Although June is National Safety Month, we should be practicing safety every day of every month. According to the National Safety Council, unintentional injuries were the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. last year behind heart disease, cancer, stroke and chronic respiratory diseases. The risks we face today are the same risks we have been facing for decades: risks associated while driving, safety hazards at work and dangers posed at home or in our communities. We can reduce the number of injuries or deaths by being aware of our surroundings and by being prepared.
One way to prepare is to form a safety plan. A safety plan is appropriate for an office or organization with one or more employees. Below are some suggestions on what should be included in a safety plan. Pick, choose, modify and build your own plan that pertains to your specific workplace.
Here are some of the elements that make a good safety plan for any office or organization:
- Emergency exit procedures
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher location and usage
- CPR and/or medical training
- Personal information sheet and/or emergency card
- Accident or injury log or sheet
- General office safety procedures
- Cell phone policy
- Accident Investigation
- Employee Training
- Accident prevention plan (such as proper lifting and ergonomics)
- Stress prevention
A first aid kit is an important part of a safety plan and the National Safety Council recommends including the following in a first aid kit.
First aid kit should include:
- Emergency contacts
- First aid manual
- List of allergies and medications for each family member or employee
- Antibiotic ointment
- Medical exam gloves
- Antiseptic wipes
- Elastic wraps
- CPR barrier devices
- Bandages and gauze of assorted sizes and roller gauze bandages
- Cold packs for icing injuries
- Thermometer, tweezers and small scissors
- Syrup of ipecac
- Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin
- Adhesive tape
Having at least one person in your office learn CPR is an essential component of a safety plan. Do you or someone in your office know the ABCs of CPR?
A irway -- Open the victim's airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin.
B reathing -- Listen, look and feel for signs of breathing. If the victim is not breathing, give two breaths and check for signs of circulation.
C irculation -- Check for signs of circulation, such as breathing, coughing or movement in response to the breaths. If the victim has no signs of circulation, start chest compressions. Adults require 15 chest compressions for every two rescue breaths.
For CPR training contact the following organizations:
American Red Cross — http://www.redcross.org/
American Heart Association — http://www.americanheart.org/
For tips on practicing safety in the workplace contact the following organizations:
SCF of Arizona — http://www.scfaz.com
OSHA — http://www.osha.gov
June is National Safety Month but safety should be practiced every day at work, home or on the road. Let's avoid preventable injuries by practicing safety and by being prepared.
National Safety Month is sponsored by the National Safety Council. For more information on NSC activities, visit their Web site at www.nsc.org .
