To have or not have....that is the question.

Oh wait--no its not! When it comes to workplace first aid kits, the answer is HAVE! In fact, the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a First Aid standard (29 CFR 1910.151) that requires trained first-aid providers at all workplaces of any size if there is no "infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees." And what is a band without its instruments? A first aid kit is a necessity for ANY workplace!

Before we jump too far into specifics of standards, first aid kits, and contents of, let us take a moment to discuss the full purpose of these items and how they fit into a workplace first aid program.

What is First Aid?

As stated by OSHA, first aid is emergency care provided for injury or sudden illness before emergency medical treatment is available. The first aid provider in the workplace is someone who is trained in the delivery of initial medical emergency procedures, using a limited amount of equipment to perform a primary assessment and intervention while awaiting arrival of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.

A workplace first aid program is part of a comprehensive safety and health management system that includes the following four essential elements.

1. Management Leadership and Employee Involvement
2. Worksite Analysis
3. Hazard Prevention and Control
4. Safety and Health Training

When designing and implementing a workplace first aid program remember to:

• Aim to minimize the outcome of accidents or exposures.
• Comply with OSHA requirements relating to first aid.
• Include sufficient quantities of appropriate and readily accessible first aid supplies and first aid equipment (*cough* automated external defibrillators or 'AEDs' *cough*)
• Assign and train first aid providers who:
• receive first aid training suitable to the specific workplace.
• receive periodic refresher courses on first aid skills and knowledge.

What's the Risk?

Let's talk numbers for a moment. In 2004, the private industry had 5,703 work-related fatalities. That same year had 4.3 million total workplace injuries and illnesses, with 1.3 million resulting in days away from work.

Occupational illnesses, injuries and fatalities in 2004 cost the United States’ economy $142.2 billion, according to National Safety Council estimates. The average cost per occupational fatality in 2004 exceeded one million dollars.

To cover the costs to employers from workplace injuries, it has been calculated that each and every employee in this country would have had to generate $1,010 in revenue.

OSHA Requirements

In addition to first aid requirements of 29 CFR 1910.151, several OSHA standards also require training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) because sudden cardiac arrest from asphyxiation, electrocution, or exertion may occur. CPR may keep the victim alive until EMS arrives to provide the next level of medical care.

If an employee is expected to render first aid as part of his or her job duties, the employee is covered by the requirements of the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). This standard includes specific training requirements.

Automated External Defibrillators

As we are in 2013, AEDs are no longer just a tool used by non-medical personnel such as police, fire service personnel, flight attendants or security guards; these are potentially life-saving devices used by anyone trained to used them (and even then, there are some that ANYONE can use with no prior knowledge). The best part, these devices are now widely available, safe, effective, portable and just plain easy to use! Using AEDs as soon as possible after sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), within 3-4 minutes, can lead to a 60% survival rate. CPR is of value because it supports the circulation and ventilation of the victim until an electric shock delivered by an AED can restore the fibrillating heart to normal. Do not neglect to include AEDs in your workplace safety program, they can and WILL save lives!

What Goes in my Workplace First Aid Kit?

At this point, we should discuss what actual items should be included in a first aid kit. For this, we will reference the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard (ANSI Z308.1-2009) which was revised in 2009. This standard is the minimum fill for workplace first aid kits. The new changes in the standard brought two new items and eliminated latex from first aid kits altogether. Here are the ten items for a minimum workplace first aid kit fill.

• (1) First Aid Guide
• (1) Absorbent Compress 4"x8" minimum
• (16) 1"x3" Adhesive Bandages
• (1) Adhesive Tape 2.5 yard roll
• (10) Antiseptic Treatment 0.9 grams
• (6) Burn Treatment 0.9 grams
• (4) 3"x3" Sterile Gauze Pads
• (2) Pair Medical Exam Gloves
• (1) Triangular Bandage 40"x40"x56" minimum
• (6) Antibiotic Ointment 0.5 grams

The following are not required, but recommended items:

• Analgesic (oral, non-drowsy formula)
• Bandage Compress 2"x2" minimum
• Breathing Barrier (single-use)
• Burn Dressing 12 sq. in.
• Cold Pack 4"x5" minimum
• Eye Covering 1/4" thick minimum
• Eye/Face Wash (Sterile) 4 oz. minimum
• Roller Bandage 2"x4" yards minimum
• Hand Sanitizer

The above required kits may be suitable for your company. However, keep in mind, that more adequate means may be necessary for certain hazards of individual work environments. This may be evaluated by a competent person in your workplace, or by another safety professional. Safety Training services, Inc. is available for said service and our safety professionals provide free "walkthroughs" of your workplace and will help prescribe a first aid kits modeled to your workplaces' individual hazards and/or needs.

