Environmental Health and Safety Update

With melamine-tainted milk continuing to be a problem in convenience stores in China, it brings a very important issue up for everyone – how safe are our supermarkets? The U.S. has previously experienced various health concerns with fruits, vegetables and even peanut butter, but do we ever think of how the safe practices of supermarket employees could potential harm us?

Besides how supermarket safety can affect consumers, employees’ are at high risk of injury due to the variety of tasks that must be performed. Cashiers, bakery and deli workers, butchers and stockers all need specialized training to help them safely perform their job duties. SafetySkills™ has developed an online grocery and supermarket safety training series that addresses safety concerns in grocery stores. This series includes the following courses:

• Supermarket Safety – Backroom Safety
• Supermarket Safety – General Safety
• Supermarket Safety – Safe Lifting Basics
• Supermarket Safety – Bakery/Deli Safety
• Supermarket Safety – Meat Market Safety
• Supermarket Safety – Slips, Trips and Falls

According to Tiara Rye, a Homeland Assistant Frontend Manager, felt that the series “was very interactive…it is easy to use and covers all the basic points in safety.” She also encourages other members of this industry to use this training .

Take a look for yourself at http://www.safetyskills.com/supermarket-safety-series.

As most of my readers know, I think that SafetySkills online training is pretty great. The company that created the SafetySkills brand, noodleStream.com, has receieved the 2009 Best in Business Award in the Safety Training Service category by the Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA).

The SBCA 2009 Award Program recognizes the top 5 percent of  small businesses across the country. The winners of the award are chosen by the use of consumer feedback and how important the small businesses are to the American economy.  The selection committee chooses the award winners from nominees based off information taken from monthly surveys administered by the SBCA, a review of consumer rankings, and other consumer reports. Award winners are a valuable asset to their community and exemplify what makes small businesses great.

“Being chosen as one of the top 5 percent of small businesses is fantastic and shows the public that we offer a great service,” said Greene. “The need for the best training possible is something that I hope more and more businesses will realize is essential to building a strong business.”

I hope that everyone makes workplace safety their New Year’s resolution and learns from the lessons of 2009 and looks to this company to make safety a priority in their business.

SafetySkills is offering the public not only important safety tips to keep you and your family safe while traveling this holiday season, but also their Hazardous Driving Conditions course completely free of charge (http://www.safetyskills.com/winter-driving).

Here are some tips to keep your road trip as smooth as possible.

1. Check the weather and know how to drive in bad weather safely before going out.

75% of winter weather related deaths are due to driving in dangerous weather. Only venture out it bad weather if you have to and take SafetySkills Hazardous Driving course free at http://www.safetyskills.com/winter-driving.

2. Winterize your vehicle.

Make sure all vehicle maintenance is up to date and stock your vehicle full of self-sustainable technologies and supplies (first aid kit, blankets, bottled water, flashlights, etc.)

3. Pay Attention.

Don’t get distracted. Driver distraction is becoming the most dangerous issue affecting the roads today. In 2008, 500,000 car accidents and 6,000 deaths were caused by driver distraction. Combine a distracted driver with hazardous weather and you have got a huge problem on your hands.

4. Never drink and drive.

There is really isn’t much need to elaborate. Everyone knows that driving while intoxicated impairs your judgement and reaction time. Just don’t do it.

5. Drive as much as possible when the sun is shining.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Safety Council (NSC), driving deaths are 3 times more likely to occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Try to travel during the day as much as possible.

No one wants to spend their holiday dinner surrounded by the fire department. Safety in the kitchen can save your and your loved ones from one of the biggest dangers of the holiday season, kitchen fires.

SafetySkills has provided the public with these safety tips for the kitchen:

Never leave food unattended while cooking.

The number one cause of kitchen fires is leaving cooking food unattended.

Keep all flammable objects away from heat sources.

Roll up long sleeves and keep all cloth items (pot holders, dishtowels, etc.) away from the stove and oven.

