• Minimize Back Injuries
• Reduce Stress to Increase Productivity
• The Alarming Truths about Carbon Monoxide
• Don’t Get Burned by Fireplace and Heater Hazards
• Don’t Buy What You Can Get For Free
• Got a Boiler?
• Do You Know What to Do When a Tornado Strikes?
• Employees vs. Contractors - What's The Difference?
• Open for Business
• Don't "Slip Up" When It Comes To On-site Safety
• Step Up Maintenance for a Higher Level of Elevator Safety
• Brace Your Garage Door Securely or Brace Yourself for Possible Damages
• Happy (and Safe) Holidays
• The Dishwasher Just Exploded
• Preventing Roof Ice Dams
• Windows and Kids
• Want to advertise on the internet?
• Mowing at 200 mph
• Fun and safe
• Do you use credit reports?
• Do You Know the Law?
• Safety is Important in any Language
• Are Your Window Blinds Dangerous to Children
• Break out the Grill
• You've Got Mail
• Winter Safety Tips
• Freezing Temperatures - Frozen Pipes
• Working Drug Free
• Are You Up to Date
• You Can't See or Smell It - But It Is Very Dangerous
• How Is Your Roof Holding Up?
• Will Your Automatic Sprinkler System Work When You Need It Most
• What if a Tree Fell...?
• It's Hot Outside
• That Looks Good!
• Slippery When Wet
• Hello, I'm Calling to Report a Claim
• Water and Electricity Do Not Mix
• Springtime Can Mean Flooding
• Take a Look Around
• Start Off 2006 with a Plan
• Let's Get Out of Here!
• What a Mess - Washing Machine Hose Failure
• Product Recalls
• Do You Need a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
• Winter is on the Way
• Don't Be a Victim
• Play it Safe with Your Holiday Party
• Making Your Workplace Safer for Teen Workers
• Safety: The Profit Center for your Business
• Hidden Swimming Pool Dangers
• Playground Safety
• Create an OSHA-approved Emergency Action Plan
• Take Ladder Safety to New Heights
• Don’t Let a Scalding Tap Put You In Hot Water
• Is Your Clothes Dryer a Fire Hazard?

Minimize Back Injuries

Full Article

Back injuries are all too common in the workplace. Use this handy and helpful list of tips and techniques to help keep your employees injury-free and on the job.

003293 - 10/08

Reduce Stress to Increase Productivity

Full Article

Don't think stress is affecting your workforce? Think again. Surveys indicate that problems at work are more strongly associated with health complaints than any other cause, including financial or family problems. Read the full article to learn the causes of work-related stress and ways to reduce it.

003294 - 10/08

The Alarming Truths about Carbon Monoxide

Full Article

Each year in America, carbon monoxide poisoning claims more than 500 lives and sends another 15,000 people to hospital emergency rooms. Click the link for more information on this "invisible killer" and how to keep your staff informed and prepared.

003298 - 10/08

Don’t Get Burned by Fireplace and Heater Hazards

Full Article

Space heaters, fireplaces and chimneys are responsible for numerous deaths and millions of dollars of damage each year. You may not be able to eliminate the dangers these items pose, but you can control them. Check out this informative article from the Consurmer Product Safety Commission to find out how.

003300 – 10/08

Create an OSHA-approved Emergency Action Plan

Full Article

This helpful article from OSHA provides detailed requirements and guidelines for creating and implementing an EAP that will help keep your business safe and in compliance.

003191– 7/08

Take Ladder Safety to New Heights

Full Article

If your employees are climbing portable ladders, the risk of injury and even death is climbing as well. Keep costly accidents to a minimum with the help of these insightful safety tips from OSHA.

003192– 7/08

Don’t Let a Scalding Tap Put You In Hot Water

Full Article

Scalding hot tap water is a serious burn hazard for you and your staff. Thankfully, it’s a risk that can be easily avoided in most cases. Read more to learn which preventative measures can keep your faucets friendly to all.

003199– 7/08

Is Your Clothes Dryer a Fire Hazard?

Full Article

A clothes dryer may not seem to pose many safety concerns. But when overheated, these appliances can turn deadly, causing thousands of fires each year. With the proper precautions outlined by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, you’ll help maintain a safer workplace.

003200– 7/08

Don’t Buy What You Can Get For Free

Full Article

Don’t be duped by misleading or even threatening solicitors offering to sell you OSHA documents. All the OSHA publications and posters your workplace needs to stay in compliance are FREE and easily available at the official OSHA Web site.

003136 - 05/08

Got a Boiler?

Full Article

Maintaining a boiler room can be a dangerous and pressure-packed responsibility. Turn down the heat with this informative article that’s chock full of helpful information and includes a convenient maintenance checklist.

003137– 5/08

Do You Know What To Do When a Tornado Strikes?

Full Article

While you can’t prevent dangerous weather events such as tornados, being prepared for them can prevent injury and save lives. Reading this important information from the Storm Prediction Center can help you and your employees weather even the most dangerous storm.

003138– 5/08

Employees vs. Contractors - What's The Difference?

Full Article

While getting the job done right and on time might be your main concern as an employer, understanding the titles and roles of your work force can also have an impact on your bottom line. To learn the differences between contractors and employees and the important tax and regulatory ramifications each can carry, read the full article.

003141– 5/08

Open For Business

For some of us, most of our New Years resolutions have already been broken. But it is not too late to make one that can help keep your business in business in case of a natural disaster. Open for Business is a business continuation program that will help keep you in business despite a disaster. It’s free, easy to use and maybe the best resolution you'll ever make.

At least one-fourth of all businesses that close because of a disaster never reopen. That's why American Family in cooperation with the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers a variety of tools in its Open for Business® series for small business owners to both reduce their potential for loss should disaster strike and to reopen quickly should they be forced to close.

To get started building your own secure and personalize disaster recover plan, access the IBHS website and register through the interactive online version by entering the access code AMF5561

003003 – 02/08

Don't "Slip Up" When It Comes To On-site Safety

Full Article

Slips, trips, or falls account for 12 to 15 percent of all Workers' Compensation costs. Don’t let the safety efforts in your workplace slide; use the advice in this helpful and thorough article to help ensure that it’s your accident numbers, not your employees, that are falling.

002998 – 02/08

Step Up Maintenance for a Higher Level of Elevator Safety

Though fear of falling is the most obvious fear associated with elevators, most injuries occur when passengers enter or exit an elevator. Proper and regular maintenance and inspection can make a big difference. Read more and take elevator safety levels to new heights for your building or business.

Elevator Safety
More than 50 percent of elevator-related injuries occur when passengers enter or exit an elevator. The most common injuries are caused by tripping when an elevator is not level at a landing and being hit by malfunctioning closing doors. To ensure elevators operate safely, building maintenance personnel should monitor several elevator components. To avoid injuries and ensure proper operation, the following elevator components should be checked regularly:

Door reopening devices:

• Infrared safety curtains: These scan the area adjacent to the elevator door and automatically reopen the door when an object is detected. This is the most modern means of door protection.
• Electronic photo-eyes: These send out two or more fixed beams that cause reopening when a person or object breaks the beam.
• Mechanical edges: These devices must make physical contact with a person or object to trigger reopening.
• Elevator leveling: Elevators must stop at each floor within one-half inch of the floor landing.
• Emergency communication: Elevators, even older ones, should be outfitted with an alarm bell and telephone or intercom. If someone becomes trapped in an elevator, he or she is often reassured when he or she can speak to someone by telephone or ring an alarm that will draw someone’s attention. Anxiety is quickly alleviated when a trapped passenger knows that help is on the way.
• Emergency lighting: This is important to avoid leaving a trapped passenger in the dark as he or she waits for assistance.
• Elevator control buttons and indicator lights: Ensure these are working properly.

Elevator maintenance mechanics only visit on a scheduled monthly basis to perform routine maintenance or when called to address a specific problem. Therefore, building personnel are the first line of defense. With this in mind, it is imperative that accurate service information is available in the event that an accident occurs. Accurate record keeping is accomplished by following these simple steps:

• Maintain an elevator log book to record date, time and reason why a service call was placed to the elevator company.
• Require the elevator maintenance mechanic to leave a signed maintenance ticket detailing service performed. The mechanic should test all of the safety components noted above during routine monthly service calls.

Additional important safety checks:

• Elevator floor should be clean and free of slipping hazards.
• All elevator floor landings should be well lit.
• Nearby plants and furniture should not present a tripping hazard.
• Elevator should be clearly marked.
• Signs should be posted at each floor landing alerting occupants to use the stairs in case of a fire.
• Floor diagrams, oriented to indicate actual floor arrangement and direction, should be posted at each floor landing indicating the shortest evacuation routes.

- Source: American Family Loss Control

These recommendations were developed using generally accepted safety standards. Compliance with these recommendations is not a guarantee that you will be in conformance with any building code, federal or state regulation regarding safety or fire. Compliance with these recommendations does not ensure the absolute safety of your operation or place of business. It is the property owner’s duty to warn any tenants or occupants of the property of the safety hazards that may exist.

003002 – 02/08

Brace Your Garage Door Securely or Brace Yourself for Possible Damages

Full Article

Brace Your Garage Door Securely or Brace Yourself for Possible Damages

For many businesses, garage doors are the first line of defense for their most valuable assets. But if not braced securely, a single violent storm could cause buckling or gaps to form, which could lead to damage to the interior of your business. Read on for some simple ways to keep your doors safe and sound.

002993 – 02/08

Happy (and Safe) Holidays

The following information is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

As the holidays approach we like to celebrate by entertaining friends and family, throwing parties, and preparing feasts. From the buffet table to the office party, food moves center stage throughout the holiday season. Be sure to keep food safe by following basic food safety steps...

Clean: Wash hands and food-contact surfaces often. Bacteria can spread throughout the kitchen and get onto cutting boards, knives, sponges, and counter tops.

Separate: Don't cross-contaminate--don't let bacteria spread from one food product to another. This is especially true for raw meat, poultry and seafood. Keep these foods and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods.

Cook: Cook to proper temperatures. Foods are properly cooked when they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness.

Chill: Refrigerate promptly. Refrigerate foods quickly keeps most harmful bacteria from growing and multiplying. Refrigerators should be set at 40 F and the freezer at 0 F, and the accuracy of the settings should be checked occasionally with a thermometer.

Be sure to check out these additional safety tips regarding your holiday decorations from United States Fire Administration

002946 – 10/07

The Dishwasher Just Exploded

The following information is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Dishwasher Exploded     

That's the call a fire department received last winter from a base-housing inspector. The inspector had been doing normal bimonthly checks of vacant units when this happened.

The inspector's usual procedure was to run the cold water in the kitchen sink, turn on the dishwasher, go upstairs to flush the commode, and run the water in the bathroom. About three minutes after she started the dishwasher, it exploded. The blast propelled the dishwasher (which was installed under the kitchen counter) across the kitchen. The cabinets, plumbing and walls were damaged.

