Yard Chore Safety Tips

The following safety precautions and tips will help keep you safe and injury free while you are working in your yard.

• Take 5 to 10 minutes to warm up your muscles by doing light exercises or stretching before starting your yard work.
• Dress properly for working outside in the yard by wearing long pants, a long sleeved shirt and sturdy comfortable shoes.
• Keep children and pets away from the area when you are doing yard work.
• Have the right tools for the job you are doing.
• Rakes should be comfortable and the right size for your height and strength.
• Wear gloves while you are doing any type of yard work to help prevent your hands from blistering.
• Yard work such as raking involves repetitive motions. Changing your position often helps to prevent muscle pains and cramps from occurring.
• Always watch for low branches, large rocks and tree stumps.
• Be aware of uneven ground surfaces and slopes.
• When you pick up leaves, do not bend over from the waist. Bend from the knees.
• Do not overfill leaf bags.
• Do not carry full bags of leaves over your shoulder.
• When you are weeding, a half kneeling position is safer than bending forward.
• Wet leaves are very slippery. Make sure to wear boots or shoes with soles that are slip resistant
• When you are using a ladder make certain it is firmly on the ground. Never climb to the top of a ladder.
• When you are pruning hedges, hold the pruning shears close to your body.

Power Equipment Safety Tips

• Be careful when pouring the gas into the lawn mower and power equipment.
• Always make sure all of your power yard work equipment such as lawn mowers, edgers and trimmers are in good working order. Make sure to review and follow the recommended instructions for lawn mowers and power lawn and garden equipment.
• Wear protective goggles when you are mowing the lawn or working with other power outdoor equipment.
• Wear hearing protection when operating loud equipment.
• Never use your feet or hands to clear anything from underneath a lawnmower.
• If you must leave the lawn mower for any reason, turn it off. Never leave a lawn mower running unattended.
• Do not mow the lawn in sandals or with bare feet.
• Never drink any alcoholic beverages when you are mowing the lawn or working with any other power yard equipment.
• Never run a lawn mower or gas powered lawn or garden equipment indoors.

Don't Overexert Yourself

It's important to educate yourself about yard work safety, or a day working outside could result in sore aching muscles or a trip to the hospital emergency room. Perhaps the most important tip is don't try to do everything in one day. Take breaks when you need them, and don't overexert yourself. It's alright to leave some of the work for another day.

Back Safety at Work

Practicing Back Safety at Work

Plan Ahead

Your body is most vulnerable when you have not moved for extended periods of time, such as when you get to your work site. Plan ahead for your workday by sleeping for eight hours and waking up refreshed. Take frequent breaks throughout the day, moving around the office to prevent fatigue. Your body is vulnerable when your system is malnourished, which includes lack of sleep. Practice a healthy lifestyle by eating healthful foods regularly; drinking lots of water, and getting one hour of moderate exercise per day.

Consider stretching and exercising before you go to work to reduce the strain on your back muscles. Minimize the amount of time you are on the floor carrying items, have the items delivered to your workspace or utilize a handcart or dolly, even for seemingly lightweight items. While the weight of the object is a factor, bending over excessively can cause back problems.

Consider adjusting your office so that everything is waist level, including your desk and computer. These are the items you use most, reducing the amount of time your back extends in either direction. Practice good posture and ensure your chair adjusts properly when using computer equipment or sitting in a meeting. Ergonomic equipment is desirable, but few employers are able to spend the extra money. Consider buying your own back-friendly chair at work if you sit for hours at a time. Prevent work-related back injuries by ensuring your working conditions are free of debris and slippery spots. Slips and fall injuries cause most back pain problems in America.

Use Assistive Equipment

Chances are your workplace has assistive equipment available for you to use, such as forklifts, handcarts, dollies, hoists, furniture pads, shoulder straps, and wheelbarrows. Use the equipment you have to reduce the strain on your back and hip muscles. If you do not have assistive equipment available and you perform the job often, ask your employer to buy the equipment for your office. Ask a colleague, coworker, or someone from the warehouse to help you move heavy office appliances or equipment. Get help move the materials if they weigh over 50 pounds.

