1. Think Abel – Think Safety
PEO Services
Summer 2009
Sun Safety Tips What the Abel Safety Team is all about and Why
Protecting your skin from the sun's damaging Safety and Risk Management is a process by serious issue is identified upon an inspection,
rays is vital for a number of important health which Abel assesses the risks, determines the Safety Team will recommend a corrective
reasons. Here are some steps you can take to effective control procedures, and takes appro- action be taken immediately to reduce the
protect your health: priate actions to reduce such risks. Risk risk of possible injury to an employee. In
• When possible, avoid outdoor activities assessment is a key instrument to decrease most cases we have found our client sites
between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, accidents in the workplace. Effective work- have very few minor infractions or hazards
when the sun's rays are the strongest. place safety programs have proven to reduce and these can be addressed and taken care of
• Always wear a broad-spectrum (protection injuries and illnesses at work. immediately.
against both UVA and UVB) sunscreen At Abel our Safety Team provides just one At Abel Safety we also conduct regular on-
with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 of the many dedicated services that are site spot visits at our client worksite locations
or higher. available to our clients on a daily basis. Our primarily to keep the lines of communication
• Be sure to reapply sunscreen frequently, assignment in the Safety Department is to open and to periodically ensure the safety of
especially after swimming, perspiring provide our clients with the tools and skills our employees. Keep in mind that our goal is
heavily or drying off with a towel. they need to offer a safe working environ- to promote the safest possible environment
• Wear a hat with a 4-inch brim all around ment for all our employees. The key to for each employee and also maintain the
to protect areas often exposed to the sun, employee productivity and safety is to keep open atmosphere with all of our clients.
such as the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, everyone motivated. Safety is paramount at Abel; our mission is to
nose, and scalp. Safety at Abel is important because it ensure that jobs are done correctly; equip-
• Wear clothing to protect as much skin as improves productivity and reduces compen- ment is safe to operate; and to give everyone
possible. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sation claims for the benefit of all of our the tools and resources available to make
or long skirts are the most protective. Dark clients and employees. When employees feel work even safer. Most times this involves the
colored clothing prevent more UV rays safe at work, they can truly invest their full formation and implementation of safety and
from reaching your skin. A tightly woven capacity and develop their best potential to training materials to teach the employees to
fabric provides greater protection work effectively. handle and identify risks. The employees
than loosely woven fabric. need to be trained to react to impending dan-
Workplace Safety is everyone’s responsibili- gers, and in the proper use of Personal
• To protect your eyes from ty; however at Abel you are not alone in Protective Equipment (PPE).
sun damage, wear sun- questioning (setting) the rules and guidelines
glasses that block 99 to regarding your individual workplace safety. Even with the best Safety program available,
100% of UVA and UVB One of the many functions we offer is on-site accidents in the workplace will happen but
radiation. Safety evaluations of your facility. These assisting you in taking the corrective actions
• Consider wearing cosmetics and informal but professional inspections are to prevent an injury from happening is what
lip protectors with an SPF of at least 15 to truly a benefit to you in assisting in the iden- makes Abel a step above the rest.
protect your skin year-round. tification of potential everyday common haz-
• Some medications, such as antibiotics, can ards and exposures to employees. These RIDDLE:
increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. audits are performed by our professional
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the Safety team which combines over 30 years of You throw away the outside
medications you are taking. industrial and commercial safety experience and cook the inside.
• Children need extra protection from the in various forms of training, risk manage-
ment, and investigations to significantly Then you eat the outside and
sun. One or two blistering sunburns before
reduce everyday dangers. throw away the inside.
the age of 18 severely increases the risk of
skin cancer. Have children play in the Many of our on-site inspections reveal expo- What did you eat?
shade, wear protective clothing and apply sures and risks that have always existed, but
sunscreen regularly. are often overlooked or considered to be non- (answer on the bottom of the back page)
Source: American Cancer Society threatening or worse no hazard at all. If a

2. Summertime Fun, Summertime Safety
Now that summer is finally here, the chil- Never drink alcohol while boating (or While hiking or camping, always take
dren are out of school, you have a few engaging in any other water sport). It's along the appropriate safety equipment.
weeks off from work and vacations are on not unlike driving a vehicle on the road. Always check and double check your list.
the itinerary. One can never disregard the Being impaired while boating can have While hiking or camping, stay in designat-
need to remember summer safety tips. Even dire consequences. Also, don't drink ed areas. Again, these are usually mapped
if you've read these tips somewhere else, or alcohol and then go swimming. Your out with the public's safety in mind.
think you know them verbatim, you can reaction times can be impaired if you
never emphasize strongly enough the need Keep a cell phone and battery operated
find yourself in trouble. radio with you when out of populated
to go through them time and time again. Never swim after just eating a meal.
