Category: Toolbox

What constitutes cold stress and its effects can vary across different areas of the country. In regions that are not used to winter weather, near freezing temperatures are considered factors for “cold stress.”
Cold stress occurs by driving down the skin temperature, and
eventually the internal body temperature. When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold-related illnesses and injuries may occur, and permanent tissue damage and death may result. Types of cold stress include: (www.OSHA.gov).

• Immersion/Trench foot
• Frostbite
• Hypothermia

Meeting Start Question

• What is Cold Stress?
• How can cold stress be prevented?
• What are three types of cold stress?

Critical Safety Point

Cold temperatures force your body to work harder and use more energy to maintain it’s temperature. Blood flow shifts from outer extremities to your core and that increases the risk of fros-tb1te afld hypothermia. Both frostbite and hypothermia can lead to amputation and death.
lmmersion/Trenchfoot
Trench foot is a non-freezing injury of the feet caused by prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions. It can occur in temperatures as high as 60°F if feet are constantly wet. Injury occurs because wet feet lose heat 25-times faster than dry feet.
Frostbite
Frostbite is caused by the freezing of the skin and tissues. Frostbite can cause permanent damage to the body, and in severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.

When injuries happen, employees should alert their manager.  The manager or manager on duty reports injuries to Sedgwick at 1-877-576-1911.

Fire is a chemical reaction that requires three elements to be present
for the reaction to take place and continue.
The three elements are:
• Heat or an ignition source
• Fuel
• Oxygen
These three elements are referred to as the “fire triangle.” The key to effective workplace fire
safety is being able to recognize and eliminate potential fire hazards. Understanding Hazard
recognition & Fire Prevention are key components in keeping your workplace safe.

(www.OSHA.gov).

Meeting Start Question

• What three elements are required to start a fire?
• What is the definition of Daisy Chaining?
• What precautions can you take for a fire-safe holiday season?

Critical Safety Point

Preventing Electrical Fire – Most fires are preventable. Employees must be aware of fire risks
from electrical wires and equipment at all times. Employees should be trained to identify fire
hazards before they can cause fires or shock.
This includes:
• Cracked, worn or broken wire insulation.
• Discoloration of wall outlets.
• A burning smell or unusual odor from equipment or wiring.
• Improper usage of electrical cords
• Faulty or bad wiring or cords .
If employees see electrical hazards in the workplace, it’s important to report it immediately. Lock
Out Tag Out ( de- energize) may be required.
Daisy Chain – a daisy chain is a wiring scheme in which multiple devices are wired together in
sequence or in a ring, similar to a garland of daisy flowers.
• Avoid “Daisy Chaining” electrical cords.
• Daisy Chaining is against OSHA regulations

When injuries happen, employees should alert their manager.  The manager or manager on duty reports injuries to Sedgwick at 1-877-576-1911.

Safety means to ensure a safe and healthful working conditions for
workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training,
education, and assistance. Office safety is the
practice of ensuring a safe, working environment for employees and
visitors. Some Common Hazards to the office environments are:
• Housekeeping
• Ergonomics
• Lifting
• Electrical Hazards
• Chemical Hazards

(www.OSHA.gov).

Meeting Start Question

• What is Office Safety?
• What is the practice in ensuring a safe working environment?
• What are some common hazards in the office environment?

Critical Safety Points

• What is Office Safety?
• What is the practice in ensuring a safe working environment?
• What are some common hazards in the office environment?

When injuries happen, employees should alert their manager.  The manager or manager on duty reports injuries to Sedgwick at 1-877-576-1911.

What are bloodborne pathogens? Bloodborne pathogens are
infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in
humans. All occupational exposure to blood or other potentially
infectious materials (OPIM) places workers at risk for infection from bloodborne pathogens
These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries may expose
workers to bloodborne pathogens. (www.OSHA.gov).

Meeting Start Question

▪ What are bloodborne pathogens?
▪ What can be done to control the exposure to bloodborne pathogens?
▪ What is OPIM?

Critical Safety Points

Blood and other potentially infrectious materials (OPIMs) gushing or dripping out of wounds
can cause HIV, hepatitis, and numerous other serious and potentially fatal diseases. Avenues of
infection include skin punctures, small cuts, acne, or suburn blisters, and your eyes, nose, and
mouth (e.g., if you rub your eyes or nose with contaminated gloves or clothing, you’ve put
yourself at risk.).
Infectious agents can survive in dried blood for up to seven days. Never assume that if blood or
OPIMs are dry, you are not at risk of infections. If you assigned to clean up a spill, cover the
area containing blood or OPIM with paper towels or rags, pour disinfectant solution over the
towels and leave them in place for at least 10 minutes. That will help kill the infectious agents,
then you can clean up the spill.

