Tag Archives: responsibilities

General Safety Issues

TODAY IS EARTH DAY – ARE YOU DOING YOUR PART TO KEEP IT “GREEN?”

Origin of Earth Day

In the 1960s, there were many concerns about the awareness regarding the environment among Americans. During this period, U.S senator and environmentalist, Gaylord Nelson, tried to galvanize the conservation movement through the appropriate creation of a national celebration.

Nelson made many efforts in the Congress to pass legislation to protect the popular Appalachian Trail. He also tried to pass a legislation to ban the use of DDT. In order to organize the first Earth Day, Nelson sought some help from Denis Hayes, who was a graduate of Harvard University.

The first Earth Day was celebrated on 22nd April, 1970. It was specifically designed as an environmental awareness program. Its aim was to educate participants about the importance of conserving the environment. In 1990, Denis Hayes organized a global Earth Day. It was observed in more than 140 countries by 200 million persons. 

Every year on April 22, over a billion people in 190 countries take action for Earth Day. From San Francisco to San Juan, Beijing to Brussels, Moscow to Marrakesh, people plant trees, clean up their communities, contact their elected officials, and more—all on behalf of the environment.Like Earth Days of the past, Earth Day 2014 will focus on the unique environmental challenges of our time. As the world’s population migrates to cities, and as the bleak reality of climate change becomes increasingly clear, the need to create sustainable communities is more important than ever. Earth Day 2014 will seek to do just that through its global theme: Green Cities. With smart investments in sustainable technology, forward-thinking public policy, and an educated and active public, we can transform our cities and forge a sustainable future. Nothing is more powerful than the collective action of a billion people. 

Forty-four years ago, Earth Day began. Great strides have been made through technology by improving water quality, air quality, and recycling. We still have a long way to go, and if you haven’t done your part to make our earth a cleaner place, start today.

  • Dispose of old computers  through the correct channels, as the monitors contain materials that are very harmful.
  • There are ways to destroy personal information by use of shredders. Professional shredding companies contract with hospitals and other businesses to safely remove old paper records.
  • Ride a bike to work, or just simply for the exercise.
  • Teach your children to know the difference between recycling materials and those that we simply toss away.
  • Plastic bottles, plastic grocery sacks are hard on our environment; take reusable bags to the grocery stores,
  • Drink water from a glass rather than a plastic bottle. There are washable cups with lids that you can carry your coffee, tea, or water with you while away from the house.
  • Carry a sack with you when you go for a walk, and pick up debris that others have simply tossed aside.
  • Help keep our lakeshores clean.
  • Plant a tree.

There are so many ways each one of us can do our part, and those small tasks can help improve our little corner of the world.  If everyone would do the same, and businesses would make every effort to comply with environmental laws, what an even greater earth it would be!

For more ideas or to volunteer to help spread the word, check out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website.

Source:  Earth Day Network; Earth Day 2014

 

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

Why Being A Lifeguard Is More Than Just A Name (Guest Post)

We love to think that being a lifeguard is just a name, and it has nothing to do with anything else other than the pool management. But if you think being a lifeguard is all about a teen in high school who is smeared with SPF 30 and stretching out in a chair, and all this lifeguard does is just double-checking on drowning children, you are totally wrong. This is because lifeguard is not just a useless title of a job. It has all the characteristics of being important. It’s a tough job, but yes, someone has to do it. 

So, you’ve finally decided that you want to make a career out of it, and you know you are proud to be called as a lifeguard? The thing is that you have to know that deep inside your heart; this is what you want. That is why we would like to tell you the importance of being a lifeguard. You are not just defending your own safety because every day when you go to work you are expecting the unexpected. That is why it is very crucial for someone who desires to become a lifeguard to go for a lifeguard training. The number one role of a lifeguard is to ensure that every swimmer at pools and public beaches have a safe environment. Lifeguards are advanced swimmers who are trained through swimming programs especially under International Lifeguard Training Program (ILTP). 

If you desire a job where you can make a difference every day and is full of challenges, the first thing you need to do is to apply for a lifeguard training with Jeff Ellis Management or with any other certified swimming programs. You will be trained about anything related to safety and rescue, public beaches and pool management, and your routine role as a lifeguard in monitoring all activities in the water. Other than that, you will also learn that instead of watching people from faraway, you will still need to interact with them by teaching swimming lessons and the safety rules.

