Tag Archives: prevention

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

AVOIDING SLIPS AND FALLS (GUEST POST)

The idea of a slip and fall leading to serious injury may seem silly to some people.  Imagery of clumsy people and frivolous lawsuits immediately come to mind.  However, slips and falls can be very dangerous and lead to over 1 million emergency room visits each year.  Nearly half of all accidental deaths at home are caused by falls,  and most injuries happen at ground level rather from elevation. 

The risk carries over to the workplace as well.  In fact, slips and falls are the leading cause of worker’s compensation claims , tallying nearly 85% of all claims, primarily on slippery or slick floors.  They also represent the primary cause of work days lost, with 22% leading to over 30 days of work missed.  The combination of compensation and medical costs from slip and fall injuries is estimated at over $70 billion annually.  The most common places for slips and falls are doorways, uneven surfaces, areas prone to wetness or spills ramps, and areas of heavy traffic.   

Despite the danger, there are a number of simple steps that can be taken to make the workplace or home safer: 

– Stay off freshly mopped floors and ensure caution signs are used on wet areas.

– Clean up spills immediately

– Secure all electrical cords in any traffic areas

– Wear footwear with good support and slip resistant soles

– Maintain open walking pathways

– Ensure that all traffic areas have adequate lighting, both indoors and outdoors

– Adjust gutters to drive water away from walkways and paths

– Never stand on a surface that has wheels, such as a table or chair

– Use non skid mats

– Install handrails on both sides of all staircases 

These steps, along with countless others, can go a long way creating a safer workplace, home, and overall environment.   Martin Solomon is a Phoenix personal injury attorney and has represented hundreds of people who have been injured.  He is an advocate for safety and works to help create safer work environments for employees and the general public.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

IT’S NATIONAL BURN AWARENESS WEEK – 2013!

Burn Awareness Week, observed the first full week in February, is designed to provide an opportunity for burn, fire and life safety educators to unite in sharing a common burn awareness and prevention message in our communities. Burn Awareness Week, celebrated early in the year, is an excellent opportunity to “kick off” a year full of burn awareness education.  This year’s theme focuses on Preventing Scald Injuries.

Scalds – A Burning Issue

Scald injuries are painful and require prolonged treatment. They may result in lifelong scarring and even death. Prevention of scalds is always preferable to treatment and can be accomplished through simple changes in behavior and the home environment.

In conjunction with Burn Awareness Week, (February 3 through February 9) the American Burn Association is providing information relating to scald burns for use in your own communities.  Although anyone can sustain a scald burn, certain people are more likely to be scalded —infants, young children, older adults and people with disabilities. These high-risk groups are also more likely to require hospitalization, suffer complications and experience a difficult recovery.

Most burn injuries occur in the person’s own home and the vast majority of these injuries could have easily been prevented.  Tap water scalds are often more severe than cooking-related scalds. The American Burn Association recommends the following simple safety tips to decrease the risk to yourself and those you love from tap water scalds.

  •  Set home water heater thermostats to deliver water at a temperature no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit / 48 degree Celsius. An easy method to test this is to allow hot water to run for three to five minutes, then test with a candy, meat or water thermometer.
  • Adjust the water heater and wait a day to let the temperature drop. Re-test and re-adjust as necessary.
  •  Provide constant adult supervision of young children or anyone who may experience difficulty removing themselves from hot water on their own. Gather all necessary supplies before placing a child in the tub, and keep them within easy reach.
  •  Fill tub to desired level before getting in. Run cold water first, then add hot. Turn off the hot water first. This can prevent scalding in case someone should fall in while the tub is filling. Mix the water thoroughly and check the temperature by moving your elbow, wrist or hand with spread fingers through the water before allowing someone to get in.
  •  Install grab bars, shower seats or non-slip flooring in tubs or showers if the person is     unsteady or weak.
  • Avoid flushing toilets, running water or using the dish- or clothes washer while anyone is showering.
  •  Install anti-scald or tempering devices. These heat sensitive instruments stop or interrupt the flow of water when the temperature reaches a pre-determined level and prevent hot water that is too hot from coming out of the tap. 

