Author: Libby Cook

This month, we are bringing awareness to distracted driving. The Hands-Free law recently passed in Michigan, is to prevent distracted driving. Yet it is still important to remind ourselves of the dangers of distracted driving; besides that, it’s against the law.

What is considered distracted driving?

There are three main distractions: Visual, Manual, and Cognitive.

Visual is taking your eyes off the road. Manual is taking your hands off the wheel. While cognitive is taking your mind off the drive.

That means you cannot manually do any of the following on a cell phone or other electronic device while driving, according to the law:

• Make or answer a telephone or video call.
• Send or read a text or email message.
• Watch, record, or send a video.
• Access, read, or post to social media.
• Browse or use the Internet.
• Enter information into GPS or a navigation system.

“Texting is the most alarming distraction because it involves all three types of distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and near-crashes,” michigan.gov writes.

We must take precautions to reduce distractions while driving. AAA has some tips to help ensure your safety on the road.

AAA’s Top 5 Tips for Helping to Reduce Driving

1. Before you begin driving, plan your trip, program GPS systems, set mirrors and climate controls, etc.
2. Familiarize yourself with the features of your vehicle’s equipment before you hit the road.
3. Use message-taking functions and return calls when you’re stopped at a safe location.
4. Whenever possible, ask passengers to help you perform activities that may be distracting.
5. Secure mobile devices and any objects that may move and distract you while driving.

Protect loved ones from the dangers of distracted driving by reminding them to keep their eyes on the road. If your driver is texting or distracted, tell them to stop and focus on the road. Ask your friends and family to join you in pledging not to drive distracted.

Remeber don’t tempt fate, the text can wait. Go Hand-Free!

#JustDrive

March was National Ladder Safety Month. As we move into April, we wanted to share some ladder best practices and training tips from the National Ladder Safety Month website to keep in mind. Whether using a ladder at home or on a job, remembering safety guidelines and best practices is the best way to avoid potential hazards!

Ladder Training

If a job requires you to use ladders daily, provide proper training to all individuals using ladders. Even if you use a ladder at home, awareness of best practices never hurts.

• Educate users on ladder safety guidelines, best practices, and potential hazards.
• Instruct users to read and follow all the safety information labels on the ladder.
• Promote a culture of safety awareness where workers actively identify and report
  ladder safety concerns.

Identify Factors that Can Contribute To Falls

Avoid factors contributing to falls from ladders like – haste or sudden movement, overreaching, lack of attention, improper climbing posture such as standing too high or straddling the ladder, and carrying objects while not maintaining three points of contact.

Best practices are:

• Preplan – Inspect and know the hazards within your work environment.
• Choose the correct ladder for the job – a self-supporting stepladder or a non-self-supporting leaning, single, or extension ladder.

Setting Up a Ladder

Ensure proper ladder setup with placement on a firm level surface, and use
accessories (levelers, stabilizers, V-rung, etc.) to accommodate any irregular
setup conditions.

Some tips to follow are:

• Secure your ladder where possible by tying off, blocking, bracing, or having an
  assistant holds the ladder.
• Never attempt to move or reposition any ladder while it is occupied.

Setting up a Stepladders:

1. Fully open and lock spreaders.
2. Support ALL FOUR feet – no elevated feet.

Setting up Leanable Ladders:

1. Support at all four corners – both feet and both top rails on firm surfaces.
   • Do not rest the ladder against the top rung.
2. Position at a 75° angle to avoid sliding out:
   • Place your toes against the bottom of the ladder side rails and stand erect.
   • Adjust the ladder angle to grasp lower section rails at shoulder level with arms straight.
   • Only move or reposition a self-supporting extension ladder after retraction and from the ground.
   • Never adjust the ladder position or extended length from above.

Climbing a Ladder

Climb slowly and deliberately.

• Follow the three points of contact rule – face the ladder and use both hands while
  climbing up and down.
• Keep both hands free for climbing. Use a towline, tool belt, or an assistant to lift tools
  and equipment up to the work area.

Maintaining Balance While Working

Maintain your balance while working and avoid sudden movements.

• Lean into or hold onto the ladder to maintain three points of contact.
• Keep the center of your stomach between the ladder side rails – do not overreach or
  lean so you do not fall off the ladder.
• Wear clean, slip-resistant work shoes.

Best practices for Stepladder:

1. Do not stand on the top step, top cap or straddle the top.
2. Do not access another surface unless it has been secured from side movement.

Best practices for Leaning/ Extension ladders:

1. Do not stand on the top three rungs.

Transport and Storage:

Properly secure your ladder during transport to avoid excessive wear and
Loading at the vehicle support points. Store ladders where they are protected from unsafe materials, impact, or corrosion damage.

Check out https://www.laddersafetymonth.com/safety-resources/articles/ for more resources on Ladder Safety.

And remember to be safe while climbing!