Water is a Vital Key to Summer Survival

Are you carrying any water in your car or truck right now? Whether you spend the entire summer just driving around town or are involved in outdoor activities a supply of emergency water is a necessity. With weather getting warmer it may not be uncommon to have temperatures in the triple digits and being hydrated may save you from heat exhaustion.

Every year, people drive into the desert heat without thinking to keep a supply of water in their vehicles. For those who may experience an automotive breakdown such a mistake can be fatal. The Nevada sun can dry you out in a short period of time and dehydration can cause a complete physical breakdown.

Over the years there have been accounts of local residents travelling into the desert for a day of fun and have never returned. In most of these cases dehydration has been either a direct cause of death or a contributing factor. With bottled water so readily available, there is no reason to not have a supply of drinking water with you wherever you go.

Take the time now to prepare yourselves for travel by having a good supply of drinking water in your vehicle. It could mean the difference between life and death.

For more information on this subject contact Bob Arnold of PGM Safety Services at bobarnold@pgmnv.com or at (800) 859-3177.

Keeping Your Skin Injury Free

Maintaining healthy, intact skin and preventing skin injury is important both at work and at home.  A large portion of occupational illnesses involve injury to skin tissue in the form of irritation, inflammation, and chemical burns.  But not all skin injuries are work related.  Each year thousands of people suffer tissue injury from exposures to plants, bacteria and chemicals commonly found around the house.  Exposures to plants such as poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac can produce severe and painful irritation.  Exposures to bacteria and fungi can also cause irritation and infection.  Improper use and over exposure to household cleaners, pesticides and other chemicals can and will cause skin damage.

There are three elements to protecting our skin.  First, we must be able to recognize the hazards of harmful substances we may encounter.  Product labels and Material Safety Data Sheets provide information about the hazards associated with the materials that you may be working around or using.  These resources should always be consulted to make sure that the harmful properties of a substance are understood.

Secondly, safe work practices, should be used when working with materials that are potentially harmful.  Every precaution should be taken to avoid skin and eye contact with hazardous substances.  When using chemical agents, it is advisable to practice good personal hygiene and wash your hands before and after using the restroom to avoid contamination of other body areas.  If your skin is accidentally exposed to a harmful substance, the risk of serious injury can be reduced if you are familiar with first aid procedures for that particular product.  You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience any changes in the skin from an exposure to a substance.

Third, use appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment.  It is important to understand that no single piece of protective clothing and equipment can protect you from all types of hazardous substances.  Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, and select the personal protective clothing and equipment that will protect you from specific hazards of a substance.

When working with any harmful substance on the job, work areas should be kept clean and free of debris, and containers should be labeled and stored according to established state and Federal regulations and your company’s safety policy.  You should also know the location of eyewash stations and emergency showers.  In the event of accidental exposure, notify you supervisor immediately.