Safety

Incidents can be minor, major or SEVERE, but we still consider these to all be incidents. They also need to be investigated in order to identify the “WHO”, “WHAT”, “WHEN”, “WHY”, and “HOW”. Timely and efficient reporting is critical regardless of the severity of the incident. Even if one does not need medical attention, it is just as important to report these incidents.

Accidents in many times begin and develop from atypical occasions or tasks. With this being said they sometimes provide little information about the possibility of a future incident. In contrast, the greater and higher frequency of incidents, the more information they give of human error, process failures, site evaluations, and procedure weaknesses. The documentation of these issues helps determine the root causes, which will help the likelihood of us repeating failures.

Nothing is learned from an unreported incident. As many of us can attests, many incidents come within inches from being a life altering injury, which should make reporting them more serious. When an incident goes unreported, the preventative measures or controls go uncorrected. This means that if it happens again, it could cause tomorrow’s life altering injury or fatality.

Why is incident reporting necessary?

• Process, so a situation can be corrected
• Informing management of problems
• Prompt medical attention
• Preventing more sever incidents
• Documenting to track patterns
• Incident reports to prevent lawsuits
• Reporting minor incidents, to hopefully reduce cost of a major incident
• Feedback from incidents, encouraging employee involvement
• Creates a stronger safety culture
• Awareness of threats, other hazards
• Encourages improvement
• Inspires urgency

Immediate action may be needed, depending on the severity of the incident or even the existing hazard that caused the incident. In certain situations, we may have to activate the emergency procedure in order to take immediate action, such as fire alarms or EMTs.

When an accident happens, a first aid program that meets the requirements of the law and is tailored to the type and size of the workplace can literally make the difference between life and death, or between recovery and permanent disablement.

Posted Emergency Notice

Supervisors should have information readily available that list emergency facilities in case of a serious injury.  The emergency notice should state the phone numbers of the closest ambulance service, fire/rescue unit, police station, and hospital.  The amount of time it takes to look up one of these important numbers can make a big difference to a seriously injured person.  The location of first aid equipment and rescue equipment should also be posted prominently.

Accessible First Aid Kits

First aid equipment and supplies should be stored where they can be reached quickly and easily in case of an accident.  These supplies should be inspected frequently, making sure they are kept in sanitary and usable condition and re-stocked after use.  Larger workplaces may need more than one, fully equipped first aid kit.

In isolated work sites, emergency supplies and an action plan are especially important.  If first aid is not given properly, it can sometimes hurt rather than help an injured or ill person, or even be harmful to the person giving the first aid.  All workers should know where the emergency first aid equipment is located, and what medical professional or medical facility should be contacted if a medical emergency should occur.  If there are questions in regards to facility, contact someone in the safety department.

These are simple objectives to administer when providing First Aid to an injured person until professional help arrives.

• Make sure you and the victim are not in any danger.
• Maintain individual breathing
• Maintain blood circulation
• Prevent continued loss of blood
• Prevent or treat for shock
• Contact the nearest Medical Services as soon as possible.

One of the handy tips for caring for a victim: If the face is red, raise the head.  If the face is pale, raise their feet to help reduce or prevent shock from setting in.

Check to make sure someone on your jobsite has a current first Aid- CPR certification, if no one does make sure that you contact the Gribbins Safety Department to see when the next scheduled class will be.

With the start of summer and increased temperatures it is important to know what you can do to reduce the risk of a heat related illness and what to do if one of these types of situation was to occur.  Heat related illnesses are progressive conditions caused by overexposure to heat.  If they are recognized in the early stages they can usually be reversed.  If they are not caught early, they may progress to life threatening conditions.

Measures to Prevent Heat Stress`1q2`

• Engineering controls include general ventilation, personal cooling devices or protective clothing.
• Work practice controls include drinking plenty of fluids.  It is recommended that you drink one glass of water (8 ounces) every 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the heat and humidity.
• Alternating work and rest periods with more rest periods in cool areas can help workers avoid heat stress.  If possible, heavy work should be scheduled during the cooler part of the day.
• Acclimatization to the heat through short exposures followed by longer periods of work in the hot environment can reduce heat stress.
• Read medication labels to know how to cause the body to react to the sun and heat.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs, they can increase the effects of heat.
• Employees shall be educated so they are aware of the need to replace fluids and salt lost through sweat and can recognize dehydration, exhaustion, fainting, heat cramps, salt deficiency, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Types of Heat Illness

Heat Cramps – Are severe muscle spasms that often begin suddenly in the hands, calves or feet they are painful and disabling.  The muscles become hard, tense and difficult to relax.  They are caused by salt depletion as sweat losses are replaced by water alone.  Heat cramps result from over exertion and heavy sweating.

Heat Exhaustion – Causes excessive fluid loss form heavy sweating, leading to increased fatigue, weakness, anxiety, drenching sweats, low blood pressure, faintness and sometimes collapse.  Heat exhaustion results from prolonged exposure to extreme heat for many hours.  The over heating is due to the electrolytic fluid loss that reduces blood volume, which lowers blood pressure and the pulse.

Heat Stroke – Is a life-threatening condition is caused by over exertion and over exposure to extreme heat environments.  Heat stroke is imminent when the core body temperature approaches 106 F any higher may result in coma or even death.  The symptoms are dizziness, weakness, emotional instability, nausea/vomiting, confusion, delirium, blurred vision, convulsions, collapse and unconsciousness.  The skin is flushed, hot to the touch, and at first may be covered with sweat that soon dries.  Be aware of these warning signs.

First Aid Measures

Heat Stroke:  Move the victim to a cool place.  Remove heavy clothing; light clothing can be left in place.

Immediately cool the victim by any available means.  This can be accomplished by placing ice packs at areas with abundant blood supply (neck, armpits, and groin).  Wet towels or sheets are also effective.  The cloths should be kept wet with cool water.  Continue to cool the victim until their temperature drops to 102 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent hyperthermia.  Keep the victim’s head and shoulders slightly elevated.  Seek medical attention immediately.  All heat stroke victims need hospitalization.  Care for seizures if they occur.  Do not use aspirin or acetaminophen.

Heat exhaustion:  Move the victim to a cool place.  Keep the victim lying down with legs straight and elevated 8 to 12 inches.  Cool the victim by applying cold packs or wet towels or cloths.  Fan the victim.

Give the victim cold water if he or she is fully conscious.  If no improvement is noted within 30 minutes, seek medical attention.

If any employee shows signs or symptoms of a heat related illness the Safety Department must be notified immediately.