OCCUSAFE UPDATE
Monthly Round Up of Important Ideas and Standards in
Industrial Hygiene and Safety
December 2014
IN THIS ISSUE: Holiday Safety Tips from an Industrial Hygienist
- CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detector. Each winter, families are injured or killed by carbon monoxide poisoning. The culprit is usually a faulty furnace that releases the deadly gas into the home, poisoning the air. Carbon monoxide can also be a problem if combustion fumes produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges, are used in a confined space. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned by breathing in the fumes.
- SMOKE DETECTORS. Similarly, make sure you have a working smoke detectors. In fires, the products of combustion (smoke) usually kill the victims and not the heat.
- CHRISTMAS TREE WIRING. Make sure Christmas trees are kept away from heat sources. Make sure that all wiring to trees and decorations is in good condition and is designed to take the electrical load.
- BUNDLE UP. When working in cold weather wear multiple layers of clothing, take frequent breaks in a warm area, and be aware of the warning signs of overexposure. These may include severe shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination, drowsiness, apathy, hallucinations, and resistance to help. Skin may turn blue, then later pale and dry. Breathing and heart rate slows down and loss of consciousness may occur. If any of these signs appear, work should stop and emergency action taken.
- DRINK RESPONSIBLY. Be aware of the effects of Ethanol and protect yourself from exposure. These include: Do not drink if you expect to drive, arrange for a designated driver or a cab, for transportation, and make a plan when having a get-together where alcohol is served. Provide plenty of food and stop offering drinks an hour before anyone leaves.
For more information on this topic and to discuss your company’s safety and industrial hygiene needs call OccuSafe at (214) 662-6005 or contact us at occusafe@occusafeinc.com
OccuSafe Industrial Hygiene & Safety, Inc. provides skills and expertise to recognize, evaluate and control hazards and injuries in the areas of industrial hygiene, occupational safety and health. OccuSafe services companies of all sizes in a range of industries.
This newsletter is published monthly by OccuSafe Industrial Hygiene & Safety Services, Inc. Feel free to forward it to friends and colleagues.
Comments are closed.