jan 04 advisor

8/2/2019 Jan 04 Advisor

1/14

Back Injury Prevention & Safety Meetings

Industrial Safety Awareness Reporter

Flor ida Department of Tr anspor tat ion

IntroductionEverything we do affects our back.Unfortunately, the back is not very re-

silient. Once the back has been in-jured, it will never be as strong as it

was before the injury. How manytimes a day do we lift, push, pull,stretch, and otherwise put a strain on

our back? We do not strain our back

intentionally, never the less, our backtakes a huge beating every day. Pre-

vention is the key to protecting our

back from injury.

Body MechanicsBody mechanics is nothing more than

how to properly move and position thebody for different activities in order to

prevent injuries. It is important to re-member that our bodies do not stop

functioning when we go home fromwork. We need to follow the same

guidelines both at work and home.

Our back is not, and is not supposedto be, straight. The natural positionof the back is an S curve. This is re-

ferred to as the neutral position. To

keep the neutral position and for goodposture, we need to learn to maintain a

straight line, from midline of the ears -to the shoulders - to midline of the

hips - to midline of the knees - to mid-line of the ankle. This means standing

tall, pulling in our stomach, and tight-

ening our buttocks. Think of it as a(Continued on page 4)

BA C K INJURY PREVENTI ON

Ja nuar y 2004

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Back Injury Prevention 1

Safety Meetings 1

Understanding andManaging Stress

2

Work With aSafe Attitude Quiz

8

Safety SloganEntry Form

11

Safety SloganWinners

12

SAFETY ADVISOR

SAF ET Y MEETI NGS

Safety meetings come in all types and

sizes, but most can be viewed as eitherformal or informal (or tailgate)meetings. Formal meetings are those

meetings that are planned and an-

nounced in advance to provide groupsof employees with information andtraining on specific issues, regula-

tions, procedures, and hazard protec-

tions.

When working out an advance sched-ule of safety meetings, other situations

that call for safety meetings are likely

to emerge. They may include:

Recent accidents

Changes in unit or group

safety trends

New equipment, techniques,

procedures, products or haz-

ardous substances

Management directives to em-phasize safety requirements

(Continued on page 3)


2/14


Understanding and managing stress in day-to-day

life can help you be your best. But poorly managedstress can lead to emotional and physical problems. It

is important how we handle day-to-day stress.Stress is simply our bodys way of responding to

pressures. When our body reacts to stress, our heartraces, our muscles tighten, and we become vulner-

able to all kinds of things including feeling burnedout and becoming susceptible to illnesses.

RECOGNIZING STRESS:

Knowing the early warning signs of too much stress

can help us take measures to control it before it con-trols us. The following are some warning signs that

should be able to be recognized:

Restlessness and anxiety

Inability to concentrate

Trouble falling asleep

Persistent fatigue

Lack of appetite

Over eating

Tension headaches Muscle spasms

CONTROLLING STRESS:

Relax your body

Exercise regularly

Get enough rest and sleep

Eat a balanced diet

Relax your mind

Rehearse for stressful events

Adjust your mindset

Get help if you need it

Everyone copes with stress differently. What works

to relieve stress for others may not work for you.

Keep trying different methods until you find yourown coping style.

Remember you cant eliminate stress, but you canplan to reduce it. Identify events that stress you, and

In January the Safety Advisor will take a lookat Back Injury Protection & Safety Meetings.The Safety Advisor is provided to increase thesafety awareness of Florida Department ofTransportation employees. Remember that in-creasing your safety awareness helps reduceinjuries and prevent accidents.

George Ed Rice Jr.State Safety Program Manager

use your energy to tackle the rest. Share with thoseclose to you when you are under stress and that mayhelp bring stress down to a level which is tolerable.

Not all stress is bad. Stress is not just caused by bad

events but good ones too. Stress is serious businessand it has many faces. Stress symptoms are your

bodys cry for help. Even minor signs of stress areearly warnings that you need to manage your stress

better. I wish you a healthy and happy 2004. I amsure all of you have made a New Years Resolution

for a reduction of stress.

Sunil B NathManager, Industrial Safety

Safety Advisor Page 2http://infonet.dot.state.fl.us/safetyoffice/Indust.htm

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION #1:

Understanding and Managing Stress

2002 FDOT Statistics;Over 12% of all Workers Comp Claims

cited the back/spine as the injured body part.

