Chemical Safety – What You Need to Know from Kim Coonrod, Loss Safety Coordinator, FirstComp
Chemicals have become a part of our life, supporting many of our activities, preventing and controlling diseases, and increasing agricultural productivity. However, one can not ignore that these chemicals may, especially if not properly used, endanger our health and poison our environment.

Not only is the worker handling chemicals at risk. We may be exposed to chemical risks in our homes through misuse or by accidents. The environment may be affected, chemicals may pollute the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. They may have entered into forests and lakes, destroying wildlife and changing the ecosystems.

Chemicals are not all equal; the assessment of health risks of chemical substances is a continuous process where information on the chemical hazards and exposure patterns are made available through a variety of sources.

How can workplace chemicals enter your body?

No chemical substance can cause adverse effects without first entering the body or coming into contact with it. Hazardous substances can enter the body in four ways: inhalation, absorption, ingestion and injection. Based on the particular chemical, it may enter the body from one or more of these methods.

• Inhalation takes chemicals into the nose or mouth, down the windpipe, and into the lungs. Some chemicals become trapped in the lungs. Others exit while exhaling. However, many chemicals can pass from the lungs and into the bloodstream. Gases, fumes, and tiny solid particles are most commonly inhaled.
  
  
• Absorption occurs when chemicals contact the skin. From the skin, the chemical can also enter the bloodstream. Liquids and gases can be absorbed through body surfaces.
  
  Skin absorption is, after inhalation, the second most common route through which occupational exposure may take place.
  
• Ingestion occurs when you swallow something that ends up in the stomach. From the stomach, many chemicals enter the intestines where they can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Tiny solid particles and liquids can be ingested.
  
  
  Eating, drinking and smoking should be prohibited at the place of work where dangerous chemicals are used.
  
  
• Injection is when chemicals penetrate the body through a wound, cut, or puncture of the skin. Gases under high pressure can cut skin tissue and inject chemicals into the body.
  

  Whatever the route of entry, chemicals can reach the blood stream and be distributed all over the body. In this way damage can be caused at the site of entry as well as to organs distant from the exposed area.

Workplace Chemical Safety Tips

• Participate in education and training programs
  
  
• Read the label before opening containers, vials or storage devices.
  
  
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. Goggles, protective gloves, face shields, respiratory masks and rubber aprons are examples of protective gear.
  
  
• Use mechanical ventilation to prevent adverse reactions to noxious fumes.
  
  
• Follow instructions specific to the chemical that is being handled. Know the reactivity and flammability properties. Keep in mind that chemicals in vapor form can often travel far distances to ignition sources, like open flames.
  
  
• Report hazardous conditions. Chemicals that are not labeled should be reported to your supervisor. Not knowing what is inside a container is a safety risk because so many chemicals are flammable or toxic. In the event of a spill, alert a supervisor and evacuate the area.
  
  
• Know the location of emergency eyewash, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, spill kits and first aid kits.
  

From the President, Allen Phillips:
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our communities a “Happy National Assisted Living Week!” The 2010 theme is “Living Life” and if there is one thing that Senior Housing prides ourselves on is how we create an environment where we can live our life to the fullest, whether this is through our “Red Carpet” and “Dare to Dream” culture or just doing the little personalized things for our residents. Although assisted living has been a concept for many years now, it is continually changing and our communities continue to promote the independence, individuality and dignity of every resident. We do this by providing exceptional healthcare services, customer service and hospitality in each of our communities. Thank you to each of you in our communities for helping ensure that we are providing the very best services to our seniors! I couldn’t be more proud of our teams at the communities, so please assist me in congratulating our communities during the 15th Annual National Assisted Living Week that is celebrated September 12th- September 18th.

Congratulations to Glenwood Place in Marshalltown, IA for their 10 year anniversary!  The theme for the celebration was A Decade of Excellence. Congratulations to Michael and the team at Glenwood Place on a successful celebration!

I would also like to congratulate Bethany Clemenson, Manager at Windsor Manor Vinton for the implementation of “Operation Dream Builders,” a monthly “Dare to Dream” culture they have implemented for the residents of Windsor Manor Vinton. In this month’s newsletter you will see the many “dreams” that have come true!

The Iowa Assisted Living Association Annual Conference will be held September 22nd and 23rd. There are many guest speakers this year, including Ann Martin with the Department of Inspections and Appeals. Please take a moment to review the schedule and make sure to sign up for the annual conference by visiting the website at www.ialaonline.org.

Kathy Lansing, Senior Housing Health Care Clinician:
September Thoughts

September is a wonderful month. It’s that transitional time of the year where we welcome the temperature changes as a much needed relief from the heat and humidity of the summer. For some of us, the children are back in school and once again our home routine has returned to a blessedly predictable pattern. For others it may be the first fall season with no children in the house and it signals yet another change in our life. All of this requires some adjusting, some rearranging of habits and the chance to take time to breathe before the holidays are upon us.

