possibility of depression in the workplace. 

Beyond the worst case scenario, depression can have other negative effects on the workplace. Depression leads to

  • Aches and pains which could distract employees from giving their best.
  • Easily irritated employees who might complain more often. 
  • Unproductivity caused by listlessness. (Studies suggest that around 18 work days are lost each year).
  • An increase in the number of sick days requested. (Studies suggest that around 8 work days are lost each year).

Pin Pointing Cases of Depression

In order to prevent depression or help employees, we must first be able to identify if an employee is suffering from depression. Here is a list of possible symptoms to look out for. 

  • Employees seem to carry a pervasive stress, even when doing simple tasks.
  • Vocal self-loathing.
  • Loss of energy. 
  • Inability to sleep or oversleeping.
  • Loss of appetite or overeating.
  • Anger. 
  • Reckless behavior or an increased dependence on drugs or alcohol.

Helping Employees with Depression

Depression is such a problem because only about 57% of employees suffering from depression seek mental health treatments. While companies and employees cannot forcefully restore employees to mental health, but they can go a long way to ensure that employees receive the help that can put them on the right path. Here are a few suggestions to kick depression out of your office. 

  • Encourage employees to visit human resources if they need help personally or they believe a coworker might be depressed.
  • Offer health insurance that cover psychologist, psychiatrist, doctors, and medicine.
  • Have mandatory seminars about depression and how to deal with it. 
  • If the work is mind-numbing, drudging, or repetitive, give employees frequent breaks and encourage employees to go off task every once in a while.

As a company or employee, helping others cope with depression may not seem like your business, but it should be. Both companies and employees can benefit from a depression-free workplace. Employees have a more stable place to work. Companies receive more productive, stable, and safe employees.  

Author’s Bio: 

“This article provided by the people at Bennerotte & Associates” and Samantha Hopkins”
  
Note: Thank you, Samantha for this excellent article that hopefully will help workers who know someone suffering from depression find help, and give them the support they need. pb
Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

HOW SAFE ARE SUPERMARKET EMPLOYEES?

In a recent report from the U.S. Department of Labor, Wayne’s Supermarket in West Virginia has been cited for safety hazards in its grocery store in Mullens.  A September investigation began as the result of a complaint, and resulted in $32,200 in proposed fines.

The serious violations, (ten in all), were:

  • Electrical hazards;
  • Failure to mark exit routes appropriately,
  • Ensure workers’ wore cut-resistant gloves when cutting meat;
  • Conduct a hazard assessment to determine the need for personal protective equipment;  furnish training on use of P.P.E.;
  • Proper training on operating powered industrial trucks;
  • Provide material safety data for each hazardous material onsite;
  • Provide an eyewash station or ensure workers usage of eye protection when handling corrosive materials;
  • Train workers exposed to hazardous materials onsite, and complete a written hazard communication program;
  • Ensure guarding on the unused portion of the blade on the meat cutting bandsaw;
  • Ensure proper usage of hand tools during meat cutting operations.

Five other-than-serious violations, with a $1,400 penalty, include failing to maintain OSHA 300 injury and illness logs as well as guard overhead lights from physical damage. 

OSHA states that grocery store employers are well aware of potential safety hazards facing workers while conducting day-to-day operations.  Employers that fail to identify and correct hazards that could jeopardize worker safety will be held legally responsible.

When citations are handed out, it serves as a reminder to all of us; to be sure our place of employment is a safe one.  Because of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.  To obtain compliance assistance, ask questions, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations that pose imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742 (OSHA).  For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

General Safety Issues

WHAT IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND AN ANIMAL IS HURT? (GUEST POST)

People often aren’t sure what to do if they are involved in an accident and an animal is hurt. The no.1 accident claims helpline is here to help.    What you should do if you are involved in an accident where an animal was hurt depends largely on the type of animal it was. As the number one accident claims helpline, we are regularly contacted by motorists who have been involved in accidents of exactly this nature. Some animals do not come within the definition of animal for road traffic purposes; it is only those that do that you should report to the police. If you are unsure, you should report it anyway, and if the animal is still alive the police will arrange for a vet to come out. 

