WorkLife Initiative Identifies Essential Elements to Improve Worker Health
     A guide for employers and employer-employee partnerships wishing to establish effective workplace programs that sustain and improve worker health is now available on the NIOSH Web site. The guide, Essential Elements of Effective Workplace Programs and Policies for Improving Worker Health and Well-being, is a key part of the NIOSH WorkLife Initiative, which is intended to identify and support comprehensive approaches to reduce workplace hazards and promote worker health and well-being. The premise of this Initiative, based on scientific research and practical experience in the field, is that comprehensive practices and policies that take into account the work environment--both physical and organizational-- while also addressing the personal health risks of individuals, are more effective in preventing disease and promoting health and safety than each approach taken separately.
     The twenty components of the Essential Elements, presented below, are divided into four areas: Organizational Culture and Leadership; Program Design; Program Implementation and Resources; and Program Evaluation. The document is a framework that will be enhanced by links to resource materials intended to assist in the design and implementation of workplace programs and offer specific examples of best and promising practices.

The guide is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/worklife/essentials.html

New NIOSH Health and Safety Topic Page: Poisonous Plants
     Many native and exotic plants are poisonous to humans when ingested or if there is skin contact with plant chemicals. However, the most common problems with poisonous plants arise from contact with the sap oil of several ever-present native plants that cause an allergic skin reaction—poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
     Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac release an oil, urushiol, when the leaf or other plant parts are bruised, damaged, or burned. When the oil gets on the skin an allergic reaction, referred to as contact dermatitis, occurs in most exposed people as an itchy red rash with bumps or blisters. When exposed to 50 micrograms of urushiol, an amount that is less than one grain of table salt, 80 to 90 percent of adults will develop a rash. The rash, depending upon where it occurs and how broadly it is spread, may significantly impede or prevent a person from working. Although over-the-counter topical medications may relieve symptoms for most people, immediate medical attention may be required for severe reactions, particularly when exposed to the smoke from burning these poisonous plants. Burning these poisonous plants can be very dangerous because the allergens can be inhaled, causing lung irritation.
     Outdoor workers may be exposed to poisonous plants. Outdoor workers at risk include farmers, foresters, landscapers, groundskeepers, gardeners, painters, roofers, pavers, construction workers, laborers, mechanics, and any other workers who spend time outside. Forestry workers and firefighters who battle forest fires are at additional risk because they could potentially develop rashes and lung irritation from contact with damaged or burning poisonous plants. It is important for employers to train their workers about their risk of exposure to poisonous plants, how they can prevent exposures and protect themselves, and what they should do if they come in contact with these plants.

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NIOSH Focus on Indoor Environmental Quality and Building Ventilation
     Building ventilation is the circulation of air throughout a building. The ventilation or the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system of a building supplies and removes air either naturally (windows) and/or mechanically to and from a space. HVAC systems consist of mechanical parts which should provide air to building occupants at a comfortable temperature and humidity that is free of harmful concentrations of air pollutants. Building ventilation may be an important factor determining the relationship between airborne transmission of respiratory infections and the health and productivity of workers.
     NIOSH has developed checklists of what workers can do when they suspect their health problems are caused by poor ventilation, and what building owners and managers should do to respond to building-related health concerns of workers.

Click here to access the NIOSH resources.

BLS Reports Workplace Injury and Illness Rate Continues at Recorded Low
     The rate of workplace injuries and illnesses in private industry declined in 2007 for the fifth consecutive year, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Approximately 4 million injuries and illnesses occurred in 2007. The number translates to a rate of 4.2 cases per 100 full-time employees, slightly less than the 4.4 rate reported last year.
     The overall decline in the total recordable case (TRC) incidence rate among private industry employers in 2007 was driven primarily by declines among all goods-producing industry sectors—Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting; Mining; Construction; and Manufacturing—together reporting 111,500 fewer cases compared to 2006. Comparatively, while not a statistically significant increase, service-providing industry sectors together reported nearly 29,000 more cases in 2007 than a year earlier. Health care and social assistance was the only service-providing industry sector to show a decline in the TRC rate, falling from 5.8 to 5.6 cases per 100 workers between 2006 and 2007.
     One-half of the 4 million injury and illnesses cases reported nationally in 2007 were of a more serious nature that involved days away from work, job transfer, or restriction—commonly referred to as DART cases. These occurred at a rate of 2.1 cases per 100 workers, declining from 2.3 cases in 2006. The two components of DART cases both experienced declining rates in 2007 compared to 2006—the rate of cases involving days away from work fell from 1.3 to 1.2 cases per 100 workers, while the rate for cases resulting in job transfer or restriction declined from 1.0 to 0.9 cases. Other recordable cases—those not involving days away from work, job transfer, or restriction—accounted for the remaining half of the 4 million injury and illness cases nationally and occurred at the same rate in 2007 as in 2006 (2.1 cases per 100 workers).