Cooking-related scalds are also easy to prevent. Some things you can do to make your home safer from cooking-related burns include:

  •  Establish a “kid zone” out of the traffic path between the stove and sink where children can safely play and still be supervised. Keep young children in high chairs or play yards, a safe distance from counter- or stovetops, hot liquids, hot surfaces or other cooking hazards.
  • Cook on back burners when young children are present. Keep all pot handles turned back, away from the stove edge. All appliance cords should be coiled and away from the counter edge. During mealtime, place hot items in the center of the table, at least 10 inches from the table edge. Use non-slip placemats instead of tablecloths if toddlers are present.
  • Never drink or carry hot liquids while carrying or holding a child. Quick motions may cause spilling of the liquid onto the child. 

For more information about preventing scald burns, contact the American Burn Association at 312-642-9260 or www.ameriburn.org.  Accidents happen so quickly, and burns are so painful and slow to heal, let’s all take a little more time for extra care where there is a potential for getting injured by burns.

General Safety Issues

FEBRUARY IS AMERICAN HEART MONTH

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Taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. this information is very important for us to share:

 Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day.   “Heart disease takes the lives of far too many people in this country, depriving their families and communities of someone they love and care for—a father, a mother, a wife, a friend, a neighbor, a spouse. With more than 2 million heart attacks and strokes a year, and 800,000 deaths, just about all of us have been touched by someone who has had heart disease, heart attack, or a stroke.”
– Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

February is American Heart Month, and unfortunately, most of us know someone who has had heart disease or stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day. These conditions are also leading causes of disability preventing people from working and enjoying family activities. Cardiovascular disease is also very expensive—together heart disease and stroke hospitalizations in 2010 cost the nation more than $444 billion in health care expenses and lost productivity. However, we can fight back against heart disease and stroke. CDC and other parts of the US government have launched Million Hearts™, to prevent the nation’s leading killers and empowering everyone to make heart-healthy choices.

What is Million Hearts™? 

Launched in September 2011 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Million Hearts™ is a national initiative that aims to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the U.S. over the next five years. This public-private partnership, co-led by CDC and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is integrating and amplifying a range of existing heart disease and stroke prevention programs, policies, and activities.

Goals of Million Hearts™

The Million Hearts™ Initiative seeks to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by the end of 2016 by:

  • Empowering Americans to make healthy choices such as avoiding tobacco use and reducing the amount of sodium and trans fat they eat. These changes will reduce the number of people who need medical treatment for high blood pressure or cholesterol—and ultimately prevent heart attacks and strokes.
  • Improving care for people who do need treatment by encouraging a focus on the “ABCS”—Aspirin for people at risk, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, and Smoking cessation—four steps to address the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and help to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Million Hearts™ Support

Million Hearts™ has the support of multiple federal agencies and key private organizations, including the American Heart Association, the American Pharmacists’ Association, the YMCA, Walgreens, and UnitedHealthCare. Over the next five years, Million Hearts™ is pursuing commitments and participation from many more partners in health care, public health, industry, and government. These partnerships will help Million Hearts™ leverage and advance existing investments in cardiovascular disease prevention.

What Million Hearts™ Means to You

Heart disease and stroke affects all of our lives, but we can all play a role in ending it. Prevention starts with everyone. Protect yourself and your loved ones from heart disease and stroke by understanding the risks and taking these steps.

  • Drive the initiative by challenging your family and friends to take the Million Hearts™ pledge at www.millionhearts.hhs.gov.
  • Get up and get active by being physically active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
  • Know your ABCS:
    • Ask your doctor if you should take an Aspirin every day.
    • Find out if you have high Blood pressure or Cholesterol, and if you do, get effective treatment.
    • If you Smoke, get help to quit.
  • Make your calories count by eating a heart-healthy diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in sodium and trans fat.
  • Take control of your heart health by following your doctor’s prescription instructions.

Together, we can all be one in a million this Heart Month and every month. Learn more about Million HeartsExternal Web Site Icon.

