Spotlight on Safety
Quarterly Newsletter for Safety and Loss Prevention
Fall 2004, Vol. 6; No. 3
Fall....
Fall is back! Time for the busy school days! In this fall issue of Spotlight on Safety, you will find information on topics including flu prevention, Designated Medical Provider training sessions, severe weather, and Halloween safety tips.
Flu Season
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Every year in the United States an average of 5%-20% of the people get the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized, and approximately 36,000 people die from it. Some symptoms of the flu include: fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, and dry cough.
Flu vaccination:
The best way to prevent the flu is to take a "flu shot" -- an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus)
that is given with a needle. Vaccine is typically given each fall.
There will likely be a shortage of flu vaccine this fall. 
The company that produces the majority of the flu vaccine used worldwide has had its license
suspended by the United Kingdom due to some problems with the production of the vaccine.
Following are some tips in preventing flu:
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Eat foods containing phytochemicals (dark green and yellow vegetables and fruits).
• Don’t smoke.
• Reduce alcohol consumption.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Eat yogurt (eating a daily cup of low-fat yogurt can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25 percent).
Designated Medical Provider - Information Sessions
Workforce Safety and Insurance (previously known as the ND Workers Compensation Bureau) and the ND Risk Management Division are establishing new guidelines for work-related injuries. Because of these new guidelines, the University has changed some of the procedures regarding work-related injuries. These changes will have an effect on all employees. Recently, UND employees received a letter explaining these changes and asking all employees to submit an updated Designated Medical Provider form. Two information sessions are being offered in November with regard to these changes and updates:
Session 1:
Nov. 4 - Supervisor’s Role with Work-Related Injuries, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Location: Skalicky Technology Incubator, Room 211 (formerly known as RTC ). Instructed by: Claire Moen.
Session 2:
Nov. 22- New Designated Medical Provider Guidelines, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Location: Swanson Hall, Room 16-18.
Instructed by: Jason Uhlir and Claire Moen.
Preparing for Severe Weather
Although such occurrences are rare, severe weather conditions sometimes require UND to suspend services in order to protect public health and to secure the campus.
The University will suspend services only under extreme
circumstances so that the minimum number of students will lose educational time or 
opportunity. Information regarding the suspension of classes,
administrative functions,
special events, or specific building closures or openings will be given to the local media.
Information will also be available by calling 777-6700.
Please do not call Facilities or
Campus Police
to verify that the University is closed or classes cancelled.
These phone
lines must remain open for
emergency communications. Each individual has the
ultimate responsibility of deciding for themselves
whether
conditions are safe for travel.
The exercise of common sense
is urged. Even when the University is open and classes
have not been
cancelled, individual instructors who live a
distance from campus may not be able to hold their classes
due to travel conditions.
Students may be well-advised to call
the department or the instructor for information about particular classes/instructors.
The operational status of the University will be reviewed regularly and
announcements will be made as to when the campus will re-open.
Halloween Safety Tips For Parents and Homeowners
Parents:
• Make your child eat dinner before heading out.
• Have children carry a cell phone or quarters so they can call home.
• Young children should be accompanied by an adult.
• Look at the candy wrappers carefully and toss out anything that looks suspicious.
• Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
• Dress children appropriately for the weather conditions and to be visible in the darkness, wear reflective clothing.
Homeowners:
• Make sure that your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes, and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
• Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them in a safe place to protect them
from cars or from biting a trick-or-treater.
• Battery powered jack o’lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.
• If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from the area where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
• Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations do not blow into a flaming candle.
Safe Work Permit
A Safe Work Permit is primarily used when there are no specific standard practices or procedures written for hazardous or potentially hazardous work.
Important points in Safe Work Permits:
§ The Safe Work Permit must be initialed by the job supervisor before the associated work may be performed.
§ Safe Work Permits may be extended for a maximum of 24 hours if the work is continuous. If the work is not continuous or is not completed within 24 hours, a new Safe Work Permit must be initiated and issued.
§ Supervisors must maintain expired Safe Work Permits for a minimum of one year from the expiration date.
For more detailed information on Safe Work Permits, please visit Safety and Environmental Health at: www.safety.und.edu/policy/standardpracs/safeworkpermit.
Safety and Environmental Health Office
Box 9031
Grand Forks, ND 58202
Phone: (701)777-3341
Fax: (701)777-4132
