safety – Page 8 – Risk Management 365

No Lockout/Tagout Can Be Fatal

Worker killed at Michigan molding plant

A worker was crushed to death March 5, 2014 in an industrial accident at a plastics molding plant in Shelby Township, Mich.

The victim was attempting to clear an obstruction from a press machine at about 6 a.m. when he was fatally injured, according to a news release from the Shelby Township Police Department.

“The machine cycled to stamp a part and crushed the victim,” the release says.

The victim died at the scene before police and fire personnel arrived.

via Worker killed at Michigan molding plant – News – Plastics News.

“While this is still under investigation by MIOSHA it’s obvious this machine was being worked on with out following Lockout-tagout procedures. Unfortunately this time it was fatal.”

Tips to Survive Spring Break

If you are a college student, you are probably counting down the days until spring break. Here are 12 spring break tips to keep you safe while you’re having fun away from school.

1. Don’t be stupid in the ocean.

If you are going to be swimming in the ocean, do you even know what rip currents and rip tides are? These strong currents can quickly carry you out to sea if you aren’t careful and how you swim out of these currents is counterintuitive. Talk to a lifeguard about swimming conditions before getting in the water.

2. Protect your location on social media sites.

Sharing too much information on your location on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare may endanger your safety, warns the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. Adjust your privacy settings and use your best judgment when checking in on Facebook and Foursquare. Be cautious about revealing personal information and location through status updates or tweets with Twitter trends like #SpringBreak and #SB2012./p>

3. Consider travel insurance.

Unfortunately, most student health policies don’t cover individuals once they leave U.S. soil. Stephanie Kaplan, Her Campus co-founder, recommends that students obtain a good travel insurance policy that covers illness, injury and emergency evacuation coverage.

4. Create a code word.

Create a secret signal or code word to let your friends know when you are uncomfortable and need them to intervene. When you are with friends, arrive together and leave together. Establish a place to meet in advance if you get separated.

5. Don’t drink in a hot tub.

Forget about all those MTV videos that makes drinking look essential for a hot-tub experience. Alcohol can dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. The effects of drinking are felt faster and stronger if you’re sitting in a hot tub.

6. Before traveling get up-to-date on your vaccines.

That advice comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Click on the CDC’s vaccine quiz to find out if you need to be vaccinated.

7. Take a copy of your passport.

There is no worse way to end a vacation than to discover that your passport has been stolen or lost.

8. Practice safe drinking.

Never leave your drink unattended. If you lose sight of it, order a new one. Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know or trust.

9. Tan safely.

To prepare for a beach destination, opt for spray tanning or self-tanning instead of a tanning bed. The risk of skin cancer is too great to spend time at a tanning salon.

10. Don’t stay on the first floor.

Avoid first-floor hotel rooms because they are bigger targets for thieves. If you bring your laptop, keep it in a hotel safe.

11. Carry phone numbers and cash.

On spring break, carry emergency cash and the phone numbers of cab companies. Keep in your wallet the address of the hotel or rental property that you are staying at.

12. Consider an alternative spring break.

Many schools and religious organizations offer alternative spring break options, including networking retreats and community service trips. Choosing one of these alternatives should make your parents happy.

via 12 tips to survive spring break – CBS News.

Operator Error Kills Two Men in Crane Accident

Fatal Boom Overturn

Two men in Arizona died when the lift they were using to paint the outside of a prison building overturned.

The boom was almost fully telescoped and had been raised to its maximum elevation when it tipped over backwards indicating that reports of it being on a slope of more than five degrees have some substance.

Incidents like this should never happen, one of the most basic aspects of any training stress the importance of setting up aerial lifts on firm level ground, yet this is the second incident this week involving people operating on a slope.

via Fatal Boom Overturn – Crane Accidents.

What are the elements of a safety and health culture?

All individuals within the organization believe they have a right to a safe and healthy workplace.
Each person accepts personal responsibility for ensuring his or her own safety and health.
Everyone believes he or she has a duty to protect the safety and health of others.

via Safety and Health Management Systems eTool | Module 2 – Safety & Health Culture.

OSHA proposed new rule to post workplace injuries and illnesses on-line

The proposed rule was developed to help OSHA gather information about electronic submission of establishment-specific injury and illness data. OSHA is proposing to amend its current recordkeeping regulations to add requirements for the electronic submission of injury and illness information employers are already required to keep under existing standards, Part 1904. The first proposed new requirement is for establishments with more than 250 employees (and who are already required to keep records) to electronically submit the records on a quarterly basis to OSHA.