Please  take this message from the CDC to heart: we all must do more to keep our hearts and bodies healthy.  As the article stated, we all have experienced loss of family or friends because of heart disease.  Both my parents died from strokes; my husband had quadruple by-pass surgery five years ago, and is doing fine now.  He has always exercised and taken care of himself, however, cholesterol and triglycerides were a large part in his heart problems.  Have regular checkups , eat healthy, and exercise!  Pat

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

INFLUENZA UPDATE – JANUARY 8, 2013

In the U.S., influenza is widespread over eighty percent of the country.  There are three particular strains that are circulating – the  H3N2, is the dominant one this year, and can cause a more serious illness.  Because vaccines were given for both A and B strains of influenza, the third strain doesn’t respond to those shots.  

Some persons became infected before receiving the vaccination, or shortly after the vaccination.  The flu shot takes time to become effective.  Doctors state that even if you get a strain not included in the flu shot, the vaccination should reduce the severity of the illness.  The flu is spreading earlier and faster this year. 

Anyone who is at least 6 months old should get a flu vaccine this season.  Those to whom it is especially important to receive the vaccine are:

  1. People with certain medical conditions, including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
  2. Pregnant women.
  3. Persons 65 years and older.
  4. People who live with or care for others who are at risk of developing serious       complications such as asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease. 

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs.  Some cases are mild to severe; however, the flu can be lethal.  Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness, chills, head and body aches, runny nose, and occasionally diarrhea and vomiting.  Some people with these symptoms, however, may not have the flu.  Many are being treated for bronchitis or severe allergies. 

The flu is spread through contact with bodily discharges.  When someone infected sneezes or coughs around them, chances are they will also become infected.  Things that we touch, such as elevator buttons, phones, keyboards, salt shakers, and other items in public places make us all susceptible to it. 

If you are ill, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.  Wash your hands very often, and keep hand sanitizer handy.  Use disinfectant sprays in the home to kill germs.

Last, but not least, stay home if you are sick.  Do not be in a rush to return to school or work until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.  During seasons that bring contagious diseases, it’s not a bad idea to stay home and away from crowds as much as possible.  Some folks may be coming down with something, yet are unaware of it until they actually get sick. 

Stay well, my friends!

 

General Safety Issues

SAVE YOURSELF FROM ELECTROCUTION WITH SIMPLE PREVENTIVE MEASURES (GUEST POST)

Another valuable lesson on electric safety sent to us by Grace Beckett.

Electricity always finds a way to the earth, and the human body, most often, is an excellent path to earth. Generally electricity is used at a lower voltage to resuscitate a human heart. However, at higher voltages, it has the potential to stop a beating heart and cause cellular damage. The fatality of the current depends on the path it takes in the human body. It causes major destruction to the heart and brain. 

Electric shocks occur when the human body comes in contact with an electricity source. This causes an amount of electric current to pass through the layers of the skin, hair or muscles. If the voltage of these shocks is over 500V, it can cause burns on the skin. Electric shocks higher than 600V can cause cardiac damage, neural damage and finally death due to electrocution in people depending on their resistance capacity. So, avoid electrocution by following simple measures around your house. 

Protect all electrical outlets 

Maximum number of electric shock injuries is caused due to unprotected electric outlets. Children usually insert objects of metal into these objects while they are switched on, and end up hurt. You can try fixing these outlets away from your child’s reach. A safer method would be to protect these outlets with outlet covers available in the market. Never unplug or plug in an appliance when the switch is on. 

Keep an eye on extension cords

If extension cords are frayed or not used properly, they can cause electric shocks. Keep inspecting all the cords around your house for any sign of damage. Make sure that you do not overload any sockets. Do not pull the cord while disconnecting it. Pull the plug from the socket, but only after turning off the switch. 

Keep electric appliances away from water 

People generally have the habit of using blow dryers and other hair styling products in the bathroom. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination and can cause electrocution. So, do not use any electrical appliance in the bathroom or near kitchen sinks. Do not spill water near any electric outlet. Do not use any electrical appliance with wet hands. 

