Tag Archives: Safety

General Safety Issues

IT’S NOVEMBER, 2010!

It’s hard to believe that the last two months of 2010 are here!  Most of us live in such a scattered whirlwind, that we haven’t stopped to smell the roses lately.  Hopefully, we can make the most of November and December before we greet 2011.  Because our focus is on safety – at home, at work, and at play, we want to encourage you to enjoy these two months that are full of holiday plans and preparations, by keeping safety in mind.

First, in the United States, we have an important day coming up this Tuesday, November 2nd, Election Day.  This is your chance to make your wishes known.  Please vote on Tuesday.  Hopefully, those who are elected will represent their constituents to the best of their abilities, and not be influenced by outside interests.  We depend on our leaders to do what is best for the country.  If you agree, get out and vote! 

With your safety in mind, we wish to remind you that the upcoming holidays – from Thanksgiving until after New Year’s Day, bring about serious warnings from law enforcement that driving is more dangerous during this time.  Whether it is drunk drivers, distracted drivers, or those simply in too big a hurry, this is the time to decide that you are going to pay special attention to getting to your destination safely.  Plan ahead and leave a little early, in order to avoid rushing.  

Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings families together, and we can reflect on the many things that we have to be thankful for.  One is to have this time before the Christmas rush, although many businesses skip Thanksgiving,  hurrying to get ready for Christmas.  We will talk  more about Thanksgiving closer to time. 

November is time for the Great American Smoke-Out, an important project that  brings  awareness to the health problems associated with smoking.  Attention is also focused on  American Disabilities, Alzheimers’, Diabetes, and Epilepsy during November.  The eleventh month is also Child Safety and Protection Month.  We have previously shared information on many of these topics, and each one is very important to the health, safety, and well-being of those we love. 

As we go through November, we ask you to slow down and savor every day you are given.  Each day is a gift, to be unwrapped the moment you wake up, with all sorts of pleasant surprises,  if you just look for them.  At the end of that day, be thankful for what it has brought, and look forward to the next one.  Try to see your glass as half-full, rather than half-empty.

And please, do as one of our posters says, “Uncle Sam Wants You – To Be Safe.”   That’s our theme.

General Safety Issues

DO SECURITY CAMERAS BELONG IN THE WORKPLACE?

TODAY’S POST IS BY REBECCA, WITH SPYTOWN.COM.  We welcome our guest author, and hope you enjoy reading about security at your workplace. 

There’s at least one news story every day about schools adding security cameras, public parks mounting security cameras on lamp posts, and working parents installing nanny cameras in their child’s room to see what both their little one and the nanny are doing during the day. But how about the workplace? Should security cameras monitor your movements while you’re on the job, especially if they could help prevent safety issues in the future? Or should the company trust its employees and conduct regular safety training to educate employees? The Security Camera Systems experts from SpyTown.com are here to shed light on this controversial topic. 

Business Security Cameras Look Out For Employees 

Many businesses have added security cameras to genuinely protect their employees from any kind of misconduct or verbal/physical abuse from other employees. Team building exercises help employees work with each other, but if there is a situation, security camera feeds can be the unbiased eye-witness on the scene. 

Security cameras also act as a safeguard to see where any safety mishaps are occurring or identify potential safety issues. Be sure to have each department manager review the tapes weekly and point out any safety concerns, and develop a plan to minimize those concerns for the future. 

Have quality control checkpoints? Security cameras act as just another step in your quality control route, and are your eyes in the sky to document what’s happening throughout the production process. Review the tapes often to see if they spark any ways to increase efficiency and safety for your employees. 

Companies Should Trust Their Employees, Instead Of Watching Over Them 

The other side of the coin says that businesses should invest time into choosing talented employees they can trust, eliminating the need to “monitor” these employees to ensure they’re doing their jobs. Regular performance meetings and quality reviews can also help to ensure the employees are performing up to the company’s standards. Savvy management and solid leadership can identify a top performing employee and have the know-how to spot an employee in need of motivation and additional training. 

