Tag: Weekly Safety Message 32

Auto Accident Procedures Safety Talk

According to the National Safety Council, the odds of dying in an auto accident are 1 in 114. This is a frightening number, considering how frequently we see accidents happen on the roads. Auto accidents are unfortunate events that no one wants to be involved in.

The best way to prevent auto accidents is to drive defensively. This means you should avoid distractions, stay alert, look down the road, avoid following too close, and anticipate other drivers’ actions. Although you can do everything right, you may still find yourself involved in an accident at one point in your life. Therefore, it is vital to be prepared for how you should react, and what you should do and not do following an accident.

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Taking Proactive Steps in Case an Accident Occurs

One of the best ways to minimize the impact of an accident is to be prepared for the accident prior to it taking place. Some steps to take include:

• Items such as medical information, driver’s license, insurance, and vehicle registration should be up-to-date and readily accessible.
• Remove or properly secure loose items in your vehicle to prevent the possibility of them flying around during impact.
• Keep your cell phone charged and readily available to dial 911 and take photos of the scene.
• Consider keeping a first aid kit and emergency seat belt cutter/window breaker tool in your vehicle.
• Maintain paper, pens, or pencils in your vehicle to document other vehicle and witness information.

Procedures After an Accident Occurs

• If the accident occurs at a busy location such as a freeway or intersection, move your vehicle to a safe location, if possible, to avoid causing secondary accidents. If moving is not possible, use your hazard lights to alert oncoming traffic of the hazard.
• Place your vehicle in park, and take a moment to relax. Be aware of your surroundings and be sure no electrical wires are on your vehicle or other hazardous conditions exist prior to exiting your vehicle.
• If you have road flares or traffic triangles, consider using them to alert oncoming traffic.
• Check on others involved. Be sure that other vehicle occupants and pedestrians in the area are not injured. Dial 911 immediately if someone is injured and request an ambulance.
• Call the police to the scene and notify your employer. Even with minor accidents, having an officer come to the scene to create a police report and properly document information will assist later when dealing with insurance companies.
• Avoid admitting fault and apologizing to others at the accident scene. Allow the police to objectively judge events that took place and determine fault of the accident.
• Gather as much information as you can. Important items to document include:
  • Driver and passengers’ full names
  • Insurance information
  • Makes, models, and license plate numbers of all vehicles involved
  • Contact information for any eyewitnesses
• Document the scene by taking photos and videos of not only the vehicles, but the entire scene. Include documentation of road signs, traffic lights, and the complete external environment around where the accident took place. Doing so will assist with the investigation and allow the insurance company to better understand what took place.

Summary

Following an accident, drivers, and passengers may experience an adrenaline rush that could disguise injuries and alter your ability to think straight. Therefore, being prepared and understanding pre and post-accident procedures is important. You should refer to the company-specific procedures should you have any questions prior to being involved in an accident.

Discussion points:

1. What else can we do to be better prepared in the case that an accident occurs?
2. Why is it important to not admit fault or apologize at the accident scene?

Auto Accident Procedures

How What We Do at Home Affects Work Safety Talk

We live in a world where we are constantly connected to any human who lives in a developed country. We send and receive a lot of information through phones, the internet, TV, radio, email, etc., not only the people we intend to send a message to, but oftentimes, a much larger group. It needs to be understood the choices we make, the things we say, the information we put out there, can be seen by virtually anyone with access to a computer. It is important to understand that there can be negative repercussions due to your decisions outside of work not only for yourself, but even the company you work for.

We like to think that work and home are two separate parts of our lives, but we all know there is much more of a cross-over between the two. Today, more than any other generation has experienced, we are put out there for all to see. Whether it is on purpose through work you choose to do on your own or some bad choice you made, it can all be put onto the internet or somewhere else for all to see.

Real-Life Example

We have all seen news stories of someone who makes comments or does something that the public does not agree with when they are off the job, but the media or others soon connect the individual to the company they work for.

For example, a man is frustrated with America being at war with the Middle East and goes on a political rant on Facebook that includes vulgar, racist language. The problem is, he has put this information out there for all to see, and even if he deletes it, there can be copies or screenshots others have made. Depending on what he says, who he outrages, and what he does for work will determine what the fallout is for not only him but the company as well. In today’s age, it isn’t, “Bob said” it is “Bob who works at Acme Media, said,” or “an employee from Acme Media said.” We need to be aware of how we represent the different organizations in our lives and how closely each part of our life is connected.

Summary

Be aware of the connection between the choices you make at home and how they affect work. We no longer only represent ourselves in this day of age of technology. We represent everything we are a part of in our professional and personal lives, and they are all interconnected.

How What We Do at Home Affects Work

Good Enough Mindset Safety Talk

For most of us, we have been doing our jobs long enough to know what is the right way to do something and what falls short to “good enough.” When it comes to workplace safety, “good enough” does not cut it. When addressing hazards, having this mindset will lead to exposure to risk that will eventually result in incidents and injuries occurring.

It is important to take the time not only to identify hazards but also take the proper time and energy to mitigate them.

What Leads to the “Good Enough” Mindset?

