Monthly Archives: July 2015

Hazardous waste and materials can be found on quite a number of types of job sites. In fact, they’re usually a part of many work situations, as well. Which is why the OSHA has made it a point to require employees working with such conditions to know how to recognize risks, as well as learn how to handle and dispose of them correctly. This is where the HAZWOPER training comes in.

The HAZWOPER training is specifically designed to properly equip employees with the knowledge and skills necessary to keep themselves and other workers safe on site. And as required by the HAZWOPER standard, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be carefully selected in order to protect employees from specific hazards that they might be encountering during on-site work.

There are four levels of PPE required for different types of site conditions.

Personal Protective Equipment

LEVEL A
Protection for this level should be worn when the highest level of protection for the eyes, skin, and respiratory system is needed, such as when dealing with highly toxic releases like ammonia.

It includes the following:
1. Chemical-protective suit that totally encapsulates
2. Positive pressure full face-piece SCA, or NIOSH-approved positive pressure supplied air respirator with escape SCBA
3. Coveralls and long underwear
4. Chemical-resistant outer and inner gloves
5. Boots that are chemical-resistant, steel toe, and shank
6. Hard hat worn under the chemical protective suit
7. Disposable protective suit, boots, and gloves that are worn over the totally-encapsulating suit

LEVEL B
These should be worn when the highest level of respiratory protection is necessary, but skin protection is needed only to a lesser degree such as when dealing with splash hazards like acids, and includes the following protection:

1. Chemical-resistant clothing that is hooded
2. Positive pressure full face-piece SCA, or NIOSH-approved positive pressure supplied air respirator with escape SCBA
3. Coveralls
4. Chemical-resistant outer and inner gloves
5. Boots that are chemical-resistant, steel toe, and shank
6. Disposable chemical-resistant outer boot covers
7. Hard hat
8. Face shield

LEVEL C
Protection for this level should be worn when the criteria for air purifying respirator usage are met, and the types and concentration of airborne substances is known. Level C protection includes the use of the following equipment as appropriate:

1. NIOSH-approved air purifying respirators, half- or full-face mask
2. Chemical-resistant clothing that’s hooded
3. Coveralls.
4. Chemical-resistant outer and inner gloves
5. Boots that are chemical-resistant, steel toe, and shank
6. Disposable chemical-resistant outer boot covers
7. Escape mask
8. Hard hat
9. Face shield

LEVEL D
These do not provide any protection against chemical hazards, and should only be worn as a work uniform or for nuisance contamination. Level D equipment include the following, and are used when appropriate:

1. Coveralls
2. Gloves
3. Safety glasses or chemical splash goggles
4. Hard hat
5. Boots that are chemical-resistant, steel toe, and shank
6. Disposable chemical-resistant outer boot covers
7. Escape mask
8. Face shield

Completing HAZWOPER training with an OSHA-approved program gives more knowledge on the appropriate PPE to use during specific on-site situations.

HAZWOPER

What is Exsanguination? It is the severe loss of blood - it is life threatening and can lead to death in as little as 5 minutes if not addressed correctly.

We'll be talking about the importance of immediate bystander action to stop blood loss over the next few weeks, but want to lead in with sharing some past articles on the matter:

• Is there a better way to stop the bleeding?
• First Aid for Bleeding: Soft Tissue Injury, Cuts, Abrasions
• Cuts: The Whole Story
• Bleeding Control
• First Aid for External Bleeding
• Triage

Our Team is at the White House Today, participating in a round table on a new National initiative "Bystanders: Our Nation's Immediate Responders" with the National Security Council Staff.

As such, we have no special article for today (our Team isn't that big, so the missing staff are taxing our resources) but we hope to bring you some exciting new information from the advisory board meeting!

What is your response time? CERT Team Members, EMS, and others know the need to respond immediately to life-threatening situations. Do you?

Preparedness begins with You

While anyone trained in CPR & AED use knows that the window of lifesaving is mere minutes, it is important that all our readers understand that this can be the case in other emergencies as well.

Don't wait for outside help - when a disaster strikes, know what to do - do you evacuate? Do you get to a safe area inside? Is everyone accounted for? Are the Gas, Water, and electricity turned off if they need to be? These are concerns that you as an Immediate Responder should think about - BEFORE any outside help can possibly arrive.

You are the Hero in your own survival story. Heroism requires training and planning. Get on it.

Your workplace should be prepared to care for employees and guests in an emergency, up to and including resources for sheltering in place, rescue operations, and first aid care.

Your local EMS and CERT Teams train to assist and care for the community in an emergency.

Are you all set? Not nearly.

You, and only you can assure your own preparedness and safety. If EMS can't reach you at home, or you are in your car in a remote area when disaster strikes, how will these other preparedness plans help you? They won't.

Prepare yourself with CPR & First Aid Training, emergency disaster survival supplies, and an understanding of what threats exist wherever you may be - and how to deal with them during and after a cataclysmic event..

• Disaster Preparedness and Recovery
• Are You Prepared for an Emergency?
• Disaster Preparedness Apps
• Be Smart. Take Part. Prepare.
• Building and Sustaining Preparedness: A National Campaign
• The COOLEST Survival Gear Item
• Be Aware, Take Action To Prepare

Disaster, Survival, Preparation

Sunny Summer Sunday - get out and play! Just remember the sunblock, insect repellent and first aid - keep it FUN!

Have a Safe & Happy Summer!

Fires in homes remains a cause for major concern. Fires claim many lives. Fire safety experts say people can protect themselves, their family and their home by taking some simple precautions and making regular checks.

Fit a Smoke alarm
More than one third of home fire deaths occurr in homes not fitted with a smoke alarm and properties with smoke alarms not working accounted for nearly a fifth of deaths.

