Category Archives: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

SENIOR WORKFORCE

A growing number of businesses are realizing that senior citizens play an important role in the success of their companies.  Mature workers appeal to employers for many different reasons:
a wealth of experience, skills, and excellent work ethics.  The outlook for employment is good for seniors, because some employers actually recruit older workers.

Due to preventative healthcare and medical treatment, seniors are able to work long past the traditional retirement age, and choose to work either because they want to, or have financial need.

The Social Security system has undergone major changes, one of which is increasing the age when individuals qualify for full benefits.  Many companies are not offering defined benefit retirement programs, resulting in retirees not having access to guaranteed benefits.

Many retirees enjoy returning to the workforce, either part time or jobs that offer less stress and greater flexibility than their previous occupations.

AARP recently announced the Top Ten Best Employers for Workers over 50.  These companies offer great perks such as free physical therapy sessions, massages, miniature golf, weight-loss programs, dietician services, compressed work schedules, financial planning, retirement counseling, the list goes on and on!

These companies are listed below, with the percentage of workers they employ over age 50:

  • Cornell University, Higher Education, 43%
  • Scripps Health, Health Care, 32%
  • SC Johnson, Consumer Products, 35%
  • YMCA of Greater Rochester, Philanthropy, 18%
  • Lee Memorial Health System, Health Care, 38%
  • Securian, Insurance, 22%
  • First Horizon National Corporation, Financial Services, 27%
  • Stanley Consultants, Consulting Services, 34%
  • Bon Secours Richmond Health System, Health Care, 30%
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Insurance, 37%

AARP also honored international employers of seniors, as well.  There are many websites that seniors can visit if they are interested in seeking employment.  Two of those are: Seniors4Hire.org, and RetirementJobs.com.

We salute the tremendous contribution our seniors make in work environments, and those “youngsters” who treat them with the respect and admiration they deserve.

AARP-The Magazine

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

Blind Spots

Here are some tips from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration for side-view mirror adjustment to assist you in the elimination of blind spots. The best way to adjust your side mirrors is to move the glass outwards so your field of view is of other cars and blind spots are eliminated.

These steps can help prevent accidents and help keep YOU safe whether you are driving a fleet vehicle, or your own personal vehicles:

1.    Set your rear view mirror as you normally would.

2.    Lean your head over all the way to the left so it touches the driver’s window. From there, set your left side-view mirror so you can see the back corner of your car.

3.    Lean over the same distance the other way, (your console or gear selector is a good reference point) and set your right side-view mirror the same way.

When you return your head to your normal driving position, you should not be able to see the back corner of your vehicle in either side view mirror.

To see if you’ve adjusted correctly for your vehicle’s blind spot, test it out in a parking lot or other location where you can safely and slowly pull up to a car. You should now always be able to see the car; it should move from your rear view mirror to your driver’s side or passenger’s side mirror with no break until you can spot it with your peripheral vision.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

STRANGER DANGER

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Just about every day, we see it on the news…………somewhere a child has been abducted!  The world we live in just isn’t safe anymore, and when it comes to protecting our children, we need to take every precaution by teaching them to be wary of strangers.  It’s hard to know exactly which persons are strangers; they can appear to be very nice, ordinary people.

Most children in their early development years are surrounded by loving parents, relatives and friends who assure that they are safe and comfortable; when they go places with their family, they are exposed to the outside world, but still are safe because they are with their family.

As they begin this trek into the real world, it is the job of the parents to teach them to be careful around people that they don’t know.  Many well-meaning people love to pay attention to little ones, and that’s all right; however, those people know their boundaries, and don’t overstep them.

One major rule: Children shouldn’t be left alone to play in the yard!  They could be grabbed so fast, you wouldn’t know until it is too late!

As children begin preschool or school, parents should check with their school to see if they are teaching children about Stranger Danger.  These programs, along with parents, teach children not to take candy from people they do not know, and not to go near a car of someone inviting them over to see their puppy or kitten.  If a child thinks someone is following him/her, they should go to a nearby store or group of people and get help.  Should your child inform you of an incident such as this, you need to call the police and report it.

A good plan for parents and their friends who might need to pick up their child from school or elsewhere is to share a secret code word that the child knows, to ensure that they are the person the parent has arranged to pick them up.  A stranger wouldn’t know that word, thus reminding the child that they are not to go with this person.

