Tag Archives: precautions
SPECIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES BEING IMPLEMENTED FOR THE LONDON OLYMPICS? (GUEST POST)
The London 2012 Games are set to be a hugely important historical event for the UK, and if you are lucky enough to have a ticket, you will certainly want to make the most out of it. To make sure this is feasible, the organisers, with the help of the nation’s health services and security establishments are making sure that the games go ahead as smoothly as possible. With this in mind, the organisers, alongside the UK health system and police forces, have put in place measures to ensure that the Olympic events run smoothly and safely, allowing visitors from all around the world to fully enjoy the Games.
Ever since it was announced in 2005 that London would host the 2012 Olympics, the nation has been working overtime to take appropriate precautions. There is a reason for this. The threat level in the country will be labelled as severe as a precaution, due to the high number of visitors expected.
By the time the Games start, over nine million tickets will have been sold and on the busiest day it is estimated that 800,000 people will be using public transport to travel. So what exactly are the risks involved and what precautions and advice are being given?
Let’s break it down into health and safety.
Health
According to a report by the Health and Safety Executive, there are a number of health-related problems that are more likely to occur at busy events, such as the Olympics.
One of these include airborne and communicable diseases which can be a real threat during mass gatherings, but accident and emergency departments have been informed as to which diseases are not prevalent in the UK that may be an issue. To avoid spreading germs, it is recommended that visitors carry hand sanitizer on them.
Another health concern is regarding heat. British weather is temperamental and it is difficult to predict whether you are more at risk of sun stroke or hypothermia. Visitors are advised to come equipped for all weather conditions. Staff will be on rotation to avoid long exposure to harsh weather for their own safety.
If you are travelling from outside of the UK, the National Health Service has compiled a list of what you may want to consider packing. These include: A valid European Health Insurance card if relevant, any prescribed medicine you may need, comfortable walking shoes, clothes for all weather,rainwear, sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 and details of your travel insurance.
Safety
A lack of training and site orientation for volunteers was highlighted as something that could risk the management of crowd safety and emergency procedures. With this in mind, all volunteers will have attended at least three training courses. It will also be likely that many local businesses may allow employees to work from home temporarily to ease the strain on public transport and reduce crowd-related dangers.
To reduce any security risks, all venues will be searched, and many visitors will have their bag searched too. In fact, visitors are advised to pack light and travel as if you were flying: this includes no potential weaponry and a bag that would fit under your seat. No storage will be available for security purposes.
Up to 12,500 police officers from across the UK are being deployed for the London Games and a number of officers are expected to receive additional search training, as well as the use of specially trained dogs to aid in bag searches.
There has been a real emphasis on training this year to ensure that the focus can remain on the sports themselves and the historical event. Huge crowds can be difficult to manage without a clear plan of action and this is useless unless all staff and volunteers are made aware of it.
A GUIDE TO LAB LABELING AND BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS (GUEST POST)
A Guide to Lab Labeling & Blood Borne Pathogens By Jack Rubinger, www.DuraLabel.com, 503-469-3024, jarubinger@graphicproducts.com.
Beware of blood borne pathogens. “Fortunately, all bloodborne pathogens including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and other infectious agents transmitted as BBPs can be prevented by use of PPE, engineering controls, work practice controls and strict compliance with safety standards,” said Linda L. Williford, Ph.D.
One of the most critical applications in laboratories is BBPs which should be identified and labeled. The OSHA BBP standard is a federal law which requires employers and employees to follow certain precautions which contribute to infection control practices.
Also, OSHA requires labeling specimen containers used for storage, transport or shipping. Traditional paper biohazard labels typically cannot withstand temperature changes without damage. Using BS5609 certified (marine grade) vinyl labeling materials, which withstand temperature and moisture changes, is a better choice for this type of application.
Steve Halvorson, Assistant Laboratory Director, department of Molecular Virology and Biology at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, conducts research for clinical studies involving patients and basic science. He tells his story about creating a safety labeling “culture” at his lab.
Steve trains laboratory staff to comply with the chemical labeling requirements for secondary containers containing common lab reagents. The graduate students in his department learn about the NFPA Diamond system and apply that knowledge in the laboratory setting. Because he works with graduate students on the road from a Bachelor’s Degree to a PhD, as well as newly arriving faculty, the natural turnover is high and there’s a tremendous loss of institutional knowledge. This requires constant training in the requirements for NFPA labels on secondary containers because many times, clinicians and medical research staff sub-aliquot reagents from industrial bottles.
“Label durability and clarity is important for laboratorians or researchers that move reagents through a variety of temperatures such as -80C to room temperature. The easier and more useful labeling becomes, the more likely it is to be implemented,” said Dr. Perry Scanlon, Program Director, Associate Professor, Medical Laboratory Science Program, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Austin Peay State University.
