Maintaining best practices in construction site safety

 

Construction sites are one of the best examples of why occupational safety must be observed. The hazards are everywhere. Martin Sanders suggests that contractors maintain site safety practices monitored and checked by a competent safety officer. Here are some of the best safety practices that should be maintained on-site.

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Safety training

Construction workers should be made aware of the hazards and safety of the construction site. Workers or subcontractors must undergo proper safety training before entering the area. It is the responsibility of the general contractor to provide written and hands-on training to its employees. Online resources are even available, where training tips and safety education are provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), notes Martin Sanders.

Proper site equipment

A construction worker must always wear proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) while on-site. These could be high visibility clothing making sure they could be seen, safety boots to protect their feet, and hard hats against falling debris. But proper equipment should not be limited to wearable gear only. Construction workers should also be hydrated with available water to drink. There should also be designated areas for rest.

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Basic medical procedure

OSHA recommends that a trained first aid provider be present on-site; otherwise, the site should maintain strict procedures in case of emergency. According to Martin Sanders, a first aid provider must have undergone training to acquire knowledge and skills in first aid, CPR, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Captain Martin Sanders is a seasoned public health and safety expert with more than 12 years in the occupational health and safety sector. He served as Director of Safety, Environmental Compliance and Emergency Management of the Federal Occupational Health, Program Support Center, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration. For similar writings, visit this blog.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Government.

How to help someone unresponsive and not breathing

 

When someone within your vicinity suddenly drops down for no apparent reason, that already counts as a medical emergency that could have dozens of causes. But since most people aren't doctors, it's no one's job to know what's wrong. According to public health expert Capt. Martin Sanders, it is one's civic duty to take care of each other and aid other people in similar emergencies. The job is to ensure that the unresponsive person is kept alive until the emergency response team arrives.

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The first thing you need to do is to see if you can get a response from the unresponsive person. To do so, shake their shoulders or speak to them using a loud voice. If they don't respond, immediately check if they are breathing or not. Look, listen, and feel for breaths near their nose. Feel the air from their nose when they exhale or see their chest rise and fall as they breathe. If 10 seconds have passed without them breathing, ask someone to call 911. If you are alone with the victim, call 911 and place the phone on speaker mode.

If there is a crowd surrounding you and the victim, tell them to back off and give you space. If you are in a government building or a commercial complex, ask people to call security and get an AED or an automated external defibrillator from any nearby clinic or nearby pharmacy.

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After delegating some work, proceed to do chest compressions on the unresponsive person. Place both hands at the center of the victim's chest and push down firmly at a regular rate until help arrives. According to Martin Sanders, doing more than what was mentioned, like performing an emergency endotracheal intubation without prior experience, will put the victim's life in further danger as the blood may fill their lungs, making the situation worse. If the victim regains consciousness, ask them to remain lying down or sit them up and wait for the paramedics to arrive.

Throughout his career, Capt. Martin Sanders, Ph.D., had been deeply involved in biosafety and biosecurity issues both in the US and abroad. He specializes in biological safety, field medical operations, biosecurity, occupational safety and health, infectious disease epidemiology, environmental health services, and occupational health and wellness programs. For more insightful reads on public safety, visit this website.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Government.

The safety side of events planning

 

For more than a decade now, Captain Martin Sanders has helped keep people safe. It is part of his job, which has also become his passion in life. In fact, over the past few years, he has maintained a series of blogs in which he discusses a broad range of topics surrounding health and safety.

In today’s blog, Martin Sanders reviews the many important points on the safety side of events planning, and updates them to show the many added measures because of the current global health crisis.

Before anything else, Martin Sanders says that while the main safety measure today would not include any events at all, the truth of the matter is, even with all the restrictions, people have kept planning, organizing, and putting together events. Events such as professional sports have resumed.

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So, first thing’s first. To ensure the safety of people coming to these events, COVID-19 safety protocols have to be observed at all times. There has to be social distancing with audiences, as well as the implementation of the wearing of masks. Lines into and out the venue should be orderly where, again, social distancing has to be followed.

To achieve this, Martin Sanders mentions that security officers should be present inside and outside the venue. Depending on the event, organizers may need more security detail to cover the event.

Captain Martin Sanders, Ph.D. has more than 12 years of experience in the field of occupational safety and health. He most recently served as the acting Chief of Safety for the Department of Health and Human Services. For more articles on public safety and health, visit this website.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin L. Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.

Mobile technology and its invaluable role during a crisis

 

Martin Sanders has written several blogs on crisis management. He has emphasized the importance of every little detail regarding safety and survival in various situations. One thing that he has always pointed out was the significance of mobile technology during difficult times. 

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In today's world, one that is struggling with a health crisis, mobile technology has come to the forefront of businesses and has become one of the most indispensable aspects of continued operations and employee safety. Because of mobile technology, people can work from a distance and not be at risk of being infected.

In the healthcare industry, Martin Sanders points out that mobile technology has been nothing short of a miracle of sorts. He explains that mobile technology has allowed for the unbelievable to happen, not just with COVID-19 but with other crises. Nowadays, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals can reach people they cannot reach physically through mobile technology and deliver observations, diagnoses, and prescriptions, which never before could have been done. 

