Tag Archives: first aid

Ergonomics, Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

HOW PHYSICALLY FIT ARE YOUR EMPLOYEES?

It’s never too late for us to focus on developing and maintaining a fit and healthy workforce.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, regular physical activity can help control body weight, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, improve brain function and moods, and strengthen bones and muscles.  Unless you work at a gym, are an athlete, or serve in the military, chances are some of your workforce is not as physically fit as others. 

So, what are you doing about it?  Depending on the size of the company, there are many things that can help employees become and remain stronger and healthier.  Luckily, in my experience working at a hospital, there were many services offered to the employees; things such as annual health fairs for employees and the public for various screenings, including cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose checks, and other health risk assessments.  There was also a cardiac center, where employees could use the equipment during times that patients were not present.  Our registered dietician conducted healthy food classes for employees, as well as patients that had experienced heart problems. 

If you are considering establishing a fitness program for your employees, first of all, you should conduct a survey to see how many are interested in participating.  Next, select a wellness committee to assume various duties, such as furnishing healthy snacks, and contacting outside health care personnel to present workshops.  You may already have an employee that is certified to teach First Aid Classes and C.P.R.  Search within your company to see which personnel can assume leadership roles by making it fun for all participants. 

Yoga, even 10-minute breaks at the workplace, can help a person escape from the stress of work.  Stress management “coaches” can teach techniques to relax and decompress from the strains both at work and home.  

Other ways to help your employees become more active, especially those whose jobs are sitting at a desk all day, are encouraging them to walk to discuss something with a coworker, rather than using email; take the stairs rather than elevator, and stand while talking on the phone.  Workers can get more exercise also by parking farther away from the building, getting off the bus earlier than the regular stop, and participating on a company sports team.  Get a group of workers together to take a lunch walk. 

Does your company encourage smoking cessation?  If not, this is a good time to start.  How about having contests between departments to bring healthy snacks every once in a while, rather than cookies, cakes, and all the good stuff?  Things such as fruit, nuts, cereals, yogurt, healthy muffins, and vegetables are much better for us all.  See which group comes up with the best ideas.

Workplace safety is a very important aspect of success in every workplace.  Does your workforce know what to do in case of an emergency?  Are there eyewash stations, and first aid supplies within the range of areas where they may be needed?  If not, now’s the time to get started on encouraging cooperation among workers to get healthy and stay that way, and be prepared in case of an emergency.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

TEN RULES TO AVOID DOMESTIC ACCIDENTS – GUEST POST

10 Rules to Avoid Domestic Accidents

Domestic accidents are an integral part of our lives and one cannot ignore them completely. Especially when you have small children in your house and a lot of clutter as well, you must expect some form of contingencies in your house. The best way to prevent such accidents is to exercise caution where you can. Many times, adults too fall victim to domestic accidents. Besides implementing appropriate steps to avoid such accidents, also maintain a complete first aid box to provide immediate medical attention to the person.

In this article we will tell you 10 rules to avoid domestic accidents so your loved ones are safe:

1. Avoid Too Much Clutter at Home

The more your house is cluttered, the greater are the chances that anyone could face contingencies. This happens because things are not organized and are thus placed at the wrong places. For example, scissors on your bed or over your sofa can be equally dangerous for both children and adults.

2. Keep Dangerous Items Out Of Reach of Children

Dangerous items include sharp items, glass items, cleaners, chemicals, blades, sharp tools, match boxes etc. Children are not aware of the consequences of the wrong use of these items and your absence can be very dangerous.

3. Keep the Garage Closed At All Times

Garages should be kept closed at all times of the day when no one’s around since it has equipment, tools, flammable liquid and maybe chemicals that can be dangerous for any one including adults who do not know the correct usage of such things.

4. Ensure the Pool Area Is Fenced

This is really important when you have small children in your house. Install fences so that even if your child strolls around, there is no danger of him/her drowning in the pool.

