Category: Safety Meetings

Dangers of Energy Drinks Safety Talk

Caffeine is commonly used in today’s society to get more energy or to feel more alert. While coffee has been around for hundreds of years and is still the most common caffeinated drink in the world, energy drinks have been gaining in popularity over the past few decades.

Energy Drink Hazards

Overconsumption of caffeine and other energy-producing ingredients found in energy drinks, such as taurine, can lead to health issues. In a study published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, emergency room visits due to energy drinks doubled from 10,000 visits in 2007 to over 20,000 visits in 2011. 58% of the visits resulted from energy drinks only, and the other 42% were with a combination of other drugs such as prescription pills or alcohol.

Another study focused on cases that involved heart abnormalities like irregular heartbeat, while some documented neurological problems like seizures. According to the researcher, “Animal studies have shown that caffeine and taurine, both common energy drink ingredients, intensify each other’s effects. That may cause calcium to build up in the heart cells, which can cause those vessels to constrict.”

Common Energy Drink Caffeine Amounts

Many experts believe daily caffeine consumption is perfectly fine for healthy adults. The Mayo Clinic states that up to 400mg a day of caffeine appears safe for most individuals. Energy drink caffeine levels vary greatly, and consumers must also take into account the additive effect of other ingredients such as taurine. Some common energy drinks and their caffeine amounts:

Redbull 12oz-   111mg
Monster 16oz- 160mg
Rockstar 16oz- 160mg

Other Considerations Before Drinking Energy Drinks

While the levels of the above energy drinks are well under the 400mg mark, there are other considerations you must take into account.

• Know the content of caffeine from other sources, such as coffee or soda, that you may be drinking during the day.
• Know your limit when it comes to caffeine. Some people are more sensitive to it than others.
• Consider what kind of work you will be doing. Intense labor work can already be putting a strain on your heart and body before adding in an energy drink.
• Consider your working environment. Drinking energy drinks before working in a hot or stressful working environment may not be the best choice.

Summary

Be aware of what you are putting into your body. While all experts do not condemn drinking energy drinks, most recommend consuming no more than one per day. Energy drinks can have negative side effects and put you more at risk for heart troubles, especially for those working intense labor jobs or in stressful work environments.

The Importance of Sleep Safety Talk

The importance of adequate sleep cannot be overstated. Sleep has many effects on a variety of aspects of our health. The way you feel awake has a link to what kind of sleep you get at night. Poor sleeping habits can lead to an acute sudden incident, such as a car crash due to a tired driver, or chronic problems over the long term, such as a number of health issues.

Research has shown up to 40% of Americans are sleep deprived. This causes many issues in the workplace and at home while completing tasks. For example, driver sleepiness is a factor in about 100,000 car accidents each year, resulting in about 1,500 deaths. Studies have also shown that sleep deprivation can significantly reduce workers’ reaction time, motor control, decision-making ability, and situational awareness. This creates an unsafe condition where a worker, or a whole job site, is exposed to a potential incident that could cause injury.

Sleep and Your Health
(source: www.nih.gov)

• It affects your ability to learn and remember new information.
• It affects your ability to pay attention.
• It affects your heart and cardiovascular system. There is a link between long-term sleep deficiencies and heart disease.
• It affects how your body reacts to insulin. Sleep deficiency leads to higher blood sugar levels, leaving you at a higher chance of being diagnosed with diabetes.

Tips to be Well Rested

• Get at least seven hours of sleep. Studies vary on exactly how much each person needs, but the consensus is between six and eight hours.
• Shut your TV off and place your phone face down. Blue light and other light sources can disrupt your sleep.
• Avoid naps during the day. Naps can throw off your internal clock for rest at night. If napping is a must during the day, keep it under 20 minutes.
• Keep your room between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the range that is best for sleeping conditions for most people.
• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every night. This keeps your internal clock on track, and your body gets into a routine.

Seatbelt Use Safety Talk

Everyone has heard that seatbelt use is crucial for saving lives on the road, but not everyone wears one. The NHSTA reports that about 1 in every ten people did not wear their seatbelt in 2020. There are many reasons why people do not wear seatbelts, but the facts are that they save lives.

Excuses Why People Do Not Wear Seatbelts

1. It is “not cool.” Teenagers are the least likely age group to wear their seatbelts. Educate the teenagers in your family on seatbelt use. Males are also 10% less likely to wear their seatbelts compared to females.
2. They are uncomfortable. If it is to a point that it is uncomfortable for you to wear a seatbelt, look into buying an aftermarket pad to put on your seatbelt. Do not put it behind your back instead of across your chest. Wearing it improperly will make it less effective in protecting you during a crash.
3. The myth “it is more dangerous to wear seatbelts than not to.” The research shows that this is not the case. Search on YouTube “Man Does Not Wear Seatbelt” to see what it looks like when a person rolls a vehicle and does not have one on.

