Tag Archives: fun

General Safety Issues

HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY WEEKEND!

There will be many travelers over the Easter Holiday weekend, and we want to wish them safe adventures wherever they go.  Sunrise Services will be observed throughout the world, and for those wishing to attend, allow time to arrive safely, due to the early hours these observances are held.  Many families will gather in their church of choice for the true reason we celebrate Easter, the miracle of Christ’s resurrection. 

Happy memories of  Easter Egg hunts come to mind for this grandmother.  The fun of watching my children and grandchildren hunt through the grass and yard for those colorful treasures was so much fun; however, it also reminds me of how hard it was for me to find those things!  My best friend would always have to share hers with me, because I usually came up with nothing!  (These were the hunts we had at school.) Thanks, Mackie!

If you are fortunate to get to spend time with family and friends during this long weekend, enjoy every minute of it.  If you find yourself spending time on a short trip, enjoy that, too.  Life is too short to waste on worries, instead, live every day as though it were your last. 

From all the folks at Texas America Safety Company, and Blog4Safety – Have a safe and happy Easter holiday.  pb

 

General Safety Issues

DOES YOUR WORKPLACE SAFETY LEADERSHIP NEED AN “ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT?”

Or is it you?  Every business has or should have safety leaders.  Selected employees make up a safety committee.  This is sometimes a group of persons who would rather be anywhere instead of a safety meeting.  It is up to the leader to make this assignment a fun and interesting task, rather than a boring gathering. 

When businesses have a safety leader that is certified in CPR training, and many other facets of safety, one who conducts regular safety drills, this leader is truly interested in getting out the message that the workplace must be safe for all workers.  Safety leadership and employee interaction equal success in employee safety.  Inspired leaders can take the company unit or team to the next level of performance.  It is important that department managers or assigned employees share responsibilities and answer to their safety manager. 

According to the National Safety Council, 25 per cent of all emergency room visits can be avoided if someone knows basic first aid and CPR; 13 per cent of workplace deaths are from sudden cardiac arrests, and for every $1 invested in first aid training and wellness programs, health care costs may be reduced by $3.84 and lower absenteeism costs by $5.82.  Having these skills may enable an employee to save a co-worker’s life. 

Businesses must plan and train for emergencies, regardless if it is a natural disaster, criminal act, fire, or other life-threatening event.  Have your plan in place; your employees should be included in the planning phase, and the entire workforce should know the plan, where exits are, where to report if possible, and other actions they should take.  Having random fire drills and emergency situation drills can play a part in the success of being prepared.  Ensuring that your leader and your employees are on the same page will promote a positive reaction.  

Professional safety leaders are educated in every facet of workplace safety; some in specialized fields.  They know how to train workers to keep the workplace safe, and  make it more of a challenge for workers.  

Suggestion: A safety leader could get permission from the administration and employees to make a training video, featuring the employees performing their every day responsibilities.  It is amusing how persons show more interest when they see how they function in the workplace.  Humor could be added to make it even more fun. (Maybe a “staged” accident!) 

Never take  safety responsibilities for granted; your leaders should instill a positive attitude and make each worker proud to do their part in keeping their Number One priority, going home from work safe every day.

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

FIVE BENEFITS OF LAUGHTER AT HOME AND/OR WORK (GUEST POST)

Laughter and humor are far more contagious than any other things like cough or sniffle. It is the only effective weapon of human race. When laughter is shared, it connects you to others, inspires hopes and brings in confidence and intimacy. Laughter makes the environment around us much more pleasant. We can even use laughter to make our work day great. Although we need to be serious at our workplace, it is also essential to incorporate laughter and humor in your day-to-day routine. The great news is laughter can come in handy and is a priceless medicine to use at a workplace.  Here are the five great health benefits of laughter at home and workplace.

1.  Laughter helps to overcome challenges at workplace and your life

The ability to laugh and enjoy not only makes life more pleasurable but also helps you to handle tough situations and be more creative. People who use laughter in their daily lives discover that it strengthens their relationships.

You may have to face challenges in life and when you take those problems too seriously, it can be difficult for you to think outside the box and fix the problem. But when you handle the problem with fun, you certainly accept it as an opportunity for creative learning.

Just observe how children play with problems. When they are scared about any problem , they treat it as a game, and experiment it with different solutions. Using fun to interact with others helps you to develop this creativity.

Of course, laughter must have some limits. One must be more careful about what they speak or have fun so as not to hurt others in anyway. Crack a joke with your co-workers on your break or if you have a funny idea, pass it along to your seniors. Studies have reported that companies that allowed fun and enjoyment at work observed its employees to be more productive and motivated.

2.  Laughter is an effective medicine for mind and body

Laughter is an effective medicine that works faster than anything to bring down stress, pain and conflict. It reduces your sorrows, builds confidence, binds you with others and keeps you firm and active. It has tremendous physiological effects on your body.

