Safety Month 2020 - Week 1

June is National Safety Month and as safety is one of Matrix’s core values, we’re here to celebrate and recognize the importance of keeping safety top of mind. On week 1 of safety month, we hear from Matrix Service Vice President, HSE & People Karen McDonald as she encourages us to reflect on and learn how we can continue to bring the safety culture we live at work into our homes.

 

Monday: Emergency Preparedness

Are you prepared for a medical emergency? Here are several questions to review to help you determine your readiness to deal with a medical emergency:

  • Do you have a well-stocked first aid kit? Do all family members know where it is?
  • Do you have a first-aid manual? Suggest keeping it with the first aid kit.
  • Is your family trained in CPR?
  • Do your children know how to dial 911?
  • Are any medications and/or health conditions known that can be communicated to first responders? Consider leaving this information with child care providers, should an emergency
    happen when you are not at home.
  • Do child care providers have your home address to relay to a 911 operator?
Do you have a plan in the event of other kinds of disasters? Schedule a family meeting to explain potential disaster dangers and to prepare the family to respond as a team. A disaster plan should include the following components:
  • Designate an out-of-town contact person
  • Choose a meeting location
  • Make a communication plan
  • Designate escape routes
  • Make a floor plan
  • Plan for pets

 

 

TUESDAY: Fire safety​​

Being prepared is your best defense against a fire in your home. ​Minimize your family’s risk of fire-related injury by following these safety tips.

Smoke alarms. Smoke alarms save lives. It is important to put smoke alarms in the right places in your home. You should also test them regularly to make sure that they work properly. You can minimize your family’s risk of fire-related injury or death by installing the right number of smoke alarms in the right places in your home, and by keeping them all in good working order.

Fire extinguishers: Purchase a fire extinguisher for your home and keep it handy in the event of a small fire. Make sure you know what to look for when buying a fire extinguisher for your home.

Lighters and matches: Children who have access to lighters and matches risk causing fires that could lead to injuries and death. Reduce the risk to you and your family by keeping these items out of sight and reach of children at all times and teaching children about the dangers of lighters and matches.

Candles: Candles can be a serious fire hazard if not used properly. Some candles also have design flaws that increase the risk of fire. ​Reduce health and safety risks by extinguishing candles before going to bed or leaving the room, keeping them out of reach of children or pets, and using sturdy candle holders that won’t easily tip over.

 
 

Wednesday: Electrical Safety


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday: Chemicals and Cleaners

Follow these top 10 tips for safer house cleaning:

  • Read the Safety Data Sheets before using any cleaning products.
  • Concentrated liquids should be diluted carefully and in the proper ratio.
  • Wear gloves and goggles when cleaning with chemicals.
  • Avoid inhalation of harmful fumes of the chemicals. Open the windows or any other ventilation when cleaning with bleach or other chemicals.
  • Store cleaning chemicals in a well-ventilated area away from HVAC intake vents.
  • Keep all cleaning chemicals in their original containers. Never mix two cleaning chemicals unless you know it is safe to do so; mixing bleach with ammonia can create toxic fumes.
  • Don’t sniff a bottle to identify its contents. Be sure to label all containers with applicable chemical information.
  • Exercise caution to avoid spills. Spilling chemicals can damage clothing, floors, and carpets, also creating a risk of a slip and fall.
  • Wash hands thoroughly after working to avoid contamination.
  • Keep all cleaning products, chemicals, and dishwasher tabs out of the reach of children.

 

 

Friday: PPE for home activities

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is issued to our employees in protecting themselves from the hazards of their work environments. Often overlooked is the importance of utilizing appropriate PPE in the home environment.

The following chart lists several types of PPE and their use with common household/leisure activities:

safety-month_PPE_table.JPG