Take some basic precautions to ensure your family remains safe and injury-free throughout the holiday season.

Enjoy a Safe Holiday Season

• Holiday safety is an issue that burns brightest from late November to mid-January, when families gather, parties are scheduled and travel spikes. Take some basic precautions to ensure your family remains safe and injury-free throughout the season.

  Even Angel Hair can Hurt

  
  

  Putting up decorations is one of the best ways to get in a holiday mood, but about 15,000 injuries involving holiday decorating were seen in emergency rooms during the 2012 season.

  • "Angel hair," made from spun glass, can irritate your eyes and skin; always wear gloves or substitute non-flammable cotton
  • Spraying artificial snow can irritate your lungs if inhaled; follow directions carefully
  • Decorate the tree with your kids in mind; move ornaments that are breakable or have metal hooks toward the top
  • Always use the proper step ladder; don't stand on chairs or other furniture
  • Lights are among the best parts of holiday decorating; make sure there are no exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets
  • Plants can spruce up your holiday decorating, but keep those that may be poisonous (including some Poinsettias) out of reach of children or pets; the national Poison Control Center can be reached at (800) 222-1222
  • Make sure paths are clear so no one trips on wrapping paper, decorations, toys, etc.; NSC provides tips for older adults on slip, trip and fall protection

  
  

  It's Better to Give ... Safely

   

  We've all heard it's important when choosing toys for infants or small children to avoid small parts that might prove to be a choking hazard. Here are some additional gift-related safety tips:

  • Select gifts for older adults that are not heavy or awkward to handle
  • Be aware of dangers associated with coin lithium batteries; of particular concern is the ingestion of button batteries
  • For answers to more of your holiday toy safety questions, check out this Consumer Product Safety Commission blog
  • See which toys have been recalled

  
  

  Watch Out for those Fire-starters

  
  

  Candles and Fireplaces

  
  

  Thousands of deaths are caused by fires, burns and other fire-related injuries every year, and 12% of home candle fires occur in December, the National Fire Protection Association reports. Increased use of candles and fireplaces, combined with an increase in the amount of combustible, seasonal decorations present in many homes means more risk for fire.

  • Never leave burning candles unattended or sleep in a room with a lit candle
  • Keep candles out of reach of children
  • Make sure candles are on stable surfaces
  • Don't burn candles near trees, curtains or any other flammable items
  • Don't burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper in the fireplace
  • Check and clean the chimney and fireplace area at least once a year

  
  

  Turkey Fryers

  
  

  While many subscribe to the theory any fried food is good – even if it's not necessarily good for you – there is reason to be on alert if you're thinking of celebrating the holidays by frying a turkey.

  The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports there have been 168 turkey-fryer related fires, burns, explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning incidents since 2002. CPSC says 672 people have been injured and $8 million in property damage losses have resulted from these incidents.

  NSC discourages the use of turkey fryers at home and urges those who prefer fried turkey to seek out professional establishments or consider a new oil-less turkey fryer. But for those who don't heed that advice, please follow these precautions:

  • Set up the fryer more than 10 feet from the house and keep children away
  • Find flat ground; the oil must be even and steady to ensure safety
  • Use a thawed and dry turkey; any water will cause the oil to bubble furiously and spill over (see video at right)
  • Fryer lid and handle can become very hot and cause burns
  • Have a fire extinguisher ready at all times

  
  

  Don't Give the Gift of Food Poisoning

  
  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides some holiday food safety tips. Here are a few:
  

  • Do not rinse raw meat and poultry before cooking
  • Use a food thermometer to make sure meat is cooked to a safe temperature
  • Refrigerate food within two hours
  • Thanksgiving leftovers are safe for four days in the refrigerator
  • Bring sauces, soups and gravies to a rolling boil when reheating
  • When storing turkey, cut the leftovers in small pieces so they will chill quickly
  • Wash your hands frequently when handling food

  
  

  Traveling for the Holidays? Be Prepared

  
  Many people choose to travel during the holidays by automobile, with the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation. In 2013, 343 people died on New Year's Day, 360 on Thanksgiving Day and 88 on Christmas Day, according to Injury Facts 2015. Alcohol-impaired fatalities represented 31% of the totals.
  

  • Use a designated driver to ensure guests make it home safely after a holiday party; alcohol, over-the-counter or illegal drugs all cause impairment
  • Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance being traveled
  • Put that cell phone away; distracted driving causes one-quarter of all crashes
  • Properly maintain the vehicle and keep an emergency kit with you
  • Be prepared for heavy traffic, and possibly heavy snow

  
  Remember, when guests are staying in your home, make sure areas have night lights or easy-to-reach lamps in case they need to get up during the night. And, whether you are visiting someone else's home or you have guests in your home, make sure all medications are kept up and away and out of sight from young children.

