Air Force Occupational Safety and Health

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101 DAYS OF SUMMER 2009
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Fireworks

• During the past 10 years, about a third of the
  injuries associated with fireworks have been
  caused by illegal explosives or homemade
  fireworks
• Check local laws. Make sure fireworks are legal
  where you live
• If legal, know what kinds are legal and what
  kinds aren't
• Don't let small children play with fireworks or
  set them off
• Read the warnings, rules and instructions
• Wear eye protection and keep all body parts out
  of the line of fire

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Fireworks

• Make sure the audience is out of range of
  misfired or misdirected rockets and Roman candles
• Set off fireworks on a hard, flat surface away
  from flammables
• Wait several minutes before walking up to a
  firework that didn't go off. Don't try to relight
  duds or misfires. Soak them in water
• Have a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby
• Buy fireworks from reliable retailers
• Never experiment with fireworks or try to make
  homemade ones
• Avoid storing fireworks for extended periods. If
  you must, store them in a cool, dry place

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Fireworks

• When the show is over, soak the expended
  fireworks and dispose of them in a trash
  container
• M-80s and "blockbusters" are not legal fireworks
  they are dangerous, banned explosives. Avoid
  anything that isn't clearly labeled with the name
  of the product, the manufacturer's name and
  instructions for proper use
• If you attend a professional display
• You don't need to get close. The best view is
  from several hundred yards away
• If debris falls nearby, don't touch it
• Leave pets at home. Dogs, in particular, can have
  their hearing damaged by the explosions

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Grilling and Cooking Out

• Here's how to make sure that starting a fire or
  getting burned isn't
• on the menu
• Keep your grill at least three feet from your
  house, trees or bushes
• Use starter fluid made especially for barbecue
  grills. Follow the instructions about how to
  apply and light it
• Don't squirt starter fluid on a fire you've
  already tried to start
• Never use gasoline to try to start or restart
  charcoal. Gasoline is incredibly explosive and
  dangerous
• Keep children away from the grill while you are
  cooking, and after you finish while the grill is
  still hot
• Don't leave lit grills unattended

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Grilling and Cooking Out

• If you have a gas grill, make sure you read and
  follow the instructions about how to use and
  store it
• Make sure the valves work and that you are
  completely familiar with how to use them and with
  their purpose. Make sure they are off when you
  aren't using the grill
• Store gas cylinders outside and keep them away
  from buildings
• If your gas grill needs repairs, take it to an
  authorized dealer or repair shop

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Vehicle Travel Safety

• Apply personal risk management when trip planning
  both on- and off-duty
• Get a good nights rest prior to traveling
• Try to avoid traveling during the hrs of darkness
• Take breaks during travel to reduce fatigue and
  stress
• A 14-hour day, including driving and all other
  activities, should be the maximum
• Individuals under the age of 26 need a
  Pre-Departure Safety Briefing accomplished by
  their supervisor prior to Leave, TDY or PCS
• Inspect vehicle tires, fluids, belts, hoses, and
  wiper blades prior to traveling
• Have an emergency kit available in your vehicle
• Follow all posted speed limits and road signs

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Proper Seatbelt Use

• Always wear your seat belt
• Always insist that passengers wear theirs as well
• Always wear both the lap belt and shoulder belt
• Never slip the shoulder belt behind your body
• Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm
• Be sure the belt fits snugly against your body
• Pregnant women should still wear their seatbelts
• Avoid holding objects on your lap or in your
  hands
• Move the front seats back
• Children under the age of 12 should always ride
  in the back seat
• Children in safety seats should ride in age- and
  size-appropriate seats

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How to Spot a Drunk Driver

• Trouble staying in the correct position in lane
  of traffic
• Weaving
• Swerving
• Straddling the lines that mark lanes
• Turning with too wide a radius
• Drifting around within their lane
• Almost hitting something 
• They don't brake and accelerate normally
• Stopping too far away / too close to things
• Braking in a jerky manner
• Speeding up or slowing down for no apparent
  reason
• Driving more than 10 mph under the speed limit 

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How to Spot a Drunk Driver

• They don't pay attention and lose situational
  awareness
• Driving in wrong lane or wrong way on a one-way
  street
• Slow in response to traffic signals or markings
• Stopping for no apparent reason
• Driving without headlights at night
• Failing to signal, or signaling and then not
  following through 
• They show poor judgment
• Following too closely
• Changing lanes improperly or dangerously
• Making illegal or improper turns
• Driving on something other than the street
• Unusual behavior

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Motorcycle Riding Tips

• More than two-thirds of the time when cars and
  motorcycles crash, the
• driver causes the wreck, not the motorcyclist.
  Most of the time, the
• driver didn't see the motorcycle.
• Don't assume a driver can see you
• Wear a helmet with retro-reflective materials
• Wear a bright outer garment during the day
• Wear reflective clothing at night
• Ride with your headlight on
• Beware of blind spot. Avoid riding in them
• Use your turn signals and don't make any sudden
  moves

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ATV Riding Tips

• Read the owner's manual carefully and follow the
  operating procedures described. Pay special
  attention to the warnings in the manual and all
  labels on the machine
• Do not operate an ATV without proper instruction.
  Take a training course. An ATV is not a toy
• Do not let children ride an adult-size ATV.
  Children (and some adults) lack the strength and
  skill to correct an unstable ATV weighing 500 to
  1,000 pounds and capable of traveling 55 mph or
  more
• Children under 12 should not operate an ATV.
  Children age 12-16 should ride ATVs with an
  engine size of 90cc or less
• Always wear an approved motorcycle helmet. Also
  wear eye-protection, boots with ankle support,
  gloves, long pants, and a long sleeved shirt or
  jacket as conditions warrant