Another argument against security cameras in the workplace is that regular safety training should educate employees on workplace safety best practices, and safety reviews should be conducted at regular intervals. In addition, management should also be looking out for gaps in workplace safety, rather than security cameras watching over the employees. 

What’s our take? We have helped many companies choose the business security cameras right for their business, and we’ve heard firsthand experiences where security cameras have been an invaluable tool. Of course, security cameras should complement safety training, quality control checkpoints, and employee performance reviews, rather than replace them.  In addition, it’s important to be open and honest with your employees as to the location of the security cameras and reasons you have installed them, rather than having them feel as if you distrust their movements or “big brother” is watching. This goes a long way in helping your employees feel like valuable contributors to your organization and doing their part to ensure their workplace safety is top notch.

(Thank you, Rebecca, for this invaluable information from SpyTown.com.)

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).  The effort to educate the American public about relating employment to disability began in 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October of each year “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.”  Later, in 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities.  Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” in 1988.

 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) makes it illegal for employers with 15 or more employees to discriminate against individuals with disabilities in any position of employment.  The law doesn’t force companies to hire individuals with disabilities, but it does require that companies give them a fair chance.  Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations upon request, once persons with disabilities are hired, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship.  

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job or work environment to enable a  person with a qualified disability to perform essential job functions.  One example is if a qualified disabled person uses a wheelchair, and is unable to access his/her desk comfortably, it is only right to ask the supervisor to make an adjustment.  Reasonable accommodations include:

  1. Modifying work schedules
  2. Acquiring or modifying equipment
  3. Restructuring a job
  4. Making existing employee facilities usable by employees with disabilities
  5. Providing qualified readers or interpreters 

The ADA also prohibits discrimination in all employment practices, conditions, and privileges of employment, including:

  • Hiring procedures, recruitment, and job application
  • Benefits, compensation, advancement, training and other conditions and opportunities
  • Dismissals, layoffs, and other ends to employment

There are between 40 million and 50 million Americans with physical or mental disabilities, meaning that 1 in 6 people in the U.S. have a disability.   More and more people with disabilities desire to enter the workforce because they are capable to do the job for which they are applying.  Many of our workforces include older workers, who may be required to do tasks that could eventually cause them to fall into the category of having a disability, simply due to aging.

Companies should encourage their employees to work together productively and safely by ensuring awareness of certain accommodations  that their fellow workers may require.  Motivational posters encourage workers to perform their duties safely,  as a team.  We shouldn’t have to be reminded that everyone deserves a chance to be part of that team.

Our government has required special accommodation be put into place to help the handicapped, such as automatic doors, special parking spaces, signs written in braille, public restrooms with extra space for wheelchairs, and other ways to enable them to function more easily.  It is only right that our disabled Americans have every opportunity to enjoy life and be a part of a vibrant workforce.  Think about our soldiers, who have served this country.  Some are able to pick up where they left off, as their job is open for them; however, there are thousands who have been unable to find jobs because of injuries they suffered.  They deserve the opportunity to have a chance for a fulfilling  job.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

NATIONAL TEEN DRIVER SAFETY WEEK

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Since 2007, the third week of October has been designated as National Teen Driver Safety Week.  This week, October 17 through 23, to stress the importance of driving safely, schools and other organizations will be sharing information with teenagers about safe driving.  Car crashes are the #1 killer of teens.  Teaching teens that along with the privilege of driving a vehicle, there are rules that must be respected and followed.

 Research has shown that parents are the single greatest influence on their teen’s driving.  Parents must set the example early on, by buckling up every time they get behind the wheel, slowing down, and focusing on the road.   You’ve heard the old saying, “Practice makes perfect.”  This is certainly true when it comes to teen drivers.  Even though parents have busy schedules, the more time they spend letting their teens drive gives them the advantage of experience.  They need to drive in different road situations and at various times of the day with adult supervision.    Letting your child operate a motor vehicle without supervision is taking a terrible risk.  Give them as much supervised driving time as possible – thirty to fifty practice hours over a six-month period is recommended.  

