Category Archives: Health Issues

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Health Issues

HOW YOUR BODY REACTS TO STRESS (GUEST POST)

Accidents at work can be frightening and dangerous, but knowing how your body reacts to stress will help you stay calm and take action as needed. While chronic stress can be damaging, temporary stress can help you survive dangerous situations and solve problems, especially if you encounter an emergency at work.

When your body perceives danger or stress it reacts with what is commonly called a fight or flight response. Increased production of hormones like epinephrine and cortisol change the way your body behaves. Here are four things your body does when you are stressed.

1. Extra Glucose is Released

Your body uses sugar as fuel, so in times of stress, cortisol tells your body to release extra sugars and fats for your body to use. If you need to move quickly to dodge a falling object or use every ounce of strength you have to lift a heavy beam off of a coworker, you will need all the extra energy you can access.

2. Heart Rate Increases

An increased heart rate helps circulate the extra sugar so it can get to the parts of the body that need it most. When your heart rate increases, your blood pressure also rises. If you feel your heart racing when you encounter an accident at work, don’t panic. It is a normal reaction.

3. Breathing Becomes Rapid and Airways in Lungs Widen

Along with sugar, your body also needs oxygen to react in dangerous situations. When you are stressed your breathing speeds up and the airways in your lungs widen so you can take in more oxygen.

4. The Immune System Shuts Down

The immune system requires a lot of energy to do its job, so in extremely stressful situations, it shuts down so your body can use that much needed energy to survive. Fighting off a cold is not a top priority if your arm has been sliced open.

These reactions all help you survive in short term dangerous situations. Because of these reactions, your thoughts become sharper, your pupils let in more light to improve vision, and your pain receptors shut down. This means that your body is ready to take whatever action is needed.

According to 911 Industrial Inc., pre-hospital care at the site of the emergency “helps reduce response time, loss of life, and severity of injuries.” While professionals who specialize in industrial safety services are best equipped to handle safety emergencies at work, you can take advantage of your body’s natural reactions to act quickly in emergencies before the professionals arrive.

If a co-worker is in trouble, take advantage of your increased energy and sharper thoughts to seek out help and make quick decisions. If you’ve been injured, try not to panic and remember that your body’s natural reactions are working toward minimizing the damage.

Author Byline

Michael David is a blogger who loves learning new things about science and health.

 

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

Drugs and Money: The Costs of Addiction (Guest Post)

Chances are that you know someone who currently struggling, or has struggled, with addiction. http://www.bestmastersincounseling.com/ has created an infographic detailing some of the statistics behind addiction, along with the costs and benefits of treatment.

The impact of addiction is shocking. From lost time at work to crime-related costs, addiction costs $600 billion per year. That number boils down to $1,800 per man, women, and child in the United States. $193 billion going to tobacco, $193 billion to illicit drugs, and $335 billion in alcohol.

And while you may think that addiction doesn’t affect you, 2 out of 3 drug users, are employed, and 1 in 12 full-time workers are using drugs regularly. Only 10 percent of individuals with substance abuse problems will seek treatment.

This infographic also details the cost of drugs like meth, cocaine, and prescription medications, along with the costs of jail time, treatment, and healthcare costs. For every $1 invested in substance abuse treatment, we save $7 in healthcare and criminal justice costs.

Feel free to like, comment, and share this infographic entitled “Drugs and Money: The Costs of Addiction” brought to you by http://www.bestmastersincounseling.com/.

 

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Health Issues, Respiratory Safety

IT’S SPRING! (I THINK!)

Spring has made a late arrival here in North Central Texas, but Old Man Winter still thrives in other parts of the United States. With the arrival of warmer weather, all the weeds and other plants loaded with allergens start spreading their cheer around us!   Folks who have allergies are not looking forward to the misery associated with them. 

It’s also the time to plant gardens, mow the yard, and clean up and fix up what the cold weather left behind. As you prepare to start your seasonal yard work, stock up on face masks, goggles, gloves, sunscreen, and plenty of allergy medicine! Be sure your power equipment is in good shape, as it usually needs an annual checkup to be sure everything is running as it should. 

There is so much to look forward to during spring and summer: baseball, swimming, outings, summer camps, and hopefully, being with family more. Kids are anxiously awaiting summer break from school, so this means we need to be careful when driving down neighborhood streets. 

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are also a part of spring that we would rather not have to deal with. So far, there have been fewer tornadoes for this time of the year than usual. But, as it warms up, conditions will make the atmosphere right for twisters. 

Be sure that you have a plan, just in case you must leave your home in the event of a severe thunderstorm, or worse, tornado. Every member of the family should know where to meet. A care kit should be packed with enough water for at least three days, non-perishable food, medicines, pet food, flashlight, blankets, and other supplies. Keep your cell phone charged at all times, just in case. 

