Mines come in many different shapes, sizes and colours. They may not always be the brightly coloured objects seen in the posters and displays. Age and weathering can change their appearances with the metal mines rusting and the wooden and plastic mines breaking down. On arrival in a mined country a person should visit one of the demining and/or mine awareness agencies to find out which types of landmines are found in that country (as well as the location of known mined areas, the official warning signs/clues, etc.). Landmines can be broken into 2 categories:

Below ground mines – Below ground (buried) mines can be as small as of a cigarette packet – which is capable of blowing off half of one leg, or as large as a car wheel rim (an anti-tank mine) – which will leave no trace of the victim. Usually these types of mines are difficult, if not impossible to see as they will be buried (usually to depth of 3-5 centimeters), hidden in tall grass, floating in water or lying under water. Although sometimes they may be exposed through the action of wind or rain. Below ground mines are designed to detonate when someone applies pressure to the top. The blast action severs the leg, inflicts damage to the lower body sections and drives foreign particles deep into the upper body. Below ground mines are by far the most commonly used mines as they are cheap to produce, easy to require, light to carry and small enough to effectively hide and lay. Do not touch any mines, even if you are told it is safe (even the experts have accidents). “Anti-handling” devices may be fitted to a mine, for example an anti-tilt mechanism that will cause it to detonate when tilted 10 degrees or more.

Above ground mines – Above ground (surface) mines are designed to kill and cause as much psychical damage as possible. They are also known as “fragmentation” mines because they are made to project large numbers of 4-6 centimeters sized metal fragments, at a speed of 1600 m/s, over a large area. There are several types of above ground mines such as, a “stake” mine, which has a grenade like explosive placed on top of a wooden stake. A “directional” mine concentrates its fragments into a predetermined direction so as to enhance the destructiveness and lethal range. A “bounding” mine, will jump out of the ground before it explodes. Above ground mines are usually laid on the surface of the ground, hidden in grass, placed up a tree or behind a bush. Commonly a tripwire is attached and strung across a path, so that when the next unsuspecting person walks along he/she will trip the wire and cause the mine to explode. Tripwires are thin wires that come in several different colours. so they can blend into the environment (green for forests, tan for sandy areas, white for snow, etc.). If you see a tripwire it must not be touched or tugged by any means. It is also important not try to step over the wire but instead go back the way you came.

Recognise areas likely to be mined

In a mined country before you travel you must make sure the areas you are travelling to are safe from mines contamination. If there are minefields in area then you should not proceed and instead find a safe location. This information can be gathered from the local mine action organisations (deminers, mine awareness NGOs, military and/or local authorities).

Mines can conceivably be found anywhere, where farmers work, where the villagers build their houses, in the forest where they collect food, around water sources and where they go fishing. There are some areas that are more likely to have landmines than others. Generally people should completely avoid areas where fighting has recently taken place, strategic military locations, for example military hospitals, secret bases, the perimeters of bases, etc. Areas that are overgrown with no signs of people entering should be assumed are mined and not entered.

It is vital to be constantly on the lookout for mine warning signs and clues which might indicate that an area is mined. Suspected mined areas should not be entered until they have been properly checked and cleared. Nonetheless, local people may feel the need to enter known or suspected mined areas in order to gather wood or water. Everyone should therefore be fully informed of mine awareness techniques.

Be especially careful around the following areas: abandoned military outposts, deserted villages, ruins, secret bases, high security places, strategic military targets, areas containing significant infrastructure, military warehouses, field hospitals, entrances to caves, below and around bridges, natural shady areas, overgrown areas, water sources, wells, river bank.

Be able to recognise mine warning signs

Normally the soldier who lays a landmine does not leave any signs to indicate its presence. Although sometimes a temporary warning sign may be placed by someone who discovers the mine at a later date. If you see one of these signs then you must presume it is a mined area and return on the path you came to find a safe route.

There are many different warning signs that are placed to indicate a dangerous area. The unofficial signs made by the locals and the official sign placed by authorities and demining organisations. It is advisable that everyone learns all the different types of warning signs used throughout the country. The signs used by the local people may not be the same as those used in other areas or by officials.

