Daylight Savings Time will begin for most of the U.S. at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 13th. As you go around the house to set the clocks ahead one hour, use the check list below to perform a few additional tasks that will help to keep your family and home safe as well as prepared. Read more
This is Scott Goodwin bringing you highlights of yesterday’s game between The Employees and The Injuries. The Employees have been winning all season, and last night was no different as they took an early lead to dominate the entire game. “We run the plays on the field just like we practice them; no exceptions,” explained The Employees coach. “Each player used all the right moves to avoid strains, sprains, and back injuries.”
Defensive Strategy for Avoiding Sprains and Strains Read more
“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign” is a great song from Five Man Electrical Band that puts into perspective our attitude about the overabundance of signage everywhere we go. Today we really do have signs for everything; signs that tell us what do and how to do it, where to go and how to get there, where we can’t go, what we have to wear, what will harm us and where to go if we get harmed…
But do we really pay attention to them?
This clutter of cultural communication is a direct result of our need for it, and we do need to pay attention. Read more
Are you trained in First Aid? CPR? Do you know what to do in an emergency? First Aid is defined as emergency care provided for injury or sudden illness before emergency medical treatment is available. The first-aid provider (YOU) is someone who is trained in the delivery of initial medical emergency procedures using a limited amount of equipment to perform a primary assessment and intervention while awaiting arrival of emergency medical service personnel. Read more
2016 brings the final implementation of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to become fully compliant with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Read more
Now that January is here, it is time to review past injury and near miss reports. Analyzing these trends can improve workplace safety for the entire company by showing us possible safety concerns, and making us aware of the need for hazard prevention. A very important way to help predict incidents is to use the new SSOE Group “For Safety’s Sake – Do Something” Safety Observation Cards. Read more
It was the guy we’ve all heard about who cut off two of his fingers after he removed the guard on a saw. He was helped by the machinist who didn’t have the time to go back to the lunch room for safety glasses and lost an eye when the bit broke in the drill press. They both got advice from a co-worker who had his head split open by a falling hammer because he “just plain didn’t like to wear hard hats.” Read more
Consider the following scenario:
The lights are out, it is totally dark and you can’t see. You smell smoke and there is a fire. You must evacuate and escape. Now close your eyes for 10 seconds and mentally find your way to safety. Did you remember that doorway? That wall? That step? That desk? That machine? Other obstacles? Were you able to negotiate your way to safety? Read more
The holidays are fast approaching and so is the need to prepare and protect yourself during the hazardous winter driving ahead. Your car needs to be mechanically fit and you need to be mentally prepared for the travel ahead of you.
Think about your family and friends that are counting on you to deliver them safely during the cold, ice, and snow over the winter months. Consider others who have not planned ahead and are not cautious drivers. They are the drivers you will have to be ready to avoid on the slippery winter roads. Read more
Everyday activities including work, play, school, shopping, travel, and just about everything we do involves some sort of safety risk. So how do we protect ourselves and others from these potential injuries?
By far the most important way to prevent injuries is to train ourselves to be vigilant and be able to recognize conditions that could cause injury to ourselves and others. It’s great to be able to recognize and avoid injuries, but that is not enough!
What do we do after that? Do we just walk on by? Do we tell someone or file an Incident Report? Still not enough!
If possible, you should try to “Do Something” to eliminate that risk. Read more
In order to deliberately do something day after day you need a reason. You eat because you need food to live. You sleep because your body needs the rest. You go to work to provide for yourself and your family.
Have you stopped to think about your reasons for working safely? Do you go along with safety regulations because OSHA and the company say so, or to win recognition for being accident free? Stop and think – you have far better reasons for working safely, and here are only a few examples: Read more
What Are The Hazards? Fire and Electrocution are the two main hazards associated with Office Electrical Safety. Overloaded circuits can also cause power loss, work interruptions, and loss of productivity. A “rats nest” of tangled electrical cords not only creates a fire hazard but also a personal injury risk from slips / trips / falls. Many personal offices, cubicles, and work areas are not set up to handle the additional electrical load from items such as space heaters, fans, coffee makers, and printers. Read more
If you hear thunder, then lightning is close enough to strike you – immediately move to safe shelter. A safe shelter is a substantial building or inside an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle. Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.
