Hearing issues?

A man feared his wife wasn't hearing as well as she used to and he thought she might need a hearing aid. Not quite sure how to approach her, he called the family doctor to discuss the problem. The Doctor told him there is a simple informal test the husband could perform to give the doctor a better idea about her hearing loss.
Here's what you do," said the Doctor, "stand about 40 feet away from her, and in a normal conversational speaking tone see if she hears you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet, and so on until you get a response."
That evening, the wife was in the kitchen cooking dinner, and he was in the den. He says to himself, "I'm about 40 feet away, let's see what happens."
Then in a normal tone he asks, 'Honey, what's for dinner?"
No response.
So the husband moves closer to the kitchen, about 30 feet from his wife and repeats, "Honey, what's for dinner?"
Still, no response.
Next he moves into the dining room where he is about 20 feet from his wife and asks, "Honey, what's for dinner?"
Again he gets no response.
So, he walks up to the kitchen door, about 10 feet away.. "Honey, what's for dinner?"
Again there is no response.
So he walks right up behind her... "Honey, what's for dinner?"
"Ralph, for THE FIFTH time, CHICKEN!!"
- Don Gomolski

Ok this is a joke that has been around for a little while, but it begs the question: Does this sound like you or your significant other?  Maybe you have someone in your family it sounds like. 

Our hearing is a very important part of who we are and how we handle daily things.  Below is a list of several questions that, if you can answer yes to, you should follow up with your doctor and have your hearing tested.  Even if you can’t answer yes to them, having a yearly hearing checkup is still a good thing as it can prevent any issues later on down the road.

   
      1)      Do people seem to mumble or speak softer than they used to?

      2)      Is it difficult to follow a conversation when in a crowd?

      3)      Does background noise, like music or TV, bother you when you are speaking with someone?

      4)      How high is the volume on your radio or TV?  Are you often asked to “turn it down”?

      5)      Are you finding yourself asking people to repeat themselves?

      6)      Is speaking on a telephone especially hard for you?  Do you find yourself using the speaker phone option?

      7)      Is it difficult for you to find an object based on the noise it makes, i.e. a ringing phone or alarm clock?

      8)      Has someone told you to get your hearing checked?

 These are just a few basic questions to ask yourself, but your doctor will ask many more.  As we age we do lose some of our hearing as part of the aging process, but if you have ever worked in a high noise job, i.e. construction or railroads, that process is typically sped up some.  Take the time to see a doctor and have them do a hearing test. 

Why Occupational Health and Safety?

 

I’m sure we have all heard of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) but have you ever wondered why we have it and why it was started?  Ok, well I know, honestly, you probably haven’t but I wanted to delve into this topic, so that you know more about what we do, and why we do it for clients.

OSHA was given a federal start on December 29, 1970 by President Nixon after a 3 year struggle with the legislative offices started by President Johnson.  Even though it was given this federal start in 1970, occupational health and safety had been an ongoing battle for over 100 years.

 In 1877, Massachusetts was the first state to pass a state level factory inspection law to help protect the workers against the large number of grisly deaths that were occurring every year.  Nine other states soon followed, but there was so many loopholes with the laws that they weren’t always effective.  Some businesses left states that were too strict for ones that weren’t, and often times inspectors weren’t even allowed in to the business due to politics. 

In 1907, a study was conducted in Alleghany County, PA that found that workers who were injured or killed on the job bore the economic impact of accidents, even though most accidents were the fault of the businesses.  In 1908, thanks in part to that study, Congress passed the first worker’s compensation act for federal employees (with the support of President Teddy Roosevelt).  By 1911, Wisconsin passed the first state worker’s compensation program and by 1921 the rest of the states followed suit.  Still, there was very little incentive for employers to participate as the rates for the insurance were not all that much lower for safe companies versus unsafe ones.

It wasn’t until 1933 that things finally started to move in the right direction for OSHA.  In that year, President Franklin D. Roosevelt selected the first woman cabinet member as Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins.  Frances had extensive knowledge in occupational health and safety working with the state of New York.  In 1934, she created the Bureau of Labor standards to make workplaces “as safe as science and law can make them.”  This bureau was followed by the Social Security Act of 1935, the Walsh-Haley Public Contracts Act of 1936, and the Fair Labors Standard Act of 1938.

Now of course there were new rules and laws to enforce, and by the 1960’s there were many companies that opposed what was happening. More studies were being done that showed the health of workers still was not being taken into consideration.  States felt they were being undermined by the federal authorities during inspections.  By 1969, President Nixon presented his version of a job safety and health proposal to Congress.  His proposal set a 5 person board to oversee the job safety and health standards being set.  Of course there were some supporters of the proposal, and some against it, but by 1970 the version we know now was agreed on, and set into motion. Since then, government officials have made changes according to the standards set in each individual section, as brought about by further understanding and knowledge of the industries they effect. Workers safety is now more than talk.

