Why discuss safety?

1. How to Play It safe while working in the fieldPresented at:Harris County OSSF SymposiumApril 30, 2013Presented by :Cheryl Burton FentressHarris County HHW Program Manager

2. Why discuss safety? • You need to be knowledgeable about certain hazards you may encounter on your job. • Having knowledge of safety related issues is important for both you and your employer. • Safety is mostly common sense but we become common and complacent in regards to safety. • You are provided training but it is YOUR responsibility to use what you have learned and put safety into action.

3. What are the most common safety issues? • Temperature related issues • Strains to muscles / joints • Slips, trips, and falls • Bites • Irate persons • Bio/Chemical hazards • Driving issues • and many more!

4. Temperature Related Stress

5. Heat Stress • What is it? • How does your body cool itself? • What happens if it can no longer do this? • If your body overheats & dehydration occurs, what happens next? • What are the degrees of heat stress? Heat Rash Heat Cramps Heat Exhaustion Heat Stroke

6. Four Stages of Heat Stress • Heat Rash: Is aka “prickly heat”, red rash or blisters, non-life threatening. • Heat Cramps: Have severe cramps in limbs and stomach, not life threatening but painful, may not occur while working. • Heat Exhaustion: Is serious, occurs when the body’s cooling system is overworked but not shut down. Seek medical assistance. Do not let it progress into Heat Stroke. • Heat Stroke: Is extremely serious, can be fatal, body’s system can no longer cool itself, depleted of water and minerals, and is shutting down. Get medical assistance ASAP.

7. Cold Stress Low temperatures cause the body to conserve body heat by reducing the flow of blood, diverting blood flow to the core of your body. Then the wind moves the air across the skin increasing the rate of convection of heat across the body. Frostbite: Damage to the skin that is manifested in 2 ways. • Superficial frostbite – where the outer layer of the skin is frozen. • Affected tissue must be protected from further exposure. • Slowly warm up the tissue without rubbing it. • Deep Frostbite – involves freezing of the tissue underneath the outer skin • More severe than superficial • Requires medical assistance for treatment • Protect from further exposure and DO NOT ATTEMPT TO THAW AFFECTED TISSUE! Hypothermia: The body’s core temperature drops and reduces circulation to the extremities in an attempt to conserve heat. • Signs: • Confusion and slurred difficult speech • Sleepiness and an intoxicated appearance • Loss of manual dexterity

8. Ways to prevent temperature related injuries & illnesses • Acclimate yourself to your environment • WATER - REST - SHADE • Eat and drink wisely • Replenish your fluids but do not shock your system with cold liquids. No Energy or Caffeinated Drinks. Think Water and Pickle Juice! • Wear light/moisture-wicking clothing and hats in the summer and dress in layers during colder months • Ask your doctor if the medications you take can have side effects if you work in high heat areas • Perform heavy labor activities in the early morning or evening Go to www.cdc.gov or www.osha.gov for additional information

9. MUSCLE STRAINSSLIPS TRIPS & FALLS

10. Proper Lifting Techniques • Know the weight of what you are lifting • Avoid lifting from the ground or above the shoulders • Lift slowly and do not use a jerking motion • Do not twist while lifting • Keep the load close to you and secure your footing • Carry in “the zone” • Try to avoid carrying the load more than 10 feet • Use mechanical assistance if necessary

11. Slips, Trips, and Falls There can be many ways you can slip, trip, or fall in the field • Uneven/rough terrain • Traction on high/wet grass and dirt • Falls into trenches • Tripping over tools and equipment • Weight distribution when carrying items • Safety glasses, shoes, etc. • Office dangers – cords, clutter, etc.

12. Avoid these situations by…… • Using proper lifting techniques and a back brace • Asking for mechanical means or asking for assistance when lifting heavy objects • Scoping out your job site before you start working • Make sure area is safe after digging – loose soil can be dangerous • Make sure your area is free of trip hazards • Immediately clean up any spill • Avoid repetitive motion • Make sure your PPE is properly fitted (and that you wear it!)