Several states offer Graduated Drivers Licensing, which is a three-step plan:

  1. There is a minimum supervised learner’s period.
  2. After passing the driver’s test, they receive an intermediate license, which limits the amount of unsupervised driving time.
  3. Full privileges license after completion of previous stages.

The Centers for Disease Control make the following suggestions to parents:

  • Set rules for your teen drivers.  Set limits to keep them safe.  Be sure they know they must abide by the laws of the state, limit nighttime driving, and wear seat belt.
  • Restrict the number of passengers they may have in the car.
  •  Talk about signing a Parent-Teen Driving Contract (on the CDC website).  Discuss how important it is to follow the rules, and the consequences for breaking them.  Hang this contract on the refrigerator door as a reminder that you want him/her to stay safe, and that when the rules of safe driving are followed, greater driving privileges will result. 

Have you seen the commercial where the dad is leaning into the car, giving his little daughter all the right instructions that she must follow while driving, and then gives her the car keys?  In his mind, she is about 6 or 7 years old, but in reality, the next scene reveals she is a teen.  This serves as a reminder that in our hearts, although they are teenagers, we still think of them as little ones.  We all must emphasize safe driving to the teens in our families – children or grandchildren.  One of the most important things to help them stay safe is to tell them to forget about their cell phone and focus on the road.  If we can get teens and every other driver to ignore those electronic devices, the highways will be much safer for everyone!

Good luck to parents of new drivers.  Let’s all do our part to keep the roads safe for them.  Help them to know that not only during Teen Driving Safety Week, but all the time, they need to “handle that car with care.”

Uncategorized

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL ANIMAL SAFETY AND PROTECTION MONTH

Animal Safety and Protection Month – October, is to promote the well-being of both wild and domestic animals.  You’d have to have a pretty hard heart to not be touched at the site of a newborn animal.  They are a very important part of the circle of life, and without them, our lives would be pretty dull.  Let’s set aside talking about safety at home, work, or play, and focus on our furry, four-legged friends today. 

Our cities are growing at a rapid pace, and as they do so, they are destroying the habitats of wild animals – coyotes, foxes, rabbits, deer, and many other species.  It makes one wonder where they will eventually wind up?  When the weather is extremely dry, these animals return to private homes, looking for water and/or food.  Building of homes, roads, and businesses are taking their homes away from them.  The wildlife in our oceans are being harmed by sewage, industrial waste, and oil spills.  How can anyone forget the site of those poor birds covered by oil during the recent tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico?  Thanks to several dedicated workers, many birds’ lives were saved by hours of cleaning them, and then moving them to other habitats.  We even have rainforests in the United States, in the Pacific Northwest, where clear cutting is endangering wildlife in that region. 

On a trip to Alaska this past spring, we visited a bear sanctuary in Sitka.  We were shown a cute black bear cub, and informed that he was being sent to our home state, Texas.  When a fisherman discovered him, he was barely alive and his mother was already dead.  At the time we saw him, he fit into a carrier that most middle-size dogs could fit in.  He was soon flown to Texas, to live out his life in an exotic animal sanctuary.  It was fun to read the newspaper accounts about his journey, and see him featured on Dallas television.  He is a very lucky little bear, who happened to be found and taken to a place where he could be cared for until he could make the trip.  He is in a safe place where visitors can observe him and other wildlife. 

There are many things we can do to protect animals.  If you suspect that an animal is being abused, report it to your local ASPCA or law authorities.  There are many organizations that rescue animals, finding homes for them, after they are spayed and neutered and given their shots.  These animals can be adopted and what a reward adopting one of them can be.  You are saving a life, as well as gaining a faithful companion. 

There’s nothing more fun than taking your children to the zoo, so they can learn firsthand about nature’s gifts of wildlife.  Children are fascinated by seeing animals, reptiles, and sea creatures; just watch their faces while they are visiting an aquarium or zoo, if you don’t believe it. 