It took almost 100 years from the first idea that workers needed to be protected to the time when an actual solution was finally found, but with that first idea we have come a long way.  People from every job type; nurses, manufacturers, and steel workers, have the knowledge that the companies they work for will help protect them from needless accidents that used to claim the lives of so many.  As with any law there is always going to be updates and changes, but it’s good to know we have avenues to take for our safety along with those we work with.

Name that Drug!!

Ok it has been a little while since we’ve played this game so let’s give it a go again.   It’s time to play name that drug.  For those new to this game, I’ll give you a few clues to the identity of a drug and you see if you can guess it before the end.  Ok, so put on your thinking caps and let’s begin.

Facts:  This drug isn’t normally thought of as a drug, but it is, and it’s very addictive as well.  The addictiveness is actually the plants way of protecting itself from being eaten by insects.  This drug has proven to be as, or more deadly than both strychnine and arsenic.  Even with those stats, its chemical signature fits a host of locks in the human brain, including dopamine.

Signs and symptoms:  A serious attempt to stop using this drug is usually unsuccessful. You will experience withdrawal symptoms as you attempt to stop using it. The use of this drug is connected to several health issues, and can restrict activities and life.

Other names:  This particular drug doesn’t have any slang names that are commonly used.

Ok so have you figured it out yet?  Or did I totally confuse you by the lack of some facts?  This drug is nicotine.  Nicotine?  Really?  Yes the one drug most people don’t think of as a drug yet is as addicting as any other illegal drug out there.  It is the one drug that once you arrest your addiction to it, if you use it even once you will want to go back for more.  The reason is that our brain’s priorities have been wired to the feelings that nicotine created over the years of use.  Doctors don’t really understand why some people seem to become addicted and others can casually use tobacco and not have the addiction to it that others do.   Nicotine has routinely been used as an insecticide even in modern times but the pure form of nicotine has been replaced with a chemically similar but less dangerous substance.  It is one crazy drug in the fact that we use it to kill off pests in the pure form but as a plant, like tobacco, we are totally addicted to it.

CDL history

Truck drivers make their living being the backbone of our society.  Without truckers, it would take longer to get materials to stores.  Yes, a lot of materials come by trains, but more materials we use actually come by trucks.  Let’s look at the history behind the how and why we have CDL’s for truck drivers.

Truck driving has been around for quite some time but it wasn’t until the early 1980’s that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) determined that there was a need for guidance in the training of truck drivers.  Up until this time, there were no standardized national requirements for any driver.  In essence, anyone could drive a truck heavier than 26,000 pounds or drive a vehicle that carried over 16 passengers without showing they had the skills necessary for those jobs. 

The Federal government and individual states also had no CDL requirements (like those of today).  There also wasn’t any system to track existing licenses and no method that prevented drivers from obtaining multiple licenses across various states.  This allowed people to spread any convictions of traffic violations over various drivers’ licenses they held.  That loophole allowed many drivers to avoid having their license suspended or revoked for those violations and thus they weren’t reported to the National Driver Registry.

In 1986, 32 states issued some form of a classified driver’s license, i.e. class A, B, or C.  Of those, 12 required state-conducted testing and the other 20 waived testing if the applicants met certain conditions, like certification of training (only 2 states recognized training schools).  The other 18 states and D.C. thought that any driver license was qualified to drive trucks or a bus no matter what license you held.  Later that year, Congress passed the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act (CMVSA) to address those issues and implemented the CDL program and it supporting information system, CDLIS. The goal was to make sure all drivers possessed the knowledge and skills necessary to operate any vehicle they were driving on the highways and to make sure that all drivers were uniformly sanctioned for any convictions.  It directed the Secretary to establish minimum Federal standards states must meet before giving any driver a CDL and sanctions for those convictions. 

In 1995, FHWA conducted a study that concluded that effective entry-level drivers needed better training to include behind-the-wheel instruction.  Nine years later in 2004, FMCSA issued a final rule for CDL ELDT (section 49 CFR 380.503) that required an average 10 hours of such behind-the-wheel training, but that rule was challenged by the courts saying that the FMCSA needed to give more attention to its research on establishing meaningful minimum CDL training.  The rule was left in effect but remanded for further action. 

Here it is, 10 years later, and the FMCSA is still working on finalizing these rules.  There have been several updates and additions to these rules over those 10 years but the FMCSA has made progress.  The FMCSA had tasked the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) to develop new training recommendations and the MCSAC delivered those in June of 2013.  This year alone it was announced a negotiated rulemaking was being considered and an initiation of the process with a contracted convener. 

While we still don’t have final rules yet for our CDL drivers but we have come a long way in the last 40 years.  We have made it safer for everyone on the roads by getting training to our CDL drivers and ensuring that they are trained for the vehicles for which their CDL’s are listed.  As with anything in life, there will always be changes and upgrades to these rules but it’s a step in the right direction.

Respiratory system

Oxygen, the giver of life on our planet.  Without it we would be a planet void of any of the wonderful and beautiful things we have now.  Almost every living thing on the planet has to have oxygen in some way to survive.  Even our water contains oxygen that fish use to survive.  So let’s take a look at the human respiratory system and how it helps us.

