Southeast Federal Safety Council

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Beware Of Entanglement with Machinery

"Man's scalp ripped off in machinery accident." "Operator loses scalp to rotating shaft." "Woman's finger amputated by bench mounted drill." These are all recently recorded workplace accidents. Hazards of entanglement are equally present when working with power tools at home.

Quicker than you can hit an emergency stop button, your long hair or jewelry can become entangled in moving machinery - with devastating results. Hair, jewelry and even loose clothing are major hazards around powered equipment. Just wearing a hardhat without tying back long hair is not enough protection from spinning or rotating parts. Many accidents have occurred when shoulder-length hair, worn in pony-tail fashion under a hardhat, has swung out and become entangled in machinery.

So how can you avoid these accidents?

Be aware of the dangers. Even air currents, created by the rapidly moving parts, can cause the initial contact between the equipment and your hair, neck chains or clothing.

Before you start work, remove anything which could become entangled. This includes scarves, chains, neckties and even sweaters with loose sleeves.

If you have long hair, wear the appropriate head gear to restrain it. In some jobs this may include a hairnet cap, headband with a hairnet or hair covers made of cotton, paper, synthetic fibers or plastic.

Removing wedding rings, wrist watches and bracelets may be required. You can always put them back on again after work.

Wear the appropriate clothing for the job. Avoid wearing articles with torn pockets, frayed cuffs, billowy sleeves or legs and loose belts.

Button your shirt cuffs and tuck in your shirt tails.

Restrain your hair, remove your jewelry and refrain from wearing loose clothing around moving machinery. It will save your life.

Be vigilant to the dangers of working around powered machimery when you have any loose hair, jewelry, or clothing that could get snagged in the machinery and drag you into the damaging moving parts - all in a blink of an eye.

Peroxide - Safer and healthier than bleach

This was written by Becky Ramsey of Indiana (a doctor's wife), and I want to share it with you. She was over recently for coffee and smelled the bleach I was using to clean my toilet and countertops. This is what she told me...

I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little ole bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. What does bleach cost? My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide. Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? NO!!! Why? Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better!

Here are some ways that you can use this inexpensive fluid.

1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe.) No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishcloth when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.

4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue.

9.. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, fading, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change.

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.

I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no home should be without! With prices of most necessities rising, I'm glad there’s a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

What to Do If You Have a Blowout on the Highway

Having a flat tire when driving is always a problem. But experiencing a flat or blowout while traveling on an interstate highway or other high-speed roadway can present special dangers. Here are some tips for coping with tire trouble:

At the first sign of tire trouble, grip the steering wheel firmly.
Don't slam on the brakes.
Let the car slow down gradually by taking your foot off the gas pedal.
Work your vehicle toward the breakdown lane or, if possible, toward an exit.
If it is necessary to change lanes, signal your intentions to drivers behind and do so smoothly and carefully, watching your mirrors and the traffic around you very closely.
Steer as your vehicle slows down. It is better to roll the car off the roadway (when you have slowed to 30 miles per hour) and into a safe place than it is to stop in traffic and risk a rear-end or side collision from other vehicles.
When all four wheels are off the pavement—brake lightly and cautiously until you stop.
Turn your emergency flashers on.
It's important to have the car well off the pavement and away from traffic before stopping, even if proceeding to a place of safety means rolling along slowly with the bad tire flapping. You can drive on a flat if you take it easy and avoid sudden moves. Don't worry about damaging the tire. It is probably ruined anyway.
Once off the road, put out reflective triangles 10 to 15 feet behind your vehicle to alert other drivers.
Keep your emergency flashers on.
If you know how to change a tire, have the equipment, and can do it safely without being near traffic, change the tire as you normally would.
Remember that being safe must take precedence over your schedule or whatever other concerns you may have. Changing a tire with traffic whizzing past can be nerve-wracking at best and dangerous at worst. Therefore, it may be best to get professional help if you have a tire problem or other breakdown on a multi-lane highway.
Raise your hood and tie something white to the radio antenna or hang it out a window so police officers or tow truck operators will know that you need help.
Don't stand behind or next to your vehicle. If possible, stand away from the vehicle and wait for help to arrive.
All interstate highways and major roads are patrolled regularly. Also, some highways have special "call-for-help" phones. If you have a cell phone you can call right from the roadside. It is inadvisable to walk on a multi-lane highway. However, if you can see a source of help and are able to reach it on foot, try the direct approach by walking but keeping as far from traffic as possible.

