Safetydude's Safety Tip of the Week

Winter Back Safety Tips

• Wear the right clothes. Wear gloves, boots with lots of traction, a warm jacket, scarf and hat. You can take off some layers as you work and get hot. Be wary of clothes that are too big or too small. You want to be able to move freely.
   
• Warm up and stretch before you go out. Stretch before beginning working, especially the hamstring muscles. Be sure to also stretch your arms, shoulders, back, and torso.
   
• Don’t let the snow pile up. Try to clear any fallen snow as quickly as possible. Do not drive over it as it will compact it and make it more difficult to clear.
   
• Take regular breaks and drink plenty of water! Clearing snow is thirsty work. Try to drink water every 20 minutes of work. If you get dehydrated you will get aches and pains and which may lead to more back pain / muscle strains.
   
• Body posture and position during work is important. Lift with your knees. Push, do not throw the snow and try not to twist more than you have to. Use a long handled spade or shovel and keep knees bent.
   
• Post exercise routine. Following shoveling, drink some more water. Take a hot bath or shower to allow muscles to relax.
   
• More people make light work. If you can, get some help and take regular breaks.
   
• Following snow removal. After you have removed the snow, put down some salt on the main paths of areas that tend to thaw and then re-freeze. It could save a fall and fracture.
   
• EAT WELL and healthily – winter stews with lots of vegetables keep you warm too.

From the Courts

Click Here for an excellent article on how Ontario's Bill 168 ( Workplace Violence) played a role in an Arbitration.

Picture of the Week

Do you consider this proper PPE?

Safetydude's Safety Tip of the Week

Your 2012 Safety New Year's Resolutions

1. I will learn to save a life of someone I love (or someone I don't even know) by taking a First Aid and CPR course.   Action:  Contact your local provider.  In Ontario call KitCare @ 416-243-3030 .

2. I will maintain the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in my home.  Action:  a) Put on your calendar or enter a recurring appointment in Outlook to test the detectors on the first Saturday of every month.  b) Enter into your calendar or set appointment into Outlook to change the batteries in every detector on March 13th and again on November 6th.

3. I will develop a Home Emergency Plan.  Action: The following are the basic elements of a plan  a) Evacuation plan; b) Designated safety meeting places outside; c) Designated Shelter in Location (for tornados); d) Emergency kit; e) First aid kit and fire extinguishers; f) Schedule "mock" test of your evacuation plans. 

4. I will reduce the chances of a fire by eliminating the permanent use of extension cords.  Action:  Inspect the entire house and remove all extension cords that have been there from more than 30 days.

5. I will take control of the chemicals within my house.  Action:  a) Read the labels of chemical products;  b) Are you storing them properly? Are they stored where young children can gain access? Are they stored to close to a heat source?;  c) Are you using the proper personal protective equipment ( chemical goggles, gloves, etc) when you use them? d) Are you using them properly?

6. I will read the entire Owners Manual particularly all the safety instructions and warnings for all new equipment and household appliance purchases that I make in 2012.

9. I will maintain all equipment and household appliances in a safe working condition.  Action:  a) If it's not in like new condition... buy yourself a new one.  b) Inspect the electrical cords.  Replace any cracked, worn or frayed wiring.  NO electrical tape allowed.

10. I will promote safety by enforcing a safety attitude amongst my family and friends.  Action:  I will promote the saying that "Safety if a Life event, not just a work event."

Picture of the Week

Don't let this be you on New Year's Day!

Wonder how his "friends" got him there?

 SafetyDude's Safety Tip of the Week

Christmas Tree Fire Safety 
 

If your family is accustomed to live trees, please review the following safety tip.  

Live trees

1) Make sure your real tree is fresh.   Use the following three freshness tests:

• Branch Test - Draw the end of the branch (15 cm or 6 inches) through the cup of your hand. The needles should slide through your hand without coming off.
   
• Stump Test - Bang the stump end sharply on the ground. A freshly cut tree should not lose its green needles. Remember that conifers shed some of their needles almost constantly and some of these older yellow needles may still be lodged against the inner branches.
                 
• Needle Test - Fold a needle back until the tip touches the stem making a circle. The needle should not break but should bounce back into shape unless it is frozen.

2) Make a fresh cut on the trunk of the tree before you place it in your tree stand. The cut will help the tree absorb water. About two centimetres from the bottom should do.
           
3)  Leave the tree outside — out of the wind and sun — until it's ready to decorate. Be sure to stand the tree in a bucket of water while it's waiting to be brought into the house.