Most people only think of our lungs being the source of our breathing but our respiratory system is actually much more than that.  Our sinuses are the start of the process of breathing as they help control the temperature and humidity of the air entering our lungs.  After the sinuses have done their job, the air passes through our trachea (windpipe) which helps to filter the air a little and divides it up into the 2 different lungs via bronchial tubes which collect the mucus from the air (mucus that was made by the filtering process).  And from there the filtered and oxygenated air is moved into our blood stream with the process reversed for the release of the carbon dioxide.

Our respiratory system is also dual controlled meaning, we do it both consciously and unconsciously.  Only a few other critters out there can do the same, i.e. whales and dolphins.  It seems odd that we can control one of the functions needed to maintain life but not others, like our heart rate, but because it is a dual control system, our brain can take over if we try to hold our breath too long.

Having a dual control of our breathing is actually very beneficial to us, because it allows us to do things that, if we had no control of the breathing, we wouldn’t or couldn’t do, i.e. swimming under water.  By being able to control our breaths, we can make ourselves slow down and relax when we are in a tense situation, and control how angry or upset we might become.  Slowing down our breathing allows us to lower our blood pressure (something to think about when you go to the doctor, and he has to take a reading).

Well now you’ve learned a bit about how our respiratory system works and why it’s important to maintain it and keep it functioning properly.  Without our lungs we wouldn’t be able to survive to enjoy this wonderful planet we live on.

CPR facts and trivia

Ok let’s try something new this week.  This week we’ll do a bit of trivia for those trivia buffs out there.  Who knows when one of these little bits of interesting facts might be on “Jeopardy” or even “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”  Ok, so here goes.

1)      When was the first reported recommendation for the use of mouth to mouth for drowning victims, and where was it at?  Believe it or not, the first time it was recommended was in Paris, France back in 1740.

2)      Where and who gave the first documented chest compressions?  This took place over 150 years later in 1891 by Dr. Friedrich Maas, but it was 12 years later, in 1903, when Dr. George Crile performed the first successful use of the compressions.  The following year Dr. Crile also performed the first closed chest cardiac massage.

3)      Who holds the claim for figuring out that expired air (the outgoing breaths we use for mouth to mouth) would work just as well for oxygenation?  That claim to fame goes to James Elam, in 1954, over 200 years after it was first recommended back in France.  Two years later James and his partner, Peter Safar, invent mouth to mouth as we know it today.  The following year the US military adopts it as a way to revive unresponsive victims.

4)      When was the first program established for emergency dispatchers to use over the phone instructions for CPR and where?  It was begun in King County, Washington back in 1981, and was so successful that every dispatcher now has the ability to handle that over the phone.

5)      When was the first introduction of pediatric CPR?  That wasn’t addressed until 1988, cosponsored with The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).  Apparently, it wasn’t something many people thought about until that point in time.

6)      What year did the American Heart Association (AHA) make significant changes to the compression to ventilation requirements?  That happened in 2005 at the International Consensus on ECC and CPR Science with Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR) Conference.  They changed the amount of times you do compressions before you ventilate the victim as well as added in some AED changes as well.  Three years later they recommended any adult giving assistance to a fallen bystander to only do chest compressions until certified help arrives. 

Ok, so there is a bit of CPR facts you may never have known and now can stump your friends with some of the newest bit of trivia you just learned.  Check out the AHA website for more facts of CPR we may not have gone over here.  That site is www.heart.org and is where we found the facts we listed here today.

Truck Safety

Pop quiz time on trucking safety.  Let’s put on our thinking caps and see what we know in this true/false quiz.  I hope you have a pen or pencil handy.

1)      True or False:  Using two fingers for the landing gear is the best thing to do to save time.

2)      True or False: It’s safe to work on the opposite side of the load while a fork lift unloads from the other side.

3)      True or False:  It’s safe to lean backwards while climbing down a ladder on a trailer.

4)      True or False:  Using a ramp that’s not pinned or is uneven is just as safe as anything else.

5)      True or False:  You can use a cellphone anywhere you want at any time after you park your truck.

 

Ok put your pencils down and let’s see how you did.

1)      False:  Using only two fingers for the landing gear IS NOT a wise thing to do.  This causes you to rush and can result in serious injuries to the face.  One trucker had his nose broken when he leaned in too close while using only two fingers.  A very painful lesson to learn the hard way.

2)      False:  You want to stay clear of your load while it is being unloaded by a forklift as the load could become loose and fall on you.  A trucker lost his life by doing just that as the load shifted and fell on him.

3)      False: You want to keep yourself straight and tall while climbing down ladders as when you lean backwards you risk injury to yourself.  You could slip and break bones when you land and risk of death from the fall as well depending on the height from which you fell.  A trucker learned that lesson the hard way on a dark, cold morning when he was leaning back and slipped between the rungs and fell backwards and broke 7 ribs.

