Ocean Companies Safety Tip of the Week

SPOTLIGHT ON FORKLIFT SAFETY

In Washington State you must have training to be able to drive a forklift or any other “Powered Industrial Truck”, also known as a PIT.  You need both classroom training as well as driving, and the training needs to involve the specific equipment you may be driving. You need to treat your forklift license just as you do your state driver’s license. If you’re driving the PIT, you have the license on you. If you haven’t been trained on a piece of equipment and been given a certificate, stay off of it. It’s the law.

The first thing you need to do, EVERY DAY, is to perform a visual inspection of the PIT you will be using. The Forklift Safety Guide, put out by Washington State, has a sample checklist to use while performing your inspections. Check to see if everything is in working order so you, the driver, and anyone you are working around is not in danger.  Make sure the fluids and fuel are at acceptable levels.

Wear your seatbelt whenever you are on the PIT, even if you are not moving. There are no exceptions.

If there is more than one forklift operator working in your area, make sure you keep an eye on them and know their work patterns. Keep your work pattern as close to the same as you can. Keep the speed down, there are always people walking around, so watch for pedestrians all the time. Don’t let anyone surprise you or someone could get hurt. Use your horn when going around blind corners and when approaching an intersection. Avoid sharp turns and raise and lower your forks only when you are stopped. Keep your arms and legs in the vehicle at all times.

Never pick up a load heavier than what your PIT is rated for. Never, ever, add extra weight to a forklift’s counter balance so it can pick up a heavier load.

Pedestrians need to know a forklift driver’s view is very limited, never assume the driver can see you. Make sure you have eye contact with the driver before walking in their area. To be doubly sure, give them a shout out. I value my safety, so when I have to go around a forklift, I raise my voice and say something like “Going behind you”, and when I’m past them, I let them know, “I’m clear”. It’s a courtesy that can save your life.

Whether you have a load or not, keep your forks 4” to 6” off the ground when you’re driving or about ankle high and slightly tipped back for safety. Before you pick up a load, make sure it is stable and secure. The lower you carry a load, the more stable it is. If you can’t see over your load, drive in reverse, looking over your shoulder. If there is an incline, always keep your load uphill. When you leave the PIT, lower your forks to the ground, place it in neutral, set the brakes and shut it off.  Even if you’re only going to be off for a short time, unless you’re standing beside it the whole time.

A forklift weighs almost twice what it can pick up, where we work; most of our pallets weigh over 3,000 pounds. That means, in order to lift that amount, our forklift weighs around 3 tons. To give you a visual, that’s about the weight of 2 Toyota Camrys. That’s a lot of weight

Sources: L&I, UCSU

- Cherie

Jose Angel Villa Valdez has been a hard working and dedicated employee of Ocean Companies since 1999. Jose is a member of Sanitation and has always been trusted to complete his tasks on time. He also always offers to help others outside of his normal responsibilities and he does so with a great positive attitude. His great personal qualities and commitment to his duties has earned him the Ocean Companies Employee of the Month award.

Congratulations to Jose Angel Villa Valdez!

SPRING CLEANING

Spring has finally arrived, although you may not be able to tell by the weather. This is the time people clean out their garages (how else are you going to find your lawn care items) and do a deep clean in their house. The place that needs it the most usually gets forgotten: The workplace!

A clean work area is proven to be a more productive work area, because it makes it easy to lay your hands on the things you need when you need them. It helps to create a calm outlook.

However it’s not just the top of the desk; we are talking cleaning out file cabinets, bookshelves, and desk drawers. Clean out your emails by deleting the things you don’t need and opening folders in your inbox for the ones you want to keep and sort them.

You don’t have to do it all in one day. Start with just one drawer and work your way around the office. Just be sure to set small increments of time to be devoted to the task.

It’s not just offices that have to be cleaned. During the spring cleaning at work, walk through the processing areas and make sure all electrical panels are closed; all exits, hallways, and fire extinguishers are not blocked. Make sure all chemicals are secured and labeled, even secondary containment (e.g. buckets and spray bottles with chemicals in them even if they are empty, but had chemicals at one time). These are mandated by OSHA, so don’t take it lightly.