Animal incidents you should report to the police include: 

  • Dogs
  • Goats
  • Horses
  • Cattle
  • Mules
  • Sheep
  • Pigs
  • Deer (in the U.S.)
  • Wild Animals (in the U.S.)

Accidents you do not have to report include those involving: 

  • Cats
  • Wild animals 

Badgers are a special case. They are a protected species and it is illegal to possess one, dead or alive unless you have the proper authority. If you kill one you should leave it at the roadside and contact the local authority for them to remove the remains of the animal.  All of the above information on what you should do if you are involved in an accident where an animal is hurt is from official police sources, but the National Great Dane Rescue (NGDR) approached different sources and found different viewpoints. 

The Vet: The vet suggested that either the police or dog wardens should be notified because they have the facilities to collect a dog from the scene of an accident. He also pointed out, that if you called a vet yourself, or took the animal to a vets surgery, you would be responsible for the costs of treatment if the owner could not be found. He did say that some surgeries are lenient in these cases and reduce the costs. 

The RSPCA: The RSPCA said that the police were the right place to go because they have a list of vets they can call on in an emergency. The RSPCA also have the facilities to attend accidents, which are available 24 hours a day. In their case, if the owner cannot be found, they will pay the first £50 of the treatment costs. 

The Police: The policeman they spoke to in the Justice Department at Headquarters seemed to have a different view from the official sources when posed with the same problem. Firstly he said that if the accident occurred in a public place and the owner was present, it does not need to be reported to the police. He suggested that details are exchanged as with any accident, as the owner of the animal has a right to make a compensation claim for the animal’s injuries. He also said that in his opinion, you should never admit liability as this could be held against you at a later date. 

Where you live makes a difference 

There are 46 Police Forces in the UK and it seems that each has its own policies when it comes to injured animals. Some of them have lists of vets, some of them will come out and assist, but really they believe they have more important things to deal with than injured animals, and if you can deal with it on your own, they will let you. Even if the RSPCA pay the first £50, who is left to pay the balance of the bill if the owner cannot be found? Here at the number one accident claims helpline, we believe there should be a nationwide strategy so everyone knows what they should do if they are involved in an accident where an animal is hurt. 

What you can do while waiting for help 

There is ‘First Aid’ that might make the animal a bit more comfortable until help arrives. This will depend on the type of animal and how aggressive they are, but you could try: 

  • Approach the animal with extreme caution, even your own pet may turn on you if they are in pain or shock.
  • As you are approaching, talk to the animal in a reassuring voice.
  • If the animal does not appear to have breathing difficulties, but is aggressive, make your approach from behind, and if you have a scarf or something similar wrap it round the mouth, a bit like a muzzle.
  • If the animal is causing an obstruction and needs to be moved, it is better to use a blanket or coat as a stretcher and move it gently to a safe place.
  • If you can see open wounds, cover them gently.
  • If blood is bright red and coming out in spurts, a major artery may have been severed.  Do not apply a tourniquet. Cover the injury with cloths and do not remove those which become soaked through, just keep adding more and putting pressure on the wound until the vet arrives.  

What about you? 

So far we have talked about the animals and have mentioned that if the owner considers you to be at fault, they can make an injury claim for the injuries their dog has sustained, both for the vets bills and any other our of pocket expenses that they have had to pay. They can even claim for their own stress because their pet has been hurt. 

But what if the boot is on the other foot – what if the animal caused the accident, and you are injured as well as the animal. This is another common case here at the no.1 accident claims helpline. In this case you can make a personal injury compensation claim against the owners. Obviously, this would not apply in the case of wild animals, but it is not unusual for a cow or sheep to cause an accident, and then the farmer is liable. It is the farmer’s responsibility to make sure they are kept in their fields and only appear on the road when they are being moved around under supervision. 

Like any type of accident that can occur, if you are involved in an accident where an animal was hurt, but it was not your fault, and you have sustained injuries that needed medical attention, you are entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim. Contact No. 1 accident claims helpline for further information.

Author Bio: John Cooper is an insurance consultant.

