All posts by Doug

General Safety Issues

WE ALL NEED MORE THAN ONE LIFELINE

In our world of instant technology, we are fortunate to have many ways to stay in touch with the outside world: internet, telephones, cell phones, to name a few.  These are basic lifelines: we can call for help, report accidents, and access just about any kind of assistance that is needed and expect a speedy response.  The word “lifeline” has many definitions, one of them being “a line or rope for saving a life.”  We think of this type of line being thrown out of a boat, but another definition is “route or means of transportation or communication for receiving or delivering food, medicine, or assistance at a critical time.”

Persons who may need some type of medical alert device include those who are alone, elderly, disabled, or suffer from physical or emotional illness and depend on medical assistance in emergencies.  Medical alert systems restore confidence to those who desire to live alone and independently while offering their families the assurance that their medical needs will be met at all times.  Children who suffer from diabetes or epilepsy also benefit from these devices.

There are numerous types of warning systems that can be purchased or rented, or in some cases, furnished by county organizations, if the person qualifies.  Here are a few:

  • Medictag.  These usually come in the shape of jewelry, but furnish information of their medical condition.  Some have buttons built into them to call emergency services if needed.  Each individual’s needs help determine the precise functions that should be included in the device.
  • Medical Panic Button.  This can be placed in the home and even children can learn how to use it.  Some medical alert bracelets have the button alarm system on it.  The built-in button system also has a GPS tracking system, so it allows children or adults to carry on their day in a normal way, yet feel protected.
  • Bracelets, necklaces, watches.  Yes, all types of jewelry have the capability of saving someone’s life because that alarm system is manufactured inside.  That allows the person to look and feel just like everyone else, but they also know that their lives are in the hands of professionals that will answer the call.

Another “lifeline” we want to mention, are trained service dogs.  These furry animals are indeed “man’s best friends” in many ways.  Some are trained to sense disease and predict seizures.  They are able to detect certain cancers through the person’s breath.  Others sense body chemistry changes in their masters, and can warn them before a seizure happens.  They will bark for help, circle the person, remove dangerous objects to keep them from harming themselves and lie next to them to protect them.  They serve the blind, hearing impaired, emotionally disturbed, and even provide walking balance for those with movement disorders.  Our four-legged friends do all this while also providing comforting, lasting companionship.

If you or someone you know and love needs to make a decision regarding some type of medical assistance, be sure to do your research.  Most times your health professional can recommend the proper type of equipment that is needed.  Be sure it is a from a reputable company, as it truly may be your loved one’s “lifeline!”

General Safety Issues

HOW TO COPE WITH HOLIDAY STRESS

It’s almost Christmas, and I can already think of a million things I need to be doing!  Planning and shopping for a large meal requires time.  Stress can be a good thing- it can enhance your productivity.  But too much stress can create physical and emotional problems.  So it’s best if we can adopt these habits:

1.    Exercise regularly. Aim for 30 minutes every day.

2.    Eat right.  Protein-containing foods and those that contain Vitamins A, B, and C protect us from stress.

3.    Develop a positive attitude.

4.    Manage time efficiently.

5.    Warn your family when you are feeling especially tense; if they are causing the pressure, it will help them to understand how you are feeling and hopefully calm things down.

6.    Talk things out; don’t hold feelings in.

7.    Understand that every crisis gives you an occasion to grow and learn.

8.    Get sufficient sleep.

9.    Have a support network of people you can count on for help.

10.    Stretch away tension; there are stretching exercises that can even be done at your desk.

11.    Give yourself a break – time alone to calm down, even 20-30 minutes, may be enough to help you focus on taking the proper time to concentrate on tasks at hand.

12.    Relax……take three or four deep breaths and relax all of your muscles as much as possible.

The greatest gift we give ourselves is the satisfaction that we have done a job well.  If we cope with every day stress by using these tips, we will also cope with added tension as we prepare for the holidays.  Too many times we are trying so hard to carry out every little detail to perfection, whether it’s preparing the meal, the house, or trying to remember what we’re afraid we’ll forget, that we don’t slow down to enjoy the whole purpose of the celebration:  friends and family coming to our home to celebrate the holiday.

So, chill out – if you can do: #3, #4, #5 and #11 successfully, you will have the best holiday ever!  And, after enjoying a wonderful meal, you’ll be able to do #8 quite well.
Merry Christmas!

General Safety Issues

CANDLE SAFETY VIEWS

Candles sales in the United States amount to an estimated $2 billion annually.  This doesn’t include the accessories that go with them.  Candles are found in 7 out of 10 households.  Did you know that more than one billion pounds of wax are used each year to produce candles in America?  Thirty-five per cent of annual sales of candles are during the Christmas holiday.  The glow of candles gives a beautiful ambiance to any room in the house.  However, fires from candles can bring about serious damage and risks to all.