Limit the number of people in the kitchen.

Only fit as many people in the kitchen as there is space to work safely. Too many people can cause accidents and items to be knocked over, starting a fire.

Keep your kitchen clean.

Leftover food and grease can easily catch fire in burners, ovens, pots and pans.

Work carefully with grease and oil.

Grease fires can start and grow rapidly the hotter they get. Watch the temperature and put out a grease fire by smothering it with lids to pots and pans. Never use water to put out a grease fire, water will make the fire spread.

If a fire starts, call 911.

If your home fire extinguisher can’t do the trick when needing to put out a fire, immediately call 911 and evacuate.

Everyone has heard about the false accusations against Zhu Zhu Pets in terms of safety, but lets get to some toys that have been found guilty.

According to W.A.T.C.H. (World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc.), the 10 Worst Toys of 2009 are:

1. Disney-Pixar WALL-E Foam Rocket Launcher
2. Moon Board Pogo Board
3. Curious Baby Curious George Counting – My First Book of Numbers
4. The Dark Knight Batman Figure
5. X-Men Origins Slashin’ Action Wolverine
6. Lots to Love Babies – “Mini Nursery”
7. Just Kidz Junior Musical Instruments
8. CAT “Rugged Mini”
9. Pucci Pups Maltese
10. Spy Gear Viper-Blaster

1. Disney-Pixar WALL-E Foam Rocket Launcher

 Problem: Inconsistent labeling

Details: Large bold labeling on the front of the package states “FOR ALL AGES,” but with closer inspection on the back of the toy in small print reads “not recommended for children under three years of age.”

Problem: Potential for serious eye injury

Details: Shoots rocket up to 20 feet at a high speed that could cause injury to the eye.

2. Moon Board Pogo Board

Problem: Potential for head and impact injuries

Details: Despite coming with many “safety tips” from the manufacturer, the toy is all around unsafe. The “trick handle” is connected to an elastic cord that can snap back at injury the rider. The toy should require a helmet, knee and elbow pads and wrist guards.

3. Curious Baby Curious George Counting – My First Book of Numbers

Problem: Choking hazard

Details: The 6 1/2″ metal rod with 5 colored beads for counting purposes could easily break and the beads could be swallowed by an infant or toddler.

4.  The Dark Knight Batman Figure

Problem: Choking hazard

Details:  Small detachable pieces could be swallowed by toddlers.

Problem: Potential for blunt-force injury

Details: Hard and inflexible pieces could cause injury if fallen on.

5. X-Men Origins Slashin’ Action Wolverine

Problem: Potential for blunt-force injury

Details: Has rigid and inflexible protrusions (claws) that could cause severe injury.

6. Lots of Love Babies “Mini Nursery”

Problem: Choking hazard

Details: This toy is meant for the use of toddlers but has very small pieces, such as a toy shower attachment, that could easily become swallowed by a young child.

7. Just Kidz Junior Musical Instruments

Problem: Choking hazard

Detail: “Drumstick” is 4 1/4″ and very slender. It fits perfectly in a child’s airway and cause choking. 

8. CAT “Rugged Mini”

Problem: Potential for blunt-force injury

Details: According to W.A.T.C.H., the axles and wheels on the toy can separate causing a long metal spoke to become exposed with the potential to cause serious injury.

9. Pucci Pus Maltese

Problem: Potential for strangulation and aspiration injuries

Details: The toy leash is 35″ long and presents a considerable strangulation hazard for the age group the toy is recommended for, 2-year-olds. The pet’s “fur” is not adequately rooted and easily comes out which could be a choking hazard for young children.

10. Spy Gear Viper-Blaster

Problem: Potential for eye injuries 

Details: The toy encourages violence towards others and supplies significant force when launching darts that could potentially cause serious eye injury.