When children ask for a puppy or kitten, it’s an exciting time – until the new wears off.  They want to play with them, but when time comes to feed them, it’s often left up to Mom or Dad.  So they should learn how to feed and take responsibility for their new pet.  When we welcome an animal into our home, they are part of our family, and deserve to be treated that way.  We have to feed them, make sure they have their shots and take them for treatment when they are sick.  

It’s hard for me to hide that I love animals……..we have had many dogs during our marriage, as well as cats, too.  Our kids brought a few strays home through the years, and they made great pets.  One was a little pointer-mix puppy that had been thrown out beside the road with both her front legs broken.  We took her to the vet, and because they had already begun mending, he suggested that we leave them alone.  Because we had a very active little Cairn Terrier, and they played every day, her legs healed just fine.  She turned out to be one of the sweetest dogs we ever had.  Now, we have a 10-year old Jack Russell, who has been the most challenging breed of dog we ever tackled, but what a pleasure he is.  Buddy and I walk every day, rather, he walks me everyday! 

Remember to be wary of those animals that don’t know you, or dogs that are sitting in the back of a pickup truck.  You don’t want to risk getting bitten.  Leave wild animals alone, as it’s tempting to want to touch them, but they might be dangerous, especially if they have little ones around. 

Do what you can to protect the critters of the earth, keeping them safe and protected.  Most domestic pets such as dogs and cats will be your best friends until they take their last breath.  To quote Dereke Bruce, “In order to keep a true perspective of one’s importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him.”

General Safety Issues

STEP BY STEP, SAVING THE MINERS IN CHILE

There was great news on Saturday, October 9th, when a T-130 drill, operated by U.S. contractor, Jeff Hart, of Denver, Colorado, along with other contractors, broke through to thirty-three trapped Chilean miners after 28 days of drilling.  These miners have been trapped underground for more than two months, following a cave-in August 5, 2010.  This sets the world record for length of time that workers have survived being underground.  Rescuers are hopeful that the miners will begin their trip out of the mine by Tuesday, October 12, around midnight.  The capsule that will carry the miners to safety has been named Phoenix I, after the mythical bird that rose from the ashes.  The Phoenix I is a steel capsule, which will be lowered to pick up the miners, giving each man a twisting ride for approximately 2,041’, lasting around 20 minutes.  Each round trip will be approximately one hour.  The top part of the escape shaft is lined with steel sleeves for reinforcement.

The miners are in great spirits, arguing over who will be the last one to leave the mine!  A Navy special forces paramedic and a mine expert will be lowered into the mine, one at a time, to evaluate the condition of the workers.  They will oversee the upward journey, sending the most technically adept miners first, who would be able to help with the rescue if necessary.  Those with health concerns will go next, with the emotionally stronger ones going last. 

The miners have been given a diet donated by NASA, consisting of liquids, vitamins, and minerals to prepare for the trip.  Among the many challenges of the rescue are the possibilities of becoming dizzy or panicked.    Harnesses and oxygen masks will be placed on each miner, and the ones being lifted after sunrise will don safety sunglasses to protect their eyes from sunlight, which they have not seen for more than 60 days.   

There will be a make-shift hospital where the miners will have health checks, and following a brief reunion with families, they will be airlifted to a hospital in nearby Copiaco, about a 15-minute flight.  One can only imagine the jubilation from the families of  the miners opon seeing their loved ones safely back on the earth, instead of inside it.  There will also be approximately 750 journalists and Chilean officials waiting, as well.  These miners will long be telling their stories of the amazing journey they have experienced.  It will be interesting to hear the tales and see if the bonds of friendship and companionship will last.   Families have endured extreme stress during this time; they and their husbands, fathers, sons, and other family members should be given time to recouperate.

It is to the credit of these brave and dedicated rescuers from Chile and various other countries that these men have survived this harrowing event.  We are anxious, along with the rest of the world, to know that they are safely back home.  This event should serve as a lesson that the world can be a much better place if we all work together.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

A SPECIAL SAFETY MESSAGE FROM SOMEONE WANTING TO HELP!