The most important things to remember when dealing with a flat tire on the highway are:

Don't stop in traffic.
Get your vehicle completely away from the roadway before attempting to change a tire.
Finally, have a qualified mechanic check your vehicle after having a flat tire to be sure there is no residual damage from the bad tire or the aftermath of the flat.

Source: National Safety Council

How to prevent violence at work

Preventing violence from occurring in your office or workplace depends largely on recognizing the signs. The fact of the matter is that if you are not prepared within your organization to deal with a potentially violent situation, you increase your risk of having one occur. As a manager, there are steps you can take to ensure this is never the case. It is essential to not only prepare a written policy clearly stating the rules concerning violent behavior, but also to maintain a relationship with your employees wherein issues are discussed openly and honestly. It would also be in your best interest to inform your employees about workplace violence and to have a course of action planned for a possible situation. Your employees should be trained to resolve conflict at some level.

The risk of workplace violence varies among occupations, with the highest aggression rate found in jobs that deal directly with the public. Positions such as teacher or school worker, police officer, or jobs that have contact with mental health patients rank high when it comes to dangerous jobs. This, however, is not to suggest that hostile behavior by employees is not possible within other organizations.

It is not surprising that hostile employees often disclose their discontent and frustration to coworkers prior to committing acts of violence. The person may appear lonely, under a great deal of stress, or dissatisfied with his job. He may act out, behave in a dramatic or inappropriate fashion at work, or engage in fights with other employees. Perhaps he feels he has been treated unfairly; either way, he is likely to let a fellow coworker know. Though it's often hard to tell whether someone is serious or just joking around, and coworkers may be reluctant to report their colleagues, threats should be taken seriously.

If an employee exhibits any of these signs, you must address the issue in such a way that safety is a high concern. If you plan to speak to the person, do not allow him a chance to prepare for the meeting, and be certain to have security personnel available.

Pre-screening employees prior to hiring may be one of the most effective methods of preventing violence. If a person has a criminal record or other history of violent behavior, you might want to reconsider hiring him.

As an employer, know that a policy regarding violence is something that should not be overlooked. It should be brief and avoid specific statements about what the company will not tolerate. Defining certain behaviors could cause uncertainty with employees who aren't sure whether an incident or threat warrants a report. Examples work well; accusing terms do not. When composing the policy, it's wise to consult a lawyer as well.

Violence in the workplace can be easily avoided. It's up to employers to ensure that their companies are prepared to handle it.

References: http://crimeprevention.rutgers.edu/crime/violence/workplace/intro.htm

http://www.opm.gov/Employment_and_Benefits/WorkLife/OfficialDocuments/handbooksguides/Work placeViolence/index.asp

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

ERGONOMICS - Ergonomic Tips for the Holiday

Ergonomic Tips for the Holidays

Ergonomics is the science of fitting the products, jobs, and environments to people in order to improve comfort, safety, efficiency and productivity. With the holidays around the corner, we may be spending more time in the kitchen than usual. Here are some tips to help you think about designing your kitchen to improve comfort, safety, and efficiency.

Store items that you use most frequently (i.e., every day plates and glasses) in the most accessible, easy to reach places. Place infrequently used items (e.g., special plates) in less accessible places such as the very low and very high shelves or over the refrigerator. To reduce strain when reaching for objects in lower cabinets, consider spinning or rotating shelves such as a lazy-Susan or even bins that pull out.

In order to decrease discomfort that can result from extended standing in the kitchen (cooking at the stove or doing dishes at the sink), it is important to wear comfortable, supportive shoes. When standing in one place in front of a cabinet, you can open a lower door to prop a foot up. This not only brings you closer to the counter but by alternating the foot you prop, you can improve circulation and muscle movement. A soft cushioned mat can also help reduce the risk of a tired back or aching feet at the end of the day.

Consider task lighting in the kitchen to illuminate your work. Good lighting can help reduce eye strain and fatigue. Try to plan your meals ahead and prepare as much as possible to reduce last minute grocery trips and stress. Reduce the amount of time any one person spends cooking or cleaning by asking friends and family to pitch in.

Contributed by Mike Amos, US Navy, Atlanta Federal Safety & Health Council

Thursday, October 19, 2006

President Extends Workplace Safety Initiative for Federal Employees

Bush Extends Workplace Safety Initiative for Federal Employees

Due to the success of the Labor Department's Safety, Health and Return-to-Employment (SHARE) initiative in making strides to reduce workplace injury and illnesses cases among federal employees, President George W. Bush has given the program a 3-year extension through 2009.

