Health and Safety Special Committee

2023-2024
State Health and Safety Committee Chair

Ron Leiman

State Health and Safety Committee Members

Mary Ann Dolezal, Judy Hart, Verna Mitchell, (Advisor: Pamela Elza)

The TRTA Health and Safety Special Committee was created by President Marcy Cann and approved by the TRTA Executive Board for 2022-24. This committee will provide some of the information and resources previously promoted by the Healthy Living and Informative and Protective Services State Committees. It is an “opt-in” Committee at the district and local chapter levels.

Districts or local chapters can have a Health and Safety Chair, a Health Chair, a Safety Chair, or none.

The purpose of this special committee is to serve the entire membership of TRTA with health and safety information.

The goals of this committee are to provide monthly health and safety articles; and to promote health and safety programs and special events.

On the first Tuesday of the month, a health article will be posted on the TRTA website. On the third Tuesday of the month, a safety article will be posted on the TRTA website. These articles will include pertinent information for our members and will often include resources and online references. Once an article is replaced, it will become available under the appropriate menu tab. Please see the tabs below. This information is provided for all TRTA members.

Additional information will be provided, primarily for districts and local chapters, including newsletters, a monthly observances planning calendar, program ideas, and special events. Special events will include planning information for health and safety fairs, fitness walks, and other large-scale programs.

In addition to the committee members, advisors will serve in specific roles to assist the committee.

Marcy Cann, TRTA President, oversees this committee.

Roy Varney, TRTA Multimedia Specialist, is the TRTA Staff Liaison.

March is National Ladder Safety Month

Older adults need to make ladder safety a priority: FALLS FROM LADDERS ARE PREVENTABLE! Each year in the USA, more than 100 people die and thousands are injured from ladder-related falls.

There are five major causes for ladder-related fall incidents:

Incorrect extension ladder setup angle. The angle should be about 75 degrees and the top of the ladder should extend at least three feet above the roof or structure edge to reduce the risk of slipping or sliding.

Inappropriate ladder selection. Select a ladder with the appropriate duty-rating and one that is made of non-conductive material to avoid electrocution and related falls.

Insufficient ladder inspection. Practice regular ladder maintenance. Check for missing or loose rungs, bolts, screws, cleats or other components.

Improper ladder use. Do not overreach, carry objects, or apply excessive force. Avoid slips and missteps.

Lack of access to ladder safety tools and information.

Do not use a ladder if you are feeling tired or dizzy. Do not use a damaged ladder. Make sure the ladder is right for the job. Do not use ladders during storms or high winds.

If you are going to use a ladder, consider the following tips.

Wear slip-resistant shoes.

Select the right kind of ladder to match the job. Be sure the ladder is the right height. If it is too short, it can lead to overreaching and ladder instability. Consider the ladder material if there is a risk of electrocution.

The duty rating is the maximum amount of weight the ladder is manufactured to carry. This means it can handle the person’s weight and any materials being carried. An overweight ladder can structurally fail.

Position the ladder in a safe location. This is on a level, supportive surface without contaminants. Place the ladder in a low traffic area or put barriers around it to prevent a person or equipment from bumping into it.

Never step above the second highest rung on a step ladder.

Never step above the fourth highest rung on an extension ladder.

Maintain three points of contact. This can be two hands and one foot or one hand and two feet. Maintain a firm grip and do not have your hands distracted with other materials. Use a tool belt or other means to get your materials to an elevated work surface.

When you are climbing a ladder, your belt buckle should be inside the rails. This will enable you to maintain your center of balance. If you can reach with your body inside the rails, stop and move the ladder.

Use a podium ladder with guard rails on which your waist can serve as the third point of contact.

The number one incident that leads to many injuries is missing the last step. Take your time climbing down and step down onto the ground.

For additional information on ladder safety, download the NIOSH Ladder safety phone app.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) NIOSH and laddersafetymonth.com

March 2024 Safety Article

Feb. 2024 Safety Article

January 2024 Safety Article

December 2023 Safety Article

November 2023 Safety Article

October 2023 Safety Article

September 2023 Safety Article

August 2023 Safety Article

July 2023 Safety Article

May 2023 Safety Article

April 2023 Safety Article

March 2023 Safety Article

Feb. 2023 Safety Article

Jan. 2023 Safety Article

Dec. 2022 Safety Article

Nov. 2022 Safety Article

Oct. 2022 Safety Article

Sept. 2022 Safety Article

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and Older Adults

Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization.

The symptoms of RSV include runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever and wheezing. These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. Most infections go away on their own in a week or two. Symptoms can be relieved with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers and drinking plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration.

Older adults are at increased risk of severe RSV. RSV can lead to more severe infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Older adults may need to be hospitalized if they are having trouble breathing or are dehydrated. In severe cases, a person may need additional oxygen, IV fluids or intubation. In most cases, hospitalization only lasts a few days.