Ensure your circuits are grounded 

Major electric problems occur when high-power appliances and circuits around the house are not grounded. Protect all the circuits by using GFCIs – Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters – that can prevent electrocution. 

Do not be a dare devil 

When there are storms outside, it can result in frequent lightning strikes and loose live power lines around the neighbourhood. Do not be adventurous and walk into a death trap. If you are caught in a storm, look for safe shelter indoors and stay there until the storm passes away. 

What to do when someone is electrocuted 

  • Do not attempt to touch the victim while still being electrocuted
  • Move the victim only if there is a chance for immediate danger
  • Do not attempt to provide first-aid
  • Call for help immediately 

XYZ is an expert with PASS Ltd. They specialise in PAT testing courses, so you can actually book courses online and gain knowledge from them on testing electrical equipment.

General Safety Issues

PROTECTING OUR YOUTH FROM CYBER BULLYING (GUEST POST)

 Written by Jennifer Stone; Sent by Olivia Lewis

On a platform celebrated for its ability to connect users, insecure adolescents are using the Internet to bully their peers. According to US News.com, cyber law experts estimate that at least 40 percent of high school students have been bullied over the Internet, and middle school students experience an even higher rate. Instances of cyberbullying have led to depression and suicide. While significant initiatives have aimed to end cyberbullying, the complex problem appears to require a demand for a wholesale solution. Until parents and teachers commit to proactively protecting young people, victims will remain largely silent.

There’s no quick fix to changing the culture of cyberbullying, but addressing the problem from different angles is the best chance to send a clear message and care for victims.

Preventative Education

Addressing this issue starts with the public recognition that cyberbullying happens and is not acceptable. Although it seems like a simple concept, having a conversation about it in the class room or around the kitchen table informs those who knowingly bully, those who may not know the harm they cause and victims that cyberbullying is not a private issue and is not tolerated.

A public discussion can also spark actionable ways to prevent Internet antagonizers, such as school-wide or at-home policies for using the computer and responding to attacks.

Anonymous Hotlines

The impersonal nature of the internet can cause cyberbullying victims to feel the urge to brush verbal assault off without telling, but experience shows that victimized teens need an outlet to express their emotions. In cases when victims don’t feel comfortable coming forward, anonymous hotlines have emerged as a useful tool. Cyberbullyhotline.com, for example, relays anonymous tips to the school level, where officials can address the situation on a more personal level.

Users can protect their identities and protect themselves from getting bullied through a hacked account by visiting Lifelock on Facebook, and now bullying victims can protect psyches. By spreading the word about these anonymous hotlines, more uncomfortable victims will be able to take action against their circumstances.

Open Lines of Communication

While anonymous hotlines offer some support to cyberbullying victims, they need to feel more comfortable reporting the instances in order to achieve a significant decrease in online verbal assault. To feel comfortable describing their experience, victims must trust that the listener has their best interest in mind. Whether it’s a parent, teacher or mentor, students won’t feel inclined to make themselves vulnerable unless they can do so in confidence, with the assurance that the people they tell will react accordingly.

Clear Consequences

Whether it’s on a playground or on Facebook, misguided bullies will continue to put others down unless authority figures react as if it’s not acceptable. If a bully punches an unassuming peer on the school yard, school officials would apply an appropriate punishment. Likewise, the Internet bullies must face consequences for verbal attacks. Parents have the best opportunity to monitor their children’s online behavior, whether it be by keeping the computer in a common room or “friending” their children on social media platforms.

Schools can take action, too. By defining a set of consequences for on-campus cyberbullying, schools send a message that they consider any form of abuse toward another student unacceptable.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

HOW TO PREVENT NECK INJURIES WHEN PLAYING SPORTS (GUEST POST)

Sent to us by Saam Banai. 

 Sporting events are a common source of injuries, and neck injuries are common in sports involving significant impact. In more serious cases, they can lead to paralysis, or death. Preventing neck injuries is important, but it is also more difficult than preventing other types of neck injuries.
The Nature of Neck Injuries

Neck injuries while playing sports can occur in various ways and with different levels of severity. Blows to the head and severe trauma are not the only sources of neck injuries; overexertion and even compression can also cause injury.

