Proforma Safety Blog

Replace Not Only the Batteries, But the Device

Posted by proforma on September 9, 2010  |  No Comments

We’re all aware that we need to replace batteries in smoke detectors and CO alarms in our homes periodically. But what many people don’t know is that the alarms themselves need to be replaced.

CO alarms should be replaced after five years. Stand-alone smoke detectors should be replaced after 10. The date of manufacture should be on the back of the alarm.

Cost of these alarms is not significant; a highly rated smoke alarm ranges in the $25; a CO alarm, $40. Consumer Reports recommends dual-sensor models that use both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.

Another Reason to Look Forward to Retirement

Posted by proforma on November 16, 2009  |  No Comments

The journal Sleep reports that sleep disturbances decrease after retirement. Those who suffered from depression or mental fatigue prior to retirement enjoyed the greatest reduction. Men also showed a more pronounced postretirement improvement, as did management-level workers, employees who reported high psychological job demands, and people who worked night shifts.

We may be poorer when we retire, but we’ll sleep better.

Step Away From Your Computer and Stretch

Posted by proforma on October 4, 2009  |  No Comments

Here’s an interesting concept: why not prepare for your workday as you would for playing a sport?
We’re talking about getting your body ready for work: warming up with a brisk walk or light jog in place. Stretch the muscles, tendons and joints, especially if you’re going to perform physical tasks. And ESPECIALLY if you’re an older worker.

Whether you’re working in an office, at a plant, or home in your garage on your favorite hobby, you should periodically stop to do these simple stretching exercises. It can make the difference between feeling good and suffering strained muscles. This humorous poster is also appropriate for posting in the kitchen area of your workplace or other location as a visual reminder.

The Ladder Exchange Initiative Is a Good Idea

Posted by proforma on August 31, 2009  |  No Comments

As far as safety-related programs are concerned, The Ladder Exchange Initiative has to be one of the most creative.

The Ladder Exchange Initiative invites workers to exchange a ladder that is bent, broken or battered for a new one at designated outlets that offer discounts on the replacements. The Initiative kicks off on September 1, 2009, and runs through year’s end.

The UK Health and Safety Executive site also offers good advice and photos of what to inspect for. Click here for details.

Significant Number of Baby Boomers are Binge Drinking

Posted by proforma on August 17, 2009  |  No Comments

This study is not only thought provoking for its obvious implications for performance and safety on the job, but also for general health as well.

A study by Duke University reports a significant percentage of adults in the Baby Boomer generation are binge drinking — which is imbibing five or more drinks at a time.

Researchers at Duke University collaborated with the National Survey on Drug Use and Health to prepare the study, which reported 22% of men and 9% of women ages 50 to 64 engaged in binge drinking within the past month of the survey. Their research was based on a survey of 11,000 men and women that took place in 2005 and 2006, as reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

The American Geriatric Society guidelines for older people define two or more drinks a day as heavy or “at-risk” drinking. The Duke University study also found that 19% of the men and 13% of the women were consistently drinking at this level.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Dan Blazer, concludes these older binge drinkers cannot “metabolize alcohol as quickly, they may be on medications, or they may have some health problems that alcohol may contribute to.” He added that these individuals may increase their risk for stroke, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, neurological damage and poor diabetes control.

Teen Driver Crashes Affect More Than the Driver and Passengers

Posted by proforma on June 26, 2009  |  No Comments

Everyone benefits from safer teen drivers. This report documents a startling statistic: for every teen driver killed, nearly two others are also killed.

While Government statistics typically report teen drivers and their passengers who have died in motor vehicle crashes, there are other people who lose their lives as a result, such as drivers and passengers of other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

The data presented in the report are based on analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data from years 1998 through 2007 on fatal motor vehicle crashes.

Only 33% of parents think teenages are good drivers, says this article in the New York Times. Unfortunately, 88 percent trust their own teenagers to drive safely, and 55 percent say that if their children got into an accident, it would be someone else’s fault.

A compelling video, Please Drive Safely, is available in the right column on this page to help drive home the message about teen driving safety.

NIOSH Issues Electrical Safety Manual for Young, New Workers

Posted by proforma on April 1, 2009  |  No Comments

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently published an excellent student manual on electrical safety that is intended to be an instructional guide for young or new workers, but is informative and useful for any age or level of experience. The manual teaches the reader to recognize, evaluate, and control hazards associated with electrical work and was developed through extensive research with vocational instructors

Safety Goggles at Home AND at Work

Posted by proforma on March 20, 2009  |  No Comments

While you may be diligent about wearing safety goggles at your job and when doing chores at home, your family members may not. This story, “An Eye Saved,” features a contractor/father who convinced his 18-year old to wear safety glasses — and saved his son’s eyesight.

Eye injuries at home are on the rise.The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ocular Trauma (ASOT) recently released a study that reported more than 40 percent of eye injuries in the home occurred while homeowners were cooking, doing yard work or home repairs. In 78 percent of these cases, the homeowner was not wearing protective eyewear. In some instances, it was not the adult performing the task, but another person or child standing nearby that suffered the accident.

If you’re interested in reading more about recent trends in home-based eye injuries, go here.