Regular readers of this column will know that clutter control has been a periodic topic. For a more detailed discussion of clutter in the workplace, its impact and control measures, you can find a new Chip Dawson article in the April Industrial Safety and Hygiene News. Just go to www.ishn.com and click on "6 reasons to clean out the clutter" in the "2008 April Issue" box in the middle of the home page.

According to Circadian Technologies, the shiftwork experts, it's "in general, you want to keep it relatively cool - between 66 and 68 degrees. If it's much warmer, shiftworkers are likely to become sleepy, and they're prone to nodding off altogether during the overnight hours - as well as in the afternoon - if they're sitting down."

In case you missed the news releases, the American Heart Association has now determined through studies that chest compressions alone (without rescue breathing) are sufficient to help the adult victim of sudden cardiac arrest. As always, calling 911 is the first action to be taken. In fact, the process has been so simplified that untrained bystanders can do it and the training process now takes about 20 minutes. Given the need, training everyone in your facility makes good sense. A training kit, with practice dummy, is available for under $30. For all the information and tools available on this new process, click here. 

Researchers in Quebec have examined what they term "disastrous consequences" for injured workers when they do not feel believed or supported during their absence from work. The study observed and discussed health, illness and pain by workers unable to return to work due to musculoskeletal-related pain. They found that living with pain, which worsens without an effective support system, can delay the recovery process by several months. For details on the study, click here. 

Another study has found what the author believes is a long-term (10 year plus) link between cell phone use and brain cancer. However, others maintain such a link has not been made. For a long and comprehensive discussion of the topic, see a paper by the American Cancer Society here. 

When carriers at the West Chazy, NY post office learned that left hand turns are hazardous for postal carriers, with a significant number of traffic fatalities from the practice, they sat down with management and redesigned routes to eliminate as many left turns as possible. The office is an OSHA VPP site and makes extensive employee involvement a normal practice.

A best practice used by Chevron Phillips Chemical in Marietta, OH, is to issue hazard tags to all employees. When the employee observes a hazard, the tag is filled in and applied and a tear-off section is completed and sent to the appropriate group. The tags warn all operators of the hazard and tell maintenance personnel exactly where the hazard can be found.

At the Battelle Energy Alliance in Idaho Falls, ID, employees are encouraged to assess areas of their body that they feel might be at risk of injury from routine and repetitive tasks. Once they complete the assessment, a Personal Blueprint is prepared for them that details scientifically proven exercise routines that support, strengthen and improve joint function and is specific to their needs. They then perform 10-minute exercises three times a day. In the morning, the focus is on balance for joint stability, noon is stretching for joint range of motion, and evening is strength for joint support.

A Canadian study has found that meaningful work has vitamin effects on the worker's mental health and encourages his commitment towards an organization, while work that is not considered meaningful promotes the onset of symptoms of stress and even distress. For more information, click here for a study summary. The full report is also available on the same site.