All posts by pat brownlee

Safety Measures to Be Taken While Sailing

Another great article sent by Penny Cooper.

Sailors often heed to their ominous instincts before setting sail. A sailor must take protective measures while sailing and take charge to rescue the crew in case of an emergency. Given below are some useful tips to be exercised while sailing. 

Before you set sail 

Make note of the position at which the crew member is working and the time. Instruct the crew member to change his position according to the change of current.  Distribute floats among the crew members for use. Floats enclose the person in a localized area and minimize injuries in emergency situations.   Make a crew member responsible to monitor the crew member overboard and identify him during a rescue operation. In case of a small crew, a crew member might have to release the jib and independently handle the main sail.

Emergency measures in case of mishaps 

Perform the “Quick Stop Method” to bring back a member back on board. In this method, the boat speed is immediately reduced by turning the boat in the windward direction and moving at an average speed, while remaining close to the victim.

When performed correctly, the Quick Stop Method is effective because it is fast way of pulling back the crew member on board. The only disadvantage of this method is that it requires the boat to jibe which is difficult in case of strong winds. 

Quick Turn Method is the conventional response to retrieve the victim in an emergency. In this strategy, boat jibe is not required. The quick turn is symbolized by the figure 8. It can be done at any sail point but it has the demerit of drawing the boat further away from the victim. 

For both emergency measures, provide the victim with flotation devices if he doesn’t have them already. Buoyant objects like life rings and cockpit cushions can be thrown into the water. Aside from aiding the victim, the floats help to keep sight of the victim. 

Other safety measures  

Safety equipment such as flotation devices should also be at hand to retrieve the victim successfully. It is better if the crewmen wear life jackets while on board. An ideal life jacket should be reflective and have the boat’s name imprinted. 

A whistle should also be inserted in the lifejacket. The whistle should not have balls, because when filled with water, they become hard to blow. A flare must also be included in the life jacket to flash signal lights in case of poor visibility. 

The boat must have a life raft in a place where it can be easily retrieved. The life raft should be checked for faults and kept in working condition. Inflate it now and then to ascertain whether it will function properly at an emergency situation. Keep a ditch bag at an accessible location in your boat that has water and a stock of rations for emergency.

Though sailing is a risky venture, it can be safe and thrilling when safety measures are adopted. Crew men are required to maintain their calm at all situations and stay vigilant at all times. 

Penny is a professional associated with The Boating Hub, a website that offers extensive online sailing lessons.

Thanks, Penny, for this information.  May we suggest that all boats are equipped with first aid kits and supplies, just in case of minor injuries while sailing? 

 

 

 

KEEPING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFE (GUEST POST)

Construction is a notoriously dangerous industry.  In the UK, where we are based, the industry employs around five percent of the country’s workforce.  According to government statistics thosefive percent have twenty-two percent of the work related fatal injuries and ten percent of the reported major injuries.  In the US, seventeen percent of worker fatalities are in the construction industry. 

As shocking as these statistics sound, there’s been a significant improvement in both countries over the last forty years.  I think the reasons for this are threefold.  Firstly, there is much more safety legislation nowadays than formerly.  Secondly there’s a much more consistent use of safety clothing and equipment – much of which you can study at leisure on this site.  Thirdly, more workers receive various forms of safety training.  I firmly believe that the way to continue to improve safety in construction is to make training and refresher courses widely available for people employed in the industry and I also think that it’s in the construction companies’ best interest to ensure that their employees can access training.  Why do I believe this?  Well, there are several reasons: 

1)      Companies can be financially liable for the safety of their employees.  Even with insurance your premiums will go up dramatically if you have accidents on your sites.

2)      Companies generally want to employ the best workers.  If you have a good reputation for safety practice, people are more likely to want to join you and stay with you.  If your employees see that you’re willing to develop their skills, they’re much more likely to stay loyal to you.

3)      Workers are often injured by the actions of other workers.  Think about it – how likely is it that you’ll be fatally injured by a falling object that you’ve dropped? How likely is it that you’ll have put up the scaffolding that’s worked loose and caused you to fall?  The more workers on your site who have safety training, the safer the whole site will be.

4)      Companies can receive site inspections from official bodies.  Some are empowered to fine companies for non-compliance with legislation.  The more knowledgeable your employees are, the less likely you are to have compliance breaches on your sites.

5)      Companies are in a position to request bespoke training from education co-ordinators if they’re putting through a large number of pupils.  This means that the trainer(s) will put your company’s policies and procedures at the heart of their training.  You are also in a position to monitor the way that the training is delivered and make sure that your employees have the skills rather than just the piece of paper at the end of it. 

Are you involved with the construction industry?  Do you have any views on the safety training  you’ve received?  We’d be interested to read your responses in the comments section.