Sources: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, theguardian, Dr. Mimi Hull  

- Cherie

SAFE (AND SANE?) BICYCLING

As I was sitting at my desk trying to figure out a topic for this week, we had one of our fleeting five minute sun breaks and bicycling came to mind. As I started my research for the article, I remembered driving home from Aberdeen one night in late February, and as usual, it was dark and rainy out. We were approaching the Elk River Bridge as a car crested the top of the bridge coming in the opposite direction. If it hadn’t been for that car, we would not have seen the person riding a bicycle halfway up the bridge and dressed in all black with no reflectors or bright clothing. He did, however, shine a very small flash light behind him a couple times after the other car had passed and our hearts were racing. That memory clenched my resolve to write this article.

It is spring, no matter what the weather tells us, and eventually we will be able to get outside and do some biking. Don’t wait for the sunshine to get your bike and accessories ready for that first ride of the season. Keeping your bike and bike riding equipment in top working condition and fitting properly will make your rides safer and more enjoyable.

GET THE RIDER READY: Many cities and counties have passed laws that all ages of bicyclists must wear helmets. Aberdeen, Washington passed the law in 2001 and they enforce it. A bike helmet reduces the risk of head injuries by as much as 85 percent in case of an accident. Make sure the bike helmet is neither too loose, nor too tight. Children should have their helmets refitted each year as they grow. You should also replace a helmet that has been damaged in any way. Cracks or scratches in the helmet’s surface will reduce the amount of protection it will provide.

Avoid baggy clothing that may get caught in the chain, gears, or spokes and cause a painful crash. Even baggy shorts and shirts can put you in danger. If your pants have wide legs, use a large rubber band, a boot blouse, or pant leg bands to keep your pants from being pulled into the bike’s mechanisms.

Wear bright clothing, preferably with reflective tape on it. This is good for visibility during both day and night riding. You can pick up fluorescent orange vests with reflective tape at most sporting goods stores. Sometimes you leave the house fully intending on returning home in the daylight, only to get distracted and get home way after dark. Now having said that, I confess to having used a white plastic bag attached to my coat in the past so I would be visible at night.

Know your hand signals. They are the same signals you would use in your car. To turn right, raise your left arm straight out from your shoulder and bent towards the sky at the elbow. To turn left, bring your left arm parallel to the ground, straight out from the shoulder. To slow or stop, raise your left arm straight out from your shoulder and bend it at the elbow towards the ground.

GET THE BIKE TUNED UP: If you are getting a child’s bike ready for riding, have the child stand straddling the bar in front of the seat. It should be 2 to 4 inches below the child. DO NOT buy a bike taller knowing they will grow into it. A bike that is too tall can be hard to handle and increase possible injuries in a crash, while a bike that is too small is harder to control.

Checking the adjustment of the seat is something everyone needs to do. While sitting on the seat, check to make sure the height and position enable the rider to pedal without any trouble. Make sure after adjusting the seat that it is secured so it won’t slip down or swivel side to side. If the seat is worn out and the padding is showing, you can repair it or purchase a new seat and replace it easily.

Test your brakes every time you get on the bike. The bicycle should come to a stop using only moderate pressure. Sometimes they will just need to be adjusted, but they may be worn out and need replacing.

If the tubes are flat, riding the bike can damage the tire and/or the rim. Make sure your tires are adequately inflated. Just as a car’s tire can affect your car’s performance a bike will perform better with proper inflation. Each tire has its own optimum air pressure, but after some research, I found the amount of pressure changes with a heavier rider, so I would advise you find out what is best from your tire manufacture.

The spokes of a bike are there to add strength to the rim, transfer your leg power from the hub to the wheel, and to support your weight on the wheel. It is important to make sure there are no bent or broken spokes and when you run your fingers over them in a firm manner, they should make a twanging noise. Replace or tighten any that are not in good shape or your rim may be off balance and cause other spokes to fail.

If your chain has any broken links, or is rusted, it is best to replace it. If the chain is in good condition, it should be tight with adequate tension. A chain may be the single most important part of the bike. Without it, you just have a big push toy.

