Welcome back, pardner. Last week, we talked about the Magnificent Four - the members of the safety detector gang: Smoke, heat, carbon monoxide and GFCI. Enlisting these fellahs as deputy is a big part of a Safety Sheriff's job. But leading a hoss to water won't make 'em drink. So we need to talk about getting the Magnificent Four to do the job you're countin' on 'em for.

Have Detector Won't Necessarily Travel

Members of the detector gang don't mean no harm. But they can be unreliable. So once you've got the detector gang all set up and in the right spots, you need to keep your eye on 'em and make sure they don't stray.

How? By testing, I reckon. A good Safety Sheriff gets into the habit of testing detectors once a month. He knows that a silent smoke detector may be cleverly disguised as a working one.

Keepin' the Okay in the OK Corral

How do you keep the detectors in your corral from straying? Here's what you gotta check for:

Batteries: Smoke, carbon monoxide and heat detectors need their batteries changed at least once a year; and change the batteries again after a power failure. Maybe you've gotten some of them new types of batteries that supposedly last for several years. Well, I'm here to tell you that a good Safety Sheriff ought to be skeptical. There ain't no point in gambling with your families' lives to save a fistful of dollars.

Replacement: Members of the detector gang don't live forever. After years of faithful service, they head for that big roundup in the sky. Did you know the National Fire Protective Association and Underwriters Laboratories recommend the replacement of all smoke detectors every 10 years?

Cleaning: Detectors got a deadly enemy: dirt. If you've never cleaned your detectors, start today. Check the instructions for proper cleaning instructions. If you've lost the instructions, call or write the manufacturer, or visit the maker's Internet site to get a replacement. And never paint over a detector. If any of the detectors in your house or business are painted over, they're through. Bury 'em with their boots on and bring in a replacement.

Don't Be a Lone Rider

When did you ever see the sheriff ride out without a posse? Smoke detectors and fire alarm systems installed in business and public buildings sometimes have wiring for connection and communications with public safety departments. A smart Sheriff will have them tested and serviced by qualified and licensed professionals. If you have any questions about connections to public safety agencies, call your local fire department and ask. Better to check with them first than to trigger a false alarm.

And if you have any questions about the safety detectors, call your local fire or building department and ask them to help you prevent the biggest safety crime of all, losing the safety advantage the detectors can provide. They're usually glad to help, and it's a call any Safety Sheriff can make.

Conclusion

If you read and follow these instructions, it'll be high noon for danger. So get out there, and run the varmints that threaten you, your family and members of your workplace out of town. Be sure the Detector Gang all know you're on the job, and that it's the hoosegow for safety threats from here on in!

MEMBER REPLY
Warning re Portable Heating Devices

Read your article on Portable Heating Devices. I am from a Health Care Setting where Portable Space Heaters are a no-no. NFPA 101 Life Safety Code states in chapter 18 section 18.7.8 Portable space-heating devices shall be prohibited in all health care occupancies. Exception: Portable space heating devices shall be permitted to be used in non-sleeping staff and employee areas where the heating elements of such devices do not exceed 212 degree Fahrenheit (100 C).

When we do Environmental Tours we find a few heaters that employees bring from home that are old, exposed heating elements, no ground, bad plugs and cords; we are in the process of doing away with all portable heaters. Please give all Health Care Facilities a heads up.

Thanks Randy

GO FIGURE

Trafficking Safety

By Catherine Jones

201 million

What does this number represent?

Answer: The number of people on the roads and highways in the United States, according to the National Safety Council.

June is National Safety Month and this year the National Safety Council is focused on Celebrating Safe Communities, with June 11 to 18 aimed at highlighting driving behaviors. Here are some other driving statistics:

• 2,536,000 people are projected to have been injured in a motor vehicle traffic crash in 2006*
• 25% of car crashes are due to distracted driving, such as cell phone use, personal grooming, eating, etc.
• 55% of fatally injured passengers in 2005 did not use a restraint (e.g., lap belt, child safety seat, etc.)*
• Alcohol was a factor in 40% of road fatalities in 2005
• In 2006, the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes is projected to have increased by about 2%

(Sources: National Safety Council and *NHTSA's National Center for Statistics & Analysis)

SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK
A Safety Back-Up

Here's a driving challenge for you: Try to get through the day without ever backing up!

Backing up can be much more dangerous than going forward. Backing accounts for many minor collisions causing damage to vehicles and cargo, as well as fatal accidents, particularly those involving pedestrians.

Tip: Watch in your rear and side view mirrors and over your shoulder as you back up. Use the "Big Picture" theory. Look at a distance around you in all directions, not just the exact area into which you are backing. Be on the lookout for unexpected pedestrians or obstacles.

Got a safety tip you'd like to share? Send them to catherinej@bongarde.com and let us know if we can use your name/company name.

YOU BE THE JUDGE

Must Employer Furnish ANSI-Compliant Reflective Vest?

By Glenn Demby

Editor's Note: This item originally appeared in yesterday's SafetyXChange. Some readers were unable to view it due to a technical glitch, so we're re-running it today.

What Happened
A letter carrier is wearing a reflective vest but it doesn't meet ANSI standards. As she crosses the street, a car hits her pushcart. The OSHA PPE standard doesn't require ANSI-compliant reflective vests. But OSHA cites the postal service saying that its failure to issue such vests violates the OSHA "general duty" clause. The postal service contests the citation.

Question
How would you rule on this case if you were the judge?

What the Real Judge Did
The Occupational Safety & Health Review Commission ruled in the postal service's favor and threw out the citation.

Explanation
Although ANSI-compliant equipment would have been better, OSHRC found that the reflective garments issued by the postal service were adequate. In addition, OSHRC ruled that even if the letter carrier had been wearing an ANSI-compliant vest it wouldn't have prevented the incident. 

Citation

Secretary v. United States Postal Service, et al., OSHRC Docket No. 04-0316, Nov. 20, 2006

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