Holiday safety is an issue that
burns brightest from late November
to mid-January, the time when fam-
ilies gather, parties are scheduled
and travel spikes. By taking some
basic precautions, you can ensure
your whole family remains safe and
injury-free throughout the season.
According to Injury Facts 2015,
about 2,200 deaths were caused
by fires, burns and other fire-
related injuries in 2013, and 12% of
home candle fires occur in Decem-
ber, the National Fire Protection
Association reports. Increased use
of candles and fireplaces, com-
bined with an increase in the
amount of combustible, seasonal
decorations present in many
homes means more risk for fire.
Never leave fire unattended.
Candles may be small, and the
flames they produce may be even
smaller, but it takes just a few
breaths for an upturned candle to
create an inferno.
Use a smart surface.
Always place candles on a non-
flammable surface, and keep them
away from paper, curtains, and
other items that could be easily
ignited.
Use a screen in front of the
hearth.
Make sure it's large and heavy
enough to encompass the entire
opening and to stop any stray logs
from rolling out of the fireplace.
Perform regular check-ups.
Chimneys and woodstoves require
annual (and thorough!) cleaning,
and monthly inspection in case of
obstructions or damage.
Never burn paper, trash, or
green wood.
Apart from being highly flamma-
ble, scraps of burning paper or
trash may actually drift up through
the chimney or pipe and land on
and light up your roof.
Extinguish the fire.
Put out the fire once you want to
move away from it and cool the
ashes. Ensure that the ashes are
then harmlessly sealed away in a
metal container outside the home.
Inside this issue:
Holiday Safety 1
Ode to Our Family 2
Don’t Drive Buzzed 3
Your Safety/Health 4
12 Days of Safety 6
Winter Solstice 7
Word Search 8
Safety Slogans 9
Survey 10
Calendar 11
Florida Department of Transportation
Safety Advisor DECEMBER 2015
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter Page 1
http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-
knowledge/pages/news-and-resources-
holiday-safety.aspx
There’s seven Districts and the Turnpike
They are all still family as well. We all should look quite similar
So the family resemblance you can tell.
There’s family branches I may not have listed But they’re important just the same. It takes us all to handle our business
I could list your every name.
We’re led by some great family members, That we trust and know they are able.
To continue each year-after-year. To place a new budget on our table.
Yep we are a great big family
Another New Year approaches with lots to do. So we’re thankful this Christmas that you are a part
Because the family wouldn’t be complete without you.
Freddie Simmons 11-11-15
ODE TO OUR BIG FAMILY
Well we almost made it to Christmas I can’t believe the year went so fast.
I hope you enjoy the holidays Making memories that forever last.
We all have a lot to be thankful for
It’s been a good year at D O T. We all spend so much time together
It’s like we’re a big family.
There’s Planning to look to our future Environmental to protect our health.
Design to put our plans on paper Work Program & Budget to manage our wealth.
Right of Way secures our place here on earth
Materials insures our investments endure. Construction makes our dreams a reality
Maintenance preserves it all that’s for sure.
Transit gets us to where we must go Whether by sea, air, bus or train. Safety makes sure we arrive alive
By focusing on things that cause us pain.
Traffic Ops helps us get there on time And warns of problems ahead.
The Inspector General keeps us all in line The General Counsel prevents suits we all dread.
Organizational Development teaches us skills we need
OIS keeps us technologically sound. Procurement provides us folks for support
The best help there is to be found.
The Comptroller pays our monthly bills Human Resources keep our family in-tact.
Emergency Management always protects us From all danger and that’s a fact.
We also have the Communication bunch
To keep us out of the news. And the Legislative Programs office staff
To express to the Legislature all our views.
Florida Department of Transportation
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter Page 3
Florida Department of Transportation
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter Page 4
The Purpose of Tools: Ergonomic, Practical, and Safe
Use the proper tool for the designated task.
Frequent use of inadequate or poorly designed equipment will eventually lead to health hazards (tendonitis, trig-
ger finger, white finger, and carpal tunnel syndrome).
Never carry/yank a tool by its cord or hose. Also be sure to keep these cords or hoses far from oil, heat, water,
and sharp edges.
Protect your ears and eyes from intense noises and vibrations; opt for power tools with lower vibrations, muffled
noises, and longer trigger tools.
Ensure hand tools do not conduct heat or electricity.
Maintain good posture and balance the tools in correct alignment to your body at all times.