Your pedals should be securely attached and spin easily and should not slide around on the pedal bar.

THINGS TO ADD TO YOUR BIKE FOR SAFETY:

• Washington State law requires “either a red light or a high quality red reflector (visible up to 300 feet from behind)” attached to the back of the bike when riding at night.
• Washington State law requires a “white headlight (visible at least 500 feet ahead)” when riding at night.
• A mirror will help you see traffic coming from behind you and make you feel more secure.

KNOW THE RULES:  In Washington, bicycles are legally considered “vehicles” and must obey the rules of the road (e.g. signs, signals, speed limits, and lane markings). I remember coming down a long hill when my brother and I were teenagers and my brother getting a speeding ticket for doing 45 mph in a 35 mph zone.

The following are some safety tips from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT):

• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Always ride with traffic, never against.
• Follow lane markings – Don’t turn left from the right lane and don’t go straight from a “right turn only”.
• Choose the best way to turn left: either like an auto where you move into the left turn lane, signal, and turn left; or like a pedestrian where you ride to the crosswalk and walk your bike across.
• Don’t pass on the right. You’re smaller than a car and harder for them to see.
• Keep an eye on the road behind you, either carefully looking over your shoulder, or using a mirror.
• Always be prepared to brake with both hands. A one-handed brake may cause an accident.
• Always wear your helmet
• NEVER wear headphones while riding a bike!! You need to be able to hear the traffic around you!
• Dress for the weather. If you must wear rain gear or a poncho, make sure it won’t get caught in the bikes moving parts. Wear layers of clothing so you can adjust as you need to, and be sure to wear bright colors.
• Use hand signals, as a matter of law, courtesy and self-protection.
• Make eye contact with drivers. Assume they don’t see you until you are sure that they do!
• Watch for road hazards like sewer grates, gravel, ice, sand, debris railroad track and parked cars with people in them. They just may open a door in your path you could crash into.
• Use your lights at night. It’s the law!

Washington is one of the top bicycle friendly states in the country by being a leader in our efforts to improve conditions for cyclists. There are literally thousands of miles of bike trails and routes in our state and you can find out where by going to www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/statemap.htm. Bicycling is a fun way to get exercise and to battle the soaring gas prices, but be sure you have everything in place to do it safely.

Sources: WSDOT, BicycleSafe, livestrong

- Cherie

Ocean Companies Safety Tip of the Week – Earthquakes

What To Do When an Earthquake Hits

Last week I was fortunate enough to attend a table top exercise, or a “what happens if” on a major earthquake hitting the South Beach area of Grays Harbor, Washington and I learned a lot. The exercise was put on by our LEPC, or Local Emergency Planning Committee and was attended by many fire departments, ambulance personnel, elected officials, city employees, local business representatives and private citizens.

During an earthquake, remember to DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON. Drop to the ground, get under a table, desk or anything that will save you from the debris falling from the ceiling, and hang on to the legs of whatever you are under until it stops shaking. If there is nothing for you to crawl under, drop to the ground, cover your face and head with your arms, and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Stay away from anything glass, outside doors or walls, and anything that could fall, such as light fixtures. Do not run to another room or use a doorway.  If you are outside when things start shaking, move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. If you are driving, stop as soon as it is safe and stay inside your vehicle.  When things calm down, get out of the building as safely as possible or where ever you were when the earthquake hit, move to high ground and stay there until someone of authority (e.g. a policeman, fireman, city employee, etc.) tells you it’s safe to leave.

Have you ever heard the word liquefaction? According to Dictionary.com it is “the act or process of liquefying or making liquid” or “the state of being liquefied.” When the ground shakes, sand come up through the cracks and gravel in a seemingly liquid movement creating a mess on the roads that sometimes brings traffic to a stop.  This was a major factor in Christchurch, New Zealand on February 22, 2011 and Japan on March 11, 2011.  Between liquefaction and road/bridge damage, it could be near impossible to get out of town. If we are hit by a large earthquake in any of the surrounding areas, we may be stuck here for days before help from outside the area could arrive.

