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

No one knows how or when a disaster will strike. But everyone should be prepared. A disaster is a sudden event that causes great harm to people and property. The disaster might be severe weather, such as a hurricane or a tornado. Or it might be a flood, an earthquake, or a volcano.

Disasters can also be caused by people. A large fire might threaten an entire community.

Chemicals might spill from a truck. A terrorist attack might threaten air, water, or personal safety. Being prepared starts with having a conversation. Household members need to talk about the kinds of things that can happen where you live. Develop a family communication plan and assemble disaster supply kits that are stored in an identified place in the home. If a disaster does strike, go to an inside room of your home, or to the room with the fewest windows. Bring your disaster supply kit with you. Listen to a battery-powered radio for news and instructions.

Sometimes household members are away from home during a disaster. Or emergency officials might advise you to leave your home. In either case, you and your loved ones will need a place to meet. Pick a friend or relative’s house outside your neighborhood. Be sure to pick this place before a disaster strikes so you can be prepared. Also, memorize the phone number of a relative that lives out of state. Use it if you become separated from your loved ones. Let that relative know where you are so your loved ones can find you.

Your communication plan should include:

• Places in and out of your town, where you and your family could meet.

• Phone numbers of in-town contacts.

• An address and phone number of someone out of town (this could be a friend or relative).

• You can write this information on a card that each family member keeps with them. Help your children feel safe.

• Discuss and learn together about the different types of weather that can affect your area.

• Tell your children that you or another grownup will be there to help if something happens. Talk about how a relief worker, firefighter, police officer, teacher, neighbor or doctor might help.

• Put a list of emergency numbers by each telephone in your home. Tell you children what each number is for. You should also list the work and cell phone numbers of family members.

FEMA has a site, www.Ready.gov which is devoted to emergency planning.  FEMA’s motto is:

1. Get a Kit
2. Make a Plan
3. Be Informed

There are many disasters happening throughout the US.  BE PREPARED!

Winter is almost here.  Some places have already experienced snowfall and hazardous roads.  Here are some winter driving tips for you to consider.

Tip #1: First, check to make sure your vehicle is mechanically ready for the winter.

• Make sure your windshield wipers work properly. For some, snow blades may be a better choice than the all season blades. Visibility is key for driving in not-so-good weather conditions

• Take your vehicle in for a mechanical check up on anti-freeze/coolant, oil changes, windshield wiper fluid, and take care of any major vehicle issues that could possibly become hazardous during the winter season.

• Also, check to make sure that your tires are properly inflated, under or over inflation can reduce the gripping action of the tires due to the tread not meeting the road surface which may cause or increase your chances of getting into an accident.

• Keep your gas tank at least half full. More fuel in your tank will help reduce moisture problems and also helps to add weight.

• For RWD vehicles, extra weight may be necessary. Make sure it is distributed evenly and securely fastened. Bags of sand or kitty litter are great choices and help provide traction in case you go into the ditch or become stuck.

Tip #2: During snowy winter months, set your alarm clock to an earlier time leaving you with plenty of time to get to work in case of accidents and traffic back-ups.

Tip #3: Start your vehicle 10 minutes before leaving to get the vehicle warmed up. Also make sure that you fully brush off your windshield, all windows, mirrors, brake lights and headlights. Do not brush off little patches, you want to be noticed when your driving down the road and it can become very dangerous.

Tip #4: Always wear your seatbelt!

Tip #5: Choose the best route for work. Avoid hills, crowded areas and bridges.

Tip #6: Do not use a cell phone while driving in the snow or on ice. Concentrate on driving not the conversation. Your life could depend on it. (Note: See blog “Is Texting While Driving Deadly?”)

Tip #7: Drive with caution, be aware of posted speed limits and leave enough room for the driver in front of you in case you have to stop abruptly. Be advised that during serious weather conditions, it is best to slow down even in posted areas to help prevent accidents.

Tip # 8: Importantly, stay alert to the actions of other drivers. You do not know what their next move could be. Anticipate vehicles from side streets, in front of you, as well as behind you.

