1. Think Abel – Think Safety
Spring 2008
Working with Spring Is In The Air!
Razors & Pocket Knives If you are reading this bulletin it would Cancun on the beach.
be safe to say we have all conquered the We all do it, for even
Utility/Pocket Knives are handy but dan-
hum-drum and dreary days of a cold, that one second or that
gerous tools that when used properly can
dark and bitter winter. We are all eagerly 30 minute lunch, we
accomplish what we intended them to.
awaiting that first warm day, windows put in our minds what
However, using them in a manner that they
open, radios playing, birds chirping and we have to do
are not designed for will most always result
so forth. Yes it has been a long cold win- because “It Is Spring.”
in an injury to the user. Whether we are ter stuck inside the confines of our homes
cutting a cardboard box, or opening a bag Ah yes, nice to drift off and imagine the
and workplace. “Spring is in the air!” we good things, then BAM, the monster
of topsoil we need to be aware of the hear from our co-workers on an almost
potential hazard when using these tools. bites. The chair fell out from under you,
daily basis. Ah, so many plans, the yard, or you slipped on the floor in the cafe, the
Following the simple steps below will new paint, the garden, outdoor sports, the
reduce the chances of causing an injury monster grabbed your finger, the forklift
car. Oh so much to do! ran your foot over. Oops…we woke up
while using these tools.
Well not so fast my fellow readers, think fast didn’t we…I have seen this over and
1: Always wear Safety Glasses when using
of what is actually going on here? Think over again in my career. We are not all
utility knives; blade tips are known to again… Since we are so busy in our daily perfect and accidents do in fact happen,
break off and become airborne. lives we often focus on everything we but be alert to the fact that it is you and
2: Do not attempt to make a cut with a dull have to do instead of one single mission only you that can prevent that accident
blade; using a sharp blade reduces the to accomplish because its spring and it’s from happening.
effort and pressure needed to cut. warm out. Well I think I have said enough here and
3: Always inspect the knife and blade At work, our minds are always focused made the reader think about how not to
before using it; make sure the blade is on our jobs, but we all know we drift be drawn into that dream state that allows
fully retracted when you finish your cut. away now and then into thoughts of what the Monster to come out and bite us. If
4: Always cut away from your body, never we need to do when we get home. This is only one accident is avoided by being
draw the utility knife toward you. what’s going on folks; it’ll bite you like a alert, then I believe this message has
5: Using a good pair of leather gloves does lion in the jungle. Many of us here at done what it was intended to do. So be
provide some protection in case of a slip, work are running machines that look like alert at work and all your plans can be
but also note, a sharp utility knife will monsters or driving equipment that could accomplished because you worked safe,
cut right through a strong glove. eat those monsters. Some of us walk focused on your mission and you will be
through that tiled cafeteria and go back to able to see the flowers bloom and the
6: Use extreme caution when changing
the office chair and recline like we’re in grass turn greener each and every day.
blades; many injuries are caused when
inserting new blades or taking the old
dull blade out. CHALLENGE TO OUR READERS:
7: Always make sure the blade is secured Since this bulletin is still fairly new, we Well here is the challenge:
after installing it and that it does retract would like to have some feedback from 1. you submit an article,
all the way inside the knife when done. our readers. Drop us a note or e-mail to 2. we select your entry,
All of the above precautions are related to let us know how we are doing. Also, if you 3. and you will WIN a dinner on us.
the handy pocket knife as well, and if you would like us to address a Safety topic So send in your comments or ideas, after
just remember these few simple steps that you think is relevant contact us at all it’s about safety; you, your family and
when using these tools, many injuries can 609-860-0400 or safety@ThinkAbel.com. your co-workers will benefit from it.
be prevented.

2. Yardwork Safety Smoke & Carbon Monoxide
Thinking of those first warm days, the weekend at home to get Detector Safety Tips
things done? Here are some of the dangers that we are all faced
Another topic we bring to light is the need for smoke detectors
with when the weather turns nice. The first and foremost will be
in the house and workplace. It seems this message
the obvious, lawn safety. Below are some interesting points to
although brought up so much, is one of the most
alert you to some of these problems, all of which can be easily
overlooked safety items. So do yourself a favor,
avoided by just taking that one extra minute:
either read it now, or make a note to read it when
Limber up. Yard chores may seem easy, but they involve you get home, review the checklist and follow any
muscles you probably haven’t used in a while. suggestions you may have missed. No distractions, just do it!
Always wear protective clothing when you handle pesti-
cides and fertilizers, Test smoke detectors at least once a month. Nearly all
More than 60,000 people are treated in emergency rooms smoke detectors have a test button, simply push the test
each year for lawn-mower injuries. button and the alarm will sound.
Rake before you mow to prevent any It's recommended to change your battery at least twice per
stones and loose debris from launching year. A good rule of thumb is change batteries when you
into the air. change the clocks for daylight savings time. 2008 time
Never operate a mower in your bare change dates are March 9 and November 2.
feet and avoid wearing loose clothing. Clean smoke detectors at least once a year. Dust and other
Never start a mower indoors. particles in the air can build up over time and decrease
When refueling your mower, make the sensitivity of a smoke detector. The best way to clean
sure the engine is off and a smoke detector is with a vacuum hose.
cool. Don’t spill gasoline Replace the entire smoke detector at least once every ten
on a hot engine — and years. Smoke detectors do wear out over time.
don’t smoke while pouring gasoline. Hard-wired smoke detectors should be tested, cleaned,
Never leave your mower operational while unattended. and replaced just as often as non-wired smoke detectors.
Don’t use electrical mowers on wet Grass.
Every bedroom should have a smoke detector. It's also
At least 55,000 people each year sustain injuries from trimmers, recommended to put one in living rooms, kitchens
lawn edgers, pruners and power saws. Read the manufacturer’s and hallways. You can never have too many!
instructions carefully before using the tools.
Inspect the product for damage and don’t use it if there are Smoke Detector Facts
problems. Smoke detectors increase your chance of surviving
Use proper eye protection. a fire by 50%.
Make sure blade guards are in place on all cutting equipment. An estimated 1/3 of American homes have smoke
Don’t let tools get wet unless they are labeled “immersible.” detectors that do not work.
Unplug all tools when not in use.
Be sure the tool is in the “off” position before you plug it in.
Store gasoline-powered equipment away from anything that
uses a pilot light.
RIDDLE: A man left home
RIDDLE ANSWER: The Catcher and umpire
Make sure you use the right saw for the task, and always wait
for the saw blade to stop before pulling away from a cut to running. He ran a ways and
avoid kickback. then turned left, ran the same
When pruning trees, be careful not to let metal ladders or
trimmers contact overhead wires. distance and turned left again,
Finally, before you do any “hands on” weed
ran the same distance and
removal, make sure you know how to identify turned left again. When he got
poison ivy, sumac, and oak, and similar home there were two masked
toxic plants. Find out ahead of time how
to treat the rashes they cause to reduce
men. Who were they?
the irritation. (find the answer on the left side of this page)
Be Safe and Enjoy the Outdoors!
2 Corporate Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey, 08512-3604
t: 609-860-0400 f: 609-860-0440 safety@ThinkAbel.com www.ThinkAbel.com