The most important thing you can do for your family is to develop a “Family Plan for Disasters”. Write it down and go over it with your family, kids included! February 28, 2012 marked the eleventh anniversary of the 6.5 magnitude Nisqually Earthquake that shook Western Washington, caused over 2 billion dollars in damages, and injured over 400 people from Seattle to Grays Harbor County. In honor of this anniversary, Grays Harbor Emergency Management sent out the following list of things your plan should include:

• Have a contact number for a friend or relative living in another state. There is a real possibility that phones may be out for the whole state, Eastern as well as Western, if we are hit hard.

• How will your family communicate with each other if separated? One idea may be leaving a note inside the front door and/or one at a community gathering spot. Go to those places and have your family members actually touch where they may leave a note so they will be familiar with the location of where the note will be.

• Does your child’s school have a disaster plan and do you know what they’ll do?

• Does your employer have a disaster plan?

• Have a “Go Kit” for each family member and each pet. Each kit should be contained in a waterproof backpack.

1. For people: 2 bottles of water, 2 energy bars, pocket sized rain parka, pocket sized emergency blanket, flashlight, small am/fm radio, jacket or sweatshirt with hood, laminated copy of prescriptions, small pack of sanitary wipes, hand sanitizer, band aids, gauze, medical tape, and laminated copy of emergency contact numbers and addresses of friends and family (in another state if possible)

2. For pets: 2 bottles of water, towel, pocket sized emergency blanket, 2 pet food meals in disposable pouches or cans, pet leash and or harness, laminated copy of most recent vaccination record for each pet.

• Have copies of important papers in one spot, e.g. birth certificates, mortgage papers, credit card numbers, prescriptions, phone numbers of family and friends (in another state if possible). Place these in waterproof containers and if possible, send copies to an out of state friend or relative for safe keeping.

• Have some cash in small bills to purchase needed items. Remember, without power, ATMs, debit and credit cards will do you no good.

• Take the time to call your insurance provider before the impact of a natural disaster. Make sure of the things you are covered for, but mostly for what is not covered by your policy.

• Find out about your county’s notification system and how to sign up for it.  If you live in or near Grays Harbor, you can sign up for the Grays Harbor County Notification System by clicking here and filling out the form.

• Obtain an “All Hazards Weather Radio”.

• Know all your surrounding neighbors.

• If you have a medical problem, make sure your local ambulance service knows about it.

• Teach your children EVERYTHING!!

There is so much more to know and it might be a good thing for you and your family to look into what to do to prepare for emergencies. But if you don’t do anything more than just get your plan together, you’ll already be ahead of where you are right now. Think, plan, do!

Sources: Grays Harbor County Department of Emergency Management, ShakeOut.org

- Cherie

NATURES WAY TO REDUCE PAIN AND STRESS

“Act Happy Week” is the third week of March and this year’s week is half over! Hurry and get your glad face on! Dig out the comedies, find an exercise that will keep you moving, and eat some amazing spicy foods. All these things will release endorphins and that will give you a natural feeling of happiness that will reduce pain and stress.

Endorphins are a brain chemical, known as neurotransmitters, which emit little electrical signals within the nervous system and produce a state of euphoria. The following are some of the best ways to release endorphins.

Did you know when you “act” happy, e.g. change your body posture, smile, laugh, think positive thoughts, be silly etc., you actually start feeling happy? Doing nice things for others produces the same results. It doesn’t have to be a big thing, small things count, too. Check out http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/  for some great ideas. The amount of endorphins released depends on how hard you work at it.

Eating spicy foods, especially if you go to an upscale restaurant, can produce a euphoric feeling that is almost addictive. The hotter you can stand the food, the more endorphins you release. Try food from different countries for a variety. Thailand, Mexico, India, Ethiopia, the Szechwan (or Sichuan) province of China, and Korean restaurants are known for spicy dishes.

Exercising is a win-win endorphin high.  Not only do you adjust the mental fitness, you get physically fit as well. Personally, I love to Zumba, but a co-worker, who skis and long distance bike rides, told me that the bike rides release a much higher amount of endorphins. A “runners high” is caused by a rush of endorphins, and it’s not just runners that can achieve this feeling. Don’t forget, dancing is good exercise, too!

