The Safety Blog - I am Wright.com

This Week in Safety should be obvious…It is Halloween Week and you should take extra care when out driving around to be aware of all of the little Ghosts, Goblins, Princesses, and Pirates…Be extra careful as they may run out into traffic or simply not be paying attention…

On a side note, please make sure that you inspect any and ALL candy prior to it being eaten by your family members and remember if in doubt get rid of it…It is always the best course of action to err on the side of caution.

Take care and have a Safe, Fun, and Scary Halloween…

Tags: Safety, TWIS by David Wright - IamSafetyGeek
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This Week in Safety is National School Bus Safety Week…There isn’t a whole lot of information on this topic other than this year’s slogan is: Be Aware, Cross with Care…So, please pay extra attention when you are on your way to work in the morning or driving around when the kids are waiting on there buses. As we all know kids are unpredictable and can step off the curb at any time, so slow down and keep away from the curb if at all possible and give school buses extra room and be patient with them…

Tags: Safety, TWIS by David Wright - IamSafetyGeek
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This Week in Safety is National Drug Free Work Week…

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that this year’s National Drug-Free Work Week will take place October 14 through 20. The purpose of Drug-Free Work Week is to educate employers, employees and the general public about the importance of being drug-free as an essential component of a safe and healthful workplace. Now in its second year, the annual campaign is a collaborative effort between the department and members of its Drug-Free Workplace Alliance; however, all employers and employees are encouraged to participate.

Throughout Drug-Free Work Week, the department and alliance members will conduct various activities to help employers, supervisors and workers understand how to implement effective drug-free workplace programs that focus on detection and deterrence while also offering assistance and support for workers who may have problems with alcohol or drugs.

The themes of Drug-Free Work Week have widespread relevance, according to a recent survey conducted by the Hazelden Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that helps people reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction. The Hazelden research found that while most human resources practitioners recognize substance abuse and addiction as among the most serious problems faced in today’s workplace, few companies proactively address these issues with their employees.

“Drug-Free Work Week is a perfect time to remind employers and employees alike that reducing workplace alcohol and drug abuse is a crucial part of keeping workers safe,” said Elena Carr, drug policy coordinator at the Labor Department. “Of course, in a safe and healthful workplace, every week should be Drug-Free Work Week.”

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in Drug-Free Work Week and ways they can promote drug-free workplace messages — during the campaign and throughout the year — by visiting the department’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace Program Web site at www.dol.gov/workingpartners.

Tags: Safety, TWIS by David Wright - IamSafetyGeek
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This Week in Safety (TWIS) is National Drive to Work Safely and National Fire Prevention Week…

The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety suggests the following for National Drive to Work Safely week:

Avoid High-Risk Driving Mistakes

1. 1. Being Inattentive
   2. Following Too Closely
   3. Traveling at Improper Speeds
   4. Ignoring Traffic Signs & Signals
   5. Backing Up Unsafely

Take Charge of YOUR Driving Behavior
Reduce YOUR Crash Risk

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an awesome resources on fire prevention tips and suggestions on how to reduce your chances of having a fire related accident. Here are a few:

• Develop and practice a home fire escape plan
• Sparky’s Fire Escape Checklist - Kids
  
• Sparky’s Five Steps to Fire Safety Coloring Page

Tags: Safety, TWIS by David Wright - IamSafetyGeek
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Autumn is arguably one of the most beautiful times of year. But along with the changing leaves comes changing driving conditions.

What should you do to prepare for the new season?

1. Prepare for the climate changes.
2. Tire Pressure
   With frequent temperature changes tires will expand and contract. This may cause them to lose air. Low air pressure is a major factor in accidents where the driver loses control.
3. Carry Sunglasses
   You may need them as the sun rises and sets closer to our commute times to and from work. Sunglasses can cut glare which reduces danger almost 100%.
4. Fog and the Low Beams
   With Autumn comes fog. Since we have many lakes as well as miles and miles of shoreline, fog is a constant problem. Keep your headlights on the low-beam. This aims the light at the road. High-beams aims up and into the fog and illuminating it.
5. Halloween
   Be careful, especially in family neighborhoods. Children may be out trick-or-treating and be wearing costumes or masks which limit vision. Also, dark costumes may blend in with the surroundings.
6. Deer Crossing
   Deer will be trying to avoid hunters and may cross roadways. The risk of deer/vehicle collisions is greatest during Autumn and early Winter. Two thirds of these crashes occur in October, November, and December when deer movements peak due to the onset of the breeding season.
   Here are some suggestions for avoiding deer:
   • Use extreme caution if driving at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active and visibility is poor. This means deer are often most active during peak commuter traveling times.
   • Slow down when approaching deer standing near roadsides. Deer may “bolt” or change direction at the last minute.
   • If you see a deer cross the road, slow down and use extreme caution. Deer often travel in groups - if you see one, expect more.
   • Use flashers or a headlight signal to warn other drivers when deer are spotted on or near the road. Do not use your high beams to illuminate the dear as it will only blind the driver in an approaching vehicle.
   • Use caution and be alert when passing through areas marked with deer crossing signs. These signs are placed in areas that have shown a high incidence of deer/vehicle collisions in the past.
2. Steer clear of wet leaves.