Other helpful ideas for your child’s safety:

  • Never play in deserted areas, such as empty playgrounds, parks, or alleys
  • Stay with Mom and Dad in public places
  • Play with a friend; the “Buddy System” always works best
  • If you are in a store and get lost from your parents, go to a cashier or security guard for help, rather than wander around
  • If you go home after school and Mom or Dad are still at work, call them to let them know you are home okay
  • Never tell someone you will be home alone
  • If you see a broken window or open door when you get home, don’t go in.  Go to a trusted neighbor and call 911
  • Don’t open the door for someone until you know who it is
  • Never give personal information to someone on the phone: your address, etc.
  • If you want to go study with a friend in the neighborhood, get your parents permission first, and let them know where you will be and when you will be home

Cell phones are an excellent method of communication for kids old enough to be responsible in how they use them.  Parents can call and check on them; likewise, they can reach their parents when they need to.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

DISASTER DRILLS

July, 2002, the National Strategy for Homeland Security instructed the Homeland Security Department to create the National Exercise Program.  This is a series of preparedness programs that have gone from full-scale live exercises to tabletop drills that have decision-makers respond to an escalating series of crises.  Hurricanes, tornadoes, and terrorism are usually the main topics that are played out in “mock drills”.  Hospitals are required to participate in some sort of disaster drill every so often in order to maintain their accreditation.

It is hard to actually meet the real goals of a disaster drill because in many emergency systems, it is almost impossible to fail a disaster exercise.  An effective manager can learn about problems within the system or plan.  These drills are supposed to be learning experiences and mistakes should happen.  Constant improvising by the incident commander as the drill is being done, will result in saving as many (simulated) lives as possible.

We recently visited with a local director of an EMS department of a rural hospital and asked for his opinion of the drills.  In conjunction with local law enforcement personnel, his EMS personnel and the hospital staff have conducted drills ranging from school bus accidents with multiple injuries to plane crashes in the area, and many more.  Here are his thoughts on the subject:
“In response to the disaster drills, I consider myself pro-active most times. Mock drills do show areas of weakness in any emergency service no matter if it’s volunteer or paid, plus it’s a great time to work out bugs with mutual aid departments working in your county or other counties that may be called to help with the disaster. On the other side of the coin, I think Homeland Security grants have not been utilized to their best in rural areas. Monies have been spent in many rural hospitals on equipment and supplies that in my opinion is wasted money on things that a rural hospital will never use, and the supplies have high risk of expiration dates, causing the supplies to be disposed of before use. Pre-hospital providers in the rural setting are lacking equipment, training, and personal protective gear for disasters; many of us struggle with old equipment and limited budgets for trucks and so on.  I do think that Homeland Security should be concerned with rural USA for attacks and other disasters. We are very vulnerable and most people don’t think something could happen in the small areas of Texas. Shelters and available personnel are not readily available if something should happen.”

In an article by C.L. Staten, ERRI Senior National Security Analyst, listed below are his recommendations to develop an effective plan and response to a major disaster:

  • Write a plan
  • Train all participants for their part in the plan
  • Conduct a drill to test the plan and personnel
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan
  • Revise the plan as necessary to achieve the desired end-outcome objectives
  • Repeat if necessary

Be thankful for those who expect the unexpected, and are prepared for it!

Source for parts of the article: Emergency Response & Research Institute

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

UNDERSTANDING MRSA

The Center for Disease Control announced September 8, 2008, that it had kicked off its National MRSA Education Initiative, to highlight specific actions parents can take to protect themselves and their families from this strain of infection that is resistant to broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat it.

MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus bacteria) – called “staph” infections are most common in hospital or health care settings.  Older people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.  It is a very serious infection that can sometimes be fatal.  Recently, another type of MRSA has occurred among otherwise healthy people, community associated MRSA or CA MRSA.  It causes serious skin and soft tissue infections and can also bring about a serious type of pneumonia.

In health care settings, it is stressed that patient care givers:

  • Practice immaculate hand hygiene
  • Wear gloves when caring for patient
  • Wear proper PPE, mouth, eye, nose protection
  • Wear gowns for protection
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces, i.e., bed rails, bed tables, door knobs, toilet areas, etc.
  • Patient should be kept in private room, with warning signs on door to make visitors aware of precautions they should take.