Lifeguard1

Lifeguards are trained to be completely calm especially when it involves emergency rescue procedures. They are not just excellent swimmers; they are lifesavers. That is why you can see that whenever there’s an emergency where a swimmer is cramping, fatigued, injured, or at risk for any other unknown reasons, a lifeguard will dive into the water to save the swimmer. In some cases where it takes time for paramedics to arrive, a lifeguard will be the one performing the on-site emergency response. All of these are impossible to be performed if a lifeguard did not go through  lifeguard training. It also take a lot of confidence for a lifeguard to be able to do an evacuation and make a huge announcement should the place of recreation is not safe for public. 

Being a lifeguard is more than just getting the worst tan lines ever, or to smell like chlorine once you get back home. It’s about a commitment toward a responsibility of ensuring one’s life is secured while you’re on duty. If anything happens, you will be asked about it, and that is why getting the proper training will give you an insight of what exactly a public beach or pool management is. Since every day when you go to that same swimming pool or public beach, you get the chance to become the hero of the day. Does it sound interesting to you?

Note: We want to thank Mickey Colon of jeffellismanagement.com for this insight into exactly what it takes to become a lifeguard.  People who choose this profession will not only be working on the beaches, but protecting swimmers in college pools, city pools, and recreational centers.  It takes someone who can pay attention for hours to everything going on in and around the pool.  It does seem glamorous, but it is a very important job.  Knowing CPR and having the appropriate first aid equipment plays a huge part in saving lives.  pb

General Safety Issues

WHAT IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND AN ANIMAL IS HURT? (GUEST POST)

People often aren’t sure what to do if they are involved in an accident and an animal is hurt. The no.1 accident claims helpline is here to help.    What you should do if you are involved in an accident where an animal was hurt depends largely on the type of animal it was. As the number one accident claims helpline, we are regularly contacted by motorists who have been involved in accidents of exactly this nature. Some animals do not come within the definition of animal for road traffic purposes; it is only those that do that you should report to the police. If you are unsure, you should report it anyway, and if the animal is still alive the police will arrange for a vet to come out. 

Animal incidents you should report to the police include: 

  • Dogs
  • Goats
  • Horses
  • Cattle
  • Mules
  • Sheep
  • Pigs
  • Deer (in the U.S.)
  • Wild Animals (in the U.S.)

Accidents you do not have to report include those involving: 

  • Cats
  • Wild animals 

Badgers are a special case. They are a protected species and it is illegal to possess one, dead or alive unless you have the proper authority. If you kill one you should leave it at the roadside and contact the local authority for them to remove the remains of the animal.  All of the above information on what you should do if you are involved in an accident where an animal is hurt is from official police sources, but the National Great Dane Rescue (NGDR) approached different sources and found different viewpoints. 

The Vet: The vet suggested that either the police or dog wardens should be notified because they have the facilities to collect a dog from the scene of an accident. He also pointed out, that if you called a vet yourself, or took the animal to a vets surgery, you would be responsible for the costs of treatment if the owner could not be found. He did say that some surgeries are lenient in these cases and reduce the costs. 

The RSPCA: The RSPCA said that the police were the right place to go because they have a list of vets they can call on in an emergency. The RSPCA also have the facilities to attend accidents, which are available 24 hours a day. In their case, if the owner cannot be found, they will pay the first £50 of the treatment costs. 

The Police: The policeman they spoke to in the Justice Department at Headquarters seemed to have a different view from the official sources when posed with the same problem. Firstly he said that if the accident occurred in a public place and the owner was present, it does not need to be reported to the police. He suggested that details are exchanged as with any accident, as the owner of the animal has a right to make a compensation claim for the animal’s injuries. He also said that in his opinion, you should never admit liability as this could be held against you at a later date. 

Where you live makes a difference 

There are 46 Police Forces in the UK and it seems that each has its own policies when it comes to injured animals. Some of them have lists of vets, some of them will come out and assist, but really they believe they have more important things to deal with than injured animals, and if you can deal with it on your own, they will let you. Even if the RSPCA pay the first £50, who is left to pay the balance of the bill if the owner cannot be found? Here at the number one accident claims helpline, we believe there should be a nationwide strategy so everyone knows what they should do if they are involved in an accident where an animal is hurt. 