Overuse can lead to a strained or sprained muscles or muscle spasms. In these cases, the ligaments and muscles stretch excessively; ligaments will usually stretch and the muscles will tear. Such injuries usually manifest themselves as a feeling of fatigue or dull aching, followed by gradually increasing pain levels as the muscle is used. In the case of a spasm, the muscle involuntarily contracts, causing brief pain.

These injuries are common. Fortunately, these injuries are easy to resolve. When a muscle or ligament is causing problems, the best solution is to avoid aggravating the injury, keep use of that muscle or ligament to a minimum, and take a pain reliever. With time, these injuries normally heal on their own. These injuries rarely cause serious long-term problems.

Excessive force applied to the neck can cause more serious injuries. Impacts can cause nerve damage, respiratory problems, and even broken or fractured vertebrae. Treating a neck injury caused by a specific blow to the neck is a serious matter. Athletes who suffer nerve damage, damaged vertebrae, or damage to the windpipe should consult a local medical professional.  In some cases, where there has been significant damage to the body or financial loss due to the misstep of another, our personal injury attorney in Atlanta Georgia suggests that legal advice be sought.  

Playing Sports

Avoiding neck injuries from overuse is a relatively simple affair. The athlete should not overuse the muscle. Avoiding overuse becomes easier if the athlete warms up beforehand; adding simple neck-stretching exercises to a warm-up routine is a simple and effective way to prevent excessive neck strain.

With the pressures of team sports and competition, athletes will often play through injuries. Athletes who choose to play through minor muscle injuries should ensure that they are getting enough protein, as protein will help muscles recover more quickly from excessive strain.

Avoiding physical injury is more challenging. Protective gear is the obvious choice to prevent physical injury. In some cases, gear used for neck protection can be valuable. A neck brace can prevent the head from violently thrashing back and forth, causing serious neck injuries, and also prevent contact with fragile body parts.

Unfortunately, neck braces restrict the athlete’s ability to look up and down; hence, neck braces are rarely seen outside certain sports, such as automobile racing. If the athlete has the opportunity to wear a neck brace, he or she should do so. To avoid serious long-term damage from impacts to the neck, athletes should avoid repeat injuries and not take unnecessary risks when it comes to excessive neck movement.

Preventing neck injuries while playing sports can be difficult, as most sports make it difficult to protect the neck from physical injury. Athletes should stretch before games and intense practice sessions to prevent the tearing of muscles and ligaments that would otherwise be tense.  Eliminating the possibility of a neck injury is impossible, but athletes can reduce the potential for them to occur. 

Saam Banai is a freelance writer, editor, and sports enthusiast. He contributes this article for Buddoo & Associates P.C., a personal injury attorney in Atlanta Georgia who deals with personal injury cases of all sizes, which are often settled to the clients benefit before trial. Using over a decade of experience, they devote themselves personally to each client, each case and each accident victim with professionalism and care.

 

 

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (GUEST POST)

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Written by Christine Miller

Navigating the Carpal Tunnel


Carpal tunnel syndrome is an affliction of the wrist where swelling from repetitive motion pinches the median nerve. The area where this nerve enters the hand is called the “carpal tunnel,” and it is quite narrow. Any swelling will affect the nerve, causing tingling, weakness of the hand, and numbness. If ignored, symptoms can become quite painful and even permanent, but there are simple treatments that can be performed at home, and there are ways to avoid the ailment entirely.

Causes and Prevention

Any prolonged, repetitive motion of the hand can cause carpal tunnel, and the most common is typing on a computer. Other activities include writing,working with hand tools or small machines, sports, and even driving. Factory assembly work can also be a contributor.

Certain medical conditions can cause carpal tunnel, such as arthritis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, alcoholism, and kidney issues. Obesity and pregnancy have also been known to trigger carpal tunnel.

During any prolonged task that involves the wrists, change positions when possible, take occasional breaks to stretch and massage the wrists, and use gel wrist rests when typing if the wrists are at an angle. The key with typing at length is to keep the wrist straight, so even some soft splints can help to prevent wrist pain. During any activity, use whatever ergonomic aids are available, and always stop when pain or tingling begin.