Research labs are dynamic environments with continually changing activities and requirements. At times proper labeling is delayed, forgotten, or takes a back seat to other requirements. In addition, laboratory staff may not be aware of various labeling materials and their suitability for different environments. For example, containers will sweat when moved from a cold environment to an ambient temperature location. This can result in labels being damaged, the printing smearing, or the label falling off. It is important to use label materials that will withstand moisture and temperature changes.
Clinical Lab Scientist Alicia D. Santos, M.S.M.T., handles the pre-analytic phase of specimen testing. Her lab labeling challenges are different from Halvorson’s and are important to note. “We handle specimens with barcode labels drawn by phlebotomists and nurses on the floor. We often see improperly placed barcode labels. The specimen barcode labels are placed in reversed positions, placed too high or too low on the tubes, wrapped around the tube so you cannot see the integrity of the specimen inside, or applied sloppily. All these will cause a barcode not being read or scanned tests will not be run causing delays in testing and patient care,” she warned.
“A culture of safety must be strongly promoted in all research and clinical laboratories. After all, it is the law. I believe that both basic science and clinical research laboratories should adhere, without exception, to OSHA regulations concerning hazard labeling,” said Williford.
Halvorson’s group produces many chemicals and reagents in the lab, but often times they may not be fully aware that the hazard characteristics of a substance may need to be communicated to first responders. For example, a 1X PBS (Phosphate Buffered Saline) solution in a laboratory is recognized by most researchers as a non-hazardous reagent used to gently buffer cells. It seems silly to a researcher to place an NFPA label on a bottle of 1X PBS when plain water can be more hazardous to some cells.
Emergency responders may not know whether IX PBS is hazardous or benign. The NFPA label informs them that this is a substance they do not need to be concerned about. In the near future, the Globally Harmonized System of Chemical Classification (GHS) will use a common and consistent approach to labeling and classifying chemical hazards to ensure optimal environmental health and workplace safety across the world.
So what’s the big takeaway? There’s an ongoing need for education, training and review. Constant awareness about proper labeling assures safety within the laboratory environment.
Thanks very much, Jack, for bringing this important issue to our readers. Any substance improperly marked in a lab could be a huge problem. pb
UNDERSTANDING RED FLAG WARNINGS
Since October is Fire Prevention Month, we thought it would be fitting to close the month with information regarding Red Flag Warnings. A Red Flag Warning is a term used by fire-weather forecasters to call attention to limited weather conditions of particular importance that may result in extreme burning conditions. It is issued when it is an on-going event or the fire-weather forecaster has a high degree of confidence that Red Flag criteria will occur within 24 hours of issuance. Red Flag criteria occurs whenever a geographical area has been in a dry spell for a week or two, or for a shorter period, if before spring green-up or after fall color. It also happens when the National Fire Danger Rating System is high to extreme and the following forecast weather parameters are predicted:
- A sustained wind average 15 mph or greater
- Relative humidity less than or equal to 25 per cent
- A temperature of greater than 75 degrees F.
In some states, dry lightning and unstable air are criteria. A Fire Weather Watch may be issued prior to the Red Flag Warning. Several states have experienced extreme drought conditions this year, resulting in fires that destroyed homes, property, and animals. For rural families, precautions should be taken long before a fire threatens property, in order to minimize costly damages after a fire. All rural families, farmers and ranchers should be able to identify potential fire hazards and understand the basic fire response techniques to eliminate or minimize personal and property damage. This should also apply to those who have chosen to build their homes in high locations, surrounded by many trees.
Practice farm-specific fire safety. Listed are basic suggestions:
- Avoid fire hazards in the initial construction.
- Have emergency numbers posted in a central location.
- Your farm or ranch should have adequate water supply, such as an irrigation ditch, a water tank, a cistern, or pond.
- Keep irrigation sources clear of combustible material.
- Place fire extinguishers in all barns, vehicles, and tractors. Check extinguishers periodically for charge. Discard damaged or used fire extinguishers.
- Keep barns and buildings clean of trash and other combustible materials, such as hay, lumber, logs and empty feed sacks.
- Park tractors and implements away from combustible materials such as hay stacks and fuel storage containers.
- Obtain fire insurance for livestock, buildings, and equipment.
- Develop an escape or evacuation plan, and practice it. This plan should also include how to transport animals and livestock that may be in danger.
- If you have time to evacuate animals, proceed with caution. Some animals may be so frightened that they would even run back into a burning barn. Make sure to close gates prohibiting access to dangerous areas.
- Remove fuels, pesticides, medicines and other chemicals away from heat sources and combustible materials. These types of fuels, etc., should be stored in a fire-retardant enclosure or secure location.
- Ask your local fire department to conduct occasional fire drills and inspections, in order to avoid confusion in the event of an actual fire.
