Safe and Sound

Issue No. 1

Take a long look at the ladder

You might think that a ladder is a tool you can control, but that's not always true.

Unsafe ladders put everyone at risk: The user and bystanders.

Before climbing onto a ladder, give it a quick inspection:

• Are the bolts still tight? Are steps missing? Does it wobble? Is there tread on the steps or are the steps slippery. Any of these problems mean it's time for a new one. Further, if the ladder is very old, it may not be able to hold the weight it originally could.
• Is it the right ladder for the job? Each type of ladder has its own uses and safety guidelines. Don't use step ladder as you would an extension ladder, leaning it against a wall. Never climb above the second-to-last rung. If the ladder isn't tall enough, get another.
• Is the ladder being used properly? For example, an extension ladder needs to be leaning at the proper angle, which is about 15 degrees from the vertical position. The top of the ladder should be firm against a surface. If it isn't, the shifting balance of the climber will move the ladder out of position.

Docks are dangerous places for forklift drivers

Loading and shipping docks are vital to the movement of product and resources but they are dangerous, too.

They are busy places where trailers and trucks can arrive and depart around the clock. Because of their potential for injury, safety is priority. Risks to be aware of include:

• Premature departure: Trailers can cause injuries when tractors prematurely pull the trailer away. The tractor operator must be certain that the work in the trailer has been completed before pulling away. If a forklift is entering or exiting the trailer at the moment of departure, the operator could drive off the dock.
• Trailer creep: A second hazard occurs when the trailer "creeps" away from the dock. Creep is the result of the constant impact caused by the forklift entering and exiting the trailer.

Safeguards

Wheel chocks: The wheel chock should be placed against the rear of the trailer wheels to prevent movement. While tractor operators place them, forklift operators have the final say in safety before entering a trailer. He or she must check to ensure the wheels are properly chocked.

Trailer restraints. With the restraint, a hook or bar moves up to the ICC bar on the rear of the trailer after a button is activated from inside the building. Workers don't have to bother with manual chocking when restraints are used.

Docks are places filled with potential danger for workers and visitors. Caution must always be the order of the day.

Fireproof your microwave

Recently in Chicago, food wrapped in foil then microwaved caused a fire that wiped out six homes. To microwave safely:

• Watch for metal. Utensils, bowls, cups, twist ties, and foil can spark and cause fires.
• Don't nuke recycled paper products. Some contain flecks of metal. Check any packaging to ensure it's approved for microwave use.
• Keep the inside clean. Food residue and grease can ignite and cause a fire.
• In case of flames in a microwave, unplug it immediately.

A container of liquid heated to boiling can form vapor bubbles that don't break the surface. It can explode when you break the surface tension.

Braking versus downshifting

When going down a long hill in a car with an automatic transmission, should you brake or downshift to let the transmission slow the car?

Manually shifting to a lower gear during a long descent makes sense. It allows the engine's resistance to control the car's speed. That's true on both automatic and manual transmissions.

Some pickup trucks and trucks used for towing now have automatic transmissions with "logic" that sense hilly terrain. They hold the car in a lower gear for longer periods.

Don't downshift unless you are going down a long steep hill. Frequent manual downshifting can increase automatic transmission wear.

While a brake job costs about $300, transmission repairs can cost $1,000 or more.

Keep batteries from kids, pets

Little batteries look harmless enough. If a toddler puts one in his mouth, however, it could cause a choking or serious burns if the battery chemical has leaked out.

Remember that dogs could think a discarded battery is a toy. If they bite the battery, their mouths, tongues, and gastrointestinal tracts could be burned.

Keep an eye on bicycles

Warmer weather means more people are riding their bikes to work. Here are a few tips for drivers on how to share the road:

• Respect bike paths. Don't use them as extra roadway.
• Where there are no bike paths, remember that a human life is at stake as you pass a rider. Don't pass too close or too fast.

Some bike riders claim that drivers purposely "brush" them. This may not be the case, but it seems that way. What is true is that drivers just go their way after such an incident. They are unconcerned or unaware that they have put another person's life in jeopardy.