Training

OSHA recommends 5 key elements in a first aid training program for the workplace. 

1. "Hands-on," skill based teaching methods.
2. Instruction and discussion in preparing to respond to a health emergency with an emphasis on prevention as a strategy.
3. Including logical and well-informed assessment of the scene and victims.
4. Designed and adapted for the specific workplace in responding to life-threatening emergencies.
5. Designed and adapted for the specific workplace in responding to non-life-threatening emergencies including management of wounds, burns, bites/stings, and bodily injuries.

Always make sure to keep updated on proper first aid requirements and trainings. The first aid program should be reviewed periodically to determine if it continues to address the needs of the specific workplace. The first aid training program should be kept up-to-date with current first aid techniques and knowledge. Outdated training and reference materials should be replaced or removed. If you do not have an adequate first aid training program, or feel that your hands are full with other workplace duties, allow Safety Training Services, Inc. to be your first aid training provider! Your facility or ours, we provide "Real Training" in hands-on scenarios with state-of-the-art equipment. CPR and AED can be included in the training program to be certain you and your employees will be ready and able to respond immediately and correctly in the event of a workplace emergency!

Slips, trips, and falls are some of the worst yet most common type of office injuries in the workplace, but they are also the easiest to correct.

Office safety is very essential in today's world. Not only is it essential but it is also very important to be aware of several safety rules and regulations as this could hamper the smooth functioning of your office due to legal issues. This article does not focus on the legislation regarding workplace safety, but on providing several tips for ensuring that you and your employees have a safe working environment. Staying alert minimizing the risk!

Be sure take time to look around your work area and help to prevent these hazards. Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents and can result in back injuries, sprains and strains, contusions, and fractures. Slips, trips and falls, sidelined 25,790 workers in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS). The National Safety Council says employees are twice as likely to suffer a disabling fall in an office setting as anywhere else. Falling, specifically, is the most common office accident and results in numerous and disabling injuries.

Slips & Falls

Standing on chairs – particularly rolling office chairs – is a significant fall hazard. Workers who need to reach something at an elevated height should use a stepladder.  Stepladders must be fully opened and placed on level, firm ground. Workers should never climb higher than the step indicated as the highest safe standing level. 

Carpeting and other skid-resistant surfaces can serve to reduce falls. Marble or tile can become very slippery – particularly when wet, according to the National Safety Council. Placing carpets down can be especially helpful at entranceways, where workers are likely to be coming in with shoes wet from rain or snow.

Some other simple changes to the workspace can be effective in eliminating hazards and reducing the number of fall injuries. 

• Clean up all spills immediately
• Close all file cabinets when not in use
• Ensure sufficient lighting
• Always use a ladder or stepstool to retrieve anything above shoulder level
• Remove obstacles from hallways and other high-traffice areas
• Do not lean back in chairs
• Regularly have the floors moped clean and dry

History of Electricity

600BC: A mathematician in Greece named Thales (one of the 7 sages of Greece) is thought to be the first person to discover what we know as static electricity by rubbing amber with animal fur.

Late 1500s: An English scientist, William Gilbert (one of Queen Elizabeth’s physicians) found out that amber was not the only conductor. He added many more substances to the list and coined the term electricity.

Early 1700s: Stephen Gray discovered conductivity and that even water could be electrified. Charles Du Fray, in Paris, performed experiments based on Gray’s work and came to the conclusion that everything and everybody contained electricity (leaving out lightning, ironically).

1752: Ben Franklin conducted his famous kite experiment. In the process, he proved that pointed rods conduct electricity better than balls do and that lightning is a form of electricity. Franklin then invented lightning rods and sold them throughout colonial America.

1870s: Thomas Edison built a DC (direct current) electric generator in America and later provided all of New York’s electricity.

1879: FIRST FATAL ACCIDENT DUE TO ELECTRIC SHOCK.

1800s: Nikola Tesla invented the AC (alternating current) system for electrical transmission. This is what is used today over DC due to its many advantages; the biggest is that you can generate much more power from AC than DC. He also invented motors that run on AC and designed the world’s first Hydroelectric Plant.

The short answer to “What is electricity?” as OSHA states it, is the flow of electrons though a conductor. Since atoms make up any and everything, and electrons are particles that make up an atom, electrons are therefore everywhere. Because of this, electricity is everywhere. We are going to discuss how this affects us and how it is paramount to take a few extra steps in our daily lives and remember a few tips to keep ourselves safe with regards to electricity and electrical apparatuses.