 This weekend I received the following comment from a very special mother, with regard to  an article, “Drive Safely Work Week.”  Please pay close attention to this message about a subject that we are all familiar with, but don’t  heed the warnings.  Hopefully, this will wake us all up:

We lost our son March 15, 2009 because he was texting while driving. He had everything going for him, he was just 23, a United States Marine and father and he let something as silly as texting take his life. I have made it a point in my life to speak and teach any and everyone I can on these dangers so maybe just one family will not have to go thru the pain and suffering we go thru everyday. Please look at your last text and tell me, is it really worth dying over or possibly killing someone else?? Thank you,
TBreen

In the article, I was trying to convey that a phone conversation is not worth risking anyone’s life over.  I hope my message gets through to all drivers that we must pay attention to our driving, and turn those phones off.  If we must use a cell phone, we need to pull over- to protect ourselves and others on the roads.  I asked for permission to share her message with all of you, and this was her response:

“PLEASE share, my husband and myself have made it our mission now to get our sons story out there and pray that it saves just one life. I am not sure I mentioned but we have done a PSA/Documentary for AT&T and also for a company named Motion Masters a learning video that is for schools and businesses. Your life is changed forever and there is not a waking second that you do not think of your child, a parent is not supposed to bury their child… Keep the articles going.. God Bless..

This mother and father are doing all they can to teach us that we must continue to get out the message: don’t text while driving!  Hopefully,  families will realize how important it is to teach their young drivers that this is one of the most common causes of accidents.  It has been proven that texting and driving is as dangerous as drinking and driving.  It’s time for it to stop!  It can be as simple as turning off the phone.   If everyone would comply, we’d see fewer accidents.

If you wish to comment, please send your wishes to me, and I will be happy to convey them to  this special family, who is trying to save others.  We are grateful to them for sharing their message.

General Safety Issues

COMING ATTRACTIONS FOR OCTOBER SAFETY!

Can’t believe this is the last day of September!  I hope the days are getting a little cooler where you are, and that you are enjoying crisp, cool mornings!

There are so many safety topics that we will cover in October.  Because October is Fire Safety Month, and Fire Prevention Month, we will be talking about many of the ways that we can make our homes and workplaces “fire-proof.”

October is Animal Safety and Protection Month.  As an animal lover, it is particularly important to me that we all keep our pets as healthy and safe as possible.

National Cyber Safety Awareness Month is observed in October.  We all have heard of the horrible things that can occur because of persons that abuse the use of computers to do things that are unspeakable.  Whether it is personal identity theft, or harrassment, using a computer as a tool to harm others is unacceptable.

Another observance for October is Helmet Safety Month.  We talk a lot about the dangers of sports activities and work duties that are involved when helmet or hardhat is not worn.  Please be sure your kids wear those helmets when riding their bikes to school!

I think there’s even a Drive Safely Work Week in October, so looks like I have plenty of work ahead of me! 

A very important occasion for families is Halloween, especially if there’s little spooks involved.  Start making your plans now for a safe one for all concerned.  Map out the route you plan to take the kids, and go with them on that busy night.

Until tomorrow, enjoy your last day of September, 2010.

Eye Protection, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection

HAZARDS OF HOT WORK

Welding, cutting, soldering, and brazing in construction, maintenance, and fabricating activities are considered “hot work” when there is a potential fire hazard present.  Many lives have been lost due to explosions caused by vapors contained in tanks or storage vessels that were ignited by a spark or welders’ torch.  The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has investigated numerous accidents that had been caused when doing this type of work, and found that many companies had not filed for a permit to do the work, or conducted any safety planning beforehand for contract welders and other workers.  Risks involved in performing hot work are asphyxiation, electric shock, air contamination, fire, and explosions. 