One-half of home candle fires start because they have been placed too close to combustible material.  The majority of candle fires are because of human error and negligence.  There are more than 15,000 residential fires in the U.S. annually that are caused by careless use of candles.  Candles left burning in the bedroom are where the majority of fires begin.  According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the hours between Midnight and 6 a.m. account for one-half of all deaths resulting from candle fires.

A common-sense approach to the use of candles in your home is the best.  With that in mind, here are some tips:

  • Each time you burn candles, trim the wicks ¼” before you burn them.
  • Never leave burning candles unattended; keep them within your sight.
  • Don’t burn them all the way down.
  • Keep candles away from children or pets.
  • Always use candleholders.
  • Place them in a well-ventilated room, and on a stable surface.
  • Avoid vents, drafts, and air currents.
  • When putting the candle out, be sure it is completely out.

One last grim reminder:  December is the peak month for fires that are started by candles.

The top five most dangerous days for fires from candles are, in order:

(1) Christmas Day,

(2) Christmas Eve,

3) New Year’s Day,

(4) New Year’s Eve, and

(5) Halloween.

There’s nothing more beautiful than candles to give your home that perfect atmosphere.  They also present fragrance to the environment, which adds to a festive mood.  We certainly don’t want to rain on your holiday parade, and encourage you to decorate anytime with your favorite types of candles.  Just exercise the same caution that you would with any open flame.

Sources:
U.S. Fire Administration
National Candle Association

General Safety Issues

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

The month of December is a very significant time in the lives of many families.  It is a time of celebration and setting aside time for family get-togethers and parties with friends and co-workers.  Often we get caught up in the moment and do a little too much celebrating, either by consuming too much food, or alcohol.

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.  The National Highway Transportation Administration reports that in 2008, 11,773 persons died in drunk driving crashes.  Those drivers with a Blood Alcohol Content of .08 or greater were involved.  This accounts for 31% (or almost 1/3rd of the 37,261 total traffic fatalities in 2008.)  The fatality rate was down 9.7% from 2007.  Factors contributing to this statistic were slow economy, strong law enforcement, the campaign to eliminate drunk driving, enforcing seat belt use, safer highways and safer vehicles.   Hopefully, the 2009 statistics will continue to drop.

M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) want to raise consciousness about the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, through their “Tie One On For Safety” public awareness campaign.  Red ribbons to tie on your antennae or a theme window decal are available by contacting your M.A.D.D. affiliates.  You will be pledging to drive safe, sober, and buckled up during the holidays and coming year by displaying the red ribbon or decal.  Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. will increase their drunk drivers tactics during the holiday season with crackdowns including saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints.

Don’t be a headliner in your local newspaper this holiday season, or any time.  Here’s a sample of some pretty dumb acts:

  • Both Mom and Dad in Indiana were recently arrested, both for DUI.    Driving separate cars, they had children in each car at the time of their arrest.
  • A woman in California had decided her 13-year old son could be her designated driver!
  • A Minnesota couple were arrested for drunk driving and placed in jail.  There were 7 unbuckled children in the back seat of the car.

It seems there’s been an increase in women that have caused devastating accidents, while driving intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, with innocent children as their passengers.  Although there have been more moms involved, men still outpace women 4 to 1 for Driving Under the Influence.

M.A.D.D. suggests you do these four things to ensure a safe and sane holiday party:
1.    Designate a sober driver.

2.    Plan safe parties.

3.    Never serve alcohol to anyone under age 21.

4.    Be sure to get everyone home safe in case the plans or circumstances change.

Remember, there are innocent parties on the streets and highways.  They aren’t planning for a drunk driver or someone under the influence of drugs to mess up their holiday plans, or their lives, for that matter.  You don’t want to spend your holidays in jail or a hospital.  Think about this:  you want to have fun at a party, but what happens after the party not only affects you, but others you meet on the road.  Celebrate safely.

Source: MADD, NHTSA

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

IT’S IN YOUR HANDS!

From the very beginning of the H1N1 pandemic, experts have given specific ways to avoid becoming sick with this virus.  Of course, hopes are always placed that the vaccine will be the principal way to stay well.  Although it is an important piece of the prevention puzzle, personal accountability is a critical part of it, as well.

As we know, hand hygiene is the best way to safeguard against illness.  Responsible persons in schools, homes, and industrial sectors understand the importance of preventing the spread of disease.  Being conscious of the surfaces and the contaminants on them is one of the best things we can do. (Please see our article, Germ City, U.S.A.).  Remember to wash you hands often, or use hand sanitizer.  It’s hard to do, but we should never touch our nose, eyes, or mouth with our hands.  It is best to use a clean tissue.

