SAFETY HAZARDS

1. SAFETY HAZARDS Health and safety standards in the home and the workplace is important to ensure that the people in that environment are not put at risk to become ill or get injured OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. Its purpose is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and occupational fatality by issuing and enforcing standards for workplace safety and health. OSHA act and regulations are enforced worldwide by many companies to ensure the health and safety of the employees

2. When safety precautions are not followed in the home and workplace accidents can happen • Accidents can arise from simple situations such as: • Leaving electrical appliances plugged in when not in use ( a malfunction can lead to fires for example) • To other negligence circumstances such leaving water on the floor and faulty electrical wires exposed near it • Or uncovered electrical sockets when there are children in the house • Or having pot handles protruding outwards on the stove while cooking (the pot can be pulled down by the child or can be easily knocked off the stove when turning around) • Food left uncovered and flies rests on it and then served • Can you suggest other circumstances that can cause accidents or illnesses in your environment?

4. When an accident occurs there are some procedures to follow: • Call for an ambulance/medical assistance • Do not move the person (this can cause more injury • Assess what caused the accident (for example is there any electrical wires near to the victim and or water, etc.) • If the situation seems dangerous that would compromise your life do not approach the victim • If the situation appears that you will not be harmed, check to see if the person is breathing (rise and fall of chest or “mist” on mirror under nose) and check for a pulse • If the person is breathing/do have a pulse do not attempt to perform mouth to mouth resuscitation, if the person is not breathing, perform mouth to mouth resuscitation. • WRITE OUT THE STEPS FOR MOUTH TO MOUTH RESUSCITATION.

5. For burns • A burn can be painful or painless, according to the degree. The degree of a burn is determined by its location on the body and the number of skin layers affected. A burn can be caused by heat, electricity, chemicals or radiation. The first response in a burn situation is to stop the heat source or break contact between the heat source and the skin. The body holds in the heat and continues to burn until the skin cools. In many cases you can cool the burn with water. Unless told to by a medical professional, never use butter or ointments; they seal in heat and may cause infection. If blisters form, they should not be broken because they protect the burn from infection. • For heat or thermal burns, rinse the burn (without scrubbing) or immerse the affected area in cool water until the pain is gone. With a sterile cloth pat the burn area dry then cover. For accidents involving drenching by a hot liquid, remove the liquid-soaked clothing or place clothed victim in water bath or shower. Smother any burning clothing by dropping the victim to the ground and rolling them. Never peal stuck clothing from a burn. • In cases of electrical burns, turn off the electric power at the source. Do not touch the victim until all wires are clear. Avoid contact with the electric current while removing the victim. Make sure the victim’s breathing and heartbeat are regular. Treat the victim for shock and make sure they get medical attention. Check places where the electricity entered and exited the victim’s body. Treat minor burns with cool water and have the victim seek medical attention. • With chemical burns, locate the chemical container and follow the label directions for emergencies. Consult the chemical’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or call the Poison Control Center. Remove any contaminated clothing. If the eyes have been affected, flush them for 30 minutes. For acid chemicals, immediately flush the affected area for 15-20 minutes. For dry chemicals, brush the chemical off the skin then flush the area for 15-20 minutes. Make sure the victim seeks medical attention. • The severity of a burn may not be obvious for up to 24 hours and infection may occur if improperly treated. Always seek medical help if the victim: • shows symptoms of shock • has head or neck burns or has trouble breathing • has burns on the hands, feet or groin (making muscle and ligament damage more likely) • if second or third degree burns are present • if victim is over age 60 or under 5 years of age http://www.statefundca.com/safety/safetymeeting/SafetyMeetingArticle.aspx?ArticleID=45&WT.svl=7

6. IF A FIRE OCCURS Determine what type of fire it is: • Class A:  Fires with trash, wood, paper or other combustible materials as the fuel source. • Class B:  Fires with flammable or combustible liquids as the fuel source. • Class C:  Fires involving electrical equipment. • Class D:  Fires with certain ignitable metals as a fuel source.

7. Use the appropriate fire extinguisher • The Dry Chemical ABC extinguisher is rated for use on all three classes of fire • A Carbon Dioxide BC type indicates it is safe for use on Class B and C fires.  These are primarily located in laboratories and around electronic equipment, as the extinguishing medium is less likely to harm other equipment in the area of discharge. • a Dry Chemical BC extinguisher is designed for use on Class B and C fires and is compatible with the extinguishing medium in the hood system. It is found in kitchen areas with hood extinguishing systems over the cooking areas. • Class D fires are very unusual and where specific combustible metals are used, special fire extinguishers are in place http://www.uncg.edu/sft/extinguisher4.html

8. PASS for fire extinguisher use.  It stands for: • P - Pull the PinA - Aim at the base of the fireS - Squeeze the handleS - Sweep from side to side aiming at the base of the fire

9. Protective gear At some job sites employees use protective gear to avoid injury during an accident, for example: • Hard hats • Nomex suits (these are flame resistant) • Steel tipped boots • Gloves • Googles/safety glasses List some jobs that may require the above safety gear.

10. Remember • Know where a first aid kit is at home, school, work or where ever you are spending a lot of time • Know your emergency numbers: POLICE……………………………………………..999 • FIRE………………………………………………...990 • AMBULANCE……………………………………..990 • It is important to help an injured person since you may one day be in that situation and want assistance but • Assess the situation quickly and properly, Do not put your life in danger or at risk to assist. Ensure that the ambulance is not coming to take you to the hospital as well