Why You Should Wear Your Seatbelt

According to the NHTSA, seatbelts reduce crash-related injuries and deaths by half. It is estimated that seatbelts save an estimated 15,000 lives each year. Individuals who do not wear their seatbelts are more likely to be ejected from the vehicle in a crash. Seatbelts serve as a restraint for passengers in a vehicle. They restrain an individual to the seat instead of being ejected from the vehicle or being thrown around the interior of a vehicle in the instance of a crash.

While airbags can provide protection during a crash, they do not offer the best protection alone. Airbags combined with proper seatbelt usage offer passengers the best odds of surviving an automobile crash.

Summary

Seatbelts need to be worn every time you are in a vehicle. As the driver, you are responsible for everyone in your vehicle. Require anyone riding in your vehicle to wear their seatbelt. Educate others who choose not to wear them.

Unsafe Acts Safety Talk

Unsafe acts are responsible for the majority of workplace incidents that result in injuries or property loss. According to PA Training for Health & Safety, an estimated 80 out of 100 people who are involved in an incident are at fault for it. Because of this fact, companies spend much of their effort in making their workplaces safer by addressing the unsafe acts and praising safe behaviors of their employees.

Reasons for Unsafe Acts

There are many reasons individuals do unsafe acts while at work. Some common drivers behind unsafe acts include:

• Taking shortcuts– One of the most obvious reasons unsafe acts occur is because individuals take shortcuts when completing their work. Whether it is because of time pressures, laziness, lack of supervision, etc., taking shortcuts can lead to injuries.
• Being complacent– Complacency is one of the hardest things to address in the workplace. Most of us have been doing the same job or work tasks for many years. As time goes on, we get comfortable with the work and are not as diligent in addressing the hazards of the work.
• Overconfidence– Much like complacency, overconfidence can come from experience on the job. It can also come from inexperience. Overconfidence during a work task, familiar or brand new, leads to unsafe acts.
• Ignoring rules or procedures– Most of the time, we all know what the rules or procedures for a work task are. Through training, conversations, warning labels, etc., we know what we are supposed to do. However, many workers choose to forgo safety rules and procedures for a variety of reasons, including the other reasons mentioned here.
• Poor attitude– Often times, the source of unsafe acts can be boiled down to poor attitudes. Those individuals who have poor attitudes when it comes to work or safety at work will show it through their behavior.

Summary

There is a magnitude of reasons behind why unsafe acts occur. Despite what the reason may be for the unsafe act, one thing is for sure- injuries will occur over time if they continue to take place. Unsafe acts are the root of the majority of injuries on the job, and when paired with unsafe conditions, it is likely someone will be injured. All too often, it is the person who is responsible for the unsafe act that is injured. Even worse is when a bystander is injured due to the unsafe actions of another person.

Motor Vehicle Safety Talk

Our roads can be a dangerous place. According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 42,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2020. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of workplace injuries. In 2020, motor vehicle incidents contributed to 37% of all workplace fatalities.

Year after year, motor vehicle accidents are at the top of the list as the cause of workplace fatalities. Off the job, they take tens of thousands of lives each year. Driving safely while off the job is just as important as driving safely while on the job.

A serious car crash will affect your family emotionally as well as probably financially. Not only will your family be affected by a car crash off the job, but your company and coworkers will as well. Everyone has a role at work, and when one person isn’t healthy or misses work, the company loses a valuable piece to that puzzle.

Avoid complacency and follow the basic driving safety rules to ensure you make it to your destination.

General Safe Driving Tips

• Do not engage in other activities while driving. Activities such as using cellphones, eating, or even just reaching for an item takes your eyes and focus off the road. A large majority of accidents are caused by distracted drivers.
• Be a defensive driver. Always leave yourself an out when driving. Think about your next move if an accident was to happen in front of you or if a car ran the next stoplight. Thinking ahead and being proactive when driving can save your life.
• Never operate a vehicle when impaired by alcohol or when fatigued. Being impaired is a leading cause of deadly accidents.
• Always wear your seatbelt. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half.
• Maintain a clean and well-kept vehicle. Dirty windows and dust can be distracting and make it hard to see while driving. Loose cargo such as empty water bottles, tools, PPE, and other items are not only a distraction, but they can also interfere with controls in the vehicle.

