Category Archives: Uncategorized

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

PROTECTING YOUR KNEES

Did you know that your knee is the largest joint in your body?  It can also be a joint with much pain, when it is aggravated through an on-the-job injury, sports/recreational activities, age, osteoporosis or arthritis.  The knee is connected to the tibia and fibula (lower leg bones) and the femur (upper leg bone) by ligaments, tendons, and muscles, which very often become sprained or strained.
Whether you engage in sports, landscaping, or many other industrial occupations, which cause strains on your knees, there are ways to prevent some knee injuries:

  • Wear protective equipment,knee pads, shin guards, etc.
  • Always warm up and cool down
  • Weightlifting strengthens muscles
  • Stretching helps
  • Braces, rest, and/or physical therapy relieve stress on knees
  • Avoid prolonged, repeated pressure on knees
  • Do not twist your body

Our knees are a very important yet complicated part of our anatomy.   In order to keep going as long as possible, we need to take care of them, beginning at a very young age.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

How Stressed Are You?

We all have to deal with a little stress, some of us, more than others.  Sometimes stress can be a good thing- it can enhance your productivity.  However, too much stress can create or worsen physical and emotional problems.  Try to manage your stress levels through a healthy lifestyle and simple tension-reducing activities.

See if this will help in your every day life:

  • Exercise regularly; aim for 30 minutes every day.
  • Eat right.  Protein-containing foods and those that contain Vitamins A, B, and C protect us from stress.
  • Develop a positive attitude.
  • Manage time efficiently.
  • Talk things out; don’t hold feelings in.
  • Understand that every crisis gives you an occasion to grow and learn.
  • Get sufficient sleep.
  • Have a support network of people you can count on for help.
  • Stretch away tension; there are stretching exercises that can be done at your desk.
General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

How Do You Communicate Safety Issues To Your Employees?

Posters play a vital role in serving as safety and health reminders in the workplace.  There is a  huge variety of posters, and it’s easy to find the ones that fit your special type of operation.  Some posters are mandated, such as Federal and State OSHA health and safety posters.  Information on employer obligations and employee rights pertaining to health and safety should also be displayed.

PPE Poster

Tips for successful posters:

  • Choose safety posters that employees will notice.  Often employees will overlook standard safety posters.
  • Keep information updated regularly with current data and ideas on how to keep the workplace safe.
  • Switch posters around in different locations in order for more employees to view them.
  • Health information is important.  For those who do strenuous types of work, choose posters that help avoid physical discomfort.  For those who work in offices with little physical activity, posters with information on healthy eating, posture, and exercise can be helpful.
  • Select posters that are specific to your particular type of industry.
  • Consider purchasing frames to make the posters look more professional and last longer.
Head Protection, Uncategorized

CHAINSAW SAFETY

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For workers involved in tree removal, logging, or trimming trees at home, the chainsaw can be one of the most effective and productive tools used; however, it can also be one of the most dangerous.
Employers must train their workers to safely perform hazardous tasks through work practices on controlling such hazards.  They need to know how to safely operate, use and maintain tools and machines that they utilize daily.

Personal Protective Equipment is also needed to ensure safety while using chainsaws:

  • Helmet/ Hardhat
  • Faceguard/ Safety Glasses, Goggles
  • Earplugs, Earmuffs
  • Leg protection
  • Safety Boots
Home Safety Products, Uncategorized, Weather Protection

SUMMERTIME AND THE SUN

Maybe because it’s so hot, we just can’t seem to say enough to warn everyone about the harmful effects of the sun!  Too many Americans don’t protect themselves from the sun’s damaging rays, according to the Center for Disease Control, (1998), even though they are aware that the burns from the sun increase their risk of skin cancer.

Many people who have been diagnosed with basal cell cancer, squamos cell cancer or melanoma, have been told by their dermatologists that sunburn during their childhood is likely a major factor that may have caused their problem as adults.  Children must be protected from sunburn, beginning at an early age.

