Tag Archives: Safety

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

SAFETY ADVICE FOR PARENTS OF YOUNG ATHLETES

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

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

Four “pillars” that will come under the Institute:

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

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

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

Sports Eye Safety Information: 

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

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

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

Important Advice for Coaches and Parents: 

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

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

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

General Safety Issues

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

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OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

Guest Blog

Shannon Barnett, who owns the website CareersIn Criminal Justice, sent us this very useful information, which is especially helpful to those who desire to work in law enforcement, or already do.  See how to contact Shannon at the end of this article.  We know you will enjoy reading this:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, correctional officers have one of the highest rates of non-fatal on-the-job injuries.  With this in mind, it is important for anyone who works as a correctional officer (or who is thinking of starting a career as a correctional officer) to always be thinking of ways to stay safe in all types of situations.

Depending on the situation, correctional officers often have little time to think before reacting.  This is especially true when fights break out between inmates, or when one or many inmates attack an officer.  For this reason, it is always necesssary to know your prison’s plan of action for all high-risk situations.

Listed below are ten safety tips that all correctional officers should know and keep in mind while on the job:

  • Protect your weapons:  Always keep your means of defense sheathed and placed on your body in an area where it cannot be easily seized.
  • Strategically place yourself:  Within your assigned area, find a spot where you can monitor all activities and keep a close eye on all inmates.
  • If necessary, ask for help: Never pretend to be the tough guy.  If you have been ordered to search a cell or perform any task that puts you in direct contact with an inmate, and you don’t feel comfortable or safe doing it alone, ask for backup assistance.
  • Wear protective clothing: In addition to your uniform, put on protective gear (like a bulletproof vest) to guard yourself against possibly fatal attacks.
  • Protect yourself against bloodborne pathogens: Always keep a pair of latex gloves in your pocket and make sure all necessary devices to handle and remove bloodborne pathogens are strategically placed throughout the prison.
  • Never create a relationship with an inmate: Never have a friendly, pass-the-time- away conversation with another inmate.  This could be a ploy to distract you from something that should be stopped or could lead to other inmates believing that you take part in favoritism.  Both of these things compromise safety.
  • Only clock out once your replacement has settled in: If you clock out, or even mentally “tune out” of your position, before your replacement has settled in, prison security could be breached and correctional officer safety could be compromised.
  • Report any unsafe practices by other correctional officers: If you witness a fellow officer taking part in anything that could potentially hurt prison safety, report it to your correctional sergeant immediately.
  • Get enough rest before work: Working as a correctional officer is demanding and stressful. In order to keep yourself and others protected, you must remain alert at all times.  If you are not getting adequate sleep between shifts, you are increasing your risk of workplace injury and putting prison safety at risk.
  • Always comfort discomfort: Whether it is the way an inmate looks at your or additional training for the use of a weapon, if there is something about your job that makes you feel uncomfortable, talk about it with your correctional sergeant.  Never ignore something that could be a potential for harm. 

Thanks, Shannon, for this advice that should be taken very seriously by those who perform this kind of work; or considering starting this vocation.  Their safety is of the utmost importance.  Shannon Barnett owns the site http://careersincriminaljustice.net and in her spare time, she enjoys writing articles for various other sites on many topics of interest. 

 

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

ACCIDENT PREVENTION THROUGH POSTERS

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The industrial environment is challenged with trying to prevent accidents at the workplace.  Just think how much they must spend on personal protective equipment, training, and if an accident happens – loss of work and productivity, insurance claims, material damage, loss of life, and much time spent writing accident reports.  Because everybody acts of their own free will, sometimes it isn’t easy to get them to follow what you want them to do.  Ironically, those same people are the cause of most accidents!  If your workers don’t obey the rules that you have established, or don’t wear their protective equipment, or don’t practice good safety when they aren’t being supervised, chances are something will probably happen, and it won’t be good!  The key to controlling accidents is safety awareness; this type of safety awareness is critical in any construction site.  One unsafe act can bring your safety record down in a few seconds.

What is a good way to deliver your safety message?

Researchers have found that people remember 50% more in what they see than in what they hear. Promoting safety through visuals is a very effective way to get people’s attention.  Most people enjoy posters that are humorous.  Pleasant thoughts generate more receptive learning.  Using humor drives a point that is so easy to understand when done correctly.  Cartoons can illustrate dangerous situations, which might be impossible to capture on film in real life.