Originally launched in 2004, the SHARE initiative also has helped reduce lost production-day rates and substantially improve timely filing of injury and illness notices, according to the Labor Department.

The Labor Department said the federal government is on track to exceed all four of its workplace safety and health goals for the first time since the start of the initiative. If third-quarter results hold, the agency said the federal government (except for the Postal Service) is on track to end the year with the following accomplished goals:

An overall 16.7 percent decrease in the total case rate from the FY 2003 baseline.
A 12.4 percent reduction in the lost-time case rate.
A 44.4 percent increase in timely claim submissions.
A 6.6 percent decrease in the rate of lost production days.

In extending the initiative through 2009, Bush challenged executive branch agencies to "establish more ambitious performance targets" than the minimum goals established under the initiative.

"Fewer federal employees were injured, became ill or died on the job over the past 3 years as a result of the SHARE initiative and a greater awareness of workplace safety and health," OSHA Administrator Edwin Foulke Jr. said. "We look to build on these tremendous results, which benefit not just federal employees and their agencies, but all American taxpayers."

Contributed by Robert Myers, CSP - Atlanta Federal Safety and Health Council

ELECTRICAL SAFETY - Arc Fault Circuit Breakers

Q: There was a house fire on our street last week. The fire investigators traced the cause to a short in an electrical wire. I am terrified that a fire can start in my own home without warning. Why didn't the person's circuit breaker trip as soon as the wire shorted? Is there a way to prevent fires caused by short circuits in electrical wiring?

A: Your neighbor's fire was just one of the 115 +/- electrical fires that happen each day in the USA. These fires cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, injure thousands of people and are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people each year. I can see why you are terrified. Ask any firefighter and he will tell you that electrical fires are non-discriminatory. They can strike anywhere and at any time.

The electrical shorts that cause these fires produce arcs. These miniature fireworks create sparks and temperatures that approach 10,000 F. This intense heat can rapidly ignite plastic insulation, wood, carpeting or any other combustible material in the vicinity of the arcing wires. Arcs happen frequently in appliance electrical cords where insulation has become brittle or is cracked. Hidden wires behind walls nicked by nails or pinched by fasteners can also be sources of sinister arcing. Loose connections where wires are attached to switches and outlets are often arc hot spots.

The traditional circuit breakers in your neighbor's house did not prevent the fire for a simple reason. They are not designed to sense arc faults. Traditional circuit breakers are actually designed to protect just the wire behind the walls and the switches and outlets that they are connected to. The circuit breakers are designed to trip when they sense a short that causes an avalanche of electricity coursing through a circuit. They also will trip when a constant massive amount of electricity passing through the circuit causes a heat buildup within the breaker. Traditional breakers are not designed to protect lightweight appliance wires and extension cords that are plugged into wall outlets.

Fire producing arcs can occur in wiring before traditional breakers react. Electrical manufacturers recognized this problem and decided to attempt to stop as many of these electrical fires as possible. The result of the hard work of many is a new arc fault circuit interrupter breaker. These devices work and act like a traditional circuit breaker except that they are smarter. Many of these new devices contain small filters and logic devices that allow them to sense an arc just as it is about to produce the sparks and intense heat. If arcing conditions are present, then the breaker trips instantaneously.

Do not confuse these devices with the personal protection ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) that have been around for over 30 years. The GFCI circuit breakers, at the present time, do not have the capability to sense arcs.

The new arc fault circuit breakers are identified in section 210-12 of the 1999 edition of the National Electric Code. Beginning January 1, 2002 they will be required to protect branch circuits that serve residential bedrooms. These areas of the house have been identified as the source of many electrical arc related fires. The state of Vermont has taken a slightly more aggressive stance. They are requiring that these new life saving circuit breakers be used in all circuits that feed residential living areas. Their regulation goes into effect on January 1, 2001.

These new arc fault breakers can be purchased now in every state in the USA. These breakers are the same size as your existing traditional circuit breakers. The new arc fault breakers cost about $25 - $50 each depending upon manufacturer, but it is a very small price to pay for peace of mind. An experienced electrician can install a new arc fault breaker in a matter of minutes. It actually takes longer to remove and replace the cover to the circuit breaker panel than it does to switch out the breaker.