The concussion splintered the face of the rear door to the housing unit and blew it open, destroying the lock. Pieces of the dishwasher and cabinets were scattered over 20 feet. The access panel to the attic on the second floor was dislodged, and the front door was blown open and damaged.

At first, investigators thought water in the "s" trap had evaporated, allowing sewer gas to seep into the dishwasher and explode. The next day, Navy Occupational Safety and Health (NAVOSH) technicians tested all kitchen-sink drains in vacant units for signs of sewer gas. The results were negative. During the course of the investigation, a maintenance worker in the housing department pointed out a paragraph in the dishwasher-owner's manual to the NAVOSH specialist. It read, "...under certain conditions, hydrogen gas may be produced in a hotwater system that has not been used for two weeks or more. If the hot-water system has not been used for such a period, before using the dishwasher, turn on all hot-water faucets and let the water flow."

The safety specialist returned to three of the vacant housing units and ran the hot water to test for emission of hydrogen gas. The meter readings went off scale in these units. Then he ran hot water in three occupied units and got zero readings. When he ran hot water in an upstairs bathroom in the unit where the dishwasher exploded, he got an extremely high reading. After NAVOSH personnel made several calls to the

Frigidaire Company about the incident, a person from their legal department returned his call and told him that Frigidaire was sending two engineers to investigate the exploding dishwasher.

The engineers and NAVOSH personnel tested hot water in two vacant units. They placed clear garbage bags over the faucets to sample for gas contents. The first test resulted in the bag filling with about one to two quarts of water and a cubic foot of gas. They suspected the bulk of the gas was a combination of hydrogen and oxygen, which was generated by electrolysis in the hot-water heating systems. One of the engineers explained that there is no way to stop hydrogen gas from forming in hot-water heaters because of the metals used in constructing the tanks. Hydrogen gas isn't soluble in water, so it remains in the water-heater plumbing system as a gas under pressure. In most homes, the gas will migrate to the upper levels of the house, where it harmlessly is expelled from water faucets there. However, occasionally, it can end up trapped in the plumbing lines. In that case, when a lower level faucet (or dishwasher) is turned on, the gas is pushed through the outlet rather than finding its way to the upper level.

Hydrogen gas has one of the broadest flammable ranges of any gas. Just about any mixture will be enough to result in an explosion. The engineer theorized that the gas was forced through the dishwasher, and the timer or starter relay had enough heat to ignite the gas. However, the dishwasher was destroyed, which made it impossible to determine the exact source of ignition. The engineer said this was the first time he had heard of a dishwasher exploding, but he had heard stories of small fires at faucets because people had cigarettes in their hands when they opened a hot-water faucet that had not been opened for some time. Later, in a telephone conversation, he told the NAVOSH person that he had talked to a few old-timers in the water-heating industry, and one of them had reviewed a mishap about a washing machine blowing up in the '60s.

What This Means to You

When you move into a house or apartment that has been vacant, hydrogen gas may have built up in hot water lines, which could cause an explosion. The same is true when you return home from a vacation or open up a vacation home that has been shut.

ORM Lesson

Appliance manufacturers can do nothing to prevent this type of thing from happening again, but you, as a resident or housing inspector, can do a short ORM assessment to prevent such a recurrence. You need to know that hydrogen gas can accumulate in hot-water systems that have not been operated for a period of time. You figure the risk of something going wrong when you turn on a dishwasher to either check it or operate. If you have been using it daily, there is hardly any risk. When you go to start the dishwasher, ask yourself how long the unit has been vacant. If it's more than a couple of weeks, you need to think about getting rid of the gas before you turn on the dishwasher. If you suspect hydrogen gas may have built up in the hot-water system, flush it by turning on all hot-water faucets in the building and letting them run for several minutes. And don't smoke while you're doing it. Make it a habit of doing this every time you inspect a building. If you live in the home and are away for a vacation, do this every time you return home.

002951 - 10/07

Preventing Roof Ice Dams

The following information is from the National Weather Service

Ice dams are most common in northern climates. They occur when heavy snow buildup melts during the day and then refreezes when temperatures drop overnight.

After several days of melting-freezing cycles, it's common for the melted water and ice to work up under the shingles until water enters the attic and eventually does damage to the ceilings, wall and contents. In cases where the ice dam goes unnoticed for an extended period of time, it can do significant damage to the building and its contents.

There's no way to guarantee an ice dam won't damage your home, but you can take steps to cut the chances of an ice dam forming in the first place:

•  If you haven't already, thoroughly clean all leaves, sticks and other debris from your home's gutters and down spouts. This allows melting roof snow to flow into gutters and through down spouts.

•  Make every effort to keep snow on your roof to a minimum. Long-handled devices on the market called "roof rakes" let you stand on the ground and pull the snow off the roof. Keeping heavy snow loads off your roof reduces the chances for both ice dam formation and roof failure due to the weight.

•  All winter long, keep gutters and down spouts clear of snow and icicles.

•  Evaluate the insulation and ventilation in your attic. Most experts agree the R-value of attic insulation should be at least R-30 (R-38 is preferable in northern climates). In addition, good airflow from under the eaves or soffit area along the underside of the roof and out through the roof vents is essential. The insulation prevents heat loss from the interior of the home. The venting allows the attic air to stay cold enough to prevent or minimize the freeze/thaw cycle on the roof. Consult a reputable roofing and/or insulation contractor about these improvements.

002953 - 10/07

Windows and Kids

The following information is from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services

Window Guards and Locks Prevent Falls

All upper floor windows (and first floor windows that are 12 feet or more above the ground) should be protected by window guards or window locks to prevent accidental falls.  Each year, children in Wisconsin are injured or killed after falling out of windows.  There are several easy, inexpensive guards and locks that parents and landlords can install to prevent falls from windows.   

What are window guards and locks?

Window guards are aluminum or steel bars with a maximum 4 inch spacing that are installed in the bottom half of a double hung window (or over the entire opening of a crank style window).  Some window guards are removable or releasable from the inside without the separate use of tools, keys or excessive force.  This type of window guard can be removed by an adult or rescue personnel in case of a fire.  Child safety window guards are not the same as burglar/security bars.  Security bars may be wide enough for a child to slip through and should not be used as a child safety window guard.

Locks can be installed very inexpensively and can be used to secure the window in the closed position, or to restrict the window from opening more than four inches (the recommended safe amount). 

Window Safety Tips

1. Screens are not safety devices:  Screens are only designed to keep bugs and insects out, not to keep children in!
2. Keep beds, furniture, and anything a child can climb on away from windows.
3. When opening windows for ventilation, open windows children cannot reach, or open windows from the top, not the bottom.
4. Install child safety window guards or locks on all windows that are 12 feet or more above the ground. 
5. Always supervise children. 

002958 - 10/07

Want to advertise on the internet?

Many of the same rules that apply to other forms of advertising apply to electronic marketing as well. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has prepared a guide to give you an overview of some FTC laws that apply.

002809 - 8/07

Mowing at 200 mph

A mower blade can travel at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Items struck by the blade can leave the discharge chute at 200 miles per hour as well, which is a good reason to review these tips before you mow.

The following is CDC information posted on the Naval Safety Center Website.

Mower hazards
The mower is a cutting machine designed to trim grass but has the potential to cut anything that is in its path. The cutting edge of the mower blade can travel at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Even a dull blade can slice fingers and toes that get in its way.

Other materials, such as toys, stones, sticks, and equipment parts, can become projectiles when struck by the blade. These items can also travel up to 200 miles per hour as they leave the discharge chute. Items thrown from mowers can cause serious injury to other people in the area or to the operator when there is no rear guard. Thrown items also can cause property damage.

In addition to cutting and projectile dangers, mowers can also cause burns. The muffler and cylinder head heat up during operation, and remain hot for some time after the engine has been turned off.

Fuel is another danger. Most mowers are powered by gasoline-driven combustion engines. Gasoline is a very explosive and flammable material that should be treated with respect. One gallon of gasoline combined with the correct amount of air is equivalent to 83 pounds of dynamite. Gasoline is flammable because it vaporizes with air to form a mixture that ignites easily. Vaporization can occur in temperatures as low as zero degrees.

Safe practices
1. Prepare lawn for mowing. Every time before you mow, check your lawn for items such as sticks, rocks, toys, sports equipment, dog bones, wire, and equipment parts. Make sure miscellaneous items are not hidden in tall grass. Also look for and remember immovable objects, such as pipes, or partially buried rocks. Running into a fixed object can shatter the blade and throw jagged chunks of metal out the discharge chute or under the housing.

2. Handle fuel with care. Always use care when filling the tank with gasoline. Wipe up spills. Never fill the tank on a mower that has been operating and is hot. Vapors from the gasoline can be ignited by a hot muffler.

3. Wear appropriate clothes. Close-fitting clothes are less likely to get caught on controls or moving parts. Long pants and sturdy leather shoes protect you from flying sticks, stones, or other items not caught by the rear guard. Shoes also should provide good traction. A canvas or open-toed shoe cannot protect your foot if it slips into the blade. When mowing for long periods of time or if noise is objectionable, wear hearing protection such as earplugs.

4. Use safe mowing techniques.

• Make sure other people, especially children, are out of the area. Young children should be supervised in the house while the yard is being mowed. They cannot understand the dangers, and the operator may not hear or see children approach.
• Never point the discharge chute at anyone. You never know when something will be thrown from the mower. Never run the mower over gravel.
• Do not mow wet grass. Wet grass is slippery and the operator can lose footing, slip under the mower, or allow the mower to roll backwards. Wet grass also clogs the discharge chute and can cause the engine to falter. When this happens, always turn off the engine and wait a few seconds for the blades to stop rotating before correcting it.
• Use care on inclines. Some slopes are too steep to mow safely, so use good judgment. Always push walk-behind mowers across slopes to avoid coming in contact with the mower (e.g., by sliding down the hill onto the mower, or allowing the mower to roll backwards on top of operator).
• Never leave a running mower unattended. When you leave the operator's position the mower should be turned off. Newer models have an operator presence switch that automatically kills the engine when the operator releases the handle.

5. Disconnect spark plug to service. Disconnect the spark plug wire when you work on the mower. This prevents the engine from accidentally being started. Many people are hurt every year because mowers start unexpectedly when the blade is turned by hand. Keep all parts in working condition. Fluid leaks (gas or oil), blade sharpening, and balancing may require professional service.

Safe mower features
Safety features on newer mowers help prevent hazardous situations that can lead to injury. Do not disconnect special features or controls to avoid using them. Look for a shield on the back blade housing behind the rear wheels of the mower. This shield protects the operator's feet from exposure to the blade and thrown objects.

