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The American Society of Safety Engineers recommends the following:

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY – “ICE” SYSTEM FOR CELL PHONES

WHAT:  In case of emergency “ICE” is a proactive effort designed to provide emergency personnel with next of kin contacts via a patient’s mobile/cellular phone.

WHY:  Police, fire and other emergency personnel across the U.S. are using this free service – checking cellular phones if those injured are incapable of providing the necessary medical information.

HOW:  Make sure your contact is easy to reach.  If you add more than one “ICE” contact, then add a numeric order.  Make sure “ICE” contacts have a phone list of family members, primary care physician and main work contact.  Provide “ICE” contact with medical conditions, such as allergies, current medications, and previous medical procedures.

Follow these easy steps:

In your cell phone address book enter a new contact.  Enter the letters “ICE” then type your contact’s name followed by their number.

ICEjohndoe1 555-555-5555

ICEmary2 555-555-5555

July is Eye Injury Prevention Month.  Whether at work or at home, it is important to protect your eyes, and remind family members and co-workers to do the same.

Some examples of when protective eyewear should be worn is when there is a risk of:

• Chemical splash (mixing and pouring chemicals at work; mixing and pouring chemicals at home, such as herbicides and pesticides)

• Flying objects (grinding, sawing, mowing the lawn, weed whipping)
• Particles in the eye (working under a car, sanding, using compressed air)
• UV radiation (welding, working or playing outside (sun exposure))

Safety glasses are very inexpensive investment in your eyesight.  There are a lot of good options for under $10, and some as low just $2-$3 a pair.

Contact us if you need resources for ordering safety glasses or other personal protective equipment.

For more information on eye and face protection, including OSHA’s Hot Topics and an E-Tool, see  this page on OSHA’s website.

Summer has hit the Twin Cities, with heat warnings being issued.  Please take precautions to keep yourself and your employees safe, especially those working in non-air conditioned areas and outdoors.  I have attached OSHA’s heat stress quick card that explains symptoms, prevention and treatment.  Here are additional pointers:

• Allow for more frequent breaks
• Provide water for employees.  Employees should drink two to four glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids each hour.  Electrolyte drinks (such as Gatorade) can be used along with water, but limit their use due to the sugar content.
• Encourage employees to wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• When working outdoors, employees should wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
• If anyone becomes lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint, they should stop and rest
• Allow employees to use cool cloths around their necks

OSHA has a Quick Card with more information on heat stress, available in English and Spanish:  http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3154.html.

In order to keep you informed of the safety issues and news that we consider critical to managing safety for your employees, we are starting this blog. We will be posting to this on a regular basis. If you are a client of CHESS, and would like an email when we post, drop us an email or give us a call, and we can set you up for notification.

More information about CHESS can be found at our home page.