4)      False: Using an unpinned ramp or one that is not even can cause injury to the trucker.  If the ramp is unpinned it could become loose from the vibrations and even if you have walked it several times one of those could have you on the ground with injuries.  And with it uneven you again risk injuries because the load could become unstable and fall taking you with it.

5)      False:  After you park your truck, you should make sure that you are in a safe area before using your phone.  If you decide to stand beside or behind your truck talking on it you risk not being seen by a forklift that may have been sent to unload or one that is carrying a load from another truck. 

Ok so we have learned 5 very valuable lessons for today as sadly many truckers have learned these lessons the hard way including death.  We hope that you remember these safety lessons and practice them while you are out and doing your job.

Name that Drug!!

It is that time again . . . time to play “Name That Drug”. Okay, for those of you who don’t know how to play yet, I will give you a list of facts, signs and symptoms, other names and then, finally, I will tell you what the drug is named.  So let’s begin!

Facts: This drug comes in a small, round tablet with the name Ciba stamped on one side, and comes in 3 different colors depending on the dosage.  A study conducted in 2000 by the DEA revealed the test subjects (mice) that were given this drug and then given cocaine were unable to tell the difference between these two drugs. This lead the DEA to conclude that the effects of these drugs are nearly identical.  This drug is the most commonly abused by children.

Signs and Symptoms:  It is an amphetamine-like substance that can cause similar effects as other forms of speed; loss of appetite, insomnia, and an increased heart rate. Injection or snorting of it, especially in larger doses puts a greater strain on the body, and the stress caused on the heart can be fatal.

Other names: Poor man’s cocaine, Smarties, Vitamin R, R-Ball

I’m sure you have probably figured it out by now, this drug is Ritalin. Any other “hyperactivity” drug out there on the market works in a similar fashion.  Long prescribed as a “medicine” for kids with ADD, now known as ADHD, the studies are finding that it is very addictive, and can cause severe emotional conditions.  One researcher in Texas has found that children treated with methylphenidate (the primary ingredient in ADHD drugs) had an increased risk of cancer due to genetic abnormalities caused by the drug.   This drug has the same increased tolerance that cocaine does, meaning that it takes more of the drug to give you the same feeling as it did previously. This leads people to taking more of it than the dosage prescribed.  There have been several instances of young kids dying from taking this medication, since they can get it so easily and readily from their friends.  As noted by the DEA, “pharmaceutical products diverted from legitimate channels are the only sources of methylphenidate available for abuse,” which means that all forms of this drug only come from the companies making the pills and nowhere else.  It cannot be made on the street like so many other illegal drugs, and can only be legally acquired from a pharmaceutical company through a prescription by a doctor.

 

Many of the facts here were taken from drugfreeworld.org.

How About Don't Drink, or Do Drugs & Drive?

How many of you have heard "Don't Drink & Drive"?  It's a very common statement heard every month, especially around major holiday’s associated with drinking.  Cops only ever really seem to be focused on those that have been drinking, but did you know that "drugged" driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving, but isn't discussed as widely as drunk driving? 

In 2006, the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a survey to assess the drugged driving incidents on our highways.  This survey also added in day time check points as well as the typical nighttime ones.  What they found out was that over 16% of the drivers going through the check point were under the impairing effects of drugs.  This means that at least one in six drivers on our roads have at least one active drug in their nervous system, and that adversely affects them and the way they are driving. 

Almost everyone knows that there are a few states that allow "medical-marijuana", and so the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area did a study that also showed the effects.  In 2013, Colorado voters said that recreational marijuana would be permitted as medicinal marijuana had already been permitted the previous decade.  What the study found was that in the 9 year period as traffic deaths were actually waning (by up to 16%), the deaths of marijuana-impaired driving had increased by 114%. 

Now we aren't saying that marijuana is the only cause, which is far from the truth.  Marijuana is the one we are covering most, as it is the one that is most commonly used, thanks in part to the laws passed in some states.  The truth is any drug, whether illegal or prescribed, can be dangerous to other people on the road or the driver.  Most people believe that because they are taking a drug prescribed by a doctor that they will be fine, but a lot of times there are warning labels to not drive, but are largely ignored. A person driving under the influence of narcotics (legal or otherwise), for example, may have reflex time reduced by up to 50%.

This trend of drugged driving is finally starting to come to light and being talked about a little more.  The NHTSA has demonstrated their support for training officers to detect drugged driving the same as drunk driving.  Currently less than 1% of all law enforcement officers have been trained as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), but the NHTSA is hoping that will change.  We need drugged driving to be on par with drunk driving, since it is just as dangerous.
 

***Facts for this article were obtained from DATIA Focus publication Volume 7, Issue 3 summer 2014.

Pop Quiz!?!

Ok we are going to try something new today and say that dreaded statement that teachers always say, "Pop quiz time!"  Yes, a pop quiz, the one thing we all hated in school with no chance to study for it, so let’s give it a shot!  Everyone have their pencils ready and thinking caps on?  Ok the 2 questions for today are: 1) What is the most deadly, silent killer for women and men? 2) Why is it that way?

