Employee Safety Newsletters

Take care of yourself while taking care of business Be extra cautious and alert when traveling on business. You are more vulnerable to crime when traveling than when you are on home ground, so take precautions to protect your personal safety from threats such as theft, mugging, assaults, and other criminal acts. For example, check in
[ …more ]

Kick bad habits to fight the flu at work A recent survey by Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, Inc., confirms that office workers stick to old habits that make it harder to fight flu in the workplace. For example, nearly 70 percent of workers admit to coming in to work while sick, a habit that increases
[ …more ]

Know so you can avoid Most careless accidents can be pinned down to one of these causes: Complacency. When you have been doing a job for a long time, you may begin to think that you know all there is to know about it. So you go around on autopilot. Or you take shortcuts. Emotions. It’s human nature to get angry or upset because
[ …more ]

Stay alert in unfamiliar surroundings, keeping your safety and security in mind at all times. Take these precautions: If you’re staying overnight, avoid ground-level rooms in motels and hotels. Keep your room door locked and the security chain fastened when you are in your room, and lock and close windows when you leave. Use the viewer in
[ …more ]

Office chemical hazards may seem minor—until you consider that if a gallon jug of ammonia cleaning solution were spilled in your office it would probably make everyone run from the office coughing. Also, if your office is part of a manufacturing facility, there may be chemicals in the manufacturing environment that could spill and impact
[ …more ]

World TB Day is March 24, which recognizes the day in 1882 that Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of M. tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes this deadly but curable disease. Visit http://www.stoptbusa.org/ for information on TB and the plans to eliminate it in the United States. You can also visit  http://www.stoptb.org/ for information on “The Global Plan to
[ …more ]

First Aid for Burns February 5 to 11 is National Burn Awareness Week, a good time to acknowledge that burns are a common workplace injury. How bad a burn is depends on how many layers it affects. First-degree burns affect only the first layer of skin, which gets red right away. Second-degree burns involve both reddened skin and some
[ …more ]

Work safely above ground level Take these steps to work safely on ladders: CHOOSE a ladder tall and strong enough for the job. CHECK that ladders have all parts in good condition, including: —Slip-resistant steps or rungs —Braces, bolts, screws, and spreaders —Rope —Safety feet WORK cautiously on a ladder to prevent falls. Remember to: —Allow one person
[ …more ]

Know the seven risk factors In addition to cold temperatures and windy conditions: Inadequate or wet clothing increases the risk because they do not provide sufficient insulation from cold temperatures. Drug use or certain medications can inhibit the body’s response to the cold or even impair judgment so that the victim does not realize he or she
[ …more ]

Burn Statistics Here’s why knowing first aid for burns is important: Every year in the United States, 1.1 million burn injuries require medical care. Around 50,000 people require hospitalization. Almost 10,000 people die of burn-related infections. Burn Hazards Learn how to recognize burn hazards, such as the following: Flammable liquids, such as oil, solvents, and many chemicals,
[ …more ]

The cost of excessive alcohol consumption in the United States reached $223.5 billion, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About three-quarters of that is related to binge drinking. That means four or more alcoholic beverages per occasion for women and five or more for men. Excessive consumption, also referred
[ …more ]

Good safety practices help protect you and your co-workers from injury or illness on the job. Because of that, we take safety very seriously here— and that means that you should consider working safely an important part of your job responsibilities. Know the hazards of your job. Always follow safety rules and procedures. Use all
[ …more ]

Follow these procedures to prevent stack collapse Do you know how to stack loads safely? When stacking loads, such as on pallets, it is important that the stacks do not fall over. This could cause an injury or damage materials. Follow these basic procedures to help make your stacks stable: Put the heavy items on the bottom
[ …more ]

How to clean up safely Why is pest waste a problem? Untreated fecal matter can be a source of harmful bacteria and nutrients. Pet waste also carries disease-causing organisms such as E. coli, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Salmonella. In addition, leaving pet waste on the ground may pose a disease risk to children, adults, and other
[ …more ]

Renew your safety knowledge January’s a great time to review your workplace’s safety policy. Fill out this worksheet with safety information that is pertinent to your job. 1. Where is the first-aid kit located? _______________________________________________________________________________ 2. What are my workplace’s accident reporting procedures? _______________________________________________________________________________ 3. Where is PPE required at the facility? What PPE is
[ …more ]

The Super Bowl is probably the biggest sporting event of the year. Certainly in terms of marketing—and of food consumption. According to the Nielsen Report, in one recent year Super Bowl watchers spent $594,500,813 on snacks! Top choices include potato and tortilla chips, popcorn, pretzels, puffed cheese snacks, dip mixes, canned dips, guacamole, chicken wings,
[ …more ]

Use sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen protection even in winter, because the sun can still harm your skin, especially if there’s reflective snow on the ground. Wear reflective vests or apply reflective strips to your and your family’s clothing when you’re out doing winter activities, because winter days get dark quickly.