13. ANIMAL BITES

14. Dog Bites • Not all dog parents are responsible • Many dogs are trained to protect • Even a small dog can attack • Dogs on a chain are more likely to be aggressive • Report any stray or aggressive animal • Each year in the United States • 4.7 million persons receive bites • 800,000 receive medical attention • 360,000 receive extended treatment • 16 are fatally wounded

15. Preventing dog bites If approached by a dog on a job site: • Ask the owner to restrain • Do not make direct eye contact or smile • Remain motionless and stand with your side to the dog • Do not run or scream – they sense fear • Back away slowly if the dog retreats or loses interest • Use a “block” if necessary (Stick, plastic pole, leg, etc) • If knocked over, roll into a ball and lie still • Do not startle a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies • If attacked, seek medical attention & immediately report the animal

16. Snake Bites • Texas Department of State Health Services: • Annually, 7,000 persons are bitten by venomous snakes in the US • Only 0.2% venomous snake bites result in death • On average, 1 – 2 people in Texas die each year • Roughly half of all venomous bites are “dry” Venomous snakes in Texas: Pit Vipers: cottonmouth, copperhead, rattlesnake Elapids: Texas Coral Snakes

17. How to prevent snake bites • Snakes are generally shy and non-confrontational • If surprised or threatened – they will attack • If left undisturbed – they will leave or not strike • Stand very still and do not make loud noises • If you have stepped close to it and not been struck – leave your foot there – do not move • Do not provoke or throw rocks at it • If you are in an area prone to snakes – wear protective footwear and do not move large rocks or fallen trees

18. I’ve been bitten! What now? • Determine if the snake is venomous • Keep calm and seek medical attention as soon as possible • Apply first aid: • Lay or sit with the bite area below your heart level • Wash the area with soap and water • Cover with a clean dry cloth • Do not: • Pick up the snake or try to trap it • Wait for symptoms to appear • Apply a tourniquet, apply ice, or immerse in water • Cut the wound and suck the venom out • Drink alcohol as a painkiller or drink caffeinated beverages

19. IRATE HUMANS

20. Let’s face it, not everybody is happy camper • Reasons you are there: • Installation • Repair • Inspection • Complaint • Do Not: • Get angry in return • Insult them • Ask them to calm down • Try to appease their anger by accepting blame or state you understand how they feel • Make promises you cannot keep • Engage in verbal abuse or physical activity with them

21. You can try to make them a happy camper, but…. • Do: • Remain calm and composed • Acknowledge their anger • Prepare yourself if you know it is coming • Only state facts – have information written down • Place yourself in a path you can escape if necessary • Protect yourself if necessary • Relinquish any hope you will make them happy • Realize it is not personal Do Not Remain On-site If You Feel Threatened!

22. Biological and Chemical EXPOSURES

23. Biological Hazards • The Center to Protect Workers Rights (CPWR) • Sewage and wastewater contain bacteria, funguses, parasites, and viruses that can cause intestinal, lung, and other infections. • Following careful work habits (equipment, work practices, and PPE) can prevent these from getting into your system • Absorption • Inhalation • Ingestion • Injection • You can be exposed during any part of inspection, treatment, transport, or application of sewage sludge

24. Chemical Hazards • Reactive: Chlorine tablets (Hypochlorites are very reactive) • Flammable: Solvent welding materials, diesel fuels • If it has not rained in a while and the ground is wet…. • Kids (and adults) are finding new ways to make their own toys on the internet…. • Never pick up waste or items on the ground! • Illegal dumping of household materials

25. Protect yourself • Training and education • Vaccinations up to date: Tetanus and diphtheria • Use engineered controls and work practices • PPE: goggles, proper gloves, face shield, water resistant suit • Designated areas: handwashing, eating/drinking, clothes change • Make good choices: • Keep nails short and use a brush to clean them • Cover chapped or open wounds on hands and arms • Take a shower as soon as possible • Do not wash work clothes with regular clothes • Report any injuries, illnesses, or near misses • Decon if necessary

26. DRIVING TIPS

27. Driving Tips • Although vehicle fatalities have gone down in recent years because newer cars have better safety features - the number of traffic deaths caused by distracted driving has increased because of the increased use of electronic gadgets. • What is distracted driving? • Visual – taking your eyes off of the road • Manual – taking your hands off of the wheel • Cognitive – taking your mind off of driving

28. Avoid distracted driving by…… • Keeping your head in the game • Getting your frustrations out before you get in your vehicle • Making a plan before you leave • Making only emergency phone calls, having a hands-free phone, or pulling over to the shoulder • Never text, check e-mails, or play games while driving • Never eat, drink, or groom while driving

29. Other driving tips • Look twice before leaving an intersection or green light • Check your mirrors and adjust your seat every time someone else has driven your vehicle • Make sure you can reach the pedals comfortably • Lock your doors and hide your valuables • Be aware of your surroundings when you stop at a traffic light • Do not drive if sleepy • Prevent DVT – get out and move • Carry all necessary paperwork in the event of an accident • If you become ill – call for help ASAP!

30. The best way to treat an injury is to prevent it from happening in the first place!!!! Cheryl Burton Fentress6900 Hahl Road Houston TX 77040Phone: 281.560.6230Cell: 713.591.6779Fax: 281.560.6290cheryl.burton@hcpid.org