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C o n t e n t s

Have A Safe Summer!

June is National Safety Month

Contributed by, Susie Claxton, Communications, Training, and Emergency Preparedness

June is National Safety Month. It is an excellent time to feature safety programs in your departments such as safety training, emergency preparedness, use of personal protective equipment, safety inspections, etc. It is also a time for recognition of a “job well done” to those in your departments that work on safety, health, and environmental management issues. The National Safety Council (link no longer available) web site is a great resource for information. This year’s Safety Month theme is “Crash Free June.” Talk it up in the workplace and at home with your families. June is the time for teenage end of year parties, graduations, etc. It is also the beginning of the family vacation season. Driving safety is especially important during these events. Do your part for National Safety Month. Make it safe!

Mosquito Bite Protection Vital in Preventing West Nile Virus Infection

Contributed by Ellyn Segal, BioSafety Officer

The best way to avoid contracting West Nile Virus is to protect yourself and your family against mosquito bites. Using a topical lotion or spray containing DEET is a safe and effective way to prevent being bitten. It is also important to remember to eliminate standing water from your yard, patios, and balconies or decks. Even a bottle-cap full of water can be used for larval habitat! For further information on personal protection and “source” reduction of mosquitos, please see the West Nile Virus fact sheet on our EH&S web site.

SUMMER SAFETY

Contributed by Alison Pena, Asst. Fire Marshal

Summer is here and with that summer activities. Bike riding, barbecuing in the backyard, swimming and camping are just some of the activities that we all enjoy. To ensure that we share tales of summer fun and not summer tragedy this fall, be aware of the following safety tips.

Scooters, bikes, in-line skates and skateboards are associated with numerous injuries yearly. Wear a comfortable, properly fitted helmet. The helmet should sit level on top of the head, not rocking in any direction, and always fasten the safety strap. Be sure that safety gear (wrist, elbow and kneepads) fits properly and does not interfere with the rider’s movement, vision or hearing. Learn proper hand signals and use them when you turn or stop and teach crossing safety to children by example.

Beware when you barbeque. In 1999 alone, gas and charcoal grills caused 1,500 structure fires and 4,200 outdoor fires in or on home properties. Remember to keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three-foot “safe zone” around the grill. Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below the grill so that it cannot be ignited.

Extra caution should be used when around water, for children and adults. Only swim in approved areas and always supervise children near water. Make sure that your children know how to swim. Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device when boating, jet-skiing, tubing or water-skiing. Air-filled swimming aids are not substitutes for approved personal flotation devices.

When camping always use a flame retardant tent. Only use flashlights inside the tent, not liquid-filled heaters or lanterns. Always build your campfire down wind away from your tent. Clear all vegetation from the surrounding area. Store liquid fire starter away from your tent and campfire and use dry kindling to freshen a campfire. Always put out a campfire when going to sleep or leaving the campsite. To extinguish the fire, cover with dirt or pour water over it.

Success of EH&S’ Surplus Chemical Program

Contributed by Environmental Specialist, Heather Perry

EH&S’ Surplus Chemical Program continues to receive rave reviews from the campus research community. Our inventory of unused, unopened surplus chemicals, available free of charge, can be viewed by laboratory personnel using our online inventory. EH&S delivers the requested chemicals to interested laboratories. Satisfaction is guaranteed or EH&S will return for the materials.

Further, if laboratories wish to donate unused, unopened reagent chemicals (with original labels still readable), this may be done on EH&S’ on-line chemical pick-up request form.

Participating in the Chemical Surplus Program provides a unique opportunity to have a direct and positive influence on the environment by reusing materials that would otherwise be disposed of at a significant cost to the University.

If you have further questions about the Surplus Chemical Program or would like to participate, you may contact Heather Perry at 3-1308.

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