  •  A good hearty laugh boosts immunity by reducing the release of stress hormones. It helps in keeping your muscles relaxed for up to an hour after.
  •  Laughter causes the production of endomorphins which are necessary to keep you happy.
  •  Laughter improves blood circulation thus protecting you from several heart disorders.
  •  It helps you in discharging all the air in your lungs that carries more carbon dioxide and moisture.
  •  It enhances teamwork among employees.
  •  It helps us to be more creative and explore the world in a different way.

3.  Social benefits of laughter

Laughter brings people together by fostering positive feelings and triggering emotional connection. When we share laughing, a positive bond is established. This bond helps you to overcome stress, disagreements and anxiety.

Sharing laughter is more effective than doing it alone. It is a great tool for making relationships strong and lasting forever. Laughter brings in emotional balance. Incorporating laughter and fun in your day-to-day tasks can improve the connections with your colleagues, family members and friends. Spice up your life with laughter, it does great wonders:

  •  It helps you to solve problems very easily.
  •  Laughter helps you get out of confusions, arguments and criticism.
  •  It takes off the fear from you.
  •  Exposes true feelings.

4.   Great internal workout

A good hearty laugh tones up your diaphragm, works out the abs and even exercises the shoulders, putting you to a more relaxed state later. It even provides a good cardio-workout. Laughing 100 times a day is the same as 15 minutes spent on a stationary bike.

5.  Increases life span

According to Psychiatry research, older optimistic people, those who though positively had a greater life span than those with negative thoughts.

The research included older individuals over the age of 65-85 years, who thought positively. Among them 55 percent lived longer than the most pessimistic people. In spite of their habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption and other health issues, these people who incorporated laughter into their lifestyle survived better and longer than pessimists.

We all have been gifted with this great weapon. So, what are you waiting for, whip out laughter to make your living great!

 

About The Author: Gianna is a writer/blogger. She loves writing about technology, gadgets and social media. She contributes to hometone (www.hometone.com).

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

SAFETY ADVICE FOR PARENTS OF YOUNG ATHLETES

All safety observances are important – one deserves as much attention as the other.  The month of April recognizes many, and today we want to focus on two of them.  April is National Youth Sports Safety Month, as well as Sports Eye Safety Month.  It seems fitting that we can talk about both of them today. 

Last September, the National Youth Sports Health and Safety Institute was launched.  The executive director of this institute is Michael Bergeron, Ph.D., FACSM.  Dr. Bergeron states, “there has been a disturbing trend in the youth sports industry – we are seeing an increase in injuries that have never been seen before in children and teens: over-use/stress-induced, and concussions.  Over the last two months, 14 kids have already died – half from heat-related causes, the other half from cardiac issues; it used to be that 2-3 kids died each year.  Something needs to change.”  The goals of this program include collecting research, developing new education strategies and educating parents, coaches, trainers, and physicians.  

Four “pillars” that will come under the Institute:

  • Unique Clinical Conditions in Youth Athletic Populations (e.g., Type 1 diabetes, eating disorders, sudden cardiac trauma)
  • Concussion/mild traumatic brain injury
  • Heat illness and injury
  • Overuse/overload and injury risk. 

Other Sports Injury Facts from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and Safe Kids USA: 

  • More than half of all sports injuries happen at practice.  Despite this fact, one-third of parents often do not take the same safety precautions during their child’s practices as they would for a game.
  • More than 3.5 million children ages 14 and under receive medical treatment for sports injuries annually.
  • Injuries associated with sports and recreational activities account for 21 percent of all traumatic brain injuries among children in the United States.
  • Overuse injury is responsible for almost half of all sports injuries to middle and high school students.  Immature bones, insufficient rest after an injury and poor training or conditioning contribute to overuse injuries among children.
  • Children ages 5 to 14 account for almost 40 percent of all sports-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments.  The rate and severity of sports-related injury increases with a child’s age. 

Sports Eye Safety Information: 

In the United States,  more than 100,000 physician visits per year are because of eye injuries from sports.  Basketball and baseball cause the most eye injuries, followed by water sports and racket sports.  The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Opthalmology strongly recommend protective eyewear for all participants in sports where there is risk of eye injury.  Appropriate protective eyewear for sports should be chosen after consultation from an ophthalmologist, optometrist, optician, physician or athletic trainer.  Only two types of eyewear are satisfactory for sports protective eyewear:

  1. Safety sports eyewear that conforms to the requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard F803 for selected sports.
  2. Sports eyewear that is attached to a helmet or for sports in which ASTM standard F803 is inadequate; those include specifications for youth baseball batters and base runners, paintball, skiing, and ice hockey.  Other protectors with specific standards are available for football and men’s lacrosse. 

Parents and athletes should know about the risks associated with playing sports and the availability of a variety of certified sports eye protectors.  