Keep other people well away from machine-operating areas. Consider investing in a construction safety pro-
gram for your employees.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Look for overhead lines, obstructions, low clearances, underground utili-
ties, and other such obstacles that could prove to be a nuisance or a lethal hazard.
Know, understand, and follow your workspace’s comprehensive safety program issued for that specific work-
space, job position, and task at hand.
Don’t use damaged tools. Examine each one before its use to ensure that it is in proper working condition. Main-
tain tools in good, clean working order.
Hazards While Climbing: Ladders and Stairs
Always inspect a ladder or stairs before stepping upon it. Avoid stepping on anything that appears loose, worn,
weak, or otherwise defected or damaged.
Opt for aerial lifts or elevated platforms, which are safer options than balancing on a ladder.
Install guardrails with toe boards, warning lines, and control line systems.
Use fall arrest systems (body harness) and safety net systems in the emergency of slipping and falling.
Keep steps clean, clear, and dry.
Don’t use metal ladders on stormy or windy days.
Choose a ladder that is taller than the spot that you need to reach; at least 3-4 feet above your desired location.
Move as you work; never overreach, as you could easily lose your balance and fall.
Florida Department of Transportation
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter Page 5
Calculate the distance intelligently: for every four feet of height, move the ladder’s base a foot further from the
wall.
Keep tools in your belt to keep your hands free while climbing and descending.
Your Armory of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Always wear appropriate clothing and shoes respective to your job.
Always store your tools and gear in a cool, dry place.
Fire extinguishers must be available and readily attainable.
First aid kits must be available and readily attainable.
Never remove or tamper with safety devices.
Use a back brace if you’re lifting heavy objects or you’ve got a sensitive back.
A hard hat will protect you if there’s a risk of falling objects, as will steel-toed boots.
Wear gloves if you’re handling sharp objects or toxic substances.
Wear goggles if your work poses a hazard to your eyes.
Wear safety harnesses if you’re working from an elevated location and there’s the risk of falling.
Wear non-skid footgear:
If your workspace involves slippery or elevated surfaces.
If you’re lifting heavy items.
Wear a breathing mask at all times, especially if:
You deal with dangerous or toxic chemicals or fumes
Your workspace has poor ventilation.
Your workspace has debris, dust, and other flying particles.
Wear the protective equipment that is intended and recommended for your particular task.
Seat belts
Safety glasses or goggles
Protective clothing, headgear, and/or footgear
Safety harnesses, etc.
Work-related fatal falls, by type of fall, 2010, page 7 by bls.gov; Manner in which fatal work injuries occurred, 2010, page 4 by bls.gov; Address-
ing the Issue of Compliance with Personal Protective Equipment on Construction Worksites: A Workers’ Perspective, page 2 by
ascpro0.ascweb.org; Addressing the Issue of Compliance with Personal Protective Equipment on Construction Worksites: A Workers’ Perspective,
page 1 by ascpro0.ascweb.org; and CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AND HEALTH by cdc.gov.
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter Page 6
Florida Department of Transportation
Florida Department of Transportation
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter Page 7
Winter Solstice (Northern) History
The Winter Solstice happens every year around December 21 or 22. It marks the shortest day of the
year as the Northern Hemisphere is angled the farthest away from the Sun on this day.
About the Winter Solstice (Northern) and other interesting facts.
On the Winter Solstice there are 24 hours of sunlight in the Antarctic Circle, and 24 hours of
darkness in the Arctic Circle.
Many pagan rituals have revolved around the Winter Solstice. The short days and long hours of
darkness prompted rituals intended to lure the Sun back.
The Mayan calendar ended on the Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012.
10 inches of snow melts down into only 1 inch of rain.
Winter Solstice (Northern) Top Events and Things to Do.
Eat more Vitamin-D rich foods to balance out the lack of sunlight.
Light some candles and enjoy the early evening (see page #1 for safety tips).
Finish some last minute Christmas shopping.
Purchase a Christmas tree. Tip: For a more environmentally friendly Christmas, purchase a live
tree in a burlap root sack that can be planted after the holiday.