Information from The Weather Channel shows that even as we push deeper into the heart of spring tornado season, 2014 has so far completely spared Americans the agony and grief of tornado-related deaths. The year’s long early safe streak has put 2014 in rare territory, historically. The modern era of tornado records began in 1950 with the advent of the storm database maintained by NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center. This year has now gone on longer than any other calendar year in that era without a tornado fatality. 

Another recent year’s long quiet streak ended rather violently when this April 20th marked the 10th anniversary of 2004’s first killer tornado, also an F3 in Illinois. Eight people died on April 20, 2004 when a twister smashed into Utica, Ill., causing a tavern to collapse. 

Even including what are likely incomplete historical records from the mid 19th to early 20th centuries, 2014 already ranks among the top 10 years with the longest fatality-free start. It’s possible that some of those older years in the record had undocumented tornado deaths, which would move 2014 even higher in the rankings if we had perfect knowledge of what happened back then. 

With no tornadoes reported Monday, we now have to go back 99 years to find a calendar year when the first documented tornado death came later in the year – that was 1915, when the first recorded death came on May 5.

We are thankful that so far that we have not had any deaths as the result of tornadoes. Let’s hope that 2014 will continue to be a low record for killer storms.  Be prepared by listening for important warnings from your local television stations, NOAA, and the Weather Channel. 

Source: The Weather Channel

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

Poole Gas Fitter Fined After Illegal Boiler Installations Put People In Danger

This article comes from the United Kingdom.  An illegal gas fitter from Poole has been fined after putting people in danger by breaching gas safety regulations.  It teaches us the lesson that we must hire competent, licensed contractors to install systems in our homes.  Colin Yeatman, who lives on Gort Road and traded as COB Plumbing Ltd, installed a hot water system, gas cooker and gas coiler at a new-build property in Poole during 2012, and fitted a gas boiler at a Broadstone house in 2010.

fIRE

However, although he was performing work on gas appliances, he was not qualified to do so. He left the appliances in a hazardous condition after falsely claiming to be on the Gas Safe register.

A council building inspector examined Yeatman’s gas work on the Poole property, and discovered that although COB Plumbing had been put down as the installer, the official documents used another gas engineer’s details.

A Gas Safe Register Investigations Officer took a look at Yeatman’s work and discovered seven different defects, two of which were found to put people at risk of injury and death.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was told about the failings and discovered that neither Yeatman nor COB Plumbing were Gas Safe-registered.

Then, in 2013, the owner of the boiler in Broadstone noticed that the appliance was leaking. An engineer was called and identified a number of different defects. The HSE then discovered that Yeatman had used another firm’s details on the official documentation for the boiler installation, and that this other company had been registered as Gas Safe.

In a hearing on April 2nd in Bournemouth Magistrates Court, Colin Yeatman admitted four different breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was fined £1,000 ($1,659) and will have to pay additional costs of £500 ($829). COS Plumbing also admitted four breaches of the 1998 regulations and was fined £10,000 ($16,589) with costs of £8,056 ($13,360).The regulations that Yeatman and COS Plumbing pleaded guilty to breaching are as follows:

  • – Regulation 3(1), which prohibits people from working on gas fittings if they are not competent to do so
  • – Regulation 3(3), which prohibits people who are not on the Gas Safe Register from performing work on gas fittings and pipework
  • – Regulation 3(7), which prohibits people from falsely claiming to be on the Gas Safe Register
  • – Regulation 26(1), which prohibits people from installing gas appliances in such a way as for the appliance to pose a danger to people
  • – Regulation 4, which calls for employers and self-employed persons to take reasonable steps to ensure gas work they control is performed by approved persons

Mehtaab Hamid, an inspector for the HSE, called Yeatman’s actions “quite deliberate”. He noted that the offender was aware that he needed to be Gas Safe-registered if he was to perform his work legally.

Mr Hamid said that Yeatman was not competent or qualified to work on gas appliances, but chose to do so regardless. The substandard work he performed put residents at risk, he added.

Gas Safe Register Chief Executive Russell Kramer advised people to check engineers’ ID cards when the engineer is fixing or fitting gas appliances.

This article was written by Kevin Burke on behalf of boiler breakdown cover specialists 247 Home Rescue.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

IT’S ALREADY APRIL – WHICH MEANS IT’S TIME FOR APRIL SAFETY OBSERVANCES!

