Branch 193 President:
       Danny Laffan

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       Laurie Duarte
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       C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s   to    RON BINGHAM,

                                  Berryessa Station.

          A    MILLION MILE AWARD    Recipient!!

                San Jose Postmaster Sam Vasquez, Shop Steward (now retired) Ron Bingham & NALC Branch 193 President Danny Laffan

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                                                                           OSHA - KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

                                     With Summer now here, PLEASE READ these articles on Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion                             

What is Heat Stroke/Exhaustion?

Source: WebMD, Medicine.net

Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia (abnormally elevated body temperature) with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two less-severe forms of hyperthermia, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated.

The body normally generates heat as a result of metabolism, and the body is usually able to dissipate the heat by either radiation of heat through the skin or by evaporation of sweat. However, in extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous exertion under the sun, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and the body temperature rises, sometimes up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Another cause of heat stroke is dehydration. A dehydrated person may not be able to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat, which causes the body temperature to rise.

The population most susceptible to hear strokes are infants, the elderly (often with associated heart diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases, or on certain medications that make them vulnerable to heat strokes), and athletes, or outdoor workers physically exerting themselves under the sun.

What are heat stroke symptoms?

Symptoms of heat stroke can sometimes mimic those of heart attack or other conditions. Sometimes a person experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat strokes.

Different people may have different symptoms and signs of heat stroke. But common symptoms and signs of heat stroke include:

• high body temperature
• the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin
• rapid pulse
• difficulty breathing
• strange behavior
• hallucinations
• confusion
• agitation
• disorientation
• seizure
• coma

How do you treat a heat stroke victim?

Victims of heat stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage. First and foremost, cool the victim. Get the victim to a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool or tepid water to the skin (for example you may spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose), fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation, place ice packs under armpits and groins. Monitor body temperature with a thermometer and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102 degrees. Always notify emergency services (911) immediately.  If their arrival is delayed, they can give you further instructions for treatment of the victim.

The most important measures to prevent heat strokes are to avoid becoming dehydrated, and to avoid vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather. If you have to perform physical activities in hot weather, drink plenty of fluids (such as water and Gatorade), but avoid alcohol, caffeine, coffee, and tea which may lead to dehydration. Take frequent breaks to hydrate yourself. Wear hats, and light colored, and light and loose clothes.

Introduction to Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment.

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms

Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches, and dizziness. However some individuals can develop symptoms of heat stroke suddenly and rapidly without warning

Warning signs of heat exhaustion include:

• heavy sweating  
• paleness  
• muscle cramps  
• tiredness  
• weakness  
• dizziness  
• headache  
• nausea or vomiting  
• fainting

The skin may be cool and moist. The victim's pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow.

If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke, which is a medical emergency.

Seek medical attention and call 911 immediately if:

• symptoms are severe, or  
• the victim has heart problems or high blood pressure.

Otherwise, help the victim to cool off, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.

Heat Exhaustion treatment

Cooling measures that may be effective include:

• cool, non-alcoholic beverages, as directed by your physician  
• rest  
• cool shower, bath, or sponge bath  
• an air-conditioned environment  
• Lightweight clothing

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                             Driving Defensively

More than 41,000 people lose their lives in motor vehicle crashes each year and over two million more suffer disabling injuries, according to the National Safety Council. The triple threat of high speeds, impaired or careless driving and not using occupant restraints threatens every driver—regardless of how careful or how skilled. Driving defensively means not only taking responsibility for yourself and your actions but also keeping an eye on "the other guy." The National Safety Council suggests the following guidelines to help reduce your risks on the road.

Always wear your safety belt when driving and insist that your passengers wear a safety belt, too. Wearing a safety belt is required by law in every state, except New Hampshire. In some states, passengers also are required by law to wear a safety belt.

• Do not drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol slows your reaction time, blurs and distorts vision, and impairs your judgment about distance.
• Never use illegal drugs.
• Read the labels on all prescription medications for warnings; consult your physician about how your medications or over-the-counter drugs could affect your driving.

Source: Defensive Driving: The Best Offense, National Safety Council

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                   DOG BITE AWARENESS

WASHINGTON - Thirty-three hundred letter carriers were bitten by dogs in 2006, yet that pales in comparison to the other 4.7 million Americans who were needlessly victimized by dog attacks—nearly half of whom were children. . "Two fables we often hear in the Postal Service," explained Mike Spates, Acting Vice President and Consumer Advocate is, " the check's in the mail", and "don't worry, my dog won't bite". The truth is, any dog can bite, no matter how cute it is."
 