5. Keep Away Sharp Objects in the Kitchen Out Of Reach

Children make their way inside kitchens very easily and you cannot shun them always, instead keep away sharp objects away and do not leave them on counter-tops and tables.

6. Never Let Your Children Come Near the Gas Oven or Hold Knobs

Gas ovens alone account for a high number of domestic accidents. Keep your child away from gas ovens and gas knobs. Tell them it’s very dangerous right away so they do not come into contact with them even if you are away.

7. Keep Glass Bottles, Frames and Mirrors at Safe Places

Take off even slightly scratched glass from your coffee table, dining table, picture frames etc. These can be equally dangerous for both adults and children.

8. Arrange Your Glass Furniture and Decoration Pieces Wisely

Arrange glass furniture and decoration pieces wisely as anyone might knock over them. Avoid placing heavy glass at low levels in smaller settings.

9. Do Not Leave Your Children Alone In Bathrooms

Children love playing with water and everyone else does too, but doing so in a bathtub in the bathroom can be fatal as well!

10. Keep Your Store Room Locked Away

Store rooms are hardly ever very clean and organized. Mostly, people keep them full of old furniture, and things that can be potentially harmful in storerooms. A storeroom full of such items is surely a great threat for anyone.

 

Andrew works in the healthcare industry distributing daily living aids and bathroom aids. As part of his job, Andrew has gained experience on the risk of domestic accidents and how to avoid then.  (We at Blog4Safety appreciate Andrew’s advice on avoiding accidents in our homes. 

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

TOP TEN SAFETY APPS – Guest Blog

Guest Blog – Jesse Harwell is today’s guest author.  We know you will enjoy reading about ways to stay safe, and can benefit from this safety advise.  With these types of safety apps, how much “smarter” can our cell phones get?

Top 10 Safety Apps

There are a number of smartphone apps on the market designed to keep you and your family safe in emergency situations. They cover everything from safe driving and emergency alerts to first aid instructions. Here are the top ten safety apps.

1. Life 360 – Android (Free)

This app is the perfect tool for families in an emergency situation. It has a number of features vital in any disaster situation, such as GPS tracking on family members’ phones, disaster planning tips, communication tools, neighborhood maps of safety points.

2. MyMotolingo – Windows phones ($5/month)

This app is good for parents of teen drivers or spouses of drivers with road rage. It monitors all driver distractions, such as text messages and phone calls, and provides a report of phone activity. It also logs aggressive acceleration, speeding, trip length, and time that can be provided in email reports or tweets. Make sure your loved ones are keeping themselves safe on the road.

3. Playsafe – iPhone ($0.99)

Another factor that distracts drivers is playing and changing music on a mobile device. It makes the iPhone screen into a large button to play and pause music. A simple sideways swipe on the screen changes the track.

4. Silent Bodyguard – iPhone ($3.99)

This app acts like a silent panic button. Press it and the system will send e-mails, texts and social media messages with your location every 60 seconds to everyone on your emergency contact list. Best of all, it’s silent in case you’re in a situation when you wouldn’t want your attacker to know you’ve called for help.

5. Safety NET – Android ($3.99)

If you have loved ones who have medical issues, you might want to have them install this app. It uses a smartphone’s built-in accelerometer to monitor for falls, collisions, or shakes and immediately alerts all the contacts listed in the user’s “Safety Net.” If you accidentally drop your phone or don’t need help, you are also given 15 seconds to cancel the alert.

6. Pocket First Aid & CPR – iPhone, Android ($1.99) 

This app comes from the American Heart Association and provides basic instructions for performing first aid and CPR for adults, children, and infants. This should not be a substitute for complete first aid and CPR training, but it could save a life in an emergency. It also has several videos and illustrations to help you perform first aid and CPR correctly.