Retail Worker Safety and Health during the Holidays: A common cause of fatigue in employees in the retail industry is working extended or irregular shifts

Retail Worker Safety and Health during the Holidays

Posted on November 22, 2017 

by Vern Putz Anderson, PhD, CPE; Jeannie A.S. Nigam, MS; Donna Pfirman; Seleen Collins; and Debbie Hornback, MS

The practice of American shoppers looking for a deal on the Friday after Thanksgiving has evolved into a four-day retail event ending with Cyber Monday.  This shopping bonanza leading off the holiday shopping season has implications for workers who may have long workdays and expanded work schedules. The approaching season offers an ideal time for a workplace safety refresher for those retail employers and employees who are on the front lines of the shopping frenzy.

Stress and Fatigue

According to The Toolbox, a loss control newsletter, “A common cause of fatigue in employees in the retail industry is working extended or irregular shifts…that is working longer than 8-hours or anything that limits the opportunity to get adequate sleep between work shifts” [Member Insurance 2016].

While employees do benefit from the extra pay, they earn by working additional hours, lost sleep and lost family time may be high costs that affect employees’ health and well-being. In 2016, 24% of American employees reported that work regularly interferes with their ability to meet personal and family obligations [APA 2017]. See the NIOSH Stress at Work topic page for more information. Workplace stress can lead to increased risk of injury. As employees’ work demands are increased and combined with long work hours, less attention may be paid to safe work practices increasing the risk of injury and back pain from slips, falls and excessive manual lifting [Dall’Ora 2016].

Crowd Management and Violence

Crowds of customers anxiously waiting to be helped add yet another layer of stress. Such workplace job demands, along with a lack of control worker’s may have over their work environment, can increase the risk of frustration and can lead to angry verbal exchanges and even violence in the extreme [Levy, et al. 2017 and Whiting 2017]. The NIOSH Occupational Violence topic page contains research focused on preventing workplace violence.
In 2008, a worker was trampled to death while a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take advantage of a Black Friday sales event. In response to such tragedies, OSHA developed a fact sheet containing recommendations for crowd management measures.
Retailers should be aware of the fact that work stress can negatively affect their employees’ mental and physical health. Being prepared and having plans in place can help reduce anxiety and assure that employees feel safe, supported, confident, and empowered to respond accordingly when needed in situations in which safety is at risk.
For more information about designing programs to support well-being, please see NIOSH Total Worker Health® Essential Elements of Effective Workplace Programs and Policies for Improving Worker Health and Wellbeing. Assuring that employees feel safe, supported, and have access to these beneficial programs can help mitigate the harmful effects of workplace stress, and bolster employee well-being that benefits individuals as well as their employers!
Tell us about the successes and challenges you have had with retail holiday sales and employee safety procedures. Let us know if you need additional references (such as on workplace violence, crowd management, long work hours, or fatigue) to build successful safety plans. Provide feedback below and give any tips or lessons learned on safety planning for large sales or promotion events.
Vern Putz Anderson, PhD, CPE, is NIOSH Coordinator for the Wholesale and Retail Trade Sector program.
Jeannie Nigam, MS, is NIOSH Co-Coordinator of the Healthy Work Design and Well-being Cross Sector program.
Donna Pfirman is NIOSH Co-Assistant Coordinator for the Wholesale and Retail Trade Sector program.
Seleen Collins is a Technical Writer-Editor in the NIOSH Education and Information Division.
Debbie Hornback, MS, is a Health Communication Specialist in the NIOSH Education and Information Division.