Ok pencils down.  The answers are 1) Heart disease, and 2) it has no symptoms.  Heart disease statistically kills more people every year than accidents, or other diseases.  The biggest reason is that it shows no symptoms, and since people have no symptoms, they don’t tend to go to the doctor for regular checkups, because they feel fine.

Most people think of heart disease as heart attacks, but it really encompasses so much more than that.  Heart disease can also be an irregular heartbeat, any damage to the heart muscles, or the buildup of the plaque that often leads to a heart attack.  There are many factors that contribute to heart disease with family history being the largest factor.  We all know, from multiple news reports, that an inactive lifestyle, and improper diet, are also a huge factor.  Some other factors include smoking (that topic is for another week), drinking, and not seeing your doctor regularly.

“Well, I don’t drink or smoke, have no family history, and I’m active in my life so I don’t have to worry about heart disease.” you say.  Well, unfortunately, you are wrong.  You always want to talk with your doctor about heart disease even if you don’t have those factors listed above.  There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration. Your doctor is the only one who can tell you if you should worry or not.

The good news is heart disease isn’t a life sentence for anyone anymore.  We know so much more than we did even 50 years ago. People are living longer with heart disease than ever.  Giving up vices like drinking and smoking as well as changing your lifestyle can help tremendously.  If you know the factors, and fall into some of them, by talking with your doctor he can help you reduce the odds that you will have any issues.  Heart disease is truly the silent killer, since often times the first symptom you have is death.

The Wonderful Back and How to Protect It

Our back, the most important part of our bodies as the spine protects the nerves that run the length of our bodies, and provides the support and flexibility we need daily.  Unfortunately, the back is also the most abused part of our bodies daily.  We don’t sit properly, we lift things incorrectly, and our age and weight all play a part in how we abuse our backs.  Back injuries are also the most common workplace injury, according to OSHA, resulting in millions of dollars in claims and missed time at work.  Because the spine is the “highway” of information in our bodies, any little tweak or sprain can result in pain, but with a few proper techniques you can help protect yourself.

We have all heard don’t lift with your back, but do you know why?  The back muscles aren’t the strongest in the body as they are only there to help provide the support to the spine, and weren’t meant to carry heavy loads.  Our arms and legs have some of the strongest muscles in the body, so when we lift, we should be using those muscles.  Lifting with our legs takes the strain from the muscles supporting the back and puts it onto the parts that are actually designed to lift and carry.   Parents often have the hardest time remembering to do this, as things like the play pen and walkers weren’t designed with the proper lifting techniques in mind.

When you set down a box or other item you are carrying, do you twist to put it down or do you just drop it?  You should never twist when you put down a load as it puts a lot of strain on your back that isn’t needed, and isn’t allowing your legs or arms to do what they were designed to do.  Dropping the load instead of setting it down can also cause injuries as you could drop it on your foot, or if someone else is helping you, they could wind up being the ones hurt instead.

To help maintain your back, remember to stand and sit up straight, don’t slouch (just like your mother always told you, moms always tend to know best).  Make sure that you have a good mattress, one that doesn’t sag when you sit or lie in it, and a body pillow can also help by keeping you in alignment when you sleep.  Exercise is really good for your back and your health in general, but make sure you talk to your doctor first to make sure you can. 

Just remember that without our backs we would be like a bunch of jelly fish.  Our back is one of our greatest assets, and one of the most important as well.  Take care of it and it will take you far.

Name That Drug

It is that time again . . . time to play “Name That Drug”. Okay, for those of you who don’t know how to play yet, I will give you a list of facts, signs and symptoms, other names and then, finally, I will tell you what the drug is named.  So let’s begin!

 Facts: This drug, just like many others, is made from a very common plant.  It was originally designed as a pain killer. However, this drug has proven to be a drug that is almost impossible to break free from its grip both physically and mentally. It is currently a worldwide multi-billion dollar enterprise covering all people of all ages and tax brackets.

 Signs and symptoms:  It starts out causing a short lived high followed by everything from depression to a craving for more.  Typically when used the person won't eat or sleep, and it can even make them feel paranoid or hostile when not high. Because of the lack of sleep, the user often starts to suffer from hallucinations, and they start to lose weight from the lack of food.

 Other names: Nose candy, dust, and snow.

 Any ideas?  This drug is derived from the coca leaves hence its name cocaine.  According to drugfreeworld.org cocaine is the second most common trafficked drug worldwide and the number of seizures by law enforcement are increasing every year with the largest numbers seized from South America.  Next to meth, cocaine creates the greatest psychological dependence of any drug.  The body of the user develops a tolerance to the drug so quickly its harder for the user to get the same high every time, and are always having to up their dose to attempt the same high as before.  Cocaine is often mixed with other drugs, which only increases the danger to the user as often times mixing two different drugs can be fatal.  Women who are pregnant while using cocaine will give birth to children who are addicted to cocaine, and for those not addicted to the drug they are often underweight and born premature.

The facts in this posting were found on drugfreeworld.org.