2002 FDOT Statistics;

Over 20% or all direct costs incurredare attributed to back injuries.


3/14


(Safety Meetings-Continued from page 1)

Informal meetings, or tailgate meetings, are those where employees may beprovided with some hands-on direction to show them how to do the job safely, or

it may even be a one-on-one meeting with workers who are failing to use, or

dont seem to be aware of, safe procedures in certain aspects of their job.

Other Meetings are OpportunitiesLook for other opportunities for safety meetings or for highlighting the use of

safe procedures on the job.

Most of us are accustomed to a monthly safety meeting, but another possibility isholding annual or quarterly safety reviews to go over what has been covered in

training and point out how it has translated into improved safety or productivity

on the job.Include safety in meetings called for other purposes. The more frequent a mes-

sage is communicated, the more likely it will be remembered.

Look for ways to continually tie the safety message to workers' day-to-day activi-ties. For instance, review the basics covered in a recent safety meeting by point-

ing out how they were followedor ignored recently on the job. Examplesmight include a task performed safely and properly using toxic chemicals, an ac-

cident or a near-miss in your unit or another unit, etc.

Look at safety as a positive, not a negative, and try to get workers to see it that

way, too. When analyzing an incident that resulted in an injury, carefully avoidfinger pointing or placing blame. This has never been the purpose of safety in-

vestigations.

Seek out occasions to praise workers for incorporating safety on the job. Holdimpromptu sessions to honor workers who may have done an outstanding jobwith safety cleaning up a hazardous spill correctly, for instance. When you

Make a Fuss About Safety, everyone wins.

These events dont have to be expensive or elaborate. You can present the

group or individuals with certificates honoring their achievement, or you can just

credit them publicly for their efforts. The idea is to make the point that safetycounts, and the people who practice safety count too.

Choosing a Safety Meeting FormatPlan the format for each safety meeting to meet overall objectives and to get aparticular topic message across. Youll probably use different formats for differ-

ent topics or different audiences, such as


Publisher & Editor

Sunil B. Nath

[email protected]

Research, Layout, Design

& Copy Editor

Keith [email protected]

Florida Department ofTransportation

State Safety Office

605 Suwannee St MS #53Tallahassee, FL. 32399-0450

Phone: 850 245-1500Fax: 850 245-1552SunCom 205-1500


Statistics show thatthose who

PAY

ATTENTION

Tend to be injured far

less often.


4/14


(Back Injury Protection-Continued from page 1)

plumb line from the ears to the knees. This will keep

our back in a natural S curve.Our back needs to be maintained in the neutral posi-

tion when sitting, standing, sleeping, reaching, and

pushing. Many of us spend a large part of our daysitting. Sitting in the correct posture

increases weight on the spine by 30percent versus standing. Slouching

can place an additional pressure of150-300 percent on the back.

Some possible solutions for proper

sitting might include:have a chair with maximum adjust-

ability;maintain neutral position;

move frequently (take microbreaks); and

have adjustable work surfaces.

If your job includes long periods of standing, youshould place one foot on a footrest that is approxi-

mately 8 inches high. This technique raises the frontof the pelvis and reduces the possibility of a sway-

back condition. Alternate from one foot to the other

frequently. Adjust your work surface height to keepfrom bending over while working. If your work area

is a cubicle, you can adjust the desk height by incre-ments of one inch. If you have a

regular desk, and cannot find a wayto correct the height, adjust your

chair to fit the desk and use a foot-rest.

When arranging your work area orthe company storage room, consider

each object carefully in order toavoid reaching overhead or bending

over. Think about how often the ob-

ject is used as well as the weight ofthe object.

The best lifting zone is between theshoulders and waist. Place heavy and frequently

used objects near waist height to reduce bending andtwisting to reach the object. Place lighter objects

higher or lower. Use dollies or carts to move heavyobjects rather than carrying them.

Pushing an object is much better for your back than

pulling it. If you push, you can see over your loadand use your legs, not your back. Keep the object in

front of you and stay as close to the object as possi-ble, as this gives you more control and direction.

Sleeping is very important to maintain physical and

mental health. Most of us sleep between 6-8 hoursper day. Even while asleep, you can

injure your back if you do notmaintain good back posture.

To sleep properly you need to:

Use a firm mattress.Avoid sleeping on your stomach.