Tip #9: Keep your vehicle stocked with simple emergency equipment in case you do get into an accident or stall. Consider having these essentials tucked away in your vehicle:

• Blankets

• A small shovel

• Tow rope

• Bag of sand or kitty litter for traction

• Long jumper cables

• Flashlights

• Flares or neon sticks

• A cell phone, C.B. Radio or ham radio

• A windshield scraper and brush

• Snacks (it’s best if you leave energy or snack bars in a place like your glove compartment or center council compared to a backpack or storage place where they could ultimately be left for a period of time and could stale.)

• Non-alcoholic beverages (also should be left up front where could be visibly seen. You don’t want to drink anything that’s been sitting for a while.)

• Candles and matches

• An extra or old pair of winter boots

• Gloves, hats, scarf’s, etc (you wouldn’t want to be outside in a harsh winter with just your work cloths on.)

• And anything else you may consider to be part of your emergency kit.

Tip #10: Use Common Sense. If you feel that you pose a danger while driving or feel that you could be in danger, stay home, its not worth losing your life over it.

Keep you and other drivers safe for the winter season by using these tips.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released a new report titled Personal Preparedness in America: Findings from the 2009 Citizen Corps National Survey that offers data on the public’s thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors related to preparedness and community safety for multiple types of hazards. FEMA says the report’s findings are particularly relevant as the nation prepares for a possible pandemic flu outbreak, hurricane season, and other hazards.

Results from the national survey have important implications for the development of more effective communication and outreach strategies to achieve greater levels of preparedness and participation, the agency says. For example, the results indicate that 30 percent of Americans have not prepared because they think that emergency responders will help them and that more than 60 percent expect to rely on emergency responders in the first 72 hours following a disaster. While government will execute its functions, communications to the public should convey a more realistic understanding of emergency response capacity and emphasize the importance of self-reliance. FEMA concludes that messaging should thus speak to a shared responsibility and stress that everyone has a role to play in preparedness and response.

The survey also found that many people who report being prepared have not completed important preparedness activities or do not have a sound understanding of community plans. Of those who perceived themselves to be prepared, 36 percent did not have a household plan, 78 percent had not conducted a home evacuation drill, and 58 percent did not know their community’s evacuation routes.

Fourteen percent of respondents reported having a physical or other disability that would affect their capacity to respond to an emergency situation. Alarmingly, however, few individuals with disabilities had taken specific actions to help them respond safely in the event of an emergency, the study found. Only 27 percent had taken a CPR or first aid training and less than half (47 percent) had a household plan. Another 14 percent of survey participants indicated they lived with and/or cared for someone with a physical or other disability. Of these individuals, less than 40 percent reported taking a CPR or first aid training (36 percent and 39 percent respectively) and 53 had supplies set aside in their home.

The report notes that practicing response protocols is critical for effective execution; this is true for emergency responders and true for the public. Fewer than half the surveyed individuals (41 percent) had practiced a workplace evacuation drill, only 14 percent had participated in a home evacuation drill, and of those in school and/or with children in school, only 23 percent had participated in a school evacuation drill. And the numbers are much lower for shelter in place drills (27 percent, 10 percent, and 13 percent respectively). Drills and exercises for multiple hazards and multiple locations need to be conducted through social networks, the study found. In addition, community members need to be included more effectively in government-sponsored community exercises.

The survey results indicate that individuals’ perceived utility of preparing and their confidence in their ability to respond varies significantly by disaster type. Only 7 percent of individuals felt that nothing they did would help them handle a natural disaster, whereas 35 percent felt nothing they did would help them in an act of terrorism, such as a biological, chemical, radiological, or explosive attack. All-hazards terminology may mask important nuances relative to conveying personal preparedness guidance for specific hazards. The report thus says it is important to emphasize the survivability of manmade disasters and the relevant protective measures for these hazards.

The report notes that national leaders must be strong advocates for personal preparedness, but adds it is clear that messages specific to individual preparedness must include critical local information, such as information on local hazards, local alerts and warnings, and local community response protocols. Local social networks must also be used to support outreach and education on personal preparedness, such as neighborhoods, the workplace, schools, and faith communities. And the concepts of mutual support at the local, neighborhood level should be emphasized.

To read the survey report, go to www.citizencorps.gov/ready/2009findings.shtm.