Hearing Loss, Prevention, & Breakthroughs

This week we will cover the wonderful world of hearing, how to prevent hearing loss, and some new medical breakthroughs they have made in trying to save hearing for those who work in loud noise environments.

Hearing is an amazing sense in how it works when it does, since some people are born deaf.  The ear if one of the smallest organs in our bodies, but the most complex in how it works.  In essence the ear is just an amplifier for the brain, but that “amplifier” doesn’t work if one of the 3 parts to it is “broken”. 

The 3 parts of the ear are the outer, middle, and inner.  The outer ear is the part that helps direct the sound into the ear canal itself and thus to the middle ear.  The middle ear has 3 tiny bones, as well as the eardrum, and they work together to amplify the sound.  This amplification is transferred to the inner ear. That converts the sound to an electrical impulse by moving across the fluid in our ears, and is converted to an electrical impulse that is sent out to the brain.  From there the brain sorts out what the waves are, and how they are relevant to the situation.

The most common reason for hearing loss of any age group is loud noises.  Infants can even have this type of hearing loss as well from being around any loud noises on a regular basis, i.e. they have an older sibling that listens to really loud music regularly.  Teens have this type of hearing loss from the loud music they listen to on their musical systems, and have their earphones in their ears,  turned up loudly repeatedly (but of course they never listen to their parents to “turn it down” as we parents don’t have a clue as to what we are talking about).  Adults tend to lose their hearing when they work in an environment that is very loud, i.e. construction sites using jackhammers.

Prevention is the key to keeping your hearing longer as you get older.  The easiest but not always the most practical is to avoid the areas where loud noise is going on, but of course in this day and age, it’s harder to avoid those situations.  The next best way is ear protection from either noise cancelling earphones or ear plugs that you can wear.  Some people prefer to not wear these items as they may be uncomfortable, but very necessary to prevent the hearing loss.

Currently there is a company in Oklahoma called OMRF and the Hough Ear Institute that is working on a solution to restoring some of the damaged cells in our ear and preventing some of the damage caused by exposure to the loud noises.  It would be a pill that you would take that would help reduce some of the free radicals that cause damage to the inner ear. 

Here's an interesting tidbit: Birds & fish can spontaneously regenerate the inner ear cells when they are damaged, but mammals can’t, so this pill would be sort of like what birds & fish do naturally.

http://kfor.com/2014/07/25/new-medical-breakthrough-could-help-soldiers-with-hearing-loss/

Drivers Talk Dock Safety

Did you know that over half of all injuries related to trucking occur at the dock and most of those are preventable?  There are 3 “tricks” to helping you prevent dock injuries: awareness, caution, and care, and all 3 are very critical to prevention.

Awareness is a very easy thing to do, and takes just a few moments of your time.  Knowing where you are going, i.e. tight turning spaces, is very important as it allows you to avoid possible injuries to persons or vehicles.  Be aware of your vehicles handling so that if a distracted driver or obstacle in the road causes a hazard you can “get out of the way” and possibly have enough clearance to avoid.  Be aware of road conditions where you are delivering as rain & ice can cause slippery conditions that make it harder to stop where you need to.

Caution is the hardest one to follow at times as it is so easy to get in a hurry to get your load delivered. You start to rush, and just like in our own personal vehicles, the rushing causes accidents.  Use caution in areas that have heavy pedestrian traffic, as not every dock is in an area that is safe from public traffic.  When backing up into the dock area, or pulling into a rack, make sure you have set your brake before stepping out of the cab.  Use caution when getting out of the cab and make sure you use the 3 points of contact while climbing down.  While out on the dock make sure you remain cautious, and watch out for fork lifts, potholes or other equipment that might be in the area.

Care is something most don’t think about when it comes to dock safety, as they think of care as more of a need for family.  One of the definitions of care is the serious attention or consideration applied to doing something correctly to avoid damage or risk.  You need to take care when operating a forklift or pallet jack, so that you don’t hit the truck or even anyone else that might be in the area with you while loading or unloading a truck. 

 There are always unpredictable hazards that can occur where ever you go, but when you keep in mind the 3 “tricks” you can help prevent most of the accidents or injuries that occur.  Always remember to stay safe & that each dock has its own unique set of challenges.

GPS Use for Truck Safety

Did you know that the FMSCA released a guide to help drivers select truck-appropriate GPS systems & how to properly use them?  This was done due to the alarming number of accidents that happened in the early part of 2013 with trucks & bridges.  During all their investigations they found out several drivers were using personal GPS systems meant for everyday vehicles not for the tractor trailers.

The issue with personal GPS systems is that they help people get to where they want to go in the shortest amount of time & don’t have to take into account all the things a truck driver should like their height, weight, & if it’s a hazmat load.  So because of that truckers weren’t getting the information they needed to avoid these issues accidents were imminent.

