Bloodborne Pathogens – Part 2

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Use universal precautions. Always treat the situation as if the blood were infected. Make sure to wear the proper PPE for administering first-aid, not the same as your regular PPE but just as important if not more. This means gloves, face shield if needed, and use a pocket mask while ministering CPR. Housekeeping is a big one for steering clear of these microorganisms.  Clean up after, make sure to disinfect anywhere the blood has touched and properly dispose of anything containing the blood. If cleaning glass or anything else sharp, do not use your bare hands, try a broom and dustpan. Remember to always act as if the the blood is infected.

If you have exposure from a cut, needle stick or splash, immediately wash and scrub with warm soapy water. If you have sustained an injury whether a cut or needle stick, press the skin to push blood outward. This will help less infected blood from entering your bloodstream.

Again, use universal practices of always treating the situation as if the blood were infected. This could save you from contracting any of these bloodborne pathogens. Remember to always protect yourself first before administering first-aid.

Bloodborne Pathogens – Part 1

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Hopefully the time never comes where you have to perform first aid on a coworker. But in the event that you do, bloodborne pathogens should be a huge concern. The more you know the less likely you are to make a life altering mistake, so let’s dive in.

First, it’s good to know that the risk of a bloodborne pathogen transmitting is a small one but definitely not worth gambling with. Not following safety protocol while performing First Aid on a coworker could leave you susceptible to contracting Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.  The likelihood of receiving a needle stick on site is highly unlikely, maybe performing first aid and an EpiPen or insulin is administered but other than that the most common way to transmit while administering first-aid would be a splash. The chances of transmitting from a splash to the eyes or lips or mouth is very low. So, just know if it does happen, your chances of contracting anything are very low and also note that the person receiving first aid has to be infected in order to contract it to you. Every bloodborne pathogen has different levels of the virus in the blood. Hepatitis B ranges from 6% to 30% chance of infection with a cut. Whereas HIV has only 0.3%. Dropping even lower with a splash of blood. That being said, let’s take every precaution so that that number is 0%.

Time Pressure

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Every job has a deadline. Every project manager, general manager and foreman is trying to make that deadline. Missing these deadlines can cost exorbitant amounts of money or even future jobs. As frontline workers, us trades people definitely feel the pressure too. However rushing too much is where injuries skyrocket. So where’s the balance?

Here’s a few things to help take the pressure off. Plan ahead. Make sure you have the necessary tools, a good understanding of the task at hand, the correct PPE and the right personnel Start your task when you get it. Don’t slack off till the day before your foreman expects it done, then work like crazy to finish it. Open the line of communication with supervisors. If a deadline is unrealistic, explain that. Maybe offer alternatives. Gentle reminder to your supervisors that rushing a job is unsafe and also affects quality. As for yourself, take time to do the job safely and properly. This doesn’t mean stand around idle, or take a short nap. It means work at a safe and efficient pace. Don’t kill yourself for deadline.

Heart Attacks

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Us trades people aren’t known for our healthy lifestyle and this is a big factor in heart health. With heart attacks on the rise and happening to younger and younger victims, we need to be prepared. Know the signs and what to do if you or a co-worker is having a heart attack.

Heart attacks are not always clutching your chest and falling on the ground. The symptoms can include any of the following: chest pain, discomfort in your stomach, back, upper body, neck and jaw. It’s not always your left arm but discomfort in your arms is a symptom too. Women seem to get discomfort in the jaw more frequently than men. Also look out for nausea, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, inability to sleep and some people get cold sweats. If you suspect that you or a co-worker is having a heart attack, jump into action immediately.

The quicker a heart attack is treated the better chances the victim has of making a recovery. Call first responders… Every site has a different emergency response plan. Whether it’s calling site EMS or 911. Know it and use it. Get the victim off their feet and keep them calm. If possible administer aspirin. Your First Aid kit should have some. If the victim stops breathing, start CPR and continue to do so till paramedics arrive.

Knowing the signs and taking swift action could be what saves your life or a coworker’s life. Never ignore the signs or dismiss someone else’s symptoms. And maybe work on having a healthy lifestyle to try and avoid heart attacks all together.

Step Ladder Safety

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There is a common misconception that using step ladders are much safer than using an extension ladder or the ladder going to the top of the Highline, right? Wrong! Most falls on site are under 6 feet. Yet workers continue to misuse step ladders. Here are a few key points to make sure you’re not a statistic.