Thousands of patients die in hospitals annually from nosocomial infections, which are acquired while being treated in the hospital.  These infections can be preventable when closer attention to hand hygiene and infection control guidelines are met by hospitals.  Hospitals and nursing homes should have responsible hand washing etiquette and good cross contamination awareness programs.  Patients should never hesitate to ask their nurse or caregiver to wash their hands, if they feel it is necessary.

Foodborne illness is another way that we can become ill because of lack of hand cleanliness. (Have you ever watched someone prepare food, i.e., pizza, without gloves, and then handle money?) According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 76 million persons contact foodborne illness yearly.  Eighty percent of the illnesses come from commercial or institutionally prepared foods; the other 20% from foods prepared in the home.  Hands should be washed very frequently while preparing food.  Two magnets for bacteria in the kitchen are the dishrag or sponge, and cutting boards.

Keeping yourself healthy during this winter is in your hands.  From hand hygiene to getting the vaccine, you must also stay out of crowds when at all possible, pay attention to things you are touching/sharing, eat healthy, and get enough exercise.

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

MISHAP AT COWBOYS STADIUM

By now, everyone has seen the massive stadium in Arlington, Texas, that is home to the Dallas Cowboys.  On December 3, two men who were working at the top of the stadium fell 50’ to 75’on the roof of that building.  They had stepped out from the retractable roof, and after discovering the icy surface, they slid down to a roof gutter.  One of the injured persons called for help on his cell phone.  If the gutter had not been there, they would have fallen more than 200 more feet, and the end of the story would probably have been much worse.

The bad part of the story is, from all accounts, they were not wearing safety harnesses, according to numerous news media accounts.  On a later report, a harness was shown that they claimed to be wearing; however, it was not hooked to anything!  If you take a look at that building, how could anyone step out on top of that thing without safety equipment?

OSHA immediately began an investigation, which could take several months.

The Arlington Fire and Rescue team got the workers down.  After taking about 30 minutes to reach the injured men, twelve to fifteen firefighters worked their way down with ropes, baskets and ladders, accomplishing the feat in around 90 minutes.  One man was taken by air rescue to a hospital, and the other transferred to a hospital by ambulance.  Their injuries were serious, but not life-threatening.  Thank goodness for this rescue team, which has been preparing for such a rescue since construction began on the $1.2 billion stadium.

There will probably be much more information disclosed once the investigation is complete.  In the meantime, it is very inappropriate for companies to not have adequately trained workers that risk their lives to do very treacherous jobs.  Standing on top of a football stadium that is more than 300’ to the ground would require the very best personal protective equipment, (i.e., harnesses, lanyards) to safeguard human lives.  It will be interesting to see what facts come out.

Again, every time we see an accident, we need to realize that without our rapid response teams, we would be in deep trouble.  They risk their lives to get us out of some pretty good pickles!

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

TRAVEL WITH CARE

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The Thanksgiving holiday ushered in the busiest time of travel of the year.  Persons who plan to travel either by train, plane, or bus, should consider the extra measures of precaution they should take before purchasing their tickets.  Sitting side by side and standing elbow to elbow in lines, may not be the healthiest thing we can do to avoid the H1N1 influenza strain, or other “bugs” for that matter.

Just as things are beginning to slow down in regard to the H1N1 flu, such as school closings, there will be more and more people going from place to place to visit family during this special season.  It gives germs the opportunities to jump from place to place, as well, therefore exposing everyone.  The federal government is posting notices in airports, seaports and border crossings to remind travelers to “Stop, Wash & Go”.

Dr. Beth Bell, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reminds persons to be aware of the things they can do to stay healthy.  For those who must travel and be exposed to coughs and sneezes, the best suggestion is to take both the seasonal and H1N1 flu shots, wash hands often, cover coughs and sneezes.

If you aren’t feeling quite up to par, don’t go out and be exposed to possible flu or other bugs; and also, don’t expose others.  Shopping malls will be full of hundreds of persons.  Many people are able to do their shopping online, which helps them avoid exposure to winter illnesses.  If you do go out, you might consider wearing a respirator, as it filters out particles floating in the air.

Dr. Bell says the CDC has no idea what the trajectory of the influenza will be; a variety of different things could happen, including a third wave of it, or a mutation that could make the virus more deadly or less susceptible to medicines.  You have lots of time to be prepared before you board that plane, train, or bus.  Stock up on hand sanitizer, tissues, and other items you will need to keep your hands clean and your face covered if you cough or sneeze.
We hope you will have a healthy holiday season!

CDC

General Safety Issues

SHORTCUTS AREN’T SAFE!

Can you name one shortcut in work that is safe?  The only safe shortcuts that I know about are the ones on your computer!  Don’t we all take shortcuts at one time or another?  Have you used your chair instead of a stepladder to change a light bulb?  How about jumping or climbing over a fence, rather than use the gate?  Do you ever jaywalk?  How hard would it be to wait for the next elevator, instead of rushing and almost getting crushed by the doors?

