June Safety Tips The Importance of Ergonomics & Back Injury Prevention Defensive Driving in Summer Seasonal HEAT Precautions Why ‘Compliance’ is not enough to protect you. Hand Safety Around Machines

 Buy bulk quantity of bottled water  Ice coolers, ice makers – figure out how to keep cool, fresh water readily on hand.  Squincher & Gator-ade are good supplements for electrolyte replacement. We also eat a lot of salt in preserved foods  Watch your hydration level. If it drops, you will get cramps in legs; that’s a warning to drink more water  Use fans to move air around. AC will dehydrate, wear a shirt with sleeves in a cab or other AC environment. HOT Now? Just Wait!!!

 Options to stay cooler include:  Use an umbrella or awning or other shade  Wear a wide brim hard hat to deflect direct sun  Use cooling bandana around neck – removes a lot of heat  Install misting nozzles – these are surprisingly effective  Plan your work whenever possible for cooler time of day  Night work - Special issues apply – we trade one set of issues for another with night work, but it’s an option  Take more frequent rest breaks  In high heat, don’t push yourself or the crew Summer HOT Safety Tips Avoid Direct Sun Exposure

 Force, Repetition, POSTURE are the main elements for good ergonomics.  Posture is the most important. Sitting, standing, sleeping, etc.  Knees higher than the hips when seated (i.e. driving)  Avoid long periods of static posture- keep moving, esp. when seated. ‘Fidget’ is good!  Manual Materials Handling: Bend & lift – First, try to lighten the load, then try to raise it before lifting it using simple leverage.  Align your back, bend knees, keep load close, lift slowly, avoid twisting when lifting  Use a hand truck whenever possible Ergonomics & Why Your Back is Sore

 Burn your headlight lights!!!  Summer = Increase in Distracted Driving  Summer = Increase in random, discretionary driving  Law enforcement presence increases on major Holidays  Speed is just ONE of several hazards associated with driving  Time of Day – Day of Week – Geography – Road & Route  Maintain a Safe FOLLOWING DISTANCE. This is your best protection. Remember- truck tires can EXPLODE in high heat.  Use the 5 Keys – look well ahead, keep your eyes moving, get the big picture, make sure they see YOU, ALWAYS leave yourself an ‘OUT’ Defensive Driving in Summer

 * As in – the TIPS OF YOUR FINGERS !  The EMT’s call them ‘avulsion lacerations’  They’re pretty darned ugly and hard to repair  Hand injuries are common and 100% preventable  Avoid using your hand if possible- use a TOOL to do the poking  Make sure all pinch-points are protected, guarded or MARKED!  Use warning decals or high viz marking paint  ALWAYS wear gloves when handling mechanical linkages, tailgates, panels, hinged assemblies, etc. THINK! LOOK!! Machine Operator Safety Tips*

 …”And I still got hurt” - What’s wrong with that picture??  ‘Compliance’ with OSHA safety regulations is the absolute MINIMUM acceptable  Are YOU comfortable with “minimum” safety protection?  There are multiple levels of safety achievement in any system or organization. Which level are you on? Are you comfortable there? “I Did What They Said to Do…”