September also brings with it Grandparents Day on September 12th. Our Communities are filled with wonderful Grandparents and we are lucky enough to be able to learn from them every day. They have so much to teach us and share with us- from the wonderful stories they have about historical happenings, local folklore and community history to their own family history and traditions.

Through our Life Enrichment programs in the Senior Housing Communities, we strive to learn and document as much of this history as possible. Each new resident is interviewed and the bits and pieces of their life and experiences that they choose to share are recorded. If you have a family member or a loved one in a Senior Housing Community, ask about this Life Story. You may find that you have information to add or you may learn something new! Who knows, it may inspire you to start your own family story! It’s a fantastic gift to leave to future generations.

Operation Dream Builders, Windsor Manor Vinton:
Manager, Bethany Clemenson has initiated the Operation Dream Builders program at Windsor Manor Vinton and many dreams of residents were fulfilled over the last couple of months. Some small, some larger, but all dreams that residents thought never be fulfilled until Manager Bethany Clemenson helped them come true!!!

Art driving a tractor again!					Rosemary with her dog living at Windsor					First fair ribbon!
A volunteer takes Art to see his farm each week!					Bea rides on a tractor again!					The dream to sew a quilt again!

Bethany Clemenson, Manager
Manager@windsor-manor.com

Glenwood Place in Marshalltown, Iowa Celebrates 10 year anniversary…
“A Decade of Excellence”
from, Micheal Cummings, Manager
Glenwood Place celebrated “A Decade of Excellence” in honor of 10 years of service excellence on June 19 th 2010. The community got together and had a great meal of smoked prime rib, pasta salad, coleslaw and ice cream from Culver’s. After the meal, staff and resident moved outside to enjoy live music, a massage therapist, cotton candy, door prizes and great conversation. This was also open to the public and King Richard’s Kitchen provided BBQ. Glenwood Place had a live radio broadcast from KDAO and gave away t-shirts to the staff, residents and their families. A great time was had by all and everyone is looking forward to another “Decade of Excellence!”

Micheal Cummings, Manager
manager@glenwoodplaceal.net

PARKER PLACE, PARKERSBURG, IOWA SHARES IN RAGBRAI FUN!
Parker Place Retirement Community was fortunate to be on the route of this year’s RAGBRAI as it passed through Parkersburg on Thursday, July 29th. This gave the residents front row seats as the thousands of bicycles headed out of town on Highway 57 with the first bikes spotted before 7:00am. The residents had been baking cookies for weeks to prepare for the event and handed these out along with cold bottled water. Several RAGBRAI participants stopped to visit and it was very interesting to learn where they were from and what motivated them to ride their bikes across the state of Iowa. To those bicyclists that didn’t stop, the residents and staff were there to wave and wish them safe biking as they made their way to Waterloo for the night. It was a fun & exciting day!

Parker Place residents chat with bikers while they take a rest in the parking lot of Parker Place!					Bikers ride on HWY 57 in front of Parker Place.
Staff and residents visit with bikers and offer water and fresh made cookies!

Barb Kininger, Manager
manager@parkerplaceretirement.com

Donna, Universal Worker and resident, Nadine are ready to take off in their favorite car.					Harold found his favorite car!

Gene Mees, resident and David Mathany, maintenance, were able to finish working on Gene's tractor in time for the Antique Car Show on July 30th. As you can tell………………….Gene was a happy man!!

Simpson College students came out August 30th and provided the residents with entertainment.

Annette Grochala, Manager. 
Annette@windsor-manor.com

Over the last few years the first wave of baby boomers has been entering into their retirement years. With this transition from working to retirement many boomers are transitioning from their family home where the kids were raised to a home more suitable to the empty nest. The National Association of Home Builders reported that in 2007 55-plus households accounted for approximately 370,000 new housing starts. This accounted for roughly 21 percent of new home sales and 18 percent of the total new home buying market.

With the turn in the economy some boomers are opting to wait a couple years to make the transition from the family home. Many are undergoing major remodeling to update and make their home more boomer friendly.

Whether building a new home or staying put, aging issues are a huge concern. Preferences are a single story or a master on the main floor. Barrier free entrances and elevators are also being installed for future needs. Secure neighborhoods and maintenance free exteriors are important so they can travel freely.

According to the American association of Retired Persons, the National Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Home Builders the most requested features for new homes by 55-plus buyers include:

Single level floor plans
At least one bedroom and bathroom on the first floor
Main floor washer and dryer
Zero step entrances/ramps
Package shelf by the front door
Handrails on both sides of all steps, ramps, and porches
Light switches at the top and bottom of each staircase
“Clutch” handles on doors that lock
32 inch to 42 inch wide openings in hallways and doorways
Lower doorbells and front door viewers
Climate controls no more than 48 inches above the floor
Rocker light switches
Higher wattage light fixtures
Easy lever fixtures
Walk-in, curbless or roll in showers
Security Systems
Keyless entry/locking systems
Higher toilets
Low level storag
Outdoor lighting and path lighting
High-tech appliances

A new or renovated home with these features will allow for a more comfortable living environment that will no doubt keep them in their home longer.

Mark Takes, Senior Housing Consultants
mtakes@shcshm.com