Safety Tidbit 6.09 - Vaccine Primer

Safety Tidbit 6.09 – Vaccine Primer

 

Reference:       Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Making the Vaccine Decision Addressing Common Concerns

 

People are exposed to thousands of germs every day from the environment. This happens through the food eaten, air breathed, and anything put into the person’s mouth. Immunity is the body’s way of preventing disease. When you are born, a person’s immune system is not fully developed, which can put them at greater risk for infections. Vaccines reduce the person’s risk of infection by working with their body’s natural defenses to help safely develop immunity to disease.

 

Vaccines use very small amounts of antigens to help your child’s immune system recognize and learn to fight serious diseases. Antigens are parts of germs that cause the body’s immune system to go to work. For instance, getting a disease or getting a vaccine can both give you future protection from that disease. The difference is that with the disease you must get sick to get that protection. With the vaccine you don’t.

 

All ingredients of vaccines play necessary roles either in making the vaccine, triggering the body to develop immunity, or in ensuring that the final product is safe and effective. Some of these include:

• Adjuvants help boost the body’s response to vaccine. (Also found in antacids, buffered aspirin, antiperspirants, etc.)
• Stabilizers help keep vaccine effective after manufactured (Also found in foods such as Jell-O^® and resides in the body naturally.)
• Formaldehyde is used prevent contamination by bacteria during the vaccine manufacturing process. Resides in body naturally (more in body than vaccines). (Also, found in environment, preservatives, and household products.)
• Thimerosal is also used during the manufacturing process but is no longer an ingredient in any vaccine except multi-dose vials of the flu vaccine. Single dose vials of the flu vaccine are available as an alternative. No reputable scientific studies have found an association between thimerosal in vac­cines and autism.
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Before a vaccine is ever given to people, FDA oversees extensive lab testing of the vaccine to make sure it is safe and effective. After the lab, testing in people begins and before the clinical studies are complete and the vaccine may be licensed. Once a vaccine is licensed, FDA, CDC, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other federal agencies routinely monitor its use and investigate any potential safety concerns.

 

I hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know

Safety Tidbit 6.08 - HazCom Starter

Safety Tidbit 6.08 – HazCom Starter

 

Reference:       29CFR1910.1200, OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1200

Almost every workplace uses some chemical, and most likely, that chemical can be harmful. The purpose of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard is to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are classified. Second, that information concerning the classified hazards is transmitted to employers and employees [1910.1200(a)(1)]. So, you as an employer must take steps to ensure this happens.

OSHA requires all employers to provide information to their employees about the hazardous chemicals to which they are exposed, through a hazard communication program, labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and information and training [1910.1200(b)(1)]. Furthermore, the Hazard Communication Standard applies to any chemical which is known to be present in the workplace in such a manner that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency [1910.1200(b)(2)].

Some workplaces may only handle hazardous materials and not use them, such as in retail or warehousing. OSHA requires employers to ensure that labels on incoming shipments are not removed or defaced [1910.1200(b)(4)(i)]. Also, that the employer maintains all safety data sheets (SDSs) for the materials stocked and that all SDSs are readily available to all employees on all shifts [1910.1200(b)(4)(ii)].

Interestingly, the standard does not require a printed SDS copy so long as the SDS can be accessible to all employees. Furthermore, OSHA interprets readily accessible that an employee can and knows how to obtain the SDS without any impediments. For instance, having to as a supervisor for the SDS or entering into an area usually designated for individual employees.

At job sites, workers move chemicals into another container, such as a spray bottle from a one-gallon container. The best practice is to ensure the spray container has a workplace label on it with the same information required on the parent container as noted in 1910.1200(f)(1).

Lastly, each employer that is subject to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard must develop, implement, and maintain a written Hazard Communication program [1910.1200(e)(1)]. I recommend you start as this standard is always on OSHA’s Top Ten Cited Standards because many employers miss different program pieces.

 

I hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know

Safety Tidbit 6.07 – Hazards of Space Heaters

 

Safety Tidbit 6.07 – Hazards of Space Heaters

 

Reference:       Rachel Brougham, May 24, 2019. 10 Things You Should Know When Using Electric Space Heaters. Family Handyman, from https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/10-things-you-should-know-when-using-electric-space-heaters/

 

Many of you probably use an electric radiant space heater to provide spot heating in your garages, basements, work sheds or even your living spaces during the winter months. However, I ask you to ensure your heater is not a hazard and use a few tips to assess your heater.

 

Safety First Space heaters account for one-third of all home fires and four out of five home-heating fire deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

 

Understand the Dangers Your space heater should have a label that shows it was tested in a recognized laboratory. Before using the heater, read and understand the manufacturer's instructions and warning labels (yes, even you men). If you follow the instructions, for you, the answer to the question ‘Are space heaters dangerous?’ is no.

 

Check the Cord and Space Heater Extension Cord Check the cord for cracks and make sure the plug isn't broken, this includes any space heater extension cord you use. When plugging in, make sure the connection is secure. Loose connections can be a fire hazard and are inherently dangerous. If the cord or plug is frayed or damaged, do not use the space heater. While you’re at it check and fix any loose outlets.

 

Plug Directly into an Outlet Never use an extension cord or power strip to power space heaters because they can overheat and cause a fire.

 

Keep a Distance Make sure space heaters are kept at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including rugs, clothing and paper.

 

Avoid Trips and Falls Do not a leave space heater in high traffic areas because they are a tripping hazard.

 

Don't Leave Space Heater Unattended When leaving a room, turn the space heater off. You should also turn the heater off when sleeping and never let pets or children play too close to the heater. What about a little one toddling around?

 

I hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know