A deadman switch, or operator presence switch, requires the operator to hold the device to keep the mower running. If for some reason the operator releases the switch, the engine is turned off. When placed at the correct location, the switch makes it physically impossible for an operator to hold the switch and reach down to the danger area where the blade is operating. Some switches also have a braking device that stops blade rotation.

Other solutions
Think of the layout of the yard and ways to make mowing safer. Do you have steep slopes that are dangerous and difficult to mow? Are there lots of trees with low-hanging branches to mow around? Retaining walls can help reduce inclines, and flower beds eliminate the need for mowing in difficult areas. Adding mulch one to three feet around a tree (depending on size) makes trimming easier. Keep trees pruned properly so that you can see while mowing. Filling depressions or low spots with soil can help prevent sprains.

This publication deals with hazards of walk-behind mowers only. Additional precautions must be followed when operating other kinds of mowers, including riding lawnmowers, those attached to small utility tractors, and implement-type mowers.

002819 - 8/07

Fun and safe

Playgrounds offer fun for children, but may mean possible risk for the owner. Use this simple checklist from the Consumer Product Safety Commission website to help make sure your playground is a safe place to play.

002820 - 8/07

Do you use credit reports?

If you're a landlord, you are allowed to use consumer credit reports to evaluate rental applications - as long as you follow the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This link to the Federal Trade Commission website will show what you can and can't do when it comes to credit reports.

002821 - 8/07

Do You Know the Law?

State Law for Teenage Workers

Want to know what your own state laws relating to teenage workers? This link to the Department of Labor website will give you what you need to know.

002660 - 4/07

Safety is Important in any Language

Hispanic Workers OSHA site

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has developed a site with resources for Hispanic employers and workers. While this site includes links to Spanish-language resources, it is intended primarily for English-speaking and bilingual users. Within this Compliance Assistance site is a link that will provide you with a variety of their safety material into Spanish.

002653 - 4/07

Are Your Window Blinds Dangerous to Children

Window Cords

Break out the Grill

Grilling Safety

Based on codes from the National Fire Protection Association and the 2000 International Building Code, American Family Insurance has developed the following safety recommendations regarding the use of charcoal or gas grills and open-flame devices:

• Inform all residents and prospective residents, in writing, that the use and storage of charcoal or gas barbecue grills and open-flame devices (such as clay chimneys and clay/copper fire pits) is prohibited on decks, balconies, in garages, kitchens or any other location in or near a building. (Exception: electric barbecue grills bearing the mark of an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratory, Inc.)
• Establish a designated safe grilling area for your tenants or consider installing fixed grills in a safe grilling area for resident use.
• Enforce safety recommendations by incorporating language into leases and covenants prohibiting the use and storage of barbecue grills and open-flame devices outside of designated areas.

002656 - 4/07

You've Got Mail

How Not to Get Hooked by a 'Phishing' Scam

"We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below and confirm your identity."

"During our regular verification of accounts, we couldn't verify your information. Please click here to update and verify your information."

Have you received email with a similar message? It's a scam called "phishing" - and it involves Internet fraudsters who send spam or pop-up messages to lure personal information (credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information) from unsuspecting victims.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, phishers send an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you may deal with - for example, an Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message may ask you to "update," "validate," or "confirm" your account information. Some phishing emails threaten a dire consequence if you don't respond. The messages direct you to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization's site. But it isn't. It's a bogus site whose sole purpose is to trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name.

The FTC suggests these tips to help you avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam:

• If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply. And don't click on the link in the message, either. Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via email. If you are concerned about your account, contact the organization mentioned in the email using a telephone number you know to be genuine, or open a new Internet browser session and type in the company's correct Web address yourself. In any case, don't cut and paste the link from the message into your Internet browser - phishers can make links look like they go to one place, but that actually send you to a different site.
• Area codes can mislead. Some scammers send an email that appears to be from a legitimate business and ask you to call a phone number to update your account or access a "refund." Because they use Voice Over Internet Protocol technology, the area code you call does not reflect where the scammers really are. If you need to reach an organization you do business with, call the number on your financial statements or on the back of your credit card. In any case, delete random emails that ask you to confirm or divulge your financial information.
• Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly. Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the Internet without your knowledge.
  • Anti-virus software and a firewall can protect you from inadvertently accepting such unwanted files. Anti-virus software scans incoming communications for troublesome files. Look for antivirus software that recognizes current viruses as well as older ones; that can effectively reverse the damage; and that updates automatically.
  • A firewall helps make you invisible on the Internet and blocks all communications from unauthorized sources. It's especially important to run a firewall if you have a broadband connection. Operating systems (like Windows or Linux) or browsers (like Internet Explorer or Netscape) also may offer free software "patches" to close holes in the system that hackers or phishers could exploit.
• Don't email personal or financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information. If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your personal or financial information through an organization's website, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser's status bar or a URL for a website that begins "https:" (the "s" stands for "secure"). Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some phishers have forged security icons.
• Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to check for unauthorized charges. If your statement is late by more than a couple of days, call your credit card company or bank to confirm your billing address and account balances.
• Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them. These files can contain viruses or other software that can weaken your computer's security.
• Forward spam that is phishing for information to spam@uce.gov and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the phishing email. Most organizations have information on their websites about where to report problems.
• If you believe you've been scammed, file your complaint at ftc.gov, and then visit the FTC's Identity Theft website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Victims of phishing can become victims of identity theft. While you can't entirely control whether you will become a victim of identity theft, you can take some steps to minimize your risk. If an identity thief is opening credit accounts in your name, these new accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. You may catch an incident early if you order a free copy of your credit report periodically from any of the three major credit bureaus. See www.annualcreditreport.com for details on ordering a free annual credit report.

You can learn other ways to avoid email scams and deal with deceptive spam at ftc.gov/spam.

002520- 01/07

Winter Safety Tips

Snow Throwers

The following information is from the US Consumer Products Safety Commission.

If you use a snow thrower, stop the engine and use a long stick to unclog wet snow and debris from the machine, according to Chairman Ann Brown of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). "Do not use your hands to unclog a snow thrower," Brown warned.

According to CPSC, you run the risk of suffering severe hand and finger injuries, even amputations, if you attempt to clear the auger/collector or discharge chute with your hands. Most of the injuries happened when people, thinking that the augers had stopped rotating, put their hands into the machine's auger/collector or discharge chute in an attempt to clear snow or debris.

CPSC offered the following safety tips for using snow throwers:

• Always stop the engine if repairs or adjustments are to be made or if the discharge chute or auger needs to be unclogged. Remove snow with a push stick or similar instrument, not with your hands.
• Always keep hands and feet away from all moving parts.
• Never leave the machine unattended if the engine is operating; shut down the engine if you must leave the machine for any length of time.
• Add fuel to the tank outdoors before starting the machine; don't add gasoline to a running or hot engine. Always keep the gasoline can capped, and store gasoline out of the house and away from ignition sources.
• If you have an electric-powered snow thrower, be aware of where the power cord is at all times.
• Check the snow thrower each time you need to use it over the winter; always refer to the owner's manual for instructions on care and maintenance.

Tips To Protect Workers In Cold Environments

The following information is from the U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Web site.

Prolonged exposure to freezing or cold temperatures may cause serious health problems such as trench foot, frostbite and hypothermia. In extreme cases, including cold water immersion, exposure can lead to death. Danger signs include uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, clumsy movements, fatigue and confused behavior. If these signs are observed, call for emergency help.

OSHA's Cold Stress Card provides a reference guide and recommendations to combat and prevent many illnesses and injuries. Available in English and Spanish, this laminated fold-up card is free to employers, workers and the public. Tips include:

How to Protect Workers

• Recognize the environmental and workplace conditions that may be dangerous.
• Learn the signs and symptoms of cold-induced illnesses and injuries and what to do to help workers.
• Train workers about cold-induced illnesses and injuries.
• Encourage workers to wear proper clothing for cold, wet and windy conditions, including layers that can be adjusted to changing conditions.
• Be sure workers in extreme conditions take a frequent short break in warm, dry shelters to allow their bodies to warm up.
• Try to schedule work for the warmest part of the day.
• Avoid exhaustion or fatigue because energy is needed to keep muscles warm.
• Use the buddy system - work in pairs so that one worker can recognize danger signs.
• Drink warm, sweet beverages (sugar water, sports-type drinks) and avoid drinks with caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas or hot chocolate) or alcohol.
• Eat warm, high-calorie foods such as hot pasta dishes.
• Remember, workers face increased risks when they take certain medications, are in poor physical condition or suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease.

For free copies of OSHA's Cold Stress Card in English or Spanish, go to OSHA's website, www.osha.gov, or call 1(800) 321-OSHA.

002521- 01/07

Freezing Temperatures - Frozen Pipes

The following information is from the City of Renton, Washington website.

Tips to Prevent Freezing Pipes

Wintertime brings freezing temperatures, snow and ice. By taking some precautions, unnecessary expenses associated with frozen water pipes can be prevented.

Insulate exposed pipes and faucets:

• Wrap outdoor faucets and pipes, along with pipes in unheated garages and crawl spaces, with insulating materials.
• Cover the insulation with plastic and tie with string or wire.
• Remove hoses from outside faucets. Drain hoses and shut off water.
• Drain all underground irrigation systems.

Know the location of the shut-off valve:

• Find the main water shut-off valve. It is commonly located in the basement, garage, or outside by the foundation near the front hose bib or faucet.
• Advise all household members where the main shut-off valve is located in case of an emergency.
• Test the valve by turning the handle to be sure it is working properly and identify it with a tag.
• If there is no shut-off valve, consider having one installed by a plumber.

Help prevent frozen pipes:

• During periods of extremely cold temperatures, temporarily keep a trickle of water running from the faucet located highest in the house. The trickle should be a steady stream, about the size of the lead in a pencil.

Thawing frozen pipes:

• Never thaw frozen pipes with an open flame. You could start a fire.
• Use heat lamps, electric heaters or a hair dryer with caution. Keep away from combustible materials.
• Frozen pipes may also be thawed by wrapping them with rags or towels and pouring hot water over them until the water is flowing again.
• If a pipe breaks, immediately close the main shut-off valve to stop the flooding and call your plumber.

002527- 01/07

Working Drug Free

Working Drug Free

The following information is from the U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Web site.

Of the 16.7 million illicit drug users aged 18 or older in 2003, 12.4 million (74.3 percent) were employed either full or part time. Furthermore, research indicates that between 10 and 20 percent of the nation's workers who die on the job test positive for alcohol or other drugs. In fact, industries with the highest rates of drug use are the same as those at a high risk for occupational injuries, such as construction, mining, manufacturing and wholesale.

To help small businesses benefit from being drug-free, the Department of Labor and OSHA's Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace program offers small businesses a range of free and easy-to-use tools to help them maintain safe, healthy and drug-free workplaces.