The fall foliage is beautiful, as long as it stays on the trees. But once those leaves start falling, get wet from rain they can become a serious driving hazard. Wet leaves are slippery and reduce traction. They can also cover parts of the yellow and white pavement markings on the road, making it difficult to determine shoulder and lane widths. Additionally, wet leaves can get clogged under your wiper blades, impeding wiper performance and visibility. Always keep your windshield clean of leaves, and watch for wet leaves on the roads especially as you are making turns. Also, park free of leaf piles as these can be a fire hazard against catalyst converters.

3. Make adjustments for the light.

We lose a minute of daylight every day until the clocks are set back in November. And shorter days mean shorter light, making it more difficult to see pedestrians, cyclists, and children playing in the late afternoon. Be on the lookout. If night vision is a problem, adjust your driving times or find alternate, well–lit routes whenever possible.

4. Turning the clock back affects your body’s internal clock.
5. You are likely to be fatigued until your body has adjusted to the time change.
6. You may be commuting in the dark more frequently, which you haven’t done in six months.
7. Incidences of drowsy driving crashes are much higher during the first weeks following the time changes.
   • Sleep / Take naps: Your best bet is to get enough sleep every day. If you must stay up late, afternoon naps are a great way to get more sleep. If you feel drowsy while driving, a 15-minute nap can be very effective. Make sure to pull over in a safe place.
   • Caffeine: Avoid caffeine during the last half of your workday as it may contribute to sleeping problems. You can gain short-term alertness by drinking coffee or other caffeine sources if driving, but it usually takes 30 minutes to take affect and wears off after a few hours.
   • Regular stops: You should stop every 100 miles or 2 hours. Switch drivers if you can. Take a nap, stretch, take a walk and get some exercise before resuming your trip.
   • Avoid Alcohol: If you have been drinking, please don’t drive! In addition to being illegal, alcohol makes you sleepy and amplifies your fatigue.
   • If you have passengers, talk to them. It will help to keep you alert, and they will also be able to tell if you are showing signs of getting sleepy.
   • If you:
     • can’t remember the last few miles driven
     • have wandering or disconnected thoughts
     • experience difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open
     • have trouble keeping your head up
     • drift from lanes or hit a rumble strip
     • yawn repeatedly
     • tailgate or miss traffic signs
     • find yourself jerking your vehicle back into lane
   • then you may be suffering from drowsiness or fatigue. Continuing to drive in this condition puts you at serious risk of being involved in a fatigue-related crash. You should pull over in a safe place and get some rest before resuming your trip.
   • Opening the window,
   • Turning on the air conditioning, or
   • Playing loud music are not effective in keeping drivers alert for any extended period of time.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY ALERT WHILE DRIVING:

WARNING SIGNS OF DROWSINESS AND FATIGUE

“TRICKS” THAT DO NOT WORK

4. Watch for frost.

Dipping nighttime temperatures bring frost to windshields and roads. Keep a windshield scraper and small broom in your car. Decelerate or gently brake when approaching bridges and overpasses: open surfaces are more prone to collect frost on the roadway surface. Keep alert for shaded areas that could create black ice during early morning and evening hours.

5. Plan ahead for harsher weather.

Have your car winterized before the winter storm season sets in. Keeping your car in good condition decreases your chance of being stranded in cold weather. Have your mechanic check your battery, fluids, ignition system, thermostat, lights, exhaust system, heater, and brakes. In your trunk, be sure to have a first aid kit, thermal blanket, a working flashlight, a shovel and sand.

Tags: Safety by David Wright - IamSafetyGeek
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