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Humane Society of the United States, small children, the elderly and Postal Service letter carriers—in that order—are the most frequent victims of dog attacks. Nationally, children suffer more than two million incidents every year. The AVMA reports that dog bites in the United States requiring medical attention number 500,000 to 800,000 annually. Countless more go unreported and untreated. On average, about a dozen people die each year from dog bites. Dog bites can also result in criminal and civil liability for pet owners. Over the past 15 years, more than half the states have passed laws with stiff penalties for owners of dogs who cause serious injury or death. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that insurance companies pay out roughly $345.5 million in dog bite liability claims annually.

Los Angeles area letter carriers were victimized by 204 dog bite attacks last year. Cleveland letter carriers suffered 94 bites; Houston 81; and Oakland with 76 are metropolitan areas with the next highest number of letter-carrier dog bites. Many attacks occur at the customer's doorstep.
"When our letter carrier comes to your home, keep your dog inside, away from the door, in another room, or on a leash," Spates added. "Before opening the door, we ask that customers place their pet in another room, as many dogs have been known to jump through screen doors."
Customers who fail to restrain their pets run the risk of curtailed delivery. In many cases this also includes their neighbors, who may also have to pick up their mail at the Post Office. "We place the safety of our postal family as paramount," Spates continued. "If our letter carriers feel threatened, we will suspend delivery until we deem it safe."

"Seventy percent of all dog bites occur on the dog owner's property," said Dr. Bernadette Cruz, Companion Animal Practitioner, American Veterinary Medical Association. "A dog that attacks is very often the family pet. Reducing dog bites requires responsible pet ownership. Dog owners must understand the importance of appropriate behavioral training and supervision of contact between their dog and children or strangers. Education is the key to solving an issue that's reaching epidemic proportions," she added.


Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. An independent federal agency, the Postal Service makes deliveries to more than 142 million addresses every day and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of $69 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mail and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. Moreover, today's postage rates will remain stable until at least 2006. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume—some 206 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year—and serves seven million customers each day at its 37,000 retail locations nationwide.


Dog Bite Prevention Background

The Victims

• The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) reports that small children, the elderly and letter carriers—in that order—are the most frequent victims. Dog attacks are the most commonly reported childhood public health problem in the United States.
   
• The AVMA and HSUS also report that the number of dog attacks exceeds the reported instances of measles, whooping cough and mumps, combined. Dog bite victims account for up to 5 percent of emergency room visits.
   
• Many of the bites that were reported by 3,300 letter carriers last year came from dogs whose owners said they would not bite.
   

• Don't run past a dog. The dog's natural instinct is to chase and catch prey.
   
• If a dog threatens you, don't scream. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.
   
• Don't approach a strange dog, especially one that's tethered or confined.
   
• While letter carriers are discouraged from petting animals, people who choose to pet dogs should always let a dog see and sniff them before petting the animal.
   

• Obedience training can teach dogs proper behavior and help owners control their dog in any situation.
   
• When the letter carrier comes to your home, keep your dog inside, away from the door in another room.
   
• Don't let your child take mail from the letter carrier in the presence of your dog. Your dog's instinct is to protect the family.
   
• Spay or neuter your dog. Neutered dogs are less likely to bite. HSUS statistics reflect that dogs that have not been spayed or neutered are up to three times more likely to be involved in a biting incident than neutered or spayed dogs.
   
• Dogs that haven't been properly socialized, receive little attention or handling or are left tied up for long periods of time frequently turn into biters.
   
   
   
  ________________________________________________________________________

   

   

   

  Heart Attack Warning Signs
  That Could Save Your Life!
  
   

  The NALC joins the Postal Service in asking Letter Carriers to the know and heed the warning signs of heart attacks. NALC Director of Safety & Health Brian Hellman urges letter carriers to,
  
  "Know the warning signs, because being alert to the symptoms can save your life and the lives of your coworkers. Too many victims wait too long to seek help, so please don't ignore the telltale signs."
  
   

   

  Three simple facts you should know:
   

   

  1. Heart Disease is the nation’s number one cause
  of death, half caused by a heart attack.
   

  2. Half of all heart attack victims wait more than
  two hours before seeking help.

   

  3. If you feel a warning sign(s),

  seek medical attention immediately.
   

   

  Warning signs:
  
  Sweating
   

  Shortness of breath
   

  Discomfort or pain between the shoulder blades
   

  Chest or abdominal discomfort or pain spreading
  to the shoulders, neck, arm or jaw
   

  Chest discomfort, pressure or burning
   

  Indigestion or gas-like pain
   

  Anxiety or nervousness
   

  Dizziness or fainting
   

  Unexplained weakness or fatigue

   

   

   

  ACT IMMEDIATELY !
  Warning signs can hit everyone differently, so
  don't take any chances.

  CLICK ON PHOTO BELOW

   
                                                          
   

    NALC President:
   William H. Young
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"NEITHER SNOW NOR RAIN

 NOR HEAT NOR GLOOM OF

 NIGHT, STAYS THESE

 COURIERS FROM THE

 SWIFT COMPLETION OF

 THEIR APPOINTED ROUNDS."      

                               --- HERODOTUS

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