7. Emergency Radio – iPhone ($1.99) 

If you’re in an emergency situation without access to power, this app allows you to listen in on radio frequencies from first responders, such as the police, fire department, coast guard, as well as weather stations and air traffic control frequencies. It is currently available for major cities in the U.S., as well as a few around the world like London, Toronto, and Sydney.

8. ICE – iPhone ($0.99)

ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. This app allows first responders and emergency personnel to find your emergency contacts, medical information, and allergies all in one place.

9. Help Me! –Android (Free)

This app provides personal information such as blood type, medical conditions, allergies, and an emergency call button. When the app is open, the screensaver is disabled so that anyone helping you can see the information at all times.

10. Personal Safety – Android ($1.99)

This app provides lots of information to keep you and your family safe. It alerts you of high-crime neighborhoods, severe weather, allergens, air quality, and speed limits wherever you are.

Jesse Harwell is a former private investigator who now owns and manages the site  Master of Homeland Security. It is a resource for students looking to earn a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security.

Wow!  What great information, thank you so much, Jesse!  This is good advice to assist everyone, as we never know when an emergency will happen.  Please pass this on to your family and friends.  Go to Jesse’s website for more ways to stay safe!

 

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

A TIME TO REMEMBER; A TIME TO PREPARE

September is National Preparedness Month and this year’s theme is “A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare.”  Sunday, September 11, was a very sad day, a reminder of the tragedy caused by terrorists who cold-heartedly took the lives of thousands of hard-working people.  It certainly was an event we will always remember with compassion.  This year’s theme of National Preparedness Month not only asks us to remember, but be prepared. 

Editor’s Note: I found this article, written by John Mintz, published in the Washington Post, July 29, 2004, regarding Family Emergency Preparedness.  As you continue, bear in mind the date this was written, and see if you don’t agree that public apathy toward being prepared continues today?

Are you prepared?

If you’re not prepared, which one of the following categories – defined by the American Red Cross – fits you?

  • Head scratcher – Doesn’t know where to find preparedness advice
  • Head in the sand – Believes preparation is unimportant
  • Head in the clouds – Mistakenly believes they are ready
  • Headset crowd – Too busy and can’t find time to prepare
  • Heady unawareness – People who “simply haven’t thought about preparedness”

Planning for your basic needs

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, www.dhs.gov  or www.ready.gov  lists six general categories of readiness for disaster. Begin your planning with:

  • Water and food
  • Portable kit
  • Supply checklists
  • Special needs items
  • Safe Indoor Air

To get preparedness information locally, pick up planning guides at local fire stations or American Red Cross.

The percentage of Americans who have created an emergency plan for a terrorist attack has dropped in the last year, along with the proportion of Americans who believe terrorists may strike near their home or workplace, according to two new studies released July 20, 2004.

Civil preparedness experts said these and other numbers are going in precisely the wrong direction, with U.S. authorities warning that al-Qaeda is determined to strike the United States this fall (2004) . The information was released at a conference at George Washington University.

“We need to narrow the universe of the unprepared, of those we need to worry about in a catastrophic situation, and it is not going to be easy,” Red Cross President Marsha Evans said in a speech outlining her group’s survey on emergency preparedness. “Every one of those unprepared Americans is a potential barrier to the effectiveness of our response to any disaster.”

The Red Cross survey, conducted last month by Wirthlin Worldwide, found that the percentage of Americans who have created a family emergency plan on where to meet after a terror strike has dropped from 40 percent in August 2003 to 32 percent today (2004).

The percentage of people who expressed concern that terrorists might strike near their home or workplace has declined more dramatically, from 71 percent immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to about half today, according to a separate poll also released July 20 by the non-profit Council for Excellence in Government.

Preparedness specialists believe that the number of people readying themselves for the aftermath of a terrorist attack has dropped as time has passed since the Sept. 11 strike without another attack on the United States.

