Construction Workplace Safety Tips
According to OSHA, nearly 6.5 million people work at approximately 252,000 construction sites across the nation on any given day. The fatal injury rate for the construction industry is higher than the national average in this category for any other industry. It is important to be practical, ergonomic, and safe when working in any construction area. Follow some of the tips below to ensure complete safety when working in a construction area: Common Safety Tips to Follow: Keep eyes and ears protected at all times – this is important as these are often times intense noises and vibrations occurring on construction sites which can cause serious injuries Always be aware of your surroundings Know, understand, and follow the workplace’s comprehensive safety program Don’t use damaged tools Do not carry or pull a tool by is cord or hose Double check work areas Scaffolding Safety Tips to Follow: Nearly 2.3 million construction workers work on scaffolds each year. Unfortunately, fall hazards are likely to occur when scaffolds are misused or erected improperly; an estimated 4,500 injuries and 50 fatalities occur each year as a result of scaffolding. Below are important safety tips to follow when scaffolding: Do not support scaffolds or any other uneven surface with unsteady or portable objects Stay at least 10 feet from power lines when working on a scaffold Never overload a scaffold Do not use a damaged or weakened scaffold Never use a scaffold in bad weather Always keep an eye out for yourself and others on the scaffold or below the scaffold – everyone in the vicinity of a scaffold may be in danger...Spring Break Safety Tips
A week of vacation from college during the months of March and April is a long-established tradition. While spring break may provide a break from academics, often time’s adolescents and young adults take this time to drink, party, and experiment with drugs. It is important to stay safe and understand the repercussions that may be associated with these potentially dangerous activities. Below, find safety tips to stay safe and have fun during this upcoming spring break: Driving Tips: Take turns driving. Rotating drivers can help keep everyone rested and aware of their surroundings The person sitting in the passenger seat should stay awake to keep the driver company and alert – two drivers are better than one. Make sure all people driving the vehicle have a copy of their driver’s license and proof of insurance before driving off. Do not leave valuables in plain sight when leaving the car. Lock items in the trunk before reaching your destination. Never get in the car with someone you suspect may be intoxicated; there is always a safer alternative At ATM’s: Try to go to the ATM in groups When approaching the ATM, be sure to scan all of your surroundings and make sure you feel safe before you approach the machine While Drinking: Always keep an eye on your drink. If you go to the bathroom, take your drink with you. Do not drink and drive. This is always avoidable. Avoid binge drinking. Eat before drinking. Drinking on an empty stomach can cause alcohol to affect you much faster. At the Beach: Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Use waterproof...What is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice refers to negligence by a healthcare provider or professional in which treatment that was provided was substandard, and resulted in harm, injury, or death to a patient. The medical malpractice or negligence typically involves a medical error, either in diagnosis of a patient, medical dosage, health management, treatment, or aftercare. The medical malpractice law is a way to provide patients with proper compensation from harms that may have resulted from sub-standard treatment from a medical professional. Below are some common questions and answers regarding medical malpractice lawsuits: Is Medical Malpractice Common? Unfortunately, medical malpractice is very prevalent in today’s society; diagnosis errors alone cause up to 160,000 deaths annually in the U.S. According to Johns Hopkins researchers, as reported in BMJ Quality and Safety, diagnostic errors are the most dangerous and expensive mistakes American doctors make, estimated to cause between 80,000-160,000 deaths every year. According to Health Affairs, nearly one in every three that is hospitalized in the U.S. is susceptible to encountering a hospital error. What Are Some Hospital Errors to Look Out For? Providing a patient the wrong dosage of medicine Giving a patient the wrong medication Leaving things inside a patient’s body following surgery Misdiagnosis Staph infections Pressure ulcers (bedsores) What Characteristics Should My Claim Have in Order for Malpractice to be considered? Failure to provide proper care Injury resulting from consequence of negligence Very damaging consequences due to injury What are the Elements in a Malpractice Case? The Plaintiff – this is the patient, or a legally designated person who acts on the patient’s behalf The Defendant – this is the party that...Travel Safety During the Holidays