 Sent to us by Carl, of blogginghelper.co.uk
Email: carl@blogginghelper.co.uk
Twitter: @blogginghelper
Web: www.blogginghelper.co.uk

PROTECTING TEETH DURING SPORTS (GUEST POST)

Sports injuries are a leading cause of dental problems and tooth loss; flying balls, heavy objects, body contact and unpredictable surfaces can all spell danger for one’s teeth, but there are some simple and effective ways of reducing the risk of injury and preventing accidents when participating in sport. 

Sport participation is a great way of keeping fit and healthy, meeting new people and getting rid of pent-up stress and energy. But, though you may not immediately think so, it can be dangerous too. Thankfully, there is a great deal of safety equipment available for sports players of all abilities. 

Ways to protect your teeth 

If you play sport on a regular basis or play a contact sport a mouth guard is essential. Mouth guards can be purchased from sports shops and you can take them home and mould them using hot water to fit your mouth. However, a dentist-made mouth guard is the best option as they are designed to fit your mouth perfectly. They can take a little getting used to, but if your mouth guard fits well it should be relatively comfortable and it will protect your teeth from damage from balls, falls and contact with other people or objects. 

This kind of equipment is generally recommended for people who play rugby, hockey, lacrosse, ice hockey and boxing. They are also available in a range of colours and designs. You can even buy models that use the latest sports science technology to improve your sporting performance. Additional safety equipment such as helmets can also help to prevent head and facial injuries. 

Reducing your risk of injury 

Sport has many benefits, but it is often a cause of injury. You can reduce your risk of suffering a mishap by following these tips: 

  • Always warm up before you start exercising
  • Wear protective clothing and use protective equipment
  • Follow the rules of the game
  • Wear suitable and supportive footwear
  • Cool down after exercising
  • Increase the intensity of exercise gradually

Raising awareness of sporting injuries 

Many people know about the risks associated with playing sport, but if you only play sport now and again or if you assume that because you’re just an amateur you don’t need to wear protective clothing, you are putting your safety at risk. Dental injuries may seem like unlikely if you just play an hour of sport now and again, but accidents can happen at any time, in any place and there is as much chance of you suffering an injury in that hour as any other hour. Wearing a mouth guard will protect your teeth and potentially save you from losing one or more teeth; your teeth create your smile, which most people regard as their most important feature, so losing teeth can have a significant impact on your confidence, as well as the appearance of your smile. 

If you don’t know much about safety in sport or you think others would benefit from leaning about playing sport safely and preventing dental injuries and other potential hazards, why not organise a sporting event at work to raise awareness of the importance of taking safety measures when playing sport? You can combine fun, team work and getting fit with informing people about safety in sport. 

This is a blog article from the good folk at www.dentalimplant.co.uk where there is more info on protecting your mouth and finding solutions for dental health problems.

March 3-9: National Patient Safety Awareness Week

Patient Safety Awareness Week is an annual education and awareness campaign for health care safety led by NPSF. Each year, health care organizations internationally take part in the event by prominently displaying the NPSF campaign logo and promotional materials within their organizations, creating awareness in the community, and utilizing NPSF educational resources among hospital staff and patients. Visit the NPSF Store to order materials.

The theme for Patient Safety Awareness Week 2013 is Patient Safety 7/365: 7 days of recognition, 365 days of commitment to safe care. This is a week to recognize the advancements that have been made in the patient safety arena, while acknowledging the challenges that remain—and committing to work on them, every day.

Key Facts About Patient Safety

Doctors, nurses, and other health professionals dedicate their lives to caring for their patients. But providing health care can be complicated. There are often multiple steps involved in a health care visit. A number of different medical staff may be take part in the care of a single patient. And patients may be confused by unfamiliar words and technical language.  If the patient is elderly, there should be a caregiver or family member present to be sure everyone understands the physicians’ instructions.

Although hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices take many steps to keep their patients safe, medical errors can happen. Often, medical errors (also called adverse events) happen when there is a single misstep in a chain of activities.

Researchers and experts in the field of patient safety have identified a number of ongoing patient safety challenges. Below are descriptions of some of the most common and worrisome issues.  Have you or a friend or family member experienced an incident regarding safety issues while you were a patient? 

Wrong-Site Surgery

Wrong-site surgery means an operation done on the wrong part of the body or on the wrong person. It can also mean the wrong surgery was performed.  Wrong-site surgery is rare and preventable, but it does still occur. Between 1995 and 2010, 956 wrong-site incidents were reported to the Joint Commission (the Joint Commission is an organization that reviews and grants accreditation to health care institutions). One study surveyed surgical procedures from 28 hospitals and found the incidence of WSS to be approximately 1 in 112,994 procedures. For the average hospital, this means only one error every 5 to 10 years. 

