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| NASA Sends Experts to Help Trapped Miners with Long Wait for Rescue |
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Thirty-three Chilean miners trapped deep inside a gold and copper mine may have to wait until well into November or even December for a new shaft to be drilled so they can be rescued.
The miners, who were trapped by an underground cave-in, took refuge in an underground shelter. They were able to send notes to the surface via probes that were drilled into their area. Water, food and medicines are being delivered to the trapped miners through the probes.
At the request of the Chilean government, NASA is sending a team of two physicians, one psychologist and one engineer to provide technical advice in nutritional and behavioral health to help the miners cope with their long wait.
NASA's experience in isolated environments, such as the International Space Station, may be helpful to the miners. "We think that some of the things we learned in research and operation can be applicable to the miners who are trapped under the ground," says Dr. Michael Duncan, NASA's Deputy Chief Medical Officer and one of the team members heading to Chile. "The environment may be different, but the human response in physiology, behavior, responses to emergencies is quite similar." |
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| Picture This! |
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| What's at the other side of the fire door but this ladder, leading straight to the roof? This set-up could make for an interesting situation during an emergency, when people would not expect an exit route to be blocked. Even when there wasn't an emergency it would be easy enough for someone to barge through the door at the same time that someone else was on the ladder. What’s not visible in the photo is a long staircase below where the ladder is set up. This scenario has "unsafe" written all over it. (Photo contributed) |
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| Firing Worker Over Violent Tantrum Was Excessive |
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A worker, who was a union steward, got into a disagreement with a co-worker over the use of Pledge near her work station. She threw a block of foam at him, hitting him in the head. She also yelled at and used inappropriate language at a team of co-workers. The company suspended the co-worker for three days for his role and fired the worker. But an arbitrator reinstated the worker subject to a one-month suspension. Although the worker's hostile and violent conduct was "intolerable," she was a 25-year employee with no disciplinary record, noted the arbitrator [Johnson Controls LP Automotive Systems Group v. CAW-CANADA, Local 1859 (Sinclair Grievance), [2010] O.L.A.A. No. 407, Aug. 9, 2010].
Need to stay current on Canada's OHS legal cases? Laws and Announcements is just one of the many tools available to members of www.OHSInsider.com.
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| Angry Workers Risk More Injuries |
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If you have angry workers in your department you may end up reporting more injuries on the job. According to one study, high levels of anger increase the risk of injury, especially among men.
Researchers conducted the study by monitoring three hospital emergency departments. Cases were patients seeking treatment for acute injuries.
The study looked at feelings of anger and hostility prior to the injuries. Of 2,517 patients, 2,446 provided information on their state of anger just prior to their injuries. About one-third admitted they were irritable just before being injured. Eighteen percent reported they were angry while thirteen percent admitted they were hostile.
So what's a person to do? Workers need to control their anger or get help managing it. Supervisors need to improve communications with employees and encourage them to come forth with concerns and suggestions. Companies also should consider offering stress management courses to help irritable or angry employees in the workplace.
SafetySmart Online has several tools to help you address stress management in your workplace, including safety talks, posters, puzzles, images and articles for your company newsletters, including this article, "Life Can Never Be Completely Stress-Free." (Subscription to SafetySmart Online is required to access this page.)
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You responded:
67% said Yes
33% said No
Your Comments Here:
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| This week we’d like to ask you: |
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Have you ever suffered an injury at work because you were angry at the time?
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Vote in the Reader Poll here.
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