Click here for the full report.

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
     More people die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. In 2004, lung cancer accounted for more deaths than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined. The most important thing you can do to prevent lung cancer is to not start smoking or to quit if you currently smoke. 
     Smoking and Secondhand Smoke  - In the United States, about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% of lung cancer deaths in women are due to smoking. People who smoke are 10 to 20 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke. The longer a person smokes and the more cigarettes smoked each day, the more risk goes up. Smoke from other people's cigarettes ("secondhand" smoke) causes lung cancer as well. The 2006 Surgeon General's Report, concludes there is no safe level of secondhand smoke for nonsmokers.
     Other Things That May Cause Cancer at Home and Work - Radon gas causes lung cancer and is sometimes found in people's homes. Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that comes from rocks and dirt and can get trapped in houses and buildings. Examples of substances found at some workplaces that increase risk include asbestos, arsenic, and some forms of silica and chromium. For many of these substances, the risk of getting lung cancer is even higher for those who also smoke.

Click here for more information.

FDA Launches Food Defense Awareness Training Kit
     The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has launched its food defense awareness training kit for first line food industry employees. FDA said the training targets these individuals because they can play an important role in helping to keep the nation's food supply safe, from the farm to the table.
     Food industry management will use the FIRST tool kit as part of ongoing employee food defense training programs. The tool kit focuses on five key points that industry and businesses can use to educate first line workers about the risks of food contamination. It also provides industry with measures to consider and implement to reduce these risks.
     Each of the letters in the FIRST acronym describes an action that a first line employee can take to mitigate risks of contamination:

• F - FOLLOW company food defense plan and procedures.
• I - INSPECT your work area and surrounding areas.
• R - RECOGNIZE anything out of the ordinary.
• S - SECURE all ingredients, supplies, and finished product.
• T - TELL management if you notice anything unusual or suspicious.

     Single copies of the kit are available in English and Spanish. The kit is free to employees and includes one DVD, a training poster, and on-screen instructions. Copies can be obtained by ordering online from the Food Defense & Terrorism Web site: www.cfsan.fda.gov/fooddefense. A Web-ready version of the kit will be available later this month.
 

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News You Can Use

Change Your Clock - Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries
     Few of us realize how easily -- and how quickly -- fire can destroy our homes and take the lives of those we love. Fortunately, a product is available that can help protect us against fire… the smoke alarm. By providing an early warning in the event of fire, smoke alarms may allow you and your family sufficient time to reach safety. Many people have neglected to install smoke alarms despite their life-saving potential and low cost. Even those who do have smoke alarms often take them for granted -- forgetting that they need some attention to continue working properly. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) offers the following tips for purchasing and maintaining smoke alarms.
     Cut your family's risk in half - buy smoke alarms today. Experts report that consumers may cut their risk of dying in a home fire in half simply by having a smoke alarm in their homes. Smoke alarms are available at nearly all hardware, department and discount stores, often for under $20.
     Look for the UL Mark When you purchase a smoke alarm, look for the UL Mark on the product as well as on the packaging. The UL Mark tells you that a representative sample of the smoke alarm has been evaluated by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) to nationally recognized safety requirements. It also means that UL conducts follow-up evaluations to countercheck that samples of the smoke alarm continue to meet these safety requirements.
     Photoelectric and Ionization type alarms There are two types of smoke alarms available today: photoelectric and ionization. When smoke enters a photoelectric alarm, light from a pulsating light source in reflected off the smoke particles onto a light sensor, triggering the alarm. When smoke enters an ionization alarm, ionized air molecules attach to the smoke particles and reduce the ionizing current, triggering the alarm. While photoelectric smoke alarms generally respond faster to smoldering smoke conditions and ionization smoke alarms generally respond faster to flaming fire conditions, both types provide adequate protection against fire. Combination smoke alarms featuring both photoelectric and ionization technology are also available at hardware, department and home improvement stores.
     There's safety in numbers Install at least one smoke alarm on each floor of the house or residence and outside all sleeping areas. Some fire safety advocates recommend installing smoke alarms inside each sleeping area if sleeping with the door closed.

Click here for more information.

Source: Underwriters' Laboratories

Get a Taste for Safe Cooking
     Home Safety Council research shows that 65 percent of adults plan to prepare holiday meals this season. While festive feasts bring smiles to the table, the preparation also serves-up the potential for fire and burn injuries. Home Safety Council offers tips to stay safe in the kitchen this holiday season.

Click here for the full report.

Source: Home Safety Council.
 

