The Outdoor Heat Exposure Rule

Working outdoors in hot weather can result in serious illness or even death.  Workers exposed to extreme heat may experience symptoms of heat-related illnesses (HRI), such as heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, fainting, heat stroke and other symptoms.

HRI ranges from relatively harmless conditions such as heat edema (swelling) and heat cramps to more serious illness such as heat syncope (fainting) and heat exhaustion. The most serious and often fatal form of HRI is heat stroke.

HRI is also linked to injuries from falls, equipment operation accidents, and other on-the-job incidents. Such incidents can happen when someone with heat stress becomes fatigued, dizzy, confused, or disoriented.

In Washington State employers must provide training to workers so they understand what heat stress is, how it affects their health and safety, and how it can be prevented. The Outdoor heat exposure Rule WAC 296-62-095 applies from May 1 through September 30, every year, when exposures are at or above a specific temperature. In Washington DOSH looks at the temperature and the type of clothing the worker is wearing to determine if compliance with the rule has been put into effect.

If you have workers that are working in the outdoors you need to be aware of this situation to ensure your workers are safe. Evergreen Safety Council can help you provide the training and/or develop your heat illness prevention program.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council

Water Safety

According to the WA Department of health, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children and teens ages 1 to 17 in our state. In 2013 there were 103 unintentional drowning deaths to Washington residents of all ages; 13 of these were of children younger than 18 years old. All of these are unintentional which means they are preventable. Know your surroundings and know how to swim.

Typically, hotels/motels do not provide lifeguards, so never leave children unattended. If you have a home pool or travel you should take a Water Safety education class from the Red cross so you know how to prevent drowning and what to do in case of an emergency. Anyone who does not know how to swim or is a weak swimmer should wear a US Coast Guard approved life-jacket, no matter how deep the water.

It only takes 1” of water to drown.

General Water Safety Guidelines:

• Learn to swim
• Take a water safety class, learn first aid and CPR
• If boating in the State of WA – you must have a Boater Education Card
• ALWAYS supervise children on, in or around water
• Do not drink alcohol while swimming or boating
• Do not attempt a rescue unless you have specialized training and/or equipment
• Be aware of your surroundings and potential water hazards
• Pay attention to the weather and tide tables
• Know the temperature of the water to prevent hypothermia

Most boating accidents are caused by the operator, not by the boat or the water environment. Approximately 80% of boating fatalities in the US are due to drowning and most would have been prevented if the boater had been wearing a US Coast Guard approved life-jacket. Because of this, Washington State implemented a new law in 2008 requiring anyone ‘operating a powered watercraft of 15hp or greater to take a safety education course and obtain a Boater Education Card to operate a boat in Washington’. For more information on this program you can go to www.boat-ed.com.  Before going on vacation or going to a local lake for a picnic, make sure everyone knows how to be safe in/near the water and pass the information on to other family and friends. Let’s prevent drowning everywhere.

Contributed by Stephanie Dyck, Office Supervisor, Evergreen Safety Council

Distracted Walking

I have learned after all the years I have been in safety, I have not seen everything.  This latest safety issue was brought up at the Governor’s Safety Conference (although it’s been around for a while) - “distracted walking”.  You heard correctly.  There are many people using their cell phones and other devices and not paying attention to where they are walking.  In fact, several times over the last couple of years I have been walked into by someone using their device, not paying attention to where they are going, and then they give me a dirty look.

According to Liberty Mutual Insurance, data has revealed that 60 percent of pedestrians do other things while they’re walking like texting, emailing, talking on the phone, or listening to music. And even though 70 percent consider those behaviors to be dangerous while walking in a crosswalk—it doesn’t stop them.

An article in HRM partners states that “...According to recent studies, ‘distracted walking’ is a growing safety concern. According to an article this past summer by the Associated Press, reports of distracted walkers treated at emergency rooms has more than quadrupled in the past seven years.”

The bottom line is that we all need to pay attention to where we are walking, riding, etc., especially while at work.  Another issue is that if employers allow employees to use these devices in this manner, what is their L&I liability for employees injured on the job while using them?

Just think, we humans will always be figuring out new ways to hurt ourselves in the future so we in safety will never rest.