Important Advice for Coaches and Parents: 

Most coaches in youth sports are volunteers.  It is important that at least one coach has training in CPR.  There should also be a first aid kit handy, just in case of an accident.  It is important for parents and coaches to remember that first of all, sports should be fun for the kids.  Many times, too much pressure is put on kids to excel in their choice of sport.  Ninety-five percent of youths who play sports in high school are through with sports when they graduate.  Only five percent of student athletes go on to play college sports.  

Nothing pleases a child more than having their parents and grandparents watch them participate in sports, music, or whatever their chosen activity is.  Support them and be sure that if they are playing sports, all safety measures are taken;  most of all, have fun!

Sources: Fox News; National Eye Institute (Unite for Sight); National Center for Sports Safety

General Safety Issues

DO SAFETY MEETINGS HAVE TO BE SO SERIOUS?

This sounds like a silly question, because there’s nothing we should be more serious about than safety!  I think the correct descriptive word regarding safety meetings is dull, rather than serious.  If the committee is bored, nothing good is going to come from that meeting.  Having served as a secretary to record safety meeting minutes, I know first-hand: those meetings were regularly scheduled monthly required meetings, and usually, some of the members had an excuse for not being present, with the resulting time being spent going over a short and sweet agenda.  

The best way to inject new life into these safety committee meetings is to have a good leader.  Many times, management will place someone in charge of the safety committee or a “Safety Officer” that possibly is a department manager over, for example, maintenance.  They do periodic inspections of the building, and know what its’ needs are.  A Safety Officer should be someone that is interested in the security of the employees, foremost.  Let the employees elect their leader.  They will choose someone they like and respect, and someone who is fun to be around, committed to the job, and an excellent motivator.  Co-leaders, one from management and one from the employees, could work together well, also. 

Having a little fun is the key.  Why not make a safety meeting special?  If you are going to spend an hour or two really getting down to the safety issues where you work, give the members a few minutes to relax by having a quick snack, and open discussion about things that they have observed that relate to on-the-job safety.  Another idea is to gather for lunch together, then get down to business and follow the agenda that has been sent to committee members prior to the meeting.  Being organized is always the best plan.  If your committee members feel more connected to their peers, they will become a more cohesive and effective team.  Remember, because they work in different departments, this may be the only chance they have to get to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere. 

Any kind of meeting is much more interesting if it has a slightly different format.  Each month, invite a couple of non-members to the meeting so they can observe.  They may have valid points to raise, and see that it’s not some “secret society.”  If you are a member, ask if you may attend a meeting at another workplace to see how they do things.  Invite them to come to your workplace and offer an outside perspective regarding your safety meetings. 

You may consider term limits for the committee, so others can do their part to promote safety at work.  Don’t replace the entire committee at one time, as you need safety leaders with experience at all times.  Also, if your committee is enjoying serving in this capacity, others will be encouraged to do so.  Meetings that offer important safety information sharing in a relaxed situation can be more productive than boring, routine ones.  An end-of-the-year celebration held for all employees to express gratitude for their safe work and cooperation could give your safety curriculum that extra pizzazz!   Sharing ideas about safety should be fun as well as informative. 

P.S.  Keep those workplace safety posters up to keep everyone reminded of the importance of working safely!

Source: safetyrisk.com.au

General Safety Issues

MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEERS

We all know that there are many worthy causes to give our time and money to.  A very special group that utilizes thousands of volunteers is the Special Olympics.  June of 1962, Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a summer day camp for children and adults with intellectual disabilities at her home in Maryland.

Camp Shriver was the predecessor to the Special Olympics.  When Mrs. Shriver declared the first Special Olympics open in Chicago, July, 1968, she lead 1,000 athletes from 26 states and Canada onto Soldier Field.  From that time until the present, the Special Olympics have grown to more than three million athletes in over 150 countries.  The Winter Special Olympics were held in Canada this past February; summer games will be in Athens, Greece, in 2011.

Special Olympics offers year-round sports training and athletic competition in all fifty states of the U.S.  Texas has more than 44,000 volunteers that help with the daily workouts and keep the contests running smoothly.  In addition to helping with events, they coach athletes, help with fund raising, coordinate events, work in offices, and serve on committees.  Volunteers are the backbone of this organization.  More than 1.5 million individuals around the globe donate their time to giving children and adults with intellectual disabilities or physical disabilities the chance to compete and make friends with others from outside their own communities.

SO vest

Those youngsters age 14 or under who want to volunteer to help with Special Olympics, must be accompanied by an adult.  What better way for a parent and their child to experience the joy of helping others could there be?  If you live in a city that is home to a Special Olympics office, contact them and offer your help.  If not, there are plenty of other ways to help.  Check the Special Olympics website for all types of information.  These great athletes can teach us about spirit, determination, and sportsmanship.