Tag: Weekly Safety Message 48

  • Thanksgiving Is A Wonderful Time, But Keep Safety In Mind

    Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to gather with friends and family, eat delicious food, watch football (or the parade!), and travel to visit loved ones. While enjoying the holiday, and as things might get hectic, it is important to always keep safety in mind.

    Family around table with a lot of food celebrating Thanksgiving.

    Top safety hazards during the Thanksgiving holiday include:

    • FIRE … kitchen fires, candles and outdoor deep fryers
    • FOOD … choking and poisoning, cuts and burns during food preparation
    • TRAVEL … car accidents, driving while intoxicated or distracted

    KITCHEN SAFETY

    • Keep children away from the stove.
    • Do not leave the house while the turkey is cooking.
    • Ensure the kitchen floor is kept clear and doesn’t have any trip hazards.
    • Keep matches, lighters, candles and knives out of the reach of children.

    Thanksgiving is the #1 day of the year for cooking fires, reports State Farm insurance. The U.S. Fire Department confirms that more than 4,000 fires occur on Thanksgiving Day and preparing deep fried turkeys, using a turkey fryer, is the cause of approximately 5 deaths, 50 injuries, and the destruction of 900 homes and more than $15 million in property damage every year.

    Kitchen safety is even more important than usual during busy holiday times, like Thanksgiving, when more people might be working in the kitchen to prepare a large meal. But for casual cooks and experienced chefs alike, the kitchen presents more hazards than imagined. Read more about the most common ways kitchen tasks send people to the ER every day so you can plan your next family gathering to be even safer.

    HOLIDAY FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

    • Keep baking soda on hand to put out kitchen fires.
    • Do not leave food cooking or the stove unsupervised.
    • Make sure smoke alarms are working.
    • A household fire extinguisher should always be nearby.
    • Do not leave candles burning unattended and do not burn candles near flammable items like curtains or potpourri.
    • Follow all instructions carefully when using a deep fryer and monitor closely!

    Incidents of choking and food poisoning increase during the holidays, especially around Thanksgiving, as people are preparing and consuming more food than usual. Food Safety News reports that approximately 51 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving.

    FOOD SAFETY

    • Always wash your hands after handling raw or under-cooked poultry.
    • Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and produce to prevent cross-contamination.
    • The USDA recommends cooking the turkey at a minimum of 325 degrees. Use a food thermometer and cook the turkey to an internal temperature of 165 to 180 degrees to ensure the turkey is cooked thoroughly and to avoid illness caused by consuming under-cooked poultry.
    • Store leftovers within 2 hours or toss them.

    PET SAFETY

    The Veterinary Medical Association warns that turkey and chicken bones should never be given to pets because they can splinter and pets may choke.

    Dogs should be kept away from any dish that has onions, leeks, garlic, raisins, grapes or chocolate, as those foods can be hazardous to your dog’s health.

    HOLIDAY TRAVEL SAFETY

    With Thanksgiving being one of the most travel-heavy times of the year, it is important to be prepared before hitting the road and to drive defensively, especially during bad weather.

    Drivers who are texting take their eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds. Driving at 55 mph, that is about the length of a football field.

    • Buckle up, every trip.
    • Make sure your vehicle is well maintained.
    • Plan your route ahead of time.
    • Carry and emergency kit in the car.
    • Be aware of weather conditions.
    • Take caution in parking lots while out shopping.
    • No texting while driving.

    According to the National Highway Safety Association, more than 40% of holiday car accidents involve alcohol. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.

    There’s never a time when employees, parents or families can ‘take a break’ from safety. Workplace safety is often our focus because there may be bigger hazards present and we all want to get home safely to our families and loved ones at the end of the day, but safety at home is also important. Take a breather and remind yourself what the holidays are truly about and know that nothing is more important than having a safe holiday this year.

    A membership to Weeklysafety.com comes at a very low price that never goes up no matter how many employees you have and no matter how many awesome safety topics you use. Included in your membership are hundreds of safety topics that you can use for your safety meetings, toolbox talks and safety moments.

