The 2014 National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) National Fire Prevention Week is October 5 – 11.  This year’s theme is: “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives.”  Below are some fast facts on fire prevention and workplace safety from the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) Risk Management Services Division.

SMOKE ALARMS:

• Smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a reported fire in half.
• Roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.  About one in five smoke alarm failures was due to dead batteries.
• In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 91% of the time, while battery powered alarms operated only 75% of the time.
• In more than half of the reported home fires in which the smoke alarms were present, but did not operate even though the fire was large enough, batteries were missing or disconnected. Nuisance alarms were the leading reason for disconnected alarms.
• More than half of the smoke alarms found in reported fires and two-thirds of the alarms  found in homes with fire deaths were powered by battery only.
• Interconnected smoke alarms on all floors increase safety.

ESCAPE PLANNING:

• Almost three-quarters of Americans do have an escape plan; however, less than half actually practice it.
• One-third of Americans’ households who made an escape plan thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. The time available is often less. Only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!

CAUSES OF FIRE:

• Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires and injuries.
• Smoke inhalation is the leading cause of fire deaths.
• Heating is the second leading cause of home fires, fire deaths and fire injuries.
• 53% of home electrical fires involved other known types of equipment, including ranges, washers/dryers, fans and space heaters.

Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work! 

Back injuries account for one of every five injuries or illnesses in the workplace.  Around 80% of these injuries occur to the lower back and are associated with manual material handling tasks. Oftentimes we get drawn into the “let’s get ’er done” attitude with many material handling tasks. The work does need to be completed, but taking a couple of seconds to determine the best way to do the job may prevent weeks of back pain.

When you lift…

– DO –
Plant your feet firmly – get a stable base
Keep the load close to your body
Bend at your knees – not your waist
Tighten your abdominal muscles to support your back
Keep your back upright – keep it in its natural posture
Use your leg muscles as you lift
Get a good grip – use both hands
Lift steadily and smoothly without jerking
Breathe. If you must hold your breath to lift it, then it is too heavy

– DO NOT –
Lift from the floor
Lift loads across obstacles
Twist and lift
Lift from an uncomfortable posture
Fight to recover a dropped object
Lift with one hand (unbalanced)
Lift while reaching or stretching
Hold your breath while lifting – Get Help

Begin each material handling task with the end in mind:  Where are you going to move it? Do you have a good grip? Is there a clear path?

Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work!

Workplace Safety Tips From DOAS Risk Management Services

The FOR VETS Act was signed into law on Aug. 9. As a result, the Georgia Department of Administrative Services is excited to announce that Veteran organizations are now eligible for federal surplus property. DOAS’ Surplus Property Division looks forward to doing its part to promote and support veterans needs in our local communities!

If you would like to apply to add your Veterans 5013c to the below list of eligible organizations, call DOAS at (404) 651-6413. Here is the application you’ll need.