The American Academy of Dermatology has established the Shadow Rule: No Shadow – SEEK SHADE.  If your shade is shorter than you are, the sun is at its highest intensity.

For those who must work or play outdoors, wear wide brim hats, hard hats w/sunshields, sunglasses, long sleeves, and use sunscreen that has a minimum of 15 SPF.  Reflective surfaces such as water and sand can add to the burning effects of the sun.  So play it safe, stay out of the sun as much as possible.  (And hope for an early Fall!)

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

Working with Power Tools?

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When using power tools, the proper personal protective equipment should always be worn.

These tools are classified by their source of power: electric, pneumatic, liquid fuel, hydraulic and powder-actuated.
Safety tips when using the types of tools listed are:

  • Electric – Electric shock is the most hazardous threat, and proper grounding is extremely important. Wear gloves and safety footwear when using electric tools.
  • Pneumatic – Powered by compressed air, i.e., drills, hammers, sanders, require that eye, head and face protection be used.   When operating jackhammers, safety glasses, shoes, face shields and hearing protection from noise are necessary.
  • Liquid Fuel – Usually powered by gasoline, which sometimes creates vapors that can explode or burn.  If using this type of equipment in inside areas, respirators should be worn.
  • Powder-Actuated – These tools operate like a loaded gun, and should be operated only by specially trained persons.  Face, ear and eye protection need to be worn.
  • Hydraulic – Fire-resistant fluids must be used to run this equipment, with the exception of insulated sections of derrick trucks, aerial lifts and tools used on or around energized lines.  Jacks, lever and ratchet jacks, screw jacks and hydraulic jacks should be properly inspected before use and immediately after.  Appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn.
First Aid Safety, Uncategorized

IF YOU DON’T KNOW CPR, LEARN!

According to a study done by the University of Washington and Mickey Eisenberg, M.D., approximately 166,000 lives each year are lost (or 455 people per day), due to sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in adults, most by persons with underlying heart disease.  In this instance, the heart goes from a normal heartbeat to a trembling rhythm called ventricular fibrillation, which happens in about 2/3 of cardiac arrests.  VF can be fatal, without defibrillation (electric shock) being given.   CPR doesn’t stop VF, but it extends the time in which defibrillation can be effective, and provides a small amount of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart, keeping these organs alive until defibrillation can shock the heart into a normal rhythm. A person has a 40% chance of survival if CPR is started within 4 minutes of collapse and defibrillation provided within 10 minutes.
Interesting facts regarding CPR:

  • Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was developed in the late 1950’s and 1960’s.  About the same time, chest compression was found also to benefit circulation.  Later in 1960, chest compression and mouth-to-mouth were combined to form CPR almost as it is practiced today.
  • Typical victims of cardiac arrest are women in their late 60’s and men in their early 60’s, occurring almost twice as often in men than women.
  • There has never been a case of HIV transmitted by mouth-to-mouth CPR.  However, TASCO has CPR microshield kits available with one-way ventilation tubes and shields for protection if the victim has blood on their face, resulting from an accident.
  • Never underestimate the importance of knowing CPR.  With proper training, you may be able to save a life someday!  If your workplace doesn’t have CPR training, find a training program and sign up for a course.

Source:  Mickey Eisenberg, M.D.
University of Washington
“Learn CPR-You Can Do It!”
CPR Shields

CPR can save lives, if it is done properly. However, many people don’t know how to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) properly and even if you do, it can be dangerous for you. If there has been a car accident or other catastrophe and someone needs CPR but they have blood on their mouth or face, in this day in age, you need to be protected against diseases yourself. Microshields are the best way to keep from accidental contamination from occurring. A CPR microshield covers the mouth of the victim and has a valve for air to pass from the giver to the receiver. The valve only opens when the rescuer breathes out and closes when the rescuer finishes giving the breath. The masks even have a breathing tube that ensures an open airway.
These shields are important for everyone to have so they even have holders with a keychain attachment so you always know where your shields are in an emergency. You can even get them with a pair of high risk latex gloves for further protection.