• Fit a smoke alarm on each level of your home.
• Test batteries every week and change them every year or fit a 10-year battery alarm and save money on batteries.
• If you have difficulty fitting an alarm yourself, call your local fire station and someone will come out and install it for you.

Put Smoking Materials Out
The biggest number of deaths  is from disposing of cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco carelessly. Every five days someone dies in a blaze caused by a cigarette. Be extra careful smoking when you are tired, taking prescription drugs or if you have been drinking.

• Stub them out completely and dispose of them carefully.
• Don’t smoke in bed. You could fall asleep and set fire to your bedclothes.
• Use an ashtray, not a wastepaper basket. And if you have guests staying the night and they smoke, provide them with ashtrays.

Be Careful When Cooking
The kitchen is the most dangerous place in your home. More than half of house fires are caused by cooking accidents.

Don’t leave children alone when using the stove and keep pan handles out of reach.

Don’t leave cooking unattended.

Be careful wearing loose clothing which can catch fire.

Make sure the oven and stove top are turned off when you have finished cooking.

Electrical Fires
Thousands of fires occur in homes every year due to faulty wiring and people misusing electrical appliances.

• Use the right fuse to prevent overheating.
• Don’t overload sockets, extension leads or adapters. Use one plug per socket if you can.
• Keep electrical appliances in good working order and watch out for loose wiring or hot plugs that could trigger fires.
• Unplug appliances when not in use.

Use Candles Carefully
People like to light candles. They can be useful if you have a power outage and they add atmosphere. Sadly, they cause three or more fires each day, so be carefully when using them.

• Put candles in a proper candle holder, on a heat-resistant surface, away from furnishings, such as curtains, and never under a shelf.
• Children and pets should not be left alone with lit candles.
• Sparks can fly when you blow candles out, so use a spoon or candle snuffer.

Fire Doors
Fire doors save lives and property by delaying the spread of fire and smoke from one area to another. Be sure to get appropriately rated doors if remodeling or building on your home..

• Never leave fire doors wedged or propped open.
• Fire doors must be fitted with intumescent seals, which expand in heat to close the gap between the door and frame.
• Consider fitting smoke seals to prevent the spread of smoke.

Fire Retardant Blanket, 62"x80", (70% wool, 30% man-made fibers), and 13.5"x17.5"x4" Vinyl Bag w/ 4 Mounting Brass Grommet Holes

Fire Blankets
Fire blankets are flame-resistant covers that can be used to extinguish a small fire or to wrap around a person.

• Make sure everyone in the house knows where the fire blanket is stored.
• When using a blanket, roll up your sleeves and wrap the top edges of the blanket around your hands to protect your hands and arms.
• Make sure you cover the whole area with the blanket to cut off the airflow and extinguish the flames.

Plan an Escape Route
Every second counts in a fire, so preparing a plan of evacuation and escape is a good idea.

• Make sure everyone in the house knows about the plan - including any guests.
• Keep the route free of obstructions and exits clear.
• Make a second route in case the first one is blocked and review your plans if you make changes to your home.
• Keep keys in a place where everyone can find them.

Have a Bedtime Routine
Many house fires start at night, so check for fire hazards before you go to bed. Taking extra care could save your life.

• Switch off and unplug electrical appliances not in use.
• Make sure all cigarettes or pipes are fully put out and before emptying ashtrays make sure the contents are cold.
• Close all the doors.

Burn First Aid & Burn Care Products and Supplies: From our Burn First Aid Kits to Burn Sprays, Burn Care Products and S.T.A.R.T Burn Care Unit. We offer Fire Blankets, Water Gel Wraps, Water Gel, Burn Cream & Dressings. Everything you need to treat burns!

Final Tip
If you are unsure about any of the advice listed above or for extra peace of mind, contact the fire service to organize a free fire risk assessment of your home. They will advise you if you need to take any action to make your home safer.

Sunday marks the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

We've come a long way since, but a quarter century ago, this was a truly groundbreaking piece of legislation prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in all aspects of community life, including employment. Observances of the civil rights landmark "ADA25" have ensued all summer long, and among those celebrating are the millions of people with disabilities working in jobs they love, as well as the employers who have benefited from their skills and talents.

As part of a series of activities to commemorate ADA25, the U.S. Department of Labor has developed a special interactive webpage.

The website features is a timeline chronicling the historical milestones that led up to the ADA's passage in 1990 and that have carried its spirit forward since.

Employers can also engage in the ADA25 festivities by promoting the anniversary through their communication channels, alerting their employees to the milestone, hosting disability-inclusion events for staff, and kicking-off their planning for National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October.

Did you know this is National My Social Security Week?

Enroll in mySocialSecurity

My Social Security Week is a good opportunity to learn more about opening an online Social Security account. Even if you’re nowhere near retirement, having an account will help you track your earnings, give you quicker access to manage the benefits you may be receiving, and much more.

With an account, you can verify earnings and get estimates of future benefits to help make important financial decisions. If you are already receiving benefits, you can get a benefit verification letter, check benefit and payment information, change your address or direct deposit information, and get a replacement Medicare card or SSA-1099 for tax season.
A my Social Security account is convenient, secure, and FREE!

Plan for your future, and join the over 20 million who’ve opened an account! If you’re interested in learning more about how to open an account, this video walks you through the step-by-step process of setting one up.

Learn how to create your own online my Social Security account. You can use it to view a record of your earnings, the Social Security taxes you have paid and an estimate of your future benefits. Once you start receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll be able to manage your personal account. Check your payments, sign up for or change direct deposit, get an online benefit verification letter and change your address.

When you’re ready to create your account, go to the Social Security website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/signin

Older Americans means deeper considerations around CPR & Lifesaving Measures