This can cause the back to sway.Place a pillow under your knees

when sleeping on your back.When sleeping on your side, place

a pillow between your knees andkeep your knees bent.

Changing LifestyleSome simple changes to your lifestyle can help pro-tect your back from injury. When attempting to

change your lifestyle, be realistic. A little bit ofchange is better than none at all. Try making small

changes over a period of time. Make a commitment

to walk around the block everyday as opposed torunning five miles. Regular exercise can help you

strengthen your stomach muscles, lose a littleweight, and increase your flexibil-

ity. Cut down on your food portionsrather than going on a liquid or

strict diet. Be willing to try some-thing different new recipes, new

sports, meditation, or aerobics.

Strain or Sprain?Strain and sprain both mean some-

thing has been stretched beyond its

limits. A strain refers to a muscle.When a muscle is strained, it has

been forced to exceed its ability towork. Regular exercise can strengthen muscles and

allow them to work harder longer, which is impor-tant considering muscles are the spines workhorses.

A strain or sprain can occur in ligaments (fibrousbands connecting bones together) or in tendons




5/14


(Back Injury Protection-Continued from page 4)

(bands of tissue attaching muscles to bones). A

sprained ankle is a common example of a sprainedligament. The symptoms of strains and sprains are

sudden, sharp, and persistent pain at the injury site,

followed by swelling.

Common Lifting MistakesSome common lifting mistakes are:

Bending forward at the waist with legs straight.When you bend forward at the waist with legs

straight, you require the use of the muscles in yourlower back and the weight of the object being lifted

will include the weight of your upper body.

Using fast jerky motions. This puts stress on yourlower back muscles and may cause sprains andstrains.

Bending and twisting when liftingforces the spine into a position of

weakness and removes the natural

S curve of strength from the liftingprocess.

Handling the load too far away

from the body. The back is like alever system. The distance between

the load and the fulcrum (point of

support) can be considered the dis-tance between the body and the ob-

ject being lifted.

Failure to plan the lift. You need tocheck the path of travel to be sure itis clear. Size up the load and if it is

too heavy or bulky for you to lift alone, ask for help.

Eight Steps to Proper LiftingThere are eight steps to follow in doing a safe lift.

They may seem very simple but if you do all ofthem each time you lift, your chances of an injury

will begreatly diminished.When you do a lift, make sure you:1. Size up the load - check to ensure the load is sta-

ble and balanced. Test the weight. Try moving itwith your foot, if you cannot, you probably need to

ask for help.2. Plan the job - consider all possibilities. Is the path

clear? What is the weight of the load? How muchstress will be placed on your back? Is there traffic, a

tripping hazard, a doorway to go through, or a stair-

way to go up or down? Plan a rest stop, if needed.3. Establish a base of support - use a wide, balanced

stance with one foot behind the object and the otherfoot next to it. Make sure you have firm footing and

your feet are a shoulders width apart.

4. Bend your knees, keep your heels off of the floorand get as close to the object as possible. Always lift

with your legs and not your back.5. Get a good grip with your palms and make sure

you have an adequate hold on the object. Be certainyou will be able to maintain a hold on the object

without having to adjust your grip later. You can usegloves to help maintain an adequate grip, but dont

rely on gloves because they can de-sensitize the fin-gers making you unable to feel the object.

6. Lift gradually with your legs without using jerkymotions. By using your leg strength, your chance of

lower back injury is greatly reduced.7. Keep the load close to prevent

arching your lower back. As you be-

gin the lift, tighten your stomachmuscles and keep your head andshoulders up. The closer the load is

to your spine, the less force will beplaced on your back.

8. Pivot - dont twist. Move your

feet in the direction of the lift. Thiswill eliminate the need to twist at

the waist.

SummaryYou cannot always avoid lifting, but

it is important to know your bodyslimitations and how to use proper techniques for

protecting your back against strains and sprains. Thebest way to prevent back injuries is to develop good

health habits. Learn to use good body mechanics,including standing, sitting, pushing, pulling, and

sleeping. Make some changes in your lifestyle, suchas healthy eating habits and exercise regularly.

Avoid common lifting mistakes and use proper lift-ing procedures.

Source; Bongarde Communications & Parley International



6/14



LecturesLectures where you or another speaker explain the

information should only be one part of your pro-

gram. Its a good way to define the what and whyof your meeting and to outline what youll cover

and how long it will take. But it should not be theonly method of expressing the material unless its a

very short meeting on a very limited and specifictopic.