Check out a couple of examples of the safety posters found at tasco-safety.com:

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FAILING TO PAY ATTENTION CAN BE A BIG STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION seems to be pretty self-explanatory.

The first poster, PPE ONLY WORKS IF YOU WEAR IT – depicts work boots, respirator, earmuffs, hardhat, glasses, earplugs, and gloves, all in one picture.  It reminds employees to wear the specific things that are required to keep them safe in their work.

Good luck to all safety instructors in getting the message across.  We hope the posters will help get the attention of your workers.  It’s also good to stock up on several and post different ones on a periodic basis, so employees will be watching for new ideas.

Back Safety, Ergonomics, Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hearing Protection

WARNING: DOES YOUR WORKPLACE DISPLAY STATE AND FEDERAL POSTERS?

Working under state and federal regulations requires that workplace health and safety posters must be posted on the worksite.  These regulations govern what work safety posters must be on display in the workplace, but employers should think about posting other information in addition to the ones that are required, to promote a safe and healthy workplace environment.  First, a business must know which federal and state OSHA health and safety posters that are required to be on display.  There is a poster that allows you to select your state to view the required posters and order them directly.  Workers must be able to learn what employer obligations are and the employee rights pertaining to safety and health. 

Workplaces are also wise to share information about general healthy habits that can be promoted within the workplace.  If the posters are updated on a regular basis, a variety of tips on how to maintain a healthy and safe workplace will be noticed by more persons than if the same old ones stay up.  Keep a supply of different topics to change occasionally. 

Did you know that employers could be subject to state or federal fines and penalties if the required safety information is not on display?  Your place of business has its own specific health and safety concerns, so those topics should be addressed.  It’s a good idea to remember past accidents that have occurred, which would be helpful reminders to your employees. Many times posters that contain exact data and statistics of past accidents or incidents will catch the attention of the employees.   Posters alone won’t educate employees, but they exist to remind your workers that their safety is important to the company. 

Different posters apply to every type of work environment.  Regardless of the workplace being a factory, fleet of vehicles, warehouse, or an office, a certain amount of risk is involved, more in some than others.  Posters that promote good attitudes are excellent motivators for teamwork.  A poster that promotes healthy lifestyles, and exercise would be fitting for an office setting.  For those who do lots of heavy lifting, posters on the proper methods of lifting and the results of wear and tear on the body.  If there’s a danger of debris or cuttings getting into workers’ eyes, there are all types of safety glasses posters.  Don’t forget about places that are extremely loud, and the importance of hearing protection.  There are posters for just about every hazard; that’s why it would be a good idea to have several different ones and change them often. 

Employees’ rights are explained on the state and federal posters, but one wonders how many people stop to read them?  By doing this, workers can ensure their company is providing the proper safety instructions and protective products that keep them safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF KEEPING TODDLERS SAFE

GUEST BLOG

We recently received this informative article from Roxanne Porter (www. nannyjobs.org).  With the holidays coming up, it’s wise to brush up on these suggestions, as some of you will have little visitors, and your house may not be properly “child-proofed.”  For those parents of little ones, these suggestions are to be followed every day, as there is nothing more important than the safety of our children. 

When a child reaches the toddler stage, there are a whole range of precautions that need to be taken into account in order to assure safe play times and places. Here are 10 commandments to bear in mind for keeping toddlers safe while playing.