The transmission of RSV can be by virus droplets via a cough or sneeze, direction contact with a contagious child or adult, or touching a surface with the virus on it such as a doorknob. People with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days, becoming contagious a day or two before they start showing symptoms. RSV can survive for many hours on hard surfaces and for shorter amounts of time of soft surfaces like hands. RSV season usually begins in the fall and peaks in the winter.

The prevention of RSV for adults 60 and over is by an approved RSV vaccine. Two vaccines have been licensed by the FDA (Arexvy by GSK and Abrysvo by Pfizer). This year, CDC has recommended multiple, new immunizations to protect those most at risk of getting very sick with RSV.

Older adults are at greater risk because immune systems weaken with age. Older adults with underlying medical conditions including chronic heart or lung conditions or who are living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities are at greater risk of severe RSV complications. Individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure may experience more severe symptoms. 6,000 to 10,000 older adults die due to RSV infection annually in the USA.

To avoid RSV infection:

Wash your hands often.

Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with sick people.

Cover your cough and sneezes.

Clean frequently touched surfaces.

Stay home when you are sick.

If you are concerned about RSV, talk to your doctor to see if vaccination is appropriate for you. 

Source: CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

March 2024 Health Article

February 2024 Health Article

January 2024 Health  Article

December 2023 Health Article

November 2023 Health Article

October 2023 Health Article

September 2023 Health Article

August 2023 Health Article

July 2023 Health Article

June 2023 Health Article

May 2023 Health Article

April 2023 Health Article

March 2023 Health Article

Feb. 2023 Health Article

Jan. 2023 Health Article

Dec. 2022 Health Article

Nov. 2022 Health Article

Oct. 2022 Health Article

Sept. 2022 Health Article

TRTA Health and Safety Special CommitteeEffective Date: September 9, 2022
ObservancesMonth and Week
MonthHealthSafety
JanuaryGlaucomaWinter Safety
Cervical CancerRadon Action
Birth DefectsSlavery and Human Trafficking
ThyroidStalking
Folic Acid Week
FebruaryHeart HealthEarthquake
Girls and Women in SportsTeen Dating and Violence Prevention
Cancer PreventionBurn Week
Mascular Degeneration and Low Vision
Eating Disorder Week
Sepsis Survival Week
MarchKidney DiseaseLadder Safety
NutritionSpring and Flood Safety
Colectal CancerWorkplace Eye Safety
TuberculosisPoison Prevention Week
Brain InjuryTsunami Week
Multiple Sclerosis
AprilAutismAlcohol Awareness
Sexually Transmitted DiseasesFinancial Capability
Irritable Bowel SyndromeYouth Sports Safety
StressSexual Assault Prevention
Minority HealthChild Abuse Prevention
Parkinson’s DiseaseOccupational Therapy
Testicular CancrWindow Safety Week
Infertilty WeekPlayground safety Week
MayOlder AmericansElectrical Safety
Mental HealthBetter Hearing and Speech
Women’s HealthClean Air
Better Hearing and SpeechWildfire
ArthritisBuilding safety
LupusMotorcycle Safety
Asthma and AllergyTrauma
OsteoporosisWater Safety
Physical Fitness and SportsHealthy Vision
StrokeEMS Week
Nurses Week
JuneAlzheimer’s Disease and Brain HealthNational Safety Month
Men’s HealthHydration
CataractPet Preparedness
Migraine and HeadacheSummer and Extreme Heat
PTSDLightning Week
ScoliosisTrailer Safety Week
JulyHepatitusSunburn
Youth SportsVehicle Theft Protection
Cleft and CrainiofacialFireworks
Group B Stress
AugustChildren’s Eye Health and SafetyWater Quality
BreastfeedingBack To School
ImmunizationStop on Red Week
Psoriasis
SeptemberHealthy AgingSuicide Prevention
Food Safety and EducationPain
Blood cancerFall Safety
Childhood ObesitySport Eye Safety
YogaFarm Safety and Health Week
Ovarian Cancer
Prostrate Cancer
OctoberHealth LiteracyCybersecurity Awareness
Breast CancerFire Prevention
ADHDSubstance Abuse Prevention
Dental HygieneDomestic Violence
Down SyndromeCrime Prevention
School Bus Safety Week
NovemberDiabetesFamily Caregivers
Lung CancerHospice and Palliative Care
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseHoliday Cooking Safety
Alzheimer’s DiseaseHoliday Online Shopping
Pancreatic Cancer
DecemberFlu VaccineFrostbite
HIV/Aids AwarenessImpaired Driving Prevention
Holiday Fire Safety
Sourceshealth.govwww.ready.gov/calendar
Centers for Disease Control and PreventionNational Safety Council
https://dphhs.mt