Safety at Work

Work Zone Safety:  These words could mean the difference between life and death.

According to the National Safety Council statists, in 2003 there were 4,500 workplace fatalities… and 3.4 million American workers suffered disabling injuries.

So with these statists, shouldn’t Work Zone Safety be on one’s mind Every Time one enters a work zone to avoid “An Accident”?

“An Accident”, this is something that some people think to themselves, This Won’t Happen to Me. Well there is much to be said about   “An Accident.”

 First of all, one should not think,

But the truth is (it only takes a few seconds) for “An Accident” to happen. And a few seconds could mean the difference between life and death. A few seconds could mean the difference between being able open one’s eyes in the morning and being able to see the sparkling sun. A few seconds could mean the difference in not being able to get out of bed EVER AGAIN, and just doing the simple task of getting dressed, or making a hot cup of coffee. 

And what about the gift of being able to use one’s own two legs, and being able to walk outside on a gorgeous spring day, this doesn’t seem like such a hard task. But in just a few seconds, if one does not use traffic and safety equipment in a work zone, one may not be able to use one’s own two legs.

Just a few seconds, could also mean the difference between being able, or not being able to use ones five senses, and being able, or not being able to communicate to family and friends, or even just being able to do a simple task like thinking.

To avoid such tragedies, doesn’t it make good sense to take - just a few seconds – to use safety equipment, to put on a hard hat, or a reflective vest? 

Likewise; highway safety equipment such as banners, Wide Load, or Oversize Load, slow moving vehicle emblems, and fluorescent flags, also help to prevent “Accidents”.  Because when driving long distance on the highway, there’s no one directing traffic away from a slow moving vehicle, there’s no one standing in middle of the road, holding a fluorescent stop sign, and controlling moving traffic. So these vehicle safety banners, emblems, and fluorescent flags are a good way to warn motorists of traffic pattern changes.  These signs alert them, to slow down, and keep a safe distance away.

All in all, using Trafficand Safety Equipment helps to save lives. And when using safety equipment, then one can hopefully say. “The Accident Won’t Happen to Me.” 

Barbara Martin

Nighttime Walking

Now that the warm nights are upon us, folks are looking forward to - Getting Out There and Walking - Getting Back into Shape. But be careful! There are protective measures that need to addressed, like proper nighttime clothing, appropriate reflective gear, and heeding road safety guidelines.

Nighttime walking requires extra protective measures that some pedestrians don’t realize. For example, when crossing the street at night, don’t assume that you can be seen by oncoming motorists. The fact is, that sometimes they are unable see you. Why? Because motorists coming your way may be distracted, thus preventing them from being able to see you.

Due to the overwhelming amount of accidents caused by distracted driving, The National Safety Council is promoting April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

They estimate that 1.1 million accidents per year involve talking of the cell phone, and 213,000 involve texting.

FACT! Drivers on cell phones are distracted, and sometimes are not aware of pedestrians. Drivers looking in their rear view mirror might not notice you. Drivers adjusting their GPS device may not be paying attention to the road. And sometimes drivers are blinded by oncoming high beams, and this will for sure hinder their ability to see you.  

So walkers, make sure you’re seen. Take protective measures. Wear reflective safety belts. Wear reflective clothing. Carry flashlights.

And furthermore, follow the rules of the road. Stay Alert to motorists. Be aware of reckless drivers. If possible, make eye contact with motorists before crossing the street, because they may be looking, But Not Really Looking.

Also, when crossing the street, watch out for potholes or other hazards that may cause injury.

And Walkers:   Know that Your Safety is not only the responsibility of the motorists, but it’s Your Responsibility as well. So enjoy your nighttime walks, good luck getting into shape, and be safe.

Barbara Martin

All this is truly magnificent, But First Things First, you must  stay safe while you’re out there.

Gearing up for a hike is extremely important. Whether you are an experienced hiker or a beginner, safety measures should not be taken lightly. For even the most skilled trekker, an accident can – unfortunately - happen.

So here are a few items that you should consider.

Water is of the utmost importance for avoiding dehydration, and it has the extra benefit of giving you some extra energy. 

Having a whistle on hand is extremely valuable. If you happen to get lost, and are in need of rescue, a whistle is ideal. It can be heard from great distances and could make the difference between being rescued or not. Moreover, if an unexpected storm arises, with a whistle you have a greater chance of being heard, rather than with your own voice.  A compass and a pocket knife can be crucial as well.

Another safety tip is to wear bright, reflective colors. Light color leggings are a good choice. Not only will this improve your ability to be seen, but it also helps you notice ticks and other insects.

A first aid kit should also be on your list of safety supplies. It may not only for your sake, but for the sake of other hikers as well.    

Being out in the trails sometimes involves greater physical demands than one may have expected. So having an emergency radio on hand is a good plan of action.

 A good planned hike also includes letting others know where you intend to hike, and staying on marked trails. 

All in all, on any kind of hike, safety is of the highest priority. Having safety equipment on hand, like whistles, emergency radios, compasses, maps, and reflective clothing is the way to go. Be safe, and enjoy the natural world.

Barbara Martin