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. 

Image source: inquirer.com

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. 

Image source: huffpost.com

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. 

Image source: tradexsa.co.za

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. 

Image source: content.wisestep.com

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.

Behavioral changes for more efficient contact tracing

 

It's already been several months into the pandemic, and there remains a lot of uncertainty on when it will end. For many field experts like Martin Sanders, the best way to go is changing one's behavior while coexisting with the virus. On this blog, he shares ways to make contact tracing more efficient.

Image source: webflow.com

It's quite convenient to have a GPS tracking system on the phone, with an app that automatically documents each stop that one makes throughout the day. As an alternative, one can keep a list or a daily journal of the places they visited. In contact tracing, the experts and the authorities will treat such information as golden sources of intelligence that they could use to determine red zones or zones with a high potential for people to get infected in.

Along with this list, one should keep a note of the people they encountered. Perhaps they can write these down in a journal too, before calling it a day, suggests Martin Sanders. Knowing who one came in proximity with can provide critical tracing information for them and others, in case either find themselves suspected of having the coronavirus. Indeed, this is where the essence of contact tracing lies. 

Image source: wbur.com

It's also very helpful to inform family members of where one intends to go and where they have come from so that the household can keep a record as a group. Such group dynamics can be applied as well in the work environment. Employees are better off if they can agree to share their contact tracing information with each other, as well as the clients that they meet, says Martin Sanders.

Cap

t. Martin Sanders, Ph.D., has extensive experience in biological defense activities and infectious disease outbreak investigation. He has more than a decade of service in occupational safety and health. For more information, 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, or the United States government.

How to make your company environmentally compliant

 

The world is growing too fast for its own good, and with developments in technology to serve an ever growing population, we constantly need to remind ourselves that the planet remains as the lone source of all of our resources. In this light, a more conscious concern for the environment was born, which many companies adopt today. In this blog, Martin Sanders shares some ways for companies to be environmentally compliant. 

Image source: moneycrashers.com

1. Use filtered water 
The average human being consumes about 2 liters of water per day. This amounts to as many as 8 disposable water bottles daily. It’s not hard to imagine that this is as many disposable bottles can be prevented from going to waste with the use of filtered water in the office. If all companies make this a policy, we would literally prevent tons of plastic bottles from going to waste each day.

2. Reduce paper waste
As it was before, the importance of reducing paper waste remains the same. Truthfully, with all the computing technology that is available today, there is no reason for companies not to go paperless and leave the documentation and other traditionally paper-heavy transactions to virtual storage. Certainly, this can be done by any company at least part of the time. People have to be more aware of how many trees need to be cut down just to produce paper. 

Image source: nextiva.com

3. Allow Telecommuting
Telecommuting affects the environment positively in so many ways that could increase a company’s environmentalism score. If workers were allowed to do work from home even just for some days of the week, then less people would need to transport themselves to work, which lessens pollution significantly. With a smaller workforce, less power is needed in the office too. It’s even a welcome bonus that a company can also save money when it rents a smaller place to do this, adds Martin Sanders.

Capt. Martin Sanders , Ph.D., is a scientist and officer in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. He currently serves as the Director of Safety, Environmental Compliance and Emergency Management for Federal Occupational Health, Program Support Center, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration, and the acting Chief of Safety for the Department of Health and Human Services. To know more about his work, follow him on Twitter.


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, or the United States government.

How to keep people safe at home during a pandemic

The world is experiencing a health crisis, the likes of which it has never experienced in perhaps, ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on society on so many levels, and governments everywhere are doing everything they can to win this war against an unseen foe. Martin Sanders believes that for the battle to be won, everyone has to do their part. Everyone.

Image source: pinterest.com

Image source: studyfinds.org

For his part, Martin Sanders is coming up with several blogs to educate readers about the coronavirus, safety protocols, preparation procedures, and everything in between. Today's blog will enumerate two ways people can stay safe at home during these troubling times.

Always remember to wash hands to foam.

Martin Sanders notes that washing hands has always been underrated. Not anymore. The 20-second handwashing protocol has been pushed to the masses for a reason – the foam of the soap is highly effective in breaking down the layer of fat that protects the coronavirus. Always wash hands, especially after handling anything that comes from the outside of the house.

Have a disinfection area.

Martin Sanders says that just like in healthcare facilities, there should be a disinfection area in every home, preferably near the main entrance. A room would work or a cabinet that could fit an entire person. In the disinfection area, a person can take their clothes and everything else that they have used outside and place them straight to the cleaning area. But if there's a shower area near the main entrance of a house, that should be good enough to work as a disinfection area, Martin Sanders adds.

Capt. Martin Sanders Ph.D., has completed all requirements needed to obtain a certification as an Associate Safety Professional (ASP) and a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). For more insightful reads on public safety, visit this site.

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, or the United States government.

What are some of the common health issues among the elderly?

Aging can make one more prone to diseases. A person's genetic makeup, lifestyle habits, and pre-existing conditions can contribute to the quality of their living as they grow older. Public health professional Martin Sanders shares some of the common health issues among the elderly population.

Image source: Lovetoknow.com

Image source: Business-standard.com 

Sensory impairment: Hearing loss, vision impairment, and other related problems affect the majority of the elderly population. As these issues are common, these can be addressed quickly with assistive tools such as hearing aids or eyeglasses. The eyesight and hearing of aging individuals must be regularly checked so they can be provided with the right treatment and tools, and their condition improves.

Chronic conditions: Heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, respiratory illness, and other chronic conditions can greatly affect the quality of life among senior citizens. Lack of physical activity and treatment can make them more vulnerable to complications that might come with these chronic diseases. Martin Sanders and other health experts suggest that keeping an active lifestyle, eating the right foods, and following doctor-prescribed treatments will significantly improve the overall well-being of senior citizens.

Malnutrition: This health issue usually goes undetected and is typically a sign of an underlying condition. Not having the right nutrition can compromise a person's immune system as well as affect the essential functions of the body. Aside from providing the elderly with nutritious foods, health supplements can also boost their appetite.

Family members and caregivers must be aware of these common health issues so that they can provide the elderly with the best care they deserve. Regularly consulting with their doctors is also important to keep their physical condition in check.

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 more reads on public safety and health, 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.

How to safely evacuate buildings

There’s a reason why the government and private companies mandate regular fire drills. This is because knowing how to safely and effectively evacuate buildings is necessary for saving lives. According to Martin Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, fire marshals estimate that hundreds of people could die during an emergency if people take too long when evacuating a building.

Image source: cfs-solutions.net

Image source: escapeconsult.com

Regardless if you’re an employee that spent years working in a building or a guest, it’s important to know where the fire exits are located. Buildings often have multiple fire exits so be sure to take note of each. During an emergency like an earthquake, some exits could be blocked by debris.

If you are always wearing specific footwear at work that makes it difficult to move swiftly like platform shoes or heels, always have a pair of comfortable footwear with you so you can switch when an emergency takes place. And if you have a lot of belongings with you that could slow you or others down, leave them at a safe location like an office drawer.

In the event of an emergency and everyone is requested to evacuate, do not panic. Find the exit nearest you and make your way down in a brisk manner. Do not push or shove people along the way to get ahead.

Once you reach the outside of the building, get some distance between you and the building. Capt. Martin Sanders states that you need to give room for others exiting the building and should always treat the whole of the building as a non-safe zone.

Captain Martin Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, had been deeply involved in biosafety and biosecurity issues both domestic and international. In addition, he has been a member of many research teams and has contributed to several published studies on epidemiology. Visit this page for similar reads.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his spersonal 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.