002523- 01/07

Are You Up to Date

OSHA First Aid Standards

The following information is from the U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Web site.

Employers are required by OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.151 to have a person or persons adequately trained to render first aid for worksites that are not in near proximity to an infirmary, clinic, or hospital. In addition, OSHA requires certain employers to have CPR-trained rescuers on site.

Be sure you are up to date with these new guidelines.

002316 - 10/06

You Can't See or Smell It - But It Is Very Dangerous

Carbon Monoxide Can Be Deadly

The following information is from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website.

You can't see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous. However, if appliances are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result. Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. Even more die from CO produced by idling cars. Fetuses, infants, elderly people, and people with anemia or with a history of heart or respiratory disease can be especially susceptible. Be safe. Practice the DO's and DON'Ts of carbon monoxide. CO Poisoning Symptoms Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint. You can even die if these levels persist for a long time. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches, and may have longer term effects on your health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause. Play it Safe If you experience symptoms that you think could be from CO poisoning: DO GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY. Turn off combustion appliances and leave the house . DO GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM and tell the physician you suspect CO poisoning. If CO poisoning has occurred, it can often be diagnosed by a blood test done soon after exposure. DO Be prepared to answer the following questions for the doctor: Do your symptoms occur only in the house? Do they disappear or decrease when you leave home and reappear when you return? Is anyone else in your household complaining of similar symptoms? Did everyone's symptoms appear about the same time? Are you using any fuel-burning appliances in the home? Has anyone inspected your appliances lately? Are you certain they are working properly? Prevention is the Key to Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning DO have your fuel-burning appliances -- including oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves -- inspected by a trained professional at the beginning of every heating season. Make certain that the flues and chimneys are connected, in good condition, and not blocked. DO choose appliances that vent their fumes to the outside whenever possible, have them properly installed, and maintain them according to manufacturers' instructions. DO read and follow all of the instructions that accompany any fuel-burning device. If you cannot avoid using an unvented gas or kerosene space heater, carefully follow the cautions that come with the device. Use the proper fuel and keep doors to the rest of the house open. Crack a window to ensure enough air for ventilation and proper fuel-burning. DO call EPA's IAQ INFO Clearinghouse ( 1-800-438-4318 ) or the Consumer Product Safety Commission ( 1-800-638-2772 ) for more information on how to reduce your risks from CO and other combustion gases and particles. DON'T idle the car in a garage -- even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home. DON'T use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time. DON'T ever use a charcoal grill indoors -- even in a fireplace. DON'T sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater. DON'T use any gasoline-powered engines (mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, small engines or generators) in enclosed spaces. DON'T ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing. A Few Words About CO Detectors Carbon Monoxide Detectors are widely available in stores and you may want to consider buying one as a back-up -- BUT NOT AS A REPLACEMENT for proper use and maintenance of your fuel-burning appliances. However, it is important for you to know that the technology of CO detectors is still developing, that there are several types on the market, and that they are not generally considered to be as reliable as the smoke detectors found in homes today. Some CO detectors have been laboratory-tested, and their performance varied. Some performed well, others failed to alarm even at very high CO levels, and still others alarmed even at very low levels that don't pose any immediate health risk. And unlike a smoke detector, where you can easily confirm the cause of the alarm, CO is invisible and odorless, so it's harder to tell if an alarm is false or a real emergency. So What's a Consumer to Do? First, don't let buying a CO detector lull you into a false sense of security. Preventing CO from becoming a problem in your home is better than relying on an alarm. Follow the checklist of DOs and DON'Ts. Second, if you shop for a CO detector, do some research on features and don't select solely on the basis of cost. Non-governmental organizations such as Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports ), the American Gas Association, and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) can help you make an informed decision. Look for UL certification on any detector you purchase. Carefully follow manufacturers' instructions for its placement, use, and maintenance. If the CO detector alarm goes off: Make sure it is your CO detector and not your smoke detector. Check to see if any member of the household is experiencing symptoms of poisoning. If they are, get them out of the house immediately and seek medical attention. Tell the doctor that you suspect CO poisoning. If no one is feeling symptoms, ventilate the home with fresh air, turn off all potential sources of CO -- your oil or gas furnace, gas water heater, gas range and oven, gas dryer, gas or kerosene space heater and any vehicle or small engine. Have a qualified technician inspect your fuel-burning appliances and chimneys to make sure they are operating correctly and that there is nothing blocking the fumes from being vented out of the house.

002321 - 10/06

How Is Your Roof Holding Up?

The following information is from the Institute for Business and Home Safety Website.

Roofing the Right Way

Your roof is your building's first line of defense from the elements. But sun, wind and rain all wear down your roof over time. Since your roof is the largest component of your building it can also be the most vulnerable to severe storms and the costliest single site of damage. That's why it's important to make sure your roof is built the right way, with the right materials by a qualified licensed contractor. Whether you're planning to re-roof now or years from now, this information will help you navigate the process, choose the right materials and show you how proper roof maintenance can identify problems before they become financial disasters. Signs of a Problem When it rains, do too many roof granules wash away? Are there water stains on your ceiling? Even the smallest leak or curling shingle can be a sign of trouble. That's when it's time to hire someone who knows what to look for. Hiring a Contractor Quality installation is an important part of the roofing equation. When choosing a contractor, the National Roofing Contractors Association ( www.nrca.net ) says you should: Get bids from reputable contractors and check their references. Request verification of insurance. Make sure the bid clearly defines the work that will be done, including hauling away of debris and yard cleanup. Specify within the contract a time frame for completion. Do not pay the full amount up front (one-third is usually sufficient) and do not make final payment until you verify the job is complete. Make sure the contract is signed by both parties. Choosing Materials You want your building to look nice. But while people typically select the look and color of roofing materials, they often leave key features, like resistance to the elements - hail impact, high wind and fire - to the contractor. It's important to understand why some roofing products work better in certain parts of the country than others. In addition to the weather your homes faces on a daily basis and disasters that could be a threat, the shape or type of roof also dictates which materials will better protect your building. Asphalt shingles (reinforced with fiberglass): •  Relatively low cost and easy to install •  Good fire resistance (usually Class A) •  Class 3 and 4 impact resistance is available, should be used in hail regions •  Available with wind warranties up to 130 mph, if installed in accordance with manufacturer's high wind requirements Metal •  Long life •  Lightweight •  Popular for low and steep-slope roofs •  Often receives cosmetic damage from hailstorms, but Class 4 product rated for impact resistance are available •  Product available with Class A fire rating Slate •  Quarried in the Northeast and Virginia •  Very strong •  High quality slate can outlast most other roofing material •  Requires special skill and experience for installation, which can affect cost •  Heavy so your contractor should verify the structure can hold the weight if you are replacing another kind of roofing material Tile •  Good in dry climates •  Solid, long lasting product •  Higher threshold for hail damage •  Can be more permeable than other products if exposed to blowing rain •  Heavy so your contractor should verify the structure can hold the weight if you are replacing another kind of roofing material Wood •  Good in dry climates •  Thinner products can be susceptible to hail damage, especially after aging •  Some building codes limit use because of wildfire concerns, but some product can be Class A fire rated with factory applied fire-resistant treatment •  Often used in wrong climates for cosmetic reasons Roof System Components Most roof systems have five basic components. Each plays an important role in the life of your roof. 1. Roof covering: shingles, tile, slate or metal and underlayment (tar paper beneath covering) to protect sheathing from weather. 2. Sheathing: boards or sheet material fastened to roof rafters to cover a house. 3. Roof structure: rafters and trusses built to support the sheathing. 4. Flashing: sheet metal or other material installed into a roof system's joints and valleys to prevent water seepage. 5. Drainage: a roof system's design features, such as shape, slope and layout that affect its ability to shed water. Care and Maintenance For most consumers, their single largest investment is the home. Just like anything else, it needs to be maintained, and that goes for your roof, too. These simple maintenance tips can help your roof last longer: •  Proper eave and ridge ventilation may help extend roof life by reducing the buildup of heat and moisture. •  Keep trees trimmed to prevent them from rubbing against the roof, or from providing excessive shade. •  Keep roof, valleys, gutters and downspouts free from leaves, twigs and other litter that can build up and prevent proper drainage. •  Preservatives available for some roof types may help limit weathering effects of moisture and retard growth of molds and mosses. Roofing products have changed significantly over the years. There are a wide range of choices in material, appearance and price. When it's time for a new roof, make sure you're roofing the right way, by choosing materials that will help protect your home for many years to come.

002322 - 10/06

Will Your Automatic Sprinkler System Work When You Need It Most

Automatic Sprinkler Systems

Automatic sprinkler systems are the most effective means of providing life safety and limiting property loss during fires. The key to ensuring that your sprinkler system will work when needed is to include the system in an ongoing program of inspection, testing and maintenance performed by a qualified employee or sprinkler contractor.

Use this chart from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Regulation 25 as a reference guide on wet pipe and regular dry pipe systems and as a checklist to determine the status of your system.

002319 - 10/06

What if a Tree Fell...?

The following information is from the Institute for Business and Home Safety Website.

Falling trees and limbs cause hundreds of millions of dollars of damage each year, as well as personal injuries and deaths. Windstorms and ice storms are the leading causes of such damage and injuries. In wildfire areas - wildfire risks exist in nearly every state - buildings have also been destroyed by fire leaping from nearby trees and shrubs.

Some potential problems are easy to spot. These include:

• Cracks in the trunk or major limbs.
• Hollow and decayed trees.
• Trees that look one-sided or lean significantly.
• Branches hanging over the house near the roof.
• Limbs in contact with power lines.
• Mushrooms growing from the bark, indicating a decayed or weakened stem.
• V-shaped forks rather than U-shaped ones. V-shaped are more likely to split.
• Crossing branches that rub or interfere with one other.

Tree care professionals, including arborists, can also examine trees for more subtle signs of trouble and take care of any problems, such as the need to cut down a tree or prune limbs that might be too big, too high, or too dangerous for a business owner to take down.

Proper Pruning

Good pruning can prevent many problems. Prompt removal of diseased, damaged or dead plant parts helps limit the spread of harmful insects and disease, as well as reduce the possibility of future storm damage. Pruning can also have other benefits. For instance, pruning a dense canopy reduces its mass while permitting better air circulation and sunlight penetration. Pruning also helps provide proper shape and improves the health and vigor of the plant. Do not over prune, a practice called "hat racking," as this will significantly weaken a tree.

Experts offer these pruning tips:

• Check local tree regulations prior to pruning or tree removal.
• Avoid pruning branches flush to the trunk. Doing so removes not only the limb but some of the trunk wood, opening the plant to possible decay or insect damage.
• Begin by making a cut partway through the bottom of any limb to be trimmed, a few inches from the trunk. Then cut through the limb just above the first cut. This ensures that when the limb falls, it will not tear off a long strip of bark on the way down.
• Finish by cutting off the few inches sticking out from the trunk. Be sure to leave the "branch collar," the swollen area of trunk tissue that forms around the base of a branch. Leaving the branch collar protects the main trunk from damage.

