Salem County Safety Committee

Incidents & Accidents

ALL incidents should be reported immediately to your supervisor or department head. There is paperwork that must be completed. If the proper paperwork is not processed in a timely fashion, there is the possibility that your claim will be denied.

Defensive Driving

'Defensive Driving' will be offered several times during the year. Reminder! All employees that are required as part of their job to utilize a County Vehicle at least twice a week must attend this class. This course is mandatory to continue usage of a county owned vehicle. Classes in the Fall will also be offered to non-mandatory employees.

Safety Videos

Safety videos are available. These programs come complete with handouts and each is less than ten minutes long! To schedule a video for your next staff meeting call Mack Lake at [769-2900].

New Ideas & Articles

All articles should be forwarded to Regina Traini or Curt Harker at 935-7510 ext. 8202

Preventing Cumulative Trauma Distress

SHOULDERS:

Exaggerate the "I don't know" shrug and release. Pull the shoulder blades together, then release. Reach over the head with hands clasped and do sidebends.

UPPER BACK:

Interlace the fingers with palms facing outward. Straighten the arms and lift toward the ceiling.

WORKERS CURRENTLY SUFFERING FROM A CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDER SHOULD ONLY DO THESE EXERCISES UNDER THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN. EACH STRETCH SHOULD BE HELD FOR 5 TO 10 SECONDS.

TURN SIGNALS:

Turn signals are one of the most underused safety devices on a car. Yet this simple standard can effectively communicate a driver's intentions. Alerting fellow motorist of changes in your driving will protect you as well as other devices.

CAR MIRRORS:

Your car's mirrors, if adjusted properly, will tell you what other motorists are doing. Other drivers' actions or non actions, may affect you. Therefore, regularly glancing in your mirrors, will alert you to ever-changing traffic patterns around your vehicle.

HORN:

The horn is a safety feature that can either be used as intended or abused. While this attention-getting device is intended to convey a sense of urgency, it can also be used as a defensive driving instrument. The horn should be gently tapped as a considerate acknowledgment of your presence in blind alleys, driveways and parking garages.

HAZARD LIGHTS:

While having car trouble is an unpleasant thought, being prepared and knowing how to respond in an emergency can mean the difference between being in a collision and causing one. The four-way hazard lights offer yet another opportunity to communicate you predicament to other drivers. Typically, this safety device should be used to warn fellow motorists of an unforeseen situation requiring additional attention.