Tag: Weekly Safety Message 11

  • Annual Checkup

    Annual Checkup

    Importance of an Annual Checkup Safety Talk

    It is human nature to be reactive instead of proactive in many aspects of life. Our health is one area where many people do not take steps to improve it until after a problem occurs. This is a reactive approach. It is important to have a proactive approach to protecting your health. Going to your doctor for an annual checkup is an important part of a proactive approach to maintaining good health.

    Why People Don’t Go to the Doctor

    • They use the excuse, “I feel healthy; nothing is wrong”Annual Checkup
    • Money issues or no insurance
    • They say they do not have time
    • They rather wait until they get sick or hurt

    The reasons listed above represent only a few of a large number of reasons why people do not go to the doctor annually. None of the reasons listed above should serve as an excuse to avoid going to the doctor. Time and money, especially, should not hold us back from going to the doctor. If a small problem develops into a large problem, so will the time and money needed to address it.

    Why We Should Go to the Doctor Every Year

    There are many benefits of going for an annual checkup. The most obvious benefit is catching problems before they start or very early before they develop into something major. As we get older, it is important to get screened for certain diseases. A few examples of things that could be screened for are skin cancer, breast cancer, cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and prostate cancer. There are many more ailments and diseases that should be looked at depending on your family history and risk factors.

    At the Doctor’s Office

    It is important to help the doctor treat you as well as he or she can. It takes effort on your end to make sure they have the information they need. Fill out health questionnaires as accurately and honestly as possible. Have a plan and write down key things you want to talk about with the doctor when you get to the appointment. Be open with the doctor. Do not be shy or embarrassed to talk about any problems or concerns you may have. They need the right information from you to be able to do the best job they can.

    Summary

    Our health is everything. Without it, we have nothing. Everything you do in your life right now depends on your good health. Make it a point to get to the doctor every year, whether you feel good or not. Catching a small problem before it grows into something major may make all the difference between premature death and living strong for a few more decades.

    Discussion point:

    • Does anyone have an example of a health issue that was caught at an annual checkup?

    Annual Checkup

  • The Psychology of Setting Goals

    UD experts highlight sustainable tips to achieve 2025 New Year resolutions. 1 Break goals into small steps, 2 Repetition and consistency, 3 Make habits rewarding, 4 Plan for obstacles, 5 Seek social support and 6 Practice self-compassion. (UDAILY)

     

  • Dangers of Ice from Above

    Dangers of Ice from Above

    Each winter we talk about the importance of watching for ice. We talk about the ice on the sidewalk, the ice on the driveway, the ice in the parking lot, the ice on the stairs. Each year we talk about the importance of being aware of ice, so you don’t slip.

    Today in the toolbox we have a new take on winter’s ice. Look out from above. This from a recent news article:

    Midway man killed by falling 700-pound chunk of ice

    Deseret News – February 6, 2017

    By Pat Reavy
    PARK CITY — A 50-year-old Midway man was killed over the weekend when an extremely large chunk of ice fell off a roof and hit him on the head.

    “We’re estimating it was at least 700 pounds,” said Park City Deputy Fire Chief Bob Zanetti. “It was larger than what four firefighters could lift off of him.”

    Jon Henry, who has a window washing business, was cleaning the windows of a home in Park City’s Old Town district, in the 900 block of Woodside Avenue, on Friday when the large ice chunk fell and hit him on the head and pinned him under the snow.

    “We’re not sure how long he was there before he was found. It was probably about 45 minutes,” Zanetti said. A neighbor eventually called 911 after discovering Henry. Rescue crews had to use a sledgehammer to get the heavy ice off him.

    Henry suffered “major head trauma” from being hit by the ice. He was flown by medical helicopter to University Hospital where he died from his injuries early Saturday.

    Zanetti does not believe the ice fell from the roof due to the window washing. It was just a fluke accident and Henry was in the wrong place at the wrong time, he said.

    Both Zanetti and Park City spokeswoman Linda Jager noted the city has received a large amount of snow this winter, and many roofs have accumulated big piles of snow.

    Granted we aren’t in the window washing business however there are several instances where similar events have occurred elsewhere. It is important that you are aware of snow and ice on awnings, sloped roofs, and the like. This is especially true when it is starting to melt.

    So, for a change this week . . . look out above as well as from below.
    https://safetytoolboxtopics.com/Seasonal/dangers-of-ice-from-above.html

     

  • Remembering Jimmy Carter’s Visit to UD

    Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29th, 2024. As we remember our 39th President of the US, we remember Jimmy Carter visited UD in 1993 to speak about the importance of renewable energy, specifically solar power. (UDAILY)

     

  • Half Staff

    Governor Carney ordered the Lowering of flags to honor the passing of former President Carter on December 29, 2024.

  • Rationalizing Unsafe Choices

    Rationalizing Unsafe Choices Safety Talk

    Making the decision to follow every single safety rule or procedure does not come naturally to us. We constantly have to work towards making the right decisions every single day. Many times individuals find ways to rationalize not working safely. It is important for each worker to recognize this error trap and address it when it arises.