Unfortunately, all too often, we still hear of areas should you need help or just to
This can cause cramping and thus leave keep on top of the latest weather condi-
accidents, and even deaths over the summer you in danger in the middle of the water.
months, accidents that so easily could have tions. Although summer usually means
been avoided and prevented. Never swim alone, especially if you are warm sunny days and a lot of fun, the
in an unfamiliar area. Even the best weather can change very quickly.
A few important safety tips to always keep
swimmers can find themselves in trou- Depending on where you live, it can seem
in mind are as follows:
ble and in need of assistance. to take forever before summer arrives, and
Never jump or dive into a body of water Only swim where it's designated safe to then be over all too soon. People try to
until you know the depth or of any do so. Rules are put in place to keep cram in as much summertime fun as they
obstacles or dangers that might lie people safe. can in the short summer months. It can
beneath. Too often it's very tempting to often mean forgetting some very important
Always wear sun block and keep your
just dive right in when you come across safety measures in all the excitement. Don't
skin and head covered as much as is
a lake, river or pool of water on a hot let this happen to you. Don't be a statistic.
comfortable. Never stay out in the sun
summer day. But think first. Check the
too long. This can help prevent sun or
waters out and be safe. heat stroke, and is a safety precaution Have fun, but be safe too!
for avoiding skin cancer.
Children Safety Tips Around Water
Summer is a special time for having fun in IN POOLS: IN OPEN WATER:
the water, yet drowning is the leading cause • Never leave a child alone in or near a • Never leave children alone and make
of unintentional death. *Each year more than swimming pool. sure older children always swim with a
1,000 children under the age of 14 drown. • Enclose a pool or spa with a four-sided friend about the same age or with an
Another 16,000 are rushed to hospitals for fence which is a minimum of five feet in adult.
near drowning. Children ages 4 and under height, with self closing and self latching • Always make sure that children swim in
are at the greatest risk. Many adults do not gates. It is recommended that the side of approved designated areas in oceans,
realize that a child can drown in as little as a house not be used as any of the sides of lakes and rivers. Always check the depth
one inch of water. Most drowning occurs at the fenced area. of the water before swimming or diving.
home or in residential pools. Drowning is • Make sure all wading pools are emptied If swimming in the ocean, check the cur-
many times called the “silent killer” as you and turned over immediately after use. rent and under-tow.
might not hear a cry for help or the sound of • Learn first aid and CPR, especially infant • Be sure every child wears a proper fitting
a splash to alert you that a child is in trouble. CPR life jacket when on a boat or near water.
To keep your summer fun and tragedy-free, • Use door and pool alarms and automatic Air filled swimming aids, such as “water
follow these safety tips: pool covers for extra protection. wings,” are not safe substitutes for life
AT HOME: • Teach every child how to swim. Get jackets. Never rely on a life jacket alone
• Never leave a child alone in or near water, professional training, but never rely to protect your child.
including bathtubs, sinks and toilets (Use solely on the swimming A little planning can help ensure that your
toilet locks). lessons to protect a child family and friends will have a safe and
• Never rely on any type of support ring to from drowning. enjoyable summer.
keep your child safe in a bathtub. • Teach the impor- * Resource: The National SAFE KIDS Campaign
• Empty all buckets and any other containers tance of never
that hold water or any other fluid immedi- running, pushing or Riddle Answer: An Ear Of Corn
ately after use. jumping around the water.
2 Corporate Drive, Cranbury, New Jersey, 08512-3604
t: 609-860-0400 f: 609-860-0440 safety@ThinkAbel.com www.ThinkAbel.com