Tag: Weekly Safety Message 53

It is estimated at the end of 2008 there were 4 billion cell phone users worldwide. “Can you hear me now? The catchphrase used by Verizon, has become part of our culture.  Cell phone use has expanded into every activity in our lives, from emergency communication to picking products from a grocery shelf. It sometimes seems people have no idea what to do with a spare moment other than make a cell phone call.

Whether you are in the presence of a user or you use a cell phone personally, using the phone is a significant distraction. Being distracted while driving, while operating tools and equipment, when walking across the street, when in public or at work, increases the risk of injuries and crashes.

Researchers have compared the level of distraction to a blood alcohol level of 0.08. Research also has shown that a cell phone conversation while driving is a greater distraction than conversing with a passenger. Drivers reacted significantly slower to unexpected events in the first two minutes of the phone conversation and are, for a large part of the conversation, unaware of traffic movements around them. ”

Many states have banned the use of cell phones without a hands-free device. Although that may help a little, the distraction is still present. Your best bet is to pull over to the side of the road or pull into a parking lot if you must have the conversation.

Thanksgiving Day has more than double the number of home cooking fires than an average day according to the U.S. Fire Administration. In fact, each year more than 4,000 fires occur on Thanksgiving Day.

“Unattended cooking is the leading cause of Thanksgiving Day home fires, and it’s easy to understand why,” said Red Cross preparedness expert Heidi Taylor. “People can easily become distracted and lose track of what’s happening in the kitchen when they are enjoying spending time with family and friends.”

To help prevent home fires this Thanksgiving, the Red Cross suggests the following tips:

• Keep potholders and food wrappers at least three feet away from heat sources while cooking
• Wear tighter fitting clothing with shorter sleeves when cooking
• Make sure all stoves, ovens, and ranges have been turned off when you leave the kitchen
• Set timers to keep track of turkeys and other food items that require extended cooking times
• Turn handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents
• After guests leave, designate a responsible adult to walk around the home making sure that all candles and smoking materials are extinguished

Even with the best preparation and precautions, accidents can happen. Thanksgiving is high time for cooking related burns. Minor burns can be treated easily if you remember to save the butter for the rolls and not a burn. For a superficial burn, cool the area by running it under cold water until the heat eases and then loosely cover the burn with a sterile dressing.

Courtesy American Red Crosshttps://safetytoolboxtopics.com/Seasonal/thanksgiving-fire-prevention-safety.html

 Safety Toolbox Talk Webmaster

 Behavioral Safety

A worker received an electric shock on a piece of equipment he was using. He was not injured, and he did not report the incident. A few days later another worker also received a shock from the same defective equipment and again did not report the problem. Within days a third worker also received an electrical shock which caused severe injury.

This true story illustrates what can happen when we ignore close calls in the workplace. A close call is a chance to identify a hazard and correct it before someone is seriously injured or killed.

We have all had many experiences with close calls or near misses in our everyday lives. The best thing we can do is to pay attention to them and learn from them. For example, most of us have slipped while rushing down the stairway. We may have caught ourselves before falling and then resolve to slow down in the future. Another example is pulling out to pass when driving and being faced with an on-coming car. We quickly pull back into our own lane and tell ourselves next time we will make sure it is safe before we try to pass.

In both instances, there was the potential for a serious accident, but we were lucky. We have learned something by close calls and will probably be more aware in the future.

Close calls in the workplace serve the same function. They give us an opportunity to recognize that something is wrong and to do something about it before you or someone gets hurt.

Be sure to report near misses. You could help prevent injury to yourself or a coworker.

 Safety Toolbox Talk Webmaster

 Behavioral Safety

The importance of looking out for one another’s safety is truly a sign of a mature and dedicated working environment. It’s one thing to look out for your own safety but it takes it to a whole different level when you are committed to the point of looking out for your coworker’s safety also.

How about you?

• Do you guide coworkers on the correct way to complete a task safety when you see they are doing something unsafely?
• Are you willing to approach a coworker on safety?
• Are you afraid of confrontation?
• Is their safety worth that risk?