  1. Secure all Straps and Handles. Toddlers love to reach and grab, so any heavy or dangerous items with straps or handles should be secured out of their reach. Purses, backpacks, pots & pans, or anything that may be grabbed and used to pull an object down on top of a toddler needs to be accounted for.
  2. Keep Unused Rooms Locked. Any room that is not expected to be played in, or that has not been “toddler-proofed” should be locked in order to keep toddlers from wandering in. Just closing doors is not likely to be effective, as toddlers are notoriously curious and prone to exploration.
  3. Employ Baby Gates and Toddler-Latches. Open stairways or passageways into unsecure areas without doors should be blocked with baby gates. Cabinets and drawers that contain potentially dangerous items need to be secured with the types of latches that are meant to keep toddlers from pulling them open.
  4. Secure Electrical Outlets and Cords. Any room that a toddler may play in should have all electrical outlets covered, and all electrical cords secured in such a way that they can’t be chewed on or unplugged. Also, be aware that electrical cords can be used to pull a lamp or other appliance off of a table. It’s a good idea to get down on the floor and inspect the entire room from toddler level, in order to assure that all electrical sources are inaccessible.
  5. Cover or Remove Sharp Corners. All furniture or decorative items in a toddler’s play room should be examined for sharp corners and edges that may be fallen against or that may be at a level to injure a toddler’s head. Look underneath tables, plant stands, etc., for metal brackets or screws that may project and be hazardous to a child that crawls or walks under them.
  6. Remove Hinged Toy Box Lids. Toy boxes should be open, or with covers that may be removed and set aside. Hinged lids pose a danger in two ways; the possibility of slamming shut on tender fingers or the head of a child looking in the box, and the chance that a child might crawl inside and be trapped when the lid falls shut.
  7. Secure all Bathrooms. Bathrooms are full of things that can be dangerous to toddlers. Toilets and bathtubs are potential drowning hazards for curious children, cleaning utensils are likely to have chemical or bacteria residues, and cleaning products are usually toxic.
  8. Beware of Choking/Poison/Burn/Laceration Hazards. Any room that is meant for child’s play needs to be closely inspected for anything that a child might put in his or her mouth and present a danger of choking or poisoning. Fireplaces and stoves should be blocked off from toddlers, and anything that may present a danger of puncture or laceration wounds should be removed. Outside play areas should be inspected just as thoroughly.
  9. Inspect/Secure Sandboxes Before Play. Sandboxes should be covered when not in use, but should also be inspected before a child is allowed access for play. Small animals such as cats may find them handy for waste elimination duties, or, depending on where you live, potentially dangerous creepy-crawlies could find them a comfortable place for hiding.
  10. EYES ON! Although all of the first 9 listed here are important, this is the most important commandment of all when it comes to safe toddler play. Keep eyes on the child, and ears tuned in the small moments when you might lose sight of a child. They move fast, and disasters can happen as quickly as the time it takes to send a brief text message to a friend.

Keep these 10 commandments in mind, and you will reduce the chances for a toddler in your care to be injured. An eleventh commandment would be to always keep a phone handy for a 911 call, as even the most meticulous attention to the commandments above is not going to assure 100% safety for toddlers.

I would like to add two more suggestions: be sure your parked car doors are locked.  Toddlers love to try to get inside the car and play.  Be sure to lock the doors when you park your car and remind your visitors to, as well.  Getting out of a hot car may be more difficult than getting into one.  Also, keep a first aid kit handy; you never know when you might need it!

Thank you, Roxanne, for these reminders.  You can read more excellent information on child safety at http://www.nannyjobs.org/blog.

General Safety Issues

TIE ONE ON FOR M.A.D.D.!

Started in 1986, Tie One On For Safety® is MADD’s (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) longest running and most visible public awareness project. MADD asks holiday drivers to tie MADD red ribbons to visible locations on their vehicles, or place window decals on their vehicles’ windows. The red ribbons represent drivers’ pledges to drive safely, sober and buckled up, reminding other drivers and passengers to do the same.  MADD began in 1980, and has become one of the most famous non-profit organizations in U.S. and Canada.  The result of drunk-driving accidents that took the lives of their children, some of the victim’s mothers got together and started the project of saving lives by preventing these types of devastating accidents.  The Tie One On For Safety runs from November 16th through New Year’s Day, so let’s be prepared to promote this project by being diligent about the cause. 

How can the public participate in Tie One On For Safety?

This holiday season, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to eliminate drunk driving in several ways:

  • Display a red ribbon in a visible location on your vehicles. Red ribbons and red ribbon window decals are available through local MADD affiliates. 
  • Host parties responsibly by offering mock-tails and other non-alcoholic beverages, and by providing alternate transportation or accommodations for guests who have been drinking.
  • Designate a sober driver before drinking begins.

Give the Gift of a Designated Driver™

This year MADD is also offering the gift we can all give each other – the gift of a safe and sober ride home.  If you are looking for a cost effective, yet thoughtful gift to give your friends, consider downloading one of their coupons (or make your own), offering to be their DD this holiday season. 