If you need help regarding a safety issue give us a call at Evergreen Safety Council, we can help.

Contributed by By Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council

Injury Prevention

Most of us know that the major focus of workplace safety is injury prevention. In order to accomplish this, the first thing any business needs to do is a hazard assessment. Actually that is what safety is about—finding hazards and fixing them. Since most of you reading this understand the basics of finding hazards, we want to focus on some basic practices to prevent workplace incidents.

As you search for hazards understand that even though you as the employer have a duty to protect employees, each worker also has a responsibility to stay safe.  Make sure your employees are following the practices below:

Be safe in transit. Make sure your employees are driving safely and are operating safe vehicles.

Avoid taking short cuts. It is natural to want to get done on time, but do not short cut safety when it comes to on the job.

Know the weather. Dress and be prepared for cold weather and hot weather.

Make sure to use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and know how to use them.

Injury reduction is a team effort!  Help your company accomplish this and please feel free to contact us at Evergreen Safety Council. We would be honored to be part of your safety team.

By Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council

Motorcycle Safety Tips

Motorcycles are fun and fuel efficient. That’s not news to anyone who’s ridden one.  But neither is the fact that they’re also more dangerous than a car.  Here are some sobering national statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for 2013:

42% of all motorcycle deaths occurred in single-vehicle crashes;

In 40% of motorcycle single-vehicle fatality crashes the motorcycle rider had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08%;

48% of motorcycle fatalities involved speeding;

75% of fatalities were not wearing a helmet in States with no mandatory helmet law; 56% of fatalities were not wearing a helmet in States with a partial law (ie..under 18); 6% of fatalities were not wearing a helmet in States with a universal helmet law (like Washington).

Still, many enthusiasts enjoy a lifetime of riding with out injury.  The key to optimizing your odds is to be prepared and to avoid risks.  Below are some tips to help you stay safe on two wheels.

Don’t buy more bike than you can handle. When shopping for a bike, start with one that fits you. Choose a model that’s easy for you to get on and off the center stand; if it feels too heavy, it probably is.

Invest in antilock brakes. Antilock brakes are a proven lifesaver. IIHS data shows that motorcycles equipped with ABS brakes were 37% less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than bikes without it.

Hone your skills. ESC would not be doing our job if we did not stress the importance of finding and taking a riding course in your area. That is absolutely critical. These courses can teach you the basics, as well as advanced techniques such as how to perform evasive emergency maneuvers.  These courses may make you eligible for an insurance discount and they may also save your life.

Use your head. Yes, helmets are an emotional topic for some riders – there are groups that try every year to remove Washington’s universal helmet law. Don’t listen to them.  The facts show the risk.  When Texas and Arkansas repealed their helmet laws, they saw a 31% and 21% increase in motorcycle fatalities, respectively. Helmets save lives!  In our opinion, a full-face helmet that’s approved by the Department of Transportation is the best choice. (Look for a DOT certification sticker on the helmet.)

Wear the right gear. Instead of light clothing, you want gear that will protect you from wind chill, flying bugs and debris, and, yes, road rash if you should slide out. You’ll also want effective eye protection; don’t rely on eyeglasses or a bike’s windscreen – use a helmet visor or goggles. Keep in mind that car drivers who have hit a motorcycle rider often say they just didn’t see them, so you may want to choose gear in bright colors.

Be defensive. You aren’t the only one on the road – and you have the least amount of protection. You need to be extra alert, especially in this age of epidemic phone use and texting behind the wheel.  Keep an eye out for cars making sudden movements.  Don’t tailgate – keep a safe following distance to ensure you have enough stopping distance and so you have time to react to obstacles in the road.

Eliminating these foreseeable risks is the first major step in dramatically reducing your risks.  The weather of late has been great for riding and learning and we wish you all a safe riding season. Be safe and enjoy! Check out courses at evergreenmotorcycletraining.org or feel free to contact me, Monty E. Lish, Motorcycle Program Manager, S/TEP Program Mananager, Evergreen Safety Council.

Contributed by Monty E. Lish, Motorcycle and S/TEP Program Mananager, Evergreen Safety Council