GUIDE TO A SAFE SUMMER
August Safety Tips
Did you know that approximately 78% of preventable injury-related deaths happen when people are away from work? By staying aware of your surroundings and following safety guidelines, you can stay healthy both on and off the job.
Summertime poses particular safety challenges because many of us spend more time outdoors, engaging in leisure activities or taking care of projects around the house. To help you and your family keep safety top of mind, it’s important to understand potential summertime risks—from natural elements such as the sun and insects to activities such as swimming and fireworks.
Here are a few summertime safety tips:
- Whether you are working or playing, take steps to beat the heat. Drink plenty of fluids and take breaks from the sun by seeking shelter indoors or in the shade. Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, keep cool towels handy, and NEVER leave kids or pets in hot cars.
- Don’t let mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects put a damper on your outdoor activities. When outside, wear Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent with DEET and wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Be sure to follow best practices to keep you and your household safe from illnesses such as Dengue Fever and West Nile virus.
- Swimming outside can be a summertime delight. But remember, an average of 10 people die from drowning every day in the United States, according to Injury Facts®. If you plan to swim in a pool, lake, or ocean this summer, be sure to take proper precautions. Have a first aid kit handy and learn CPR and rescue techniques. Know your skill level and never swim alone. Avoid distractions if you have children swimming with you; drowning is one of the top causes of preventable deaths for children under four.
- Legal fireworks can be beautiful and fun, but fireworks also pose a significant risk of both injury and fire. If you plan to use legal fireworks this summer, be sure to keep them away from small children. Follow established safe guidelines to ensure no one gets hurt.
Safety is our #1 priority. We Champion safety for our people whether they are at work, at play, or at home.
August Crew of the Month
Champion’s team at UCOR / Oak Ridge National Laboratory was recently recognized by UCOR for its response to a minor first aid injury that occurred during mobilization and resulted in an abrasion to an employee’s foot. UCOR recognized that our team, led by Site Superintendent Lee Bailey and Site Safety Supervisor Gordon Reynolds, displayed both professionalism and integrity by properly reporting and documenting the incident, which could easily have been unreported. Our response to this incident demonstrated Champion’s culture in action and showed UCOR from the beginning of the project that Champion can be trusted at all times to do the right thing.
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