MADD also asks the public to Tie One On For Safety in support of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, which calls for intensive, high-visibility law enforcement efforts that include sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols; advocates that all convicted drunk drivers have an alcohol ignition interlock installed on their vehicles; supports the research of transparent, vehicle-based technologies that will prevent a drunk driver from driving drunk; and mobilizes grassroots support of all of these efforts, led by MADD.

Holiday drivers, please display a MADD red ribbon or red ribbon decal on your vehicles, or tie one to car keys to show family, friends and loved ones you support safer roads free from drunk driving. It also reminds other drivers and passengers to do the same. More than 6 million ribbons and ribbon symbols are distributed annually in the United States. Their message also includes seat belts because it is the best defense in a crash caused by a drunk driver. The holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day is when road travel is the heaviest of the year and typically drunk driving increases. 

MADD Statistics:

An average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before first arrest. 

MADD serves a victim or survivor of drunk driving every nine minutes.

This year, 10,839 people will die in drunk-driving crashes – one every 50 minutes.

One in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime.

One in three 8th graders drinks alcohol.  MADD has saved 27,000 young lives through passage of groundbreaking public health laws.

One in three will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime.

Every minute, one person is injured from an alcohol-related crash.

50 to 75% of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license.

One in five teens binge drink. Only 1 in 100 parents believes his or her teen binge drinks.

Teen alcohol use kills about 6000 people each year, more than all illegal drugs combined.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and one out of three of those is alcohol related.

Kids who start drinking young are seven times more likely to be in an alcohol-related crash.

Drunk driving costs each adult in this country almost $500 per year.

High school students who use alcohol or other substances are five times more likely to drop out of school or believe good grades are not important.

Every minute, one person is injured from an alcohol-related crash.

Since 1980 MADD has nearly saved 300,000 lives …and counting.

Open your eyes and see fully the importance of driving sober.  No one wants to live with the guilt of causing an accident because they partied too much, while celebrating the holidays, or any other time of the year.  Do all you can to promote safe driving.  If you “tie one on, please let it just be a red ribbon!”

Source: M.A.D.D.

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

FIVE SAFETY DO’S AND DON’Ts ABOUT SCISSOR LIFTS

“OSHA describes scissor lifts as machines that are “movable scaffolds.”  They can lift large, heavy loads that are well balanced, as well as employees, and are capable of moving them safely to and from high elevations.  There are several different safety requirements that apply to the maintenance and use of scissor lifts, because they are classified as heavy equipment.”  This is an excerpt from an article we published in August of this year.  Thankfully, a reader and friend from the United Kingdom has written an outstanding article that gives us a good perspective regarding safety and scissor lifts.  Please enjoy the following Guest Post:

5 Scissor Lift Safety Do’s and Don’ts

In operating heavy machineries it is important for the operators of these machines to be aware of the safety procedures and guidelines in order to avoid accidents and injuries. Safety should be the primary concern of operators when workers are doing their jobs using heavy machines. The time to finish jobs when following safety procedures will be longer but the risks will be lower and the chance of delay in the operation on account of accidents and injuries will be reduced. Also, the chances of lawsuits will be lower in cases of work related accidents and injuries if safety guidelines are followed strictly.

Colleges have been using aerial lifts for reasons other than their intended purpose. The most frequent use of scissor lifts is the filming of football practices to get an aerial view of college teams. This practice has been deemed unsafe because the person holding the camera might be blown over by a sudden gust of wind and there are no safety regulations and guidelines being followed to prevent that sort of thing.

A twenty year old has died because of the failure of university officials to set safety guidelines when using scissor lifts. Investigations were made by the university where the unfortunate incident happened and they found out after a few months after the incident that the policies of the university regarding the safety procedures and safeguards in using scissor lifts were not adequate to prevent accidents like the one that happened.  After that, other colleges have looked into their own policies when using machines such as these.  For the purpose of preventing accidents from happening when using scissor lifts here are 5 guidelines to follow.

1.       Use it for raised platform working, but don’t overload

Scissor lifts are just like any machine, they can perform the jobs needed from them but they also have a limit. Scissor lifts are primarily used for raising up things or people so they can do their tasks from an elevated platform. The weight of the things to be raised is a priority in safety because as the platform is raised, the base on which it is anchored becomes unstable as it goes higher. Once the platform becomes unstable outside forces like winds or a shake in the base will greatly affect the raised platform which can lead to accidents.