With holidays coming up, many of us will be traveling to visit our friends and family. Traveling during the holidays can definitely take its toll; with all the hustle and bustle mixed with thousands of people traveling through airports it is not usually a relaxing time. Below are 3 golden rules everyone should remember when traveling via airplane: The Flat Tire Rule: The “flat tire rule” gives check-in agents flexibility to accommodate passengers who may have missed their flight due to any traffic or road issues one may have encountered on the way to the airport. Although many airlines will accommodate, it is still in your best interest to contact your airline provider immediately as soon as you know things are not going well. Stay Connected: Download the latest travel apps before leaving home and constantly check on your flight status. This will give you real-time updates on any delays, baggage numbers and more. Pack Light: If at all possible, avoid checking bags altogether. This way you will avoid having to wait for your luggage and won’t have to worry about losing your luggage. Pack Snacks: You never know how long you will actually be on an airplane – delays can definitely get the best of us. Pack snacks so you and your stomach will be fueled and ready to take on your travel adventure! Ship Gifts: TSA suggests to ship your wrapped gifts or wait until you have reached your destination to wrap them as they may have to unwrap a present to inspect it. Check out the full article here. Contact us: If you face any issues...Holiday Safety Tips
With the holiday season finally here it is important to remember holiday safety precautions. By taking these basic precautions into consideration you can help to ensure that your whole family remains safe and injury-free throughout the joyful holiday season. Below are some holiday safety tips taken from the National Safety Council to share with your friends and family this holiday season: Ladder Safety Since many of us will be using ladders this holiday season to hang lights and decorations around our homes it is important to operate safety while using ladders: If you have a step ladder near a doorway make sure to lock or barricade the door and post signs so no one will open it and knock you off the ladder When climbing, keep your hips between the side rails and do not lean too far or overreach as this can cause you to lose balance and fall. Instead, reposition the ladder closer to the work. Be sure to use ladders with slip-resistant feet and wear clean, dry and slip-resistant shoes when climbing the ladder Kitchen and Food Safety Kitchen fires are highest during the holiday season; it is important to remember safety precautions when cooking: When preparing a holiday meal, make sure to wash hands, utensils, sink and anything else that may have come in contact with raw poultry. Be a smart host and include being sensible about alcoholic drinks. More than half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol related; it is important to make use of designated drivers or to allow guests to stay over after a night of drinking. Decorating Safety Never use candles...Tips for Safe Teen Driving
Unfortunately, statistics show that teenage drivers account for more auto accidents than any other age group. Through practicing safe driving techniques, the odds will hopefully increase and your teenager (and their passengers) can stay safe on the roads. Below are some great and very important tips to go over with your teen before they begin driving. Stay away from the phone! This is one of the most important things to go over with your teen. Cell phones are one of the leading causes of car accidents among teens and can easily be prevented. Multiple studies have shown that using a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of driving drunk. Let your teen know just how important it is to stay away from their phone at all times while driving (even when they are stopped) and just how dangerous it can be. Turn on your lights: Headlights are an important feature of cars and allow us as drivers to have increased visibility as well as allow other drivers to see you better even when it is light out. Obey the speed limit: Speeding is another major contributor to fatal teen accidents. Explain to your teen driver they should not feel pressured to keep up with the traffic if it seems as if everyone else if flying by. Driving at a safe speed helps to ensure your well-being and can keep you away from expensive traffic tickets that can cause a huge spike in auto insurance premiums! Keep distractions at a minimal: As inexperienced drivers, teens are more likely and apt to lose control of their cars. Distractions can significantly...Travel Safety Tips
Traveling may be at the top of everyone’s lists of things to do, but it is important to stay safe while traveling! Below are safety tips to follow when traveling to help ensure you and whomever you may be traveling with stay safe throughout their travels as well: Make sure someone knows your plans: This is very important in case something were to happen. Share your itinerary with a friend or family member. Although they do not need to know everything last thing you plan on doing, they should do what time you left point A or when you are supposed to be in point B. If you are in any kind of danger, having someone that knows your plans can make a huge difference. Scan & copy your important documents: Don’t leave home without extra copies of your driver’s license/passport. Keep these documents in a separate place from your actual documents in case something gets misplaced or stolen. Additionally, you can even photograph or scan these important items and store them somewhere online such as a dropbox file or a Google drive account where they can be accessed easily online. Know the area you are visiting before you leave: Research the area you plan on visiting before you leave to know what you are getting yourself into. Are there dangerous areas you should avoid? If you are traveling internationally it is particularly important to know what you should do in case of an emergency; you should be aware of where the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate is. Leave unneeded wallet extras at home: Travel as lightly as possible....Prescription Medication Safety Precautions