A Confined Space Safety Policy can be divided into 9 sections.
This article briefly describes the nine parts of a comprehensive yet efficient confined space safety program.

1 - Purpose - The confined space safety policy states the requirements for the identification and safe entry into both permit required and non-permit required confined spaces.  The policy applies to areas of the workplace not designed for continuous occupancy and containing recognized serious safety or health hazards.
2 - Reference - OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146
3 - Scope - Applicable to all of the business’s employees, visitors and contractors.
4 - Administration - Variable, but generally administration of the confined space policy is by safety coordinators, supervisors, engineers and other trained managerial staff.
5 - Definitions - Can be standard, see: OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Act
6 - Descriptions -

Confined Space is an area/space where an employee: - has limited openings for entry and egress; - can bodily enter and which is large enough to perform assigned work; - could be engulfed by bulk materials; - is not intended to continuously occupy.
Non-Permit Required Confined Space is a confined space neither containing nor having the potential to contain any hazard.
Permit Required Confined Space is a confined space with: - a hazardous atmosphere or potential for it; - material that could engulf an entrant; - converging/tapering walls/floors that could entrap or asphyxiate; - a recognized hazard.
Procedures Followed For All Permit Required Confined Space Entry
- - Permit
- - Issuance - By the supervisor, mandatory for the employee, one shift in duration.
- - Cancellation - At shift end or on job completion.
- - Retention - Must be reviewed and kept. -
- - Alternate Entry/Space Reclassification - Specific ref: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 (c)(5)/(c)(7)
- - Pre-Entry Briefing - By permit issuing entry supervisor.
- - Contractor Notification - Outside contractor adheres to procedures - compliance must be assured.
- - Lighting Requirements - Natural, auxiliary, emergency.
- - Special Tools and Equipment - Intrinsically safe in flammable or combustible atmosphere.
- - Preparation and Hazard Control - Preventing engulfment, burns. Lockout/tagout procedures.
- - Assuring adequate ventilation.
- - Pre-Entry Atmospheric Testing - Includes employee training with testing equipment.
- - Monitor Calibration and Testing
- - Field and Manufacturer Testing.
- - Attendant Duties - Mandatory for permit required confined space entry, no other duties.
- - Entry Supervisor Duties - Trained and authorized entry supervisor.
- - Safety Equipment - PPE, non-entry rescue, rescue, general.
- - Equipment Inspection - Per manufacturer’s recommendation.
- - Handling Problems
- - Rescue and Emergency Services - Documented, available, trained, equipped.
- - Summoning Rescue Services Procedure

7 - Responsibilities - Employees and Entry Supervisor - Safety Coordinators - Supervisors - Contractors
8 - Training - Initial - Refresher - Annual
9 - Revision - Annually by Safety Coordinators

These are the nine parts of a Confined Space Safety Policy.
Fleshed out details of just such a policy can be read at Confined Space Safety Policy

The recent cold snap has shown the need for people to be prepared when travelling in the winter. That’s particularly true if you have to drive for work.
 
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Europe’s largest professional health and safety body, has produced a few tips to help ensure your travel, whether it be commuting to or from work or for pleasure, remains safe despite the weather.

• Driving in severe winter conditions or commuting to work will involve increased risk. Decide first of all if your car journey is really necessary, particularly with technology offering working from home as a solution, or use public transport as an alternative to driving.
• If you are going to drive in poor winter conditions, make sure your vehicle is well maintained. Ensure that you have topped off the windshield washer fluid and that there is enough liquid to prevent it freezing. Check tire pressures, oil, coolant, and antifreeze levels and top off if necessary.
• Think about items that might be useful to have in the car in case of an emergency: a shovel, blanket, some water and food, boots, torch, de-icer and scraper, a couple of old newspapers (to help prevent tires from spinning), high-visibility clothing, mobile phone and map or satellite navigation to plan an alternative route.
• If the journey is essential, inform someone where you are going and what time you expect to arrive.
• It may be better to postpone an early morning journey a short time until the roads have been cleared or the sun has risen.
• Listen to news and weather reports on the radio prior to and during the journey.
  While driving, be aware of your surroundings so you can report your location should you become stranded.
• Drive according to the road conditions.
• In the event of being stranded, stay in your vehicle and keep the engine running—unless stuck in deep snow where there is a risk of buildup of carbon monoxide from exhaust fumes. Use a mobile phone to let someone know where you are stranded.
• Make your vehicle as visible as possible to emergency crew. You can do this by using lights or tying a brightly colored scarf to the antenna.
   