References

American Psychological Association [2017]. 2017 Work and Well-Being Survey. Retrieved from http://www.apaexcellence.org/assets/general/2017-work-and-wellbeing-survey-results.pdf. (retrieved November 14, 2017.)
Dall’Ora, C., Ball, J., Recio-Saucedo, A., & Griffiths, P. [2016]. Characteristics of shift work and their impact on employee performance and wellbeing: A literature review. International journal of nursing studies, 57, 12-27.
Euclid [2017]. Evolution of retail: 2017 holiday physical and digital trends. A Euclid commissioned summary survey report—2017 (retrieved October 27, 2017).
Hammer L. B., & Sauter, S. L. [2013]. Total worker health and work-life stress. Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, 55(12), S25-S29.
Levy, B.S., Wegman, D.H., Baron S.L., Sokas, R.K. [2017]. Occupational Environmental Health. Seventh Ed. Oxford University Press. Chapter 14. Occupational Stress, Job Demand and Control Model by Landsbergis, P.A., et al. in press Nov 1, 2017 (retrieved November 17, 2017).
Member Insurance [2016]. Workplace fatigue: what is the ‘real’ cost of workplace fatigue? June 2016, http://memberinsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Workplace-Fatigue.pdf (retrieved November 3, 2017).
NIOSH [2017]. Healthy work design and well-being resources. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/hwd/resources.html (retrieved November 14, 2017).
NIOSH [2017]. Total Worker Health®. Essential elements of effective workplace programs and policies for improving worker health and wellbeing. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/twh/essentials.html (retrieved November 14, 2017).
NRF [2017]. Press release: NRF forecasts holiday sales to increase between 3.6 and 4.0 percent. October 3, 2017. Washington, DC: National Retail Federation, https://nrf.com/media/press-releases/nrf-forecasts-holiday-sales-increase-between-36-and-4-percent?_ga=2.231492439.974562538.1509550942-674662804.1497556871 (retrieved November 1, 2017).
OSHA [2012]. Crowd management safety guidelines for retailers. DTSEM 11/2012. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/Crowd_Control.pdf (retrieved October 30, 2017).
Smith, T. D., & DeJoy, D. M. [2012]. Occupational injury in America: An analysis of risk factors using data from the General Social Survey (GSS). Journal of Safety Research, 43, 67-74.
Whiting A. [2009]. Push, scream, or leave: how do consumers cope with crowded retail stores? Journal of Services Marketing, Vol. 23 Issue: 7, pp.487-495, https://doi.org/10.1108/08876040910995275 (retrieved November 17, 2017)

Five workers working on the high-speed rail project over the San Joaquin River were hurt and trapped under collapsed rebar in Northwest Fresno, CA

By Gene Haagenson
Tuesday, November 21, 2017 12:11AM
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- These are believed to be the first significant injuries on this massive project, which continues to face questions about its financial viability.

The accident occurred Saturday, just north of Fresno at the San Joaquin River crossing next to Highway 99. According to state investigators a tower, made of reinforced steel rods fell over, injuring five workers. Two required hospitalization.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the mishap because it occurred on state property. Cal OSHA is investigating the injury aspect.

In a written statement Cal OSHA Communications Director Jeanne Mairie Duvall told Action News: "Rebar collapsed injuring five employees, two of which were hospitalized. DOSH is currently investigating. Cal/OSHA has six months after opening an investigation to issue any citations, if appropriate. Until that time, the case is open and confidential."

The re-bar tower was the framework for concrete supports that will hold tracks over the San Joaquin River. Just one of 17 locations in the 29-mile section where crews are on the job.

Lee Ann Eager said,"There's about 1500 people working on the construction sites and about half of them are from Fresno County."

Lee Ann Eager of the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation notes the project is having a major financial impact on the Central Valley.

"Already just from High-Speed Rail, and construction and people working here they have put in about 3.5 billion dollars into our valley right now."

But the project's finances remain a question for Assembly Member Jim Patterson. He believes recent revelations about additional cost overruns indicate problems, and he is requesting an emergency audit of the High
Speed Rail Authorities books by the state auditors office.

"The question is whether they are going to really complete it and whether they will have a system that works," said Jim Patterson.

While the projects financing and other issues have created political divides over High-Speed Rail, Patterson says he does not want to politicize the recent accident. Saturday's tower collapse is believed to be the first significant workplace accident during three years of construction on California High-Speed Rail.

We have not been told the condition of the two workers who were hospitalized in Saturday's accident. The highway patrol described their injuries as moderate, one may have suffered a fractured back.

Oilfield worker George Cottingham, 61 of Greeley, who was injured along with two other workers in a gas pipeline fire last week died Tuesday night on a PDC Energy site

Greeley oil field worker dies after gas pipeline fire



November 22, 2017


Davis Bonner/For The Tribune |

A medical helicopter departs the scene of a fire at an oil and gas drilling site where three workers were injured Thursday afternoon. The incident occured just west of the Weld County road 71 and Colo. 392 intersection, 10 miles east of Galeton.


An oil field worker died late Tuesday after sustaining injuries from a gas pipeline fire Thursday afternoon, according to a release from the Weld County Coroner's office.

The worker was identified as 61-year-old George Cottingham of Greeley in the release. Cottingham was transported to North Colorado Medical Center's Burn Center after the fire on a PDC Energy site about 10 miles east of Galeton.