Unofficial signs – These are made by the local population and change from country to country and from area to area. Some of the most commonly use local warning signs are: crossed sticks, knotted grass, objects hanging from tree branches or on sticks (empty plastic bottles, rags, etc.), broken branches blocking a path. The materials used to make signs need to be large enough so they are clearly seen by others and not easily moved by passing animals/wind. As it is close to a known mined area, care must be taken to collect the materials only from the known safe path areas as you must assume all the other surrounding areas are mined. If there are no warning signs present do not presume the area is safe.

Official signs – These are manufactured signs that are placed around known mined areas by deminers and local military. There are several different signs that are used in different countries, although all official warning signs are usually very clear and are very obvious. The most common official warning sign used is the skull and cross bones illustration on a bright red square or triangular background with warnings written in the local language and usually also in English. Normally the whole area is taped off with warning signs placed at regular intervals along the tape fence. The tape is usually made of plastic can be red and white stripped or bright yellow. If you see such a sign you must go back the way you came and do not proceed further. Again, if there are no warning signs present do not presume the area is safe.

Be able to recognise clues to the presence of mines

Usually mined areas do not appear to be significantly different from areas which are free of mines. Mines are difficult to see as they may be buried, or they may be concealed behind trees or in tall grass. However, there may be clues indicating that there are landmines in an area. The clues may be quite obvious, such as an exposed mine or the presence of the skeletons of animals. Clues may also be subtle, like a slight change in the vegetation growth pattern, a small mound, or a slight settling of the earth. They may be man-made clues like the ones some soldiers leave when they lay mines, or clues in nature.

Man-made warning clues – Look carefully for such thing as: shrapnel; battle field marks; exposed mine; parts of exploded mines; trip wires; fuses sticking out of the ground; boxes or wrappings used for transporting explosives; discarded safety pins or initiation keys.

Natural warning clues – Look carefully for such thing as: skeletons, injured or dead bodies; changes in vegetation, or anything that is out-of-place in nature; a mound of soil or an indent on the surface of the ground; unnatural disturbances on the ground.

If you see a clue or anything you are not sure about, then presume it is a mined area and go straight back the way you came. Do not presume an area is safe if you do not see any warning clues.

Know how to protect yourself

Keep out of known mined areas – It is vital to be constantly on the lookout for mine warning signs and clues which might indicate that an area is mined. Suspected mined areas should not be entered, nonetheless, some local people may feel the need to enter known or suspected mined areas in order to gather wood or water.

If you must enter, find out the safe paths through the minefield – A safe path is one which is travelled frequently and which is known to be free of mines. When travelling far from home, one should regularly inquire about the location of mined areas, as these locations may change. Nearby residents usually know which routes are safe and which are not, though it may be necessary to ask several people to be sure. Ideally you should always run with a guide who lives in the area and knows the safe routes. All running should be done during daylight hours whenever possible because it is harder to see warning signs and clues at night. If you are unsure about the status of the area you should not proceed any further, return the way you came or else find a safe alternative route.

Stay on the safe path – When running in potentially mined areas, under no circumstances should one leave a safe path, even to go to the toilet. Do not be tempted to leave a path to explore or collect souvenirs. For example, ask yourself “Why is there still a lot of fruit on those nearby trees?”. People running together through potentially mined areas should run in single file with at least a meter separating one person from the next. Stay close to the middle of the path because mines are commonly laid on the edges of the paths.

Do not touch – All mines are potentially dangerous with some containing anti- handling devices that cause them to detonate with a slight tilt. Under no circumstances should you touch a landmine, throw a mine or throw anything at a mine, kick or otherwise strike a mine, attempt to defuse or demine an area, throw a mine into water, burn a mine, go anywhere near a tripwire (as the surrounding area may also be mined) or collect mines for scrap metal. Even if the “expert” tells you that it is safe to touch, you should consider that “experts” also have accidents. Do not let curiosity get the better of your common sense and treat mines with the contempt they deserve. In mined countries it is not uncommon for people to offer to show you a cache of mines. The locals have been living with military ordnance around them for decades and may have developed a false sense of security around them. This is the time to be sensible and make polite excuses to leave.

