Toolbox Talk. Holiday Safety

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Clyde Perry
6 years ago
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1 Name of Company Holiday Safety Holidays mean joining family and friends for fellowship, food, and cheer. But these joyful celebrations can also present some common hazards that include drunk driving, foodborne illnesses, and kitchen dangers. Thankfully, these are all preventable hazards, so it s easy to keep your holidays joyful and free of tragedy. During the holidays, many of us attend and/or host special events and parties. These events often involve celebrating with alcohol. Unfortunately, many people still make the bad decision to drive home either tipsy or downright drunk. Driving after drinking is never the smart or safe choice. During the 2016 holiday season in Missouri (Thanksgiving to New Year s Day), there were 880 crashes, resulting in 294 injuries, 18 deaths, and 274 DUI/DWI arrests made. Never get behind the wheel of any vehicle if you have been drinking. If you re going to drink at an event, plan ahead and have a designated driver who will not drink and can ensure that everyone gets home safely. Ask for a ride home from a friend, or call a cab or an Uber. If you are driving during the holiday season, keep an eye out for drunk drivers the car drifting to one side, then jerking back into their lane, driving erratically, variation in speed, etc. If you think you see a drunk driver, maintain a safe distance and avoid getting in front of that vehicle. Food is an important part of holiday festivities, so it s important to keep a close eye on food safety when it comes to holiday health. Keep all food preparation surfaces clean. Wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after preparing food. Remember that meat, poultry, and fish dishes can spoil if left out on a counter. Make sure all food is fully cooked. Cover leftovers promptly and get them into the refrigerator right away. Check your pantry and refrigerator for expired food and condiments. Dispose of expired food immediately. Keep in mind that infants, young children, older adults, and pregnant women are at a higher risk for severe food-borne illnesses if food is not prepared properly. Cooking favorite foods for a holiday meal can be fun for you and/or your spouse. But it can be stressful and slightly overwhelming at times; be sure to make kitchen safety a main ingredient in your holiday meals. Young children might be interested in helping in the kitchen. It s best to give them a safe place to watch you work and have them do small tasks, such as making place cards for the table. Always cook with pot handles turned inward on the stovetop to reduce the chances of spilling hot food on people or kitchen surfaces. Roll up your sleeves and wear an apron to reduce the chances of catching your clothes on fire. Use potholders when carrying hot food. When cutting or carving, remember to cut away from your body. Always put knives into the dishwasher with the blades and points downward. Take a break and enjoy the holidays! But always make safety a priority whether you re celebrating at work, at home, or on vacation.

2 Name of Company First Aid Cold Weather Emergencies Winter is here; and if you work outside, you should know some basic first aid for cold-weather issues. During cold weather, an employee s body will use energy to maintain a normal internal body temperature. This will result in a shift of blood flow from employee s extremities (hands, feet and legs) and outer skin to the employee s core (chest and abdomen). Dehydration It is easy to become dehydrated during cold weather. Signs of dehydration include increasing thirst, dry mouth, weakness or light-headedness (particularly if worse upon standing), and a darkening of the urine or a decrease in urination. Treatment: Dehydration can be reversed or put back in balance by drinking fluids that contain electrolytes (i.e. Gatorade) that are lost during work related activities. Avoid caffeinated drinks Hypothermia is a potentially serious health condition, occurring when body heat is lost faster than it can be replaced. When the core body temperature drops to approximately 95 F, you may start to see shivering, loss of coordination, slurred speech, and fumbling with items in the hand. The employee s skin will likely be pale and cold. As the body temperature continues to fall these symptoms will worsen and shivering will stop. If the body temperature is allowed to fall to 85 F, severe hypothermia will develop and the person may become unconscious, and at 78 F, vital organs may begin to fail. Treatment: For cases of mild hypothermia: move to warm area and stay active. Remove wet clothes and replace with dry clothes or blankets, cover the head. To promote metabolism and assist in raising internal core temperature drink a warm (not hot) sugary (not caffeinated) drink. For more severe cases do all the above, plus contact emergency medical personnel (Call 911 for an ambulance), cover all extremities completely, place very warm objects, such as hot packs or water bottles on the victim's head, neck, chest and groin. Arms and legs shall be warmed last. In cases of severe hypothermia, treat the employee very gently and do not apply external heat to rewarm. Hospital treatment is required. Frostbite occurs when the skin actually freezes and loses water. In severe cases, amputation of the frostbitten area may be required. While frostbite usually occurs when the temperatures are 30 F or lower, wind chill factors can allow frostbite to occur in above freezing temperatures. Frostbite typically affects the extremities, particularly the feet and hands. The affected body part will be cold, tingling, stinging or aching followed by numbness. Skin color turns red, then purple, then white, and is cold to the touch. There may be blisters in severe cases. Treatment: Do not rub the area to warm it. Wrap the area in a soft cloth, move the employee to a warm area, and contact medical personnel. Do not leave the employee alone. If help is delayed, immerse in warm, not hot (maximum 105 F) water. Do not pour water directly on affected part. If there is a chance that the affected part will get cold again do not warm. Repeated heating and cooling of the skin may cause severe tissue damage. For employees working outdoors or working indoors without heat, take scheduled breaks in warm areas and drink lots of water.

