 |
| News > Commentary - Think safety this Labor Day |
|
Think safety this Labor Day
Posted 8/7/2012 Updated 8/7/2012
Email story
Print story
Commentary by Staff Sgt. Justin Musall
20th Fighter Wing Safety Office
8/7/2012 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Labor Day traditionally celebrates the economic and social contributions of the worker. However, Labor Day has come to be celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer.
For those of us working in safety, we are wrapping up the Air Force's Critical Days of Summer campaign. Air Combat Command is providing us with a Family Day on August 31, which in conjunction with the holiday on September 3, will give us a well-deserved four-day weekend.
Although the Critical Days of Summer are coming to a close, this is not the time to let our guard down.
During this extended weekend, millions of Americans will hit the roads for an end of summer vacation or meet up with friends and family. Based off previous year's statistics during this time, the Air Force had 122 mishaps, of which 16 were ACC, and Shaw accounted for two of those. Of the 122 mishaps in the Air Force, four of them were Class A's: three fatalities, and one permanent total disability.
To prevent yourself from becoming a statistic, consider the following strategies so you can get to and from your Labor Day destination safely and efficiently.
First, you should get your vehicle road-worthy. Ensure your oil has been changed, and fluids are topped off. Check your tires, belts, windshield wipers, brakes, battery, and service your radiator and cooling system. Overheating is a common breakdown problem during the summer.
Second, plan your trip ahead of time. Being prepared means you know which exit to take before you are on top of it, which is the moment bad drivers choose to swerve in a panic so they don't miss their exit. Anticipate delays; leaving an hour earlier or later in the day to start your trip could save hours in stop-and-go traffic. Don't speed because you really aren't saving time. If you are driving 130 miles at 65 miles an hour, you'll get there in two hours. If you hit the accelerator and try to make the same distance at 75 miles an hour, you'll get there in one hour 44 minutes. The question is; would the risk of a speeding ticket or accident be worth the 16 minutes you will save?
Many will spend this extended time off hosting or attending barbecues and picnics. Cooking outdoors can generate a number of physical and health safety concerns. Food-borne illness leads to many emergency-room visits because of mishandled picnic items. Wash your hands often, keep raw foods separate, and keep cold foods cold.
Make sure to thaw meat out completely by placing it in the refrigerator, which will reduce the chances of bacteria growing.
When serving food from a buffet table, make sure to put cold food back in the refrigerator immediately after the first wave of guests has grabbed their food. Observe the two-hour rule; don't leave perishables out for more than two hours.
Cook meat as you need it and do not leave a stack of hot dogs or hamburgers out on the table for hours after they are cooked. Cook meat to the proper internal temperature, and never mix plates or utensils between raw and cooked meats. Keep a close eye on the grill to ensure there are no fires, and that children do not put their hands on the hot grates.
While Labor Day can be a fun, relaxing way to say goodbye to summer and hello to the coming fall season, it can be dangerous if proper safety measures aren't followed. The Critical Days of Summer are over, but mishaps can still happen. Take time this Labor Day to reflect on all the hard work we have done to make our country great, be safe, and enjoy this four-day weekend.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Check out more information at the Shaw Air Expo Facebook.
|
|
| |
|
|