When injuries happen, employees should alert their manager.  The manager or manager on duty reports injuries to Sedgwick at 1-877-576-1911.

Heat Stress
Heat Stress can cause incidents due to loss of focus or excessive fatigue. The direct
consequences of Heat Stress can include: Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, or Heat Stroke (www.OSHA.gov).

Meeting Start Question

▪ Are you aware of how to prevent Heat Stress?
▪ What should you do if an employee falls ill due to Heat Stress?
▪ How can you reduce your risk for heat related illness during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Critical Safety Points

Heat-Related Illnesses:
Heat Stroke- Heat Stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. Suffering from a Heat Stroke
can result in death or cause damage to the brain and other internal organs.

Heat Cramps– Heat Cramps are painful short lived muscle cramps.

Heat Exhaustion– There are two types of of Heat Exhaustion. Water depletion- Signs include
excessive thirst, weakness, headache, and loss of consciousness. Salt depletion- Signs include
nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, and dizziness.

The best way to avoid a heat-related illness is to limit exposure outdoors during hot days. Air
conditioning is the best way to cool off, according to the CDC. Also:
▪ Drink more liquid than you think you need and avoid alcohol
▪ Wear loose, lightweight clothing and a hat
▪ Replace salt lost from sweating by drinking fruit juice or sports drinks
▪ Avoid spending time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

When injuries happen, employees should alert their manager.  The manager or manager on duty reports injuries to Sedgwick at 1-877-576-1911.

According to OSHA: Understanding chemicals and the potential impact
with employees and employers is important. It is also crucial to be able
to classify the potential hazards of chemicals, communicate
information concerning hazards, and communicate appropriate protective measures to
employees (www.osha.gov).

Meeting Start Question

• Are there any hazardous chemicals that you currently use or come into contact with
during your work day?
• Have you been trained on how to properly store and dispose hazardous chemicals
within your workspace?
• Do you know the proper steps to follow if an exposure were to happen?

Critical Safety Points

What Forms Do Chemicals Take:
• Solid
• Liquid
• Gas

How To Recognize Solid Chemicals:
Dusts and Particles: Dust and powder can be found in the air. Dust and Powder is a reaction to
cutting, drilling, grinding, and sanding. Cutting, drilling, grinding, and sanding produces dust and
particles that can be inhaled.
Fumes and Fibers: Fumes are classified as small droplets of metal formed metal has been
vaporized by high temperatures, common in welding. Fibers are compounds that are similar to
dust, but take on a elongated shape, an example of this would be asbestos or fiberglass.
How To Recognize Liquid Chemicals:
• Liquids: It is possible for liquid chemicals to have direct contact with the body, this could
lead to absorption into the body.

When injuries happen, employees should alert their manager.  The manager or manager on duty reports injuries to Sedgwick at 1-877-576-1911.

Heat Stress can cause incidents due to loss of focus or excessive
fatigue (www.OSHA.gov). The direct consequences of Heat Stress can
include: Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, or Heat Stroke
(www.OSHA.gov).

Meeting Start Question

▪ In your department, are there workers who work outside?
▪ Are you aware of how to prevent Heat Stress?
▪ What should you do if an employee falls ill due to Heat Stress?
▪ How can you reduce your risk for heat related illness during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Critical Safety Points

Heat Stroke
Seek medical help immediately. Signs and symptoms include flushed skin that is very hot to the touch;
rapid breathing; headache, dizziness, confusion or irrational behavior; and convulsions or
unresponsiveness. The victim also will likely have stopped sweating. Please take action by:
▪ Call 911 immediately
▪ Move the victim to a cool place
▪ Remove outer clothing
▪ Immediately cool the victim with any means at hand, preferably by immersing up to the neck in
cold water (with the help of a second rescuer)
▪ If immersion in cold water is not possible, place the victim in a cold shower or move to a cool
area and cover as much of the body as possible with cold, wet towels
▪ Do not try to force the victim to drink liquids
▪ Monitor the victim’s breathing and be ready to give CPR if needed
Heat Exhaustion
This can happen when the body loses an excessive amount of salt and water. Symptoms are like those
of the flu and can include severe thirst, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting and, sometimes, diarrhea.

When injuries happen, employees should alert their manager.  The manager or manager on duty reports injuries to Sedgwick at 1-877-576-1911.