Electricity is conducted through some materials better than others. Returning for a moment to the definition given earlier about electricity being the flow of electrons through a conductor, we know that conductors are materials that loosely hold electrons. Great examples of these are most metals: copper, aluminum, or steel. Other things hold electrons very tightly, these are called insulators. Insulators include: rubber, cloth, plastic, glass, or dry air. 

Electricity has a few important properties:

• It must have a complete path (or circuit) to continuously flow.
• Without two points of contact on the body for current to enter and exit, respectively, there is no hazard of shock. In fact, this why birds and squirrels can sit on power lines; there's only one point of contact!
• It will all paths back to the source, but it will follow paths proportionally according to the conductivity of each path.
• When impedance (resistance to electrical currents) increases even slightly, the electrical current seeks other paths to ground, such as through a person in contact with an energized surface.

In short, there are only 3 things needed to achieve this.

1. Understanding how electricity works.
2. Recognizing potential electrical hazards.
3. Learning about safety devices that prevent shock.

Welcome to part two of our new 6-part web series on office safety. In this blog article, we will be covering a once overlooked topic that has now been brought more to light, “Mental Health in the Workplace.”

The workplace is most definitely a double-edged sword. It can be a great contributor to one’s mental well-being, giving them an opportunity to feel productive, but also contribute to mental health problems and illnesses including depression and anxiety. Most adults spend as much time (if not more, an average of almost 9 hours) at their workplace as their own homes. This makes it an important topic to discuss and vital to general office safety. In fact, just over 26% (almost 58 million) of Americans ages 18 and older (the demographic that make up the American workforce) are affected by ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) alone.

Workplace mental health is a factor that actually impacts both productivity, employee retention, and well, the bottom line really. It is a crucial factor in maintaining a successful business that is often likely to be overlooked. Mental health and substance abuse disorders are costing American businesses an estimated $80 to $100 billion annually. You can calculate the cost of depression and alcoholism in your workplace by utilizing some free Web-based calculators (for example: www.alcoholcostcalculator.org).

A recent study was made by Harvard University Medical School of the financial impact of 25 chronic physical and mental issues for employers. Here are the top five:

1. Depression (single most expensive ailment for employers)
2. Obesity
3. Arthritis
4. Back and neck pain
5. Anxiety (an extraordinarily common occurrence in the stressful modern workplace)

History

Since the beginning of mankind, humans have adapted a sense of using the right tool for the job. In ancient times, it was tying rocks or bones to sticks for use as a hammer or sharpened to make hunting easier. Essentially, they established that using crude items could be used to make life easier. Ergonomics is just that, an applied science (not just a buzzword for marketers!) of work. That is, it’s intended to maximize productivity of workers by reducing/eliminating fatigue or discomfort. The literal definition of ergonomics, as Dictionary.com states, is “the study of the relationship between workers and their environment.” Also known as “biotechnology,” and first coined by Wojciech Jastrzebowski in 1857.

However, these early adoptions were merely used to optimize tasks. Ergonomics has since evolved into learning how to include worker safety and health by addressing muscle force, cardiovascular activity, maximum weight, etc. This is seen by Frederick Winslow Taylor in the 19^th century in which he used his “Scientific Method” (AKA ergonomics) to assist coal workers in tripling their productivity by designing shovels that were lighter and smaller. Also in the 1900s Frank and Lillian Gilbreth further expanded Taylor’s methods by coming up with the “Time and Motion Studies.” This was meant to reduce the amount of unnecessary motions required to perform a task. With this approach, they reduced the number of motions bricklayers used (from 18 to 4.5) and allowed them to increase productivity from 120 bricks per hour to 350.

“Formal” ergonomics is generally credited to the development of more complicated machinery in WWI and WWII. As aircrafts, tanks and other complex machines were being developed; human errors were piling up, resulting in catastrophes. Non-combat casualties were an outcome of bad engineering and design. This begged the necessity of better results through better designing, and the most “modern” form of ergonomics (how we know it today) is now becoming the norm.

Engineers and psychologists are working together in collaboration to improve our daily lives through better design. A multi-disciplinary approach has been taken to include anthropologists, industrial engineers, cognitive scientists and physiologists in order to understand the human operators and to design systems and machines to fit said user.

Today, most of us know ergonomics in a workplace context. As the average worker in America works for about 8 hours a day, the need for ergonomic office furniture and practices is of the upmost importance. The idea is to be sure that as technology and design make our homes safer and more comfortable, and in the case of the workplace, to increase productivity, increase comfort and prevent injuries and fatigue.

Hazards Associated with Ergonomics

Back injuries - Common back injuries include sprains, herniated disks and fractured vertebrae. Lower back pain is often the result of incorrect lifting methods/habits and poor posture.

