January 2011

Monthly Archive

Fri 14 Jan 2011

U.S. Home Structure Fires

Posted by Allan under Awareness , Electrical Safety , Emergency Planning , Emergency Response , Fire Safety , Home Safety , NFPA , Safety
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If you talk about safety 24/7, here is an article to share with your employees.

U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 380,000 home structure fires per year during 2003-2007.

These fires caused an annual average of

  • 2,840 civilian fire deaths,
  • 13,160 civilian fire injuries, and
  • $6.4 billion in direct damage.
  • 92% of all structure fire deaths resulted from home fires.
  • On average, eight people died in U.S. home fires every day.

Causes and Circumstances of Home Fires

Details from the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System show that in 2003-2007:

  • Cooking equipment was the leading cause of home structure fires

and home fire injuries.

  • Smoking was the leading cause of civilian home fire deaths. Heating

equipment ranked second in home fire deaths overall, but was the

leading cause of fire deaths in one- or two-family homes

Almost all homes have at least one smoke alarm, but almost two-thirds of reported home fire deaths in 2003-2007 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Kitchens were the leading area of fire origin.

Ø      41% of home structure fires started in the kitchen. These fires

caused 36% of civilian home fire injuries.

Ø      15% of home fire deaths also resulted from kitchen fires.

Ø      8% of reported home fires started in the bedroom. These fires

caused

Ø      24% of home fire deaths and 21% of home fire injuries.

Ø      4% of home fire deaths started in the living room, family room, or

den.  These fires caused 23% of home fire deaths and 10% of the home

fire injuries.

Ø      Fires confined to chimneys or flues accounted for 6% of all reported

home fires. These fires caused very few casualties

 

Tue 4 Jan 2011

OSHA’s Reminder of Hazards Associated With Snow Removal

Posted by Allan under Safety
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Trade News Release Banner Image

Region 2 News Release: 10-224-NEW/BOS 2010-083
Thurs., Feb. 25, 2010
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074

US Labor Department’s OSHA reminds employers of hazards associated with snow cleanup and urges proper worker safeguards

NEW YORK – With the recent spate of snowstorms hitting the Northeast, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) wants to remind workers, employers and the general public of the hazards associated with snow removal and recovery work.

“Cleaning up after a storm encompasses a variety of tasks, each of which can carry risks if performed incorrectly or without proper safeguards,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York. “We want people to know what those risks are and what steps they can take to protect themselves against these hazards.”

Common hazards can include:

  • Electric shock from contact with downed power lines or the use of ungrounded electrical equipment.
  • Falls from snow removal on roofs or while working in aerial lifts or on ladders.
  • Being struck or crushed by trees, branches or structures that collapse under the weight of accumulated snow.
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning from gasoline-powered generators in inadequately ventilated areas or idling vehicles.
  • Lacerations or amputations from unguarded or improperly operated chain saws and power tools, and improperly attempting to clear jams in snow blowers.
  • Slips or falls on icy or snow-covered walking surfaces.
  • Being struck by motor vehicles while working in roadways.
  • Hypothermia or frostbite from exposure to cold temperatures.

Means of addressing these hazards can include:

  • Assuming all power lines are energized, keeping your distance and coordinating with the utility.
  • Making certain that all electrically powered equipment is grounded.
  • Providing and ensuring the use of effective fall protection.
  • Properly using and maintaining ladders.
  • Using caution around surfaces weighted down by large amounts of snow.
  • Making certain all powered equipment is properly guarded and disconnected from power sources before cleaning or performing maintenance.
  • Using and wearing eye, face and body protection.
  • Clearing walking surfaces of snow and ice, and using salt or equivalent where appropriate.
  • Establishing and clearly marking work zones.
  • Wearing reflective clothing.
  • Using engineering controls, personal protective equipment and safe work practices to reduce the length and severity of exposure to the cold.

Concise information on hazards and safeguards associated with cleanup and recovery activities after a storm or other major weather events is available online in English and Spanish at http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/hurricaneRecovery.html.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov