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| Biagio (Blaise) Arsena Division of Public Health Safety Officer |
Way to Go!
Pictured left to right are Biagio (Blaise) Arsena
presenting Meredith Holden the Mid-State Safety Council
Lifesaving Award recently at the June Workshop in
Sanford, NC.
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| N.C. Industrial Commission Safety Education Section |
Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, NC
Congratulations to our latest graduating class held at BRCC in Flat Rock, NC! We had a wonderful time of networking, learning, teaching and fun in the mountains of NC. Our staff at the NCIC would like to thank all who attended and a special Thank You to the EMPLOYERS who allowed their employees this time with us. If you haven't attended one of our programs yet, check out the dates and locations for the remainder of 2008 at the end of our Safety Bulletin. |
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| by Mike Bingham |
It's no surprise to anyone that training is necessary for employees so that they have the knowledge they need in order to work safely. It can be challenging sometimes though to figure out just what training is necessary. One good way to start is to look at your facility's OSHA log, Form 19's and first aid logs to see where injuries are occurring. Hopefully all of your required written plans are not only available, but are current in their content. If the hierarchy of controls is being used and all appropriate measures are in place but there is still room for improvement in your safety record, doing a good assessment of training can help identify knowledge deficits within the workforce. An excellent method to use for conducting the assessment is to review your facility's written plans to see if they are adequate. If so, using them in conjunction with other media can get your site-specific safety info back in front of employees and management. If not, the plans should be updated to reflect new information and weed out obsolete info. The new info should naturally be used to prevent any injuries or illnesses you are seeing or that could also occur if not addressed. What you learn here can be used to construct a custom training matrix for your unique workplace. The updated plans then should be implemented and employees should be trained or retrained on them as needed. One buzzword that has been around in the environmental field for a while is sustainability. Sustainability, in that context, has a fairly concise definition, but if we borrow the buzzword and tweak its definition a little, we can apply it to safety. Whatever gains we make in our safety culture, record, programs and such, have to be sustained. Maybe maintained is a better word, but the idea is that what we do needs to stay done. Plan reviews, safety rule reviews, system audits, annual training, as-needed training, job safety analysis updates, the training matrix - all these things have to be a repeatable part of a safety system if the system is going to live and serve us effectively. If we hang onto our gains through safety sustainability, we can avoid having to periodically start over at the first paragraph in this article; trying to figure out just what training is necessary. It may be a good move to write up a short, durable document or plan on how your facility intends to sustain the safety program. Review it annually! Editor's Note: Mike Bingham is the Western Area Safety Representative for the N.C. Industrial Commission. Mike is one of the 10 members of the N.C. Industrial Commission's Safety Department who are out there Working for You! to make our workplaces safer and better for each and every worker by reducing injuries to employees and saving money for employers through education and training. You can contact Mike at: binghamm@ind.commerce.state.nc.us or call: 919.218.9045 |
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Check out our Video Library ! To view the rest of our Library and download the REQUEST FORM, please CLICK HERE |
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Commissioner Laura Kranifeld Mavretic
Governor Mike Easley reappointed Laura Kranifeld Mavretic as Commissioner on February 2, 2007. Governor Jim Hunt first appointed her as Commissioner in August of 1995. Formerly, Commissioner Mavretic served as a Deputy Commissioner since November 1993. She earned an undergraduate degree from Furman University in 1971, pursued graduate work in education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and earned a J.D. degree from Campbell University School of Law in May of 1981. Her previous work experience includes appeals referee for the Employment Security Commission; private practice; assistant general counsel for the N.C. League of Municipalities; staff attorney for the City of Gastonia; and research assistant for the N.C. Court of Appeals. She is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, North Carolina Bar Association, Wake County Bar Association, and Citizens Advisory Board of Duke Cancer Center. To e-mail Commissioner Mavretic, CLICK HERE. |
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Huge Success!
Pictured is David Vann, Vice Chair of the MSSC networking with attendees at their June Workshop at the Dennis Wicker Civic Center in Sanford, NC. There were several speakers and vendors sharing their talents to the more than 50 people in attendance. Please support your Regional Safety Council efforts to assist you with your safety needs. |
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Can it be beneficial to the organization?
Over the years, many changes have occurred in the American workplace. Women have steadily joined the workforce, and the average hours an American works each week has steadily crept higher and higher. With workers spending more and more time on the job, it's no wonder that social, and even romantic relationships form in the workplace. Surprisingly, romantic relationships in the workplace can be beneficial to an organization. If relationships progress smoothly in a work environment, companies may notice improved work performance in the form of a positive workplace dynamic, improved employee morale, effective communication, and increased creativity. Unfortunately, relationships do not always run smoothly. Romance in the workplace can be extremely difficult to manage, not only for the lovebirds themselves, but for companies that are concerned that the romance will cause an unwelcome distraction. Even worse for a company, though, is the potential for such a situation to cause a lawsuit-failed relationships in the office have the potential to turn into costly sexual harassment suits. More and more companies are creating policies to address workplace romance. Of those with policies, very few are requiring that employees refrain from engaging in romantic relationships altogether, but many are outlining what is and is not acceptable in the workplace. Some companies even ask employees to sign waivers that release the employer of any responsibility regarding a romantic relationship, or agreements stating that involved employees will not seek an immediate supervisory role over their romantic partner. As an employee, you should exercise a fair amount of caution when entering into a romantic relationship at work. You should know whether or not your place of employment has a policy addressing romance in the workplace. If it does, familiarize yourself with the company's specific rules. You should be able to get a good idea about the organization's attitude towards such relationships by reading the policy. Remember that your relationship may have an effect on the way you are viewed by managers and coworkers. You don't want to be taken less seriously because you were careless about an office romance. If your company doesn't have a policy (the Society for Human Resource Management reports that 72% of employers don't), you should still make decisions carefully when it comes to love in the workplace. Policy or no policy, if you choose to become romantically involved with a coworker, you may want to consider keeping the relationship to yourself. Here are some ways to keep a workplace romance from becoming unprofessional: Don't use instant messaging or emails to discuss intimate issues while at work. Don't make your private relationship issues the business of your coworkers. Don't put yourself in a situation in which your romance could breed favoritism with a subordinate employee. Don't engage in an adulterous affair at work. Don't engage in public displays of affection while at work. |
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| by Michael Nance |
Gas prices are (at this writing) hovering about $3.93 a gallon. Last year at this time it was $2.90 a gallon. Hmmm, my father in law was right; he said when gas prices get really high and then back off a bit, we feel we're getting a "deal". Wouldn't you feel like you're getting a deal if you bought gas at $2.90 a gallon today? Because of gas prices (and other increasing prices), many folks have decided that a moped is a great choice to commute to work or travel cross country. I used to think that someone on a moped as being a person that has lost their license for a DUI or other serious driving offense. Not so anymore, they are everywhere usually right in front of me on a busy road in a no passing zone. I apologize in advance for my comments regarding being annoyed with mopeds. Below I've listed some safety tips concerning mopeds but I cannot type anymore without stating: Please stay on the right side of the road and do not act as if you're a normal motor vehicle. You don't see many mopeds of the past with pedals. Many states now classify gas powered scooters with displacements under 50ccs as mopeds. Also, many states do not require registration or licensing of gas scooters under 50ccs, which can save an owner considerable money. Motorcycles, by definition, are nearly any two-wheeled motorized vehicle. A gas powered scooter, then, could be classified as motorcycles. However, there are several points of distinction between the two vehicles. Foremost, most gas motor scooters are slower, with smaller displacements than motorcycles. Typical scooters, as mentioned, are between 49cc and 250ccs. Most motorcycles start at 250ccs and can go up to as high as 1500ccs or more. According to the NHTSA, the average motorcycle has an engine cylinder displacement of 769 cubic centimeters (cc's). Though the new Honda Silver Wing is 582 cc's at $8,000. The Yamaha Zuma is 49cc and gets 125 mpg at $2,100. Both are called "scooters", however there is a big difference is size and price. From NC DMV web site: "You must be age 16 or older to operate a moped on North Carolina highways or public vehicular areas. A driver license is not required**, and the moped does not have to be registered, inspected or covered by liability insurance. A motorcycle safety helmet is required by law when operating a moped on North Carolina highways. A moped cannot have a motor of more than 50 cubic centimeters, an external shifting device or have the capability of exceeding 30 miles per hour on a level surface." **As I understand it, there is a law being proposed to require a driver's license to operate a moped on the public roads of North Carolina. Based on the information from the NCDMV, the Honda Silver Wing is a motorcycle and not a scooter/moped as advertised and has to have a tag, insurance, etc. What about the folks that get a small moped and then alter them to go 100 miles per hour? Don't know but rest assured, they'll be paying a price sooner or later. Here are the tips as promised. Some of them apply to bicyclist as well: Wear bright or reflective clothing. Nothing worse than almost striking a moped around a dark curve and it makes me react the same way when a raccoon darts in front of me. I instinctively jerk the steering wheel to avoid it, even though Mel Harmon has stated many times in the Defensive Driving Course, "it's better to hit the animal than the ditch or another motor vehicle". Wear a helmet, even if it's not required by law. Be sure the helmet is DOT approved. In North Carolina, it is a law. Not sure why folks in South Carolina still think getting hit by hundreds of bugs on the head riding the Interstate is okay. I'd consider a helmet like safety toed shoes for your head. Don't ride in another motorist's "blind spot." This tip applies to any motor vehicle, not just mopeds. This area also includes the rear bumper of another car or truck. You've seen the sticker "If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you". Another thing, I personally do not need to see how big a moped (or motorcycle) headlight is in my rearview mirror. It's annoying. Excessive speed is a factor in many accidents. Obey the speed limits and never travel faster than your skill level or than the conditions allow. Tires on a moped are more like a bicycle tire than a motorcycle or car. Not much grip. Keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the floorboards while riding. Common sense but you still see the occasional rider having breakfast while riding to work or the person airing out his shoes. Never leave your moped unattended with the engine running. Much easier to steal, not too mention your wasting gas and that's the reason you got it in the first place. Be especially conscious of traffic from behind. Because of the likely speed difference between other traffic and your moped, use caution and check your mirrors frequently every 5-7 seconds. This is where I (along with several others) can get really ticked off. If you have five miles of regular traffic behind you, chances are it's because of "you". Motorist will begin to take chances in passing and they may not know your getting ready to turn left. Remember, mirrors allow only a partial view to your rear. There are blind spots. Be aware of where they are, and check them frequently. Mopeds can be considered a good idea in many people's way of life; a short commute to work, easy to park, great mpg. Downside is the rain (which hasn't been much of an issue lately) and the fact of no insurance. I've come close to being hit by a moped trying to zip in front of me like they want to tell me how "green" they are. Maybe true, but I'm really going to be upset when my insurance goes up to repair my car that a moped has hit and the operator isn't charged with anything. Annoying? Sometimes. Good idea? Sometimes. Depends on if you're in front of me or behind me. Editor's note: Michael Nance is the NCIC Blue Ridge, Southern & Western Piedmont areas Safety Representative. If you are interested in having one of our programs in your area, please give Michael a call at 919-218-9047 or email him at nancem@ind.commerce.state.nc.us. |
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Parking May Be More Dangerous Than You Think
But while low speeds, parked cars, orderly rows, and painted fluorescent lines seem to indicate order and safety, you're probably more at risk for danger in a parking lot than you realize. Parking lots are frequently the setting for fender-benders, probably because the low speeds and frequent required stops give people a false sense of safety. Pedestrians are also at risk for injury. Whether walking or driving, stay especially alert for other vehicles or pedestrians. Remember that a pedestrian may appear suddenly from behind a vehicle, and if you are a pedestrian, never assume that other drivers will see you and yield. Parking lots are also prime locations for theft, vandalism, and assault. To protect yourself, your vehicle, and your belongings, keep valuables out of sight and your car locked. Park in well-lit areas and near other cars, but remember that any large vehicles (vans, trucks, etc.) could block the view of your car and make it easy for a thief to break in. Now you know. Dennis :) |
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Lyme disease is a bacterial illness that can cause abnormalities in the skin, joints, heart, and nervous system. While this disease is not contagious from an infected person to someone else, people can become infected when bitten by a tick (most often a deer tick) carrying the bacteria. Ticks can be active any time the temperature is above freezing, but are most active in the United States from mid-May to August. Deer ticks can be anywhere from the size of a poppy seed to a sesame seed. When a person is infected by a tick, a bull's-eye-shaped or solid rash about two inches in diameter will often (but not always) appear near the site of the bite. Other symptoms include chills, fever, headache, fatigue, stiffness, and swollen glands. Fortunately, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, and when caught early, is usually fully curable. Prevention of Lyme disease begins with doing what you can to avoid ticks in the first place. Remember that ticks are most likely to be present in wooded areas with high grass. If you must go into areas where ticks are likely to be present: 1. Stay on trails whenever possible. 2. Use repellents to keep ticks off your skin (those with 20 to 30 percent DEET are the most effective). 3. Wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks to keep ticks off your skin. Tuck or tape your socks over your pants to keep them from crawling under your clothes. Not all ticks are infected with Lyme disease, and prompt removal of ticks can keep disease-causing bacteria out of your system. The Centers for Disease Control reports that ticks attached to your skin for less than 24 hours have an extremely small chance of transmitting Lyme disease. Even if you think you've done enough to avoid ticks, you should still perform a tick check after being outdoors - check your clothes and all parts of your body. Remember that ticks like warm, dark places. If you find a tick on your body, remove it immediately using a fine tipped tweezers. You also may want to wash clothes in hot water and dry them on high heat for at least an hour to ensure you kill any ticks you may have missed on your clothes. |
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Tips That Can Save Your Life!
Electricity is such a common source of energy that people rarely think twice about plugging in, and sometimes they don't even realize that electricity is present. The National Safety Council estimates that 600 people die every year of electrical causes, and these deaths are not usually the result of highly charged wires - most accidents involve low voltage (600 volts or less). Careless behavior around electricity can cause burns, shocks, and even electrocution, all of which can lead to injuries as serious as death. Additionally, since many accidents in the workplace occur when employees are not on the clock, there is no good time to be lax about electrical safety. No matter to what extent you are exposed to electricity in your workplace (or even at home), the following guidelines can help you stay safe: ALWAYS: Assume that loose wires are energized at lethal voltages. Use equipment and tools according to directions and in the way they are designed to be used. Follow lockout/tagout procedures. Be aware of signs that indicate possible electrical hazards. Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with electricity. Remove items from electrical receptacles by pulling on the plug, NOT on the cord itself. Visually inspect equipment before using it. NEVER: Operate electrical machinery when you are standing in water. Touch a fallen power line. Attempt to inspect or repair electrical equipment without first deenergizing it. Continue to use equipment that you suspect may be damaged or defective. Modify extension cords or use them in ways they were not designed to be used. |
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A Leaders Role in Retention
While many managers and leaders are perfectly aware that their employees are the company's most valuable resource, some still fail to treat employees in a way that conveys that message. As they are often the highest-ranking person with whom their employees have contact, managers and leaders must remember the extremely significant role they play in keeping their employees happy and their companies sufficiently staffed. Great leaders are acutely aware that employees who quit their jobs are usually leaving their managers and departments first, and the company itself second. Job satisfaction, though it is certainly influenced by a company's large-scale actions, is very closely tied to an employee's immediate contacts and duties. If an employee doesn't feel appreciated and happy in his day-to-day activities, he is likely to leave, regardless of how he feels about the company as a whole. Studies have shown that employees value jobs in which they are appreciated, even over those that pay a little more. Recognizing the power of making their staff feel appreciated, some leaders smartly set goals to ensure that a particular number of employees are sincerely thanked (either verbally or in writing) each month for their specific contributions. Other leaders conduct periodic "stay interviews" in which employees can discuss which elements of their employment are most likely to make them stay with the company, and of course which elements, if not addressed, might encourage them to leave. Managers are able to address employee concerns, often before they become unbearable and ultimately cause turnover. While many leaders fret about the extensive costs and stress involved in recruiting and hiring, others realize the very basic, yet extremely powerful value of simply listening to and appreciating the employees they already have. Good leaders realize the position they are in to foster a staff that feels comfortable sticking with the company for the long haul. |
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Fun and useless tidbits
Arnold Schwarzenegger's famous line in The Terminator 'I'll be back' was originally scripted as 'I'll come back'. Walt Disney was afraid of mice. Mexico and Iceland have the highest per capita consumption of Coca-Cola. Women blink nearly twice as much as men. Both humans and chimpanzees have equal amounts of hair per given surface area. A chimp's is just heavier. You have a 1 in 3.000.000 chance of getting killed by a snake. If an average man had a metabolism comparable to that of a hummingbird he would have to eat 285 pounds of hamburger every day to maintain his weight. |
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The N.C. Industrial Commission Safety Education Section stands ready to assist you with your Safety training needs. We offer a variety of courses, designed to suit your needs. Please give one of our Industrial Safety Representatives a call.
N.C. Industrial Commission |
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