The University of Delaware’s research vessel Hugh R. Sharp received major upgrades as it nears 20 years of service, enhancing its capabilities for marine research, education, and student experiences at sea. (UDAILY)
Tag: Weekly Safety Message 38
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Pinch Points and Hand Injuries
Pinch Points and Hand Injuries Safety Talk
We use our hands for virtually all work tasks that we do. Because of how often we use our hands, they are put in the line of fire where they can be injured. Hand injuries are the second leading type of injury on the job in the United States. A major type of injury to the hands and fingers on the job result from crushed-by incidents. Pinch points are a hazard that lead to crushed-by injuries.
Defining Pinch Points
A pinch point is defined as any point where it is possible for a body part to be caught between moving and stationary portions of equipment. Pinch points are found in many places throughout the workplace. Tasks such as equipment maintenance, lifting materials, assembly line work, and hooking up trailers are just a few common tasks where pinch points are a common hazard.
Safeguards to Avoid Pinch Points
- Eliminate the hazard by ensuring proper guarding is in place.
- Pay attention to where your hands are around any moving parts or any objects that have the potential to move.
- Do not place your hands where you cannot see them.
- Wear the proper gloves
for whatever work task you are completing to reduce the amount of damage to your hands if they do end up in the line of fire.
- When working on equipment or machinery ensure they are properly locked out and tagged out to prevent unexpected start-up.
- Properly block any equipment or parts where stored energy could be released.
- When working with others, make sure to communicate to let each other know if you are out of the line of fire before moving objects or starting up the equipment.
Summary
Often times it is not the obvious pinch points that injure a person, such as a conveyor belt or a piece of moving machinery. Many times tasks as simple as shutting a truck door will end up in a pinch point injury due to a person not paying attention to where their hands are. It is important not to get complacent and monitor where your hands are when you complete any task.
Discussion point:
-What are some pinch point hazards onsite?
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Half Staff
The Delaware Flag is at Half-Staff until Monday, July 28th, 2025, in Honor of the passing of World War II veteran 1st Lt. Raymond Firmani of Elsmere. Ray Firmani a True Delawarean who served his community and his country with honor.
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UD Officially Enters Conference USA
As of July 1, 2025, the University of Delaware officially joins Conference USA, marking a new era in athletics. UD’s move boosts national visibility, academic excellence, and expanded competitions across multiple conferences. (UDAILY)
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Heat Stress
Heat Stress Safety Talk
Heat stress can be a killer on the job site and at home. According to the CDC, an average of 702 heat-related deaths occur in the United States annually. Additionally, there are 67,512 emergency department visits due to heat annually, on average. Outside of the direct consequences such as heat stroke, heat stress can cause incidents on the job due to loss of focus or excessive fatigue.
Heat-Related Illnesses
(Source: www.WebMD.com)Heat Cramps: Are painful, brief muscle cramps. Muscles may spasm or jerk involuntarily. Heat cramps can occur during exercise or work in a hot environment, or begin a few hours later.
Heat Exhaustion: There are two types of heat exhaustion. 1. Water depletion- Signs include excessive thirst, weakness, headache, and loss of consciousness. 2. Salt depletion- Signs include nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, and dizziness.
Heat Stroke– Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. Heat stroke can kill or cause damage to the brain and other internal organs. Heat stroke results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures — usually in combination with dehydration — which leads to failure of the body’s temperature control system.
Medical Response
If anyone is displaying symptoms of a heat-related illness, it is important to get them the proper medical attention they need before the problem turns into heat stroke. For people displaying symptoms of heat exhaustion, have them stop work and get to a shaded area. The affected person needs to consume water or electrolyte-replacing sports drinks. The person should not return to work the rest of the day.For anyone who is displaying symptoms of a heat stroke, immediate medical attention is needed. Delaying calling 911 could result in irreversible injuries or death. Symptoms of heat stroke include fainting, throbbing headache, dizziness, lack of sweating, vomiting, or behavioral changes such as confusion. The person should be cooled down immediately in a shaded area or indoors. DO NOT put ice-cold water on the victim, as this can cause shock. Use cool water to lower the body temperature of the victim. Remove any unnecessary clothing and fan the victim until medics arrive.
Safe Work Practices to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses
- Allow for acclimatization to a hot environment before any strenuous work begins. It takes roughly two weeks for an individual to acclimate to a hot environment.
- Drink plenty of water during strenuous activities, especially in hot environments. An average person sweats between roughly 27 oz. to 47 oz. per hour during intense labor. To put that amount into perspective, an average water bottle holds 16.9oz.
- Take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors where there is AC.
Summary
Take heat stress seriously. Know the signs and symptoms of heat stress. Have a plan to get the proper medical attention for any individual displaying symptoms of heat stress. When dealing with heat stroke especially, it may mean the difference between life and death.
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Construction Underway at Morris Library
The University of Delaware’s Morris Library has begun renovating its Special Collections space to improve access, preservation, and visibility of rare materials, with updated research and exhibition areas on the 2nd floor. (UDAILY)
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Distractions Created by Smartphones When Not in Use
Distractions Created by Smartphones Even When Not in Use Safety Talk
Smartphones have completely changed the way we are able to live our lives, in many ways for the better. Their use, however, can also create hazardous situations. Smartphones are a huge distraction, from simply walking down the street and texting to taking the eyes of a driver off the road for hundreds of feet of travel at a time. While it is a well-known fact that actively using a smartphone (or a regular cellphone) distracts you from other tasks at hand, research is coming out that shows there are negative effects from just having your smartphone in the area near you.
The Distractions of Smartphone Use
Today’s modern world is arguably busier and more distracting than ever before. Add smartphones into the mix, and you are guaranteed to lack focus on things occurring around you. It is obvious that using these devices while completing other tasks is distracting, but the studies that show that they can negatively affect cognitive abilities even when not in use may surprise you.
A Study Looking at the Effects of a Smartphone in Our PresenceAn article published by the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research reported study findings that indicated the mere presence of an individual’s own smartphone affected test scores that targeted attention and problem-solving. More specifically, the two measures of cognitive capacity focused on in the study were “available working memory capacity” and “functional fluid intelligence.” The researchers asked participants to place their smartphone in one of three places. The three places were (1) in sight on the desk they were working at, (2) in their pocket/ bag, or (3) in another room completely.
Even though the smartphones did not receive any notifications or alerts during the testing process, it was shown that the individuals who had their phones on their desk where they could see them did worse on the test than those individuals who had it in their pocket or bag. Furthermore, the individuals who had the phone in their pocket or bag performed worse than those individuals who had their phone in another room.
The researchers also asked participants after the testing process how much they were thinking about their smartphone during the test. The most common response was “not at all” even though the test scores clearly showed a relationship between how close the phone was to the participants and the score received on the test. The researchers came to the conclusion that an individual does not have to be actively thinking about their smartphone for it to affect cognitive capacity when it is around them.
Summary
It can be frightening to think of the negative effects technology can have on our brains. While the majority of individuals recognize the dangers of using a cellphone while completing tasks, many do not realize the impact of just having a smartphone in our presence can have on our ability to focus and problem solve. When completing tasks that require your full focus, consider putting your cellphone in a different area where it will not serve as a distraction for you.
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Catching ZZZ
University of Delaware researcher Xiaopeng Ji developed Catching Zzz, and AI-powered sleep chatbot to help autistic teens improve sleep using cognitive behavioral therapy, with input from families and support from Neumann Research Fund. (UDAILY)