When hot work is being performed in confined spaces, such as silos, ship compartments, furnaces, pipelines, vessels, pits, vats, tanks, degreasers, these procedures are essential to ensure the safety of all involved in the work: 

  • Have written permit identifying hot work to be done;
  • In-depth hazards evaluation of location;
  • Safety training in the hazards of hot work;
  • Empty and purge tanks beforehand;
  • Check tanks, vessels, and pipe for corrosion;
  • Test atmosphere for suitable oxygen content;
  • Perform gas monitoring;
  • Gas detectors should always be used prior to and during hot work;
  • Vapors rise as outside temperature warms up, so continuous monitoring is important;
  • Keep vents open;
  • Be sure valves are leak-free;
  • Be sure all power sources are turned off;
  • Have NIOSH/MSHA approved breathing devices when required;
  • Equipment should never block exits;
  • Have constant communication with rescue personnel close-by. 

If there is any doubt regarding the hot work to be performed, a professional environmental specialist should check the air quality and make specific recommendations for the welding/cutting situation.  Special precautions should be taken.  Welders perform all sorts of work on a daily basis.  They know the risks involved and are specialists in their field.  They also understand that there are several types of PPE that they must utilize:

  •         Fire retardant welder’s cap;
  •         Welding helmet that contains the correct filter shade lens;
  •        Gloves that are tough, long-lasting, comfortable, and meet the   needs and hazards of the particular job;
  •         Earplugs or muffs in case of loud noise while performing the job, as well as protect the ears from debris;
  •        Goggles to protect the eyes. 

Welding is a job that requires much training and skill.  It is up to each company that hires either its own welders or contract welders to ensure their safety at all costs.

Source: CSB

                 AWS.org

Back Safety, Fall Safety, First Aid Safety, High Visibility Safety

FALL IS HERE!

In some parts of the country, it comes earlier than others, but September 23rd  is the first day of fall!   The northern states are already feeling cooler temperatures and seeing the changing of  colors.  It takes a little longer for those of us in the southern states; however, the early mornings are beginning to feel somewhat cooler.  For most of us, it’s a favorite time of the year.  Kids are back in school, football is in full swing, baseball playoffs are around the corner, and in general, it’s a great time.  

Fall brings a reminder of tasks that must be done to get ready for winter.  As the leaves begin to fall and cover the yard, the pleasure of raking them up is ahead.  Be sure to wear some good work gloves to avoid rubbing blisters.  Pruning trees is another chore, and should be done with extreme care.  Standing on a stepladder to prune trees isn’t a safe idea.  When you are lifting boxes full of trash and debris from the yard, remember to lift with your legs and don’t strain your back.  

Taking a drive on a beautiful fall day is a great idea.  There’s nothing better than seeing the array of colors.  Use extra caution, though, as there may be more animals crossing the roads during cooler days and evenings.  Deer, raccoons, skunks, and many other little critters are out and about, and not watching for you, so you must watch for them.  Those pretty leaves that fall from the trees can build up on the roads and create a driving hazard, if they are wet.  When wet, they become the same hazard as puddles or standing water.  They also may be covering potholes or other holes in the road.  Early cool mornings can also be foggy.  Fog is the single most dangerous condition a driver can encounter, so slow down. 

If you choose to take one last fall hike or outing, please consider using the same precautions that we have passed on to you before:

  • Take your cell phone.
  • Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
  • Watch for snakes, as they prepare for hibernation, they may be more restless.
  • Take along plenty of water, food, a first aid kit and supplies and flashlight.
  • Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot while you are camping.
  • Don’t attempt to get close to wild animals.
  • Wear high visibility vests and caps.
  • Stay alert to weather changes. 

Seasonal allergies also plague some of us in the fall.  Be sure you have some over-the-counter medication to take before they get the best of you; if necessary, ask your doctor to prescribe allergy medicine so you can enjoy the season. 

As you are driving to work, be sure to watch for children on their way to school.  Allow driving time to reach your destination without rushing.  As you go home, remember the days will be becoming shorter, meaning darkness will come earlier.  Enjoy every day of the season, and stay safe and well.  Be sure to get your flu shot if you haven’t done so already. 

One last reminder: your pets will notice the changes in the weather, too.  Be sure that those who live outside have good shelter, water, and extra food when the days get cold.  They are family members, too, and deserve to be well cared for.