Watch the lunar eclipse which happens within several days of the winter solstice.
http://www.wincalendar.com/Winter-Solstice
P L W U B E R O V T O K C M N F I K P N I N Y Y T
U A E Z T B M D C E W O H O A N T Y L Q A Z T N P
X T B S P W M E C Z M F I C S I L S H W T Z E X R
L N N T N C N I R P H T I P A I N L A V D M F G O
E E I O T U T N T G A A E R M T O T N K P O A W C
G M L H I S O R G C E C K A E G E U E O Q C S I U
I N N C L T O C I I T N F K C D Z I L N R P K X R
S O I O H L C N L O S E C R U O S E R N A M U H E
L R S W L R U E R A Y E C Y N N V P F S A N T A M
A I P E U M I G T K R H D L M E A H O N Y Q C M E
T V R G M K E S N O I E O Z D A H H D V B P O E N
I N S O F N W Y T M R Y N L J H N T R A N S I T T
V E C D E Z L A N M A P A E E J M A T E R I A L S
E H D R R Z Q E N W A N R A G N F C G C Z X V O U
P C A I Q H Y Q F Z O S R T T H G I L E L D N A C
R L K V Y S W O V I A T D H L P S H F X M H F O Z
O A Y I N O T F T I H A H L L Q C S H N Y E A I K
G K D N F H T A C O N S T R U C T I O N U X N S H
R L B G G E Z L N M I F Y K E Z B U L D Y U H T I
A D Y I Y I G H B C O F C C N Q X G I J Q U J O U
M K R O N W O R K P R O G R A M A N D B U D G E T
S G Z A D Q F W N P M Z P J F U K I A K G L E C L
J G G T V G Y W E M S H X O S Y G T Y V J V I P K
B R G N I N N A L P N E E R C S Y X S G B E I Z O
O F I R K F J W H H V J J U T R J E G F G H X F L
The Safety Advisor puzzle is generated from the
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/
Omissions or errors are possible and are the sole responsibility of the program
and not the producers of this Newsletter.
FIRE
GENERAL COUNSEL
HANUKKAH
HEARTH
HOLIDAYS
HUMAN RESOURCES
INSPECTOR GENERAL
KWANZAA
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMS
MAINTENANCE
MATERIALS
CANDLELIGHT
CHIMNEYS
CHRISTMAS
COMMUNICATION
COMPTROLLER
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
DRIVING
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL
EXTINGUISH
FAMILY
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter Page 8
OIS
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING
PROCUREMENT
PROTECTION
RIGHT OF WAY
SAFETY
SANTA
SCREEN
SOLSTICE
TRANSIT
WORK PROGRAM AND BUDGET
Only Santa has a magical vehicle, do not drink
and drive.
OR
Light up your tree, not your home.
OR
Drive with reason this holiday season.
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter Page 9
Safety Hot Line (850) 414-5255
You can report hazards by telephone.
You can remain anonymous.
Everything is confidential.
This monthly newsletter is produced in the State Safety Office by Mark Eacker. For content information,
please call or email the editor, Mark Eacker, at:
850-414-4176 / [email protected]
Our internet address is: www.dot.state.fl.us/safety
Our intranet address is: Infonet.dot.state.fl.us/safetyoffice/
Safety Advisor Customer Satisfaction Survey
We are interested in your opinion. In order to better serve your needs, please take a moment to fill out this brief questionnaire. Send to:
Fax: 850 414 4221
Via US Postal Service (or inter-office mail) to the address shown below:
Attention: Industrial Safety Florida Department of Transportation
605 Suwannee Street, MS 53 Tallahassee, FL 32399
Safety Slogan of the Month Entry Form
Survey Questions Yes No
Are the Safety Advisor topics relevant to your day to day job?
Do you use the Safety Advisor in any manner other than read it?
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The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter Page 10
PAY DAY
The Safety and Health Awareness Newsletter Page 11
THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
29 30
1 2
3 4 5
6
7
Hanukkah
8
Hanukkah
9
Hanukkah
10
Hanukkah
11
12
Hanukkah
13
14
15 16 17
18 19
20
21 22 Winter Solstice
(Northern)
23 24
25
26
27
28 29 30
31 1
2
PAY DAY
December 2015 is Observed as Universal Human Rights Month and Safe Toys and Gifts Month.
Birthstone Turquoise & Blue Topaz.
Fruit & Veggies for the Month Comice Pears; Kumquats; Pepino melon; Cherimoya; Ugli fruits; and Parsnip.
December Flower Narcissus & Holly.
Astrological Signs Sagittarius (till 21st) & Capricorn (22nd →).
Other December Dates & Events Dec 26-Jan 1: Kwanzaa.
December 2015
Hanukkah (Start)
Hanukkah Hanukkah (End)
Hanukkah
CHRISTMAS
DAY
New Year’s
Day
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