Indoor Lightning Safety Tips
Read more
Why is safety training so important to new workers and / or to someone who is moving into a new job or position? New workers are 5 times more likely to be injured on the job than experienced workers, and most of those injuries occur within 90 days after starting a new job. Here is a sobering example from a newly released fatality report that describes a such an incident: Read more
Most factories and offices have a plan to deal with hazardous waste, but very few households have a similar plan to safely dispose of hazardous products. Batteries, cleaners, pesticides, light bulbs, and even medications are only a few items that should be disposed of properly and NOT flushed down a drain or placed in the garbage where they could potentially contaminate the streams and groundwater. Read more
Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year. Be able to recognize the symptoms of heat related emergencies and know how to respond. Working in hot and humid weather, being in the sun, and doing hard physical work are things that need to be taken seriously. You are also at risk while doing yard work, playing sports, and other leisure activities. Read more
Consider this: you walk out to your car and you see that one of your tires is flat. You immediately think that the flat tire is the problem. That is incorrect. The fact that your tire is flat is NOT the problem. The fact that your tire is flat is the condition. The problem is that you no longer have enough air in the tire which has caused it to go flat. Read more
Driving while texting or talking on the phone is considered more dangerous than driving intoxicated at .08 BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) – thus the term “InTEXTicated” driving. InTEXTicated drivers tend to have a slower response time than other impaired drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and near misses. Nearly 80% of crashes and 65% of close calls involve a driver’s lack of attention within three seconds before the event. Read more
March is “Eye Safety Month”, which serves as a timely reminder that we need to protect our eyes at all times. Interestingly, most eye injuries occur to people who are performing their regular jobs. In addition, most eye injuries occur to workers who are either not wearing the correct eye protection for the job or to those who are not wearing any eye protection. The obvious conclusion is that most, if not all, eye injuries can be prevented simply by wearing the proper eye protection for the job being performed. Read more
Looking at the Injury Event Triangle, you will see that Three things must be in place for the event or injury to occur. There must be a Motive (Hazard / Risk), a Target (YOU), and an Opportunity (Bad Decision). Read more
Just what does it mean to look at something with a “Critical Eye”? Is it to criticize or to find fault? No, that’s not the idea! By observing with a “Critical Eye” you will be making an objective and analytical evaluation of the situation rather than just being a casual observer. When you are considering how to perform a task safely, just being a casual observer takes away your opportunity to find and eliminate hazards and greatly increases your chances for injury. The most important result of observing with a “Critical Eye” is that it eliminates the impulse decisions and allows time for the mind to do the critical thinking that will lead to the best course of action. A simple way to make the best decisions regarding safety is to use the STOP method. Read more
Stepladders can be a quick and easy way to extend your reach, however, every time you use a stepladder there is a risk for permanent injury or death. Those hazards can be greatly reduced by following good safety practices.
Eliminate the Common Hazards by:
Read more
Attention drivers…school buses are back on the road! Now is a good time to review laws and safety tips regarding school buses and students. Did you know that school buses are one of the safest forms of transportation? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, riding a school bus is 13 times safer than riding in a car and 10 times safer than walking to school. Let’s work to keep it that way! Read more
Arc Flash is a sudden release of electrical energy or fireball that is caused by a short circuit in electrical equipment. That fireball can release dangerous levels of thermal energy with temperatures over 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The rapid expansion of gases and temperatures, or pressure waves, during an arc-flash incident can send shrapnel, molten metal, tools, and other objects through the air at speeds over 700 mph. Add to that a sound pressure of 165dB (decibels) and an arc-flash incident can be the equivalent of a small explosion. Arc flash incidents can result in a loss of life, serious potential career ending injuries (including burns, loss of eyesight, and hearing that require extended recovery time), and extensive property damage. Read more
Moving machinery is everywhere! Construction equipment, production machinery, process equipment, transportation devices, such as automobiles and bicycles, home shop and yard equipment, and even office photocopiers contain moving parts that can cause injuries.
If it revolves, swings, spins, slides, opens, closes, or moves in any way at all, it can hurt or kill you. We often think about fingers or other extremities that might get caught in machinery, however a person could be dragged into many pieces of equipment and be injured or crushed even before they have a chance to cry out for help. Injuries related to machinery and equipment often result in death or permanent disability. Read more
In an ideal work team environment we like to think that we all have each other’s backs. However, when it comes down to taking care of the physical health of our backs and spines, the responsibility falls onto the individual person. Statistics show that nearly 80% of Americans will suffer from back pain or back injury at some point during their lives. Back strains are second only to the common cold for lost work days. Read more
Does the person in the mirror always make the safest decisions? Is your safety reflection something that you would want your co-workers and family members to see or emulate? Do you see a few cracks in your mirror? Is the image cloudy? If left unchecked, those cracks might eventually shatter the image with dire consequences. It’s never too late to repair those cracks or to clean and polish your safety image! Here’s how: Read more
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission there are nearly 75,000 lawn mower injuries each year which require emergency room visits. Riding mowers account for half of all injuries, including 100 fatalities. Half of the injuries happen to children under the age of 15.