• Tips include:

• Properly train employees on appropriate lifting techniques

• Utilize material handling equipment (carts, dollies, hand trucks)

• Encourage stretching for employees to reduce muscle strain

Carpal tunnel syndrome - A nervous system disorder causing parethesia (limbs falling sleep), pain and numbness. Carpal tunnel can be caused by environmental factors such as heavy manual work or work with vibrating tools. There is even a small amount of clinical data to suggest that lighter, repetitive tasks can cause it. This includes activities when frequent/constant wrist flexion is needed or when there is pressure against the underside of the wrist.

As you may remember, we previously covered the topic of “office safety” in an earlier blog, broken up into a 4-part web series. This was a great success in that it helped many to discover another side of an office setting in which hazards were uncovered and myths debunked. Still, it was meant to be a general coverage of the office setting and now we aim to uncover some more in-depth safety info, tips and practices involving office workers and those who work in an office area.

In our new 6-part weekly web series, we will spend time expanding on several subjects including workplace mental health, ergonomics, emergency plans, fire/electrical hazards, “common sense”/housekeeping practices, and the most common workplace injuries: slips, trips and falls.

So mark your calendars for this Monday, June 10^th when part one, “Ergonomics: Office Biotechnology and Improving Your Quality of Work” will come out exclusively on the Safety Training Services’ Safety Blog!

Remember that the safest workplaces are ones where every employee knows and practices appropriate office safety!

Here we are already in June, and summer is around the corner. June and July are peak months for grilling fires. But before you dust off that spatula and run to the store for some steaks and A1, let’s take a moment to discuss grilling safety and some tips to keep you from ending up like this poor guy.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends grillers are mindful of safety. Grills, in general, pose an obvious risk for fires and burns. Gas grills pose a slightly higher threat than charcoal grills in that gas grills contribute to a higher number of home fires than charcoal ones.

Running the Numbers

According to an analysis done by the NFPA, in 2006-2010, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 8,600 home fires involving grills, hibachis, or barbecues per year, including an average of 3,600 structure fires and 5,000 outside fires. These 8,600 fires caused an annual average of 10 civilian deaths, 140 reported civilian injuries, and $75 million in direct property damage. Once again, July was the peak month for grill fires, but these incidents occur throughout the year.

Flammable or combustible gas or liquid was the item first ignited in almost half of home outdoor grill fires. In almost half (46%) of the home outdoor fires in which grills were involved, 53% of the outside gas grills, and 26% of gas grill structure fires, the fire started when a flammable or combustible gas or liquid caught fire. 

Gas vs. Solid-Fueled (Information from NFPA “Grill Fact Sheet”)

• 83% of grills (5 out of every 6) involved in home fires were fueled by gas while 14% used charcoal or other solid fuel.
• Gas grills were involved in an average of 7,100 home fires per year, including 2,800 structure fires and 4,300 outdoor fires annually.
• Leak or break was the leading factor contributing to gas grill fires.
• Charcoal or solid-fueled grills were involved in 1,200 home fires, including 600 structure fires and 500 outside fires.
• The leading cause of these structure fires was something that could burn being too close to the grill.

More than one-quarter (28%) of the home structure fires involving grills started on a courtyard, terrace, or patio:

• 28% started on an exterior balcony or open porch.
• 6% began in the kitchen.
• 5% started on an exterior wall surface.

Emergency Room Visits Due to Grills

Before the Season Starts

7 Quick Tips for Grill Safety

With May (Electrical Safety Month) coming to a close, Safety Training Services, Inc. would like to offer 10 tips to remember for those who work near overhead power lines (when working outside):

1. Survey your surroundings. Always be aware of the location of power lines, particularly when using long tools (e.g. ladders). Don’t assume…assess.

2. Obey the 10 foot rule. As in, do not work or use equipment within 10 feet of overhead lines. You may feel lucky and think “I won’t come in contact with the power line.” However, the electricity can arc to nearby objects and people and assuming you have enough time to think before being barbequed better than my dad’s grilled chicken, you’ll remember these words.

3. Be careful when working on your roof. That includes cleaning gutters, installing antennas and satellite dishes or any repair work. Oh….and during winter, those holiday lights, be especially careful putting those 250 strands up, thank you Mr. Griswold.

4. Never climb trees near power lines. Limbs & branches can bend or break off and obviously, you can fall off. Didn’t you learn this as a child?

5. Never trim trees near power lines. Leave that to a professional.

6. Always follow safety procedures, no matter how boring and mundane they seem. Just remember, “Working safely may get old, but so do those who practice it.”