Always do your pre-work inspection. I feel like I say this a hundred times a day but I can’t stress this enough. You don’t know what the last worker did to it or how it was stored, etc, etc. Make sure all the feet of the ladder are secure. Get a coworker to hold it in place for you if you can. Use 3 points of contact. Always face the ladder while on it. Don’t walk down it like stairs. Never stand or sit on the top rung of the ladder. Every site has different standards for what height to tie off at. Make sure you know and follow this.

Make sure to follow the same precautions on a step ladder as any other ladder. Just because you’re not 15 meters up, doesn’t mean you’re safe. So stay safe and follow the rules.

Tire Safety

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Whether you’re a foreman, rig welder or the safety officer… your truck takes a beating on site. Most people do their pre-use walkarounds (if you don’t… you should start) but what are you looking for? Lights work ☑️, nothing blocking you ☑️, no leaks ☑️. But when was the last time you checked your tires? This is an often overlooked hazard that can be a life or death one.

Depending on the season, check to make sure you have the proper tire for the weather. 7°C and colder needs winter tires. Do a visual check, noting any excessive wear and tear, holes, nails and cracks. Check your pressure, this is actually listed on the owners manual not on the tire. Check your tread. The best way to do this is stick a quarter in the tread with the Caribou’s nose facing down, towards the tire, if you can still see his whole nose and face… It’s time for new tires.

A 5 second check could be the difference between arriving to your destination safe and sound or blowing a tire on highway 63 and ending up in the hospital or worse. Always check your tires, especially before a long trip.

Die Grinder Safety

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Die grinders are a lifesaver for any apprentice welder, I don’t how I would have gotten through my first and second year without it. At one point my foreman asked me if I was a Welder or a “Grinder”? Thank goodness I got the hang of welding, unfortunately there’s no Red Seal program for grinding. Even though these little grinders are lifesavers, they can also be very hazardous. Take note of a few tips to keep die grinding a helper and not a mishap.

Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Do a pre-work inspection before every use. Make sure the rating of the disc or wheel is compatible with the grinder. Never remove or alter factory guards. Have a good stance, feet shoulder width apart and a good grip. Depending on the wheel, these grinders can have a lot of kick back, that usually heads straight for your face. So be cautious, have long hair tied back and make sure you are wearing all the proper PPE. Don’t forget to make sure you’re in a save environment to grind, no flammables or combustibles.

These grinders are little powerhouses, remember that goes for the injuries they can cause too. So always use caution when handling them. The best way to lower your risk… Is get better at welding, no grinder needed.

Back to School

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It’s that time of year again… When parents all over rejoice as their kids head back to school. Make sure to take time out of your happy dance to go over some safety tips to keep you kiddos safe.

Go over the basics with your youngster; Always cross at a marked crosswalk. Look both ways and wait until a complete stop has been made to proceed. Make eye contact with the driver. Always stay on the sidewalk or path.

As for drivers; follow posted speed limits, especially in school zones. Stay alert, keep your eyes on the road, you never know when a child could dart out in front of you. Never pass another vehicle stopped for pedestrians or drop off.

Keeping these little ones safe is every drivers job. Reckless driving, whether it’s speeding or taking a quick glance at your phone could take away their chance at a future… which is worth so much more than your text message or getting to you destination 2 minutes faster. Take extra care on the roads this week… And always.

Labour Day

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Happy Labour Day! We want to take a minute and recognize all you hard working Canadians out there. As trade people this is a day we should take pride in. Also remembering the workers before us that fought hard for our right to better working conditions and our safer work environments. So pay it back and keep yourself and others working safely.  Enjoy the long weekend.

Tick Safety

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Ticks carrying Lyme disease has been on an all-time high in the last few years. With some trades and at some sites you have no choice but to work in areas where ticks are commonly found. The good news is that the black-legged ticks that can carry the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease are not as common here as in other parts of the world. But we should still protect ourselves just the same.

Use a bug spray containing DEET to deter them for you, make sure to reapply as needed throughout the day. Your clothing should be covering you as much as possible, that shouldn’t be a problem if you’re properly dressed for work. Your arms, legs, hands, head and feet should be covered anyways. Try to stay out of areas where they live if there’s a path take it, don’t go trudging through the woods or tall grass unless you have to. Check for ticks periodically. If you find a tick, safely remove it. Seek medical attention if you have the tell-tale bullseye around the bite mark. Also if you develop flu-like symptoms, sore muscles, joint pain, chills, fatigue or just a general feeling of unwell.

Lyme disease can cause you a lifetime of problems. The key to avoiding it is preventing ticks from biting you; and a clean quick removal if they do. Also remember, if you’re bitten by a tick, try to save the body after removal and take it in for testing; this will help you identify future risks.