Fatal and serious injuries have a common theme where the riding mower tips over and the victim falls under or is run over by the mower. Young children are in this category. Find a safe activity to spend quality time with the youngsters after the mowing is finished. A few minutes of fun riding is not worth the risk of permanent injury or death. Read more
Headlines:
“Two workers, ages 14 and 19, were suffocated when they were engulfed by corn in a grain silo”
“18 year old dies when his clothes get tangled in a portable mortar mixer”
“17 year old assistant pool manager was electrocuted when she contacted an ungrounded motor”
Young workers between the ages of 16 and 24 are twice as likely to suffer an injury or an illness on the job as more experienced workers. Read more
Can you imagine what it would be like to lose the use of one or both of your hands because of an injury? Our hands and wrists have 27 bones along with the soft tissue that allows us the flexibility and strength to be able to perform tasks. Even a minor hand or finger injury will remind us how important it is to have the full use of our hands.
Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that close to 20% of all days away from work injuries are hand related. In fact around 10% of all hospital emergency visits are related to hand injuries and 40% of these injuries involve lacerations or cuts. Read more
Don’t let a 3 second distraction become a lifetime of regret! The time it took to read the title of this safety tip, only 3 seconds, is the same length of time for distractions that precede 80% of automobile crashes and 60% of near misses. You may consider yourself to be an attentive and safe driver, however, those 3 seconds can be the precious time that allows you to prevent or avoid an accident — regardless whether it is your distraction or someone else’s.
A safe driver is not necessarily someone who has been lucky enough to avoid being involved in an accident. Rather, a safe driver is a courteous and defensive driver who looks out for others, avoids distractions, and is always on alert to anticipate and respond to potential traffic situations. Safe drivers share the road so that they do not become part of, or contribute to, a preventable accident. Read more
I’ll bet your first thought is that this will be another safe driving tip! Well……..Yes and No!
In reality the “Stay Alert! Stay Alive” mantra should guide all our activities regardless if we are driving, working, or at home. Read more
Wear non-skid footwear that is appropriate for the weather and conditions. Shoes with smooth soles and higher heels provide less surface area and less traction on slippery surfaces. You might consider purchasing clip on cleats that will provide good traction on ice and snow. Read more
Most people like to get their job done by exerting the least amount of time and energy, and that leads us to continuously look for better ways for completing our work. Those “better ways” are often only shortcuts that do not provide the safe path for completing the task at hand. Read more
What does this mean? All members of a group support each individual member. They all have a common goal and work together to reach that goal. Read more
Everyone must receive safety training for jobs performed at work. Most of us also receive additional safety training on a wide variety of subjects that serve to heighten our safety awareness on the job. On top of all that training are safety tips, messages, signs, slogans, and posters that serve as constant reminders to be safe while on the job. Statistics show that training and increased awareness are slowly making an impact, although last year over 4,000 people died and over 3 million were injured while at work. Read more
Fireworks: Every year there are more than 9,000 fireworks related injuries treated in emergency facilities. Even simple fireworks such as sparklers burn at around 1800° F and that causes many injuries especially to youngsters. Fireworks are dangerous and best left to the professionals who will put on a display that is far superior to anything individuals could hope to achieve. The best way, and safest way, to enjoy fireworks is to find a good vantage point for a public display and to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Read more
Safety Committees in the workplace are important for establishing programs, procedures, and training that will prevent injuries. In addition to demonstrating management commitment and support, safety committees provide leadership and direction for improving the overall safety culture and awareness of all employees. Read more
What is Identity Theft? Identity theft occurs when an imposter takes your personal data – usually your name, Social Security number (SSN), driver’s license number, address, and / or birth date – and uses it for his / her own financial gain. This person may apply for telephone service, mortgages, credit cards or loans, buy merchandise, and / or lease cars or apartments. They might even use your identity to gain employment – working as you. Read more
A review the OSHA stats regarding fatalities readily highlights trends on how workers are being hurt and killed. In fact in the latest report, five of the first seven incidents listed, show workers who died from some sort of fall. It is important to remember here that non-work related injuries and fatalities often mirror the OSHA statistics. Read more
When packing and making plans for a road trip or vacation, don’t forget to include “Safety” in all your preparations and activities. Vacations offer time to escape from everyday concerns and provide time to rest and rejuvenate our bodies and minds. However, many of the hazards associated with everyday life will also follow you on your travels, so be sure to include “Safety” in all your plans. Read more