What you can do while waiting for help 

There is ‘First Aid’ that might make the animal a bit more comfortable until help arrives. This will depend on the type of animal and how aggressive they are, but you could try: 

  • Approach the animal with extreme caution, even your own pet may turn on you if they are in pain or shock.
  • As you are approaching, talk to the animal in a reassuring voice.
  • If the animal does not appear to have breathing difficulties, but is aggressive, make your approach from behind, and if you have a scarf or something similar wrap it round the mouth, a bit like a muzzle.
  • If the animal is causing an obstruction and needs to be moved, it is better to use a blanket or coat as a stretcher and move it gently to a safe place.
  • If you can see open wounds, cover them gently.
  • If blood is bright red and coming out in spurts, a major artery may have been severed.  Do not apply a tourniquet. Cover the injury with cloths and do not remove those which become soaked through, just keep adding more and putting pressure on the wound until the vet arrives.  

What about you? 

So far we have talked about the animals and have mentioned that if the owner considers you to be at fault, they can make an injury claim for the injuries their dog has sustained, both for the vets bills and any other our of pocket expenses that they have had to pay. They can even claim for their own stress because their pet has been hurt. 

But what if the boot is on the other foot – what if the animal caused the accident, and you are injured as well as the animal. This is another common case here at the no.1 accident claims helpline. In this case you can make a personal injury compensation claim against the owners. Obviously, this would not apply in the case of wild animals, but it is not unusual for a cow or sheep to cause an accident, and then the farmer is liable. It is the farmer’s responsibility to make sure they are kept in their fields and only appear on the road when they are being moved around under supervision. 

Like any type of accident that can occur, if you are involved in an accident where an animal was hurt, but it was not your fault, and you have sustained injuries that needed medical attention, you are entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim. Contact No. 1 accident claims helpline for further information.

Author Bio: John Cooper is an insurance consultant.

Note: In the U.S., accidents involving deer are very costly.  Due to the increase in deer population, even in newly developed urban areas, collisions with deer are very frequent.  If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. The frightened animal, in attempting to move, could hurt you or itself. The best procedure is to get your car off the road, if possible, and call the police. When you get home, contact your insurance agent or company representative and report the incident. Collision with an animal is normally covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy. pb

General Safety Issues

SEVEN COMMANDMENTS OF SAFE DRIVING FOR TEENAGERS (GUEST POST)

Calling the lawyer at 3 in the morning every other week because your teenager got involved in a car accident (yet again), is not an admirable scenario. This can be fatal in the long run. 

You may have probably lost more sleep than any people worrying about car accidents that your teenagers might get into. You should not blame yourself for paying for the license and the car. 

When you give them the car keys, do not bid farewell to control. They must understand the responsibilities that go with that new kind of freedom. Create a teenage driving contract with defined rules. 

These seven commandments for teenage safe driving will instill the sense of responsibility that comes with the privilege of having a car (and might also improve your sleeping habits). 

Commandment #1: If you can’t resist texting, turn your cellphone off. Minimize distractions when driving as much as possible. Teenagers could not keep their hands off their smartphones. Have them turn off their phones and gadgets while on the road. 

If they are expecting important an important message, provide them with a wireless headset so they could still make or take a call without taking their hands off the steering wheel and eyes on the traffic. 

Commandment #2: No after-party driving. No drunk driving.  Aside from setting a curfew, teenagers should not be allowed to drive whenever they go to late-night parties. Drop them off and pick them up after. Drunk driving, even for adults, is not safe. 

Tiredness and fatigue can also be a contributor too poor driving judgment, especially for inexperienced teenagers. You must also watch out for signs of alcohol and drugs whenever they come home. 

Commandment #3: Practice defensive driving.  Staying one car distance behind the car in front of you is a good practice for neophyte teenage drivers. They must also drive in slower speeds. If they want to pick up the rate, they must maintain a fairly large buffer zone. 

Commandment #4: Obey speed limits.  Nearly half of car accidents that teenager get into nowadays are linked to beating speed limits. The youngsters tend to be carefree and go beyond what is just necessary.  Every ticket for speed limit violations should be equivalent to one month of going back to public commuting. 

Commandment #5: Drive solo.  After building up certain months of guided driving experience, teenagers can now be independent. However, this does not necessarily mean that they can already have passengers, even dogs.  Until such time that they become responsible of their own lives, teenagers should drive solo.  This rule is also tantamount to saying “no carpool” yet. 