    Take a look at our website to learn more about everything that comes with a Weeklysafety.com membership. Click below to learn more today!

    https://weeklysafety.com/blog/thanksgiving-safety

  • Celebrating Ingenuity and Creativity

    UD recently celebrated its annual Inventors Recognition event to showcase UD’s ongoing impact on innovation. Delaware US Senator Chris Coons and Elizabeth Dougherty a regional director from the US Patent and Trademark Offices was in attendance. (UDAILY)

     

  • 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

  • UD Dining Services Recognized as Delaware Business of the Year

    UD Dining Services has been awarded the Delaware Business of the Year by the state Rehabilitation Council and Vocational Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, recognizing its dedication to inclusive employment and accessibility. (UDAILY)

     

  • End of Daylight-Saving Time Can Be Deadly

    November 3rd, Sunday morning most of those in the United States will turn their clocks back one hour for the end of Daylight-Saving Time. Most of us think: “Fantastic! I get another hour of sleep”; and yes, you will. However, there is a huge difference between the “society clock” and the “biological clock” we all work from. During such time changes there is statistically an increase in safety incidents.

    With the end of daylight savings time comes an increase of darkness around the time of rush hour, when traffic is at a peak and many are making our way home from work. Drivers aren’t used to the decreased visibility – nor are pedestrians, who might take chances crossing roads when they shouldn’t.

    Pedestrians walking around at dusk are nearly three times more likely to be struck and killed by cars in the days following the end of daylight-saving time than just before the time change. A study of seven years of nationwide traffic fatalities was conducted at Carnegie Mellon University, calculating the risk per mile walked for pedestrians. The study found that the per-mile risk jumps 186 percent from October to November.

     

    The National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) has done studies proving that auto accidents increase after the clocks fall back an hour. Besides the lack of visibility, the NRSF notes that commuting in the dark can also make drivers drowsier than usual. According to some health studies, changes in waking time coupled with the earlier onset of darkness throws off our internal clocks. This increases driving risks, primarily because in our 24/7 society, we have a fundamental problem of already being sleep deprived.

    The end of daylight-saving time can leave many feeling fatigued, which can pose safety risks both at home and in the workplace. Some things to keep in mind when switching back to standard time are:

    Fatigue — Studies suggest that it takes people who work traditional hours several days to fully readjust their sleep schedule after the time change. While it may seem a welcome gift to get an extra hour of sleep as opposed to losing an hour in the spring, there is a physiological consequence to changing our clocks. Don’t be surprised if you feel a bit sluggish during the first week or so of November.

    Accidents — Evidence suggests that time changes increase safety problems both at work and at home. Just being aware of the increased risk of accidents in the period immediately following the time change may help you stay alert. Try to avoid building up a sleep debt in the days before the change.

    Safety professionals have long used the start and end of daylight-saving time as reminders for performing recurring safety tasks. Use the occasion of setting your clocks back as a cue to:

    • Check and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Ensure they are working properly and replace the batteries. As the cold sets in and many start up their gas-fired furnaces, fireplaces, portable unit heaters and the like for the first time, carbon monoxide poisoning risks increase dramatically during this time of year. Replace any smoke alarm unit that is older than 10 years. Replace any CO alarm unit that is older than 5 years.
    • Prepare a winter emergency kit for your automobile. Such kits can be a lifesaver if you are stuck out in bad weather while driving. They should include items such as: warm clothes, blanket, flashlight, batteries, water, non-perishable snacks, shovel, flares, reflective hazard triangle, jumper cables, cat litter or sand for traction, ski hat and gloves.
    • Check to see if your fire extinguishers need recharging. Check the small gauge at the top of the extinguisher. If the needle in that gauge is in the green, chances are, the extinguisher is okay. If it is in the red, you need to have the extinguisher recharged.

    https://safetytoolboxtopics.com/Seasonal/end-of-daylight-saving-time-can-be-deadly.html

  • Strengthening the Workforce

    UD School of Nursing and Bayhealth have partnered to address the nursing workforce shortage through the new UD/Bayhealth Student Scholars program. This secures employment for nursing students and serves as a model for other institutions to replicate. (UDAILY)

     

  • Halloween Safety

    Weekly Safety Meeting – Halloween Safety

    With witches, goblins, and super-heroes descending on neighborhoods all over the U.S., here are some safety tips to help prepare children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat holiday.

    Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common-sense practices can keep events safer and more fun!

    Halloween can be a fun time for children and parents alike as the small army of trick-or-treaters move from house to house.

    The secret to having an incident–free and safe Halloween experience is remembering the rules of Halloween safety. Talk to your children about Halloween safety tips every year to ensure that they never forget these life-preserving measures. Check out all our health and safety tips to learn more.

    Walk Safely:

    • Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right, and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
    • Put electronic devices down, keep heads up, and walk, don’t run, across the street.
    • Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
    • Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
    • Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
    • Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, tell them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

    Costumes for a Safe Halloween:

    • Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
    • Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
    • Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
    • When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

    Upon Returning Home:

    • Inspect all goodies in your child’s treat bags. Dispose of items with open or broken wrappers or that are unwrapped. Discard any homemade items from people you don’t know or items where the brand is unfamiliar to you.
    • Wash fruits and cut each into several pieces to be sure they are fresh and don’t have anything harmful inserted. (Australia faced a strawberry crisis after several fruits across the country were found to have needles inside.)
    • If your child has a food allergy, meticulously inspect candy labels to confirm they are safe to eat.
    • Ration treats. Just because your child has a bag full of goodies, that is no reason for he or she to eat them all. Ration treats by doling out a few each day or week. You could suggest swapping some or all of the candy for something healthier or more beneficial such as a book, toy, or an outing.

    Drive Extra Safely on Halloween:

    • Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
    • Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians, and on curbs.
    • Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
    • Get rid of any distractions in your car, like your phone, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
    • Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
    • Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Be especially alert for kids during those hours.

    Remember:

    Whether you’re a ghost or zombie, vampire or witch, poor costume choices, including decorative (colored) contact lenses and face paint allergies can cause injuries that haunt you long after Halloween.

    CHOOSE SAFETY…FOR PEACE OF MIND OF YOUR FAMILY!!

    https://safetymattersweekly.com/weekly-safety-meeting-halloween-safety/

  • Seven Basic General Industry Safety Rules

    Seven Basic General Industry Safety Rules Toolbox Talk

    1. Keep work areas clean. Proper housekeeping alone can go a long way in preventing workplace injury. Injuries such as slips, trips, falls, lacerations, sprains, strains, etc. can be reduced by keeping work areas organized and clean. Basic safety rule: A clean workspace makes it a safe working environment.

    2. Use the proper tool for the job. Avoid the first impulse to use whatever tool (or object) is around you to get a work task done. Using the wrong tool for the job can result in an injury or damage to the tool, which can lead to an injury in the future.

    3. Always wear the proper PPE for the work task. The lack of PPE, or the use of improper PPE, leads to many injuries in the workplace. PPE is the last line of defense when protecting yourself from the hazards of your work. If you come into contact with hazardous materials while not wearing the correct PPE, the injury will be more severe than if you were wearing it.

    4. Never work on live equipment. Working on energized equipment is an unsafe act that can result in serious injuries or fatalities. For your personal safety, always follow proper lock-out/tag-out procedures prior to performing any maintenance or repair work on equipment.

    5. Make sure chemicals are properly labeled and stored. OSHA issues many citations regarding hazard communication every year. Improper labeling and storage can lead to injuries or property loss due to fires, corrosion, etc.

    6. Communicate hazards to other personnel. Never assume that a coworker understands the hazards of a task, especially if they are new or new to the task. When work plans or conditions change, take the necessary time to inform others of the impacts the changes have on safety.

    7. Stop work when needed to address hazards. Always stop work to take the time to get hazards and unsafe conditions addressed to make it safe to continue the task. Whether you need to involve other staff, such as a supervisor, or you need to take time to get the right tool for the job, always take the time to do so.

    Discussion points on workplace safety rules:

    1. What is the most important rule listed in this talk? Why?
    2. What are other basic safety rules that need to be followed here at our worksite?

    Seven Basic General Industry Safety Rules

  • Full Staff

  • Half staff – Delaware state flag only

    Gov Carney ordered Delaware flags to half-staff on Oct 16 until sunset on Thursday, Oct 17 in remembrance of the Honorable James T Vaughn Jr.