1. April Safety Topics James Madison University Department of Risk management
Spring Fever – Safety Awareness
Warming Weather – Hydration
Night Work & Sleep Management
Defensive Driving Reminders
Basic Ergonomic Tips

2. The Time for Heightened Safety Awareness is NOW
Springtime safety factors include:
Change of Season adjustment
Distractions are more prevalent
Longer days are generally more fatiguing
We are adjusting our Sleep/Wake cycle and Circadian Rhythms
Recreational & Home Projects take up time & energy
Road Work – more and larger jobs open up
For these and a host of other reasons, we need to FOCUS on safe work & defensive driving.

3. Warm Weather Safety Reminders
Stay hydrated year ‘round. This helps prevent colds, lessens fatigue, helps with allergies.
Our body will begin the process of thinning the blood to adjust to warmer weather. Hydration helps this process.
Water , not Red Bull!
Balance your diet- avoid grease, junk food, fast food.
Watch out for the Post Lunch Dip which will make you sleepy in the afternoon.
Junk food might taste good but is harder to digest and has low nutritional value.
Dress for success: engineered fabrics and garments can help with comfort on long days.

4. Night Work & Fatigue Management
It is hard to get restful REM sleep during the day. Best to find a room with no light infiltration. ‘Black out’ curtains can help.
Try to find a quiet place to sleep. Avoid interruptions. Turn phones off. White noise generators may help in some cases.
Be aware that prolonged sleep deprivation can create nightmares and micro- bursts of sleep during waking hours.
Balance your diet and eat healthy. Stay hydrated. Night work is great for weight loss.
Try to stay on a fixed sleep/ wake schedule. We generally need 6 to 8 hours of sleep. Don’t try to cheat, it catches up.

5. Defensive Driving Reminders
#1 Defensive Rule = Use your Daytime Running Lights
LOOK well ahead. Give wide berth to heavy trucks.
Remember your 5 Keys to Defensive Driving.
INTERSECTIONS = High crash frequency. Back off, stay back from the ‘Stop Line’.
Caution when sitting in a line of vehicles. Stay back.
Caution when BACKING!
Get out and LOOK
Use a spotter
Back slowly
NO distractions while driving !

6. Basic Ergonomic Tips
Ergonomics is a lot more than proper lifting and back injury prevention.
It addresses the efficiency of body mechanics in all activities– sit, stand, walk, climb, drive, lift, push, etc.
The 3 principal ergo. elements- Force; Repetition; Posture
Posture is the most important. Good posture allows high force and repetition
Adjust seating posture while driving- knees higher then hips. Adjust seat and tilt wheel.
Stand straight. Lift properly. Avoid prolonged static postures. Move around. Do warm up exercises before work.
Plan your heavy lifts. Get help on big stuff. Wear grip gloves.
We’re human, not robots. Don’t over do it.

7. Seasonal Summary
More states are inexplicably removing helmet laws for motorcycle riding. Fatality statistics are predictably heading north.
If you ride a bicycle, chances are there is a helmet law in effect to protect you. Wear it properly.
The Spring season is arguably the most perilous for random occurrences and hard to explain accidents. Aside from staying in your driveway, the only antidote we can suggest is to re-read the preceding pages and stay alert and focused.