October Safety News: Fall Challenges
By Matt Rehlander
October is the time of the year when leaves change and fill the tree canopies with color. Families are out raking leaves; in some areas, you can still burn leaves.
The weather goes from hot to warm to cool or cold in many areas. Roads go from clear and dry to leaf-covered, wet, and even in areas icy, making driving a challenge. Wildlife activity also increased if that wasn’t enough to address on the roads.
While some of these things are enjoyable, others can add challenges to our lives. Inspecting and servicing your heating system is a good idea as the temperatures get cooler.
Also, burning leaves or brush, while convenient if not attended to properly, can cause a structure or wildfire to occur. This, along with home fires caused by fireplaces and furnaces not being cleaned and serviced properly, can be a cause for a disaster.
The safety reminders communicated in the workplace can be easily translated to fire safety in the home. Establish a family emergency action plan, discuss escape routes with family members, and locate fire extinguishers in your home.
Also, conduct a mock fire drill with your family to ensure you and your loved ones know how to get out safely.
During this drill, outline meeting places that are at a safe distance from the home. Designate a neighbor to contact for help in the event of an emergency. Simple exercises could mean the difference maker in your family making it out alive in the event of a fire in your home.
Let’s talk about vehicle safety; as mentioned above, leaves, brush, wet or icy roads, increased wildlife activity, and more hours of darkness can make driving more challenging than in the warm summer months.
Let’s also not forget the Trick or Treaters that will be out and about for Halloween; please look out for them; not all costumes can be seen when it gets darker, so please slow down and be alert!
The New In-House Competent Driver Training Program is in full swing. I want to thank our In-House Competent Driver Trainers for their commitment to training and verifying that all of us who drive company vehicles do so safely and professionally.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is now standardized and available through the company store. The items in the store are approved for use per the guidelines in our Safety Manual. Please order only those items going forward.
As we enter the last quarter of 2023, we see how far we have progressed in our safety journey.
Remember, we all have responsibilities around safety. As our safety journey continues, keep looking for ways to stay safe at work and at home.
For National OnDemand Safety, I’m Matt Rehlander.