The winter season creates driving safety hazards for anyone on the road and with more people driving during the holidays than in previous years (many people are driving versus flying due to the recession), safety needs to be the top priority. This week has been declared Winter Weather Preparedness Week in  North Carolina, but everyone across the country can reap the benefits of taking the time to learn about how to drive safely this winter.

A new promotion is going on at SafetySkills.com where they are providing their Hazardous Driving Conditions course free until this Friday. Go to http://www.safetyskills.com/winter-driving to take this course free now!

It’s safe to say that when you think of Black Friday, you think about tons of sales to save you money on holiday shopping. Unfortunately, some of these savings come with a high price. Last year on Black Friday a Wal-Mart security guard was trampled to death by overly eager shoppers trying to make the most out of the potential savings that awaited them. This particular incident received news coverage all over the U.S. and even internationally in hopes of getting people to realize that no amount of financial savings is worth someone’s life.

But apparently not everyone got the message. There have been multiple reports of violent incidents occurring across the country just to save a buck. In a Sheboygan, Wisconsin Wal-Mart this morning police were called in a scuffle broke out over discounted GPS units. Another case in Centennial, Colorado Toys ‘R’ Us resulted in a 78-year-old woman being thrown to the floor. 14 Police patrol cars were called to another Toys ‘R’ Us in Jantzen Beach, Oregon when a physicla dispute took place amongst 100 shoppers who had been waiting since midnight.

Shoppers also need to be aware of the added risk that lies ahead of them on the road. Contrary to popular belief  the most dangerous holiday to be driving is not New Years’ but actually Thanksgiving. This is not that surprising when you put all elements into consideration and can be used when driving during the rest of the holiday season:

• Hazardous weather conditions
• Rushing for time = Speeding
• Celebrations = Drinking and Driving
• Overall courtesy that is shown during the holiday time on the road = Road Rage
• Driver Distraction

The one thing to learn from all of this is that Thanksgiving is a time to show gratitude for what you have, not to hurt others in order to get what you want.

 No matter what your opinion is on the right to bear arms one thing is for certain – as long as gun ownership exists, gun safety is necessary. Gun safety is a valid concern for everyone because it can affect everyone. Individuals with high risk jobs (such as convenience store clerks and security guards), as well as people who simply own guns for either protection or a hobby, knowing the proper way to handle and care for a firearm is only being responsible.

Accidental shootings have been a long-standing issue and taking proper safety measures with any weapon is extremely important to avoid injury or death. Taking SafetySkills™ new and free Gun Safety course will help prevent accidental shootings, like the ones that have been making headlines. 

Just last month, John Tabutt of Winter Springs, Florida accidentally shot and killed his fiancee, Nancy Dinsmore, when he mistook her for an intruder on the eve of their wedding. Tabutt said that he thought that she was laying next to him in bed at the time.  

This summer another accidental domestic shooting occurred in San Miguel, California. On July 9, 2009, John Aaron Norris tripped on the stairs while emptying his gun when his dog ran under his feet causing the gun to go off. Norris’ wife, Tasha Dawn Norris, was fatally shot while sitting on the couch.

 These two incidents alone prove that more gun safety courses need to be taken by those with guns, not to mention the added concern of what could happen with children in the home. According to the National Safety Council, 8 children die each year in an accidental shooting.
 
“I think that much of the fear about guns in the general public comes from misunderstandings and the lack of education on the subject,” said Melissa Kaupke, mother and gun owner. “The more familiar one is with how they work and how to handle them, the less chance of any accident.”

To learn more about gun safety and to take SafetySkills™ free Gun Safety course, go to http://www.safetyskills.info/gun-safety-video.

You really have to give it to people that get tattoos – they know how to commit. Without medical removal procedures, tattoos will last for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, so do the bloodborne diseases that can be transmitted during tattooing. That’s why safety in the tattoo and body art industry is so important.  No one should ever be faced with getting an incurable disease because they committed to some body art.

