Do you have a problem with alcohol?
Graham Marshall - Friday, November 23, 2012
Since it's Friday and the end of the
working week for many folks, I'm posting a short psychological test from
the World Health Organization (WHO, 1989) which can be used to
evaluate if you have, or are developing a problem with alcohol.
The test asks ten (10) simple questions and you assign a score to each question for your honest answers.
I am also posting an interpretation sheet which will help you to understand what your responses to the test may indicate about your alcohol consumption.
The psychological test and the interpretation sheet can both be found by clicking the links below.
AUDIT.pdf
AUDIT scoring and interpretation.pdf
The test asks ten (10) simple questions and you assign a score to each question for your honest answers.
I am also posting an interpretation sheet which will help you to understand what your responses to the test may indicate about your alcohol consumption.
The psychological test and the interpretation sheet can both be found by clicking the links below.
AUDIT.pdf
AUDIT scoring and interpretation.pdf
Aussie BBQ Safety Tips
Graham Marshall - Thursday, November 22, 2012
As BBQs are brought out for the summer
season across Australia, we're warning people to be careful when firing
up the grill or filling up the gas cylinder.
There have already been a spate of recent petrol station fires and a series of LPG and barbecue fires caused largely by wear and tear on gas hoses and burners.
The petrol station fires have been caused by unsafe decanting of LPG into smaller cylinders for use in barbecues.
LPG cylinders should be placed on the ground to limit the risk of static electricity build from the flow of gas.
They should also never be left unattended while being filled as this can lead to overfilling and gas escaping.
In NSW alone, the fire service has dealt with 64 barbecue fires and 67 leaking or damaged LPG cylinders and hoses, most from barbecue cylinders.
If LPG cylinders and hoses looked old or perished, they should be checked by a specialist at local barbecue, camping or caravan stores. He said a new hose and regulator for gas cylinders could be purchased for less than $50.
Here are some other safety tips for this year's BBQ season:
Never use an LPG cylinder indoors or in a confined space;
Check cylinders for rust or damage and make sure connections are clear and fit properly before lighting;
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the correct start-up and shut-down procedures;
After use, make sure the gas is turned off at the cylinder;
Never put flammable liquid on to a BBQ;
Keep children away from the BBQ and store lighters and matches in a secure place;
If a gas leak occurs and it is safe to do so, shut off the cylinder immediately and allow any gas to disperse; and
In an emergency, get away, stay away and call triple-0.
There have already been a spate of recent petrol station fires and a series of LPG and barbecue fires caused largely by wear and tear on gas hoses and burners.
The petrol station fires have been caused by unsafe decanting of LPG into smaller cylinders for use in barbecues.
LPG cylinders should be placed on the ground to limit the risk of static electricity build from the flow of gas.
They should also never be left unattended while being filled as this can lead to overfilling and gas escaping.
In NSW alone, the fire service has dealt with 64 barbecue fires and 67 leaking or damaged LPG cylinders and hoses, most from barbecue cylinders.
If LPG cylinders and hoses looked old or perished, they should be checked by a specialist at local barbecue, camping or caravan stores. He said a new hose and regulator for gas cylinders could be purchased for less than $50.
Here are some other safety tips for this year's BBQ season:
Never use an LPG cylinder indoors or in a confined space;
Check cylinders for rust or damage and make sure connections are clear and fit properly before lighting;
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the correct start-up and shut-down procedures;
After use, make sure the gas is turned off at the cylinder;
Never put flammable liquid on to a BBQ;
Keep children away from the BBQ and store lighters and matches in a secure place;
If a gas leak occurs and it is safe to do so, shut off the cylinder immediately and allow any gas to disperse; and
In an emergency, get away, stay away and call triple-0.
Lucky escape for Bakken driver
Graham Marshall - Wednesday, November 21, 2012
The driver of this vehicle in the North
Dakota oil patch near Keene had very lucky escape when he decided to
make a turn in front of an oncoming 18-wheeler!
Please think about your driving each day and get in the habit of practicing your "defensive driving skills".
Please think about your driving each day and get in the habit of practicing your "defensive driving skills".
Pump Jacks in Synch
Graham Marshall - Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Safety Alert - Texting When Working
Graham Marshall - Monday, November 19, 2012
This safety alert from the Marine Safety
Forum highlights the potential conflict between concentrating on a work
task and being distracted by a mobile telephone when talking or texting.
The safety alert makes some really good points and could be a good discussion aid for a tool box talk.
To access the Safety Alert, simply click here.
The safety alert makes some really good points and could be a good discussion aid for a tool box talk.
To access the Safety Alert, simply click here.
Preventing Electrical Fires
Graham Marshall - Sunday, November 18, 2012
This is the final post in our week-long
special focus on electrical hazards. We're finishing-up the campaign
with a focus on the danger associated with electrical fires; and to
prevent them and manage them if they do occur. So read on for the tips
of the day:
● If any of your tools give off any mild electric shocks, replace them immedaitely;
● Replace light switches that cause flickering;
● It's generally OK for switches to feel warm, but if they feel hot they need to be replaced;
● Replace all damaged power cables and extension cords;
● Never attempt to push a three-prong plug into a two-holed socket;
● If you don’t have the expertise and certification for electrical work, don't attempt DIY repairs;
● Fight any electrical fire with an appropriate fire extinguisher;
● Learn how to use a fire extinguisher effectively;
● If your circuit breaker trips-out after you’ve reset it, it's a warning that there’s a short-circuit in your home or office;
● Turn off electrical appliances when they’re not in use; and
● Keep all flammable and combustible materials away from heaters and any appliances that get hot.