How to get out of a minefield

There are several procedures taught to people about how to get themselves and others out of known mined areas, although none of these procedures are 100% guaranteed to be safe from potential injury. Note that none of these procedures can be learnt just through mass media and printed materials (such as this article) but must be learnt through formal training. They are:

Stand and wait – This is the best and most commonly taught technique, especially for children. Although this technique does rely upon the availability of a rescue unit, the ability to notify them or that the individual will be missed and looked for. The basic procedures for this technique are: stop walking immediately; warn others who may be at hand by calling out “Stop walking! There are mines!”; call out for help or send someone off to get a rescue party; stay where you are and do not move, until you are rescued.

Retrace footsteps – Another method for getting out of a minefield is to retrace one’s footsteps. Retracing one’s footsteps is not a safe option and can be an extremely dangerous method. In reality there are few occasions where this technique can be used as it is unlikely that you will be able to clearly make out full outline of your footprint, unless you are walking in soft sand, mud or snow. Technical experts must be consulted, and proper procedures must be taught through practical exercises and not simply through media techniques. Do not attempt to retrace your footsteps out of a minefield unless you have received the proper training.

Prod a path – Usually you will not be able to see your footsteps, and in some countries it may take days or weeks before someone could come to save you. In these circumstances the only technique available to get out of a minefield is to “prod”. The aim of prodding is to probe the ground for mines, so you can step out of a minefield. Prodding is a potentially very dangerous task which is painstakingly slow but cannot be hurried. Because prodding is difficult and dangerous it will require substantial practice and is not usually proposed as a solution. The technique should be explained through demonstrations and practical exercises and given until the technical experts are satisfied that all the individuals being instructed are capable of using the technique properly.

References

International Guidelines for Landmine and Unexploded Ordnance Awareness Education, Unicef, New York 2000.
Unicef / Handicap International / MAG / CRC, Monthly Mine Incident Report, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. March 1999.
Landmine Survivors Network website, Killing Technology, http://www.landminesurvivors.org/killing/killing.html, 1998.
International Association for the Study of Pain, Clinical Updates: Volume VI, Issue 2, July 1998.

-water supply storage cisterns
-poured concrete column and wall footings
-school or building floor slabs and columns
-bridge abutments
-bridge beams
-poured concrete flow channels

The local resources and capabilities available in many of our less developed project locations; the equipment, and methods that will be used to “get it done,” are often far less advanced than would be found in the States. Where called for in our project designs, we are either working hands-on with the rebar, or supervising local workers as they do so,or both. Whether involved in moving and setting up the bars in a prepared excavation or in a form prior to a concrete pour, or in bending and cutting the bars and wiring them together to make a rebar cage, etc., working with the steel requires the use of proper personal protective clothing and equipment, an appropriate level of pertinent training, and common-sense caution and care.

The primary danger posed by construction with rebar arises from the associated physical hazards. The steel bars are heavy, clumsy to maneuver, and have sharp, abrasive edge sand ends. Working with rebar requires at a minimum the use of thick, durable gloves,steel-toed, steel-shanked work boots, hardhats, eye protection, and careful handling.

Rebar Safety Tips

The rules and regulations set forth in the host country for construction safety, including for building with rebar, will determine at a minimum, the safe practices to be followed at each project site. In the USA, Federal authority for determination and enforcement of standards, regulations and guidelines for construction safety rests primarily withthe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Though not necessarily applicable to our project location, OSHA standards for worker safety on construction sites are considered to be among the most comprehensive, stringent and protective in the world, and are often reviewed for our projects, if only for information purposes.

Based on review of construction accidents occurring over a recent 20 year period, OSHA has determined that, in accidents associated with construction using rebar, about 60percent involve impalement injury; the remaining 40 percent result from mishandling or trips and falls. Accidental impalement emerges as the most immediate and important hazard to be wary of when working with rebar. Impalement injuries most commonly result from accidentally stepping or falling on protruding rebar ends.

An example of an impalement accident

OSHA regulation 1926.701 states that “All protruding reinforcing steel, onto and into which employees could fall, shall be guarded to eliminate the hazard of impalement.”The OSHA guidance goes further to mandate use of rebar caps specially made with a thinmetal plate enclosed in plastic so as to be non-deforming; to actually prevent “punch-through” failure of the cap should a person fall on the capped rebar.

The Dangers of unguarded rebar

Another mandatory OSHA regulation is 1926.703; which says “reinforcing steel walls,piers, columns and similar vertical structures shall be adequately supported to prevent overturning and to prevent collapse.”