With the economy in a slump, some companies are taking the low road when it comes to safety training and monitoring.  Workers are taking on the responsibility of doubling their workloads, due to downsizing.  When both new and existing personnel are not properly schooled in safety procedures and policies, the result can be devastating.  In addition to injury or fatalities, they must contend with OSHA fines, workers compensation claims, and lawsuits.  Therefore, the best investment companies can make is to keep their employees safe.  Safety meetings and rewards for safety performances of employees are helpful, but a company’s consistent promotion and monitoring of safe work ethics is imperative.

It is each person’s job to take responsibility for his/her own safety, as well.  We have some suggestions that individuals should follow:

  • Never be complacent while doing your job.  Look out for yourself, and your co-workers.
  • If you run equipment, keep it in good working condition.
  • Have a positive attitude.
  • Use sound judgment.
  • Don’t do something foolish because you are in a hurry.
  • Don’t climb over something or use a rope to get somewhere rather than using steps.
  • Don’t expect others to keep you safe; you must be responsible.
  • Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment for the job.
  • Always take the safe route, not necessarily the shorter one, but the safe one!
  • Warn others if you see they are in a dangerous situation.
  • Be sure you understand your exact job description.
  • Be reliable and have a positive attitude about safety.

A lack of knowledge about your job, poor attitude, and the failure to use good judgment can result in serious injury or death.  Remember: shortcuts can shorten your life.  A slogan from the Mine Safety Health Administration is “Safety depends on what you do or don’t do!”

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

SMALL TOYS – BIG HAZARDS!

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For those who are shopping for toddlers this Christmas, there are many safety factors to keep in mind.  The national news last week issued warnings to keep child safety foremost when considering what toys to purchase.  Choking is the #1 cause of toy-related deaths and injuries, according to a report made by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group in its 24th annual “Trouble in Toyland”.

Their organization focuses on four types of hazards:

  • Loud toys that can cause hearing damage; toys that are close to the ears shouldn’t be more than 65 decibels.
  • Lead-tainted toys;
  • Plastic toys that contain chemicals call phthalates;
  • Small parts that can choke youngsters under age 3.  If a toy can fit in a toilet paper tube, it is too small for children under age 3.

In 2009, 5.3 million toys were pulled from store shelves due to choking hazards. In the past two years, 13 children nationally died due to choking.  Toys with magnets are also unsafe.

Chairwoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Inez Tenenbaum, stated that parents should be more confident that toys are safer this year than in the past, because the government is enforcing the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, passed earlier this year.  The Toy Industry Association reports that they are pleased to be working with these two groups and agrees that toys should be safer this year than ever.

When it comes to all children, we can’t be too cautious.  From toys to cribs, (some drop-side types that have been recalled due to suffocation), it pays for parents and grandparents to go to the CPSC website (cpsc.gov) or other sites that list toys and children’s products that have been recalled.  It is truly amazing how many items that children wear or play with can be so dangerous, and have been recalled.

One example is children’s sweatshirts with drawstrings.  A small child was strangled when the drawstring got hung on playground equipment.  For tots under age 3, it is recommended that the strings be removed.

For all of Santa’s helpers, please keep safety in mind!

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

HOW TO STAY TOASTY IN FROSTY WEATHER

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As winter is creeping up on us, and probably already has in some sections of the country, it’s important that we know all the tricks of staying warm.  For those who work in the outdoors, it is very important to be protected from the elements.  Employers are responsible to see that working conditions do not put their employees’ health at risk, so they should inform workers on what to expect and how to protect themselves.

In earlier articles, Cold Stress Equation Parts I and II, we have gone into detail about this very subject; Part II especially describes how to recognize and prevent frostbite and hypothermia, and what to do to if a person experiences either of these.  As stated earlier, it is important that layering the right types of clothing with a waterproof top layer is a good plan.

Eating small, hot, and even spicy foods give the nervous system a warmth signal that encourages blood flow to the extremities.  Drinks with caffeine constrict blood vessels, making the extremities colder.  Alcohol is dehydrating and suppresses shivering, the involuntary muscle contractions that help the body warm itself.  Tobacco also constricts blood vessels and cools the body by reducing circulation.  (It goes without saying that alcohol shouldn’t be consumed while working, anyway, but if you are outdoors for hunting or sports,  keep this in mind – it won’t warm you up!)

There are products made especially to help keep you warm.  Keep these in mind when looking for just the right thing:

  • Slush boots, rainwear
  • Winter liners
  • Gloves
  • Earmuffs
  • Coveralls

Outdoor exposure should be limited if possible, but for those who face working outdoors on a daily basis, stretching the muscles before work helps warm up the muscles and prevent muscle pulls.  Remember to drink lots of water, as well.  A change of dry clothes can come in handy when having to endure windy, humid days.