Symptoms

The median nerve is associated with the fingers on the thumb-side of the hand, so numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, or middle finger are a strong indicator of carpal tunnel. Other signs might be tingling or numbness in the palm or entire hand, pain that extends from the wrist to the elbow, a loss of dexterity when manipulating small objects, or weakness when carrying items such as suitcases.

Home Remedies

When caught early, carpal tunnel can be halted and often reversed completely. To start, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or “NSAIDs”) such as ibuprofen can help to relieve wrist pressure.

1) Ice: the very best, completely natural treatment for carpal tunnel is ice and rest. Icing the wrist reduces inflammation, which improves circulation and promotes healing.

2) Vitamin C: this vitamin helps to repair damaged tissues; find it in fruits and vegetables or as a supplement. Another to watch for is “bromelain,” well-known to the medical field for anti-inflammatory properties, and found in pineapple, papaya, and kiwi or in supplements.

3) Epsom salts: prepare a soak of Epsom salts and water that is as hot as can be tolerated and immerse the wrist for three minutes. Next, soak the wrist in cold water for half a minute. Popular with athletes, this “hot cold” method is proven to reduce swelling and pain.

4) Massage: to reduce swelling and stimulate circulation, massage the affected wrist, hand, and forearm. Herbal oils can aid this and come in a variety of types and scents, amping the effects and soothing both body and mind.

Treatment

To prevent permanent damage, contact a physician if symptoms persist, or if there seems to be a loss of muscle in the fingers or hand. If carpal tunnel does not respond to basic treatment, a doctor may prescribe Naproxen, and he may suggest wrist splints while sleeping. For more severe cases, he might refer patients to an occupational therapist or prescribe corticosteroid injections. The worst cases generally require surgery, but the outcome depends on severity and the length of time the nerve has been affected. Carpal tunnel surgery is nearly always successful, but recovery can take several months.

This article has been written by Christine Miller. Christine has written various topics about health, wellness, home and lifestyle.   She wrote this exclusively for Blog4Safety.

 

 

 

 


Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

WORKING AT HEIGHTS: HOW TO AVOID DAMAGE AND SERIOUS INJURY (GUEST POST)

Sent to us by Karl Young.

Most people would be surprised by what the definition of working at heights is: work at height means working in any place where, if precautions were not taken, a person could fall down and injure themselves.

Work at height means working in any place where you work above ground level, could fall from an edge, through an opening or fragile surface; or could fall from ground level into an opening in a floor or hole in the ground. If your job requires you to work with any of the above dangerous then you will be working at height. If on a day to day basis you use working platforms such as scaffolds, tower scaffolds, cherry pickers, scissor lifts and podium steps, work on a roof, piece of plant or equipment; or use ladders or stepladders you and your employer need to be following the working at heights regulations.

Precautions

More often than not you will only be working at heights as a one off, you might be changing a light fitting or climbing a ladder to access storage space.  One of the best ways to ensure injury prevention at height is to carry out a risk assessment; this is a simple process which will help you choose the right precautions to take when working at heights.

Small businesses are often the ones that don’t have the right equipment in place to protect their employees from the dangers of working at heights. In most cases injuries and damage can be avoided by investing in long handled tools and other equipment that can sometimes be used to safety carry out a task from ground level.  Long handled brushes, roller paint brushes, water fed poles and hatch openers are just a few pieces of equipment that can enable any user to perform a basic task without the need to move above ground level.

Prevention

Employees are most often at risk from falling when working at heights, there are several methods of prevention for falling in the work place that can easily be implemented.  You can ensure the fixtures around you are safe and tight, ensure the roof of your premise if accessible is fitted with guard rails. You should always ensure that equipment purchased as a safety precaution is safe to use and has regular checks and maintenance.