4) Make sure the tree is watered every day. The tree can absorb four or five litres of water on the first day. Make sure the water tank is always full

5) Do not let the water level dip below the cut line. If you do, the cut will seal and the tree will stop absorbing water.

6) Secure the tree to keep it from tipping. Many of the newer "wide base" stands offer much more stability than older stands.
           
7) Don't whittle the base if the tree stand doesn't fit; that makes it harder for the tree to absorb water. Get a larger stand. Trim the lower branches if they prevent you from getting the trunk firmly planted in the base; cut limbs flush with the trunk, as you would if you were pruning a plant.

8) Keep tree away at least five feet away from floor heaters, fireplaces and other heat sources.  Do not block any windows or doors.

9) Remove the tree when needles begin to fall off in large quantities.

10) NEVER burn your tree in a fireplace. Most municipalities recycle Christmas trees, turning them into mulch.

Christmas Tree Fire Proofing

The following "Christmas Tree Fire Proofing Technique" has been kicking around for quite some time.   I use to send it out on an annual basis to the employees of the Companies that I worked for. Feedback was positive regarding the appearance and endurance of the tree.  To my knowledge, no one (thankfully) ever tested the fire rating of their tree.  The technique is still widely published on the internet.
           
You need :

2 cups of Karo syrup
2 ounces of liquid chlorine bleach
2 pinches of Epsom salt
1/2 teaspoon of Borax
1 teaspoon of chelated iron
Hot water
             
You can purchase the Karo syrup, Borax and liquid chlorine bleach from your supermarket. The Epsom salt can be purchased from the drug store and the chelated iron (pronounced key-lated) can be purchased from a garden shop or plant store.

Mix your fireproofing ingredients listed above. Fill a two-gallon bucket with hot water to within one inch of the top and add the ingredients. Stir thoroughly, dissolving ingredients. Put to side.

With a saw, take your recently-purchased Christmas tree and make a fresh cut at the base on the tree trunk. Cut an inch off the base of the tree. Try to make a level cut.

Immediately stand the trunk of the tree in the solution and leave for 24 hours.

Keep the remaining solution. Place your tree in a tree stand that contains a well where liquids can be poured.

When the tree is in its final resting place, use a plastic cup to pour solution from the bucket into the tree well. Fill the well.

Every day without exception, the well of the tree stand must be "topped up" with the solution from the two-gallon bucket.

Follow these simple directions and your tree should be fireproofed. It may save your home and family from those fire tragedies we hear about around the holidays.

If you're curious, after Christmas when you remove your tree, snap off a branch and try to set it on fire, outdoors.

How does the solution work?

In a nutshell, the Karo syrup provides the sugar necessary to allow the base of the tree to take up water. Up to 1.5 gallons of water can be taken up by the tree over a two-week period. Boron in the Borax allows the tree to move the water and sugar out to every branch and needle in your tree. Magnesium compounds in the Epsom salt and iron from the chelated iron provide essential components for the production of chlorophyll which will keep the tree green. The bleach prevents mold from forming in your solution.

Some of the other beneficial side effects of this procedure are that the needles will not drop and you will notice an increase in natural pine fragrance.
           

Picture of the week

Instead of a picture of the week, I encourage each of you to go to "YOUTUBE' and investigate the various film clips regarding Christmas tree fires.  In particular the following three:

From the National Institute of Standards and Technology  (USA Dept. of Commerce)       

SafetyDude's Safety Tip of the Week
 

Safety Tips for Holiday Parties 

1. First and most importantly! If you are going to consume any alcohol, pre-plan your transportation home (use a designated driver, arrange a Taxi, etc).  DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.
      

2. If you are the Host,

   1. Plan accordingly for those that fail to pre-plan their transportation home (arrange for taxi's, overnight accommodation,  spare bedroom, etc.).

   2. Arrange to keep Hot foods Hot.

   3. Arrange to keep Cold foods Cold.

   4. Plan for those with food allergies.

   5. Keep fresh and cooked meats separate.

   6. Maintain clear pathways to doors and emergency exits

   7. Have a first Aid kit available

   8. Secure the area of any trip and fall hazards

   9. Keep an eye on your guest, limit or restrict alcohol as required.  If you plan on consuming alcohol, assign this task to someone else.
      

3. If you are the Guest,

   1. Eat before you drink.

   2. Only eat Hot foods that have been kept hot. 

   3. Only eat cold foods that have been kept cold.

   4. If there have been no efforts to maintain the foods proper temperature, don't eat it after it has been at room temperature for more than 2 hours..