However, to ensure that you aren’t that “one” error, be sure to ask the surgical staff  if the correct surgical site is marked, and ask any other questions you may have prior to the surgery.

Medication Errors

Medication errors are when a patient receives the wrong medication, or when he or she receives the right medication but in the wrong dosage or manner.  Medication errors are unfortunately very common. According to the Institute of Medicine’s July 2006 report Preventing Medication Errors, medication errors harm an estimated 1.5 million Americans each year, resulting in upward of $3.5 billion in extra medical costs. Medication errors include cases where the wrong medication is given, where the wrong dose of the right medication is given, or when medication is given the wrong way (for example, in pill form rather than liquid) or when it is given at the wrong time. 

Health Care-Acquired Infections

A health care-acquired infection (HAI) is an infection a person gets while being treated for a medical condition. HAIs may occur in patients who are treated at a medical facility or in their homes. An infection is considered to be an HAI when it occurs after treatment begins. HAIs are often discovered within 48 hours of admission to a health care facility, but other infections may also be considered HAIs.  In the United States, 1 out of 20 hospitalized patients contract HAIs. These complications of care lead to extra time in the hospital and longer recovery times.

The three most common types of HAIs are

  • Catheter-related bloodstream infections: Catheter-related bloodstream infections, or CRBSIs, are among the most common infections in patients who are admitted to critical care units. These infections occur when bacteria and other germs travel down a “central line” and enter the bloodstream.
  • Hospital-acquired pneumonia: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is an infection of the lungs that occurs 48 hours or longer after admission to a hospital. This pneumonia tends to be more serious because patients in the hospital are often sicker and unable to fight off germs than otherwise health people. Hospital-acquired pneumonia occurs more often in patients who are using a respirator (machine) to help them breathe. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) falls into the HAP category. It may occur in patients who need a tube to breathe.
  • Surgical site infections (SSI): A surgical site infection is an infection that occurs after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery took place. Surgical site infections sometimes only involve the skin. Others are more serious and can involve tissues under the skin, organs, or implanted material (such as knee or hip replacements). 

Falls

Falls are a common cause of injury, both within and outside of health care settings. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of adults over 65 fall each year. Injuries that result from falls can include bone fractures, excessive bleeding, or even death.  Researchers estimate that more than 500,000 falls happen each year in U.S. hospitals, resulting in 150,000 injuries. Patients may be at increased risk of falls if

  • They have an impaired memory
  • They have muscle weakness
  • They are older than 60
  • They use a cane or walker to help them walk

Medications may also play a role in increasing a person’s risk for a fall. Studies have also shown that elderly patients taking four or more prescription medications are at three time’s greater risk for falls than are other patients.  Hospitals and other health care organizations take steps to prevent falls among their patients, such as placing a sign on the door that this patient is a fall risk. You can help prevent falls by asking your doctor or nurse about your risk and taking steps to reduce your chance of a fall.  Bed alarms are also placed on the beds of fall-prone patients.

Readmissions

A readmission is when a patient needs to return to the hospital less then 30 days after being discharged. Many factors may lead to hospital readmissions, such as poor quality care or a gap in the transition between different providers and care settings. Readmissions may also occur if patients are discharged from hospitals prematurely, or if they are discharged to inappropriate settings, or if they do not receive adequate information or resources to aid in recovery.

Patients can help avoid readmission by making sure they understand their care plan before they are discharged from the hospital. They also need to be sure to follow up on care once they leave the hospital.

Diagnostic Errors

Diagnostic errors mean a diagnosis that was either “wrong, missed, or unintentionally delayed.” No-fault errors may happen when there are masked or unusual symptoms of a disease, or when a patient has not fully cooperated in care. Diagnostic errors may also result from system-related problems, such as equipment failure or flaws in communication. A wrong diagnosis may also occur when the clinician relies too much on common symptoms, and choosing an obvious answer, without looking further into what may be causing them.

We all want to know there is a hospital nearby when one falls ill or has an accident.  We also want to trust that we will receive professional care.  My husband developed a Strep B infection following a hip replacement, resulting in more surgery, and six weeks of home health care, including wearing an iv bag for six weeks.  Luckily, the infection cleared up, but he should not have had to go through that.  I could list numerous friends and family that have been made more sick after being hospitalized than before they went in.  I feel most of you can, too.

The best advice is to feel free to ask the doctors and nurses as many questions as you have.  Nurses and aides should do their job and give the same attention they give to patients who have no one sitting in the room with them to those who do have someone present.  It is not the sitter or family members’ job to bathe, or take care of the patient.  This happens in hospitals all too frequently.  We all are paid to do our own jobs.  It is our responsibility to be aware of negligence and/or mistakes, and report it to the compliance officer of the hospital.