2.       Use it to transfer materials, but don’t rush

When transferring materials to high places it is always recommended to be sure and steady. As the adage goes “haste makes waste.” Caution should always be practiced when using heavy machinery and when dealing with machines that extend many feet above the ground.

3.       Use lanyards but follow the Ghostbusters’s rule (don’t cross the streams)

Lanyards are used as a safety option when operating machinery. It is attached to a worker’s wrist and in case the worker becomes incapacitated when operating the machine, the fall will enable the lanyard to pull the “kill switch” which is also attached to the lanyard and stop the machine from operating. However, another precaution should also be in place in order for the lanyards to be effective as a safety measure. Workers must make sure that their lanyards are not intertwined or are not crossing the streams as the safety precaution of lanyards will be compromised.

4.       Stay inside the guard rails, don’t over extend or stand on the rails

Persons who are tasked to be on the platform should always bear in mind that the guard rails are there for a reason. It is for their own protection to keep their bodies in the guard rail all the time. There are some circumstances and sometimes they cannot be avoided, that require a worker to reach out over the platform to perform a task. But one should be vigilant to not lean over or reach out too much to a point of over extending one’s self beyond the guardrails. Standing on the rails should also be avoided. The safety hazards of such act are innumerable and are subjected to every kind of outside forces that will cause a person to lose balance and fall. If there is an urgent need to go higher to perform a task it is better to raise up the platform itself rather than stand on the guard rails.

5.       Move the platform for different areas but not while the platform is extended.

When moving heavy machineries or any mechanical device for that matter, it is best to be cautious when transporting them from one place to another. The platform of the scissor lift should be brought back to its original place in the machine before moving the whole thing, just like when one would move a car or an oven, it is best to close the doors first so it won’t bump into other things while in transit. The same safety concept should be adopted when moving the platform of a scissor lift. In order to avoid accidents and injuries the extended platform should be lowered first before moving from one place to another.

In any job requiring the use of machines, especially heavy machinery it is very important to follow the safety guidelines while operating them. Operators should be strict in enforcing these guidelines to ensure a safe working environment for people using heavy machineries like scissor lifts. An unfortunate accident already happened because of the lack of safety standards in the use of scissor lifts outside of construction sites, like in colleges. The safety guidelines should be addressed by colleges when their students are using machineries like scissor lifts. There are standard safety guidelines to be followed strictly in order to avoid accidents when using scissor lifts.

We thank Allan Twillert, a Marketing Consultant that writes for Horizon Limited Platforms, a construction machine rental solution company in the United Kingdom.  For more information on Allan’s company, go to info@horizonplatformsco.uk.  It is an honor for us to hear from our friends in other countries who , like us, are very concerned about the safety of workers and students.

General Safety Issues

IT’S DRUG-FREE WORK WEEK!

This information comes to us straight from the U.S. Department of Labor, and is meant to highlight the benefits that drug-free workplace programs bring to workers, employers, and communities.  This is the time to work toward making every week a drug-free work week.   In the past, we have discussed the effects that workers who abuse drugs or alcohol in the workplace have on their co-workers, and the company that is paying them to work.  By having the workplace drug-free, productivity can be improved and reduce costs.  It will certainly help prevent accidents and make our workplace safer. 

Recent research reveals that many workers need to hear this message again and again.  Seventy-five per cent of the nation’s current illegal drug users are employed—and 3.1 per cent say they have actually used illegal drugs before or during work hours.  Seventy-nine per cent of the nation’s heavy alcohol users are employed—and 7.1 per cent say they have actually consumed alcohol during the workday.  How would you feel if a nurse or physician taking care of you were included in these statistics?  Heavy equipment operators, those who are responsible for the safety of others, such as driving buses, trains, or even airline pilots – we don’t want to dare think that they might be part of these statistics.  Smart business strategies are used by employers who establish drug-free workplace programs to assist their employees from the potentially devastating consequences of worker alcohol and drug abuse.  This week is a good time to reinforce the importance of working drug free in positive, proactive ways. 