Get the Upper Hand on Germs: Wash Your Hands
     You use your hands constantly. They're handy for all sorts of tasks, including unwanted ones, such as picking up germs and spreading them around. Thankfully, it's very easy to wash your hands, but there is a right way to do it. Hurrying out of the bathroom stall, rinsing your fingertips quickly under the tap and wiping them on your pants as you rush out the door does not work.
     Proper hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections and avoid getting sick. The goal is to stop the spread of "germs," which is a general term for microbes such as viruses and bacteria. Germs spread when you touch another person, or when you touch a contaminated object and then touch your own face. Hand-to-hand contact is often responsible for the spread of the common cold, flu, and gastrointestinal disorders.

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Don’t Shelve the Sunblock - Sunburn Risk Can be Even Greater in Winter
     If you think now is the time to sideline your sunblock, think again. Head to the mountains this fall or winter and you could get burned twice as fast as you do at the beach. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), UVA rays from the sun increase exponentially with altitude and can be significantly more damaging in the mountains than at sea level.
     Snow reflects 80 percent of UV rays and UV intensity increases by 10 percent for every 1,000-foot increase in elevation. In the mountains or snow, skin can burn more severely in less time. The AAD recommends applying sunscreen whenever you intend to be in the sun for more than 20 minutes, no matter what time of year it is. Yet a recent study by the Environmental Working Group found that many sunscreen products on the market simply do not offer the level of sunscreen protection recommended to effectively guard against sun damage, including skin cancer.

Click here for the full report.

Source: EHS Today Magazine

Microwave Oven Safety Study Calls for Extra Protections
     Microwave ovens should be equipped with safety controls to prevent children from opening them and being burned by hot foods and drinks, according to a study published yesterday by University of Chicago Medical Center researchers in the October 2008 issue of the journal Pediatrics. Severe scalds can be devastating for children because they can leave scars and wounds that can restrict movement. The study recommends extra protections, such as locking mechanisms and stepped-up warning campaigns, to reduce accidental injuries to children when they remove food from the microwave.
     The researchers suggest that microwave ovens include a locking mechanism to make it difficult for young children to open a microwave after food or drinks have been heated. Many current models have an option to lock the oven which requires the user to hold the start or stop/clear button for three to four seconds before it will operate. However, this does not stop a child from opening the oven after something has been heated, the study noted.

Click here for more information.

Source: Occupational Health & Safety Magazine

New Report Highlights The Dangers of Wiring in Older Homes!
     A report recently released by the Fire Protection Research Foundation revealed that many of our nation’s aging homes have dangerous electrical hazards lurking behind walls or in attics. Many of these problems are the result of deterioration over time and poor installation work. Each year, home electrical problems account for an estimated 53,600 fires. These fires cause more than 500 deaths, injure 1,400 people, and account for $1.4 billion in property damage.
     The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) recommends that homeowners have their homes inspected by a qualified licensed electrician if:

• The home is 40 or more years old
• The home is 10 or more years old that has had major renovation, an addition or major new appliance
• You are the new owner of a previously owned home

Click here for the full report.

Source: Electrical Safety Foundation International
 

Focus on Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

Wildfires
     According to Weather.com, an average of 1.2 million acres of U.S. woodland burn every year and more than four out of every five wildfires are caused by people. The U.S. Fire Administration reported that in 2005 alone, 66,552 wildfires took place and 8,686,753 acres were burned. If you live where there is an abundance of plants and other vegetation that can easily catch fire, you may be vulnerable to wildfires and you should take the following three simple steps to prepare.

1. Get an Emergency Supply Kit, which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car.
2. Make a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.
3. Prepare Your Home.  Protect your property from wildfires by designing and landscaping your home with wildfire safety in mind.

Click here for the full report.

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BE Prepared Informed Safe Visit www.saftgard.com/2besafe

1. PROMOTE SAFETY - Highlight your safety record with a sign featuring the number of days since a lost-time accident or injury.

2. PROMOTE SAFETY - Recognize your company's safety champions with gold-color safety caps or similar awards.

3. PROMOTE SAFETY - Take advantage of training tools available from OSHA, the National Safety Council, and similar organizations.

4. PROMOTE SAFETY - Recognize that the total cost of safety is not unit prices on a product, but includes the benefit of reducing lost time accidents, reductions in workman's compensation insurance premiums, and improved productivity and morale.

5. PROMOTE SAFETY - And remember, there's a human face to safety - every worker goes home at the end of the workday - safe and healthy.

Want more information on any of this month's Saf-T-Tips?  E-mail us for a prompt reply.

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Tie it as a headband or wear it around your neck with the unique closure.  Simply soak Cool Offs in cold water for 10 - 15 minutes to activate the magic cooling crystals for all day cool comfort  Lightweight and comfortable with a 100% cotton outer shell.  Can be used over and over.  Assorted colors. Now only $1.21/each through December 31, 2008.

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