Risk Management 365 – Page 19 – Risk Profile Improvement

What Are the Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity?

Being overweight or obese isn’t a cosmetic problem. These conditions greatly raise your risk for other health problems.

Overweight and Obesity-Related Health Problems in Adults:

Coronary Heart Disease
High Blood Pressure
Stroke
Type 2 Diabetes
Abnormal Blood Fats
Metabolic Syndrome
Cancer
Osteoarthritis
Sleep Apnea
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
Reproductive Problems
Obesity can cause menstrual issues and infertility in women.
Gallstones

via What Are the Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity? – NHLBI, NIH.

Emergency Action Plan Required by OSHA

An emergency action plan (EAP) is a written document required by particular OSHA standards [29 CFR 1910.38(a)]. The purpose of an EAP is to facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies. Well developed emergency plans and proper employee training (such that employees understand their roles and responsibilities within the plan) will result in fewer and less severe employee injuries and less structural damage to the facility during emergencies. A poorly prepared plan, likely will lead to a disorganized evacuation or emergency response, resulting in confusion, injury, and property damage.

via Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool | What is an Emergency Action Plan?.

Exercise and Age

It’s never too late to start exercising. Exercise has benefits at any age.

Don’t worry if you’ve never exercised, or if you stopped exercising for some reason. Being physically active can help you continue to do the things you enjoy and stay independent as you age. In addition, the right kind of regular exercise can reduce your chance of heart disease, diabetes, and falls.

An effective exercise program needs to be fun and keep you motivated. It helps to have a goal. Your goal might be:

Manage a health condition
Reduce stress
Improve your stamina
Be able to buy clothes in a smaller size

Your exercise program also may be a way for you to socialize. Taking exercise classes or exercising with a friend are both good ways to be social.

You may have a hard time starting an exercise routine. Once you do start, though, you will begin to notice the benefits, including improved sleep and self-esteem.

Exercise and physical activity can also:

Improve or maintain your strength and fitness
Make it easier to do the things you want to do
Help your balance and walking
Help with feelings of depression or anxiety and improve your mood
Maintain your thinking skills (cognitive function) as you get older
Prevent or treat diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, breast and colon cancer, and osteoporosis

Always talk to your health care provider before starting an exercise program.

via Exercise and age: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.

Indirect Costs of Accidents

Studies show that the ratio of indirect costs to direct costs varies widely, from a high of 20:1 to a low of 1:1. OSHA has shown that the lower the direct costs of an accident, the higher the ratio of indirect to direct costs (ranging from 4.1/1.0 to 1.1/1.0). Examples of indirect costs include training replacement employees, accident investigation and implementation of corrective measures, lost productivity, repairs of damaged equipment and property, and costs associated with lower employee morale and absenteeism.

via Indirect Costs of Accidents.

What Is COPD?

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary PULL-mun-ary disease, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. “Progressive” means the disease gets worse over time. COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus a slimy substance, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants—such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust—also may contribute to COPD.

via What Is COPD? – NHLBI, NIH.

Enterprise Risk Management

Enterprise risk management (ERM) refers to an integrated or holistic approach to managing risk across an organisation, using clearly articulated frameworks and processes led from board level. Risk management should be embedded in the general management of an organisation and fully integrated with other business functions such as finance, strategy, internal control, procurement, continuity planning, HR and compliance. The degree of integration will differ between organisations depending on their culture, implementation process, ways of operating and external environment.

via Risk management.

Lightning Kills

Lightning is one of nature’s most awe inspiring and dangerous phenomenon. The average lightning flash could light a 100-watt light bulb for more than 3 months! The temperature of a lightning bolt may reach 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit which is hotter than the surface of the sun!

On average, lightning kills about 73 people nationwide per year. In fact, lightning remains one of the most deadly weather phenomena in the U.S., and it can occur almost anywhere throughout the entire year. Lightning occurring during snowstorms has even killed people! Many people incur injuries or are killed due to misinformation and inappropriate behavior during thunderstorms. A few simple precautions can reduce many of the dangers posed by lightning.

via Lightning Danger.

Electrical Safety

Electrical current exposes workers to a serious, widespread occupational hazard; practically all members of the workforce are exposed to electrical energy during the performance of their daily duties, and electrocutions occur to workers in various job categories. Many workers are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their work environment, which makes them more vulnerable to the danger of electrocution.

via CDC – Electrical Safety – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic.

10 Safety Tips for College Students

If you’re helping your son or daughter pack-up for college, tuck these tips into their suitcase to help them stay safe on campus:

Most campuses have a “panic phone” system. Know where these are.
Have a safety buddy, someone you can call for a ride or for help, and create a code word or phrase that means “Come help me out of this” or “I’m in trouble.”
Before going to a party, tell a friend where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Let them know if your plans change.
Take turns being a designated driver or sober companion. You could save someone’s life.
If a party gets out of hand, leave!
Never, ever leave your drink alone or with someone you don’t know. Date rape drugs are easy to use. And men are just as vulnerable as women.
Don’t take drinks or anything else from strangers, even food.
Don’t ride with drunk or drugged drivers.
Don’t offer rides to people you don’t know.
Trust your instincts!

And here’s what parents can do:

Ask the college administrators about campus alcohol policies.
Talk to your kids about the legal penalties for underage drinking.
Discuss the possible consequences of drinking, including date rape, violence and school interference.
Know your child’s roommate and living arrangements.
Call your son or daughter frequently.

via 10 Personal Safety Tips for College Students | SafetySmart Xchange.

What are the major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard?

The three major areas of change are in hazard classification, labels, and safety data sheets.

Hazard classification: The definitions of hazard have been changed to provide specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of mixtures. These specific criteria will help to ensure that evaluations of hazardous effects are consistent across manufacturers, and that labels and safety data sheets are more accurate as a result.
Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.
Safety Data Sheets: Will now have a specified 16-section format.

The GHS does not include harmonized training provisions, but recognizes that training is essential to an effective hazard communication approach. The revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires that workers be re- trained within two years of the publication of the final rule to facilitate recognition and understanding of the new labels and safety data sheets.

via Hazard Communication.