A chronological listing of applicable OSHA standards

Reducing the likelihood of rebar accidents in our projects is best accomplished by strictly limiting the accessibility of the work zone that encompasses the erected formwork,protruding rebar, and rebar cages and webs, to only those workers directly involved in the concrete pour or in management of the rebar and forms. In the USA, OSHA requires that any person working 4 feet or more above the rebar must wear a safety harness actively connected to a rope, cable or other fall-arresting apparatus. If the work area is to be left unattended for any length of time, or if pouring will be delayed, the tops and ends of all rebar are to be properly capped or flagged to reduce the risk of trips and falls, accidental abrasion or laceration, or impalement by workers or passersby.

Reducing the risk of impalement injury at our project sites is best accomplished by keeping unauthorized persons out of the work area and by capping any protruding rebar. Given that the practice of rebar capping is not yet common in most of our project locations, it is unlikely rebar caps of any kind, including those of the special non-deforming type, will be available in the host country. EWB-USA recommends that when our implementation projects involve the use of rebar, we make every reasonable effort ourselves to procure and bring non-deformable caps for the rebar. Failing that, or if rebar setup, formwork and concrete pouring must get underway while awaiting delivery of the caps, we can reduce the hazard of accidental impalement by temporarily covering any protruding rebar with wooden boards or plywood sheets. Any such wood covering should be at least one-half inch or more in thickness.

When bending or cutting the rebar onsite, only purpose-made tools such as rebar benders(also known as “Hickey bars,”) or like equipment are used, and then only in association with proper personal protective apparel and gear, and after proper training in correct safety procedures and correct use of equipment.

Hand-held angle-grinders are commonly used for cutting rebar both before and after installation and/or pouring. Such powered grinders are always used with gloves, eye and hearing protection and hard hat (in the event something heavy or dangerous goes flying),steel-toed, steel-shanked boots, long pants and long-sleeved shirts and otherwise proper dress.

Cutting and bending is always accomplished with the bar to be cut secured against movement, either as already set in poured concrete, or otherwise anchored in a secure clamping device, and always with another person standing out of the way nearby. The observer is geared up, self-protected and ready to help if needed, but stays out of the “lineof fire” of sparks or any flying objects or debris.

Though far less commonly at issue, the chemical hazard of rebar arises from the iron oxide dust, or rust, on the bars that can sometimes be knocked loose when moving or working with the steel. If or when rebar has been badly rusted, prudent judgment and care in handling, including use of dust masks when desired or necessary, will reduce the risk of inhalation hazard.

NIOSH page on iron oxide dust

Sometimes assembly of rebar cages or grids or rebar cutting is done by local contractors or laborers using welding torches. Welding is a practice and trade unto itself, posing special risks and hazards, and requiring highly specialized training and equipment. The hazards of welding center on risk of injury or death from burns, eye and retinal damage from the intense heat, luminescence and sparking of the welding flame, risk of injury from inhalation of toxic gases generated during welding, etc. In no event do we use welding equipment ourselves. If welding is used in our projects we take appropriate measures to minimize the risk of injury to ourselves, and to all others involved to the extent that is reasonable and practical to do so.

Improvised bending or cutting devices such as steel piping or electrically powered saws are never used.

Working with rebar in a foundation wall

Rebar for most of our projects is typically round bar steel; rods of uncoated raw steel with surface ribs to enhance concrete bonding, 3/8th to one inch (10 to 25 millimeters)in diameter, short or long depending on where it is to be placed, and straight or bent as required by the construction plans. Bar sizes are typically given by number. In English units, bars are denoted by the number of 8ths of inches (in.) of nominal diameter, e.g.; ano. 4 bar is 4/8ths in. in diameter, a no. 8 bar is one (8/8ths) in. diameter, etc.

Left; #4 bar, uncoated
Right; #8 bar, epoxy-coated

Where rebar and English units are used on our projects, we typically call for no. 3 and no.4 bars, though we do sometimes specify bar sizes as large as no. 8. When using metric units, bars are denoted in millimeters (mm) of nominal diameter, e.g.; a no. 10 bar is 10mm in diameter, a no. 25 bar is 25 mm diameter, etc.