● If any of your tools give off any mild electric shocks, replace them immedaitely;
● Replace light switches that cause flickering;
● It's generally OK for switches to feel warm, but if they feel hot they need to be replaced;
● Replace all damaged power cables and extension cords;
● Never attempt to push a three-prong plug into a two-holed socket;
● If you don’t have the expertise and certification for electrical work, don't attempt DIY repairs;
● Fight any electrical fire with an appropriate fire extinguisher;
● Learn how to use a fire extinguisher effectively;
● If your circuit breaker trips-out after you’ve reset it, it's a warning that there’s a short-circuit in your home or office;
● Turn off electrical appliances when they’re not in use; and
● Keep all flammable and combustible materials away from heaters and any appliances that get hot.
Electrical Safety in the Outdoors
Graham Marshall - Saturday, November 17, 2012
Making sure that you're safe when using or
working near electrical power sources is just as important when you're
outside your home or office as it is for when you're working or relaxing
indoors.
As part of our focus on electrical safety this week, today we're providing some tips on protecting yourself from electricity in the great outdoors. So here are the tips of the day:
● Always keep a safe distance from overhead power lines;
● Check for underground buried electrical services before digging ("dial before you dig");
● Keep garden trees pruned and far away from the power lines which may enter your home as well;
● Never fly kites, balloons, or model airplanes near overhead power lines;
● Never situate or climb on a ladder that could fall on or very close to a power line;
● Be on the lookout for power lines when using a chainsaw or other outdoor equipment;
● Never swim in your pool (or other water body) during an electrical storm;
● If a power line is knocked down to street level, do not touch it;
● If you see fallen power lines, contact your local authorities immediately;
● Never climb the fence that surrounds any electrical substation;
● If your pet, ball or other property finds its way inside a fenced sub-station, call the electric company;
● Keep electrical appliances and out of the rain, off of wet surfaces, and away from pools, ponds, or water: and
● Only allow outdoor outlets on a circuit guarded by a Residual Current Device (RCD) or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).
As part of our focus on electrical safety this week, today we're providing some tips on protecting yourself from electricity in the great outdoors. So here are the tips of the day:
● Always keep a safe distance from overhead power lines;
● Check for underground buried electrical services before digging ("dial before you dig");
● Keep garden trees pruned and far away from the power lines which may enter your home as well;
● Never fly kites, balloons, or model airplanes near overhead power lines;
● Never situate or climb on a ladder that could fall on or very close to a power line;
● Be on the lookout for power lines when using a chainsaw or other outdoor equipment;
● Never swim in your pool (or other water body) during an electrical storm;
● If a power line is knocked down to street level, do not touch it;
● If you see fallen power lines, contact your local authorities immediately;
● Never climb the fence that surrounds any electrical substation;
● If your pet, ball or other property finds its way inside a fenced sub-station, call the electric company;
● Keep electrical appliances and out of the rain, off of wet surfaces, and away from pools, ponds, or water: and
● Only allow outdoor outlets on a circuit guarded by a Residual Current Device (RCD) or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).
Light Globe Safety Tips
Graham Marshall - Friday, November 16, 2012
Question: How many psychologists does it take to change a light globe?
Answer: Only one - but the globe really has to want to change!
It's an old joke; but getting a shock or being killed when messing with electricity is not so funny. So here are some tips as part of our electrical safety campaign which relate to the use of light globes around your home and office:
● Use bulbs with the correct wattage. Higher wattage bulbs may cause overheating;
● Always screw bulbs tightly; beware loose bulbs, which could cause shorts-circuits leading to electrical fires;
● Always unplug or switch off the light or lamp before replacing a light bulb;
● Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL);
● CFL globes provide the same level of light at a lower wattage level. So they're safer and better for the environment. They'll also save you some money in the longer-term; and
● If a CFL bulb breaks, open the windows and evacuate the room for 15 minutes before cleaning up the breakage.
Answer: Only one - but the globe really has to want to change!
It's an old joke; but getting a shock or being killed when messing with electricity is not so funny. So here are some tips as part of our electrical safety campaign which relate to the use of light globes around your home and office:
● Use bulbs with the correct wattage. Higher wattage bulbs may cause overheating;
● Always screw bulbs tightly; beware loose bulbs, which could cause shorts-circuits leading to electrical fires;
● Always unplug or switch off the light or lamp before replacing a light bulb;
● Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL);
● CFL globes provide the same level of light at a lower wattage level. So they're safer and better for the environment. They'll also save you some money in the longer-term; and
● If a CFL bulb breaks, open the windows and evacuate the room for 15 minutes before cleaning up the breakage.
Power Socket Safety Tips
Graham Marshall - Thursday, November 15, 2012
Today's focus as part of our electrical
safety campaign is on the safe use of power sockets. Read below for
the key tips on this topic:
● Block unused outlets with a solid cover plate or childproof caps. Few electrical safety tips are more important when you have young children in the house;
● Ensure that all wall-mounted power sockets ("outlets") are encased with solid, secure plates so that all the wiring is enclosed;
● Do not overloading power sockets or outlets with large numbers of extension cables and temporary power box's;;
● Never place anything into the power socket holes except for the appropriately-sized plug; and
● Always install a residual current device (RCD) or ground fault circuit interrupter in your home and office.
● Block unused outlets with a solid cover plate or childproof caps. Few electrical safety tips are more important when you have young children in the house;
● Ensure that all wall-mounted power sockets ("outlets") are encased with solid, secure plates so that all the wiring is enclosed;
● Do not overloading power sockets or outlets with large numbers of extension cables and temporary power box's;;
● Never place anything into the power socket holes except for the appropriately-sized plug; and
● Always install a residual current device (RCD) or ground fault circuit interrupter in your home and office.
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