The CDC emphasizes to parents the importance teaching their children good hand hygiene, not using dirty towels (locker room), no direct contact with infected individual, and keeping cuts and scrapes clean, and covered with bandages.  They must recognize signs of suspected infection and get treatment.  It is especially important to contact the physician if the person has a skin infection accompanied by fever.

Persons may refer to websites, brochures, radio, public service announcement, blogging sites, and mainstream media for useful information to prevent and/or overcome this terrible infection.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

LOVE YOUR HEART

As we are halfway through National Heart Month, February, we hope you have considered what you can do to become Heart-Healthy, if you haven’t already started to do so.  Heart disease is the leading cause of death of both men and women in the United States.  Regardless of your age or gender, now is the time to think about the “rest of your life”.   The America Heart Association recommends that you know your cholesterol and triglyceride numbers as well as you know your shoe size or 401(k) balance.  It’s wise to watch your calorie intake, and try to stay with the six food groups recommended by the USDA and American Heart Association.

The best Valentine gift that I’ve ever received was having my husband still here with me.  One day last May, he began having chest pains and shortness of breath.  A trip to the emergency room revealed that his cardiac enzyme levels were extremely high.  An ambulance journey to a larger hospital and cardiac cath lab indicated that he had 95%, 90%, 60% and 40% blockage in arteries to his heart.  He had successful open-heart surgery with four bypasses.  After weeks of cardiac rehab therapy, he is back on the golf course, and ready to start a new garden this spring!  It was very lucky that he had this warning, which averted a possible heart attack and/or heart damage.

Cardiovascular disease of the heart and blood vessels develops over time (beginning in childhood), and occurs when arteries develop atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque inside them.  This buildup reduces blood flow in arteries.  When plaque becomes fragile and ruptures, blood clots can form.  If arteries to the heart or brain are blocked, heart attack or stroke can be the result.

Controlling cholesterol and triglyceride levels can save lives.  By choosing healthier diets and developing a regular exercise routine, you can be on the road to better heart health.  Know your family history, reduce stress in your work/home, if you smoke-STOP, don’t consume too much alcohol, and have your blood pressure checked regularly.  If you are overweight, try to find a healthy way to lose weight.  Regular checkups are the key to maintaining good health.

If you or someone you are with complains of chest discomfort, squeezing or tightness in the chest, aching in the back, neck, jaw, stomach, call 911.  Other signs of heart problems are being sweaty, clammy, or chalky.  Many people have been brought into emergency rooms thinking they had a case of indigestion, later to discover they are having a heart attack.  It is better to be safe than sorry.

There are many resources that can help you with planning proper nutrition, exercise, and all the necessary information to help your heart health.  Now is the time to take action by making lifestyle changes if necessary.  It will be worth it in the long run.  Remember to “Love your heart!”

Uncategorized

Protecting Your Eyes

Your eyes are vulnerable and easily damaged. OSHA requires employers to supply face and eye protection to workers. However, it’s ultimately up to the employee to choose to wear protective eye equipment.

An insane but apparently common misconception is that contact lenses offer adequate eye protection. This idea could not be more wrong. Contact lenses offer no protection from common workplace hazards and many times can actually make things worse.

For example, a hot spark could land on your contact lens and melt it onto your eyeball.

If you wear contacts, you need to wear safety glasses for additional eye protection, too. If you wear glasses you need to either have prescription safety glasses that meet ANSI standards or wear over-sized safety glasses over your regular glasses. If you wear over-sized safety glasses over your regular glasses they need to fit right so you can still see.

Safety Skills can help you learn about safety requirements with our online safety training programs.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

FACTS ABOUT DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE IN THE WORKPLACE

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In an earlier installment on our website, we talked about ways to recognize and do something about coworkers that have problems with alcohol and drugs.  Here are some of the staggering facts:
In the United States:

  • One out of every 10 people has an alcohol problem;
  • There are more than 50 million binge drinkers;
  • There are 17 million illegal drug users;
  • Almost 15 million people  who abuse prescription drugs are out there;
  • Approximately 68% of illegal drug users are employed either full-time or part-time. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
  • Between 10% and 20% of our nation’s workers who die on the job test positive for alcohol or other drugs. (OSHA)

Do you know or work with someone who would be included in the above figures?  Persons who have a problem with drugs or alcohol are costly to employers, because of being less productive.  They are likely to hurt themselves or someone else.  They normally miss more work days, file more worker’s compensation claims, or damage equipment by making errors in judgment.