Commandment #6: Get to know thy car.  Teenagers will not pass the licensing evaluation if they don’t know the basics of driving. But, they must also get acquainted to the car that they will be using in the next two to three years.  Teenagers won’t have any problem getting accustomed to using a smart or connected car. They must learn the capacity of the vehicle, what to do when tires blow up or engines fail them in the middle of the road, what kind of fuel the car is compatible with and more.  

 Commandment #7: Pay proper dues.  Inculcate sense of responsibility and accountability early in the game. Make them pay for car damages or insurance costs whenever they get involved  in minor accidents or sanctioned for violating traffic rules. Deduct the entire cost from their regular allowance.

Parents will play the biggest part in ensuring that their teens will turn out to be safe drivers in the near future. What to do? 

  •        Provide a safe car for teens – easy to maneuver, good tires and with air bags
  •        Determine which car/s are allowed for your teens to drive
  •        Provide “passenger seat” supervision even if they don’t want to
  •        Give your teens gentle critique of their driving
  •        Set a good example – this is the most important of all 

Picking up from the last bullet, parents will have to make sure that they practice what they preach. If you beat the red signal, run 75 MPH, weave in and out of traffic, scream at other drivers, tailgate and show signs of road rage – do not expect the young fellas to be safe drivers. Avoid showing them the rules that don’t count. 

Your Thoughts Matter

Have you been involved in car accidents when you were a teenager? What driving lessons have you imparted to your kids so far?  Let’s create a safer driving environment for the young ones. Share with us your experience and stories. 

About the Author: 

A seasoned blogger and educator, Adam Prattler shares anything and everything that matter at the moment. He makes the public aware of local current events, prevalence of automobile accident in St. Petersburg, political milestones and latest technological innovations.  

Photos from State Farm Insurance

 

 

General Safety Issues

THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE MARSHALL TRAINING (GUEST POST)

Maintaining good fire safety awareness is a must for all individuals. Although everyone must stay fire aware, one of the key figures involved in fire safety is going to be the fire marshall, so learning what this role entails is important.

If you’ve ever considered fire marshall training, knowing what they are responsible for can help you make an informed decision.

The Daily Duties For Fire Safety Awareness

Don’t let yourself think that a fire representitive is only going to be involved when a fire is breaking out. That isn’t the case at all.

In fact, there are daily duties that a fire marshall must be taking part in to ensure that maximal fire safety awareness is maintaining.

First, they must make sure that all exit doors are available for use and that these doors are unlocked and not obstructed by any obstacles standing in the way. It’s vital that everyone can easily get out should a fire break loose.

Next, they also need to check that the escape routes are likewise easily accessible and there are no combustible materials present around them. Anything irresponsibly left in the line of escape should be removed and stored in a suitable place.

On a day to day basis, the fire marshall must also check that fire extinguishers are in position and that safety signs are clear and completely visible with nothing standing in the way. It’s important that fire alarm call points are not being obstructed and that fire-resisting doors are closed and are functioning as they should.

If any of these are not working properly, a report must be made so the proper authorities are aware of it.

The Duties During An Emergency

Should the worst happen and a fire breaks out, there will be additional duties that the fire marshall needs to take on.

First, he or she must instigate the evacuation of the area and make sure that everyone has left the premises. From there, he or she must proceed to the assembly area and report to the fire co-ordinator, taking role call if necessary. Take a count sheet with a list of everyone in your office/premises and double check that no one could have been left, or trapped in the building.

From there, the fire co-ordinators will typically take over many of the duties and will start to gather information on the cause of the fire and all necessary facts that will be required in order to file the police report. They will also report if or when the building is safe to re enter.

You can see there are many different roles and duties that a fire marshall must take on.  If proper fire safety awareness is maintained, everyone should know who the marshalls are, what they are responsible for and ensure that these duties are being completed. An incident command safety vests might also help to alleviate confusion as to which person is doing a particular task.

It’s when duties are let slip that serious fire hazards can occur and when the most serious of fires can break out.

A thorough fire risk assessment of your premises conducted by professional fire safety consultants should always be carried out to ensure fire safety best practice is implemented. Then with proper care and maintenance, optimal fire safety should be easily maintained and you can rest easy knowing that should a fire occur, you are well protected.

Submitted by Joanne Gardner