Work Intelligently

When you are, lifting or moving objects, keep them as close to your body as possible, creating a low center of gravity. Do not twist your extremities when you lift or put down materials, turn your entire body at once. Improve back safety at work by lifting materials smoothly and using your legs rather than back muscles for strength. Rough jerking motions irritate your upper and lower disks, causing soreness the next day. If you need support when lifting, lean on a sturdy object and do not bend over. If the item is too heavy, kneel down and support the object on your knee before you lift it. Ask someone to help you if the item is too heavy.

Get Help

There is a difference between being lazy and working smart. Everyone is afraid of appearing weak in front of their employers, but practicing proper back prevention techniques is an intelligent move. If you miss work for one or two days, your employer may incur additional costs, such as hiring a temp worker or paying sick leave. If you have existed back conditions, abide by the restrictions posted by your doctor. An employer cannot legally require you to perform labor you are incapable of doing. By law, they must adjust your regimen or reassign your duties until you receive clearance.

If you encounter back problems on the job seek immediate medical attention and follow your company's policy on work-related injuries. When joining an employer, file a form with the company's Workers' Compensation Liaison requesting to see your private physician in case of work injuries. If you must see a "company approved" medical practitioner, seek a second opinion if the ruling is on the company's behalf.

22 Keys to Safe Forklift Operation

OSHA, most forklift accidents can be attributed to lack of safe operating procedures, lack of safety rule enforcement, and insufficient or inadequate training.

Many employees are injured when forklifts are inadvertently driven off loading docks or fall between docks and an unsecured trailer. Other workers are hurt when they are struck by a forklift, or when they fall while standing on elevated pallets and tines (something that they shouldn't be doing).

Most incidents also involve property damage, including damage to overhead sprinklers, racking, pipes, walls, and machinery.

You can prevent the accidents, injuries, and damage if you make sure forklift operators comply with these 22 keys to safe forklift operation.

1. Never drive trucks up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object. 
2. Don't let anyone stand or pass under the elevated portion of any truck, whether loaded or empty. 
3. Do not permit unauthorized personnel to ride on forklifts. A safe place to ride must be provided where riding of trucks is authorized. 
4. Never place arms or legs between the uprights of the mast or outside the running lines of the truck. 
5. When left unattended, lower the truck's forks, place controls in neutral, shut off power, and set the brakes. Block the wheels if the truck is parked on an incline. 
6. Maintain a safe distance from the edge of ramps or platforms while on any elevated dock, platform, or freight car. 
7. Make sure there is a sufficient amount of headroom under overhead installations, lights, pipes, or sprinkler systems. 
8. Use an overhead guard to protect against falling objects. 
9. Observe all traffic regulations. 
10. Yield to all emergency vehicles. 
11. Cross railroad tracks diagonally whenever possible.
12. Drivers must slow down and sound horn at cross-aisles where vision is obstructed. 
13. Ascend or descend grades slowly. 
14. When ascending or descending grades in excess of 10 percent, drive trucks with the load upgrade. 
15. Do not permit any stunt driving or horseplay. 
16. Require drivers to slow down for wet and slippery floors. 
17. Make sure dockboards and bridgeplates have been properly secured before they are driven over. 
18. Approach elevators slowly, and then enter them squarely after the elevator car is properly leveled. Once on the elevator, neutralize the controls, shut off the power, and set the brakes. 
19. With motorized hand trucks, enter elevators or other confined areas with the load-end forward. 
20. Only handle stable loads, and never exceed the loaded capacity of the truck. 
21. Take all defective or unsafe forklifts out of service. 
22. Never fill fuel tanks while the engine is running.

Seat Belts

Seat belts are another key to safe forklift operation. A significant number of forklift-related injuries and fatalities every year involve tipovers in which operators were not properly secured to their seat.

Although OSHA doesn't specifically require the use or installation of seat belts on forklifts, if a forklift is equipped with operator restraint devices, including seat belts, you must require operators to use them. Also note that 29 CFR 1910.178(q)(6) prohibits removing seat belts from powered industrial trucks.

Furthermore, OSHA says that if you have been notified by a forklift manufacturer, consensus standard, or industry association of forklift tipover hazards and made aware of an operator restraint system retrofit program, then the agency could cite you under Section 5(a)(1) if you haven't taken advantage of the program.

If you have forklifts that are not currently equipped with operator restraint systems, strongly consider contacting the manufacturer for advice on obtaining and installing such devices to prevent operator injuries in the event of a tipover.