Some of the guidelines the FMSCA offers are:

a)      Make sure to get a system intended for the use of truck and/or bus drivers.

b)      Make sure you type in ALL relevant information about your truck to make sure that you are given the proper route for your vehicle, this includes height, weight, & if its hazmat.

c)       Follow the route recommended but remember to ALWAYS obey any signs or advisories that you might see, i.e. low bridge or axle weight limits, as they can change at any time.

d)      Avoid messing with the GPS when driving this includes trying to enter information into the system. DO NOT ENGAGE IN DISTRACTED DRIVING!  This can be as dangerous as texting & driving.

e)      If the system doesn’t have automatic updates be sure to get them so you have the most current rout planning information.

GPS devices are a great tool but in some instances they can steer you in directions that can increase your risk for safety or even accidents if not used correctly.  They also should never be relied on 100% due to so many changing roads or the system could crash.  So always take time to look over a map to familiarize yourself with the area you are going & that you are driving on appropriate roads for your load.  This only takes a few moments after dropping off one load or before heading off to your next delivery.

 

All information from the Safety Management Council of the American Trucking Association

Name That Drug

It is that time again . . . time to play “Name That Drug”. Okay, for those of you who don’t know how to play yet, I will give you a list of facts, signs and symptoms, other names and then, finally, I will tell you what the drug is named.  So let’s begin!

Facts: This drug’s base was derived from a plant. This particular drug can be made into synthetics as well. These drugs were first introduced to the United States in the early 60’s, but were not widely used until the early 70’s. This drug often shows no outward signs that are negative, when in fact they can have very negative effects.

Signs and Symptoms: For lack of a better word, this drug makes people lazy and causes delays in their brain activity. It makes them compulsively eat. The effects of this drug often results in personality changes, as well as stunting a person reaching their long-term life goals.

Other Names: Cannabis, Pot, Dope, Ganja, and Hash

Have you guessed what it is? Yes, it is marijuana. And, yes, many people will tell you that there are no long term negative effects on a person. They are right in that there are no long term health damages identified. But the 2 – 4 hours during which this drug is in effect are very dangerous. It can make smart people do very stupid things. It has been known to drop brain function, and make people extremely slow to respond. At home, these effects may not seem too bad, provided they wear off over time. When someone gets behind the wheel of a moving vehicle, and their reflexes are not as sharp, this drug has had very deadly results. All it would have taken to keep this person out of harm’s way was to not smoke pot. Another reality for those who think legalizing it keeps you from being prosecuted - not when you are on the job or in a vehicle. Now you know why!

Important Announcements for the Trucking Industry

DOT Physicals

Remember that all driver’s medical cards have to be issued by a doctor listed on the National Registry as of May 21, 2104. EOS is listed on that National Registry, but if you cannot come to us, be sure to look on the National Registry website to find a qualified doctor near you.

Attention All Truck Drivers

This coming week, members of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee will be reconsidering an amendment brought to the floor by Senator Susan Collins of Maine last Thursday requiring a 34 hour restart per week to include two stops between the hours of 1 am to 5 am. Because the provisions were not completely studied by FMCSA prior to issuing the rule, another amendment is expected on the Senate floor that would remove this requirement. The trucking industry will be drastically affected, should this amendment stand as written. We need to let our Senators know how these amendments would affect your industry.

Looking For Million Mile Drivers

Companies with drivers that have logged at least one million miles safely on or after January 1, 2012 are in demand! The Wyoming Trucking Association is attempting to collect all million mile safe driver information to submit to FMCSA in an effort to prove Wyoming drivers are not reckless or dangerous on the road. You can contact Samantha at samantha@wytruck.org with the driver details to include driver’s name, company, state, and when the million mile safe “milestone” was achieved.

FMCSA Grants Exemption to Livestock Haulers

Livestock drivers have been granted a one-year exemption from the required 30 minute break rule during the first 8 hours of each shift. FMCSA recognized the problem of livestock being left in the standing truck becoming severely over heated during hot summer months. The original hours of service requirements were intended to prevent fatigue-related crashes, but most livestock drivers never go more than 150 miles for delivery.

All information in this blog provided by the Wyoming Trucking Association Newsletter June 2014.

It’s Time to Play Name That Drug!

For those of you who don’t know how this works, I will name facts, symptoms, and other names for the drug. The only thing you do is see if you can name it before we get to the end.  If you haven’t figured it out by the end, I will tell you the drug.

Facts: It is an extremely strong stimulant. It is created with toxic, caustic chemicals that have their own damaging effects on the body and mind of the user. It very often creates addiction in just a few uses as a result of the strong cravings that can follow use. It is a very destructive drug that changes a person's personality and can create severe health problems. A person experiencing the effects of the drug should receive effective help the first moment possible.

Symptoms: Loss of appetite, major weight loss, the body roughens and has many pocked sores. The user becomes moody and irritable. A user may go without sleep for many days and sleep for many days after the high has worn off.

Other Names: chalk, ice, crystal, crank, fire, glass, go fast, and speed.