Note: In the U.S., accidents involving deer are very costly.  Due to the increase in deer population, even in newly developed urban areas, collisions with deer are very frequent.  If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. The frightened animal, in attempting to move, could hurt you or itself. The best procedure is to get your car off the road, if possible, and call the police. When you get home, contact your insurance agent or company representative and report the incident. Collision with an animal is normally covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy. pb

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

HOW TO FIGHT STROKE AND OTHER HEART DISEASES (GUEST POST)

Cardiovascular diseases include all the diseases of heart like coronary heart diseases,  stroke, heart failure and congenital heart disease,  etc. Coronary heart diseases also include congestive heart failure,  angina and heart attack. Circulatory system diseases are hence a part of this category.

Every year thousands of people die each year die due to these cardiovascular problems.  The highest numbers of death reports are due to coronary heart disease followed by stroke.

The different types of heart diseases are as follows:

  • Coronary heart disease:

This type of disease include blockage of the vessels that carry blood to the heart. The major risk factors are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, inactive life style,  unhealthy diet, tobacco use and ageing.

  • Stroke:

Strokes are the result of disruption of the blood to the brain. This is either due to vessel rupture or due to blockage. This sometimes causes chest pain or angina.  Most stroke victims can wind up in a coma.

  • Cardiomyopathy:

It is also called heart muscle disease; it results in stiffening of the heart muscles that result in the less efficient pumping of the heart.

Heart failure

Heart failure does not mean that heart is no longer working. But it means that the heart is pumping and supplying oxygen to the body at much slower rate.

  • Rheumatic heart disease

Heart and its valves are damaged due to a rheumatic fever, caused by streptococcus.

  • Congenital heart disease

These are the malformation in the heart structure or function since birth: holes in heart, abnormal chamber/valves of heart.

  • Peripheral arterial disease

This is caused when fat and cholesterol deposits results in the buildup of plaque in the arteries supplying blood to the peripheral areas.

The decrease in the blood flow to the heart causing heart attack or stroke have the following symptoms:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain or discomfort in arms, shoulder, neck and jaw
  • Feeling weak
  • Fatigued

The symptoms seen that of heart problem in women are slightly different from males. They may have the following symptoms:

  • Indigestion
  • Fatigue or nausea
  • Sleep disturbances or insomnia
  • Shortness of breath

How to fight cardiovascular diseases?

  • Quit smoking or at least start with small initiatives
  • Exercise
  • Eat healthy
  • Lower stress

Heart disease can be prevented up to a large extent (about 50%) by quitting tobacco use and also through taking medications ordered by your physician, correct diet, and exercise.   Aspirin is recommended as an immediate medicine to take if you think you are having a heart attack.  Some doctors put their heart patients on a low-dose aspirin daily regimen.

  • Eat healthy(heart-healthy foods)

Boost your omega 3 fatty acid count from the food items like salmon, walnut, canola oil, cod liver oil, whole grains, and flaxseeds. This will help you fight heart problems better.

  • Get proper sleep to relax your mind and body
  • Avoid stress triggers as these are lay a lasting impression and can bring a person down to depressive stage. This further can be a big risk for heart.
  • Medicines like Crestor 10 mg are well recommended by doctor for cardiovascular diseases. Crestor is manufactured by IPR Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical giant contains Rosuvastatin as an active ingredient in it. Crestor acts by interfering in the synthesis of cholesterol and steroids. Crestor is an ideal drug for the treatment of heart diseases and is the fifth highest selling medicine in U.S.A.

Our thanks to Meggie Haneckow for submitting this article.  Stay heart healthy at work, play, and home.  If you have a chance to exercise at work, take advantage of one way to keep your heart at its top performance!

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

SAFETY IN THE U.S. AGRICULTURE BUSINESS

We recently published a guest article about farmers losing their lives on the job in Ireland.  Farmers all over the world have one of the most hazardous professions anywhere.  From those in third-world countries, to the ones with sophisticated equipment, there is still risk for injury and/or death in this occupation.