Take the time to do some small things to improve your mood, like eating chocolate (dark chocolate is best). A little indulgence is ok, but too much can cause guilt and a tight waist band. Spend more time listening to music. Focus on the music to the exclusion of almost everything and you will find you can relax. Walk barefoot in the grass or sand if you can.  Put up a bird feeder and watch the early morning birds that come for breakfast. Listen for far off trains, airplanes or, my favorite, the waves on the beach. Breathe in the scent of a favorite flower.

Find what you like best and spend time doing it.  There is no limit to how happy you can be if you work at it and, after a while, it’s not as much work because it becomes natural. Just keep smiling, it’s contagious and others will profit almost as much as you will.

Sources: About.com, Street Articles, MedicineNet.com, wikiHow, ivillage, Feel Good Feel Amazing

- Cherie

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

As I sit at my desk I notice that I have five things plugged into outlets at my desk. There’s the computer, the monitor, the phone, an extra light, and of course my speakers. In today’s society it would be virtually impossible to run a large business without electricity.  Out on the processing lines we have some electric forklifts, weigh scales and our maintenance department has a large variety of power tools.

At home, I have my blender for my daily protein drink, the fridge, stove, washer, dryer, and etc. I know I could live without electricity, because I am of an age I remember mom and grandma cooking on the wood cook stove, but it would not be my first choice.

Electricity needs to be respected, not just for what it can do for you, but by what it can do to you! I know many people out there have suffered from a zap of static electricity. A sharp pain followed by a tingling feeling is generally what is felt when that happens. But electricity can cause painful burns, or even death, if not used correctly and taking lifesaving precautions. The following table shows how many amps it takes for different effects of electricity.

Water and electricity are a deadly combination! Never use an electrical appliance, power tool or machinery if it is wet, near a pool or any other wet area, or in the rain. This includes not using an electric lawn mower or weed-eater if the grass is wet. Never leave extension cords lying in water. If you must use an electrical device in an overly moist area, make sure the outlets and/or power cords are equipped with a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) system, are rated for outdoor use and are rated for your power needs.

Unplug for safety! Make sure you unplug appliances or machinery before you inspect, clean, repair, store or if you are removing something from them. When not in use, small appliances and power tools should be unplugged and stored in a dry area.

Inspect your tools! First remember to unplug, and then check all cords and plugs to make sure there are no frays, cracks, or breaks. If the housing on the plug or the casing on the cord shows any kind of damage, stop using it and either have it repaired or replace it immediately. If you’re at work, place a tag on the item that says, “DO NOT USE”, and write why it is taken out of service (this is also a good idea to do at home, so it is not accidentally used causing an injury), and report it to your supervisor.

Stay Grounded! A three pronged plug should never have the ground pin (commonly referred to as the third prong) removed in any way. If you notice upon your inspection one has been removed, tag it out and DO NOT USE IT! All electrical equipment needs to be grounded. Plug power tools into grounded outlets installed with a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) system, or extension cords equipped with inline GFIs.

Look up! Before you fly that kite or model airplane, install that antenna, or slap that extension ladder onto the house, look up. Check for overhead power lines. How close are they? Kites or model airplanes should be flown in open areas well away from trees and power lines, and kites should never be made of metallic materials. Antenna should be installed following the manufacturer’s instructions, just remember to keep yourself, your tools and materials, and/or equipment no closer than 10 feet from any power lines. When you’re carrying a ladder, especially if it is a metal ladder, carry it parallel to the ground, not up in the air. Look at the area you are going to place the ladder and keep it at least 10 feet away from any power lines. If you are going to trim trees, remember, electricity is attracted to moisture and metal.  Even if you are using a wooden ladder, it can get wet and you may still be at risk for electrocution. Likewise, if you are pruning a tree while standing on the ground and the branch is wet, if it hits a power line, the electricity can travel through the limb and the pruning tool and finally through you!

Know where the power comes from! Keep track of where the fuses boxes, circuit breaker panels, or junction boxes are, especially for the equipment you are using.