U.S. officials and counter-terrorism specialists say encouraging Americans to stockpile supplies for an attack, prepare themselves emotionally and take action to ready their families is vital to both self-protection and bouncing back from any strike that does occur.The Red Cross poll also found that the percentage of people who had assembled home emergency kits remained stable between 2003 and this year (2004), at 42 percent. But only one in 10 families have taken all three steps considered crucial for preparation: creating emergency kits and family plans for reuniting after a disaster, as well as getting training in first aid, the Red Cross study said.

Some public-relations experts said stepped-up marketing efforts for such citizen involvement could ingrain terror preparedness into the popular consciousness just as the ad campaigns to buckle seatbelts in the 1980s had children reminding their parents to secure their safety restraints. Those ads are credited with increasing seatbelt use from 10 percent in 1981 to 79 percent in 2003.

 A recent poll (2004), found that about 90% of Americans doubt that they would leave their homes during a terrorist attack, even if asked by government officials to do so.

Do you think these figures are the same, better, or worse today?  Where do you stand?

General Safety Issues, Health Issues, Weather Protection

HEAT STRESS SAFETY – PART II

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Even though OSHA does not have a specific standard for heat stress, employees are protected under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act because heat-related illnesses are a serious hazard.  The General Duty Clause states that employers are required to “provide a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its employees.”  Persons who work either outdoors, or indoors in hot buildings, seem to have accidents more often than in moderate temperatures.    If a person becomes overheated, the effect may be mental confusion, tiredness, and irritability.  These conditions can result in poor judgment and unsafe practices. 

Yesterdays’ installment discussed the causes of heat-related illness and symptoms to watch for.  These are ways that employers can protect their employees:

  • Train all employees to know the signs and symptoms and how to respond;
  • Schedule the hardest work during the coolest part of the day;
  • Encourage the buddy system; (working in pairs)
  • Furnish cool water and ask employees to drink one cup every 15 to 20 minutes; also encourage them to wear light-colored, loosing fitting clothing;
  • Reduce radiant heat by placing shields around hot machines or furnaces;
  • Discourage employees from eating large meals or consuming caffeine before and during work in hot environments;
  • Increase the amount of insulation on furnace walls;
  • Open windows and doors;
  • Use exhaust ventilators or air blowers;
  • Lower humidity levels by installing exhaust hoods over areas that release moisture; and
  • Provide tools and equipment that reduce physical demands on employees. 

Here are several ways to treat victims of heat exhaustion:

  • Provide cool water to drink;
  • Move them to a cool, shaded area;
  • Fan the person;
  • Cool the skin with a wet cloth;
  • Loosen and remove heavy clothing;
  • If he/she is dizzy, lay victim on his/her back and raise their legs 6” to 8”.
  • If she/he is nauseated, lay victim on his/her side.
  • Stay with the victim.
  • Call for emergency help if the victim doesn’t feel better in a short time.  If heat exhaustion is not treated, the illness may advance to heat stroke, the most serious heat-related illness.  Signs of a heat stroke are:
  • Dry pale skin (no sweating);
  • Hot red skin;
  • Mood change, (confused, irritable)
  • Collapse/unconsciousness;
  • Seizures, fits. 

Prompt first aid for someone suffering the symptoms of heat stroke should include the same first aid for heat exhaustion, plus:  Call for emergency help; lay victim on his/her back unless he/she is unconscious; remove any objects close by if victim has a seizure; provide cool water to drink if conscious; and place ice packs under armpits and in the groin area. 

Employees are at increased risk for heat-related illness when they:

  • Are dehydrated or fatigued.
  • Use improper work methods;
  • Have infrequent exposure to hot temperatures and high humidity;
  • Are over the age of 40;
  • Use certain medications (antihistamines, diuretics, and some tranquilizers)
  • Are in poor physical condition or overweight;
  • Have used drugs/alcohol within the past 24 hours prior to working in the heat;
  • Have heat rash or sunburn;
  • Have had prior heat-related illnesses;
  • Wear too much or restrictive clothing. 