Sometimes, as when occasionally used for cisterns in accordance with some local methods, the reinforcing steel is supplied as spooled wire. When used for temperature and shrinkage control, it is often supplied in rolls of wire screen.

In the developed world, rebar is typically delivered to a work site on a flatbed truck.In less developed regions, delivery and on site management of rebar tends to be less rigorous or carefully structured, but similar principles and objectives apply. Unless otherwise specified, the steel rebar is raw; dry, and uncoated and subject to rusting. A patina or thin layer of rust on the bars tends to be desirable; it helps the bars and concrete to bond during curing. However; too much rust actually hinders bonding. If already slightly rusted the bars are usually covered on the site, otherwise they are often left uncovered.

On arrival at the project, long similar rebar sections are bundled together and laid on the ground or on a floor, while shorter segments are typically bundled together on pallets.Each piece or group of similarly sized rebar is labeled or tagged in accordance with the design drawings and specifications and industry standard labeling practices. Cutting and bending of the bars, where called for in the design or by construction codes, is typically accomplished at the mill or supplier’s facility before delivery; otherwise steel up to and including no. 5 (16 mm) bars can be bent or cut on site given proper equipment and training.

Steel workers manage and work with the rebar pieces and bundles in accordance with the construction schedule, cutting and bending bars as needed, assembling and tying the cages, and moving, erecting and bracing the rebar cages and webbing as needed once the ground has been prepared. Formwork is typically installed after the steel rebar cageshave been placed, and removed after concrete has been poured and properly cured.

The keys to safely working with rebar are the use of proper protective apparel and equipment, appropriate training and good worksite habits, and a healthy caution and respect for the hazards of working with and around the heavy, clumsy, rigid bars.

Wikipedia on Rebar

Our project team met last night to go over planning for our project proposal (assuming the program is approved by EWB national), and we had a question come up about vaccinations.

Yellow fever is required for entry into our project country. We have a potential traveling team member who is allergic to immunizations. They experienced full body paralysis that came close to shutting down their respiratory system when they received a vaccination as a child. They are not sure if they will be able to receive a yellow fever vaccination.

I found a CDC pdf that says in some cases a doctors note explaining the allergy can serve in place of vaccination in some countries for entry. We will be contacting the embassy to explore this option further, but we were wondering where EWB stands on this. If a traveling team member is allergic to vaccinations and are traveling to a country that requires vaccination against yellow fever, even if a doctors note is acceptable for entry into the country can that travel team member still travel under EWB national policy? In general if a travel team member is allergic to vaccinations are they eligible to travel? Should the health and safety report include information on precautions taken with this member? Do they need different/additional travel insurance? This particular individual is invaluable to the technical aspects of this project and would be critical to our in country operations.

Additionally, if the rabies vaccination is recommended by ISOS and the CDC is it required for travel team members? I know it was recommended for other trips but not required. If it will be required for our team I want to get them to start planning now as the rabies vaccination series is cost prohibitive and difficult to find.

Here was our response:

There is no reason for EWB to have more stringent requirements for immunization than do the US or your country’s public health services.  The member with severe vaccine reactions should definitely be able to get a physician signature, preferably from one who is licensed as a Yellow Fever vaccine provider.

• use an effective repellent in a “long lasting” formula.  My favorite is a Sawyer DEET formulation that keeps the repellent on the outside of the skin and really does work 8 hours.  It needs to be put on three times a day…
• treat clothing with permethrin to prevent most mosquitos from trying to bite through.  There are some areas of Africa where permethrin resistance is emerging – if this is a problem in your area, spray repellent over the treated clothes.  Even in these areas, permethrin is still the best clothing treatment.
• be sure to use an intact mosquito tent or net for sleeping, tucked in around the bedding
• have a screened area for team meetings, and fastidiously repair screens – or bring a screen tent for these purposes.

We love to answer your H&S questions. Please direct them to your EWB project manager, who can then forward it to the H&S committee!

The 2011 South Central Regional Workshop will be held November 11-13, 2011, at Texas A&M University in College Station. Registration and other details can be found here.

We look forward to seeing you there!