Listed are some of the ideas to help companies and communities promote the success of a drug-free workplace program:

  • Implement a Drug-Free Workplace Program.  If your group does not already have one, this is the time to start one.  The first step to implement this is through a written policy.
  • Promote  Drug-Free Work Week.  Be sure all employees have a copy of your policy and remind them that it is all about keeping them safe of the job.
  • Train supervisors.  Company supervisors should be trained to understand their policy on alcohol and drug use; ways to deal with workers who have performance problems related to substance abuse, and how to refer them to available assistance.
  • Remind employees of the availability of EAP or MAP services.  These are Employee or Member Assistance Programs that offer free, confidential services to help all employees resolve personal and workplace problems, such as substance abuse.  If warranted, they also offer confidential substance abuse screenings as well as brief interventions.
  • Educate workers.  Workers must be educated about the nature of alcohol and drug use and its negative impact on workplace safety and productivity. 
  • Offer health screening.  Organizations can use this week to encourage employees to assess their own use of alcohol and drugs and privately determine if they need help to change their behavior.
  • Create a Drug-Free Workplace Display.  This is a good opportunity to freshen up bulletin boards in break areas that employees frequent by posting positive messages aboaut the importance of being drug-free to their safety and that of their coworkers.
  • Allow employees time to volunteer in community drug prevention efforts.  This give employees the chance to show both their own and company commitment to substance abuse prevention both inside and outside the workplace.
  • Review your health insurance policy.  Employees that are struggling with alcohol or drug problems will seek help if this type of treatment is covered.  If it is not, consider discussing the prospect of adding coverage with your insurance carrier.
  • Issue a Drug-Free Work Week press release.  Companies should issue a public announcement to their local media to spread this important message.
  • Distribute a payroll message listing helplines or a reminder about Drug-Free Work Week for employees.  A paycheck is always something that employees pay attention to.  You could include a reminder listing sources of help for ones with any problems, and that each employee is appreciated for working drug-free.

Thanks for the Department of Labor for this information.  It’s sad to say, but almost everyone of us knows someone who has a drug or alcohol problem.  Abusing prescriptions drugs is also not acceptable behavior in the workplace.   Try to spread the message to your friends, coworkers, and community.  If you work with someone that you feels needs help, encourage him/her to seek it.  It’s not only for their good, but the safety and wellness of everyone who works, rides to work, or lives with them.  If you witness a coworker committing an unsafe act, let his supervisor know, for the safety of all.  Stay sober and stay safe.

General Safety Issues

NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION MONTH – OCTOBER

Sad to say, but if there’s one thing we have enough of in our country, it’s criminals!  Not to say there aren’t a lot of really good folks around, but there are also those who want to scam, overcharge, rob, or bully others.  The National Crime Prevention Council designated October as Crime Prevention Month in 1984.  Since that time, government agencies, schools, civic groups, businesses and youth organizations have strived to educate the public, showcase their accomplishments, and explore new partnerships during this special month.  This is the official month for recognizing the practice of crime prevention, while promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism, and creating safer, more caring communities.  This month-long celebration highlights successful crime prevention efforts on the local, state, and national levels. 

When we talk about keeping one another safe, we must spread the word about preventing bullying; scamming on the internet or phone; preventing graffiti; vandalism; hate crimes; gang violence;dating violence; sexual harassment; criminal recidivism, drug abuse, cyberbulling; sexting; and domestic violence.   According to the Crime Prevention Council, these crimes have been on the agenda of community activists and law enforcement personnel alike in the past year. 

October also marks the start of the sixth year of Celebrate Safe Communities events.  This association is supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, and was created by NCPC and the National Sheriff’s Association.  It’s all about local folks working with local leaders to address local problems.  This way, we can celebrate safe communities every day!  Some events of the Celebrate Safe Communities require partnership with local law authorities, such as a community trash pickup, tour of a local law enforcement agency, or community safety fair.  The Circle of Respect is one of NCPC’s major programs, and this project incorporates the theme of respect for others – neighbors, seniors, the entire community.  Why not do your part to become a promoter or follower of the Circle of Respect? 