Keep it clean! Keep electrical equipment, machinery, and work areas clean. Oil, dust, waste, and water can be fire hazards around electricity. It is important to keep flammable materials away from electric heat sources and lights and to keep access to circuit breaker panels, fuse boxes and junction boxes clear in case the power needs to be shut off in a hurry.

Check the heat! If the outlet or cord are overly warm, tag them out and don’t use them! If it is the outlet that is too warm, it may be a sign of unsafe wiring. Unplug any cords to the outlet, tape a “DO NOT USE” tag near the outlet and report it to someone who can safely follow-up on it. If it is the cord, it may not be rated for the amount of power the equipment draws and you may have to find one rated for what you need.

Do not Enter! If you are not trained to work in high-voltage areas, do not enter, even in an emergency. If there are downed power lines, stay at least 35 feet from the area, try to keep all but emergency personnel from entering, as well.

Call before you dig, or build! If you are planning an outdoor project where you will have to dig, make the free call to the Utility Notification Center 811 or 1-800-424-5555. They will tell you if there are any underground utilities you need to be aware of. Never plant or construct a permanent structure directly in front of underground electrical equipment devices.

In case of electrical fire! Do not use water! If it is a small fire, use an extinguisher that has a “C” on it, the most commonly found are “ABC” extinguishers or CO2 extinguishers. If it is not small, get out of there and call 911 and let the professionals handle it!

Respect electricity, even low voltage electric lines and cords can be hazardous if not handled correctly, or if there is damage. Follow safe work practices, if not for yourself, for your family and co-workers. Accidents affect us all.

Sources: Safety X change, Washington Department of Labor and Industries, APS – Arizona Public Service Co.

- Cherie

DO YOU KNOW WHEN TO CALL IN SICK?

All employees are important at work and when people call in sick, we all have to shuffle around to pick up the slack. Many come to work when they are sick because they can’t afford a sick day. Staying home for a day or two may shorten the length of the illness. Staying warm and rested and drinking plenty of water and juice will help fight many illnesses.  It is important to know we can handle you staying home for a brief time more than if you come in to work and get many people sick.

When you come to work sick, a cough or sneeze will spread germs even though you try your best to cover them with a sleeve. Germs are left on door knobs, key boards, telephones, cup boards, drawers, and the coffee pot.  According to the CDC “people are not washing their hands often or well enough and may transmit up to 80% of all infections by their hands.”

Fever, chills, sweats, and/or very achy: These are all things that say you are fighting off an infection and infections may or may not be contagious. The flu, or influenza, is contagious and can have all the symptoms mentioned, so don’t take a chance of sharing it with your co-workers. Stay home.

Stomach woes: If you have diarrhea or are vomiting, it may be food poisoning or a stomach virus that is very contagious.

Severe sore throat: We’re not talking about a scratchy or mildly sore throat. We’re talking about feeling like you swallowed razor blades. It is especially important to stay away from work and go to the doctor if it includes a fever and swollen glands. A throat culture from the doctor will determine if it is strep throat or not. If it is, they will probably prescribe an antibiotic and tell you to wait at least 24 hours after taking the antibiotic before going back to work.

Pink eye (conjunctivitis): The eye is usually a pinkish or red color, may feel like it has sand in it and may be swollen. This is a highly contagious condition and you need to see the doctor. If it is pink eye, the doctor will more than likely have you use antibiotic eye drops for at least 24 hours before allowing you to come back to work.

Sinus or ear pain: If you have severe ear pain and difficulty hearing, it may be an ear infection. Sinus infections can cause pain around the eyes, cheek bones, forehead and even the top of your teeth. Another indicator of a sinus infection is green mucus.  These are generally not contagious, but you should make a trip to the doctor for treatment.  Chances are you will only miss one day for either of these.

Severe headache: A typical head ache can usually be relieved with an over the counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, or aspirin. There is no reason to miss work for this. However if your headache is so bad that you can’t tolerate noise or light, the pain or the pain is so bad it blurs your vision and/or become nauseated, you may have a migraine and shouldn’t be at work. You should talk to your doctor and have him assess the headache. There are many new options for your doctor to help you shorten the migraine or chronic headache’s duration and most work within an hour.