Lectures are best when broken up with audiovisuals,

discussions, and/or hands-on participation. Usinghand-outs or quizzes can reinforce what is being

learned.

Remember too, than you dont have to be a safetyprofessional in order to address a safety meeting.

Other personnel may be able to participate & offer a

different perspective on what may be a familiar sub-ject. You may want to invite top management toprovide an introduction that underlines the impor-

tance of good safety practices to the Department.Outside experts on such topics as emergency re-

sponse can provide valuable information and exam-

ples. Perhaps a representative from an equipmentmanufacturer can demonstrate how a new piece of

equipment works and answer questions.

If you are going to be the main speaker, try to out-line what you want to say rather than reading a

whole presentation. Look directly at your audienceas you talk. It will be more conversational and

more interesting.

Audiovisual Presentations

Audiovisual presentations are a good way to get

peoples attention and to demonstrate both the po-tential problems posed by your topic and the correctway to do things. Slides, videotapes, and films are

available on many safety topics and make effective

contributions to a safety meeting. Some also comewith workbooks and other materials designed to re-

inforce the learning. If your Unit does not have any,check with your District Safety personnel or withthe State Safety Office. We have many safety videos

& are happy to loan them out.

If you have a digital or a video camera, you canmake any topic more relevant by illustrating it with

slides or videos of your work area. Take pictures of

equipment, procedures, etc., you want to focus on.Nothing will get the attention of your audience like

a familiar landmark or picture. If youre planning asafety talk on housekeeping, take pictures of good

and bad examples. The message is sure to be morepersonal when people see themselves and their work

area and equipment highlighted in this way. Youllprobably also need to create some visuals as you go.

A large flip chart and felt-tipped marker are usefulfor highlighting or outlining information during the

safety meeting.

Programmed Instruction

Programmed instructionreading material and writ-

ten exercises can be effective supports to the otherparts of your safety meeting. If your audience is ac-

customed to reading and able to handle written

question and answer formats, use books and work-books to reinforce the learning and to test how well

workers have absorbed the information.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations should be included whenever possi-ble in safety meetings. Show the correct way to per-

form an operation. Use real labels, material safetydata sheets, etc, when you explain what they cover

and what the information means. Have protectiveclothing and equipment with you as examples. Not

only is a picture worth a thousand words, but alsothese real-life examples are an excellent way to tie

the training to on-the-job applications.

Hands-on Practice

Hands-on practice is recommended whenever possi-

ble. It gives workers a chance to try out the meth-

ods, equipment, etc., that youre covering and itgives you a chance to see how they use them and

make corrections on the spot in a no-risk environ-

ment.




7/14



When youre conducting a session that includes

hands on practice, take it slowly, step by step. Firstexplain the procedure, then demonstrate it. High-

light key points, then allow each participant to try.

If there seems to be general difficulty with some

specific tasks or concept, go back to the beginningand demonstrate again, then ask for questions. Stay

with it until all workers have had a chance to tryand master the new skill, approach, or equipment.

Give them immediate feedback on what they do

right and immediate assistance when they have dif-ficulties. Then follow up within a few days to see if

they still know how to do the task correctly and tofind out if they have any questions.

Discussion

Discussion is an excellent way to find out whetherworkers understand your message and to respond to

any questions or problems. If possible, involve

other safety personnel, supervisors, and/or outsideexperts in discussion sessions.

Its important, however, that you or the other leaders

always control the discussion so that it reinforces

what is being covered in the meeting.

Here are a few hints for effective discussions:

1. Always answer questions. If you dont have the

information, make a note of the question, find out

the answer, and get back to the person who asked it.

2. Prepare ahead. Open discussion doesnt alwayscome easily. Prepare some questions to get the ball

rolling. If no one volunteers an answer, call on peo-

ple individually to respond.

3. Dont pass judgment on answers. If someone

gives an incorrect response, correct it without com-ment. If an answer is a matter of judgment, give

people a chance to voice different opinions. Discus-sion is good even when there is disagreement.

4. Compliment good responses or observations.

You dont have to overdo it, but be sure people getpositive feedback when its deserved.

5. Keep the discussion on the topic. Its easy to

wander into side issues that make no contribution to

mastering the safety topic on hand.