There are many reasons why individuals may be tolerant of unnecessary risk during work tasks. A few of these reasons could include:

• Complacency. For individuals who have been doing their work for long periods of time, complacency can be one of the biggest challenges to avoiding a “good enough” mindset.
• Lack of training or understanding. Some workers, especially those less experienced, may not understand the importance of taking certain steps to protect themselves and those around them while completing their work.
• The culture of their work group or the company as a whole supports tolerating risk. When supervisors or coworkers do not follow safety rules or procedures, then others around them are more willing also not to follow the rules and settle for good enough.
• Lack of energy or fatigue. There are many times we do not feel 100%. Lack of energy is a huge problem across the U.S. with all the demands we deal with both at home and at work. When fatigue or lack of energy becomes an issue, our work suffers, including being safe while at work.

How to Avoid a “Good Enough” Mindset

• Always aim to do your best. Oftentimes, we know what the expectation is or how things should be done, so the only thing left is to put action to that knowledge and do the right thing. Not only will doing your best help to ensure less chance of injury, but it also builds your personal reputation as a worker.
• Recognize when you are not feeling your best or when your energy levels are low. If you find yourself leaning towards making the easy choice instead of the right choice, then take steps to combat the urge to cut corners.
• Remind yourself why certain safety policies or best practices are in place and that the expectation is to follow them.
• Have others who excel in their job double-check your work or give you feedback. Reaching out to others allows you to ensure you fully understand the task and the hazards, which can lead to identifying ways to improve.

Summary

“Good enough” is a mindset that plagues individuals both at work and at home in different aspects of life. When we aim lower than what we know our potential is, we are leaving a lot on the table. When it comes to safety at work, aiming lower than what is expected can lead to serious injuries.

Good Enough Mindset

The Importance of Water Safety Talk

Water is one of the most important substances on Earth. All plants, animals, and people need water to survive. Water serves very important purposes to our bodies and our bodily functions- some of which you may not even be aware of.

Interesting Facts Regarding Water’s Role in Our Bodies

• Water comprises more than 60% of our body weight.
• Lack of water is the #1 trigger for daytime fatigue.
• A 2% drop in the water level of the body can spur problems with short-term memory.
• Water naturally cleanses the body of toxins.
• Water regulates the body’s cooling system.
• Water acts as a lubricant and cushion to our joints.
• Water is essential for a clear and hydrated skin.

Hydration Tips

• Drink plenty of water. It is recommended to drink at least 50oz to 64oz of water a day, depending on what source you refer to. That is about three to four regular-sized water bottles a day. This amount is a minimum amount to shoot for; you may need even more water than that. Many people do not realize how little water they actually drink. Pay attention to how much you drink today and add to it if needed.
• Stay hydrated. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water to keep your body hydrated. By the time the body tells you that you are thirsty, dehydration is already occurring.
• Other beverages, such as soda or coffee, steal water from your body and make you even more dehydrated. Limit these types of drinks throughout the day.
• Your urine can serve as an indicator of whether you are hydrated or not. If your urine is clear or pale and you are using the restroom regularly, you are probably hydrated. If your urine is dark and you are visiting the restroom less frequently, you need to drink more water. While you should not solely rely on this indicator, it can be helpful in gauging whether or not you need to drink more water.

Discussion point:

– How many people think they drink at least 3 to 4 water bottles worth of water a day?

Hydration: The Importance of Water

Lightning Safety Talk

Lightning is a serious hazard both on and off the job. There is an average of 25 million lightning strikes that occur in the United States each year alone. Individuals need to identify and plan for the potential of lightning before beginning a work activity or any leisure activity during storm season. Have a plan of when you will cease work and where you will go if lightning occurs during that day. The best practice to avoid getting struck by lightning is to take shelter indoors before a storm is in your immediate area.

Lightning Fatality Statistics

• Lightning kills approximately twenty people annually in the United States.
• Males account for a majority of these fatalities.
• Off-the-job activities that result in the most fatalities include fishing, beach activities, camping, boating, soccer, and golf.
• Most deaths occur in the months of June, July, and August.
• Many victims are heading to safety at the time of the fatal strike.

Sources: NOAA and Weather.gov

Five Lightning Myths

1. If there are no clouds or rain, there will not be lightning. TRUTH: Lightning can strike 3 miles from the actual storm center. There are some bolts that have struck 10 miles or more from the storm.

2. Lightning does not strike the same place twice. TRUTH: Lightning often strikes the same place multiple times. Examples include tall metal buildings, cell phone towers, and tall trees in fields.

3. Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning by insulating you from the ground. TRUTH: It is not the rubber tires that protect during a lightning strike. The metal frame of the car protects you from the electricity passing through the vehicle into the ground. The metal acts like a faraday cage around you.

4. Take shelter under a tree during a thunderstorm. TRUTH: As mentioned above, trees are often hit by lightning. Many lightning-related injuries involve a person who was under or near a tree during a lightning strike.

5. If you are in a house, you are 100% safe from lightning. TRUTH: A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity. This means staying off corded phones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, computers, plumbing, metal doors, and windows.

Summary

It is essential to avoid complacency when it comes to lightning. While the total number of fatalities each year is relatively low, the severity of lightning strikes is significant. Weather.gov reported that only 10% of those who are struck by lightning are killed. The other 90% of victims are left with various degrees of disability.

Discussion points:

1. What are some other lightning safety tips or myths?
2. What is our policy for lightning here at work?

Lightning Safety at Work and Home