  For businesses and other organizations, the winter weather brings additional hazards to buildings that must be managed. Slips and trips are the most common cause of winter work hazards in Europe, accounting for 39% of major injuries at work and more than a quarter of all injuries requiring three or more days off work.
   
  All employers and businesses need to make sure that frequently used access paths, which get covered with frost or snow are cleared or salted to help prevent people from slipping.

We recently experienced 2 very powerful hurricanes, which not only left damage and destruction throughout the south, but also impacted the midwest with heavy rainfalls and flooding.  So was your company or organization emergency ready?  Many were not.

FEMA, Homeland Security, The Red Cross, along with others have materials to help you prepare for disruption of your business.

Here are some things you might want to consider:

• Back up your computer system. Make sure your computers are backed up, preferably off site, and the programs to restore your business data are current. Also, practice restoring your system. After the fact is not the time to test.
• Set up an employee call network. Get employee phone and cell numbers and break your workforce into groups. If there is a natural disaster, have one person in charge of calling everyone in their group, then reporting back to management.
• Have adequate generator capacity. Make sure you have a generator that can run your facility before a disaster strikes. Needless to say, a reliable fuel source is a must. Set it up and test it.
• Stockpile supplies. Store non-perishable food items and other essentials that may be needed after a storm, to create an environment where employees will want to come to work. If you take care of your employees after a disaster, they will take care of you.
• Train first responders on emergency procedures and then all the employees. Ensure that first responders have adequate notice to get employees to a safe area depending on the diaster.
• Secure your facility unless in the case of fire there is no time.
• Plan for after the diaster. Designate a team to assess damages and take stock of what’s happened after the danger has passed.

You can also review Compliance Resource Center articles on Emergency Prepardness:

Exit Routes and Emergency Action Plans (1910.33)

Emergency Preparedness Be Ready

Fire Prevention Plan

Communications Preparedness Tips

NFPA Evacuation Guide to People with Disabilities

There are more articles at www.thecrcenter.com.  So now is the time if you do not have a emergency plan GET ONE and the other important word is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

As hurricane season approaches, the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign and The Advertising Council are reaching out to small businesses and encouraging them to “define their day after” by putting emergency preparedness at the top of their to-do list. A series of national public service advertisements entitled “Procrastination” were released nationwide last week for radio, print, Internet, and outdoor media. Tapping into the natural tendency for individuals to put off making plans for another day, the PSAs focus on what can happen when business owners choose to place making an emergency plan at the bottom of their to-do list.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, small businesses employ more than half of all Americans. However, Institute for Business and Home Safety research shows that, at the minimum, one in four businesses never reopen following a disaster. “Research conducted by the Ad Council found that more than 85 percent of small businesses understand that emergency preparedness is important, yet only four in ten businesses have a plan to protect their businesses,” said DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff. “The ability of these businesses to survive and recover quickly from both natural and man-made disasters directly benefits employees, customers, the community, and the local, and even national, economy.”

The “Procrastination” PSAs were created by Neiman Group and mark the third round of national PSAs created for Ready Business, a component of the Ready Campaign. Ready Business is designed to help owners and managers of small- to medium-size businesses prepare their employees, operations, and assets in the event of an emergency by providing practical steps and easy-to-use templates. To date, the Ready Business effort has received more than $91.1 million in donated media support; its Web site has received more than 29.7 million hits and more than 2.6 million unique visitors; and more than 2.3 million Ready Business materials have been requested or downloaded from the Web site. For more information on SBA’s disaster program and preparedness tips, and links to the public service announcements and the Nationwide disaster guide, visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/disasterpreparedness/index.html.

 One of the most common questions I get asked about is Exits Routes (Means of Egress) and Emergency Action Plans.  These two are synergistic with each other.  A good Emergency Action Plan should include all exit routes.  Too often we hear of employees getting injured or dying in an emergency situation.  Proper planning and training can help eliminate many of these incidents.