March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month

The gift of sight is irreplaceable. Thousands of eye injuries occur in the workplace each year, which makes wearing proper eye protection so important. All it takes is a tiny sliver of metal, particle of dust or splash of chemical to cause significant and permanent eye damage. March, which is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, is a great time to review eye and face protection regulations with your employees.

OSHA’s eye and face protection standard (1910.133) states, “the employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.”

Whether on the job or working on projects around the house, remember to wear proper safety glasses, goggles or face shields. Follow employer guidelines or the safety instructions provided with the equipment, materials or tools you are using.

In addition:

• Make sure you have properly fitted protection. For example, if your safety glasses slip, or are crooked or too tight, adjust them.
• Keep your protective equipment clean to improve visibility. Wash it regularly with mild soap and water or eyeglass cleaner. Polish with a soft cloth or tissue.
• Use anti-dust and anti-fog sprays to help prevent buildup on your safety glasses.
• Store your protective equipment carefully to avoid damage when not in use. Any damage to lenses or shields can lessen the impact-resistance and result in inadequate protection.

Typical eye injuries occur by rubbed or abraded foreign matter, such as metal chips, dirt particles and splinters, or by striking the eye. Surface wounds, such as abrasions, scratches and foreign bodies (splinters and chips), are among the most common types of injuries to the eyes. Other hazards include, but are not limited to chemicals, adhesives, 

radiation, tools and equipment. The highest categories contributing to eye injuries are related to household, workplace and sports. 

On-the-job eye protection 

You may be exposed to several hazards at the same time. The right equipment can protect your eyes against irritation and injury. Ask your supervisor or industrial hygienist to help you select the right eye protection. 

If you need prescription eyeglasses, make sure your goggles or spectacles have prescription eyeglass lenses or wear extra protection over your prescription eyeglasses. Contact lenses do not provide protection from on-the-job eye hazards. If you wear contact lenses, be extra cautious around gases, vapors, fumes and dust. Wear eye protection 

equipment in addition to contact lenses. Follow the specific management policies on contact lenses in your workplace. 

• Spectacles – Semi/flat-folded sideshield. Provides primary protection against impact and optical radiation. Sideshield spectacles are recommended. 

 • Goggles – There are many different kinds of goggles that vary in appearance and protection. 

o Flexible fitting, regular ventilation. Cushions the face, protects eyes at sides, top and bottom. 

o Flexible fitting, hooded ventilation. Protects against impact, sparks, chemical splashes and dust. 

o Cushioned fit, rigid body. Protects against impact, sparks, chemical splashes, irritating mists and dust. 

o Welding goggles, eyecup type, filter lenses. Protects against glare, sparks and welding flash. 

o Chipping goggles, eyecup type, clear safety lenses. Protects against hot sparks and nuisance dust. 

• Face Shield – Plastic or mesh window. Designed to protect the whole face; must be supplemented with safety glasses. 

• Welding Helmet – Stationary window or lift-front window. Protects from welding, soldering and brazing. Must be supplemented with safety glasses. 

Off-the-job eye protection

Four out of ten accidents that cause blindness happen at home. Off-the-job eye injuries 

happen because of: 

 • Do-it-yourself work on cars and homes. 

• Cooking accidents. 

• Chemical splashes from pesticides, fertilizers, drain cleaners and cleaning sprays. 

• Sports injuries while playing tennis, racquetball, baseball, etc. 

• Yard work from cutting grass, trimming trees/bushes and using a weed wacker. 

Wear the right protection for the job you are doing 

• Choose sunglasses that offer protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. 

• Wear eye protection while doing repair jobs and working with chemicals at home. 

• Wear eye protection when playing ball sports. 

• Wear eye protection over contact lenses and prescription eyeglasses. 

What to do in case of an emergency 

Chemical Splash 

• Don’t squeeze eyes shut. Hold them open with thumb and index finger. 

• Flood eyes with cool, clean water for 15-20 minutes. 

• Get medical help as soon as possible. If you can, have the chemical container and its label available for evaluation. 

• Do not use another chemical to neutralize the spilled chemical. 

Flying Particles 

• Do not try to remove anything embedded in the eye. You could cause further damage. 

• Do not pull or squeeze the eye. 

• Cover both eyes to prevent movement. 

• Get medical help as soon as possible. 

Radiation Injuries, Burns 

• If the eyes are exposed to intense heat, flames, lasers or welding radiation, apply ice packs to relieve the pain. 

