Common health hazards at work and how to prevent them

 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration regards workplace hazards as risks or those threatening a workplace duty or environment. If these hazards remain unattended and unassessed, they could lead to injuries and illnesses among employees. Employers are given the responsibility to provide employees a safe and secure space to work, shares Captain Martin Sanders, Ph.D.

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Among the workplace hazards present in the workplace are biological hazards, physical hazards, and chemical hazards. Biological hazards come from organisms, animals, plants, and humans, posing a threat to a person’s health. Typical examples of these are molds, blood, bodily fluids, and sewage. In general, people experience allergic reactions when exposed to these, causing them to pause from work.

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Workplace hazards that are corrosive, toxic, combustible, and flammable are called chemical hazards. These put a person’s life at risk when they inhale, ingest, or touch it. Harmful and acute burns, vomiting, irritation, asthma, and other chronic or critical issues may arise from these. Physical hazards deal with natural elements and activities in a workplace that can put a person’s life in danger. Poor air quality, extreme temperatures, excessive noise, and radiation exposure are categorized as physical hazards, which can cause hearing impairment, cancer, respiratory issues, and other health problems.

According to Captain Martin Sanders, Ph.D., the best way to prevent these is to employ safety managers in the workplace to reduce the consequences of environmental hazards. They investigate and analyze the workplace environment to effect necessary changes or health and safety standards to prevent employees from falling due to environmental hazards.

Captain Martin Sanders, Ph.D., has over a decade of service in the occupational safety and health sector. He possesses extensive experience in biological defense activities and infectious disease outbreak investigations. Head over to this blog for more updates.

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.

Musculoskeletal disorders that everyone needs to know

 

The body is exposed to many work-related injuries, especially when lifting or moving heavy objects beyond one's physical capacity. Capt. Martin Sanders notes that this could result in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that the body may suffer from. Today's article will discuss this work-related risk and how such life-changing disabilities affect productivity.

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Occupation is one of the risk factors in having musculoskeletal disorders; others are age, activity level, lifestyle, family history. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are conditions affecting the muscles, bones, and joints. Specifically, work-related MSDs are often described as injuries or disorders, including the nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs.

Although the risk of developing MSDs increases as you get older, your work conditions may lead to it in advance. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) may be brought on by performing heavy tasks, especially for construction workers, machine operators, and the like. Examples include, but not limited to, lifting heavy objects, exposure to vibration, work with the neck in a flexion position, and repeating forceful tasks.

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Workers who suffer from work-related MSDs are affected in their productivity, resulting in absenteeism, increased healthcare, disabilities, and other compensation costs, explains Capt. Martin Sanders. Certain musculoskeletal disorders include tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibromyalgia, and bone fractures. However, on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website, injuries caused by incidents such as slips, trips, falls, and the like are not considered musculoskeletal disorders.

Captain Martin Sanders is a seasoned public health and safety professional with more than a decade of experience. 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 updates, 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.

Major disciplines of environmental health

 

There are five major disciplines in the field of environmental health. Captain Martin Sanders wishes the public to understand the role of Public Health Officers, as he lays down an overview of each discipline that has an impact on our natural and built environments.

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Environmental epidemiology

It studies the impact of environmental exposures on human health, such as exposure to radiation, chemicals, microbiological agents, etc. However, with ethical considerations, these studies are 'observational' in nature, meaning information is gathered after exposure has occurred.

Toxicology

Unlike environmental epidemiology, studies here involve animal subjects to determine the effects of environmental exposure and to understand possible health outcomes in humans. Careful analysis and interpretation must be considered since animal- and human biology are significantly different.

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Exposure science

Studies under this discipline support environmental epidemiology by identifying and quantifying exposures. It describes the exposure and its impact on health, identifies them through toxicology study, or determines exposure levels. These are like lab results that a doctor uses to assess a person's health based on the numbers that he or she sees.

Environmental engineering

The main goal of this discipline is to protect human health, the health of organisms, and the quality of the environment. To achieve this, environmental engineers devise solutions such as wastewater management, recycling, air and water pollution control, among others.

Environmental law

This is simply concerned with statutes, regulations, treaties, common laws, and customary laws which govern and addresses human activity and its impact on the environment.

Captain Martin Sanders, Ph.D., is a seasoned public health and safety expert with more than a decade of service in the occupational health and safety sector. He was Director of Safety, Environmental Compliance and Emergency Management of the Federal Occupational Health, Program Support Center, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration. He recently obtained a certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. For similar writings, visit this page.

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.

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.