6. Continually relate what youre discussing to thejob. Ask participants for examples of related prob-

lems theyve had or ways theyve handled situationslike the ones under discussion.

7. Use discussion periods to get a feel of how well

participants understand the general and specific ar-eas covered by the meeting and to determine

whether you need to go back over some things oreven have another meeting.

Handouts

Handouts covering the topic are very useful on-the-

job reminders. But dont hand them out until theend of the session or they will just be a distraction to

participants. Examples of useful handouts could in-

clude a copy of the agenda you covered or an out-line of the topics, a safety newsletter, a prepared list

of safety tips on the subject, etc.

At the end of formal meetings on complex or espe-cially important topics, you may want to give par-

ticipants certificates stating that they completed thesafety program. This will add recognition to the ef-

fort and provide a sense of satisfaction to the work-ers.

Setting Your Objectives

Every safety meeting has its own specific objec-

tives - the results you hope to achieve. Such objec-tives might include:

Developing a safety mindset (or safety cul-ture) among workers

Addressing the specific safety needs of your

operations




8/14


The Safety Advisor is a monthly publication of the Florida Department of

Transportations State Safety Office. It is designed to inform Department

employees about safety practices both on and off the job. Your comments

are welcomed.

Work With A Safe Attitude Quiz1. If youve got a competent crew,

you dont have to waste your workerstime talking about safety.

True or False

2. Its estimated someone is injured

on the job every:

A) 10 yearsB) Three minutesC) Five months

D) 18 seconds

3. Working without using personalprotective equipment is an example of

a bad attitude.

True or False

4. The safety-conscious worker al-

ways makes an effort to stay focusedand be aware of his or her surround-ings.

True or False

5. If youre unsure about what to do,dont ask a question. You might look

like a goof.True or False

6. Its wise to take a good look atyour surroundings and ask yourself,

What could go wrong here?

True or False

7. If youre getting behind, working

through your breaks is a good idea.True or False

8. Everyone has personal problemsand frustrations, but focusing your at-

tention on them while youre workingcan lead to disaster.

True or False

9. Safety is a team approach. If you

see a hazard, even though its outside

your area, you should do somethingabout it.

True or False

10. Fooling around or showing off on

the job is a great stress reliever andshould be encouraged.

True or FalseSee next page for answers

Access & Distribution of theSafety AdvisorThe monthly Safety Advisoris available from several sources ranging from your

local Safety personnel, inter-office mail, to email to several web sites, both pub-lic & internal;

The Industrial Safety Infonet web site;

http://infonet.dot.state.fl.us/safetyoffice/Safety_Adv.htm

The Florida Department of Transportation's public web site;http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/IndustrialSafety/indusSafSafeAdv.htm

Do you know of a subject that should be mentioned here?

Call or write & let us know what you think!



9/14



Improving productivity by reducing acci-

dents

Reducing costs & lost production resulting

from injury or illness

Training employees to recognize and report

hazards

Bringing new employees into line with De-

partment safety policies and practices

Training employees to recognize and avoidunsafe practices

Explaining how to prevent or minimize inju-ries on the job

Training employees to respond to emergen-cies

Providing smooth and safe introductions of

new equipment, procedures, and substances

Reinforcing previous training

Safety meetings will accomplish more if

these objectives are stated clearly and under-stood by everyone in advance.

Materials

Materials for a safety meeting, as weve discussed

here, come in many forms. From safety videos, tohandouts & quizzes or electronic PowerPoint pres-

entations, all are available from your District Safetypersonnel or from us here at the Sate Safety Office.

Pick up the phone or send email & you might be

surprised at just how many pholks want to help!

Source: Supervisors Safety Meetings Handbook, Bureau of Business Reports


2002 FDOT Statistics;Over 12% of all Workers Comp Claims cited the

back/spine as the injured body part.

Answers

Answers:

1.)False2.)D

3.)True4.)True

5.)False

6.)True

7.)False8.)True

9.)True 10.)False


10/14


Florida Department of Transportation

State Safety Office605 Suwannee St MS #53

Tallahassee, FL. 32399-0450Attention: Industrial Safety

From:

______________________________________________

_______________________



11/14


Safety Slogan of the Month Entry Form

You are encouraged to submit safety slogans applicable to the monthly safety themes. Slogans are judgedon originality, pentameter & relevance to the months theme.