• Get medical attention as soon as possible. 

Blows to the Eyes 

• Apply ice packs to control swelling and relieve the pain. 

• Cover both eyes to prevent movement. 

• Get medical attention as soon as possible. 

Eyestrain 

• Glare, poor lighting and long periods spent at video display terminals (VDT) can cause eye fatigue, soreness and headaches. 

• Improve the job-site lighting. 

• Give eyes adequate rest. 

Ten Heavy Equipment Safety Tips

If you work around any kind of heavy equipment, you need to have a healthy respect for it. Most, if not all, equipment used in construction, mining, forestry, farming and other industries is big and powerful – and for those reasons, inherently dangerous. And although most of us are well aware of the hazards involved, every year around the world there are still thousands of heavy equipment-related incidents that result in property damage or injuries and, unfortunately in some cases, fatalities.

There’s never usually one simple blanket reason or one type of person we can attribute heavy equipment-related incidents to - they can happen to seasoned operators as well as newly trained ones. Obviously every machine and every situation comes with its own set of hazards, but there are some general safety rules you can follow to help you end every work day safely.

1. Make sure you’ve been properly and sufficiently trained on the equipment you’re using by qualified, experienced people.


2. Be aware, stay alert and know your equipment’s blind spots – whether you’re the operator or just working around it.


3. Communicate with people working around you – either via two-way radios or a spotter who’s been trained on standard hand signals. Never assume people know what you’re going to be doing.


4. Always wear high-visibility clothing and steel-toed boots.


5. Always wear your seat belt. It seems obvious, but it’s easily forgotten. In case of a rollover this can be a life saver.


6. Don't climb on or get off equipment while it's moving.


7. Never exceed the load that a machine is rated to carry.


8. Climb on and off equipment properly. Falls are still the number one cause of injury, so never jump off equipment and always use three-point contact (both feet and one hand or one foot and both hands on the holds at all times) when climbing on or off equipment.


9. Always do a walk around and inspect the equipment before you start using it. Check tires, tracks, components and other mechanisms for cracks, damage or anything caught in them.


10. Always load and unload equipment on level ground to reduce the risk of rollovers, and keep the area clear.

Food Safety Tips for Areas Affected by Severe Weather

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recommends that consumers take the following steps to reduce food waste and the risk of foodborne illness during severe weather events.

Steps to follow if the power goes out:

• Keep appliance thermometers in both the refrigerator and the freezer to ensure temperatures remain food safe during a power outage. Safe temperatures are 40°F or lower in the refrigerator, 0°F or lower in the freezer.
• Freeze water in one-quart plastic storage bags or small containers prior to a storm. These containers are small enough to fit around the food in the refrigerator and freezer to help keep food cold. Remember, water expands when it freezes so don’t overfill the containers.
• Freeze refrigerated items, such as leftovers, milk and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately—this helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.
• Know where you can get dry ice or block ice.
• Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than four hours.
• Group foods together in the freezer—this ‘igloo’ effect helps the food stay cold longer.
• Avoid putting food outside in ice or snow, because it attracts wild animals or could thaw when the sun comes out.
• Keep a few days’ worth of ready-to-eat foods that do not require cooking or cooling.
• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if the door is kept closed. A full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full).
• Place meat and poultry to one side of the freezer or on a tray to prevent cross contamination of thawing juices.
• Use dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible during an extended power outage. Fifty pounds of dry ice should keep a fully-stocked 18-cubic-feet freezer cold for two days.

Steps to follow after a weather emergency:

• Check the temperature inside of your refrigerator and freezer. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs or leftovers) that has been above 40°F for two hours or more.
• Check each item separately. Throw out any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture or feels warm to the touch.
• Check frozen food for ice crystals. The food in your freezer that partially or completely thawed may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is 40°F or below.
• Never taste a food to decide if it’s safe.
• When in doubt, throw it out.