Farmers are at high risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries; it is one of the few industries where family members often share the work and live on the premises.  Many are migrant workers who may lack training or misunderstand the seriousness of the job, through language barriers.  NIOSH was developed in 1990 to create an agricultural safety and health program.  Through intramural research and funds, programs are developed at university centers in twenty states.  Programs such as these address injuries associated with agriculture, in addition to stress, musculosketal disorders, hearing loss, and pesticide exposure. 

In 2010, the U.S. had 1,823,000 full-time workers employed in production agriculture.  In 2009, an estimated 1.03 million young persons under 20 years of age resided on farms, with about 519,000 youth performing farm work.  An estimated 230,000 youth were hired to work on farms in addition to the ones who lived on the farms in 2009. 

Four hundred seventy-six farmers and farm workers died from  work-related injuries in 2010.  Tractor overturns were the leading cause of death for those involved.  Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) are the most effective way to prevent tractor overturn deaths.  In 2006, 59 per cent of tractors used on the farms in the U.S. were equipped with ROPS. 

One hundred thirteen young persons (on average) die annually from farm-related injuries; most of these deaths happen to those age 16-19 years of age.  Sources of fatalaties were twenty-three  per cent from machinery (including tractors), nineteen percent involved motor vehicles (including ATVs), and sixteen per cent were due to drowning.

Around two hundred forty-three agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-injury.  At least five per cent of these leave permanent impairment.  In 2009, around 16,200 youth were hurt on farms; 3,400 were due to the actual farm work. 

Other risks that farmers are exposed to:

  • Getting kicked by animals;
  •  Work-related lung disease;
  • Prolonged sun exposure;
  • Skin diseases;
  • Hearing loss;
  • Certain cancers associated with chemical use.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture supports the AgrAbility program, which reached newly disabled farmers and ranchers through education, assistance, and networking with on-farm assessments and assistive technology implementation on their worksites.  NIFA farm safety efforts work to assist farmers avoid workplace hazards, help those with disabilities remain employed and ensure equal access to the agriculture profession for all workers, regardless of background or ability.

Agricultural workers benefit from these efforts by increasing their knowledge of the hazards and changes in practices in order to reduce risk of exposure to those hazards.  This helps farmers remain economically competitive and safe in an often economically and physically challenging agricultural work environment.

Some of the personal protective equipment that farmers and their employees should have are good work gloves, safety glasses or goggles, knee pads, sunscreen, face masks when using pesticides or sprays, ear plugs, and a big, wide straw hat!

We thank our farmers for providing food for our tables and wish them successful harvests  in 2014.  Please stay safe.

Sources: CDC, NIOSH, NIFA

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

ACCIDENTS AT WORK KILL EIGHTEEN IRISH FARMERS IN 2013 (GUEST POST)

Thomas Fairclough, with Asons Solicitors, sent this information regarding agricultural accidents.  Farming can be a hazardous job; no matter what part of the world we live in. pb 

According to Agriland, statistics from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) indicate that 18 Irish farmers lost their lives working on their farms in 2013. The HAS also estimates that approximately 2,500 serious farm accidents took place last year. (1)

agriculture-graphic1

The HSA highlighted that a recent study, indicates that farmer’s health is poorer than any other occupational group. (1)

With these statistics in mind, a new Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Teagasc (The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority) and the HSA. The document outlines that the organisations will cooperate, in an attempt to promote improved health and safety standards, in Irish Farms. (1)

Martin O’Halloran, Chief Executive Officer, of the Health and Safety Authority said:

“Research carried out by the organisation provides us with a better understanding of what influences people’s behaviour leading to an accident occurring. (1)

“There is a constant need for vigilance on farms in relation to safety and we urge all farmers to take time to assess the risks on their farms and take corrective action. The work of other organisations through the Farm Safety Partnership in promoting health and safety on farms is also acknowledged.” (1)

However, the issues that those employed in Agriculture face, in reference to health and safety is not isolated to Ireland. Fatalities in the farming industry plague most of the United Kingdom and Europe.

agriculture-graphic3Agriculture has one of the worst fatal accident, and occupation ill health records, of any major employment sector. Only construction has a comparable incidence rate of fatal accidents at work. However, there has been a steady decline in fatal accidents in construction, but this is less so for agriculture.