Hierarchy of Controls Safety Talk

There are multiple safeguards to control any single hazard. Each level of these safeguards serves to protect employees. Some safeguards or controls are more effective than others. The hierarchy of controls outlines the controls used to mitigate a hazard from most effective to least effective.

The hierarchy can have additional or fewer levels of controls listed depending on the reference you are looking at. The hierarchy we will discuss is listed as elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE in our example.

Hierarchy of Controls Example

To better understand the hierarchy of controls, we will provide a real-world example. The example: A painter will apply a paint with a high level of VOCs to a metal surface in a factory.

Elimination: Eliminate the hazard. Paint example: The process can be outsourced or completed by an automated process to take the painter out of the situation.

Substitution: Substitute a more hazardous process or chemical with a less hazardous one. Paint example: Use paint with a lower VOC content to protect the painter. There is almost always a less hazardous option when dealing with chemicals.

Engineering: Engineer out hazards. For example- equipment guards, physical barriers, isolation, ventilation systems, etc., are examples are engineering controls. Paint example: Apply the paint in a paint booth with a proper ventilation system. This will help protect the painter as well as other employees in the factory.

Administrative: Administrative controls are things such as job training, job rotation, breaks, company policies, etc. Paint example: Train the painter to safely complete the task. Another example- use job rotations or breaks to limit the painter’s exposure to the paint.

PPE: Personal protective equipment covers items such as gloves, respirators, steel-toe shoes, safety glasses, and earplugs. Paint example: Provide a respirator that will protect the painter from the fumes of the paint. Also, provide goggles to protect the eyes and some type of coveralls to protect the skin.

We should always strive to eliminate as many hazards as possible. If elimination is not possible, then other controls lower on the hierarchy should be implemented to protect employees. PPE is always a last resort and should never be looked at as a primary control for a hazard. The more safeguards in place for a hazard, the least likely an incident will occur. Always verify controls are in place and never just assume that they are.

Health is Everything Safety Talk

We all know that taking care of our health is important, but not many people actively pursue a healthy lifestyle day in and day out. Our bodies are essentially machines, and when they are not taken care of, they begin to break down. This occurs naturally over time with old age, but many millions of people face health issues that are not normal to have and often accelerate the aging process or cause a premature death.

It is important for all of us to consider what our health means to us and what we can do to improve it.

Health Issues in the United States

While many people believe we are healthier than ever before because life expectancies are at an all-time high, the quantity of years lived does not exactly equal quality of health. With improvements in medicine and a great understanding of the human body, there should be lower cases of disease and sickness, but this is not the case.
A few alarming disease statistics in the United States:

• More than 36% of Americans are considered obese (CDC.gov)
• 29 million people in the United States have diabetes, and another 89 million are considered pre-diabetic (CDC.gov)  
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. (CDC.gov)
• There is an average of 735,000 heart attacks each year. (CDC.gov) 
• Cancer claims an average of 1,630 lives every day. (Cancer.org)

These statistics are not meant to strike fear in anyone. It is just important to realize the sheer amount of disease and the suffering due to them we still experience today in our advanced society. The chance of suffering from any of the above diseases and problems is greatly reduced when you make the choice to live a healthier lifestyle. There are many small changes you can make today that can have a huge positive difference over the rest of your life.

Choose a Healthier Lifestyle

There are many different things you should or could be doing to improve your health and reduce your chance of disease. While it is impossible to mention all the different positive choices we could be making, here are a few:

• Get more sleep. Most studies recommend at least seven hours.
• Stop smoking, using tobacco, or alcohol in excess.
• Eat less fast food or processed foods. Choose whole grains, vegetables, and lean cuts of meat.
• Stop drinking sugar-filled drinks and choose water instead.
• Stress less. Eliminate the stressors in your life or find productive ways to cope with them.
• Get active. Our bodies are not built to sit around!

These are just a few basic things we all can do to live a healthier life. It is easy to disregard this advice or stick to bad habits because it can be hard to make change. Bad habits can be broken. Think of someone you know who is in bad health and is very limited in what they are able to do. No one wants to live like that.

Think about the last time you had the flu and how much you appreciated how great you felt once you got over it. Well, heart attacks, unlike the flu, cause permanent damage and will forever affect your health for the rest of your life. Be proactive and make a change today for a healthier tomorrow.

The Importance of Water Safety Talk

Water is one of the most important substances on Earth. All plants, animals, and people need water to survive. Water serves very important purposes to our bodies and our bodily functions- some of which you may not even be aware of.

