The following article was originally posted on safetytoolboxtopics.com and has been edited to make it more applicable to Canadians:
__________ End of
Daylight Saving Time Can Be Deadly
Early next Sunday morning, November 6th,
we turn the clocks back one hour for the end of Daylight SavingTime. Most of us
think: “Fantastic! I get another hour of sleep”; and yes you will. However,
there is a huge difference between the “society clock” and the “biological clock”
we all work from. During such time changes there is statistically an increase
in safety incidents.
With the end of daylight savings time
comes an increase of darkness around the time of rush hour, when traffic is at
a peak and many are making our way home from work. Drivers aren’t used to the
decreased visibility – nor are pedestrians, who might take chances crossing
roads when they shouldn’t. Pedestrians walking around at dusk are nearly three
times more likely to be struck and killed by cars in the days following the end
of daylight saving time than just before the time change.
Various studies show that auto accidents
increase after the clocks fall back an hour. Besides the lack of visibility, commuting
in the dark can also make drivers drowsier than usual. According to some health
studies, changes in waking time coupled with the earlier onset of darkness
throws off our internal clocks. This increases driving risks, primarily because
in our 24/7 society, we have a fundamental problem of already being sleep deprived.
The end of daylight saving time can
leave many feeling fatigued, which can pose safety risks both at home and in
the workplace. Some things to keep in mind when switching back to standard time
are:
Fatigue -- Studies suggest that it takes people
who work traditional hours several days to fully readjust their sleep schedule
after the time change. While it may seem a welcome gift to get an extra hour of
sleep as opposed to losing an hour in the spring, there is a physiological
consequence to changing our clocks. Don’t be surprised if you feel a bit
sluggish during the first week or so of November.
Accidents -- Evidence suggests that time changes
increase safety problems both at work and at home. Just being aware of the
increased risk of accidents in the period immediately following the time change
may help you stay alert. Try to avoid building up a sleep debt in the days
before the change.
Safety professionals have long used the
start and end of daylight saving time as reminders for performing recurring
safety tasks. Use the occasion of setting your clocks back as a cue to:
- Check and replace the
batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide(CO) alarms. Ensure they are working
properly and replace the batteries. As the cold sets in and many start up their
gas-fired furnaces, fireplaces, portable unit heaters and the like for the
first time, carbon monoxide poisoning risks increase dramatically during this
time of year. Replace any smoke alarm unit that is older than 10 years. Replace
any CO alarm unit that is older than 5 years.
- Prepare a winter emergency
kit for your automobile. Such kits can be a lifesaver if you are stuck out
in bad weather while driving. They should include items such as: warm clothes,
blanket, flashlight, batteries, water, non-perishable snacks, shovel, flares,
reflective hazard triangle, jumper cables, cat litter or sand for traction, ski
hat and gloves.
- Check to see if your fire extinguishers
need recharging.
Check the small gauge at the top of the extinguisher. If the needle in that
gauge is in the green, chances are, the extinguisher is okay. If it is in the
red, you need to have the extinguisher recharged.
At Hard-Co Construction, we always do our best to take into account the needs of any community we are working in. We put forth our best effort to reduce any inconvenience to the local residents. On August 17, 2010, a local resident in Lindsay, ON felt compelled to send us an email:
__________
"HARD-CO Rocks!
I am compelled to bring to your attention how extremely hardworking and dedicated the Hard-Co Site Supervisor and his crew are who are currently completing the Sewer and Water Main Replacement project on Kent St E., in Lindsay, ON.
Though I do not live on the streets affected by the construction, I work in the administrative offices of the local shelter...that is located close to the construction site.All summer long, I have speed walked twice daily on my timed work breaks down the streets that run perpendicular to the construction site, and I am simply amazed.The Hard-Co crew is always tenaciously working at full steam, even in temperatures well over 90 degrees, which has almost been every day since this project started.If one looks around, you will find complete organization of all site equipment and project materials. Every effective safety protocol, as far as the eyes can see, has been put in place to protect the residents of this community. At the end of the day, the site is left very secured and the roads are completely navigatable by vehicles and pedestrians.It is also my understanding that the work crew has also made a number of accommodations for the church that is located in the heart of the construction site, ensuring pristine accessibility for various venues.
What is truly magnificent however, is how precise and expertly the work being completed actually is.One can stand 20 feet away from their dig site, and barely get a shoe wet or muddied. Not once have I been inconvenienced or soiled from their work.I am not quite sure how this is possible, as I have never seen another construction site like it, but I am very impressed and can only hope for the citizens of Lindsay, that the City of Kawartha Lakes invites them back to complete future projects.
It is very evident that Hard-Co not only cares about providing excellent workmanship and getting the job done, but also really cares about the citizens in the communities they are working in. This dedicated hardworking crew has gone the extra mile to ensure our citizen’s utmost safety and have also demonstrated a high level of respect towards our resident’s homes and personal property throughout the duration of this project. This is truly exceptional. I kindly request that you share this letter with your hardworking Hard-Co employees as I am of the belief that a well done job deserves acknowledgement. Thank you!
With Great Admiration & Appreciation,
Jennifer"
__________
Thanks Jennifer. It is really great to hear such positive feedback!
Hard-Co Sand & Gravel was formed in 2002 and has steadily grown into one of the largest landscape supply yards in Durham Region. We are constantly adding more products to better serve the needs of our customers. At the present time we have over 800 products for sale that include a wide variety of sand, gravel, limestone, soils, mulches, rockery, interlocking brick, tools, seed, weed barrier, filter cloth and custom lighting. If you are interested in learning about the many products that Hard-Co Sand & Gravel has to offer follow this link.
Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday
7:00 - 5:00
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Our Landscape Supply Office at 4900 Thickson Rd. North, Whitby
Interlock Seminar Day: April 26, 2008
Over our 23 year history, Hard-Co Construction has participated in a wide variety of projects. The jobs that we have undertaken range from basement digging, building demolitions and emergency watermain repairs to larger construction projects like road building, sewer and watermain installation and replacement in new and old subdivisions. Follow this link to see examples of some of our projects.