OSHA is also proposing that establishments with 20 or more employees, in certain industries with high injury and illness rates, be required to submit electronically only their summary of work-related injuries and illnesses to OSHA once a year. Currently, many such firms report this information to OSHA under OSHA’s Data Initiative.

OSHA plans to eventually post the data online, as encouraged by President Obama’s Open Government Initiative. Timely, establishment-specific injury and illness data will help OSHA target its compliance assistance and enforcement resources more effectively by identifying workplaces where workers are at greater risk, and enable employers to compare their injury rates with others in the same industry.

via 2013 – 11/07/2013 – OSHA announces proposed new rule to improve tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses.

Worksite Safety – Incident Prevention

If you’ve been a safety professional or an operational manager for any significant amount of time, you’ve probably had your share of safety-related incidents. The most significant incidents are usually measured by their consequences. These may result in death, serious injuries, lost or restricted workday cases, OSHA recordable cases, first aid treatment, and/or equipment or property damage. Other incidents are commonly referred to as near misses, where serious consequences like the ones previously listed could potentially have occurred, but, through luck or circumstance, did not. Regardless of the type of incident, there is always one question that is asked afterward: Why did this happen?

via Worksite Safety Articles from Incident Prevention.

Maintaining Your AED

Automated external defibrillators are simple to use and easy to maintain. Failing to maintain your AED can lead to disaster on the day it is needed. Plan to be successful! Universally, all AEDs need the following to be operational when an emergency occurs:

The AED should be checked that it is physically in the proper location.
The AED pads should be checked. The package should be sealed until ready for use, and it should be within its expiration date. If the pad package is open or the expiration date has passed, it should be replaced immediately.
The battery should be checked. For most AEDs, there is an indicator light or symbol that indicates if the battery is o.k. or if it needs service. Know the battery check mechanism for your AED. If the battery is low, you should receive both visual and audible warnings many generate a “beep” like a smoke detector with a low battery.
Most AEDs have a small pouch or packet of supplies you might need when using the AED. This pouch may include a face mask for rescue breathing, a small towel, scissors, protective gloves, and a razor. Be sure this kit is ready for action.

The AED owner’s manual contains valuable information specific to checking and maintaining your AED—be sure to read and follow the instructions. AEDs are very reliable devices and problems are very rare, but they can happen. Your owner’s manual is also a valuable resource for correcting problems with your AED.

It is helpful to have a documented, periodic check of the AED. Your AED may have come with a checklist for a weekly or monthly check.

Finally, an action plan can help your emergency run smoothly. If your organization has one, review and practice it periodically. If not, draft a plan for your company.

via Maintaining Your AED – Project Heart Restart – The Christ Hospital.

Chain of Survival

The term Chain of Survival provides a useful metaphor for the elements of the Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) systems concept.

The 5 links in the adult Chain of Survival are:

Immediate recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system
Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR with an emphasis on chest compressions
Rapid defibrillation
Effective advanced life support
Integrated post-cardiac arrest care

A strong Chain of Survival can improve chances of survival and recovery for victims of heart attack, stroke and other emergencies.

via Chain of Survival.

Crime Prevention – PURSE/WALLET SAFETY

Carry purses, portfolios or briefcases in a manner that will allow you to let go. Straps placed across your shoulder, around your neck or wrapped around your waist have caused injuries because women could not free themselves during a purse snatch.

Always be aware of your surroundings and carry your pocketbook clasp toward you, close to your body, tucked in the bend of your elbow as if it were a football. If there is a long strap, wrap it around the bag.

If someone attempts to snatch your pocket book, let go of it, especially if there is a weapon involved. When dining out, the only place for your purse should be your lap. The back of a chair is an easy target for a thief. Never carry a wallet in a rear pocket; use a front trouser or an inside coat pocket.

Be particularly aware of your purse/wallet in crowded situations, such as rush-hour trains and buses. If you are jostled in a crowd, be aware that a pickpocket might be responsible. Beware of arguments or commotions designed to distract you while your pocket or purse is being picked.

Minimize the amount of money, credit cards and valuables you carry by only taking items that are necessary for the day. Divide money between your purse/wallet and pockets. Carry your keys on your person separate from your identification.

via NYPD – Crime Prevention – Safety Tips.

What is an Emergency Action Plan?

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?.