I just had to add my two cents to this article.  Most of us have experienced some type of incident while in a hospital.  The statements in italics are my comments.  Feel free to send yours, too. pb

Source: National Patient Safety Foundation

WHY FESTIVALS AND CONFERENCES CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT SAFETY BARRIERS (GUEST POST)

The United States and United Kingdom both have policies when it comes to crowd control. Large and regulated events such as sports games are required to use safety barriers to discourage people from entering restricted areas. This includes places that must remain free of people for traffic and industrial equipment to move through. The public must be blocked from hazardous areas and from moving traffic. Sporting centers and even organizers might use additional barriers to help channel large crowds and keep them from overwhelming entrances and exits.

How Crowd Control Barriers Work

A barrier is a steel obstacle that rises to waist or chest height. It is similar to a fence except the construction material is a stainless steel pipe. These obstacles are heavy enough that an average person would have trouble moving one. Many barriers are chained together in order to form walls and lines that channel large crowds. When barriers are chained together, they become a single very heavy object that is difficult to move or tip over.

Police Use Them When No One Else Will

Law enforcement officers are allowed to install crowd control devices to contain any large crowd at any event where the people are gathered in the streets. While this practice at worst helps to prevent riots, it also keeps minors from playing in surrounding areas. It prevents people from being obstacles and also prevents accidents. Not all cities have laws that give a detailed list of when to set up blocks, except police are often allowed to use them at their discretion. Stadiums and other private services are entitled to use safety barriers on their property, and they make use of both soft strap directional and heavy steel barriers.

Reducing Costs By Reducing Walls

Barriers as simple as fabric tapes will provide a psychological barrier to movement. People are conditioned to moving within them and staying inside the line. Steel barricades are cheaper than building a permanent wall and they can be easily moved. This reduces costs for many institutions, because it eliminates the need to build permanent walls. There is less need to have security guards at every corner, because the mental impression of a block is typically sufficient.

Barriers for Festivals and Conferences

Festivals held in a public park can set up barricades with the park’s permission. Often organizing an event requires collaboration with the city and the police. Application forms are filled out and require information about how many people are expected to show up. Park managers may decide to put up barricades on their own or else the police will do it as a matter of policy. Different areas will have different rules, but major urban areas have policies that require some form of crowd control. They help police and organizers deal with a large crowd in the event of panic.

They are Useful and Often Necessary

Human beings are normally civilized and operate in a peaceful manner. They are not perfect, and unexpected events can cause a stampede in anger or panic. Festivals that could be considered family events will normally include children, and these smaller people are the ones most likely to wander off into dangerous areas. Barriers help large crowds direct their flow, and they also block off areas from being entrances and exits. In the event of a disturbance, police can use these barriers as management tools. The presence of barriers might cause an event to seem less family friendly, but the average person has typically seen them enough to regard them with neutrality.

Article donated by Robert Phillips who knows a thing or two about safety barriers.

 

 

 

TOP TWENTY-FIVE SAFETY ARTICLES OF THE WEEK: MARCH 1 (GUEST POST)

Posted by Erin Raub in Weekly Roundups of Safety.com

I am happy to announce that Blog4Safety made the list of top twenty-five safety articles again!  Our thanks to Sam Banai, who submitted the article: “How To Outfit Your Business for Winter.” pb

seatbelt for pregnant womenThis pregnancy seatbelt is not only safe, but allows for (more) comfortable third-trimester driving. Finally!

Welcome to another week of the blogosphere’s best safety & security news! There were a lot of important tip posts this week, so I tried to round out the seriousness with upbeat safety news, too. For example, did you know that a U.K.-based company has developed a harness seatbelt for safer driving (or car riding) while pregnant? Ladies, the third trimester just got a little bit less uncomfortable.

I hope you enjoy my favorites. As always, if there’s something I missed, please let me know in the comments.

Home Safety

  1. Martine at Dainty Mom shares her top tips for keeping your home and family safe. I really appreciate her emphasis on simple, clean things we can all do, like choosing healthy foods and chemical-free cleaners.
  2. Fire safety crosses international borders. Seasoned home inspector Brent from Homes Extra asks important questions in his fire safety test. Is your family safe?