Less than 1.5% of the working population is employed in agriculture, yet the sector is responsible for between 15% and 20% of fatalities to workers each year.

The industry also has a rate of self-reported illness, which is typically higher than the average for all industries.

agriculture-graphic2According to the HSE, in the decade between 1999/2000 and 2008/09, a total of 436 people were killed as a result of agricultural work, and many more have been injured or are suffering from poor health due to their employment. (2)

The fatal injury rate in agriculture for 2010/11, was 8.0 deaths per 100,000 workers. This compares to an average for 9.6 per 100,000 workers from the previous 5 years; the highest of any industrial sector. In agriculture, the area for particular concern is the self-employed workers. (2)

 

Of the 436 people killed over the past ten years in the UK 56% (245) were self-employed. (3)

1.2% of workers in agriculture and fishing also suffer from long standing health problems, or a disability, caused by an accident at work. 3.2% of workers have been diagnosed with industrial

(1)   18 lives lost on Irish farms so far this year – http://www.agriland.ie/news/18-lives-lost-on-irish-farms-so-far-this-year/ – Agriland December 2013

(2)   About health and safety in agriculture – http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/hsagriculture.htm – HSE December 2013

(3)   Agriculture – http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/agriculture/ – HSE December 2013

(4)   Agriculture in the EU: Statistical Information –  https://osha.europa.eu/en/sector/agriculture/eu_stats – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work December 2013

Thanks, Thomas, for bringing safety needs of farmers and ranchers to our attention.   We will follow up soon with some statistics from the United States. pb

Back Safety, Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER’S SKIING ACCIDENT – WHAT LESSON DOES IT TEACH? (GUEST POST)

Nothing is considered as a failure if you learn from your mistakes and stop repeating them over and over again. The human history is full of interesting incidents that teach us plenty of lessons. However, most people are unable to learn and continue suffering because of the blunders they make. 

Even if you are not interested in knowing about the past, you just have to look around and see what is happening everywhere. You can connect to the internet and find out everything about the world in order to become more knowledgeable. Although any sort of information will help, yet the most significant piece will be the one that aims at improving your personal safety. 

People related to racing, especially on two wheels, are always at a risk of sustaining serious head injuries, thus it is extremely crucial for them to wear the right kind of protective gear that can at least prevent the brain from damage. You can easily find some high quality helmets at JS Accessories and find some other useful gear as well. 

However, racing is not the only activity that puts your life at a risk, as there are numerous other fields of life in which you have to take precautionary measures. For example, working at a construction site or a mine requires you to be fully equipped with protective helmets, goggles, boots and different other things that are necessary. 

While working at such a workplace, you should always be prepared for the worst, as there are things that are simply out of your control. Simply by wearing a helmet, you can reduce the risk to a greater extent, as this wonderful head gear saves you from direct impact. Then of course you have the skull that can also shield your brain to some extent, but that alone will not work in most of the situations. 

Recently, a legendary sportsman was involved in an accident in France that left him fighting for his life. He was neither racing someone at that time nor was he at a work station, yet you can learn an important lesson from the accident that he encountered. 

If you have not guessed it by now, the person involved in the accident was the seven-time Formula 1 champion, Michael Schumacher, who fell on his head while skiing with his son in the French Alps and sustained serious head injuries.

Luckily for the 44-year-old, he was given immediate medical attention by some of the best neurosurgeons in the world. He was initially thought to be perfectly fine, as he was conscious and talking after being brought to the hospital. However, he soon went into a coma, which indicated that something was terribly wrong. 

Looking at the condition of the former Ferrari and Mercedes F1 driver, the doctors decided he needed an operation. By this time, his brain has been operated twice and there has been a slight recovery, which is positive news for his fans worldwide. However, no one is really sure whether what will happen to the legendary figure, who has been in an induced coma since the day he hurt his head. 

Despite that, the doctors made one point quite clear that Schumacher could not have made it this far, had he not been wearing a helmet. Although people do not take this quality head gear seriously, yet it has numerous benefits and it certainly does work. 