Yes, you can be prescribed this drug! Do you have any guesses yet? It can be given to your kids as an ADHD, or ADD drug to control their focus patterns, but long term it can have very damaging effects. The drug found on the street is in the same family of methamphetamines that are prescribed by doctors. It is not as safe as a doctor might have you believe. It can be very damaging, if not taken correctly.  Even if not concentrated, it is enough to do damage.  If you still haven’t figured it out, this drug goes by the shortened name of meth.

Ensuring Safety Builds Confidence in the Employer, Increases Business

Safety in the workplace should be a given. Anyone going to work each day has an expectation of safety inherent in the position they are working in. Even those in high risk jobs know the level of risk they assume in taking that position. But that does not take the responsibility from the employer in making every effort to make their workplace meet or exceed OSHA safety standards. That is the main reason we encourage all employers to have written safety policies that hold employees accountable, including those stating clear policies regarding drug or alcohol use.

According to the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA), prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions and is the nation’s fastest growing problem in the workplace. While intended to alleviate pain, opioids are a class of prescription drugs that have a strong potential for abuse and can lead to addiction. Well known members of this class include morphine, codeine and heroin, but also includes hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin, or Norco), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), oxycodone (Oxycontin) and meperidine (Demerol). Unfortunately, Opioid use effects an employee’s ability to perform the normal tasks of their job in many ways. Both physical and mental impairment places the person working under the influence of these drugs in danger, as well as placing those working around them at risk. This risk is drastically increased if the employee is in a position of driving vehicles, or heavy equipment.

Without written policies in place, your employee could be working under the influence, and your company may be held liable for damages caused by that impaired employee. By writing and enforcing written safety policies, all employees feel more confident in the employer's committment to safety, and are more likely to follow through with these safe behaviors even at home. Let’s keep our customers and other employees safe from an impaired co-worker.

Stand Down for Safety

The OSHA Announcements

OSHA announced a national safety stand-down from June 2 to 6 to raise awareness among employers and workers about the hazards of falls, which account for the highest number of deaths in the construction industry. During the stand-down, employers and workers are asked to pause their workday to talk about fall prevention in construction, and discuss topics like ladder safety and roofing safety. The stand-down is part of OSHA’s ongoing Fall Prevention Campaign, which was started in 2012 and is still around today to help make workers more aware of the hazards they can face on a ladder if the proper precautions are not used. It was developed in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and NIOSH’s National Research Agenda program. The campaign provides employers with lifesaving information and educational materials on how to plan ahead to prevent falls, provide the right equipment for their workers and train all employees in the proper use of that equipment.

OSHA also announced that it will be issuing a final rule to improve workplace safety and health for workers performing electric power generation, transmission and distribution work. OSHA is revising the 40 year old construction standard for electric power line work to make it more consistent with the corresponding general industry standard. General industry and construction standards for electrical protective equipment applies to all construction work and replaces the existing construction standard, which was based on out-of-date information, with a set of performance-oriented requirements consistent with the latest revisions of the relevant consensus standards. The final rule will result in estimated $179 million in annual benefits. The net benefits will then equal out to about $130 million annually. The rule will become effective 90 days after publication in the Federal Register. OSHA adopted delayed compliance deadlines for certain requirements. OSHA is also making some revisions to the construction and general industry requirements. Those revisions will be released for industry scrutiny in the future. 

Rules, Rules, Rules

 

FMCSA has decided to bring some new rules into the mix. Truck drivers need to read this. DOT exams preformed on or after May 21, 2014 will have to be performed by a doctor who has completed DOT’s required training and placed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. If your exam was performed before May 21^st, it will be considered valid only as long as it was performed in accordance with these new standards (section 391.43). This requirement has not been delayed, so CDL holders need to be diligent in reviewing their certification cards. If you do not know whether or not your doctor is on the National Registry look on the following website: https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/NRPublicUI/home.seam. Just so you know, our doctor, Ryan Walton, is certified and has been on this registry since February of 2014.

CDL holders are still going to be responsible for self-certifying and submitting their medical certification to their state licensing agency. This is a separate requirement. States are being required to post your medical information to your driver’s record. Your motor carrier is also required to keep a copy of your med card with your driver’s qualification records along with a copy of your Motor Vehicle Record (if that record reflects medical certification information). The Wyoming Trucking Association estimates at least 6,000 CDL holders in Wyoming have not submitted their medical certificates to WYDOT.

Other rules include the requirement for EVERY commercial vehicle to slow down enough that a complete stop can be made, if necessary, before crossing railroad tracks. In addition, those carrying hazardous materials are required to come to a complete stop at all railroad tracks before proceeding when assuring the tracks are clear of hazards. Additional regulations make the driver responsible for assuring the hazardous materials placards are in place before leaving the shipper’s facility. If your truck is not placarded correctly, you can be fined heavily. It is your responsibility as the driver to make sure you have the placards. The shipper is only required to provide the placard that matches its own shipment. After this it becomes the carrier’s responsibility to ensure the proper placards for the shipment are in place, and that they are affixed to the trailer securely.

Keeping up with all the rules may be confusing, but we really want you drivers to be safe on the roads.