Family & Child Safety

  1. If you’ve ever worried about what to do in the case of anaphylactic shock, you can’t miss Caroline’s post over at The Grateful Foodie on four missed anaphylaxis emergency care opportunities.
  2. When Inhabitots mentioned the world’s first seatbelt designed for pregnant women, it was all I could do not to shout YES! It looks more like a race car harness than your standard belt, and is designed to keep mother and baby safe in the event of an accident.
  3. Did you know that heart disease kills more women than breast cancer? Read all about heart health – for men and women – over at Safety Mom.
  4. Admittedly, growing pains are not so much a safety concern as a question of your little one’s comfort and happiness. But we all want to minimize our children’s pain, so The Parent Report has some easy tips on what to do if your child is experiencing growing pains.
  5. File this one under obvious-but-forgotten: if your child has special needs, is in public school, and has and IEP, Judy Safety Source reminds us that he or she should have a personalized emergency evacuation program.
  6. If anyone has ever taken care of your child, you probably know how awkward/hard/uncomfortable/stressful (take your pick!) it can be to relay your wishes in a way that doesn’t make you seem… well, kind of nuts. Sierra from Common Sense Media has some really great, really sane tips on how to communicate screen time rules for every occasion.
  7. Have you checked your credit report lately? Dennis from iKeepSafe tells you why you need to run regular reports, and how you can do it with minimal headache.
  8. Doreen from SAF Baby has some really solid tips this week on healthy, easy habits your family can adopt to prevent obesity.
  9. What to expect when you’re expecting – and you already have a dog? The Parent Report collaborated with doggie guru Dr. Stanley Coren to give us some good tips on introducing your new baby to your furry baby.

Senior Safety

  1. Change is constant, but it’s also hard. And change is particularly difficult for seniors, who are experiencing major transitions, like the death of a spouse or loss of independence. Aging Wisely gives some good advice on how not to handle transitions for the seniors you love.
  2. This week, Susan from Help! Aging Parents also reminded us that it’s never too soon (or too late) for a refresher on the signs of stroke and learning proper emergency response to a stroke.

Online & Data Security

  1. Robert from McAfee reviews one of the sneakiest – and most rampant – Craigslist scams out there today. Seller beware!
  2. Aleksandr of We Live Security clues us in on a major hacking scheme against European banks – that’s been going on for a year!
  3. Consumer Reports reminds us that we should never ignore a data breach letter. Take the (free) steps to avoid identity fraud, and save yourself a bundle of stress and money down the road.
  4. Patricia Vance, President of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), hops over to the Get Game Smart blog to school parents on how to read game ratings – and why they matter.
  5. It’s easy to demonize cyberbullies, even the pint-sized ones, but Tim from uKnowKids has a great point: is your child a cyberbully without knowing it? Remember, even well-intentioned kids can get swept up into peer pressure. Sometimes all it takes to turn bullying around is a bit of parental guidance on netiquette and The Golden Rule.
  6. And while we’re on the topic of kids and their roles in cyberbullying, Sameer from the Cyberbullying Research Center reports on a very encouraging trend: young students are now using plays to combat cyberbullying.
  7. Graham from Naked Security (hmm… wonder what that office looks like!) gives it to you straight about Adobe’s record three Flash Player security updates in February.
  8. Good news doesn’t always make headlines, but Last Watchdog Byron has the details on some new, cutting-edge technology to beat the bad guys.
  9. WebProNews summarizes some of the findings from HP’s newly released 2012 Cyber Security Risk Report.

Work Safety

  1. Blog4Safety brings us a timely guest post from Saam Banai on how to outfit your business for winter safety. Keep your employees and customers safe during this final month of winter!
  2. Steve from The Safe Workplace posts summaries of OSHA and state OSHA significant citations that have proposed fines over $100,000 every week. Check out some of the citations from the week ending February 23rd – and make sure your workplace isn’t on the list.
  3. Pamela at Income Therapy has some 10 rock-solid tips on best safety practices for the workplace.

Thanks, Erin, for including us in this list of very interesting and helpful articles! Pat

TRUCKING ACCIDENT AND LIABILITY OF THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY (GUEST POST)

If you have been victimized in a truck accident, you will have a chance at obtaining compensation for the injuries and damages that you have suffered because of the fault of another individual. However, in order to receive compensation, you will have to go through the legal battle of winning a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. 

Before you think about going through with filing the suit, you would first need to determine who and what caused the accident. Liability plays a huge role in these types of lawsuits and liability cannot be proven until the accident cause has been pinned down. 

Proving liability in truck accidents can be tricky. Various parties may be involved in these types of accidents and more than one party may be responsible for causing it. In order to determine cause and liability, you would need to have some level of industry know-how. 

As far as studies show, the number of trucking accidents has increased by 20% over the past 20 years. The Federal Motor carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA states that in 2002 alone, around 4,897 people lost lives and around 130,000 individuals received serious injuries in accidents that involved collisions between large trucks and passenger vehicles. Though trucking accidents account for only 3% of the injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents, these types of accidents are capable of causing a lot more damage and harm than any other traffic accident. 