Two others injured in the fire were taken to North Colorado Medical Center, according to Fire Chief James Dilka. No information was released Wednesday about the two others who were injured.

"Preliminary information suggests that this was an industrial accident, and the scene is being turned over to Briggsdale Fire for further investigation," Weld County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Matt Turner said in a news release.

Though the well site belongs to PDC Energy, the injured workers were doing routine maintenance on a DCP Midstream pipeline. One of the workers was a DCP employee and the other two were contract workers, according to a DCP spokeswoman.


Dilka confirmed a flashover injured the workers and damaged two company trucks. Fire crews had the fire contained within about 15 minutes, according to Dilka.


According to the coroner's release, the final manner and cause of Cottingham's death awaits autopsy and lab results.


Agencies are continuing an investigation of the fire's origin.


PDC Energy is an exploration and production company headquartered in Denver, Colorado focused on value-added organic growth through active horizontal drilling programs and bolt-on acquisitions in its core areas. PDC's operations include production, development, exploration and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”). PDC’s portfolio is comprised of the Wattenberg Field in Colorado, the Delaware Basin in West Texas and the Utica Shale in Ohio. The Company’s total 2016 net production increased approximately 44% year-over-year to 22.2 million barrels of oil equivalent ("MMBoe"), which was derived primarily from the Wattenberg Field, and consisted of 61% crude oil and NGLs, and 39% natural gas.

As of year-end 2016, the Company had proved reserves of 341, million barrels of oil equivalent ("MMBoe"), and owned an interest in approximately 2,900 gross productive wells. PDC has a very large inventory of predictable, high-value horizontal locations in the Wattenberg Field (approximately 1,800) that offer significant organic development and long-term growth opportunities. Additionally, the Company has identified 785 horizontal locations in the Delaware Basin through its recent acquisitions.




What Is the Midstream Industry?

Most natural gas in the U.S. must be processed before it reaches the marketplace (companies) and end-users (people like you). Midstream is the link between natural gas being produced at a wellhead and then filling society’s need for energy and by-products.

Where do we fit in? If you take a hot shower, heat your home or use anything made from rubber, plastics or synthetics, we were part of providing it. If you save on heating or cooling costs through home insulation, we help make it possible. If you have cables running through your home or office, you benefit from the energy we provide.

===============



GREELEY, Colo. — An oil field worker who was among three people injured in a gas pipeline fire last week died Tuesday night, the Weld County Coroner’s Office said.

George Cottingham, 61 of Greeley, was taken to North Colorado Medical Center after the fire about 10 miles east of Galeton on Thursday.

The final manner and cause of his death are awaiting autopsy and laboratory results, the coroner’s office said.

One DCP Midstream employee and two contractors were performing routine maintenance when the fire broke out on a PDC Energy site.

The workers were near a DCP pipeline at the time of the fire. Two company trucks also burned.

The names and conditions of the other two workers have not been released. The cause of the fire remains under investigation

========================


Workers burned at oil site were doing routine maintenance
Posted 9:24 am, November 18, 2017, by Associated Press






Three workers were injured at a Weld County oil site on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017.

GREELEY, Colo. — Authorities say three workers were performing routine maintenance when they were injured in a fire at an oil site in northern Colorado.

The Greeley Tribune reports one DCP Midstream employee and two contractors were burned in the fire east of Galeton on Thursday afternoon. Their names and conditions have not been released.

Briggsdale Fire Chief James Dilka says the workers were near a DCP pipeline when the fire broke out. Two company trucks also were burned.

Investigators have not said what caused the fire, which is being classified as an industrial accident.

The well site is owned by PDC Energy Corp.

==================



WELD COUNTY, Colo. -- Three maintenance workers were hurt at an oil site fire in Weld County on Thursday afternoon.

It happened about 3:30 p.m. in the area of Highway 392 and Weld County Road 71 northeast of Greeley, the Weld County Sheriff's Office said.

Two male patients were airlifted to a hospital and another was taken by ambulance to be treated for various levels of burns, the sheriff's office said.

The conditions of the three workers were not released.

The sheriff's office called it an industrial accident and said the Briggsdale Fire Department was leading the investigation.

Careless disposal of a cigarette ignited a three-alarm fire in a North End of Boston apartment building early this morning that killed two men and left 12 other people homeless for Thanksgiving

Careless disposal of a cigarette ignited a three-alarm fire in a North End apartment building early this morning that killed two men and left 12 other people homeless for Thanksgiving, including a baby, according to authorities.