Additional measure can be taken at work to reduce the risk of a fall. When using any equipment for work at height you need to ensure that:

  • The people using it are trained to use it safely;
  • It is regularly inspected and well maintained; and
  • The work is supervised to check people are working safely

The consequences of a fall can be minimised if you try and avoid and the prevent a fall before using measures that will only minimise or limit the consequences. A good example of this are safety nets, they can be installed around the edge of a premises roof to minimise the risk of injury if someone falls. Fall arrest equipment will also minimise injury if someone falls, providing the equipment is set up correctly, users know how to look after it and they understand its limitations.

The key to a safe and happy workplace is a knowledgeable employer and employee.  The failure to follow and adhere to regulations when working at heights can result in hefty fines and extreme cases employees being injured resulting in a lawsuit. It is best to be knowledgeable and smart when your employee needs to work at heights, visit your local authority’s website for more information on working heights regulations and precautions.  

The post was created by Karl Young on behalf of Loxam Access a leading specialist in the rental of Access Platforms, Access Equipment and Cherry Pickers.

General Safety Issues

TIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR SUMMER ROAD TRIPS (Guest Post)

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Tire Safety Tips for your Summer Road Trip

By Jack Payton

Jack Payton is a car nut in the purest form. He loves to write about everything gear related, and rebuilt his first engine at 15. He works as the online publisher for the online tire retailer http://www.tires-easy.com/.  In his spare time he enjoys cruising, attending car shows, and collecting vinyl.

            My favorite part of summer is traveling. Now, I don’t mean anything fancy there is no call for lavish trips to Europe or the Bahamas; often I find the best trips are found a little closer to home. Road tripping is the unsung epic of the new American west, and from the week long trips as a child in the old family van to my day drives into the mountains on the weekends, I have many fond memories of road hopping from point A to point Basking in the sun on some beach somewhere. But before you hit the road this summer, don’t forget the importance of safety. I’m going to give you the same advice your grandmother would give you, only I don’t have to put my teeth in first to deliver: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound cure. When it comes to tire safety, here are some tips to keep you and yours square on the road.

            Check tire pressure: This should be performed at least once a month, but absolutely before you leave on any distance drive. It is typical for tires to deflate 1 psi per month, as well as 1 psi per 8-degree loss in ambient temperature. According to studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on tire-related crashes, the leading cause of tire failure is under inflation. Inadequate inflation will also lead to a drop in gas mileage and an increase in tire wear, costing you more money in the long run.

            Rotate your tires: “Don’t they rotate every time I drive?” Ignore my daughter’s sarcasm there. Tire rotation is a very important practice to be performed at your local auto and tire tech. Rotation is essential to ensure even tread wear. Excessive loss of tread can cause the vehicle to lose its balance of grip on the road, and can become a major problem waiting to happen.

            Adjust the alignment regularly: Misalignment of the steering and suspension, can adversely affect the steering feel and stability of a vehicle, as well as cause rapid and uneven tire wear. If you feel the steering pulling in one direction or another when traveling straight ahead on a flat road with no crosswind, or if you notice uneven wear on the front tires, you should have the alignment checked and adjusted as soon as possible.

            Replace tires in pairs or complete sets: Installing different tires on the right and left side of the vehicle can tendentiously affect its balance and handling. For this reason, it is imperative that tires are replaced in front or rear pairs, or in a complete set—never one at a time. Regardless if the vehicle is rear, front, or all wheel drive, the new pair of tires should always go on the back, as maximum rear traction will ensure stability of the entire vehicle. By no means should you ever put tires of differing construction—such as radial or bias ply—on opposite ends or sides, because handling will be adversely affected.

            Select the right tires for the right driving environment: Most drivers are comfortable with all-season tires; so that most new vehicles now come equipped with them. However, more specialized tires for performance, rain, snow, off-road and touring have made the idea of matching your environment much easier, and this certainly has its advantages. Just consider that excellent qualities are most likely achieved at the expense of others. Determine what your crucial needs are, and narrow your choices accordingly. Then, if possible, drive a similar vehicle equipped with the tires you are considering.

            This summer, get the most out of your vacation and your tires. Avoid the short cuts that can cost you more in the long run, and remember to take a little extra time to play it safe. Memories of the good times will be your reward at the end of the road.

Thanks, Jack, for this very entertaining and informative article. pb