Vivi's Safety Corner - July 2011
by: ESD Safety Coordinator Vivi Fissekidou (x5610)
Are your safety concerns being addressed? You have rights!
When you have an environment, health or safety concern, please first communicate with your supervisor or the ESD Safety Coordinator (me!), Vivi Fissekidou (X5610).
Both your supervisor and I will help you with any reporting (e.g., a near miss), line up an ergo evaluation, elevate concerns to the ESD safety committee and generally help you communicate through safety line management.
But what happens if you feel your safety concerns are not being addressed using the above channels? You have rights and additional options for safety reporting, even anonymously! Specifically:
- Leave anonymous feedback via EHS Suggestion Box
- Email safetyconcerns@lbl.gov
- Email the Environmental Management System contact at ems@lbl.gov for environmental concerns
- Call EH&S Division at x5514 (can be anonymous)
- Contact EHS Division Director or Deputy Director in person at Building 75B-0101 (can be confidential)
- Contact the Ombuds Service at (510) 642-7823
- Contact DOE Employee Concerns Program 24-hour hotline at (800) 701-9966
So, whatever your safety concern is, please reach out and let us know right away!
Chickenpox reported in Bldg. 90 - what you need to know!
Building 90 occupants received an email directly, but those ESD personnel who may have been in the building for other reasons should also be aware that Health Services learned there was a case of chickenpox, or varicella, reported in building 90. The employee may have been contagious to other individuals who were in the same indoor areas at about the same time, approximately July 29-August 1.
The following is some basic information about Chickenpox:
Description: A disease caused by infection with the varicella zoster virus, which causes fever and an itchy rash
Symptoms: A skin rash of blister-like lesions, covering the body but usually more concentrated on the face, scalp, and trunk. Most, but not all, infected individuals have fever, which develops just before or when the rash appears. If exposed, persons who have been vaccinated against the disease may get a milder illness, with less severe rash (sometimes involving only a few red bumps that look similar to insect bites) and mild or no fever.
Complications: Bacterial infection of the skin, swelling of the brain, and pneumonia. Adolescents and adults are more at risk for severe disease.
Transmission: Spread by coughing and sneezing (highly contagious), by direct contact, and by aerosolization of virus from skin lesions.
Vaccine: Varicella vaccine can prevent this disease. Currently, two doses of vaccine are recommended for children, adolescents, and adults.
Find out more at the CDC website »
As always, feel free to give me a call (X5610) or send me an email if you have any concerns you would like to discuss!