If you are traveling in an area that has Burn Ban notices or Red Flag Warnings, do not take a chance on throwing out a cigarette, building a campfire, or doing anything that could cause a fire. It only takes one spark to create devastation that may cause loss of life, both human and animal, as well as destroying homes. Houses can be rebuilt, but the memories and special treasures, such as pictures, possibly may not be replaced.
IT’S NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK!
The month of October has several observances, which includes Fire Prevention Month. October 9th through 15th is designated as National Fire Prevention Week; the 88th year that fire departments from around the entire country have observed this event. The theme for 2011’s observance is “Protect Your Family from Fire!” This year’s campaign focuses on preventing the leading causes of home fires – cooking, heating and electrical equipment, as well as candles and smoking materials. Life-saving technology and planning can help us protect our homes.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths. Fire can be a dangerous enemy, but if you are aware of the hazards, you will be much less likely to be one of the almost 13,000 people injured in homes fires each year. Nearly 3,000 people die in U.S. home fires annually. Here are some of the precautions we all should take:
- Have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and change the batteries at the same time you change your clocks – twice per year.
- Keep flammable materials away from stoves and clothes dryers.
- Have a family escape plan.
- Turn off space heaters before you go to sleep.
- Don’t wear loose clothing around the stove while you are cooking.
- Never leave foods being prepared on the stove unattended.
- Purchase and learn how to use a fire extinguisher properly.
- When you have completed cooking your meal, ensure that the oven and all burners are turned off.
- Never leave candles unattended, or where children or animals can knock them over or get burned.
- Don’t overload extension cords.
- If your dryer takes two or three cycles to completely dry clothes, check the filter, which should be cleaned before every use. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that dryer fires account for an average of 15,000 fires, causing approximately $88 million in property damage, 15 deaths, and 400 injuries annually.
- Never leave your home or go to bed with your dryer running.
- Don’t place flammable materials (papers, etc.) near your fireplace.
- Have your chimney cleaned every year to avoid creosote buildup.
There are numerous ways that we can protect our loved ones from fire. As listed above, take the time to have an escape plan, and be sure that the entire family is on the same page. Take your kids to visit a fire department. Educating the public on fire safety is one of the many important tasks that they perform. If we all learn more about how to prevent fires, hopefully we can make their jobs a little easier.
A Fire Department Chief told me to remind everyone, “Beep-Beep” is a sound we can live with! So check those detectors out, and make sure they work. That irritating little sound could be a life-saver!
Sources: US Fire Administration, National Fire Prevention Association
PROTECTING WORKERS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH DURING RESCUE AND RECOVERY – PART I
Rescue workers and emergency responders are the first to arrive on the scene following a catastrophe, and often it is in unfamiliar surroundings and adverse weather conditions. Rescue workers and emergency responders are ready to save lives and secure the environment to help protect the lives of those to follow. Operations that they may be involved in include victim rescue or body recovery around piles of rubble and other debris, collapsed structures or near structural steel. Hazards may exist at every twist and turn. Many times, utility services are damaged, including downed electrical cables, overhead power lines, broken gas lines, compressed gas cylinders, or broken steam or water mains. There may be piles of construction and all types of debris that workers are exposed to. Service personnel from utility companies should be in charge of restoring power.
Respiratory protection is very important to combat effects from breathing dust and hazardous atmospheres which may contain some, or all, of the following: freon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, welding gases, airborne smoke and dust, and/or flying debris. Respiratory assistance is also needed when entering confined spaces with limited openings from entry or exits. If working in confined spaces, be sure that at least one person remains outside the space to monitor operations and can assist in an evacuation if necessary. Rescue equipment and reliable communications, along with functioning alarm systems, are imperative in this type of situation.
Hearing protection is necessary because of excessive noise from heavy equipment, rescue/ventilation, tools and generators that are used in these processes. When heavy equipment is being operated, a spotter should be close by each piece of heavy equipment to protect rescue workers. Workers should wear high-visibility safety vests to ensure that they are identifiable by other rescue and support workers. Footwear should protect against sharp debris. Safety glasses with side shields, at a minimum, are also necessary items of Personal Protective Equipment.
Hand protection, of course, should always be worn, as there will be many potentially infectious materials present. Sometimes it is important to use latex or nitrile gloves under heavy-duty gloves, which will protect the wearer from puncture wounds, cuts, or injuries that break the skin. A combination of a cut-proof inner layer glove and a latex or similar outer layer is preferable.
We will conclude with Part II of this article tomorrow. There are other potential hazards and suggestions for safety that we want to pass on to you. Our rescue, recovery, and emergency personnel are highly trained professionals and volunteers, and we feel it is important that the general public knows what they face during these trying times.
Source: OSHA