After a Storm

The type of care you give after a storm should depend on a tree's age, the extent and type of damage. To care for storm damaged trees:

• Plan ahead before deciding what to do with fallen trees. In general, it is best to reset only smaller trees, since large trees will be weakened and may fall again.
• Decide what to do with tree stumps. If you are going to leave them, cut them off flush with the ground. If you plan to remove them, leave four feet of stump standing. Removal will be cheaper and easier if stumps can be pulled out instead of dug out.
• Cut off broken or torn limbs to avoid unnecessary bark stripping.

Trim Your Risk of Tree Problems

• When straightened, uprooted trees will require bracing for a long time. Before you reset a tree, cut, smooth and paint all jagged and irregular root breaks. Water the tree well and fertilize. Do not remove guy wires or braces for two years.
• After repairing trees, continue to care for them. Check soil moisture regularly.
• Prune a damaged tree just enough to balance the loss of roots. Cut out broken, diseased and malformed branches to give the tree a desirable shape.

002282 - 7/06

It's Hot Outside

The following information is from the U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Web site .

002284 - 7/06

That Looks Good!

Barbecue Grills and Open-Flame Safety for Multi-Family Dwellings

An increased potential for fires exists when residents of multi-family dwellings use charcoal or gas barbecue grills on decks and near buildings. Yet, every year these barbecue grills reappear on balconies and patios of multi-family dwellings for another season of outdoor cooking.

Fire Hazards

Some of the many fire hazards associated with barbecue grills (e.g., propane, natural gas, charcoal) and open flame devices near multi-family dwellings include:

• Windblown grill embers near structures, especially roofs
• Careless disposal of charcoal briquettes
• Igniting lighter fluid under porch overhangs
• Unattended grills that tip over
• Proximity to structures or combustibles, such as draperies and window coverings around open doors or windows
• Part failures, gas leaks, blocked tubes, cracked and brittle hoses and overfilled propane tanks

Grill Safety

Based on codes from the National Fire Protection Association and the 2000 International Building Code, American Family Insurance has developed the following safety recommendations regarding the use of charcoal or gas grills and open-flame devices:

• Inform all residents and prospective residents, in writing, that the use and storage of charcoal or gas barbecue grills and open-flame devices (such as clay chimneys and clay/copper fire pits) is prohibited on decks, balconies, garages, kitchens or any other location near a building. (Exception: electric barbecue grills bearing the mark of an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratory, Inc.)
• Establish a designated safe grilling area or consider obtaining fixed grills for resident use.
• Enforce safety recommendations by incorporating language into leases and covenants prohibiting the use and storage of barbecue grills and open-flame devices outside of designated areas .

002281 - 7/06

Slippery When Wet

The following information is reprinted with permission of the author, Roger McFadden, Vice President Technical Services, Coastwide Laboratories, Wilsonville , OR.

Five-Step Slip & Fall Prevention Program

Step One: Keep the Floor Clean

1. Clean the floor surface daily using an effective floor cleaner and autoscrubber.

2. Frequently dust mop the floor surface to remove loose soil. Never use dust mop treatments that could negatively effect slip resistance.
3. Clean up all spills, liquids, broken materials and puddles without delay.
4. Report and repair all damaged flooring immediately.
5. Select a floor care system from a reputable manufacturer whose floor coatings are Underwriters Laboratories (UL) classified as to slip resistance.
6. Ask your floor care product supplier or manufacturer to verify sufficient liability insurance.

Step Two: Educate Appropriate Personnel

1. Hold brief and informative educational sessions regarding floor safety. Inform all personnel of hazards associated with slippery floors and how they can assist in keeping workplace floors safer.
2. Locate all high risk floor surface areas. Inform all personnel to execute extra caution in these areas.
3. Provide good lighting on floor areas where a higher potential risk exists.
4. Assign someone to floor safety on every shift and establish written responsibilities.
5. Report all accidents, near accidents, high risk areas and damaged flooring immediately.
6. Emphasize the use and respect for all floor warning signs.
7. Inform personnel that most slips and falls occur during the busy hours.
8. Provide adequate floor matting to wipe off wet or soiled footwear.
9. Use proper walking techniques which include keeping steps short and toes pointed inward when crossing slippery floors. Never run across a slippery floor. Abrupt stops, starts and turns should be kept to a minimum.
10. Communicate the importance of floor safety to all facility personnel.
11. Designate at least one employee per shift to conduct frequent walk-through inspections of the facilities.

Step Three: Train All Maintenance Personnel

1. Train floor maintenance personnel to maintain floors for safety as well as appearance.
2. Teach the importance of using the appropriate caution or wet floor signs.
3. Instruct floor care personnel to follow all floor maintenance procedures carefully and to spend additional time on high risk areas.
4. Provide instructional floor maintenance and safety wall charts and insist that all procedures be followed carefully. Post these signs in the appropriate locations.
5. Don't allow horseplay during hard floor care procedures.
6. Teach proper cleaning and storage of all equipment when cleaning is complete. Remember that mop buckets, mops, brooms, electrical cords, brushes and squeegees can cause trips, slips and falls.
7. Insist that safe footwear be worn at all times.

Step Four: Inspect and Document Results

1. Develop a simple written floor inspection program.
2. Create and use a one-page inspection form. Include sections to identify and report damaged flooring, protruding nails, holes, cracked tiles, slippery conditions, accidents and near accidents.
3. Conduct and document regular floor inspections.
4. Promptly repair and correct floor damage or slippery conditions.
5. Communicate potential slip and fall risk areas to your safety and risk management departments.

Step Five: Do's and Don'ts

1. DO stress good housekeeping to all employees.
2. DO provide an ongoing floor safety training program for all new personnel.
3. DO provide absorbent materials for quick response to spills and puddles.
4. DON'T wax or seal stone floors if avoidable.
5. DON'T allow running or horseplay on floor areas.
6. DON'T allow use of greasy or dirty mops.
7. DON'T overuse dust mop treatments.

Floor Safety Program Pays Major Benefits

An effective slip and fall prevention program provides several important benefits.

1. Substantially reduces the risks and potentials for slips and falls in the workplace.
   • Reduces opportunity for accidents caused by slips and falls.
   • Keeps workers compensation costs down.
2. Provides a permanent and effective floor safety program to present to liability insurance companies.
   • Improves your corporate image and relationship with insurance companies.
   • Encourages more favorable insurance rates.
3. Improves floor safety, cleanliness and sanitation.
   • Satisfies local health and sanitation authorities.
   • Provides a safer working environment for personnel.
   • Projects a better company image to customers and personnel.
4. Creates a line of defense against injury claims and lawsuits.
   • Establishes the creation and use of a well organized floor safety program to prevent slip and fall accidents.
   • Provides a definite and responsible prevention plan which will defend against claims of negligence and irresponsibility.

002283 - 7/06

Hello, I'm Calling to Report a Claim

We are your partners in helping you protect your business, and you are our first line of defense against losses. If a claim does occur, you should obtain relevant information immediately so we can process the claim appropriately.

If an injury occurs in your establishment, always collect the following information from those involved:

• Full name
• Full address
• Phone number

Next, report the claim, even if you feel your company is not at fault. Circumstance may dictate otherwise, and the sooner we receive notice of the claim, the better our investigation will be. We will also contact the injured party(ies) to let them know we are working on the claim.

Call our 24-hour Claim Call Center at 1-800-374-1111 or contact your American Family agent to report your claim.

What to do if there is a loss on the premises

• Obtain a detailed explanation of what occurred. Ask for the specific location where the incident occurred. Inspect the area where the loss occurred and document what you observe. Obtain the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses. This includes employees, customers and individuals who accompanied the injured person. If people are in the area, kindly ask them if they saw anything and if they would be willing to be listed as a witness.
• Keep a camera on the premises so you can take photos of the area where the incident occurred. Remove and save video camera tape if it was operating at the time and review it to see if it shows any important event. If there isn't time to review the tape, label and preserve it so it can be reviewed later.
• If the loss involves a physical object, for example machinery, a table or a chair, don't throw the object away. Clearly label what it is related to, the date and time, and secure it in a safe place until a claim adjuster can inspect or take possession of it.

002167– 04/06

Water and Electricity Do Not Mix

Combining water and electricity can be disastrous. Each year more than 300 people are electrocuted and thousands more are injured from electrical shocks or electrical fires. Many electrical injuries can be avoided through the use of a simple, inexpensive device called a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

A GFCI (shown to left) is a fast-acting electrical circuit breaker that senses small imbalances in the circuit caused by current leaking to the ground. The GFCI continually matches the amount of current going into an electrical device against the amount of current returning from the device along the electrical path. Whenever the amount "going" differs from the amount "returning" by approximately 5 milliamps, the GFCI interrupts the electrical power within as little as one-fortieth of a second.

For example, if a person washing dishes while listening to a nearby radio accidentally knocks the radio into the sink, a very dangerous electrical hazard exists. Retrieving the radio may cause the person to be electrocuted.

However, if the radio was plugged into a GFCI receptacle and the person reached into the water to retrieve the radio, the GFCI would detect a leak, shut off the power and prevent electrical shock.

Because GFCIs are effective and inexpensive, the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires GFCI protected electrical outlets on all 15 and 20 ampere, 125-volt receptacles in kitchens, within 6 feet of sinks and in bathrooms, garages, utility rooms, outdoor outlets and any other place that water or moisture may present a hazard. GFCIs can be installed at circuit breakers to protect a service line with several receptacles. Also, one GFCI can be wired to protect up to two other receptacles that are on the same circuit.

How to test a GFCI

GFCIs should be tested monthly by following these steps:

• Plug a lamp or appliance into the GFCI receptacle.
• Turn on the lamp or appliance.
• Push the test button on the GFCI receptacle. If the GFCI is working properly, the test button should turn off the power to the lamp or appliance.
• Push the Reset button on the GFCI. This should return power to the GFCI receptacle and appliance. If the power did not shut off when the Test button was depressed, there is an electrical problem that should be corrected by a licensed electrical contractor.

An inexpensive GFCI circuit tester is available in hardware stores. The GFCI circuit tester also checks for proper wiring of electrical outlets. To conduct the test:

• Plug in the testing device and check warning lights for proper wiring of the outlet.
• Push the Test button. The lights should go out.
• Push the Reset button on the GFCI. This should return power to the GFCI and the lights on the tool will reappear.

Safety Recommendations

• If GFCIs are not present at NEC-required locations, we recommend having a licensed electrical contractor install them accordingly.
• Educate employees on how to test GFCIs on a regular basis.