3 Name of Company Heart Attacks at Work Heart attacks continue to be one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Heart attacks can and do happen on the job. If a co-worker has a heart attack, call 911 and get professional help immediately. Here are three things to think about regarding heart attacks. 1. Know the risk factors and take care of your heart. Many risk factors contribute to poor heart health. Some risk factors are uncontrollable including old age, a family history of heart disease, and race but many risk factors are controllable. Talk to your doctor for more information. Your choices can control the following risk factors: Smoking High LDL, or bad cholesterol and low HDL, or good cholesterol High blood pressure Physical inactivity Obesity Diabetes High C-reactive protein levels (detected with a blood test) Stress levels 2. Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Sometimes heart attacks are dramatic. More often, however, they begin slowly, with mild pain and discomfort. Be alert if you or a co-worker experience the following symptoms: Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that feels like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. These sensations last more than a few minutes, or they may go away and come back. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Shortness of breath. Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness. 3. Become certified in CPR and AED use. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) provides artificial circulation and breathing to a person whose heart and lungs have stopped functioning. When you perform CPR, you alternate externally compressing the heart with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The goal is to either get the heart going again or to stabilize the person until paramedics arrive. An AED (automated external defibrillator) can treat sudden cardiac arrest through defibrillation the application of electrical therapy which helps the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm. AEDs are common in malls, airports, and offices. You can learn how to use an AED and how to administer CPR through your local Red Cross chapter or fire department. If the heart attack is work related, then any fatalities or inpatient hospitalizations caused by the heart attack must be reported to OSHA.

4 Name of Company Labels for Chemicals in the Workplace OSHA s labeling requirements on hazardous chemicals aligns into the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). As a result, workers have better information available on the safe handling and use of hazardous chemicals, thereby allowing them to avoid injuries and illnesses related to exposures to hazardous chemicals. The standard requires that information about chemical hazards be conveyed on labels using quick visual notations to alert the user, providing immediate recognition of the hazards. Label must also provide instructions on how to handle the chemical so that chemical users are informed about how to protect themselves Keep in mind that while the new labels provide important information for anyone who uses, handles, or transports hazardous chemicals the information they provide is still limited. They are, after all, only labels. For the complete details on any hazardous chemical you use, refer to its Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Labels can be attached to or printed on the container. They can also be attached to or printed on the packaging that the container comes in. Labels for hazardous chemicals must be in English and contain these six pieces of information: The name and contact information of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party. A product identifier; that is, some understandable name or code that identifies the chemical. Signal words like Danger or Warning that alert you to key hazards and indicate the severity of those hazards. Hazard statements that describe the problems the chemical presents, such as Causes damage to kidneys through prolonged or repeated exposure when absorbed through the skin. Precautionary statements, which describe steps or precautions you should take to minimize hazards or prevent problems related to the chemical. These steps could include handling instruction, recommended PPE, ventilation requirements, etc. For example: Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flames. GHS Pictograms that provide quick, visual cues about key hazards. The pictograms include familiar images such as: skull and crossbones for poison, and new images like the torso with a star opening for health hazard. Make sure you know what each of the eight pictograms means and always pay attention to the hazards they identify. If you find any material with a label missing or illegible, report it to your supervisor immediately for proper labeling. OSHA pictograms DO NOT replace DOT labels or Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