If you know someone who might have a problem with drugs or alcohol, you will hurt them more by ignoring their problem, doing their job, lending them money, or covering up for them.  Don’t enable them.  Most companies have Employee Assistance Programs, ensuring that their employees can get treatment without penalty.  If they have a serious addiction problem, they should be encouraged to get help.  After successful therapy, everyone wins in this situation: the employee, the company, and the coworkers!

There also should be policies against drug use in the workplace, with firm consequences for violations.  If appropriate, drug testing should be utilized.  If your company doesn’t have a program of this type, work with your security office or employee association to set up an anonymous hotline for reporting drug trafficking on the job.

OSHA works with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Partners for An Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace program to help employers ensure their health and safety plans are enhanced through workplace drug prevention.

www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

LOCKOUT TAGOUT FACTS

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Around three million workers in this country have jobs to repair or service equipment or machinery. According to OSHA, the number of lockout/tagout fatalities each year range between 150 and 200. The number of lockout/tagout accidents per year average 60,000.  The best way to avoid an accident is to shut off power, lock out energy, release stored energy and double-check.

Lockout is the preferred method of isolating machines or equipment from the release of energy sources. These sources can be mechanical motion, motion due to pressure, gravity, springs that are under tension or compression, electrical, or thermal (high or low temperatures).

All equipment must be locked or tagged out to protect against accidental or inadvertent operation when such operation could cause injury to personnel. Persons must not attempt to operate any switch, valve, or other energy-isolating device when it is locked or tagged out.  OSHA standards require that a designated person turns off and disconnects machinery/ equipment from its energy source before the service/maintenance is performed.  To prevent unauthorized persons from reactivating the flow of energy, the point of control must be secured by locks, tags, and/or posting a qualified person, or a combination of all three.

Listed below are types of businesses that are not covered under these standards, but are covered under other standards:

  • Construction, agriculture and maritime equipment
  • Electric utilities
  • Oil and gas well drilling and servicing
  • Work on cord and plug connected equipment that is unplugged and under control of         employee, and
  • Gas steam, water or petroleum hot tap operations under certain circumstances.

Almost 95 percent of all lockout/tagout citations involve not having a formal Energy Control Program in place. Lockout/tagout remains near the top of the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration’s (OSHA) list of most frequently violated standards. Injuries and citations could be reduced by properly training all employees on lockout/tagout procedures.
OSHA, NIOSH

Uncategorized

SPEEDING CAN BE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH

Is compromising your safety and the safety of others worth the minutes you’ll save by speeding to arrive at your destination?  Exceeding the posted speed limit (or driving too fast for conditions) is a factor in almost one-third of all fatal crashes.  Speeding-related fatalities are not always related to interstate travel.  Only 14 per cent of speeding-related fatalities occur on interstate highways.  While speeding, the driver is unable to have enough response time to avoid a crash, has an increased likelihood of crashing, and an increased severity of the crash once it occurs.  Other distractions while driving that play a roll in accidents are:

  • Talking on cell phone
  • Reading
  • Texting
  • Emotional agitation
  • Alcohol, Drugs

Neighborhood speeding is another problem that often has to be controlled by interested citizens who get their local law enforcement agencies to establish stricter speed enforcement to protect children, pedestrians, bicyclers and other motorists.  Speed bumps have been found to be a good way to slow drivers down in neighborhoods, as well as a friendly cop parked close by with his radar gun!

Speed Awareness Radar Trailers are another way to alert drivers if they are going too fast, as their speed is displayed on a board as they pass by.  Another theory is that driving too slowly on higher speed limit highways can be as dangerous as driving too fast.  We all need to be aware and alert of what is going around us at all times.

You have probably been traveling down the road, to be passed by someone in a great hurry to get wherever he’s going, darting in and out of traffic, but when you arrive in the next town, there he is, sitting at the first traffic light!  Most of the time, if we just observe the speed limit, we will get there safely.  What was that story about the tortoise and hare?  Slow down, save a life!

Sources:
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
State Farm Insurance