One man died in a desperate attempt to flee the blaze by jumping from a window at the rear of the building. The second victim was later found in a second-floor apartment, where Boston Fire Department spokesman Steve MacDonald said it's believed the fire broke out in a bedroom.

"It's unfortunate and it's very, very tragic, especially in the holiday season. It's just tragic," MacDonald said, noting the men were the first to die in a fire in Boston in 2017.

The deadly blaze was reported at 1 a.m. Firefighters arriving to smoke showing immediately set about "escorting several people down the front stairs," MacDonald said.

"A man and a woman and an infant were rescued by Ladder 18's aerial ladder," he said. "But tragically, one resident jumped from the rear of the building."

MacDonald said it was not immediately clear if the fatally injured man died from the fall or the fire.

"The cause of death in both fatalities will be up to the medical examiner," he said.

Scorched brick, shattered glass and blackened awnings greeted pedestrians as dawn broke on Hanover Street this morning above the Trattoria II Panino restaurant.

Larry Leibowitz, who lived in the apartment next to where the fire started, was allowed to go back in his home this morning to pack a tote bag with clothes.

Leibowitz, his eyes welling with tears, said his unit was unscathed, but because the utilities are shut off it could be days before he can return.

Leibowitz was not home when the fatal fire started.

"It's a holiday. This is something you never expect," he said, his voice breaking. "I just feel bad for the victims."

Dianna Breda said she and her husband, who lived on the third floor, are alive today thanks to working smoke alarms and firefighters who put oxygen masks on their faces and walked them to safety.

"I can't express it. We're very, very lucky," Breda said, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Breda said she was awoken by fire alarms.

"I heard the fire department come and I said to my husband, there's something. I got out of bed. The smoke was coming inside the house and I said, something's wrong. I said just put on a jacket. The firefighters came and out the masks on and walked us down. I couldn't breathe anymore there was so much smoke."

Breda did not know the men who died.

North End business magnate Frank DePasquale, who owns Panino and 11 other eateries, looked stricken as he stood outside his shuttered restaurant, rain beating down on crews still clearing the damage.

DePasquale is providing temporary housing for the displaced families who need it, even though he does not own the residential portion of the building.

He declined comment, but said in a statement: "A fire started in an apartment in the building above where Trattoria Il Panino is located early this morning. The fire did not impact the restaurant and our hearts go out to the victims and the families who had to encounter the tragedy during this holiday season.


"We are grateful that our staff are all safe and accounted for, but we hurt for the two neighbors and friends who perished. This is no way to start the holiday season, and we will be here to help our neighbors who are affected today.

"The North End is a very special place full of very special people and this news saddens us to the core as we are proud to be part of the community."

MacDonald said the property loss is estimated to be $1.5 million. In addition to the eatery there are eight residential units on floors two through five. 




===================




BOSTON (CBS) – Two people are dead and three hurt after a devastating fire in the North End early Wednesday morning.

Flames broke out on the second floor of a 5-story apartment building on Hanover Street around 1 a.m.


A 33-year-old man died after jumping from a top-floor window to escape the fire. Another man was found dead inside a second floor apartment.

“Smoke was coming in my room,” his roommate told reporters. “I got up to ask him why the house was so smoky and he’s like ‘Help me, help me put this out!’ and I started filling up a pan of water and it was just useless, it was fruitless. And I said, ‘Matt we have to go, it’s just too big,’ and I ran out the door and I thought he was coming behind me but he must have still been staying to put the fire out.”


Firefighters rescued a family of three from the apartments on Hanover Street. (WBZ-TV)

The victims names have not been made public.

A mother, father and a three-year-old child were rescued with a ladder truck and rushed to Tufts Medical Center. About 12 residents are now looking for another place to live.


The fire started on the second floor of the building. (WBZ-TV)

Investigators say the fire started because of “careless disposal of smoking material,” later identified as a cigarette, in a second floor bedroom.

The fire department says damage is estimated at $1.5 million.

A restaurant, Trattoria Il Panino, is on the ground floor of the building.

“The fire did not impact the restaurant but our hearts go out to the victims and their families who had to encounter this tragedy during the holiday season,” Maria DeNapoli, a spokesperson for the restaurant, said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

“We are grateful our staff is all safe and accounted for, but we hurt for our neighbors and friends who perished. This is no way to start the holiday season and we will be here to help our neighbors who were affected today. The North End is a special place full of special people and this news saddens us to our core as we are a proud part of this community.”

According to the state fire marshal, smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths in Massachusetts. In the last decade there have been more than 2,000 smoking-related fires, resulting in 68 deaths, 157 injuries, and more than $90 million worth of property damage