6 Name of Company When Accidents Aren t Accidental Going to work every day allows for relationships to develop among coworkers. Sometimes though, that relationship building can create a situation where goofing around occurs. When you cross the line between good-natured camaraderie and dangerous practical jokes or other inappropriate behavior, not only do you slow down the work, but you can create safety hazards that can injure and even kill. Especially for those of us whose worksite already has inherent dangers associated with it. Horseplay is rough and rowdy play. It can include playing practical jokes, wrestling, roughhousing, or any other behavior that confuses, startles, or distracts another worker. While horseplay usually starts as something playful, it can result in wasted time, property damage, and physical injuries. Horseplay is a distracting activity that keeps workers from completing their tasks and too often someone ends up getting hurt. Keep in mind that you probably won t get any worker s compensation if you re injured while engaging in horseplay. Willful Disruption is any activity that causes a disturbance, an interruption, or creates disorder in the workplace. Willful disruption can include actions like vandalism; tool theft; and damaging, disabling, or hiding vehicles or property. Sabotaging the power supply that serves the project, calling in a false alarm to the fire department, or disconnecting incoming water or steam lines are other examples of willful disruption. Many of these acts are not just childish pranks but can also become criminal offenses. Many employers (which could include the general contractor or developer) will prosecute workers who engage in willful disruption. Violence is behavior that involves physical force that is intended to hurt, injure, or kill someone. Violence can include fistfights, stabbings, threats, or robbery. All of these activities go against this company s rules and regulations and will not be considered accidents if someone gets hurt. Many of these acts are also felonies. If you are caught participating in a violent act, legal charges may be filed against you. You could end up in prison if you re convicted. Violence is a serious safety issue and it will not be tolerated. Harassment is any type of unwelcome and offensive action toward a co-worker that 1) makes it difficult for someone to perform his or her job or 2) that causes the victim to feel he or she is working in a hostile environment. Harassment can be based on factors like gender, race, age, or religious preference. All men and women have a right to work in an environment free from harassment. If you are being harassed at work, seek help. Reach out and report it to your supervisor or a member of management. Set a good example by not participating in horseplay, willful disruption, violence, or harassment. If you see any of it on the job, try to stop it or report it. You could prevent an injury or a costly accident that puts your job at risk. Even the most well-intentioned and seemingly harmless joke can cause serious harm or cause an accident. If you need a laugh, tell a joke, don t play one on somebody.

7 Name of Company Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that s colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Sometimes carbon monoxide is mixed with other gases that do have an odor. So it s possible for you to inhale carbon monoxide without knowing it, either because your senses can t detect it, or because you think you re inhaling something else when it is actually present. Carbon monoxide is a common industrial hazard resulting from the incomplete burning of materials containing carbon such as gasoline, kerosene, oil, propane, natural gas, coal, or wood. One of the most common sources of carbon monoxide exposure in the workplace is the internal combustion engine. When you breathe in carbon monoxide, it displaces oxygen in your blood, depriving your heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen. Initial symptoms of CO poisoning include tightness across the chest, headache, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea. During prolonged or high exposure, symptoms may worsen and could include one or more of the following: vomiting, confusion, loss of consciousness, or muscle weakness. Symptoms can vary widely from person to person, but they occur sooner in those most susceptible: young children, the elderly, people with lung or heart disease, those at high altitudes, and anyone who already has elevated carbon monoxide levels, such as smokers. CO poisoning can be reversed if caught in time. But even if you recover, acute poisoning may result in permanent damage to the heart and brain. We should all take the following steps to reduce the chances of CO poisoning on the jobsite: Report any situation that might cause CO to accumulate (like running a space heater inside a building or setting up a generator on the ground near a basement widow). Be alert to ventilation problems, especially in enclosed areas where gases of burning fuels may be released. Avoid the use of gas-powered engines (such as those in power washers, generators, and forklifts) in enclosed areas. Maintain equipment and appliances that produce CO (such as space heaters, generators, and water heaters) in good working order. When possible, eliminate the use of machines and tools that produce CO. Instead, use equipment powered by electricity or compressed air. If you suspect CO poisoning, leave the area and avoid overexertion. If you experience symptoms of CO poisoning, get fresh air right away and seek medical attention immediately. Carbon monoxide poisoning poses a particular risk to unborn children. Pregnant mothers should be very cautious.

Doc #: 1000-AD Revision: - HEAT/COLD STRESS AWARENESS POLICY. Author(s): Tammie Lavoie, John Dunlop

Doc #: 1000-AD Revision: - HEAT/COLD STRESS AWARENESS POLICY. Author(s): Tammie Lavoie, John Dunlop Doc #: 1000-AD-015-0018 Revision: - HEAT/COLD STRESS AWARENESS POLICY Author(s): Tammie Lavoie, John Dunlop TABLE OF CONTENTS REVISION HISTORY... 3 1.0 INTRODUCTION... 4 2.0 PROGRAM FOCUS... 4 3.0 HAZARDS