One way to prevent crime is to not be a victim -keep your home safe.  First, you should have effective locks on all doors.  Even the best locks can’t protect you, if you don’t use them.  Lock the door every time you leave.  If you plan to be gone for an extended period of time, leave the yard looking neat, so the house doesn’t look vacant, and there are no hiding places for burglars.  Be sure all entrances of the home are well lit.  Timers or solar-powered lights make it hard for burglars to hide.  Leave the radio or t.v. on, to give the appearance that you are home.  Leave a spare key with your neighbor, never hide it on the property.  Prowlers are usually able to find hidden keys easier than you can.  It’s not a good idea to announce where you are going, or how long you plan to be gone.  Let your Facebook, Twitter, or other social media friends find out where you’ve been when you get back.  You can tell family or friends, but leave it off the information highway. 

Start a new Neighborhood Crime Watch Group.  NCW is a partnership between residents and law enforcement to improve safety and prevent crime.  Here are some of the things you can learn with NCW:

  1. Who your neighbors are and how to work with them.
  2. How and why crime happens.
  3. How to use a neighborhood map and roster to communicate.
  4. How to improve home security and personal safety.
  5. How to recognize and report suspicious activity.
  6. Active NCW groups with visible NCW signs can deter crime. 

If you live in rural communities, you can organize your own watch group, usually by word of mouth.  One of my neighbors cautioned me the other night about walking over to my other neighbor’s house to set out the trash.  It was around 11 p.m., and she had heard there were some thefts in our area.  There was a streetlight, but she was right to warn me that I should wait till morning to do errands for my friends who were out of town. 

Good neighbors can also choose a safe house in the neighborhood, where children know they can go if they need help.  Work with your neighbors and watch for suspicious and unusual behavior in your neighborhood.  We must look out for each other, and help stop crime.

National Crime Prevention Council

General Safety Issues

NATIONAL ANIMAL SAFETY & PROTECTION MONTH – OCTOBER

This is the time to celebrate our animals, and all they mean to us.  If we have had a bad day or good day at work or school, our pets are there to greet us with their unique personality, not judging us by how we greet them.  This is our chance to repay them for the pleasure they give us by taking extra good care of them.

There are thousands of abused and abandoned dogs, cats, and other animals in our country.  Many rescue foundations have taken these animals and nurtured them back to good health, hoping that some family will see how special they are, and give them a home.  During the month of October, animal shelters and rescues throughout our country hold special events to raise awareness about animal safety and protection, encouraging us to celebrate and respect animals by making a difference in their lives.  If you suspect an animal is being ignored or abused, call your local animal control officer, or ASPCA.

Several ways you can protect your pet are through feeding them healthy diets.  Too many snacks can make them sick.  Obesity can be a problem with cats or dogs, just the same as people.  Make sure their shots are current.  Have them neutered or spayed.  See that your dog gets exercise every day – taking them for a walk is a gift.  Just getting to sniff out a different territory means the world to them!

Because of the drought and wildfires in many parts of the U.S., we are still seeing more and more wildlife coming into populated areas.  They are desperate for food and water. It’s hard for deer, foxes, coyotes, and other wildlife to come that close to homes, but they are in dire need.  Hopefully, with rain and cooler weather, they will find ways to survive.  The good will of people can help by filling containers nearby with water or food.

The love and devotion of dogs toward their humans is most evident when observing a service dog in action.  It is fascinating to learn how much time is spent on training service dogs.  Golden Retrievers make excellent therapy dogs; those persons who wish to train their dogs to visit patients in hospitals, etc., must be certified and insured.  Guide dogs are the “eyes” for their owners.  Search and rescue dogs, as those used to find missing, injured, or dead, bomb and drug detection dogs, that work for the military and law enforcement play vital roles in the job for which they are trained.  They are considered their trainers’ partners, and carry out their responsibilities with no fear.  How wonderful to see these “teams in action.”

Most of us don’t own a “wonder-dog” or “wonder-cat,” but do you ever wonder what you’d do without them?  We have to give them up sometime, but while we have them, it’s up to us to see that they are cared for as any other member of our family.  Trips to the vet, being included in the “family fire escape plan”, or any other evacuation plan are just some of the things that little four-legged friend deserves.

I made a comment one day that I had to go let our “grandpups” out, and a friend replied, “why do you people want so many dogs?”  I replied, well, we only have one, but our entire family loves animals.  I feel sad for her that she doesn’t know how rewarding it is to have a “best friend” that gets to live with you every day.  Please be especially thoughtful to your pets this month; probably you already are.  If not, just look into those eyes and wonder what they think of you!  “Thanks, Buddy!”

Buddy