edward demba occupational health & safety practitioner
TRANSCRIPT
Edward Demba
Occupational Health & Safety Practitioner
Your chances of getting hurt at home are higher than at work or school?
Aims and objectives1. Define the different Gambian home settings2. Define hazards in the various homes3. Identify negative home safety contributors4. Identify safety issues during festivity 5. Identify the home safety solutions6. Appreciate the leading cause of death in
homes7. Understand how our houses and home could
be made safe
Different Gambia home settingsThe Gambia like many developing countries has
basis to highly complex living homesThese can be divided to Basic, Middle and Upper
class homes Basic homes generally made from straw, mud
bricks, cement bricks and other basic materialMiddle income homes generally build with high
quality cement bricks and concrete structures Upper class homes Built to internationally
recognised standard and sophistication. These home are found in unique environmental
settings (village, towns and cities)
Hazards associated with basic homesBush fire in the dry seasonFloods in the rainy seasonStorms in the rainy seasonFalling branches and walls during rain and
stormSecurity associated hazards (generally lack
of basic security)Lighting hazards (candles, kerosene etc)
Hazards associated with middle and upper class homesLighting hazards (candles and other fuel)Electrical and cooking fuel fire hazardsHome security related hazards (bugler proves,
house door locks)Cooking fuel hazardsIndoor housing of hazardous material (cooking
gas, other toxic material)Children associated hazards (fire, gas, spills
etc)
Negative home safety contributors
These contributors are related to Physical (material used to build the
home)Personal (children, mentally disturbed,
high risk behaviour such as smoking etc)Environmental (location of the house,
bush fire and general cleanliness, flood prone areas ect)
Home safety during festivityThe Gambian community is made of mostly
Muslims and a minority ChristiansThe two faiths observe their feast in an
elaborate mannerIn addition, other social gatherings calls for
festivity Various hazards are encountered during
these periods notably fire hazardsRoad safety associated hazards
Summary of home associated safety hazardsFire (cooking, bush fire, electrical etc)Flood ( environmental and man made)Storm ( falling branches, blown roofs,
damaged electrical lines etc)Children associated hazards (fire, toxic
chemical etc)Candles, fuel and toxic material
The home safety solutions
Fire safety solutionsMud bricks should be used instead of straw and
readily combustible materialCorrugate sheets should be used as basic
roofing material were possible or ensure a fire safe environment
Avoid use of candles as lighting material or ensure safe use of candles in the house
Ensure proper electrical installation and safe usage of electrical appliances
Avoid overloading electrical socketsUse electrical appliances with approved rating
Fire safety solutions cont...Do not keep flammable gas and liquids in the
houseDo not leave open flames in the hands of minorsDiscourage cigarette smoking in the houseInstall smoke detectors where possibleInstall fire extinguishers in fire prone areas and
properly train all operatorsConsider safe escape routes in the house (avoid
fixed burglar prove and the habit of locking all doors with keys when going to bed)
Keep an eye on children during festive periods
Flood safety solutionsAlways build houses on higher groundsAvoid building on natural water ways or wet
low lands Generally raise the ground on which houses
are built.Reinforce the immediate surroundings of the
mud houses to secure the houseProtect vulnerable walls with impermeable
plastic sheets
Storm safety solutionsStorms are usually encountered during the
rainy seasonMake sure all roofing structure are properly
securedGrow trees on storm wind direction and have
them trimmed to serve as wind breakersHave branches in close proximity to electrical
lines trimmed by competent personsStay indoor during a storm
Human factor safety solutionsSmall children can be adventurous keep an
eye on them at all timesDo not leave open flames in the hands of
minors without supervisionKeep chemicals and toxic material away from
childrenProperly label all chemicals
Leading causes of death at home
Leading causes of death at homeFallsPoisoningFires and BurnsChoking Drowning
Who is most likely to be hurt?
The very old
The very young
Slips, Trips and FallsKeep floors free of things that can be tripped
over or slipped on
Keep stairs in good shape
Eliminate throw rugs
Slips, Trips and FallsMake certain you can see where you are
going when carrying big loads
Keep your home well lighted
Poison Proof Your Home
Potential dangers exist in all rooms
Look through your home for poisonous products
Store dangerous products out of children’s reach
What Products are Dangerous?
MedicineMouthwashMakeupFirst Aid SuppliesDeodorantCleanersPerfumesCigarettes
Furniture PolishLiquorPlantsBleachAnti-freezeGasolineKerosenePesticides
Here are just a few items. . .
Safety in the houseDO and DO NOT
The following slides were adapted from ESOL Teaching Pack
Fire hazards in the home Kitchens
DO the following to keep safety from kitchen fire
combustible material from heat sources
Keep electrical wire away from fire or water
Keep cooker etc clean from food particle and oil
Keep a fire blanket in the kitchen
Ensure all electrical appliances are switched off before leaving the kitchen
Fire hazards in the home KitchensDO NOT
Leave kitchen unattended when cooking
Leave cooking put handles protruding out (can easily be knocked over)
Use pans to do frying because the can easily catch fire
Fry wet food, allow to drain properly before frying
Do not overheat cooking oil
Fire hazards in the home ElectricalDOCheck plugs and lead are in
safe conditionUse one plug for one socket (no
overloading)Unplug electrical appliance
when not in use
Fire hazards in the home ElectricalDO NOTPlug lots of electrical items in one
socketDo not pass electrical leads under
carpets and combustible materialPut lamps near curtain
Fire hazards in the home Cigarettes and candles
DOPut of cigarette properlyUse ash trays to put off cigarettesKeep matches and lighter away
from childrenBetter still stop cigarette
smoking (it is illegal to smoke cigarette in public places)
Put candles in proper holderPut candles out before leaving the
room or going to bed
Fire hazards in the home Cigarettes and candles
DO NOTSmoke while in bed. It is easy to fall
asleep and set your bed on firePut your candles near anything that
could catch fire such as curtains, wooden furniture
On plastic put and items made from plastic (television, radio etc)
We did not attempt to address all home safety issues
We however hope the lessons learnt will serve as a starting point in ensuring basic home safety
Remember!Keeping our homes safe is a
responsibility and a duty. Always keep your home safe.
We will appreciate your comments about this presentation.
Your feedback will help us serve you better
Please email us on [email protected]
Stay safe !