The trucking industry is highly regulated by the federal laws. Certain standards have been set by these laws, and the truck drivers, trucking companies, truck owners and leasing companies must adhere to these regulations. You can learn more about these laws and regulations from the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49. Agencies like Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) are responsible for regulating the trucking industry.

 As far as truck accidents are concerned, a web of players may be involved and anyone may be liable for causing the accident. Some of the parties that are generally held responsible are truck driver, truck owner, the truck leasing company, the manufacturer of the various parts of the vehicle and the loader or the shipper of the truck’s cargo.    

Get in touch with the Texas truck accident attorneys if you are looking to file a truck accident lawsuit. Your lawyer will be well versed in the trucking laws and regulations and he/she will be able to guide you through the legal maze of filing and winning the suit. 

Author Bio: Rob Baptist is expertise in injury laws. In his career he defended many accident cases. In this article he shares his experiences about the role of Texas truck accident attorney.

 

 

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN HIRING A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER (GUEST POST)

Motorcycle accidents have become quite common over the past few years. Being involved in a motorcycle crash can leave you with serious injuries. These accidents can also be fatal. If you have suffered a motorcycle accident because of the fault or negligence of another individual, there are ways you can receive compensation for the damages and injuries you have suffered. Filing a personal injury lawsuit will help you gain monetary damages. 

In order to file the file the lawsuit in Florida and to receive compensation, you would need to hire a Miami motorcycle accident lawyer. The expert guidance of your lawyer will help you understand the right way of going about filing and winning the suit. However, you need to be wise when choosing the attorney. There are several factors that you need to remember when picking the right attorney.   

Make sure the lawyer is honest: Many lawyers offer initial consultations. You must use this offer wisely. You need to meet with the prospective lawyers in person and discuss your case. In this initial consultation, you would need to determine whether the lawyer is forthcoming and honest. Some people can determine the character of a person within minutes of interaction. There are also a few characteristics that can give you some insights into the actual nature of the person. For example, those who talk looking into your eyes exude confidence. 

The discussion will let the lawyer know more about your case and he/she will be able to tell you how good your chances are of winning the suit. An honest lawyer will let you know your actual chances and will not give you false hopes. The lawyer will also discuss the various aspects of the case and find out ways that will help you win compensation. An incompetent lawyer will hurt your case. That is why you need to make sure you go for the right one. 

Make sure the lawyer is responsive and thorough: The initial consultation will also let you know whether the legal professional is thorough about his work and responsive to your requirements. In that case, you would need to rely on your instincts a bit. a good lawyer won’t mind answering your questions about the case and he/she will be available for you if you have any queries. If you feel you would not be comfortable working with a particular lawyer, you must not choose them. 

These were just some of the factors that you would need to consider when picking the lawyer for the case. 

Author Bio: Rob Baptist’s epertise in personal injury law. He uses to share his experiences by writing online blogs and articles. In this article he shares factors while considering a motorcycle accident lawyer in Miami.

 Note:  Thanks for this excellent advice. There are many ways to avoid motorcycle accidents; first, by driving safely, and second, by wearing the appropriate gear.  You can find gloves, high-visibility vests, and more at tasco-safety.com.

 

TEN RULES NEW LOW-CARB DIETERS SHOULD FOLLOW (GUEST POST)

Note: Just in time for the weekend, in case you are considering a diet, here’s some info regarding low-carbs.  pb

Cutting carbohydrates is a cornerstone tenet of many popular diets, due in part to the simple fact that these diet plans can be quite effective when they’re followed properly. Learning the ropes and dedicating yourself to a low-carb diet isn’t always easy, though. Changing your eating patterns can be a challenge, especially when you’re eliminating or greatly reducing a targeted substance. These 10 tips can help you get over the proverbial hump of low-carb dieting.

