Recognizing Medical Conditions - Tool Box Talks

Medical emergencies are a workplace reality. Not every supervisor needs to know first aid and CPR, but supervisors should know who in the building is trained to handle emergencies and what they can do in the meantime. Here are some common medical emergencies and some helpful responses:

Choking
First, ask if the person needs help. If he says no, you may only make matters worse if you interfere. If he nods yes—or motions for help— use the Heimlich maneuver. Call for help if the situation doesn’t clear immediately.

Allergy Attacks
Allergy attacks are more likely to happen when a person is around paint, chemical vapors or insects (bees). Symptoms include itching, hives, swelling of the eyes or mouth and difficulty breathing. Have the person sit down in an area with clear air. If he or she is having trouble breathing or goes into shock, call for help immediately.

Heart Attacks
Symptoms include chest pain, shoulder pain, nausea, fatigue and/or sweating. Call for emergency help immediately. Have someone start CPR if necessary.

Diabetic Complications
Symptoms include extreme thirst, lethargy, weakness, mental confusion or coma. Call for help immediately. If the person is conscious, give him or her fruit juice or hard candy.

Seizure Disorders
During minor seizures (petit mal) the person loses awareness, stares and twitches. Once the episode is over, encourage the person to go to the hospital or see a doctor. During a severe seizure (grand mal) the person may lose consciousness, become very stiff and then twitch and jerk. Do not try to hold the person down or keep him still. Clear the immediate area to help prevent injury. Call for help immediately.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Lightning Safety

The U.S. lightning season is summer but lightning can strike year round! The July is historically one of the most deadly times of the year for lightning. Thunderstorms and lightning are most likely to develop on hot, humid days. Thunderstorms and lightning can be very dangerous, especially if a person is outdoors without proper protection. If lightning is seen or heard, take protective action immediately. Each year, about 400 children and adults in the U.S. are struck by lightning About 80 people are killed and several hundred more are left to cope with permanent disabilities. Many of these tragedies can be avoided. Completing a work shift isn’t worth death or crippling injury. 

Facts

All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous   - Lightning kills more people each year than tornadoes.

Lightning often strikes as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. - Many deaths from lightning occur ahead of the storm because people try and wait to the last minute before seeking shelter. 

You are in danger from lightning if you can hear thunder - If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough that it could strike your location at any moment. 

Lightning injuries can lead to permanent disabilities or death - On average, 20% of strike victims die; 70% of survivors suffer serious long term effects. 

Look for dark cloud bases and increasing wind - Every flash of lightning is dangerous, even the first. Head to safety before that first flash. If you hear thunder, head to safety! 

Safety Tips 
 
1. Postpone activities promptly. Don't wait for rain. Many people take shelter from the rain, but most people struck by lightning are not in the rain! Go quickly inside a completely enclosed house.  If no enclosed house is convenient, get inside a hard-topped vehicle. 

2. Be the lowest point. Lightning hits the tallest object. Don't be the second tallest object during a lightning storm! Crouch down if you are in an exposed area.   Roof sheeting, and ladder work should be suspended when lightning is seen or thunder is heard.  

3. Keep an eye on the sky.  Look for darkening skies, flashes of lightning, or increasing wind, which may be signs of an approaching thunderstorm. 

4. Listen for the sound of thunder. If you can hear thunder, go to a safe shelter immediately. 

5. Avoid leaning against vehicles. Get inside the vehicle or inside a building 

6. Avoid metal! Don’t carry metal ladders.

7. Wait 30 minutes.  Do not return to the outdoors until 30 minutes have past after last lightning. 

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Residential Home Builders Alliance Next Meeting

Wednesday, August 24, 2016
5 - 8 pm
The Lucky Monk
105 Hollywood Blvd., South Barrington
(I-90, exit Barrington Rd. North, on left)

Download the Flyer

A small group of long time building industry professionals have listened and we are responding to our peers with the intention of forming a new Association.

We love our industry and intend to provide value to our members that has been lacking in recent years.

We do not want to compete with other associations, just to keep it simple and provide something different without excessive fees and politics.

Register and Pay Online

$25 per person - includes dinner, cash bar.

RSVP to (630) 512-0552 or by e-mail to cathyk@rcecusa.org 

Cathy Kirin - RHBA
1333 Burr Ridge Parkway, Suite 200, Burr Ridge, IL 60527,  Voice 630.512.0552, Fax 630-812-0442                

Safe Response - If you are a health professional . . .

Overview

If  you  are  a  health  professional,  a  designated  first  responder,  or  first  aid  provider  in  your  company,  or  if  you  are  involved in maintenance  or  housekeeping  work  that  could  potentially  expose  you  to  bloodborne  pathogens,  you  need  to  know  how  to  protect yourself  from  potentially  infectious  material.


What  are  Bloodborne  Pathogens?

Bloodborne  pathogens  are  microorganisms  in  human  blood  that  can  cause  disease  in  humans.  Examples  are  hepatitis  B  virus (HBV),  human  immunodeficiency  virus  (HIV),  malaria,  syphilis, and  brucellosis.


Bloodborne  Pathogens  and  Needlesticks

OSHA  has  revised  its  Bloodborne  Pathogens  standard  to  clarify  the  need  for  employers  to  select  safer  needle  devices  as  they become  available  and  to  involve  employees  in  identifying  and  choosing  the  devices.  Employers  have  to  establish  a  log  to  track  needlestick  injuries.

Engineering  and  Work  Practice  Controls

Your  company  strives  to  reduce  the  risk  of  infection  to  employees  who,  in  order  to  perform  their  jobs,  may  be  reasonably anticipated  to  come  into contact  with  blood  and  other  potentially  infectious  materials.  The  risks  can  be  reduced  by  following  good work  practices.  Universal  Precautions  is  an  approach  to  infection  control  where  all  human  blood  and  certain  human  body  fluids are  treated  as  if  they  were  known  to  be  infectious  for  bloodborne  pathogens.


 Follow  these  precautions  when  working  with  human  blood  and  other  potentially  infectious  materials  (OPIMs):

• Wear  appropriate  personal  protective  equipment  (PPE).

• Dispose  of  sharps  properly.

• Properly  label  and  enclose  any  material  contaminated  with  blood  or  OPIMs  in  leakproof  red  bags  or  containers.

• Wash  your  hands  after  handling  contaminated  material  (even  though  you  were  wearing  PPE).

• Report  any  exposure  incident  to  your  employer.  An  exposure  incident  is  any  specific  eye,  mouth,  other  mucous  membrane,  non-intact  skin,  or  parenteral  contact  with  blood  or  OPIM  resulting  from  the  performance  of  an  employee's duties.


Hepatitis  B  Vaccination

Hepatitis  B  is  the  greatest  bloodborne  pathogen  risk.  Your  employer  offers  you  the  hepatitis  B  vaccination  series  when  your  job  duties  could  expose  you  to  blood  or  certain  body  fluids.  If  you  initially  refuse  the  vaccination,  you  must  sign  a  declination form, but  you  can  request  to  be  vaccinated  later.
This information was provided by: Assurance Agency



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