002169– 04/06

Springtime Can Mean Flooding

Rain. Tides. Levee failure. Ice jam. Snow melt. Floods happen, and they happen beside rivers, on the coast, in deserts and in city streets. You don't have to lose your property and possessions to rampaging waters, however. It's never too early to prepare and you can take several basic steps right now to protect your business from disaster.

First Things First

1. Check with your city or county building authority, your insurance agent or your mortgage lender to find out if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If your property is in a participating community, you live in a flood zone. Period.
2. Consult the same sources to determine if your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, which has at least a one percent chance of being flooded in any given year. Perhaps you live in an "A" zone, generally near a lake, river or stream and subject to rising water. Or you may live in a "V" zone, an area that involves beachfront properties and is susceptible to wind-driven waves as well as rising water.

Know Your BFE
Whether you live near a river or on the ocean's shore, you should know the expected flooding level in your area. The base flood elevation (BFE), in other words. Consult your local building authority for the base flood elevation in your immediate area. Also check building department records or your property survey for the elevation of your property's lowest floor. This is the lowest enclosed area in your property, including any area - your basement, for instance - that is below ground level on all sides. If you are unable to determine the lowest floor elevation, hire a licensed surveyor to do it.

If You Live in an "A" ZONE
If your property is in an "A" zone and the lowest floor is below the base flood elevation, the best way to protect it against flood damage is to elevate your entire property so the lowest floor is at or above the base flood elevation. Keep in mind, you must use design standards that meet the minimum requirements of your community's local floodplain management building ordinance for new construction and substantially improved structures.  You can also take the following measures to avoid flood damage in an "A" zone:

• Use water-resistant building materials in areas below the base flood elevation.
• Leave the basement or lower floors unfinished if they're below base flood elevation.
• Prevent sewer lines from backing up by installing backflow valves or standpipes.
• Raise your washer and dryer and other equipment such as the water heater, oil tanks, furnace and electrical wiring on concrete blocks, above the base flood elevation level. If you are unable to raise a particular item, consider anchoring it and protecting it with a floodwall or shield.
• Install flood shields or built-up barriers for basement windows and doors. The tops of shields and barriers should extend above the base flood elevation.
• Install and maintain a sump pump system if you have below-grade floors.
• Landscape with native plants and vegetation that resist soil erosion.

If You Live in a "V" Zone
Properties in "V" zones are threatened not only by rising water, but by wave action as well. The answer in this case: relocate your property. If relocating isn't an option, however, elevate your house on piles or piers. Here, too, you must use design standards that meet the minimum requirements of your community's local floodplain management building ordinance for new construction and substantially improved structures. Be sure to have an architect or engineer evaluate your elevation plans.

When A Flood Threatens
You can improve the odds of your property surviving a flood by taking these precautions, but you won't make it flood-proof. Nor do these measures guarantee your safety. Take these additional steps to protect yourself and your family as fully as possible:

• Become familiar with your community's disaster preparedness plans and create a family plan. Identify escape routes from your property and neighborhood and designate an emergency meeting place for your family to reunite if you become separated. Also establish a contact point to communicate with concerned relatives.
• Put together an emergency kit that includes a three-day supply of drinking water and food you don't have to refrigerate or cook; first aid supplies; a portable NOAA weather radio; a wrench and other basic tools; a flashlight; work gloves; emergency cooking equipment; portable lanterns; fresh batteries for each piece of equipment; clothing; blankets; baby items; prescription medications; extra car and house keys; extra eyeglasses; credit cards and cash; important documents, including insurance policies.
• If flooding threatens, follow weather and news reports so you know how much danger you're facing. Obey evacuation orders from local authorities.

For more information about protecting your property and family from floods, check this source:

National Flood Insurance Program
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Insurance Administration
500 C Street, S.W.
Washington , D.C. 20472
1-800-427-4661
www.floodsmart.gov

Remember, property owners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by floods. The federal government created the National Flood Insurance Program to provide this coverage to property owners. Twenty-five to thirty percent of all flood claims are paid for properties outside of special flood hazard areas, so if your community participates in this federal program, you should purchase flood coverage either directly from the NFIP or from a participating insurer. Contact your insurance agent or company.

002168– 04/06

Take a Look Around

Fire Safety Precautions

• Ensure that all apartments and common areas have properly functioning smoke detectors.
• Change batteries every six months and test monthly.
• Install fire extinguishers in each unit and inspect them at least annually. The value of stolen extinguishers can be charged against the security deposit.
• Inspect and maintain stoves and furnaces annually to ensure proper working order.

Outside Safety Precautions

• Grass fires can burn down buildings. Keep all grass cut and provide a safe, clear space around buildings.
• Ensure that all walkways and parking lots are free of trip-and-fall hazards, such as raised or sunken edges of sidewalks or pot holes in the parking lot or grassy areas.
• Outside lighting should be adequate for better sight and an added measure of security for tenants.

Inside Safety Precautions

• All walking surfaces in the building should be free of trip-and-fall hazards, such as torn tile, frayed or ripped carpeting or broken steps.
• Do not allow any water heater to be turned above 125 degrees. Tenants should not have access to water heater temperature control valves. Otherwise, tempering valves can be installed to prevent scalding.
• Security lock doors to prevent unauthorized entry. Additionally, other security measures such as cameras and door and window alarms can also be of benefit.

002170– 04/06

Start Off 2006 with a Plan

American Family has partnered with the Institute for Home and Business Safety to provide you with access to “Open for Business,” a Web-based disaster recovery plan. This comprehensive, yet easy to use system will design an individual program that is secure and can be updated at any time – all at no cost to you.

001980– 01/06

Let's Get Out of Here!

The following information is from the U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Web site.

Emergency Exit Routes

How would you escape from your workplace in an emergency? Do you know where all the exits are in case your first choice is too crowded? Are you sure the doors will be unlocked and that the exit access behind them will not be blocked during a fire, explosion, or other crisis? Knowing the answers to these questions could keep you safe during an emergency.

Workplace Exit Routes

Usually, a workplace must have at least two exit routes for prompt evacuation. But more than two exits are required if the number of employees, size of the building, or arrangement of the workplace will not allow a safe evacuation. Exit routes must be located as far away as practical from each other in case one is blocked by fire or smoke.

Requirements for Exits

• Exit areas must be separated from the workplace by fire-resistant materials––that is, a one-hour fire-resistance rating if the exit connects three or fewer stories, and a two-hour fire-resistance rating if the exit connects more than three floors.
• Exit areas can have only those openings necessary to allow access to the exit from occupied areas of the workplace or to the exit discharge. Openings must be protected by a self-closing, approved fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency.
• Always keep the line-of-sight to exit signs clearly visible.
• Install lighted “EXIT” signs using plainly legible letters.

Safety Features for Exit Routes

• Keep exit routes free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings and other decorations.
• Arrange exit routes so employees will not have to travel toward a high-hazard area unless the path of travel is effectively shielded from the high-hazard area.
• Ensure that exit routes are free and unobstructed by materials, equipment, locked doors, or dead-end corridors.
• Provide lighting for exit routes adequate for employees with normal vision.
• Keep exit route doors free of decorations or signs that obscure their visibility of exit route doors.
• Post signs along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge if that direction is not immediately apparent.
• Mark doors or passages along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit with a “Not an Exit” sign or with a sign identifying its use (such as “Closet”).
• Renew fire-retardant paints or solutions when needed.
• Maintain exit routes during construction, repairs, or alterations.

Design and Construction Requirements

• Exit routes must be permanent parts of the workplace.
• Exits must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside.
• Exit discharge areas must be large enough to accommodate people likely to use the exit route.
• Exit route doors must unlock from the inside. They must be free of devices or alarms that could restrict use of the exit route if the device or alarm fails.
• Exit routes can be connected to rooms only by side hinged doors, which must swing out in the direction of travel if the room may be occupied by more than 50 people.
• Exit routes must support the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served, and the capacity of an exit route must not decrease in the direction of exit route travel to the exit discharge.
• Exit routes must have ceilings at least 7 ft., 6 in. high.
• An exit access must be at least 28 inches wide at all points. Objects that project into the exit must not reduce its width to less than 28 inches.

001979– 01/06

What a Mess - Washing Machine Hose Failure

The following information is from the Institute for Business & Home Safety.

Washing machine hose failures are one of the top five sources of preventable water losses, according to research by the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

You probably haven’t checked your washing machine hoses in a while – if ever.  But since they could lead to thousands of dollars in damage to your property, or much more if they leak while everyone is away, you might want to spend a little time and a few dollars to make the right connection.

How can you reduce the chance your washing machine hoses will fail?

• Inspect them regularly, looking for signs of leaks, bulging or cracking.
• Make sure washing machines are at least 4” from the wall, to prevent the hoses from bending and kinking.  (Some hoses have pre-formed metal elbows to prevent kinking.)
• When you replace them, choose a high quality hose.  But remember, both rubber/nylon hoses and metal braided hoses can leak, so you must still be vigilant.

To further prevent problems, know how to locate your main water shutoff valves.  Ask your tenants to shut off hoses when not in use.  Consider installing an automatic washing machine shutoff valve and water hammer arrestors, which can absorb the increased water pressure that comes when the electric valve in your washing machine shuts off. 

001985– 01/06

Product Recalls

Does your business own any tools, appliances, machinery or a fire extinguisher? If so, that product may have been recalled. Find out if you are affected.

001981– 01/06

Do You Need a Carbon Monoxide Detector?

Who needs a carbon monoxide (CO) detector? Any single family residences, multiple family dwellings and apartment buildings that have fossil or wood fuel appliances or heating sources need CO detectors. While not generally required by law, these detectors are a good investment in safety, at least in areas near fossil fuel heat sources, such as furnaces, boilers, and water heaters.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas produced by burning fossil fuels. Fossil fuels include natural gas, coal, kerosene, oil, propane and wood, but do not include electricity. Exposure to lower levels of CO over several hours can be just as dangerous as exposure to higher levels for a few minutes.

Single family residences

A single family residence, heated by a forced air furnace or a boiler that burns a fossil fuel, should have a carbon monoxide detector within 40 feet of all rooms used for sleeping. The carbon monoxide detector should be placed so it will be easily heard in all sleeping areas and should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Multiple family dwellings and apartment buildings

A multiple family dwelling or apartment building in which a hot water or steam boiler that burns a fossil fuel is located in the basement should have one approved carbon monoxide detector installed in the room containing the central heating unit. The carbon monoxide detector should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Every apartment that has its own warm air heating plant (portable furnaces, space heaters, etc.) that burns a fossil fuel should have a carbon monoxide detector within 40 feet of all rooms used for sleeping. The carbon monoxide detector should be placed so it will easily be heard in all rooms used for sleeping and should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Who is at risk?