Feb 5-11 is National Burn Awareness Week

Initial First Aid Treatment for Minor Burns

Think of the skin as a coat of armor for the human body. When a burn injury occurs, it causes a break in the skin and may subsequently cause an infection if it is not treated appropriately or the right away. Frequently the question is asked, “How do I treat a minor burn?” The American Burn Association’s Burn Prevention Committee recommends the following guidelines for the treatment of minor burns. Please note that even a small burn, may have the potential to become infected. It is always advisable to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Remember, when in doubt or if you think the individual’s life is in danger, call 911. Remember, if you call 911 using a cell phone you may or may not get the local 911 for the area you may be in. Remain calm and provide the operator with the necessary information to get the EMS personnel to you. Burns are primarily divided into three categories: first-degree or superficial burns, second-degree, or partial thickness burns and third-degree or full thickness burns. How these types of burns are treated initially will determine whether there is a successful outcome.

First-Degree Burn – are burns which involve the outer most layer of skin and are usually associated with a sun burn. Such an injury may occur from too much exposure to the sun (gardening, sunbathing, etc.). The skin is usually still intact, but may appear to be red, very warm or hot to touch and painful. There may also be small blisters, and swelling in and around the area of injury.

Initial first-aid treatment for a first-degree burn include the following:
DO’s

• Stop the burning process: cool the burn with running cool (not cold) water for at least 5 minutes. But do not use ice, as this may cause further skin damage. Do not over cool! If the victim starts to shiver, stop the cooling process. 
• Remove all jewelry, watches, rings and clothing around the burned area as soon as possible. Administer an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain control. Follow the directions on the label. Consult a physician or health care provider if pain is not relieved. Cover the burn with a sterile gauge bandage or clean cloth. Wrap the burned area loosely to avoid putting too much pressure on the burn tissue. 
• Minor burns will usually heal without further treatment. 
• For small area burns, apply soothing lotions that contains aloe vera to the burned area to help relieve the pain and discomfort. 
• Seek medical attention if there is a persistent fever not relieved by medication or redness that may extend beyond the border of the burn or pain is not controlled by ibuprofen or acetaminophen. 
• Drink plenty of fluids (electrolyte containing solutions such as gator aid) if the person appears to be dehydrated. 

DON’TS

• Do not apply ice – this may cause further damage to the skin. 
• Do not use any butter, ointments or other home remedies on the burn. Such substances may trap the heat in the tissue and makes the burn worse. 
• Do not break any blisters…leave intact. 
• Do not delay seeing medical attention if the burn is larger than the size of the victim’s palm. 

Second-Degree Burn - occurs when the second layer of skin (dermis) is burned. This burn usually has the following characteristics: very red, blister formation, extremely painful and a fair amount of swelling. In general, if a second degree burn is smaller than 2-3 inches (7 centimeters) it may be treated as a minor burn. If the area burned is larger than this, or involves functional parts of the body such as feet, face, eye, ears, groin or located over major joints, more in-depth medical attention is needed. Take the person to the nearest emergency room, family doctor or minor emergency clinic to have the burn evaluated. Failure to do so may result in permanent disfigurement or loss of function.

Third-Degree Burn – are NOT minor burns and should be evaluated and treated by a healthcare provider. A third-degree burn is a very serious burn, no matter what the size or area of the body that may be involved. A third-degree burn involves all layers of the skin and can cause permanent tissue damage. The skin may appear to be charred, blackened, or white. The skin texture may be very dry or leathery. All third-degree burns should be evaluated by a healthcare provider immediately. Healing – it may take several days for a mild first-degree or second-degree burn to heal. During that time, it is important that the affected area is observed for infection, such as redness extending beyond the burned area, changes in the appearance of the wound or slight fever not relieved by Tylenol. As your skin begins to heal, you may also notice that it will itch, which can be very uncomfortable at times. This is normal and will eventually decrease. Frequent application of lotion can help keep the skin hydrated and minimize the itching process. If the itching is too severe, an over-the-counter medication such as Benadryl® may be helpful in easing the discomfort. Remember...always follow the directions on the label. The wound should be kept clean with daily dressing changes.

If you have any concern or questions, consult your healthcare provider. Once the burn has healed, limit the exposure of the burn skin to direct sunlight. Always wear sun protection. Following the above guidelines should promote healing to most minor burns. It is important to note that the consumer should always seek the advice of a healthcare provider if there is any question regarding the healing process of a minor burn. The American Burn Association and the Burn Prevention Committee are not responsible or liable for any untoward complications suffered by any individual following these suggested guidelines. This material is for information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, which you should seek from your physician. The ABA does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.

For more information, visit the American Burn Association at http://www.ameriburn.org/preventionEdRes.php