    Why We Rationalize Unsafe Choices

    For the most part, we all know what the right choice is when it comes to safety during a specific work task. Safety training, policies, procedures, labels, etc., all communicate what needs to be done in order to mitigate hazards and work safely. The problem is, there are many factors that affect whether or not we want to make the right decisions at a given moment. A few of these factors include:

    • Time pressure
    • Lack of supervision around
    • Lack of enforcement of rules
    • Energy levels
    • Mood

    Individuals facing one or more of these factors will use them to rationalize to themselves why a certain safety rule does not need to be followed. For example, “I forgot my fall protection, but it will only take a minute to go up and right back down, so I will be fine.” We have all rationalized poor choices- whether it was choosing not to wear fall protection or rationalizing hitting snooze seven times before getting out of bed.

    rationalizing unsafe choices at work“It is the Normal Thing to Do”

    When there are other people around who are not making the right choices when it comes to safety, it becomes the “normal” thing to do despite not being the correct thing to do. When the norm is working unsafe, it makes it difficult for even the individuals who want to work safely to do so. Do not rely on a supervisor or safety person to have to tell you to do the right thing. Make the choice to do what is right despite what others may be doing.

    Summary

    Recognize when you are falling into the trap of rationalizing a poor decision, whether that is in your personal life or while on the job. Fight the urge to make the easy decision. Be a worker who follows the rules and helps reinforce a norm of adhering to safe work practices and procedures.

    Discussion point: What is an example of rationalizing a decision to work unsafe?

    Rationalizing Unsafe Choices

  • Christmas Travel Safety

    Christmas Travel Safety

    The holidays are almost here and you know what that means – the kickoff to holiday travel season is about to begin. Nearly 63.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Christmas holiday travel period. More than 52.4 million Americans (82 percent of all holiday travelers) intend to travel by automobile. Let’s take a look at some road safety tips for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays:

    – Make sure that your car is well-equipped for travel. Check the tire tread, battery, antifreeze, windows and brakes. Also check that you have a jack and lug wrench and that your spare tire is properly inflated.

     

    – Allow extra time in your schedule. This is one of the busiest times to travel and patience and flexibility is needed.

     

    – Have a cell phone with you.

    – Avoid driving during late night hours. There is an increased incidence of drunk driving during this time, especially on weekends.

    – Keep a safety kit in your vehicle. The kit should include a flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables, first aid kit, water, non-perishable food items, matches, blankets, and flares or other warning devices. You should also include an ice scraper, small shovel and a bag of sand or kitty litter in case you get stuck in the snow.

    – Driving while drowsy can be as dangerous as driving after drinking alcohol. Schedule your trip to avoid driving during normal sleep hours. Plan for at least a 15-minute rest stop every two hours. Limit driving to 350 miles per day or no more than eight hours on the road to avoid drowsy driving.

    https://safetytoolboxtopics.com/Seasonal/christmas-travel-safety.html

  • Winter Break Closing Preparations

    To prepare for the holiday break, FREAS staff recommend these safety and energy conservation tips. Close all windows, Empty trash bins, Set thermostats to 60°F, Unplug holiday decorations and nonessential electronic devices and Update out-of-office responses. (UDAILY)

     

  • Emergency Exits

    Emergency Exits Safety Talk

    Emergency exits serve to provide a clear route away from danger. Prevalent in public buildings and other urban settings, emergency exits are vital in the workplace as well. No matter the environment, companies must provide designated escape paths should a life-threatening event occur. Unfortunately, emergency exits are not identified and communicated to individuals all too often, resulting in incidents and injuries. Additionally, emergency exits that are not maintained and can provide additional danger when they are needed.

    This safety talk identifies the methods that can communicate the whereabouts of emergency exits to individuals and visitors. Additionally, the best practices listed below can educate individuals on ensuring they remain accessible.

    Communicating the Availability of Emergency Exits

    • Facilities should orientate newly hired employees and all visitors to the location of emergency exits.
    • Employees visiting customer facilities should request an orientation if it is not offered to learn the locations of emergency exits.
    • Emergency exit maps should be published and visible to all in the workplace.

    Best Practices to Maintain Emergency Exits

    • Signage indicating emergency exits should always be visible and not blocked with objects identifying their locations.emergency exit safety talk
    • Employees should refrain from storing or stacking materials anywhere in emergency exits.
    • Extension cords and other tools should not be placed in emergency exits as they can cause injuries from tripping and stumbling.
    • Any marking or painting of emergency exits should be kept clean and newly coated to ensure visibility.
    • Emergency exits should be inspected regularly to ensure safe use.

    Summary

    Emergency exits serve a vital purpose in ensuring safety. Correctly identifying and educating all individuals on their whereabouts can lead people to safety in the event of an emergency. Properly maintaining these exits can ensure they remain as effectively designed. Take time today to understand where your nearest emergency exits are and ensure that the path to them is clear.

    Discussion points:      

    1. Where are the nearest emergency exits in your work area?
    2. Is it acceptable to store objects near an emergency exit if it is just for a short period of time?

    Emergency Exits

  • Enhancing Outdoor Recreation Activities

    UD student life, the City of Newark, and Bike Newark seek to enhance outdoor recreation. The project aims to raise awareness of local recreational resources through QR-coded signs, which will allow users to easily explore nearby activities. (UDAILY)