Remember, washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds in clean, warm running water with soap will help prevent many diseases, but if you do get sick enough to stay home, do it. You will probably feel better faster and your co-workers will appreciate it!

Sources: The Olympian, WebMD, about.com

- Cherie

Daniel has shown that he is an outstanding member of the Ocean Companies family by going above and beyond the call of duty. His eagerness to help out and learn new things quickly help earn him this honor, but his self motivation, dependability, and all around good attitude sealed the deal.

Once again, Congratulations Daniel Garduno

Distractions

Whether at work or at home, it is sometimes hard to avoid distractions. Distractions bombard you from every direction. It may be you are cooking dinner and you get distracted by the kids arguing, that TV show you wanted to see or the phone call. Next thing you know, you have a kitchen fire. Okay, that may be an exaggeration, you just have burnt offerings to serve the family, but you get my drift.

At work you may sit at a desk most of the day and your distractions consist of people dropping by to chat, the dreaded phone (again), the internet, or an exceptionally cluttered desk, just to name a few. These distractions will more than likely keep you from getting your work done, but the chances of you being injured are considerably lower than those who work on a production floor, or worse yet, those that drive for a living!

Distractions may have a negative effect on efficiency, productivity and/or safety and may cause you to make errors. I will give you two examples of how being distracted, or inattentive, caused injuries. The first example consists of a car, five teenage girls, and music on the after first day of school. The 16 year old driver was paying more attention to changing the music they were listening to than the car in front of them causing a rear end collision and injuring 4 of the five girls in the car. The car in front of them was driven by one of their teachers. Two of the passengers in the car I claim as daughters. The second example happened in a work environment when one of the workers was walking backward, talking to a co-worker, when he tripped and fell into a boat onto his back. There were injuries in both of these examples, fortunately they were not life threatening, but could have been avoided if people were paying attention to their surroundings.

Mental distractions and inattention, poor housekeeping, noise, and loose hair, clothing, or jewelry are all distractions that may put your life on the line.

Mental Distractions: Mental distractions have a way of creating inattention. Not paying attention can get someone hurt. You might be driving a forklift and fuming over the scratch you found on your car door. You’re distraction may cause you to miss the person standing in your work area. Or you are mixing bleach and water so you can sanitize the machinery and you see someone you want to talk to. You need to pay attention to what you’re doing so your mixture is right or you may cause a chemical burn to anyone that uses the cleaning solution. It can be difficult to tune out the distractions, but it is a necessary thing to do. Take mental note of what is distracting you so you can deal with it at a later time.

Poor Housekeeping: In the office, a cluttered desk can mean lost important papers, taking longer to find things like keys, and the slowing down of projects. On the work floor, we need to make sure things are put away so there is no slipping or tripping hazard. We need to make sure there are no blocked exits or fire extinguishers so in case of an emergency, we can get to the things we need.

Noise: Whether you are driving a company vehicle; including forklifts, flat beds and tractors; you’re walking through the plant, or your working on the process line, listening to music through head phones can be life threatening. You can’t hear the yelled warning or device such as a car horn, or the forklift coming up behind you.  This does not include ear plugs or muffs designed for your hearing protection.  Other noises that might create a distraction may be construction noises outside the building or maintenance is banging on the pipes.

Loose Hair, Clothing, and Jewelry: You would be surprised by how many injuries happen because somebody was fixing their hair while operating equipment, carrying a load or driving a vehicle.  If your hair is long enough to get into your eyes or to bother you in any way, fix it before you start work. Not only can it be a safety problem to fix it while you are performing a task, but just letting it hang loose can be a dangerous habit. Long loose hair or loose clothing can become caught in machinery or conveyors and pull you into the equipment causing serious injury. Wear comfortable, but well-fitting clothes. Keep your buttons buttoned, zippers zipped, and ties tied or tucked in. Never wear jewelry at work like bracelets, necklaces or earrings that can get caught in the machinery, or if you’re working in food production, don’t wear them at all.

Sources: The Safety Blog , Workplace Distractions, Tips on Eliminating Workplace Distractions , Workplace Safety Tip – Avoid Distractions

- Cherie