Thanks to http://www.askthebuilder.com/

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

MOTORCYCLE AFETY - Motorcycle Safety Foundation

September 26, 2006 01:50 PM Eastern Time

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new website was officially launched today by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to focus on improving rider safety, and to help stem the rise in motorcyclist crashes on our nations roadways.

The http://www.implementnams.org/ website was made possible by a combined effort of the MSF and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The website features an Event Calendar to keep users informed of motorcycling safety events and developments nationwide, and at its heart, a Discussion Forum organized by topical area as outlined in the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety (NAMS).

Through the Discussion Forum, ImplementNAMS.org provides a place where the safety community can visit to share success, seek answers, or offer advice related to their efforts to improve motorcyclist safety by implementing the recommendations provided in NAMS. To maintain an effective and unbiased environment, volunteers from the ranks of Forum participants moderate the Forum.

Released in November 2000 as a joint, two-year effort of NHTSA and the MSF, NAMS is a comprehensive blueprint and strategic vision for the future of motorcyclist safety. Intended to provide direction to the safety community for a decade or more, the plan addresses safety countermeasures on a variety of fronts. NAMS outlines 82 specific recommended actions to improve motorcyclist safety, categorized in five major areas: research and information, and human, social, vehicle and environmental factors.

With the gathering of the worldwide safety community at our International Motorcycle Safety Conference in Long Beach this year, it was clear that the entire community needed a way to exchange ideas, as well as share current projects, programs and new information real-time, said Tim Buche, MSF president. The NAMS website serves to support this need, providing a worldwide, 24/7 resource to assist collaboration among peers. The goal is to help re-energize and re-focus the safety community on continuing to bring NAMS recommendations to life.
ImplementNAMS.org is intended to serve as "Main Street" for all who have the desire and/or means to make a difference in motorcyclist safety. To assist, the MSF has established a NAMS Grant Program available for those who wish to implement innovative projects based upon the recommendations provided in NAMS. This small-award grant program targets a broad range of grassroots efforts to improve motorcyclist safety. The Foundations grants, up to $10,000 each, may be used to jumpstart new programs or to support ongoing efforts that complement NAMS recommendations.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is committed to making motorcycling safer and more enjoyable by ensuring access to lifelong quality education and training for current and prospective riders, and by advocating a safer riding environment.

Since 1973, the MSF has set internationally recognized standards that promote the safety of motorcyclists with rider education courses, operator licensing tests, and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders may enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling.

The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio/Vespa, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha.

For RiderCoursesm locations, call 800-446-9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org.
Contact Motorcycle Safety FoundationMedia Relations at 949-727-3227, Ext. 3131

Thursday, August 10, 2006

ATLANTA AQUARIUM PICTURES

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

DRIVING SAFETY - Seatbelt Use

More Than 80 Percent Do, But the Rest Don’t

Seatbelt use throughout the US and Canada keeps improving year after year, but for some reason, almost two in 10 people refuse to buckle up. Label it laziness, stubbornness or ignorance, but that decision has cost 135,000 lives in the US alone since 1980. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Many employers have strict rules requiring workers to buckle up on the job. If your company or organization lets employees make their own decisions about seatbelt use, you might want to consider some other NHTSA statistics.

Had motor vehicle accident victims been wearing seatbelts, 5.2 million non-fatal injuries would have been prevented within the past 26 years.

The cost savings to US society during that period would have been $913 billion had the fatalities and injuries outlined above been prevented.

According to NHTSA, seatbelt use in the US averaged 82 percent in 2005. In Canada the average is about 88 percent, according to Transport Canada.

Article contributed by Ron Durant, USAF and Atlanta Federal Safety and Health Council.

You’re Safer at Work, Really

You’re Safer at Work, Really

Workplace fatalities garner a lot of media attention, but you’re much more likely to die after you leave the company gate. It’s no contest: Nine out of 10 fatalities happen either at home or in the community, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). And two-thirds of disabling injuries occur off the job.

NSC says 62,100 fatalities occurred in the home and community across the US in 2004. One in 17 people experiences an unintentional injury every year and a fatal injury occurs in one home every 14 minutes and in the community every 21 minutes.

Here are the top five ways people die from injuries:

• Falls

• Poisoning

• Choking

• Drowning

• Fires, flames or smoke

Your company may have a stellar workplace safety program, but if you aren’t getting workers to think about their safety off the job, your job is far from covered.

Article contributed by Ron Durant, USAF and Atlanta Federal Safety and Health Council