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Safety and Health Information for Wisconsin Employers & Organizations 

Headlines

• Workplace Safety & Winter Weather Tips
• Older Driver Safety Awareness Week
• 2023 Holiday Season National DUI Enforcement Mobilization
• Worldwide Food Service Safety Month
• Seasonal Fire Safety
• Holiday Electrical Safety
• Additional Seasonal Health and Safety Tips
• January Look Ahead
• About Dave Leix, CSP, Safety Corner's Author

Workplace Safety & Winter Weather Tips

The Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to expand their web site's various offerings for safety and health educational topics of interest. 

A recent OSHA video release offers employers nine Occupational Safety Tips for the holiday season. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC),  also offers workplace safety tips for keeping  seasonal, temporary workers safe.

In addition to holiday pressures winter weather can pose an acute risk to safety. Workers may be exposed to winter weather hazards when performing tasks such as driving in the snow, removing snow from rooftops, and working near downed or damaged power lines. OSHA's primary winter safety preparation tips include: Plan. Equip. Train.

Learn more by visiting OSHA's winter weather webpage. 

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is bringing attention to the safety of older drivers. Between 2012 and 2021, the U.S. population of people 65 and older increased by 29%. 7,489 people 65 and older were killed in traffic crashes in 2021, accounting for 17% of all U.S. traffic fatalities. NHTSA is dedicated to promoting safe behaviors of older drivers. See the NHTSA's Traffic Safety Marketing materials and resources to promote older driver safety in your community. The goal during Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, and every week of the year, is to raise awareness about older driver safety.  NHTSA's role is to ensure that all people in the United States have safe mobility on our roadways.  NHTSA offers free resources and information on keeping safe on the road as we age - 15870a-Older Drivers-Talking Points-100523v3-tag.docx (live.com)  Older driver safety happens every day. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) also promotes Older Driver Safety to raise awareness of the many resources available to older drivers and their families promoting safety behind the wheel.  AOTA encourages one to inspire older adults to build a network of services by sharing their experiences during Older Driver Safety Awareness Week.

2023 Holiday Season National DUI Enforcement Mobilization

The holiday season is a time of celebration and togetherness, but it is also a time when drunk driving becomes a significant road safety threat. Tragically, lives are lost every year due to impaired drivers. To combat this, the Traffic Safety Marketing Group offers a comprehensive suite of free online enforcement marketing tools that can be tailored to your specific needs and objectives. These resources are designed to partner workplace offices with other states, communities, and organizations to promote impaired driving prevention initiatives:

• Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving Campaign Materials: These resources emphasize the dangers of even minimal alcohol consumption while driving.
• 2023 Holiday Season National Enforcement Mobilization: Running from December 13, 2023, to January 1, 2024, this initiative aims to reduce impaired driving fatalities during the holidays.
• 2023 Winter Holiday Season Impaired Driving Campaign: This comprehensive campaign provides a range of resources to raise awareness and promote responsible driving behavior during the holidays. 

Worldwide Food Service Safety Month

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and of course, food. But it's important to remember that food safety is important all year round, especially during the holidays when we're more likely to be cooking and eating large meals. For this reason December is Worldwide Food Service Safety Month.

The CDC has four steps to food safety:

• Clean: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling food.

• Separate: Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from other foods.

• Cook: Cook food to the proper internal temperature.

• Chill: Refrigerate or freeze food promptly.

For more food safety tips, please visit the following resources:

• CDC: Four Steps to Food Safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill

• FoodSafety.gov: 4 Steps to Food Safety

• USDA: Keep Food Safe! Food Safety Basics

Seasonal Fire Safety

The holidays are a time when we're more likely to be using our ovens, stoves, and other appliances, so it's important to take precautions to prevent fires.

Here are a few tips to help you prevent kitchen fires:

• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Keep flammable materials away from heat sources.
• Clean up spills immediately.
• Have a working fire extinguisher in your kitchen.

As a reminder from last month's edition, deep-fried turkeys are a popular holiday tradition, but they can also be dangerous. Fire safety professionals remind us to never deep-fry turkeys within structures such as garages, on combustible decks, porches, etc. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers. The NFPA reports that turkey fryers are the cause of hundreds of home fires each year. For more safety tips and reminders safe cooking, visit:

• Dangers of Turkey Fryers
• Never Deep-Fry a Frozen Turkey

Many of us look forward to the warmth and cozy ambiance of a fireplace, creating a picture-perfect scene with a twinkling Christmas tree and festive decorations. However, it's crucial to remember that fireplaces and holiday decorations can pose fire hazards if not handled with care.

