Ron Leiman
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
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
TRTA Health and Safety Special Committee | Effective Date: September 9, 2022 | |
---|---|---|
Observances | Month and Week | |
Month | Health | Safety |
January | Glaucoma | Winter Safety |
Cervical Cancer | Radon Action | |
Birth Defects | Slavery and Human Trafficking | |
Thyroid | Stalking | |
Folic Acid Week | ||
February | Heart Health | Earthquake |
Girls and Women in Sports | Teen Dating and Violence Prevention | |
Cancer Prevention | Burn Week | |
Mascular Degeneration and Low Vision | ||
Eating Disorder Week | ||
Sepsis Survival Week | ||
March | Kidney Disease | Ladder Safety |
Nutrition | Spring and Flood Safety | |
Colectal Cancer | Workplace Eye Safety | |
Tuberculosis | Poison Prevention Week | |
Brain Injury | Tsunami Week | |
Multiple Sclerosis | ||
April | Autism | Alcohol Awareness |
Sexually Transmitted Diseases | Financial Capability | |
Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Youth Sports Safety | |
Stress | Sexual Assault Prevention | |
Minority Health | Child Abuse Prevention | |
Parkinson’s Disease | Occupational Therapy | |
Testicular Cancr | Window Safety Week | |
Infertilty Week | Playground safety Week | |
May | Older Americans | Electrical Safety |
Mental Health | Better Hearing and Speech | |
Women’s Health | Clean Air | |
Better Hearing and Speech | Wildfire | |
Arthritis | Building safety | |
Lupus | Motorcycle Safety | |
Asthma and Allergy | Trauma | |
Osteoporosis | Water Safety | |
Physical Fitness and Sports | Healthy Vision | |
Stroke | EMS Week | |
Nurses Week | ||
June | Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Health | National Safety Month |
Men’s Health | Hydration | |
Cataract | Pet Preparedness | |
Migraine and Headache | Summer and Extreme Heat | |
PTSD | Lightning Week | |
Scoliosis | Trailer Safety Week | |
July | Hepatitus | Sunburn |
Youth Sports | Vehicle Theft Protection | |
Cleft and Crainiofacial | Fireworks | |
Group B Stress | ||
August | Children’s Eye Health and Safety | Water Quality |
Breastfeeding | Back To School | |
Immunization | Stop on Red Week | |
Psoriasis | ||
September | Healthy Aging | Suicide Prevention |
Food Safety and Education | Pain | |
Blood cancer | Fall Safety | |
Childhood Obesity | Sport Eye Safety | |
Yoga | Farm Safety and Health Week | |
Ovarian Cancer | ||
Prostrate Cancer | ||
October | Health Literacy | Cybersecurity Awareness |
Breast Cancer | Fire Prevention | |
ADHD | Substance Abuse Prevention | |
Dental Hygiene | Domestic Violence | |
Down Syndrome | Crime Prevention | |
School Bus Safety Week | ||
November | Diabetes | Family Caregivers |
Lung Cancer | Hospice and Palliative Care | |
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Holiday Cooking Safety | |
Alzheimer’s Disease | Holiday Online Shopping | |
Pancreatic Cancer | ||
December | Flu Vaccine | Frostbite |
HIV/Aids Awareness | Impaired Driving Prevention | |
Holiday Fire Safety | ||
Sources | health.gov | www.ready.gov/calendar |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | National Safety Council | |
https://dphhs.mt |
To access TRTA resources for this committee, please log in to your Member Profile.