Those most at risk are:

• Children
• Elderly
• People with lung or heart disease
• Pregnant women

Signs and symptoms of CO poisoning include:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sleepiness
• Weakness
• Nausea, vomiting
• Dizziness, confusion
• Trouble breathing

If prolonged exposure continues, loss of consciousness, coma and ultimately death will occur.

Do you have any of these fuel burning appliances?

• Gas furnace
• Gas water heater
• Fireplace
• Wood burning stove
• Gas ranges or ovens
• Gas dryers
• Kerosene heaters
• Charcoal or gas grills
• Lawn mowers
• Snow blowers
• Chain saws

Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can occur if these appliances are improperly installed or maintained, damaged, malfunctioning, or improperly used or ventilated. To ensure proper function and ventilation, furnaces, water heaters, wood stoves and chimneys should be checked yearly by a professional service. Yard equipment, such as lawn mowers and snow blowers or charcoal or gas grill, should never be used or operated in the home.

What to do if a CO detector goes off

• Get fresh air
• Call 911
• Seek medical attention if you have signs and symptoms of CO poisoning
• Don't go back into the building until cleared by the fire department

001839 – 10/05

Winter is on the Way

Room heating

Space heaters and heating stoves are used throughout the nation to increase the warmth in rooms. These methods of heating can be very dangerous. In order to use them safely, make sure your residents are aware of these guidelines:

• Never use a fuel-burning appliance without proper vents to the outside. Burning fuel (kerosene, coal or propane, for example) produces deadly fumes.
• Be sure your heater is in good working condition. All room heaters need frequent checkups and cleaning. A dirty or neglected heater is a critical fire hazard.
• Use only the proper fuel for each heater. Never introduce a fuel into a unit not designed for that fuel.
• Never quicken a fire with kerosene or gasoline.
• Keep gasoline or other flammable liquids stored outside the building at all times.
• Maintain adequate clearance in all directions around space heaters and heating stoves. (Surrounding surfaces should not become too hot for your bare hand.) Three feet is the minimum space required.
• Use a screen around stoves or space heaters that have open flames. Give the heater adequate clearance from walls and combustibles such as clothes racks, curtains, beds or other furniture.
• If an electric heater is used, be sure the wiring is adequate. Avoid overloading the circuit and overloading extension cords.
• Avoid using electric space heaters in bathrooms.
• Avoid kerosene heaters.
• When refueling an oil unit, don't overfill it. If cold fuel is used, it will expand as it warms up inside your home and may cause burner-flooding, which could cause flare-ups. Don't fill your heater while it is burning.
• Keep young children away from space heaters.
• If you are using an approved, UL-labeled space heater or heating stove in your bedroom, turn off your heater or turn it to low before going to bed.
• Use only safety listed equipment. If you choose an oil or electric heater, look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label. A gas appliance, should have an American Gas Association (AGA) label.

Fireplaces

Fireplaces can be an effective way to keep warm. However, if not carefully tended, they could cause tragedy. To use them safely, advise your residents to follow these guidelines:

• Do not use flammable liquids to start the fire.
• Keep a metal screen in front of your fireplace. Flying embers can start fires.
• Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite soot in the chimney by overbuilding the fire.
• Never burn charcoal in your fireplace, in a charcoal broiler or in a hibachi unit inside the building. Burning charcoal gives off deadly amounts of carbon monoxide.
• Be sure no flammable materials hang down from or decorate your mantel. A spark from your fireplace could ignite these materials and cause a fire.
• When you go to bed, be sure your fireplace fire is out. Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper can help hot ashes build up heat to the point where a fire could flare up and ignite the room while you are asleep.
• If your fireplace hasn't been used for some time, have it and the chimney checked before using.
• Follow the directions on the package if you use manufactured or fire-starter logs. Never break a manufactured or fire-starter log apart to quicken the fire.

Furnace heating

It's important that your furnace is checked out and cleaned regularly and that it be in good working condition. Furnace fire safety tips need to be observed year round. Some things you and your residents should know:

• Be sure all furnace automatic controls and emergency shutoffs are in good condition.
• Leave furnace work to experts. Don't attempt repairs unless you are qualified.
• Have the repairperson check the wall and ceiling near the furnace and flue. If they are hot, additional insulation or clearance may be needed.
• Check the flue pipes. They should be well supported, free of holes and clean.
• The chimney should be solid with no cracks or loose bricks. All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry.
• Keep trash and combustible storage away from the heating system.
• Don't store hot ashes in the building. Take them outside immediately.

Kitchen stoves

• Never use a gas range or an oven to heat the kitchen. Any unvented fuel burning appliance is capable of producing deadly levels of carbon monoxide.
• Don't leave oven doors open when they are on. Children could burn themselves on the heating elements.

001853 – 10/05

Don't Be a Victim

Unfortunately, violence in the workplace occurs more often than you would think. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports, according to information published by the Bureau of Justice, that an average of 1.7 million people were victims of violent crime while working or on duty in the U.S. each year from 1993-1999. A research project conducted by the Workplace Violence Research Institute showed that workplace violence results in $36 billion in annual losses to organizations. The most common type of workplace violent crime is simple assault with an average of 1.5 million incidents per year.

Workplace violence can occur from many sources both internal and external. Some possible sources include employees, former employees, customers, visitors, contractors or domestic situations. Hostile customers or employees usually display warning signs that indicate they are moving toward violence. The following is a list of signs and characteristics that a potentially violent person may display or have. Although it is important to not make a hasty judgment about someone, keep in mind that a potentially violent person may not exhibit or have all of the following signs and characteristics.

• Direct or veiled verbal threats of harm
• History of intimidation of others
• Carrying or concealing a weapon at work
• A history of violent behavior
• Obsession with weapons, often exotic weapons
• Expression of extreme desperation over recent family, financial or other personal problems
• Numerous conflicts with manager and other employees
• Drug/alcohol abuse or extreme changes in behavior
• Inability to accept criticism
• Agitation displayed in the form of resistive tension, clenching of fists, a boxer stance, or yelling/screaming and waving their hands in the air
• Homicidal or suicidal comments or threats

It is important to recognize the first line of defense against workplace violence is security awareness. Companies should have a work place violence prevention plan in place. This plan should detail the company’s policies related to violence as well as describe an action plan for how they will deal with a violent incident. In addition to having a plan, the following engineering controls are steps that companies can take to help prevent violence.

• Limit access to the facility by keeping doors locked. Institute a key card entry system for employees.
• Require all visitors to register so that security knows who belongs in the facility and who doesn’t.
• Install panic alarms for those who work directly with the public.
• Provide adequate lighting around the building and parking areas.
• Have emergency phones available throughout the facility to call security personnel or 911.

Employees should be trained on how to respond if a violent incident occurs. This training should include:

• Who to call for help
• Emergency escape routes
• Safe places to escape for both inside and outside the facility
• Identifying that all employees are accounted for

You can be a victim of workplace violence when working outside of the office also. The following are some safety tips for employees working in the field:

• Plan your routes carefully and know where you are going in advance.
• Travel with a partner if possible, especially when traveling to an unfamiliar or known high crime area. Avoid these areas after dark.
• Notify someone of your travel schedule, where you are going and when you are scheduled to return.
• Carry a cell phone.
• Consider using a call in/check in system.
• Avoid alleys, doorways and blind spots.
• Avoid using stairwells. They are often a good place for an assailant to hide and may not transmit sound well.
• Never let anyone assaulting you take you to a secondary location! Your chances are probably better to try to break away and run when you have the opportunity.
• If faced with an assault and the assailant is after your property, let them take what they are after. Don’t fight for material possessions.
• When you park, turn your car around so that it is headed in the direction you will be leaving. Never park where you are trapped.

For additional information go to http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/

001849 – 10/05

Play it Safe with Your Holiday Party

When it comes to events that involve alcohol, there is one important thing to remember. Hosts can sometimes be held liable for the actions of their intoxicated guests. Such liability may include damages for property loss, as well as for personal injuries to third parties. Since legal standards vary greatly from state to state, be sure to check with your attorney.

An organization can be held liable for damages resulting from having served alcohol under two principal codes, the first being statutory liability under state liquor liability laws and the second being common law liability under the theory of social host liability. The former, often referred to as dram shop acts, prohibit the sale or delivery of alcohol to any visibly intoxicated person or to minors. Although dram shop acts have traditionally applied only to commercial servers of alcohol (bars and liquor stores), courts sometimes interpret them to apply to anyone who sells alcohol.

Depending on the circumstances, courts sometimes also impose liability on social hosts. So, when planning that big party or any function where liquor will be served, act prudently. The following suggestions could help minimize potential liability:

• Eliminate open bars, punch bowls and beer kegs. The days of help-yourself bars are long over. Without supervision, there is a greater chance that some guests may drink too much, substantially increasing the likelihood they will injure others. Don't sponsor or host any event at which unsupervised drinking takes place, including informal gatherings in hospitality suites.
• Don't let alcohol be the sole focus of an event. Make sure there are sufficient amounts of food and nonalcoholic beverages available. This will reduce the possibility that people could leave the event inebriated.
• Serve alcohol for a reasonable time. Alcohol should not be served for too long or too short a period of time. Allow guests to pace themselves by serving alcohol at reasonable intervals, and don't make a "last call" announcement. Consider using a system that provides some control over consumption. For example, even when drinks are free, give guests a limited number of drink tickets.
• Hire a trained bartender. Never allow the organization's employees or members to serve drinks. If you hire a professional bartender, the bartender or his or her employer may insulate you from potential liability. Professionals are trained to recognize when to stop serving someone and they are also often covered by insurance.
• Arrange designated drivers. Make arrangements with a service to provide transportation for guests who may have had too much to drink. Tell attendees about the service before the party.
• Get insurance. You can't eliminate all potential liquor liability. It's prudent to obtain the appropriate insurance coverage. In addition, if the event is hosted at a hotel, convention center or other facility, it helps to have the facility name the host organization as an additional insured.

It really just comes down to common sense. A preliminary dose of prudence can protect your business and avoid later liability hangovers.

001850 – 10/05

Making Your Workplace Safer for Teen Workers

The following information is from the U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Web site.

Adolescent workers are protected by two laws enforced by the Department of Labor (DOL):

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act. Each state also has child labor laws. Employers must comply with both federal and state laws. When federal and state standards are different, the rules that provide the most protection to youth workers will apply.

• The FLSA and state laws provide child labor provisions that were designed to protect minors in non-agricultural and agricultural employment by restricting the types of jobs and the number of hours they may work.
• Non-agricultural youth workers: hours permitted and jobs permitted.
• Employers must post the FLSA Required Minimum Wage Poster.