There aren’t any hard and fast rules to tell poisonous or dangerous animals from harmless ones. Folkloric tales, such as poisonous snakes having wider heads than non-poisonous snakes or that stinging insects are always more brightly colored, are wrong as often as they are right. Also appearances of animals on one continent may have no relationship to appearances somewhere else. For example note how similar looking an American Black Racer snake is the Black Mamba. One is harmless and the other is one of the most dangerous animals on earth.

We ask all travel teams to do a quick survey of the macro biological hazards in the HASP. The Armed Forces Pest Management Board has an excellent survey of the common venomous animals listed out by country, and we encourage you to go there so you know what is out there.

Here are a few rules of thumb to follow in foreign environments with unfamiliar wildlife:

• Don’t approach wild animals. This includes animals that you may think are harmless.

Think for a second – what animal is responsible for the highest number of OSHA
recordable injuries in animal handlers? It probably isn’t an animal you would suspect– it’s the zebra. Sure we’re used to seeing them in films and in zoos and they seem mild mannered even halfway tame. The truth is they are foul tempered and exceedingly dangerous. Don’t assume that animals appeared innocent and cuddly are going to be that way. Treat all wild animals as if they were dangerous.

• If you are close enough to a snake to identify it, you are too close. Fatalities due to snake bites are very uncommon in the US. In the rest of the world that’s not the case. Many of the poisonous snakes in other parts of the world are not the pit vipers we are accustomed to. They are possess venom that works directly on the nervous system and often much more aggressive. If you encounter one, give it plenty of room. They probably are actually more afraid of you than you are of them.

If you are bitten, don’t waste time trying to catch or kill the snake. You need to get the victim transported to the nearest medical facility that has antivenoms.

• The same goes for nests of insects – If you find a nest of ants, bees, or wasps, move to another work area or locale. Don’t try to catch or kill them if you can avoid it. Give them plenty of room and leave them alone. These animals will viscously defend their territories.

• Keep your hands where you can see them at all times. Avoid sticking your hands under rocks, boards or in leaf litter. Insects, centipedes, spiders, snakes and scorpions all are known to hide in places like this. Sticking your hands into cracks or under material is a sure fire way to get stung or bitten. If you have to move materials, use a rack. Sticking your hands into vegetation or up trees can be dangerous as well.

• Bednets are highly encouraged if you are working in places with malaria, dengue, botflies, or other insect vectors for disease. You can pick up a bednet from a camping supply store.

• Permethryn and DEET are excellent chemical repellents. You spray permethryn on your fabrics (clothing and bednets) before wearing them. You can also buy clothing that has been pretreated with chrysanthemum oil (another repellent).

• If you are in a place known for hippos, crocodiles, or gators, be very wary working around riverbanks or lakeshores. Muddy riverbanks can easily hide these animals and if you are doing dredging in one, you won’t be able to see anything.

• Don’t leave your clothes or shoes outside when you can help it, especially to dry or air out overnight. At the very least, give them a good shaking out before putting them on.

Scorpions are known to hide in the toes of boots or the folds of drying clothes.

• The same goes for bed clothes, sheets or sleeping bags before you get into them. It is not uncommon for biting and stinging animals to crawl into bedding and sting an unwary sleeper.

• Avoid walking through heavily vegetated areas or areas of high grass. This is prime habitat for snakes and other animals. Stay on well established paths and roadways.

• Avoid walking through heavily vegetated areas or areas of high grass. This is prime habitat for snakes and other animals. Stay on well established paths and roadways.

Stay calm around wildlife and give even the smallest insects or spiders plenty room. Use insecticide and stay alert. Even a small amount of situational awareness can avoid dangerous encounters with local wildlife.

Author: Michael Goldman MPH, CIH,CSP,CHMM, CPEA

Here are some things to consider.

Scheduling: Our projects tend to be very labor intensive and under tight schedules. Give construction projects extra time to allow adequate rest periods. Consider doing outdoor work in the early morning or later in the afternoon when the sun isn’t as intense. Try to arrange people so they can rotate in and out of hard labor tasks such as trenching or mixing cement.

Staging: If you can find a place with some shade close to the construction area (under a tree, inside a building) that would be a good place to keep the water jugs as a rest area. Individual water bottles are good to have, but if you are doing a lot of labor, you’ll probably need to refill a couple times in a day.