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ATV Riding Tips

• Never operate an ATV on pavement. They are not
  designed for use on paved surfaces and may be
  difficult to control
• Do not operate an ATV on any public road, even
  dirt or gravel roads, collision with cars,
  trucks, and other motor vehicles can be deadly
• Do not ride at excessive speeds. With their short
  wheelbase and maneuverability, ATVs are very
  unstable and easily flip on uneven ground. Go at
  a speed that is proper for the terrain,
  visibility conditions, and your experience
• Be especially cautious when approaching hills,
  turns, and obstacles and when operating on
  unfamiliar or rough terrain. Keep at least 10
  feet between your ATV and another vehicles
• Do not consume alcohol or drugs before or while
  operating an ATV

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Driving in the Age of the Cell Phone

• Know the local rules about wireless phones and
  driving.
• Use a hands-free device
• Keep your wireless phone where you can easily
  reach it, so that you can get it without taking
  your eyes off the road
• If you are talking and the traffic or weather
  gets bad, end the call and call back later
• Don't take notes or look up phone numbers while
  driving
• If you must use the phone while driving, try to
  make the call(s) when you aren't moving or when
  conditions are favorable
• Conversations that involve emotion or that
  produce stress are the most distracting. Avoid
  them when you are driving

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Swimming Safety
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Swimming Safety

• Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to
  stay safe in and around the water is to learn to
  swim. The American Red Cross has swimming courses
  for people of any age and swimming ability. To
  enroll in a course to learn or improve your
  ability to swim, contact your local Red Cross
  chapter
• Always swim with a buddy never swim alone

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Swimming Safety

• Know your swimming limits and stay within them.
  Don't try to keep up with a stronger, skilled
  swimmer or encourage others to keep up with you
• Swim in supervised areas only

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Swimming Safety

• Obey "No Diving" signs that indicate the area is
  unsafe for headfirst entries. Enter feet-first
  into water rather than headfirst if you don't
  know the depth. In addition, learn the correct
  way to dive from a qualified instructor

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Swimming Safety

• Watch out for the "dangerous too's" -- too tired,
  too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too
  much strenuous activity

Do not chew gum or eat while you swim you could
easily choke
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Swimming Safety

• Use common sense about swimming after eating. In
  general, you do not have to wait an hour after
  eating before you may safely swim. However, if
  you have had a large meal, it is wise to let
  digestion get started before doing strenuous
  activity such as swimming.

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Swimming Safety

• Alcohol and swimming don't mix. Alcohol impairs
  judgment, balance, and coordination, especially
  in the water. It affects your swimming and diving
  skills and reduces the body's ability to stay
  warm
• Wear foot protection people's feet can get
  burned from the sand or cut from glass hidden in
  the sand

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Swimming Safety

• Know local weather conditions and prepare for
  electrical storms. Because water conducts
  electricity, it is wise to stop swimming or
  boating as soon as you see or hear a storm
• Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to
  emergencies. Remember CHECK-CALL-CARE CHECK the
  scene to ensure it's safe and CHECK the victim,
  CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency number, and
  CARE for the person until help arrives

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Swimming Safety

• Protect your skin Sunlight contains two kinds of
  UV rays -- UVA increases the risk of skin cancer,
  skin aging, and other skin diseases. UVB causes
  sunburn and can lead to skin cancer
• Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive
  between 1000 a.m. and 300 p.m. and wear a
  sunscreen with a sun protection factor containing
  a high rating such as 35 or higher

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Swimming Safety

• Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if
  you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to
  keep cool. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine
  in them. They can make you feel good briefly but
  make the heat's effects on your body worse
• This is especially true with beer, which
  dehydrates the body

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Boating Accidents
Most boating fatalities are usually not
weather-related. Fatalities typically occur in
open boats on inland waters in the afternoon when
the weather and visibility are good, the winds
and water are light to calm

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Personal Flotation Devices

• Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) are critical
  when
• - Water skiing
• - Riding personal watercraft
• - Children under age 12 in boats
• Boats under 16 must carry a wearable PFD for
  each occupant
• Boats 16 and over must carry a wearable PFD for
  each occupant and one throw able life preserver

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Boating Safety

• Ensure everyone onboard has a PFD
• Check state licensing requirements
• Do not over load the boat
• Learn and use boating etiquette
• Check weather forecast
• Take cover on land if lightning is present
• Always file a float plan
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages and operate a
  boat

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Heat Related Stress
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Ignoring Symptoms
If you don't recognize the signs of heat
exhaustion or choose to ignore them (or in some
unfortunate cases are unable to do anything about
them), here is what can happen
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Heat Illness Effects
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Heat Injury Prevention

• Take in fluids prior to and during exercise
• Gradually build tolerance
• Stay fit - dont over estimate your fitness
• Recognize medical conditions
• Wear light-weight clothing
• Never leave children or pets in a hot car

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Sunburn Facts

• Overexposure to the suns ultraviolet rays is
  most severe 6-48 hours after exposure
• Cool bath or aspirin may relieve some pain
• Do not apply cream to the burn on the first
  day--traps in heat and prolongs healing
• Fluid-filled blisters indicate 2nd degree burn
  (do not break)
• People with fair skin, freckles, red or blond
  hair are at high risk
• UV rays are just as strong on hazy days as sunny
• Dangers cancer

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Prevention

• Apply sunscreen before going outside
• Reapply if swimming or active
• Use a minimum of SPF15
• 30 preferred
• 45 for fair-skinned people
• Avoid midday sun (1000 to 1500)
• Wear a hat
• Wear light clothing
• Cover arms and legs

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• Have a fun-filled SAFE Summer