Interesting Facts Regarding Water’s Role for Our Bodies

• Water comprises more than 60% of our body weight.
• Lack of water is the #1 trigger for daytime fatigue.
• A 2% drop in water level of the body can spur problems with short-term memory.
• Water naturally cleanses the body of toxins.
• Water regulates the body’s cooling system.
• Water acts as a lubricant and cushion to our joints.

Hydration Tips

• It is recommended to drink at least 50oz to 64oz of water a day, depending on what source you refer to. That is about three to four regular-sized water bottles a day. This amount is a minimum amount to shoot for; you may need even more water than that. Many people do not realize how little water they actually drink. Pay attention to how much you drink today and add to it if needed.
• Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water. By the time the body tells you that you are thirsty, dehydration is already occurring.
• Other beverages, such as soda or coffee, steal water from your body and make you more dehydrated. Limit these types of drinks throughout the day.
• Your urine can serve as an indicator of whether you are hydrated or not. If your urine is clear or pale and you are using the restroom regularly, you are probably hydrated. If your urine is dark and you are visiting the restroom less frequently, you need to drink more water. While you should not solely rely on this indicator, it can be helpful in gauging whether or not you need to drink more water.

The Dangers of Snakes Safety Talk

Different geographical regions deal with different types of wildlife. Snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, can be a major concern for many different workers across the U.S. It is important to consider if snakes could be in your work area and what steps need to be taken to prevent any type of injury or incident due to them.

Snake Bites in the United States

Some countries have many more types of venomous snakes than the U.S. There are still a few kinds of venomous snakes found in the United States, including rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins, and coral snakes. It is estimated that around 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year in the United States.

While many of the bites by venomous snakes occur off the job and a large number of the people who are bit are children, there are many workers who are at risk for coming into contact with one of these snakes. Any employee that spends a lot of time outside, especially in warmer climates of the U.S., is more at risk of coming across one of these snakes.

Other Hazards of Snakes in the Workplace

Obviously, not all snakes are venomous, and the majority of snakes you will see in your life will be non-venomous. There are still hazards created by these kinds of snakes as well. One of these hazards is the sheer surprise or fear that these creatures can create in people.

For example, you are moving sheet metal next to a garage. You pull up the last piece of sheet metal only to find a five-foot-long black snake inches away from your hand. You jump back, trip over a pipe, and smack your head, requiring stitches. Also, some snakes, like black snakes, have small jagged teeth that can leave lacerations that may need medical attention if bitten.

Safeguards to Protect Yourself from Snakes

• The main way to avoid a bite by a snake is just to leave the snake alone. If removal is necessary, contact a professional to remove the snake, especially if it is poisonous.
• Always wear protective toe boots, long pants, and a long shirt when working in areas where snakes are normally found. Clothing will help reduce the impact of a snake’s bite.
• Always do a work area inspection prior to starting work. Look for signs of wildlife in your work area, and always be careful when moving materials outdoors where wildlife can live.

Diet Safety Talk

The saying “you are what you eat” may be a little dramatic, but what you choose to eat can have a major effect on your health and how you feel. How you feel at work will have a significant effect on being able to and choosing to work safely. It is important to make sure the things you choose to eat and drink are helping improve your health and not hurt it.

Diet and Disease

Diet has a big effect on your overall health. It has been linked to many different health issues, including many diseases and cancer. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States and is closely linked with diet. A proper diet reduces the chances of conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity which are all factors in whether a person has heart disease or not. Heart disease and other ailments like it have a major effect on your day in and day out. Whether it is the actual disease or medications you need to take to combat it, you will not be able to feel 100% well every day.

Diet and Mood

Most people are aware that what we eat affects our weight and, ultimately, our health, but many people may not realize there can be a link between diet and mood. For example, research has been done that shows a link between vitamin D deficiency and depression. The sun is a major source of vitamin D for us, but we also get it from the food we eat. If you are not getting enough vitamin D, it may be the source of a down mood.

Another example is research that has linked a low carbohydrate diet and lack of energy.  Participants in the study done by Arizona State University showed higher levels of fatigue and a lack of desire to exercise just two weeks into beginning a low-carb diet. While you may not have these issues, it is important to know that diet could be the source or trigger of a change in mood.

Diet and Safety

If you are not feeling good, you cannot work to the best of your ability. Whether it is health issues or lack of energy, your diet plays a big part in safety at work. If your focus is not on the task or you do not have the energy to take the extra steps to ensure the task is being performed safely, you are putting yourself and others at risk.