So, the message is quite clear for everyone out there regardless of what field they belong to. If you are involved in any sport or work at a place where your head can be exposed to any danger, you should always wear a helmet or any other protective gear available. Nothing is more precious than your own life, so value it as much as you can. 

Even if a helmet cannot give you 100 percent protection, it can offer the most amazing thing that a person can have – hope. It is the same hope that millions of people worldwide have kept alive for Schumacher that he will be fine and smiling once again like he used to in the past. 

Author Bio:

This Guest post is written by Randy Martin. He is a bike racer and blogger who like to write on safety tips while riding Motorbikes. 

 

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

ON THE JOB EYE PROTECTION (GUEST POST)

Imagine having to cope with painful eye injuries, facial scarring, a dangerous pathogen in your bloodstream, or even partial or total blindness simply because you failed to protect your eyes while working. Would your quality of life plummet? Would you find yourself unable to earn a living for an extended period of time?

It sounds melodramatic, but eye injuries can and do happen every day, both in the workplace and among do-it-yourselfers working on home projects. A simple pair of safety glasses or goggles could make all the difference between business as usual and significant pain and suffering. Let’s take a closer look at the world of on-the-job eye protection and how it can benefit you or your workers.

Why Would You Need Eye Protection?

A surprisingly wide range of occupations can pose a threat to the eyes and surrounding facial tissues. Many industrial jobs require workers to apply a drill, cutting blade, welding torch or other tool to a substrate. This action typically causes sparks, wood shavings, bits of metal or other potentially dangerous materials to fly back in the direction of the worker’s face.

Without sturdy, shatter-resistant protective glasses or goggles that cover the eyes by a wide margin, these flying materials can cause significant injury. A worker who forgets to wear eye protection in such circumstances should count himself lucky to receive nothing more serious than a black eye, superficial burns or facial lacerations. If the materials fly into the eye itself, they can scratch the cornea, producing a condition called conjunctivitis that requires immediate medical attention. Worse, a larger piece might actually embed itself in the eye, causing permanent damage and/or blindness.

But industrial workers are not the only individuals who need to use eye protection on the job. People who work with corrosive chemicals — including many substances commonly used in medical, high-tech and scientific fields — must also protect their eyes from the possibility of burns. Workers in the bio-hazard or medical fields also risk having a blood-borne pathogen enter their eyes while working with a patient, a cadaver, laboratory specimens or medical waste.

What Makes Safety Glasses Safe?

To ensure that a pair of safety glasses or goggles provides the level of protection it should, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has prepared a detailed set of standards to which these items should conform. The most recent version of these standards, known as ANSI Z87.1-2003, applies to all industrial glasses except for certain types of sports, radiation and pathogen protection. ANSI-compliant glasses must meet requirements for either basic or high-impact protection. You can identify these models by the Z87 marking, which only compliant items can display.

Different Safety Glasses for Different Applications

Now that you know you need protective glasses for your work environment or home project, what kind should you get? You may see a dizzying array of products, brands and styles to choose from, but fortunately they fall into a few broad categories:

Safety glasses – If your work only occasionally involves momentary exposure to dust chips or other particulate matter, then you can probably get away with a simple pair of wrap-around glasses such as Olympic Optical’s 30-6 Readers (which also include different levels of magnification).

Look for durable, hard-coated glasses made with polycarbonate or Trivenex; these lenses won’t shatter into your eye, the way normal glasses might, if a small piece of metal or wood hits them. Bear in mind that these glasses will not usually protect you from threats that might infiltrate from underneath the bottoms of the frames, such as chemicals or blood. Some safety glasses, however, actually convert to goggles for this purpose.

Safety glasses wrap around to protect you from the front and the side.

Goggles – Goggles represent the next step up in eye protection. These devices not only cover the broad area of flesh surrounding the eyes, but they also offer a rubberized seal to keep you safe from even the tiniest airborne irritants, such as fine dust or gases.

Goggles tend to fog up if they don’t permit any venting at all, however, so many models have direct or indirect venting to help you see what you’re doing. Some models, such as the Pyramex V2G, even come with tinting or magnification. Goggles may also offer less-than-ideal peripheral vision, so if you need an especially wide viewing angle for your work, consider the safety glasses-goggles hybrid style instead.