  1. Don’t Starve or Skip – Just because you are trying a diet doesn’t mean you should starve yourself to lose weight. Skipping meals will also go against what your end goal is, especially when you’re working with the low-carb diet model. Skipping and starving puts your body in a mode to store up fat when you do eat so that it can survive during those times when you don’t feed it properly. Choosing not to eat is actually counter-productive. One of the perks of a low-carb diet is that you never have to feel hungry, so make sure that you’re satisfying your hunger pangs with low-carb snacks.
  2. Snack Before Bed – Having a full meal right before bed is a no-no. But don’t rule out eating before bed altogether. Indulging in a light, carb-free snack before bed can be beneficial. For one thing, a small snack before bed can keep you from waking up feeling ravenous after hours without sustenance. For another, it might put you in the habit of having smaller meals throughout the day, which can also help with weight loss. Just be sure to keep that light snack in the low-carb category.
  3. Remove Temptation – Keeping carb-filled food around the house is a quick way to fall back into old habits. Get those starches and sugars out of your cabinets so that when you get those carb-based cravings, you are less tempted to splurge on snacks that will wreck your diet.
  4. Stock Up on Meat – If you’re opting for the Atkin’s dieting style of high protein and low carbs, one thing that you’ll be able to eat your fill of is meat products. When you cull your cabinets of sugars and starches, make room in the freezer for plenty of meat.
  5. Eat Your Veggies – Most vegetables are not only high on the nutrition scale, they’re also low in carbohydrates. Have a large portion of vegetables with each meal and look for new snacking options comprised of fresh veggies. Explore the options of your grocer’s produce section and opt for a variety to keep things interesting.
  6. Eat at Least Three Meals a Day – Having at least three meals a day will ensure that you will not feel like you are starving yourself on a new diet, boosting your chances of success. If you find that you’re snacking frequently between meals, it may also be smart to consider making the move to multiple small meals throughout the day. Just remember to decrease your portions as the number of meals increases and you’ll be able to feel full and satisfied while adhering to your weight-loss plan.
  7. Eat Low-Sugar Fruits – Depending on the style of low-carb diet that you’re following, you may be able to indulge in a bit of low-sugar fruit to satisfy sweet-tooth cravings without blowing your diet. The Atkins and South Beach diets don’t allow any fruit during the first phase, but other low-carb plans may be less strict.
  8. Stay Away from Starch, Sugar, Refined Flour – You should avoid foods that are starchy, such as potatoes and corn, sugary foods and refined flour-based foods like pasta and bread. Keep away from those standard foods and that’s all the “counting” you’ll have to do. Don’t worry about the number of calories, just worry about the carb content.
  9. Keep It Green – Along the lines of eating your vegetables, make sure you keep things green. Have something green and leafy with each meal to guarantee you are keeping on the right track while providing your body with essential vitamins and nutrients.
  10. Know That There Are No One-Size-Fits-All Diets Just because the low-carb plan worked for your best friend or co-worker doesn’t necessarily mean that it will work for you. There’s no diet out there that works the same for everyone. If you find that this diet plan isn’t right for you, don’t become discouraged. Instead, reconsider your options and try something new. As long as you’re taking steps in the right direction and are dedicated to improving your health, you’re sure to find the solution that works for your individual body.

Cutting carbohydrates can be an effective way of losing weight, but it can also be dangerous if it’s paired with a high-protein regimen under some circumstances. Before you start any diet, it’s smart to talk it over with your doctor to make sure that your decisions are healthy ones. The last thing you want to do is to inadvertently damage your health by trying to lose weight and get into shape!

Submitted by Suzanne Cullen, of www.aupair.org

HOT WORKS – SAFE WELDING OPERATIONS (GUEST POST)

Sent by Jason of riskatmedia.com 

There are particular hazards associated with hot works, which includes welding activities, the use of oxy/gas equipment and acetylene, cutting operations and air-arc gouging. Each year over 1000 work related injuries to welders are reported to the Health and Safety Executive in the United Kingdom.  Approximately 300 of these are major injuries, such as amputations and fractures.  Some of these injuries result from hazards that accompany almost all types of work activity, such as handling, slips and trips and being hit by a moving or falling object.  Others are more likely to be solely associated with welding activities, such as the intensity of electric arcs and high temperatures. 

Manual handling

Prior to carrying out any unavoidable manual handling activity, you should help to protect yourself from injury by following good manual handling practices. Consider the task to be carried out and the nature of the load, and be aware of your own capabilities and the environment in which you are working. In particular, portable welding equipment, gas cylinders and work pieces can be extremely heavy and you should give consideration to safe manual handling practices before undertaking any job that involves lifting these items. 

Slips, trips and falls

Slips and trips can result from contamination, obstacles, inappropriate footwear, reduced visibility, the environment and people’s attitudes. Good housekeeping can significantly reduce the risk of serious slip and trip injuries. Containing spent rod ends and removing debris, slag, packaging and other waste materials to waste skips. You can also reduce the risk of slips and trips by properly routing any cables or air hoses that you use.

A safe place of work should be established to take into account the restricted visibility resulting from welders wearing protective head-shields. Consider whether the environment in which you will be working increases the risk of slips and trips and take responsibility for your own and your colleagues safety by appropriately containing any spills that you might discover. 

Moving or falling objects

Death or injury can result when large and heavy objects, such as gas cylinders used during welding operations, tip or fall because they have not been properly secured. Gas cylinders should always be secured by means of a chain, strap or cable to a building support, or proper cylinder cart. Bottle trolleys should also be covered when gas cylinders are moved short distances. 