Let’s get started on the list of April Safety Observances:  April 1st through April 7th is Medication Safety Week.  The next week, April 7th through April 11th is National Work Zone Awareness Week.  In addition, the monthly observances are Alcohol Awareness Month, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and Injury Prevention Month.  Rounding out April observances for safety is Workers’ Memorial Day, April 28th.  So, we are going to have a lot to think about this month.  Hopefully,  these monthly reminders will help us all stay safe.  Because we are already into Medication Safety Week, let’s focus on that issue.  Here are good ideas that would work well for anyone who takes several prescription medications: 

  • Be sure to keep all prescriptions filled — It is important to have all current medication on hand and to dispose of old prescriptions and medicines every other month to avoid taking anything that’s close to or past its expiration date.
  • Make a list of medications — Compile a comprehensive list and have complete understanding of what each medication does. If you are unsure about a medication, ask the physician who prescribed it for more information. This list should be available to each physician the patient visits.  Find out what time of day to take each medication; some work well in the mornings, and others work better before bedtime.
  • Use a pillbox to help remember when each medication should be taken — To reduce “pill burden,” organize medications in a simple pillbox with separate compartments for each day of the week. A schedule should also be available in print form to double check the accuracy of the pillbox.
  • Do not take medication that is not prescribed — Medications that are not prescribed by a medical professional can have unintended side effects on one’s health and other prescriptions. Also, it is vital to continue to take all medication for the duration prescribed, even if the condition improves. (Do not take someone else’ prescription drug.)
  • It is not safe to mix alcohol and prescription medications — This combination can be especially dangerous when taking medicine for sleep, pain, anxiety, or depression.

Below are some good ideas for monitoring the meds you are given: 

1. Store medicine in a dry and cool place.

2. Always make sure to read medicine labels carefully. Be sure to notice what side effects may occur taking that particular medication.  Note any additional instructions on your prescriptions and ensure that they’re followed as directed. Some medicines are supposed to be taken on an empty stomach, others should be taken with food.

3. Always consult with a doctor before taking supplements.  Some of these supplements are made from natural ingredients; however, they still may be hazardous for certain types of people (such as those who are pregnant and individuals with liver or kidney problems).

4. Keep all medications out of the reach of children.  Children may become victims of accidental overdose of prescription medicines, due to the fact that they either found something in a purse, on an open counter, or an unsecured medicine storage cabinet.  Don’t take chances.

Last, but not least,  driving under the influence of certain medications (prescription or over-the-counter) can be very risky.   It is a fact that it is as dangerous as drinking while driving, or texting while driving.  Regardless of whether the driver is a teenager or senior citizen, persons should not get behind the wheel if they are  not completely alert.  Also, if you work with machinery, don’t take any type of medication that causes you to become drowsy.

Let’s not abuse medications, only take them for the intended purpose.  With your physician’s approval, exercise and proper diet, monitoring blood pressure, and other methods can possibly lower the need for medicines.

Back Safety, Ergonomics, Eye Protection, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Health Issues, Hearing Protection, High Visibility Safety, Respiratory Safety

Fatal and Non-Fatal Injuries In The Workplace

This interesting infographic is from Rebecca Fox, of Westermans International, a UK-based welding company.  We appreciate this shared information and can learn what illnesses are prevelant in their respective industries.   

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF POISON PREVENTION

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Last week was Poison Prevention Week, as mentioned in an earlier post regarding March safety observances.  We decided to look into this subject more in-depth, as poison is a very life-threatening hazard.  Information from the American Association of Poison Control Centers states: “In 2012, America’s 55 poison centers received over 3 million calls. Of those, about 2.2 million were calls about poison exposures ranging from carbon monoxide to snake bites to food poisoning. The rest were calls for information. These prevention tips can help you or your loved ones avoid poisonings. For more tips and information, call your local poison center at 1-800-222-1222.”

Always keep that number handy; you never know when a poisoning accident may happen, and they can answer your questions quickly and refer you to a hospital or doctor if necessary.

Our workplaces contain all types of poisonous materials that workers may become exposed to.  Those who work outdoors must be vigilant to watch for venomous snakes.  Venomous snakes found in the United States include rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins, and coral snakes. They can be dangerous to outdoor workers including farmers, foresters, landscapers, groundskeepers, gardeners, painters, roofers, pavers, construction workers, oil field workers, laborers, mechanics, and any other workers who spend time outside. Although rare, some workers with a severe allergy to snake venom may be at risk of death if bitten. It has been estimated that 7,000–8,000 people per year receive venomous bites in the United States, and about 5 of those people die.

The number of deaths would be much higher if people did not seek medical care. It is important for employers to train their workers about their risk of exposure to venomous snakes, how they can prevent and protect themselves from snake bites, certain venomous spider bites, and what they should do if they are bitten.(It is very important to keep the victim calm until they reach a treatment facility.)