7. Assume all power lines are energized. Do not use metal ladders near them; instead use appropriate American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved ladders for work near energized power lines. With respect to electricity, one wrong move could be your last.

8. Train yourself/your workers. You/they should be versed in emergency communication and proper techniques for providing aid to someone after an electrical accident.

9. Use Safety Watches or Spotters. Their only duties should be observing the work and communicating with the operator to ensure the equipment never gets closer than 10 feet to a power line. Were you in boy/girl scouts as a kid? Remember the “buddy system!”

10. Don’t be a hero! Keep a safe distance from any victim who is/was in direct contact with electricity. Call 911 immediately! Do not try to touch victim because you may be electrocuted. 

The best way to avoid injury from power lines is to make the choice to stay committed to safety. All rules & regulations are useless unless they’re observed. Safe work habits should be consistent and ongoing.

Remember, as OSHA states it, “no building, equipment, deadline or profit is worth a human life.”

Safety Training Services, Inc. provides appropriate training for several safety topics, including but not limited to: OSHA General Industry, OSHA Construction Industry, NFPA 70E Arc Flash Training, HAZWOPER, Confined Space Entry and Rescue. Call or contact us for a free quote on safety training! Consulting Services, Rescue Services and Equipment sales & rentals also available. Or schedule a visit to come by (or us to you) and see what we can offer your company today!

"Falls are the leading cause of death in construction and every year, falls from ladders make up nearly a third of those deaths. These deaths are preventable. Falls from ladders can be prevented and lives can be saved by following safe work practices."

--OSHA.gov

Do I Need a Ladder?

In order to answer this simple question, first you must ask yourself the following questions (as indicated by OSHA):

1. Will I have to hold heavy items while on the ladder?
2. Is the elevated area high enough that it would require a long ladder that can be unstable?
3. Will I be working from this height for a long time?
4. Do I have to stand on the ladder sideways in order to do this work?

According to OSHA, if the answer to any of these questions is a "Yes," then you may want to revisit the idea and consider using something other than a ladder (scissor lift, scaffolding, etc.)

Choosing the Right Ladder for the Job

• Ensure the ladder is high enough for you to reach your work area without having to stand on the top rung.
• When using ladders to access another level, secure and extend the ladder at least 3 feet above the landing point to provide a safe handhold.
• The base of the ladder should be secured.
• Wear proper footwear
• Place the ladder on stable and level ground. DO NOT place it on an uneven surface.
• Ensure that the ladder is fully extended before starting work.
• Prevent passersby from walking under or near ladders in use by using barriers or getting your coworker to act as a lookout.
• Do not work on the top rung of the ladder.
• Maintain three points of contact with the ladder at all times.
• Do not carry any tools or materials in your hands when climbing a ladder.
• Do not lean away from the ladder to carry out your task. Always keep your weight centered between the side rails.
• Do not use ladders near doorways. If you need to use a ladder near a doorway, make sure that the door is locked.
   

Ladder Maintenance

Before use, visually check ladder for defects. Make sure there are no visible defects and that it's in good working condition. Always remember to maintain and store the ladder properly. Said information should always be found via manufacturer's instructions.

 

After checking ladder, make sure not to use if ladder:

• is faulty.
• is bent.
• is missing a step.
• has spreader bars that do not have a locking device or mechanism.
   

Ladder safety is so important because fall accidents CAN BE PREVENTED! Proper training gives an individual the knowledge and ability to get home safely every time.
 

Safety Training Services, Inc. is available to meet and exceed your expectations on appropriate ladder safety training and other OSHA compliance training! Find out why how we can bring value to you and your company today. Click below for more information on our OSHA compliance training courses!
 

May is "Clean Air Month!" This makes it a great time for annual refresher training on respirator safety. In your workplace, does the area you directly work in contain (or potentially contain) hazardous materials? Respirator safety training is important for you or your employees in order to work safely in those areas.

3 Quick Tips on Respirator Safety

1. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the jobs performed by employees and the respiratory hazards of their jobs and work areas.

2. Identify the proper respiratory protection for each of said hazards, including:

• Type of respiratory protection

• Type of cartridge(s) required required for air purifying respirators

• Conditions for use of atmosphere supplying respirators should be used (if applicable)

3. Know & use the NIOSH approved color-coded labels for respirator filters, cartridges, and canisters:

Respiratory Safety Hazards

• According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),approximately 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces throughout the nation. Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, sprays, and airborne TB bacteria.

• Respiratory hazards include cancer, lung impairment, other diseases, or death. The use of respirators may avert hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses annually.

• According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in a recent year only 59 percent of establishments that required employees to use respirators actually provided respirator training.