Most Americans take a prescription medication of some kind every day. Whether it is treatment for a chronic condition or a short round of antibiotics, it’s important to follow common safety precautions so your medication provides you with all of the health benefits that it should. 1. OTC Medications Matter Often times when our doctors are getting our medical history and current medications, we leave out supplements or vitamins. Always remember to tell you doctor about any kind of supplementation you include in your daily routine because even other the counter medication can interfere with prescription medication. 2. Follow the Doctor’s Orders Make sure to pay attention to any special instructions your doctor gives you while going over your treatment plan. These instructions are usually included on the bottle or vial of your medication as well, but listening to your doctor’s instructions will enable to you get clarification on anything you’re unsure about. 3. Stick to the Recommended Dosage Unless specifically instructed to, never change the dosage of your medication. This includes taking more than the prescribed amount at a time and taking less. Unless advised to do so, never split your prescription pills in half, crush them, or otherwise tamper with them. Medication is in the form that fits its purpose best; altering this could alter the effects. The prescription strength is calculated based on your weight so make sure to keep your doses consistent and as instructed. 4. Take Your Full Course If you’re prescribed medication by your doctor, take it for the recommended amount of time. Stopping medication early, especially without prior approval from your...Coping with Stress at Work
Regardless of what field your career may be in, at one point or another everyone has felt the pressure of work-related stress. Even if you love what you do, any job can have stressful aspects. In the short-term, stress may be caused by a deadline that must be met, or a demanding project. However, when work-related stress becomes part of a daily routine, it can be extremely overwhelming and very harmful to our physical and emotional well being. Although work-related stress is very harmful to our health, it is very common to experience it in today’s day and age. According to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) annual Stress in America Survey, during the year 2012, 65% of Americans cited work as their top source of stress. Only 37% of Americans surveyed said they were doing an “excellent” or “very good job” managing their stress. Below you will find some common sources of work-related stress, the negative effects work-related stress may cause & various steps one can take to manage their work-related stress: Common Sources of Work Stress Low salaries Exorbitant workloads Insufficient opportunities for growth/advancement Work that isn’t engaging/challenging Lack of social support Not have enough control over work-related decisions Conflicting demands/unclear expectations Negative Effects of Uncontrolled Work Stress When stress persists, it can take a toll on our health & well-being. Short term, a stressful work environment may cause various problems such as headaches, stomachaches, disturbances while sleeping, short temper & difficulty concentrating. Chronic stress can result in anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, weakened immune system, depression, obesity & heart disease. Taking Steps to Manage Work Stress Track...Theme Park Safety Tips
Theme parks are a great way to have fun as a family. There are rides that are suitable for everyone’s comfort level, delicious foods, and fun activities like parades and live shows. We’ve compiled a list of safety tips to keep in mind for your next theme park vacation to avoid any serious injuries and make for a memorable trip! 1. Wear Sunscreen When walking around all day in a huge theme park, it’s important to apply sunscreen 20 minutes before arriving, and reapply regularly. No one wants to deal with a stinging, itchy sunburn on their vacation. Set a timer on your phone to help you easily remember when it’s time to reapply. 2. Stay hydrated It’s important to keep yourself hydrated to avoid serious health issues that could wind up ruining your family vacation. Symptoms of dehydration can include dry mouth, dizziness, headaches, and confusion. To avoid these complications, have each member of your family or group carry a reusable water bottle and refill at water fountains often. You can even get a nifty one with a strap for hands-free fun! 3. Keep your health in mind If you have a known condition that could be agitated by intense rides, know your limits. If you’re prone to motion sickness or have high blood pressure, heart, back or neck pain, inner ear infections, or experience Claustrophobia, some theme park rides can present a health risk. Some roller coasters involve sudden turns or flips, fast speeds, and safety restraints that can agitate conditions. Roller coasters are also not recommended for women who are pregnant. If you have an...The Hollywood injury attorneys at David W. Singer & Associates, P.A. handle all types of accident injury cases in Florida.
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