Despite new safety laws that went into effect last month, many public pool operators remain out of compliance. Last month new federal safety rules required pool operators to replace existing drains with safer drains. The new drains eliminate the real hazard presented by the older drains. Specifically, the older drains posed the risk of generating too much suction causing people especially children to be trapped under water by the suction. In some instances, the suction has been so powerful that it disemboweled young children leading to permanent injuries and death. It is estimated that 80% of community, hotel, fitness and other public or commercial pools have failed to install the new drains. If you are parent with young children, do not allow your children to swim in a pool until you receive confirmation from the pool operator that the drains are in compliance with the new federal safety rules.
Read MoreConnecticut Man Already Facing Charges For A Fatal Hit And Run Is Charged With DWI
On January 13, 2009, Connecticut police arrested a man for DWI. The man lost control of his car, went airborne and crashed into a tree. He fled the scene but was later arrested. While this single car accident is bad enough, the driver of this car was previously arrested for a hit and run that killed a pedestrian back in April. It is unclear from the news report whether alcohol played a role in the April fatal crash.
Read MoreTyson Pleads Guilty and Pays Fine For Safety Violations That Led To Workers Death
Tyson Foods pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Arkansas on January 6, 2008 and agreed to pay a fine of $500,000 for violating worker safety regulations that led to a worker’s death in its River Valley Animal Foods plant in Texarkana, Ark. A maintenance employee at the plant died in October 2003 after he was overcome with hydrogen sulfide gas while repairing a leak from a hydrolyzer. The company will also serve one year probation.
Read MoreCDC Publishes Steps For Hospitals To Prevent MRSA
The CDC has published safety measures for hospitals to follow to prevent MRSA and/or prevent the spreading of MRSA to other hospital patients. The guidelines include the placing of MRSA patients in a single room or in a room with another MRSA patient, health care providers are to wear gloves, masks and gowns when treating MRSA patients and take such items off when leaving the patients room, and wash hands with soap and water. The spread of MRSA is absolutely preventable if proper safety measures are followed.
Read MorePreventing Catheter-Associated Blood Stream Infections
Catheter-associated blood stream infections are preventable. The CDC has published guidelines for health care providers to follow to avoid such infections. These guidelines include basic safety measures including washing hands with soap and using sterile gloves when inserting the catheter. Failure to follow these safety measures can result in serious injury or death to the patient.
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