   5. Don't eat foods that are not properly displayed (fresh next to cooked).

   6. Know where the emergency exits or doors are in the location that you are at.

   7. Maintain control over your drink.  There are numerous known cases where people have been drugged at parties via their drink.

   8. Keep an eye on your family and friends who may be drinking too much.  A successful night is when everyone makes it home safe!
               

4. If it is a workplace event,

   1. Remember that all workplace rules regarding workplace harassment are in place and must be enforced by the Employer.   Ditch the Mistletoe.

   2. It is strongly advised not to provide, make available or allow alcohol into the workplace.  More than likely it will result in you breaking your own workplace rules against bringing such items to work.

   3. It is further strongly advised not to provide, make available or allow alcohol at parties held outside of the workplace.  One less thing for you to worry about.

   4. If you do decide to provide, make available, or allow alcohol:

      1. Plan accordingly for those that fail to pre-plan their transportation home (arrange for taxi's, overnight accommodation,  spare bedroom, etc.).

      2. Ensure that those Employees who are drinking are of the legal age to drink.

      3. Keep an eye on your guest, limit or restrict alcohol as required.  If you plan on consuming alcohol, assign this task to someone else.

   5. Arrange to keep Hot foods Hot.

   6. Arrange to keep Cold foods Cold.

   7. Plan for those with food allergies.

   8. Keep fresh and cooked meats separate.

   9. Maintain clear pathways to doors and emergency exits.

   10. Have a first Aid kit and trained first aiders available.

   11. Secure the area of any trip and fall hazards.
                          
       

5. Lastly, once again!  If you are going to consume any alcohol, pre-plan your transportation home ( use a designated driver, arrange a Taxi, etc).  DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE

   Picture of the Week

   My son sent me the following link.   While quite amusing, it gets a good message across.     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5hP4DIBCEE

 

• Cell phone
• Flashlight / reflectors
• Ice scraper / washer fluid
• Extra clothing and footwear / blankets
• Candle / matches and a small tin can
• Non-perishable energy foods  (granola bars/juice/bottled water)
• First aid kit
• Booster cables

 Safetydude's Safety Tip of the Week

How to drive safely around wildlife

2) Watch for wildlife-warning road signs. 

These signs are posted where a history of wildlife collisions has occurred so reduce your speed.

Drive as if you might encounter wildlife on the road at any moment

      • do not turn your interior lights 

      • dim your instrument (speedometer, etc..) lights as low as possible

     • slow down when passing around any landforms or structures that animals could run out from behind

      • slow down around sharp turns

      • if driving at night, use high beams whenever possible

     • scan the road ahead for any kind of movement from shoulder-to-shoulder

      • watch for the glow of eyes

3) Exercise extra caution at dusk and dawn. 

Peak collision times are 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., when deer and moose are most active. “They stay relatively low-key during the day, sleep at night and move to and from their nighttime bedding areas,” Gierek explains.

4) Be mindful of the fall mating and migration season. 

Many animals look for mates in the autumn, thus they tend to travel and cross roads more frequently. Seasonal migration also means more critters are on the move.

Peak times for collision in Ontario are the months of  May, June, October, November and December

5) Reduce speed and stay alert. 

6) If you spot wildlife while you’ re driving, slow down and pass carefully as precaution.

7) If you see one animal, expect more.

As most animals travel in groups, driving slowly will give you the chance to stop in case other animals decide to follow.

8)  Brake for moose. 

A 1,000 kg moose making contact with your vehicle might as well be a brick wall.

These animals may escape the path of a vehicle by running along the road—a serious hazard for other drivers. 

If you encounter a moose while driving, if safe to do so, pull over to the curb,  otherwise slow down to a very low speed until the animal leaves the road.

9) Stay in control. 

If wildlife is crossing or standing on the road, brake firmly. 

Do not assume an animal will move out of the way. Also, never swerve suddenly as this could cause your vehicle to veer out of  control or head into oncoming traffic.  

          10 ) What if a Crash is Inevitable?

If it appears impossible to avoid the animal:

• Aim for the spot the animal is coming from, not where it is going.
  
   
• Look where you want to go, not at the animal. You tend to drive where you look - if you are looking at the animal, that is where the vehicle tends to go.
  
  
• If you must hit something, try for a glancing blow rather than a head-on hit.
  
  
• Brake firmly and quickly, then look, and steer your vehicle to strike the animal at an angle.