Other poisonous hazards in the workplace can be chemicals, cleaning products, carbon monoxide, or lead poisoning. Workers in the following industries could be subject to inhaling lead dust and fumes, or swallow lead dust while eating at break time:

  • Radiator, battery, automotive repair;
  • Painting, remodeling, or renovating;
  • Welding;
  • Soldering, cutting metal;
  • Bridge construction or repair;
  • Making jewelry;
  • Demolition of old buildings;
  • Foundry and scrap metal operators.

Wearing the correct respiratory protection and leaving your protective clothing at work can prevent bringing the hazardous lead dust home and exposing it to the family.

There are many other types of poisonous substances, from certain energy drinks, to over-the-counter drugs, social drugs, that citizens should take every precaution to not expose themselves, either at work or on free time.

Employees should check their MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) information to ensure they understand what hazardous materials they are dealing with.  Exhibiting safety posters is another beneficial way to get your message across.   If you have questions, call the number listed above and they can answer your inquiries.

Source: AAPCC, CDC

 

Health Issues

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR GOOD HEALTH (GUEST POST)

Good health is the biggest asset in life. Without great health, there is nothing on this world that would seem enjoyable. A healthy body is like a healthy mind for one to make the most of life. Everyone remembers days when they have been sick and are thankful when they get better at the earliest. But during weather changing seasons, it is common to fall sick in a regular basis. If you have been taking medication very frequently there is a greater chance that they will cause harm to your body in long term. Use home made natural remedies to get back your heath with no side-effects. 

Home remedies are made up from spices, fruits and vegetables are completely natural. They are extremely simple to prepare and do not cause any side effect to the body. Natural remedies are a lot safer and have been used since ages around the world to cure many ailments. For common problems like coughing, grab a bite of your dark chocolate. You will see its effect within sometime with your bad cough clearing like you never had one. There are other home made recipes for curing gas and indigestion, insomnia, sore throat, headache and many more common ailments. So use home remedies for safer, purer and cheaper solutions for your health problems.

Note: While Blog4Safety’s primary goal is to promote work-related safety, we all know that when folks must miss work due to illness, this infogram may give you ideas to try to see if the natural remedies get you back on your feet more quickly.

 Ways To Natural Health and Healing

Source: http://www.home-cures.net

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Health Issues

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources:

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

General Safety Issues, Health Issues, Weather Protection

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH INCLEMENT WEATHER DURING THE WORK WEEK (GUEST POST)

By Sarah Walden of UmbrellaBagger.com

 Traveling to the office during dangerous weather conditions can be frightening. Safety precautions are necessary for employees and management to remain calm, collected and protected during severe storms. Paying attention to any and all warnings before, during and after a storm secures employees during their commute and office hours. Aside from safety concerns, trekking to work in bad weather is uncomfortable and a lack of preparation can lead to an intolerable day.

rain-windshield

Here are four tips to help make the rainy, slushy or snowy commute easier for full-time employees.

Stay Informed and Drive Cautiously

Set up weather alerts on a smart phone or computer the night before a large storm is due. Tune into the morning news while getting ready and take notice of the suggested strategies and tips for the current conditions. When leaving the house, travel with extreme caution and care. If proximity allows, consider carpooling with coworkers – multiple eyes and ears increases awareness of precarious conditions and helps ease stress for drivers.

Dress Appropriately

Invest in a reliable raincoat and sturdy rubber boots. Although clunky and awkward, protective outdoor gear helps keep work clothes dry. Forgoing style during the commute to the office is better than sitting in soggy clothing all day long which can lead to a head cold or wrinkled attire.

Take Advantage of Facility Accommodations

Spend a little more money to park in the indoor garage or covered lot on days when weather is extreme. Opting for street parking is usually the more cost-effective alternative, but defrosting a car after eight to nine hours of snow or ice build up is time consuming. Fallen tree branch damages or sliding accidents cost more time and money than garage parking fees.

Unlike drivers, walkers get stuck with soppy shoes and a wet umbrella after their commute. Office lobbies are often equipped with dry floor mats and a wet umbrella bag dispenser. Both resources prevent slip and fall accidents that are all too common during winter snowstorms and the rainy spring months. Don’t bypass these luxuries; they are in place to keep workforce visitors safe and dry.

Take the Day off or Work from Home

There is no shame in missing work if travel doesn’t feel safe. Use a sick day or paid leave if necessary. Although roads may seem fine in the morning, conditions can change rapidly in the afternoon. Getting home could be a nightmare and pose a greater threat than the initial travel. If necessary, ask to work from home. Most managers allow remote labor, as long as employees have a computer and the basic materials to complete their duties for the day.

Dealing with rain, snow and ice shouldn’t have to interfere with productivity. Instead of letting the weather dictate professional life, take the necessary precautions to aptly coordinate work-related travel.

Thanks, Sarah, for this unique idea for wet umbrella bag dispenser(s).  These would work great for work, school, or churches.  pb