Face shields – Face shields worn over safety glasses or goggles give you the best possible protection against flying debris on the job. These items protect the entire face and neck from any danger coming at you from the front or from either side. You can even get tinted or heat-resistant face shields for occupations that demand those features.

For serious welding, however, you need a specially designed welder’s shield. These shields, composed of metal and containing a safety-glass viewing window, protect you from the blinding ultraviolet light of welder’s flash, which can damage or even destroy the cornea. They come in different degrees of shade, from 1.5 to 14, to protect against the light intensities of different types of welding torches.

Welders must protect their eyes against high-intensity UV light.

Full-face respirator masks – Full-face respirator masks combine the eye protection of safety glasses and the complete facial seal of goggles with the full-face protection of a face shield. They play an essential role in protecting the eyes, nose and throat from smoke, dust, and toxic or corrosive fluids. But you may need more than just a respirator mask if you also have concerns about impact protection, because these devices don’t necessarily meet the ANSI specifications for that feature.

Don’t Forget More Casual Eye Protection

 

Don’t Forget More Casual Eye Protection

It is always wise to do a little research about companies that offer eye protection gear. The Internet makes this a simple task; whether you are seeking reputation.com reviews or information about a company that provides eye protection gear, a visit to the Better Business Bureau website can be helpful. Even when you don’t need industrial-class protective eyewear, remember that many simple everyday tasks at work or at home can expose your eyes to flying debris or ultraviolet light. Consider buying street glasses equipped with tough polycarbonate lenses and UV coating so your eyes will continue to enjoy an extra degree of safety — wherever you may go, whatever you may do.

William Reynolds has worked as a freelance copywriter since 1997. William has written countless articles for a variety of businesses and situations.

William Reynolds has worked as a freelance copywriter since 1997. William has written countless articles for a variety of businesses and situations.

General Safety Issues

FIRST, SAFETY!

As we begin the year 2014, think about the many plans that are on your list.  First, we make those New Year’s Resolutions.  That usually last maybe two weeks, (especially the one about losing weight!)    We all have much to look forward to in the coming year.  And we need to focus on the positive, living a good life, and not worrying about things that are out of our control.  

Today is a good day to talk about safety.  Safety should be the first item on everyone’s agenda.  From the time you get up in the morning, preparing for the day, make up your mind that this day will be a safer driving day.  When you leave for work , depart a little earlier than usual so you won’t be stressed getting to work on time.  That’s the safe way.  Drive as though your life depends on your control of your vehicle – because it does.  Don’t talk on your cell-phone and definitely do not text!  Those messages can wait. 

Don’t take unnecesssary chances.  Is there anyone out there that can honestly say they haven’t pulled their vehicle into another lane and almost caused an accident?  Or ran through the yellow light, rather than waiting for the green?  What if someone else going the other way does the same thing?  You may not reach your destination at all.

Once you arrive at work, get started.  There’s no need to visit about what just happened, because you are now on someone else’s time.  If the job you perform is hazardous, use the appropriate safety gear that your company has furnished you.  It won’t be their fault if something flies into your eye because you didn’t wear your safety glasses.  You know what you are expected to do, so keep safe while you do it. 

Businesses should have an agenda to keep their employees safe at all times.  Each New Year is an ideal opportunity to assess the company’s safety plan, and convey it to all employees.  Plan training on a regular basis; things change and we all get in the habit of doing things a certain way, when there may be a new, easier, faster, and safer way.  Safety leaders could make this year’s resolution to include their employees in the design of their safety program; let them know how important their cooperation is to the company and their co-workers. 

Safety posters play a large part in encouraging employees to work safely.  They may be humorous or serious, either way, they convey a very important message.  

The employees of Texas America Safety Company and Blog4Safety wish each one of you a very safe, healthy, and successful New Year.  It is our hope that newfound peace will be attained in parts of the world that are in strife.  The most important wish of all is that our troops can return home safely.  Their duties require them to perform their job all the while staying safe!