Holiday decorations can add a festive touch to your home, but they can also be a fire hazard if not used carefully.

According to the NFPA, U.S. fire departments annually responded to an average of 150 home fires caused by Christmas trees between 2017 and 2021, with an additional 793 fires per year resulting from decorations other than Christmas trees.

Fireplaces serve as a beacon of warmth and comfort during the chilly winter months. To ensure your fireplace doesn't dampen the holiday spirit, follow these essential safety tips:

• Fireplace Maintenance: Schedule regular inspections and cleanings of your fireplace and chimney to remove any accumulated debris that could ignite a fire.

• Fireplace Use: Never leave a burning fireplace unattended. Use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from escaping and igniting nearby objects.

• Ash Disposal: Wood-burning fireplace ash can remain hot and active for days, even up to a week in some cases. Store ashes in a non-combustible container with a tight-fitting lid and dispose of them safely away from your home.

Holiday Electrical Safety

The holiday season brings a flurry of festive cheer, from twinkling lights and cheerful music to gatherings of loved ones and delectable home-cooked meals. Amidst all the joy and merriment, home electrical systems often face increased demand when powering a multitude of appliances and decorations. This surge can pose potential electrical hazards, making it crucial to take precautionary measures to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season. Several online resources offer valuable guidance on how to prevent electrical shocks and fires, emphasizing the importance of inspecting and maintaining electrical cords and lights, avoiding overloading outlets, and keeping flammable materials away from heat sources. By following these simple yet effective safety precautions, we can create a harmonious blend of holiday spirit and electrical safety Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI): Home Electrical Safety Electrical Safety Authority: Holiday Safety Conductive Electrical Contracting: Electrical Safety Tips for the Holidays

Safe Toys and Gifts

We all know the exploits of Christmas Stories beloved Ralphie and his Red Ryder Christmas BB gun – "You'll shoot your eye out, kid…"  

Prevent Blindness reminds us that too often, accidents involving children and toys occur and may result in eye injuries. Each year, thousands of children aged 14 and younger suffer serious eye injuries – even blindness – from toys. See their suggested safety guidelines for selecting age-appropriate toys, inspecting them for hazards, and teaching children how to play safely.

Here are some of the most important tips from Prevent Blindness:

• Choose toys that are age-appropriate. Avoid toys with small parts or sharp edges that could be swallowed or cause injury.
• Inspect toys regularly for any damage. Broken or damaged toys should be thrown away.
• Teach children how to use toys safely. This includes supervising them while they play and making sure they know how to use the toy properly.
• Store toys safely. This means keeping them out of reach of young children and putting them away when they are not being used.

Additional Seasonal Health and Safety Tips

As the bustling holiday season continues, embark on a safe and healthy journey with the CDC's  comprehensive holiday safety resources.

Travel Smart with CDC's Traveler's Health Resources:

• CDC Chronic Disease Center:  Prioritize adequate sleep and adopt healthy habits to prevent chronic diseases. 
• Food Safety for the Holidays: Ensure your holiday gatherings are free from foodborne illnesses by following the CDC's food safety tips for special events and holidays.
• Healthier Holidays in 1 – 2 – 3!: Prioritize your well-being during the holidays by incorporating these practical tips from the CDC into your celebrations.
• Travelers' Health: Embark on your holiday travels with confidence by heeding the CDC's expert advice for travelers. Stay informed with Travel Health Alerts and Notices to ensure a smooth and safe journey.
• Tips for Driving Safely during the Holiday Season: Embrace holiday traditions while safeguarding your health by following these essential tips from the CDC.

January Look Ahead

As the holiday season fades into the heart of Wisconsin's frigid winter months, it's crucial to prioritize frost bite and cold weather safety measures to mitigate the risk of hypothermia. Additionally, many employers seize the opportunity during the new year's first quarter to 'refresh' their workplace health and safety training. Stay tuned for more updates as we navigate the New Year and the snowy season ahead.

About Dave Leix, CSP, Safety Corner's Author

Dave Leix is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Safety & Risk Manager for the State of Wisconsin / Department of Workforce Development (DWD) – Worker's Compensation Division. Dave brings over 40 years of professional safety and health (EHS) consulting and managerial experience to a wide variety of customers and clients. Read more about Dave online.