As a huge fan of tattoos and piercings, I always make sure everything is safe before I let someone stick me. One careless decision can haunt you the rest of your life, and nothing could be more haunting than an incurable disease like HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis.

Here are some tips to ensure your safety while getting a tattoo or body piercing:

1. Always make sure your tattoo artist or body piercing professional uses gloves and needles from an unopened package.
2. Look at your surroundings. If it looks dirty, don’t let them stick a needle in your body because it could be dirty, too.
3.  You should always ask questions about the shop’s safety precautions and procedures. They won’t mind at all and if they do, you don’t want to be there. 

There are low-cost training resources available to tattoo studios to help them protect their artists and customers.  SafetySkills™ has an online Tattoo and Body Piercing Safety Training Series that even has a free introductory Tattoo Safety Awareness course.

Online training can be accessed anywhere with an internet connection, making it convenient to learn about tattoo safety from work or home, depending on each tattoo artist’s schedule.  Click here for more information on these  online Tattoo and Body Piercing courses:

• Tattoo Safety Awareness (free)
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Basic First Aid
• CPR Refresher

These past two days have been horrific across the U.S. The stunning tragedy at Fort Hood claiming the lives of 13 people along with many injured, and then today’s workplace shooting in Orlando. All that seems to come to mind is, what is wrong with people today and why is it that signs of danger get ignored until it is too late?

In Fort Hood, Texas on Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m. suspected shooter Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, gunned down the very soldiers who he was there to help. 13 have died and 30 are seriously wounded. So what made this man crack to the point of violence and were there any signs that could have been an indication of what was to come?

It was reported by several individuals that Hasan was frequently expressing anger about his upcoming deployment. He was also involved in many office arguments about his disapproval of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. His final and most explosive outburst took the lives of his fellow soldiers and he now lies in a hospital bed breathing on a ventilator. Now don’t get me wrong, not foreseeing the future is nobody’s fault in this tragic situation. But being aware and alert to possible dangers is important to everyone. Unfortunately, it seems that our soldiers can’t even feel safe on their own base. It’s hard enough to have to become mentally prepared for the dangers of war without having to worry about your safety at home.

As if that wasn’t enough horror for one week, another shooting occured in Orlando, Florida at the office of Reynolds, Smith and Hills. This shooting left Otis Beckford, 26, dead and five others injured. This incident reportedly occured due to the anger of disgruntled former employee, Jason Rodriguez. Rodriguez is currently in police custody facing a charge of first-degree murder.

With two fatal episodes of workplace violence taking place within two days, one has to wonder – could anything have been done to prevent such tragedies? From 1992 to 2006, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) found that 11,613 workplace homicides took place. Many have even indicated that this type of violence is expected to grow due to the stress of the economy and job market. Employers need to take the extra time to ensure their employees’ safety by taking extra security precautions as well as training efforts.

Here are some helpful tips on creating a safer work environment to avoid workplace violence:

• Do thorough background checks on employees. Many employers currently do this, but some have become more lax due to financial reasons. If you find out that a potential employee has a violent past, it may be in everyone’s best interest if you pass.
• Provide proper training. All employees should be administered not only training for the physical hazards of their jobs, but the emotional ones as well. There is a reason companies have a Human Resources department. Take advantage of all of the recommended HR training, such as Violence in the Workplace.
• Create an open-door policy and protocols for safety concerns. Make sure that employees feel safe when coming to a supervisor about a possible safety issue. All discussions should be respected and stay confidential. Create a protocol for reporting a concern for violence and follow-up on the matter with discretion.
• Have a no tolerance policy. Never condone or forgive a violent matter of any kind in your workplace. It doesn’t matter how minor the incident or if it was a joke gone awry. This needs to be embedded into the minds of your staff that your number one concern is their safety.
• Get security. Get some type of security in your workplace. This can mean an actual security guard, a monitoring system or a personal keycode system that can be removed upon the termination of an employee. The harder it is for a disgruntled employee to get into the building, the less likely they will try.