Electrical Dangers

Electric shock from welding equipment can result in death or severe burns. Serious injury can result if the welder falls as a result of the shock. To prevent the risks posed by electrical hazards, all equipment should be tested and certified before use. Air pipe work should be checked to ensure that there is no electrical conductivity between the ends and the welding return cable should be connected as close as possible to the work piece. The electro-magnetic field produced by certain types of welding equipment may pose a risk to welders who have implantable medical devices fitted. Please make sure that you have informed your supervisor if you have an active implantable medical device, and talk to your doctor about the safety of using welding equipment in relation to your medical device. 

Fire and Explosion

Welding and allied processes produce molten metal, sparks, slag and hot work surfaces which pose a risk of fire and explosion, and which can result in fatalities, serious injury and plant damage. Flying sparks are the main cause of fire and explosion, especially as sparks can travel up to 10 metres from the work space. Sparks and molten metal can travel even greater distances when falling and can pass through and become lodged in cracks, clothing, pipe holes and other small openings. To reduce the risk of fire and explosion when carrying out Hot Works, a permit for work should be obtained before commencing work on any operational plant. Working areas and the areas below them should be kept free of combustible material. Fixed items of plant, such as installed electrical cables should be protected by a fire blanket. Sparks should be contained by means of a non-flammable material. Fire extinguishers should be close at hand, and the working area should be inspected when work is suspended to ensure there is no residual risk of fire or explosion. 

Oxy-Gas Equipment

Additional precautions are necessary when working with oxy-gas equipment. Gas bottles should be in an upright position, secured to prevent falling and located in an open aspect during use. The cylinder valves should be kept shut while hoses and equipment are being connected or disconnected. The requirement to fit flash back arrestors to both hoses is mandatory, but you should also ensure that you have enough gas in both cylinders to complete the job and that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper shut-down and start-up procedures for the equipment you are using to reduce the risk of flashbacks. The bottle key should be kept on the valves while equipment is in use to enable quick shut off in the event of an emergency. A fire watch should be maintained during operations.

All gas cylinders should be isolated when not in use to prevent oxygen or gas enrichment. And all operators should subject oxy-gas equipment to daily pre-use checks, such as leak detector spray or pressure drop tests. Contamination of gas cylinders by oil or grease should be avoided, as this may increase the risk of fire and explosion. Direct exposure to fire can initiate a heat generating decomposition reaction within acetylene gas leading to the potential for explosion. Any cylinders exposed to a fire should therefore be isolated for at least 48 hours, or until deemed safe. When not in use, gas cylinders should be stored in properly constructed and ventilated cages, with no source of ignition within three metres. 

Eye damage and burns

Most welding and related activities produce significant quantities of non-ionising radiation, such as visible light, ultraviolet and infra-red, which can cause eye damage and painful skin burns. The intensity and wavelength of energy produced depends on the process, welding parameters, electrode and base metal composition, fluxes, and any coatings or plating on the base material. Ultraviolet radiation increases approximately as the square of the welding current. Visible brightness or luminance of the arc increases at a much lower rate. Processes using argon produce larger amounts of ultraviolet radiation than those using most other shielding gases. The risk of injury to the operator resulting from exposure to non-ionising radiation can be reduced by decreasing the length of exposure, wearing a head shield and standard Personal Protective Equipment or PPE with gauntlets and Proban fire-retardant overalls. 

Welding Fumes

Many welding processes produce fumes which are potentially harmful. Depending on the materials involved, the ill effects can include irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory system, or more severe complications such as impairment of speech and movement. Symptoms of over-exposure to welding fumes may manifest immediately or some considerable time later. To reduce these risks, position the work area with an open aspect to minimise fume concentrations. Use forced ventilation where necessary and, in confined spaces, an air fed hood. Use a disposable mask appropriate to the type of fumes produced during work operations, and remember that respirators are mandatory for stainless steel welding. It is also important to refer to the relevant Hazardous Material Assessment which will outline additional safe working practices for the materials used. 

Work piece Stability

Where cutting operations are performed, it is always important to give consideration to the effect that these operations will have on the stability of the work piece. In particular, consideration should be given to weight distribution, as the removal of significant weights may alter the balance of the work piece. Where appropriate, the work piece should be supported. You should also plan how items that have been removed will be lowered without risk to yourself, to others who may be working nearby, or to equipment. 

Emergency procedures

In the event of an emergency, conduct an initial assessment of the situation. If you believe that the situation is beyond your control, evacuate the area immediately. Turn off all valves, but only if it is safe to do so. If the flame from a leak cannot be extinguished by turning off the valve, do not stay and attempt to fight the fire. Evacuate the area immediately. 

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