Prevent slips and falls in winter conditions Unless you’re ice skating or skiing, you don’t want to be slipping and sliding—especially around your workplace. Weather-related slips and falls become a serious hazard as winter conditions create wet or icy surfaces. Even wet leaves and mud can create treacherous walking conditions. And wet and muddy shoes
[ …more ]

Celebrate the holidays safely ‘Tis the season to be jolly—and to stay away from your car if you’ve been too jolly. December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. Recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA – www.nhtsa.gov) revealed that in the 12-hour period from 6:00 p.m. New Year’s Eve to
[ …more ]

Don’t give colds and flus to family and friends Have you ever received a gift you didn’t want? While some of us may have a few presents hidden away in back closets, all of us have undoubtedly received unwanted colds and flus from family, friends, and co-workers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
[ …more ]

If you’ve read the article “Give Your Health a (Clean) Hand,” you know how important frequent handwashing is to preventing the spread of colds and flus. But what do you do in situations where soap and water aren’t available? Use an alcohol gel or wipe to clean your hands. Rub the gel or wipe over
[ …more ]

Medical professionals recommend that people who have the following health conditions should avoid alcohol: A history of a hemorrhagic stroke Liver disease Pancreatic disease Evidence of precancerous changes in the esophagus, larynx, pharynx or mouth Likewise, people who are taking the following medications should avoid alcohol: Antibiotics Anticoagulants Antidepressants Aspirin Diabetes medications Antihistamines Anti-seizure medications
[ …more ]

Even though winter rolls around every year and you may be confident in your ability to avoid slips and falls, don’t let yourself become complacent about the hazards. Keep these statistics in mind: Falls are among the most common type of injury both on and off the job. Several hundred thousand American workers suffer injuries from falls
[ …more ]

Here’s a quick primer: Air-purifying respirators protect against many contaminants by filtering or chemically “scrubbing” them and are used when: There is enough oxygen present. Contaminants can be filtered or “scrubbed” out. Contaminants are not at Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) levels. These respirators have color-coded cartridges or canisters to indicate the type of
[ …more ]

Enjoy the day the healthy way Follow these food and fitness tips: Eat a full healthy breakfast. Don’t “save” calories for the main meal. This is a particularly good practice for the cook to help keep him or her from grazing during food preparation. Eat (and serve) fibrous appetizers, such as veggie trays or sliced fruit with
[ …more ]

What you need to know Q: What is the purpose of the GHS? A: The purpose of the GHS is to provide a comprehensive international system for defining health, physical, and environmental hazards of chemicals; classifying chemicals based on their specific hazards; and communicating hazard information and protective measures consistently throughout the world. Q: Why is
[ …more ]

If you have co-workers who are trying to kick the habit during the Great American Smokeout, do what you can to help. Here’s why: You’ll improve your own health. The 2006 U.S. Surgeon General’s report,Secondhand Smoke: What it Means to You states that secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer, heart disease, and raised cholesterol levels. You’ll improve working conditions.New
[ …more ]

This month consider these statistics: Lung disease is the number one work-related illness in the U.S. in terms of severity, frequency, and preventability. Occupational lung cancer is estimated to kill between 15,000 and 20,000 people each year. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the U.S. Occupational lung disease can
[ …more ]

Earthquakes can happen anywhere! Make sure you know how: To participate in earthquake drills. To mount pictures and wall hangings securely. To keep desktop computers and appliances in restraints. To keep desk drawers and filing cabinet doors latched. To keep large equipment and furniture anchored to walls or floors. Where first-aid kits, flashlights, battery radios, blankets,
[ …more ]

Rake leaves safely Colorful autumn leaves are lovely falling past your window – until you look out and see that they’ve covered your lawn in an inch of now-brown, dried-out husks! How do you get rid of them in a way that’s healthy for you and the environment? Try these options. For your health: Wear
[ …more ]

Oral health is key to overall health According to a report by the U.S. Surgeon General, poor oral health is a factor in life-threatening diseases that kill millions of Americans each year. For example, gum (periodontal) disease has been linked to heart and lung disease, diabetes, and several other serious health conditions. October is National Dental
[ …more ]

The center of gravity of an unloaded forklift is just below the operator’s seat. Having the forklift’s weight balanced over the center of gravity helps keep the forklift stable and prevents tip-overs. However, with a load, the center of gravity shifts. As long as the center of gravity remains inside a triangular area formed by
[ …more ]

Know how to stay safe All warehouses need good housekeeping to be safe. Aisles should always be unobstructed—if not, they may block evacuation and cause falls. Likewise, slippery, wet, or icy floors frequently cause falls. Unstable or uneven walking surfaces need to be repaired, and all areas should have adequate lighting. Storage areas should have
[ …more ]