Are you getting ready to take on some construction work around the house? Building a deck? Installing a fence? New mail box? Even a simple job like planting a tree in your yard can jeopardize your safety. Many energized power and utility lines are buried just a few feet under the ground. Digging, trenching or excavating without knowing where the utility lines are buried could be costly – and fatal. Read more
What does March Madness and safety have in common? Stop and think about your favorite winning sports team. How do they do it? Do they have a superstar that will always carry the team? Sometimes but not likely! Consistently winning teams are made up of individual players who all maintain a high level of intensity and share a collective mind-set that they will not be defeated, and that tis how they succeed as a team. Every team member puts in the hard work and practice that gives them the confidence and ability to make the winning plays when the game is on the line. Read more
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), thousands of people are blinded each year from work related eye injuries. Nearly 60% of those injuries occurred to workers who were not wearing the proper eye and face protection. In fact, not wearing the proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to protect your eyes is like throwing darts with your eyes as the intended target. Would you actually do this? I don’t think so! Read more
There are no shortcuts to safety! Most people try to get their jobs done with the least amount of time and energy, which leads us to continually look for better ways for completing our work – as it should be. However, safety hazards increase when those “better ways” are only short cuts that don’t consider how to do the job safely or disregard the safety systems already in place. Read more
February is national Heart month and a good reminder to take care of our heart in return for the care it has given us. Below are ways you can help keep your heart in tip-top shape. Click on the title of each section to learn more information. Read more
You have all heard the expression “like a bull in a china shop” in reference to someone being careless or clumsy. Let’s give that bull a name and call it “at risk behavior.” That bull can make a shambles of you and your family’s life – it can destroy your personal “china shop.” Read more
Proper glove use is crucial to helping prevent hand injuries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 70% of workers who experienced hand injuries were not wearing gloves. Many workers who were wearing gloves and sustained injuries were not wearing the proper gloves for the job. Read more
The holidays are here, and now is the time to celebrate with family and friends and to give thanks and gifts. Perhaps the most valuable gift that you could give this year would be that of health and safety for yourself and others. Read more
OSHA recently announced its fiscal year 2012 top 10 most frequently cited violations in the workplace. Many of these violations make the top 10 list year after year, although the order changes slightly. Note that fall protection has garnered the top spot for the last two years. Read more
Winter driving can be a dangerous and challenging adventure when you have to contend with ice and snow. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and OSHA have issued an article titled “Safe Winter Driving”. The article describes ways to put the three Ps of winter driving (prepare, protect, and prevent) into motion in your daily lives. Read more
Portable fire extinguishers can help save lives and reduce property damage from small fires. In case of a fire, first sound the alarm or call 911. Remember — You should never attempt to extinguish any fire if there is a threat to your personal safety. If the fire is small and there is no heavy smoke present AND you have an escape exit available, it may be safe to use an appropriate extinguisher for that class of fire. Read more
It’s that time of year again! Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 am on Sunday, November 4, 2012. Take this opportunity to address items that will help ensure your safety during the fall and winter months. Read more
The latest Weekly Fatality / Catastrophe Report released by OSHA for the week of August 11, 2012 highlights a disturbing trend. Out of the 26 reported fatalities, 13 were attributed to some sort of a fall. The most recent incident happened in the middle of October at a project located in Tennessee. The project was put on hold to conduct an investigation after two workers from a large construction company were killed in a fall that was caused by faulty scaffolding. Read more
The nature of work is changing at whirlwind speeds. According to a recent study commissioned by Regus, a provider of flexible workplace options, almost 50% of workers worldwide reported an increase in stress levels last year! This study also found that stressrelated health conditions account for 75% to 90% of all doctor visits, and that 30% to 50% of new disability benefit claims are attributed to poor mental health. Some statistics suggest that up to 60% to 70% of workplace accidents may be caused or influenced by stress. Read more
When is flu season? Flu season begins in October and runs through May, with peak flu activity in January and February. The best way to protect against the flu is to get a flu vaccine each year. The vaccine for the 2012-2013 season has arrived at many health providers, clinics, and other dispensing locations. Now is a good time to be vaccinated before the flu season gets started. Read more
Always take a few minutes to review the task at hand before starting any work. Consider how to complete the task safely by using the right Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), tools, and equipment for the job. Take the time to make a Safe Plan of Action (SPA) for every task. STOP is a good formula to follow for all your work, home, and recreational activities. Read more