Due to publishing requirements all entries should be received two (2) months in advance. This should

alleviate delays & allow us to get the Safety Advisor to you prior to the end of each month.

January: Back Injury PreventionSafety Meetings

February: Fall ProtectionTraffic Safety

March: Laboratory &Office Safety

April: Hazardous MaterialsBlood borne Pathogens

May: Respiratory ProtectionTool Safety

June: MaterialsManaging Stress

July: Heat StressOutdoor Hazards

August: Work Zone SafetySafety Committees

September: Fitness/NutritionBike/Pedestrian Safety

Themes of the Month for 2004

October: Fire ProtectionPersonal Protective Equipment

November: Vehicle SafetyErgonomics

December: Holiday SafetyElectrical Hazards

PLEASE PRINT

Safety Slogan for the month of ______________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Name: ___________________________________ Location/Office ______________________________

District: _______________________ Phone: ( ) _________________ Suncom: ____________________


T H I N K


12/14


Safety Slogan Winners

FDA and CDC Statement Concerning Rumors

About Recalled Lot of Influenza Vaccine

First Place

Safety meetings are not a chore

You know good subjects are always in

store!

Roger Bolman

Jax Maintenance

D-2

First Place

Lifting with your back can cause a strain

You will know for certain when you feel

the pain!

Buddy Sparkmann

Jax maintenance

D-2

Second Place

Come one, come all

Theres a Safety Meeting down the hall!

TR Slaughter III

Jax Maintenance

D-2

Second Place

To lift a heavy load, try a mechanical mode,

Something like a pallet jack

Could keep injury from your back!

Stanley Youngblood

Jax Maintenance

D-2

Quotables

" The reward of a thing well done is to have done it. "--Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame."--Ben Franklin

Rumors have been circulating that a "contaminated"lot of flu vaccine has been recalled by the FDA.

This is false. No contamination of any flu vaccinehas been identified anywhere in the U.S., and the

FDA has not recalled any lot of flu vaccine.Flu vaccine is routinely tested for safety, purity, and

potency and all lots released have met these stan-dards. As with any vaccine, flu vaccine is capable of

causing some side effects, these are very rarely se-vere. Most side effects from flu vaccine are mild,

such as arm soreness, redness or swelling where theshot was given, fever, or achiness. More serious re-

actions to the flu vaccine do occur, but they are rare.While FDA and CDC are currently investigating

several recent reports of possible significant allergic(Continued on page 13)



13/14



Safety AdvisorCustomer Satisfaction SurveyWe are interested in your opinion! In order to better serve your needs, please take a moment to fill out thisbrief questionnaire and send it either

1. By fax to 850-245-1552 (SunCom fax 205-1552) or2. Via US Postal Service to the address shown below.

Thanks for your time! You can reach us by mail at:

Attn: Sunil Nath, Manager, Industrial Safety

Florida Department of TransportationSafety Office M.S. #53

605 Suwannee StreetTallahassee, FL 32399-0450

Survey Questions Yes No

1. Are the Safety Advisortopics relevant to your day to day job?

2. Are the materials contained in the Safety Advisorsufficient for your safety meetings?

3. What would you suggest to improve the suitability of the Safety Advisorto our needs or to improve the

overall quality? (Please be specific)________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Do you have any questions regarding Industrial Safety programs and/or operations? Please feel free to in-

clude questions or comments.________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________

(Continued from page 12)

reactions to flu vaccine, it is important to note thatthe number and type of reactions reported to date

are not unexpected. The reactions reported, not all

of which may have been caused by the administra-

tion of vaccine, do not, at this time, suggest anyproblem with the flu vaccine. However, FDA and

CDC will continue to investigate these and anyother reports and will provide any further informa-

tion as available. While serious reactions to flu vac-cine are rare, each year about 114,000 people in the

U.S. are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die

because of the flu.

The flu vaccine is the best way a person can protect

themselves and their loved ones against influenza.October and November are the best months to get

vaccinated - however, vaccination in December or

later still provides considerable protection.

For more information about influenza, go to http://www.cdc.gov/nip/Flu.

Source; Centers for Desease Control


14/14


From:

Florida Department of TransportationState Safety Office

605 Suwannee St MS 53

Tallahassee, FL. 32399-0450

To:

jan 04 advisor

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