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| Wildfires and Air Quality: How to Breathe Easy |
Wildfires have been threatening many communities across Canada and the United States lately, spreading with them dangerous air pollution. In addition to the threats posed by the fires themselves, this air pollution presents a potential health hazard to anyone working and living in the surrounding areas. It's especially dangerous—possibly lethal—for those with respiratory problems and chronic heart disease.
If you live or work near a wildfire, the American Lung Association offers these recommendations:
- If you have asthma, contact your physician to see if your medication should be changed to cope with smoky conditions.
- Stay indoors and avoid breathing heavy smoke or ash filled air.
- Shut your doors, windows and fireplace dampers.
- Circulate clean air through air conditioners and/or air cleaners.
- Set your home air conditioner to the recirculation setting to avoid outdoor air contamination.
- Do not use whole house fans, which can bring in unfiltered outside air.
- If you must drive through smoky areas, keep the car windows and vents closed.
- Set your car's air conditioning to "recirculate" to avoid exposure to outside air.
- Don't rely on ordinary dust masks to filter your air. They're designed to filter out only large particles and still allow the more dangerous, smaller particles resulting from the fires to pass through.
- Use disposable particle masks available at hardware and home supply stores. These can better help filter out harmful fine particles. Look for masks labeled "N95" or "P100". (Those with lung disease should consult with a doctor before using this mask.)
- Volunteer clean-up workers also need to remember to protect their lungs. Prior to clean up, wet thoroughly areas covered in dust and soot to reduce further air pollutants.
- Workers should wear an N95 mask and replace it daily.
- Avoid areas where asbestos and other hazardous materials are suspected.
Air quality problems are not confined to regions affected by wildfires. Many workplaces, ranging from industrial plants to offices, have their share of air contaminants, too. Hold a quick Safety Talk with your workers on the hazards associated with air problems and the steps that can be taken to improve the situation.
Need access to additional resources on this topic? Try SafetySmart today and get immediate access to safety talks, presentations and more. Sign up for a free 14-day trial now. |
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| EKU's Online Bachelor's in Occupational Safety |
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| Earn Your Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety Completely Online with Eastern Kentucky University. This online degree program will equip you with the skills to handle personal and environmental risks within the workplace and teach you how to investigate, manage and prevent hazards and threats. EKU’s online program offers you the flexibility to maintain your current lifestyle while earning your bachelor’s degree.
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| This electrical outlet has clearly seen better days and anyone using it could have had a very bad day. Thankfully this electrocution hazard was spotted and quickly attended to by an electrician. (WorkSafe Victoria Australia) |
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| Budget Cuts Leave Firefighters Powerless to Rescue Drowning Man |
First responders in Alameda, CA, could only stand by helplessly watching a man drown, because 2009 budget cuts had left them without training or cold water gear to enter the 54 degree (12 C) water.
"The incident was deeply regrettable. But I can also see it from our firefighters' perspective. They're standing there wanting to do something, but they are handcuffed by policy at that point," says Interim Alameda Fire Chief Mike D'Orazi.
An apparently suicidal 50-year-old man waded up to his neck into San Francisco Bay and stayed in the water for about an hour until a witness recovered his body.
A group of about 75 people, along with the firefighters, watched the situation unfold.
Angry citizens later attended a City Council meeting and voiced their concerns about the cutbacks. The city then agreed to spend a maximum of $40,000 to certify 16 firefighters in land-based water rescue.
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Related news story: Policeman’s Widow Aims to Improve Safety for Emergency Responders
(Note: Subscription is required. To get instant access, simply sign up for a No-Cost Trial of Safe Supervisor.)
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| Webinar - Jul 14, 12:00 EST (9 a.m. PST) |
| What You Must Know and Do NOW to Prepare for OSHA's New Stepped-Up PPE Enforcement Program |
| Here's what you can expect OSHA officers will inspect for under the new PPE compliance directive … and what steps you can take NOW to protect against OSHA fines and penalties -- including coverage of the PPE payment rules. |
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| Due Diligence: Defining, Establishing & Demonstrating Your Record of Compliance |
Oct 24th & 25th
Hyatt Regency, Toronto, ON |
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