The OSH Act requires that employers provide a safe and healthful work environment and comply with occupational safety and health standards. This includes following OSHA Standards such as:

• Employers must assess the hazards in their workplace, select the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for their employees, (such as gloves, aprons and foot protection) and have their employees use the PPE [1910.132(a)] and [1910.132(d)].
• Employers must make any employees exposed to hazardous materials aware of the hazards and train them to protect themselves from these hazards [1910.1200 Hazard Communication Standard].
• Employers must display a poster prepared by the DOL or your state labor department informing employees of the protections of the Occupational Safety and Health Act P.L. 91-596, December 29, 1970 and its amendments.

Consider implementing the following:

• A review of the worksite to eliminate identified hazards and ensure jobs are as safe as possible.
• Provide training to ensure that adolescents recognize hazards and are competent in safe work practices. Training should include how to prepare for fires, accidents, violent situations, and what to do if they get injured. Teens need to know that if they get injured, they have the right to file a claim to cover their medical benefits and some of their lost work time.
• Provide appropriate supervisors for teens that recognize hazards and are competent in safe work practices.
• Stress safety, particularly among first-line supervisors; they have the greatest opportunity to influence teens and their work habits.
• Implement a mentoring or buddy system for new youth workers. Have either an adult or experienced teen be a buddy to answer questions to help the inexperienced worker learn the ropes of a new job.
• Encourage teens to ask questions about tasks or procedures that are unclear or not understood.
• Remember that teens are not just "little adults." Employers must be mindful of the unique aspects of communicating with teens.
• Ensure that equipment operated by teens is both legal and safe for them to use. Employers should label equipment young workers are not allowed to operate. The YouthRules! website has available downloadable stickers for employers to place on hazardous equipment to alert all workers that no one under 18 years of age may operate the equipment. There is also a sticker designed specifically for forklifts developed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
• Develop a drug-free workplace program. Abuse of alcohol and other drugs by workers of any age creates significant but avoidable workplace hazards.
• Develop a safety and health program in your facility to help prevent workplace injuries.

DOL Youth Worker FLSA Information: Child Labor Fact Sheets

• Fact Sheet #2 Restaurants and Fast Food Establishments under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Fact Sheet #32 Youth Minimum Wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Fact Sheet #34 Important Changes in the Child Labor Laws Affecting the Driving of Automobiles and Trucks Under Hazardous Occupations Order No. 2.
• Fact Sheet #41 Fast Food, Full Service Restaurant and Supermarket Industries Child Labor Compliance Survey.

001761 - 6/05

Safety: The Profit Center for your Business

Have you ever thought of your loss control program as helping your company make a profit?

If not, consider this: According to OSHA, 6,000 employees in this country die from workplace injuries while another 50,000 die from illnesses caused by exposure to workplace hazards. Also, 6 million workers suffer non-fatal workplace injures costing an estimated $125 billion annually. It is estimated that when a business experiences a loss, for every dollar paid for by insurance, the business can lose another $4 to $8 in uninsured or indirect costs.

That's why an effective loss control program, performed on a regular basis, is critical. An effective loss control program can assist in preventing the unforeseen before it happens. Beyond the benefits of employee and customer safety, the importance of loss control is obvious considering that this money could instead be profit, employee wages or benefits, funding for new equipment or more.

For more information on how to set up a safety program, free of charge, visit our Loss Control section.

001759 – 6/05

Hidden Swimming Pool Dangers

Do you know what Psuedomonas, Hepatitis, Giardia, Legionella, Staphlococci and Cryptosporidium all have in common? They are waterborne illnesses or diseases that one can contract from being in a swimming pool where the water has not been maintained properly. In order to maintain the water properly, standard water maintenance procedures should be established for each pool. The procedures should be specifically tailored for the size of the pool, as well as its disinfectant and filtration systems.

The following practices are recommended to lessen the exposures and potential for the transfer of waterborne illnesses.

•  The owner or operator should designate a trained operator to maintain the pool in compliance with local rules and/or recommended national swimming pool safety standards.

•  A manual should be available that provides operational and maintenance information relating to all pool equipment.

• Whenever the pool is open for use, the pool water should be clear enough so the bottom drain is easily visible.

• Visible dirt on the bottom of the pool should be removed every 24 hours or more frequently as needed to eliminate buildup. Visible scum or floating matter on the pool surface should be removed no less than every 24 hours by flushing or other effective means. The walls and bottom of the pool should be brush scrubbed on a regular basis.

•  A policy that patrons take a shower before entering the pool should be established, posted and enforced.

•  A policy should also be established for diaper-age children. Regular diapers are ineffective and will dissolve in the pool and therefore should be prohibited. The policy should either prohibit diaper-age children from using the pool or require diaper-age children to wear "plastic pants" with tight fitting elastic at the legs and waist or swim diapers. The policy should be posted and enforced.

• Formal procures should be established for proper removal of formed and unformed fecal matter and the subsequent water and filter treatment to lessen the potential for the transfer of infections. Note: Filtration is not an effective means of removing contamination from a pool in a timely manner. The ability to kill pathogens in the water is based on the contact time a pathogen has with a disinfectant and the concentration of the disinfectant.

• Proper operating records should be regularly kept (and, depending on pool usage, ideally on a daily basis) showing:
• the operating periods of recirculation pumps and filters and corresponding rate-of-flow meter readings;
• amounts of chemicals added, except chemicals added through an automated system;
• disinfectant residuals including both free and total disinfectant residuals;
• pH readings;
• the temperature reading of pools with heaters;
• any other pool chemistry measurement taken, such as alkalinity and cyanuric acid concentrations; and
• any malfunction of equipment.

Swimming pools must be continually disinfected with a chemical, which imparts an easily measured, free available residual effect.

• When chlorine is used, a free chlorine residual of at least 0.5 parts per million (ppm), but no more than 5.0 ppm, must be maintained throughout the pool.
• When bromine is used, a residual of at least 1.0 ppm, but no more than 10.0 ppm, must be maintained throughout the pool.
• The minimum chlorine and bromine levels are 1.0 ppm and 2.0 ppm respectfully when cyanuric acid exceeds 30 ppm, pH is greater than 7.7, the water temperature is greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, or the pool is a wading pool. For spa pools, the minimum allowed disinfectant residual is 2.0 ppm free chlorine or 4.0 ppm bromine.
• The pH of the water in the pool must be maintained between 7.2 and 8.0.
• The alkalinity of the water in the pool must be at least 50 parts per million.

001752 – 6/05

Playground Safety

Is your playground safe? Each year about 200,000 children are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for playground equipment-related injuries - an estimated 148,000 of these injuries involve public playground equipment and an estimated 51,000 involve home playground equipment. Also, about 15 children die each year as a result of playground equipment-related incidents. Most of the injuries are the result of falls. These are primarily falls to the ground below the equipment, but falls from one piece of equipment to another are also reported. Most of the deaths are due to strangulations or falls.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers consumers these playground safety tips from its Handbook for Public Playground Safety:

• Protective surfacing - Since almost 60 percent of all injuries are caused by falls to the ground, protective surfacing under and around all playground equipment is the most critical safety factor on playgrounds.
• Asphalt and concrete are unacceptable. They do not have any shock absorbing properties. Similarly, grass and turf should not be used. Their ability to absorb shock during a fall can be reduced considerably through wear and environmental conditions.
• Certain loose-fill surfacing materials are acceptable, such as the types and depths shown in the table:

Fall Height (in feet) From Which a Life Threatening Head Injury Would Not Be Expected:

 

Type of Material	6" Depth	9" Depth	12" Depth
Double Shredded Bark Mulch	6	10	11
Wood Chips	6	7	12
Fine Sand	5	5	9
Fine Gravel	6	7	10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Certain manufactured synthetic surfaces also are acceptable; however, test data on shock absorbing performance should be requested from the manufacturer and compared to the information above, before selecting such a surface.
• Fall Zones - A fall zone, covered with a protective surfacing material is essential under and around equipment where a child might fall. This area should be free of other equipment and obstacles onto which a child might fall.
• Stationary climbing equipment and slides should have a fall zone extending a minimum of 6' in all directions from the perimeter of the equipment.
• Swings should have a fall zone extending a minimum of 6 feet from the outer edge of the support structure on each side. The fall zone in front and back of the swing should extend out a minimum distance of twice the height of the swing as measured from the ground to the top of the swing support structure.

• Swing spacing - To prevent injuries from impact with moving swings, swings should not be too close together or too close to support structures. Use the following guide:

• No more than two swing seats suspended in the same section or bay of the support structure. Use the following clearances for conventional to-fro swings:
• At least 24 inch horizontal distance between adjacent swing seats.
• At least 30 inch horizontal distance between swing seat and adjacent structural component.
• No more than one tire swing suspended in same section or bay of support structure. Distance between the outer-most edge of a tire swing and the adjacent upright of the support structure should be at least 30 inches when the tire is swung to a position closest to the support structure.
• No swings attached to multi-activity equipment.
• No heavy animal swings with rigid metal framework.

•  Elevated Surfaces - Platforms more than 30 inches above the ground should have guardrails to prevent falls.

•  Potential Head Entrapment Hazards - In general, openings that are closed on all sides should be less than 3.5 inches or greater than 9 inches. Openings that are between 3.5 inches and 9 inches present a head entrapment hazard because they are large enough to permit a child's body to go through, but are too small to permit the head to go through. When children enter such openings, feet first, they may become entrapped by the head and strangle.

•  Potential Entanglement Hazards - Open "S" hooks, especially on swings, and any protrusions or equipment components/hardware which may act as hooks or catch-points can catch children's clothing and cause strangulation incidents. Close "S" hooks as tightly as possible and eliminate protrusions or catch points on playground equipment.

•  Pinch or Crush Points - There should be no exposed moving parts which may present a pinching or crushing hazard.

•  Playground Maintenance - Playgrounds should be inspected on a regular basis. If any of the following conditions are noted, they should be removed, corrected or repaired immediately to prevent injuries:

•  Hardware that is loose or worn, or that has protrusions or projections.

•  Exposed equipment footings.

•  Scattered debris, litter, rocks or tree roots.

•  Rust and chipped paint on metal components.

•  Splinters, large cracks and decayed wood components.

•  Deterioration and corrosion on structural components which connect to the ground.

•  Missing or damaged equipment components, such as handholds, guardrails swing seats.

For more detailed information on playground safety, refer to the CPSC's Handbook for Public Playground Safety . To obtain a copy, send a postcard with your name, address and name of publication to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington , DC 20207 . To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772. Consumers can obtain releases and recall information.

001751 – 6/05

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These recommendations were developed using generally accepted safety standards. Compliance with these recommendations is not a guarantee that you will be in conformance with any building code, federal, state or local regulation regarding safety or fire. Compliance with these recommendations does not ensure the absolute safety of your occupation or place of business. It is the property owner's duty to warn any tenants or occupants of the property of any safety hazards that may exist.

American Family Mutual Insurance Company and its Subsidiaries
Home Office – Madison , WI 53783
www.amfam.com