Spotlight on Safety
Quarterly Newsletter for Safety and Loss Prevention
Fall 2003, Vol. 5; No. 3
Fall...
It's that time again! Classes are well under way here at UND
as students and faculty scurry about the campus. Time is short,
deadlines are emerging, and fighting over a parking spot can resemble
a feeding frenzy of sharks. But there is a cool taste in the
air. And soon, snow will begin to softly paint the landscape
a brilliant white. More than just a change of schedules, priorities,
and seasons, starting this fall semester raises new safety concerns
here on campus. This fall's newsletter will encompass safety
and health issues beneficial to students, staff, and faculty here
at UND. The safety topics covered will include backpacks, winterizing
automobiles, and cellular phones at the gas pump
To protect themselves against the risk of back injuries, it is important for students to consider the safety issues of packing personal backpacks with too much weight. On-the-go college scholars find it convenient to cram their backpacks full with textbooks, novels, references, and whatever else is needed to survive for the week's intellectual journey. But with this compaction of cargo, comes the added affects gravity has on the body. All this added weight presses heavy on bones, joints, and muscles. Many backpack users around campus who frequently over stuff with heavy books find themselves suffering from aches and pains. Although it may seem convenient to jam everything into one backpack, painful back injuries can occur from strapping up all that weight every day. Here are some safety tips to help prevent future injuries from overloading a backpack:
Backpacks should not exceed 10%-15% of your body weight.
Keep packs strapped tight to your back (and waist if waist belt
is available).
Plan on carrying only what is needed for the next few hours.
Store extra books in automobiles or at home. If your department
of study offers lockers, obtain one.
Pack only what is "needed". Extra weight means extra
strain.
Use both shoulder straps, rather than slinging the backpack over
one shoulder.
Try finding a friend or classmate to share a book and switch who
carries it every week.
If one must frequently carry a heavy load, invest in a good backpack.
Look for something that provides: internal or external frame,
padded waist and shoulder straps, top compression straps (usually
pulled from above shoulder straps), and lightweight fabric.
Always pack the heaviest cargo in the middle of the pack. Situating
the heavy weight on the bottom or top will unbalance the pack
and cause strain on the lower back or upper shoulders.
Always wear a good pair of athletic shoes.
How much does the average person rely on their automobile to
get safely where they need to go? Many here on campus assume
their car will continue to operate correctly regardless of varying
weather conditions. They neglect the necessary maintenance a
vehicle requires to perform correctly through the changing of
seasons. Shifting from the blistering heat of summer to the icy
chill of winter is a tough adjustment for cars and drivers. Here
are a few tips to help prepare both the car and driver for safe
operation during the rapidly approaching
winter months:
Add the proper amount of antifreeze to insure protection up to
minus 30 degrees. Flush radiator with water first if needed.
Always use distilled water when filling radiator to prevent corrosion.
Be careful to read all safety instructions on container of antifreeze
before use.
Check and fill all fluids.
Make sure wiper blades work properly
Change conventional oils in the vehicle to a low temperature rated
oil. Changing to a low temperature rated oil is not necessary
if synthetic oil is used.
Have battery checked for voltage and water levels. Make sure
all cables are tight and connections are clean.
Turn on heater to ensure it is providing ample heat and defrosting
correctly.
Check tire pressure as well as tread life.
Carry a tow chain or rope, or keep the number of a towing company
in the glove box.
Equip your car with emergency supplies such as flares, blankets,
hats, gloves, small shovel, ice scraper, tire changing equipment,
basic tools, extra hose and belts, flashlight, bottle of water,
food, and spare money.
Check to make sure engine block heater is correctly functioning
with cord in good condition.
Cellular Phones...Fire Hazard?
Here on campus, cellular phones have become an issue. It seems
wherever one goes a cell phone is ringing. They can be heard
at work, in class, and during lunch. Even the restroom poses
an opportune place to chat. Although practical and convenient
in today's busy world, cellular phones can also be hazardous.
A concern regarding cell phone use has recently been brought to
light at the gas pumps. Gasoline vapors are highly explosive.
A ringing cellular phone near a vapor-emitting gas nozzle can
cause an explosion, resulting in severe injury and damage. Incidents
of gas explosions and fires have occurred across the nation because
someone brought their cellular phone to chat while refueling.
All it takes is a small spark, such as the ring of an incoming
call, mixed with the gasoline vapors already present in the air,
to set off the explosion So turn off the cell phone or keep
it inside the closed vehicle when refueling at the gas pump. The
incoming call isn't "that" important. They can call
back!
Safety and Environmental Health Office
Box 9031
Grand Forks, ND 58202
Phone: (701)777-3341
Fax: (701)777-4132