If you happen to have a heat-related incident or if a co-worker experiences any of the symptoms we have described, this knowledge is invaluable.  For those supervisors who are fortunate to work in an air-conditioned atmosphere, do all you can to keep your employees as safe and comfortable as possible.  In a building, large fans will at least circulate the air. 

Source: OSHA, Texas Department of Insurance

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

HERE’S THE BUZZ ON THOSE SUMMER PESTS!

Well, we’re here in the latter part of July, and still have lots of warm days ahead of us before there’s relief from the heat and those little critters that make summer oh, so much fun!  If you work outdoors or plan any kind of outside recreation, it’s important to be prepared before the mosquitoes land to do their vampire act on you.  

In addition to mosquitoes, bees and wasps are always unwelcome guests at your picnic table. Their beverage of choice is any sugary drink that is left unopened; be aware that they might just crawl right inside the soda can and be waiting for an unsuspecting person to pick it up and take a drink.  Bees are attracted to bright colors, too.  Wear light colors and don’t load up on perfume, as they are infatuated by the latest fragrances, too.  

Mosquitoes use standing water as a breeding ground, so be sure to check out any containers that collect water at least once a week.  Many bug repellents work longer if they contain high concentrations of their formulas.  

Don’t get ticked off this summer!  If you are in tall grass, and wildflower areas, you may attract ticks.  They just might latch onto your dog, too.   It’s best to spray your clothes with an insect repellent before you take that hike. Ticks have been known to carry Lyme Disease, so be sure to remove them from yourself or your dog, using disposable gloves.  Be sure to have a flea/tick collar on your animals this summer.  Chiggers are small little pests that can really make your skin itch, but repellents should take care of them, as well. 

Always keep a first aid kit  handy in case of bites and stings, and be sure you have some Benadryl in case of an allergic reaction.  There are many types of personal protection towelettes that help protect you.   Remember to use lots of sunscreen, wear a hat, and sunglasses that block out UV rays.    It helps if you know what poison ivy, sumac, and oak look like, so you can avoid them. 

Even though it may seem trivial, these tiny insects and poisonous plants can make you miserable.  Take the necessary precautions to avoid them.

General Safety Issues

REMOVING ROAD DEBRIS IS A HAZARDOUS JOB

Do you ever wonder who picks up the trash along the highways?  There are many thoughtless travelers that toss out items too numerous to mention.  Because of litterbugs, unsecured items being transported, or accidents, our roads become unpleasant to look at, and dangerous, as well.  We owe a debt of thanks to those whose job it is to clean them up.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, each state should have a program that provides for rapid, orderly, and safe removal from roadways wreckage, spillage, and debris from accidents.  State Highway Department maintenance workers are available day or night to flag motorists, operate equipment, drive trucks, and remove litter and debris in the event of an accident.

Volunteers in the Adopt-A-Highway, and other programs, do their fair share of maintaining the shoulders of the roads.  Contractors and prison labor also furnish workers that assist in this effort, as well.  Persons who undertake these jobs should have full knowledge of the risks involved and take safety measures.  They should wear personal protective equipment such as work gloves, boots, high visibility vests, hardhats,  and safety glasses.  Their training should include knowledge of biological hazards, which things may be recycled, and how to use good lifting techniques.   Their work area should have signs posted along the road, as well as safety cones in place.   A communication system must be used between the workers, and first aid kits should be available.  Whether they are paid or volunteer workers, they possibly could come in contact with snakes, poison ivy, insects, as well as contending with traffic passing close by.

According to an Eagle-Tribune (N.Andover, Maine) newspaper article, back in 2007, an artist from Florida created a sculpture made from plastic buckets, traffic barricades, sheet metal, pieces of pipe, and other debris from roadways to offer this opinion, “road debris is dangerous, and it’s everywhere.”  What a unique way to send this important message.

We Texans have had the theme “Don’t Mess With Texas,” for years; unfortunately, some do anyway.  Let’s all do our part to keep the highways safe and litter-free.

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.