On Friday August 31, Ohio joined the majority of other states to ban texting while driving. Distracted driving is considered to be any activity that diverts the driver’s attention away from their primary task of driving. All distractions endanger the driver, passengers, other drivers, and bystander safety. Read more
What happens when you experience a minor cut or injury? Do you clean and treat the wound immediately, or go on with your task and worry about it later? Do you have a first aid kit nearby and do you know where one is kept? All good questions that we don’t ask until after a minor cut or injury occurs. Read more
The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) have a joint web site at www.ready.gov/severe-weather with information that will help save lives by educating the public on what to do before, during, and after severe weather strikes. Last year (2011) there were more than 1,000 fatalities and 8,000 injuries caused by severe weather. While we can’t control when or where severe weather will hit, we can prepare and arm ourselves with the knowledge of what to do before, during, and after a severe weather event. Read more
Safety starts with an attitude that you will do every task in a way that will eliminate hazards and the potential for injury. Thousands of workplace injuries occur every year, and even more injuries happen on the commute to and from work, and home. The potential for injury is always there, no matter how simple, complex, or often you have done that task. Read more
The opposition! Slips, Trips, and Falls (ST&Fs) account for 20% of all work related injuries each year. Many of these injuries occur when a worker climbs in or out of heavy equipment, trucks, or trailers. Falls from portable ladders and slips on stairways are also included in these accident numbers. Inclement weather, poor housekeeping, defective equipment, rushing to get the job done, and lack of hand supports all increase the chances for injury. Most of these incidents result in injuries to shoulders, arms, backs and ankles. Read more
Swimming and other water related activities offer excellent ways to exercise, relax, and have fun. Millions of people enjoy oceans, lakes, rivers, pools, and spas throughout the year. Swimming is the 3rd most popular leisure activity in the U.S. and the most popular activity for children. Drowning accidents can happen quickly and they are highly preventable if you use the right safety precautions. Read more
Fatigue is a safety concern year round, however summer often finds us more tired than usual. Longer daylight hours and additional activities all come at the expense of quality rest and sleep. Even after an enjoyable and much needed vacation you are likely to feel tired and will find it difficult to get back into the work routine. For whatever reason, if you are tired you are at a greater risk for errors and accidents. Read more
Exposure to heat can cause illness and death. The most serious heat illness is heat stroke. Other heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash, should be avoided. There are precautions you should take any time temperatures are high and the job or activity involves physical work. Read more
If you love BBQ and are fixin’ to try your hand at grillin’ the best Q this side of Kansas City (or Memphis, the Carolinas, or Texas whatever your preference), following are a few safety items that will help keep your efforts safe and enjoyable.
Every year thousands of homes catch fire due to unsafe grilling practices and many people are injured from fires and burns from propane explosions and hot grills. Read more
Bees, Wasps and Yellow Jackets: Bees and wasps normally avoid human contact however, if they are disturbed or provoked, they can provide a painful sting that produces swelling, itching, hives, or even more severe reactions. If you are stung, Read more
Slips, trips and, falls are the second highest cause of accidental deaths and injuries, behind motor vehicle accidents. Each year, almost two million disabling injuries and thousands of minor injuries occur on stairways. While slips, trips and falls are the cause of numerous injuries and deaths every day, they are among the easiest to correct. Read more
The Statistics
Warmer weather has arrived! The improved weather forecast and the change to Daylight Savings Time (March 13, 2011) greatly increases the number and variety of persons and vehicles that compete for space on the roadways. A safe driver is not necessarily someone who has been lucky enough to avoid accidents. Rather they are a courteous and defensive driver who looks out for others, avoids distractions, and are always on alert to anticipate and respond to potential traffic situations. Safe drivers share the road so that they do not become part of, or contribute to a preventable accident. Read more
Being a Safety Champion is everyone’s responsibility! Each person is responsible to make hundreds of decisions necessary to function every day, and to acquire the knowledge to make the safest choices possible. By doing so, each one of us can become a Safety Champion. Read more
Can you imagine what it would be like to lose the use of one or both of your hands because of an injury? Our hands and wrists have 27 muscles and 27 bones that allow us the flexibility and strength to be able to perform tasks. Even a minor hand or finger injury will remind us how important it is to have the full use of our hands. Read more
“Off-the-job” injuries involve employed people when they are not working. For example, a restaurant cook cuts his hand on a knife while fixing dinner at home or a truck driver who slides off an icy road while driving his car to work, hits a tree, and suffers a sprained wrist. Those injuries occurred off-the-job. Read more
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