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Martin Sanders cannot fathom what the world would be like, especially today with the COVID-19 pandemic, without mobile technology. He is very much looking toward the future and what it holds with mobile tech's continued advancement.

What about you? What are your best and most practical safety applications of mobile tech in your life today? Feel free to share them with Martin Sanders in the comments section below.

Captain Martin Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, has more than a decade of service in the occupational and safety sector. He is well-versed in biological safety, field medical operations, biosecurity, occupational safety and health, infectious disease epidemiology, environmental health services, and occupational health and wellness programs. Visit this link to learn more about him.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Government.

What are some of the most common illnesses people experience during winter?

 

When the air quality becomes dry and the temperature drops, a person's immunity can weaken. As viruses and germs are easily transmitted during the winter months, one should prepare to boost their health. Captain Martin Sanders, Ph.D., an occupational health and safety professional shares some of the most common winter illnesses. 

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Bronchitis

The bronchial tubes are responsible for carrying air to the lungs. When this part becomes inflamed, it can cause thick mucus and coughing. Those who suffer from bronchitis might suffer from shortness of breath, wheezing, body aches, and chest pain. Those who are experiencing the symptoms can take over-the-counter medication for cough, fever, and pain relief. Drinking lots of water and getting plenty of rest will help the body recover.

Sore throat

The cold weather can cause colds and flu. Sometimes, these illnesses can also trigger a sore throat with symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, an itchy or scratchy feeling in the throat, and a hoarse voice. As this illness is usually caused by a weakened immune system and dry air quality, Martin Sanders, Ph.D. and other health experts suggest common treatments such as gargling with salt, antibacterial solution, pain medication, and warm liquids will help ease the discomfort in a few days. 

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Norovirus

This virus can cause vomiting and diarrhea that can last up to three days. A weakened immune system can make a person prone to this illness. Even if a person can recover from this virus in a few days, health professionals like Martin Sanders, Ph.D. recommend patients to prevent dehydration by drinking fluids and oral rehydration medication. Those who are experiencing the symptoms must also keep a distance from others as this can be a highly contagious virus.

To stay healthy during winter, one must continue to eat nutritious meals, exercise, and rest properly. Keeping one's surroundings clean and disinfected is also important to prevent the spread of these common illnesses.

Capt. Martin Sanders, Ph.D., has rendered over 10 years of service in occupational safety and health. For more reads on public safety, visit this page.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin L. Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.

Some points to ponder on common office waste

 

Most companies today are genuinely interested in the idea of infusing environmentally sound practices in their day to day operations, as occupational health and safety expert Martin Sanders believes. However, people still make the mistake of thinking that they are doing things supporting an environmental agenda when they are not. This blog shares some points to ponder on common office waste, which you can't actually recycle. 

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What coffee cup do you use? 

Your innocent-looking coffee cup may seem like it's made of paper, but inside, this is a thin layer of plastic. Since this is made up of two different materials, it cannot be recycled unless separated. This is not easy to do by hand, and separation requires a special machine. The same thing goes for most disposable soda tumblers and straws provided in convenience stores and fast-food restaurants.

Fancy some pizza?

It's very common for people at work to get food that's quick to eat and easy to clean after. This simply makes it so much easier for you to get back to work, doesn't it? This is why pizza is a popular choice among workmates. However, if you think that you're environmentally supportive of your recyclable pizza carton, think again. Pizza cartons that are contaminated with oils cannot be recycled because these require, again, separation. The same goes for tissue paper or a used kitchen towel, which you just used to wipe off your greasy fingers. 

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Are those plastic bottles clean?

Plastic bottles can be quite handy in the office, especially as these are easy to carry around with you the whole day. However, if you are the bottle-carrying type, you must know that the recycler cannot do much about your empty bottle if it's dirty. For instance, plastic juice bottles or soda bottles tend to hold residual traces of whatever liquid it used to contain. If you really want to help the environment, you should give this a good rinse before throwing it in the bin.

Capt. Martin Sanders, Ph.D, CSP, has extensive experience in biological defense activities and infectious disease outbreak investigation. Visit this page for similar reads.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Government.

The significance of workplace safety: A review

 

Martin Sanders has written quite a number of articles and blogs on workplace safety, simply because there is arguably nothing more important when it comes to the workplace. Following safety protocols should not only be mandatory; it should also be a priority. 

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Decades ago, workplace safety was not really given the importance it deserved. However, today, businesses and management teams have become more aware to the many risks and hazards their offices and workplaces present. Building safety inspections have become stricter, laying down more requirements than ever before.

Nowadays, the existence of health hazards in a workplace can have more than just accidents as a consequence. It can be damaging to the reputation of a company. It can lead to lowered or even lack of productivity. It can negatively affect workplace moral. It can have legal repercussions, too. In fact, not fixing any safety issue in the workplace can now be considered a criminal act, and even more so, when an employee gets hurt, injured, or worse because of it. 

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Martin Sanders explains that while workplace safety primarily affects people’s lives, the absence of it will reach way beyond employee hospital bills. As such, it is for the best of everyone involved, and this includes the business owners and their clients, that companies put workplace safety above all.

Capt. Martin Sanders, Ph.D., has years of experience in the field of occupational safety and health. He recently obtained a certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. For similar reads, visit this page.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin L. Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.