A 5 gallon jug that everyone (including locals) can access is good to have nearby. You can often pick them up at a gas station. Once you are on-site, you might have to refill with untreated water. Here are some websites that describe disinfection by various chemical methods:

Liquid bleach
http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/purify.htm

Bleaching powder
http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/emergcyh2o.htm

Iodine
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/water-treatment.htm

Acclimation: For cubicle or classroom-dwelling engineers and students, just getting to the project site might be a bigger workout than we’ve had in months, but even those who are normally very athletic can be overwhelmed by the heat when others around them seem to be handling it better. Be aware that people can have different reactions to heat, especially when stressed.

Clothing: Lightweight, light-colored clothing in general is the best choice for the heat, as is clothing that allows for better air circulation and sweat evaporation. Rubbing clothing and sweat can also exacerbate heat rash, which can get very itchy and keep someone from a good night’s sleep.

Working in heat also brings up sun exposure. A high SPF sunblock will keep shoulders and noses from getting burned. You can stash a bottle in the first aid kit so people can reapply it as needed.

Food-illness related dehydration:
Food poisoning can cause vomiting or diarrhea and lead to dehydration. People who are having trouble with the local food should be reminded to keep drinking water to maintain hydration.

Monitoring: Keep an eye on your team members as well as your community volunteers. Some people do not realize that they aren’t getting enough water and sweating may not be a good indicator in dry conditions where sweat just evaporates.

The signs and symptoms of dehydration are as follows:

-Headache, irritability, or confusion
-Dizziness, fatigue
-Cramping
-Skin that doesn’t “bounce back” when pinched, also called skin tenting
-Dry, sticky mouth
-Constipation
-Dark colored urine

Not enough salts:
In extreme temperatures people very often do not consume enough sodium, potassium etc in their diets and can easily develop hyponatremia. This is often confused with heat exhaustion and exacerbated when the patient is made to consume more water. Drink Powders like gatorade can be mixed in to add flavor as well as the necessary sugar and salt that will keep you going. You can also make your own rehydration solution with the following recipe:

1 teaspoon salt, 8 teaspoons sugar in 1 L of water. Improve the flavor with diluted fruit juice, weak tea, or artificially sweetened Kool-Aid or Jell-O. If you have unsweetened Jello or Kool-Aid, don’t add more sugar, as this slows down the absorption of the water.

Treatment:
In the case of heat-related dehydration, cooling the victim is vital. Spray them with water and fan them, or put ice packs under armpits and by the groin.

For food-poisoning related dehydration, encourage the person to continue drinking fluids and rehydration solution.

In general, oral rehydration is the best treatment. People brought to clinics for dehydration will likely be put on IV fluids, which may be necessary if oral rehydration isn’t working. Emergency attention is required if the person:

- loses consciousness or is unable to stay awake.
- is unable to keep fluid down

In the event of hospitalization, we remind project teams that bringing your own needles in the first aid kit will allow you to offer them to the clinic should they need to give IV fluids. This way, you know that they are clean and unused. Consult the first aid kit list for more information.

This is the first entry in what we hope will be a continuing series for the EWB Health and Safety committee. If you have a question or issue you’d like us to address here, please email the chair of the committee at aspexet@gmail.com.

Author: AnnMarie Spexet, PE, WFR

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- Representing the Chapters
- Helping Form New Chapters
- Helping Chapters Find New Programs
- Helping Student Chapters Find Professional Mentors
- Coordinating With Chapter Relations Manager (CRM)
- The Fall Workshops
- Region-Wide Communication
- Educational Programs

The current Regional Steering Committee is:

Ian Toohey (Central Oklahoma Professionals): President

Julie Jones (North Texas Professionals): Vice President

Chris Lombardo (Greater Austin Chapter): Secretary

Kim Chanslor (Central Houston Professionals): Treasurer

Frank Griffin (North Texas Professionals): Past-President

John Doyle (Central Arkansas Professionals): Arkansas State Representative

Bruce King (Baton Rouge Professionals): Louisiana State Representative

Rebecca Ward (East Oklahoma Professionals): Oklahoma State Representative

Corrie Thompson (Greater Austin Chapter): S/E Texas State Representative

Frank Griffin (Interim): N/W Texas State Representative

Bob Walker: Governing Board Representative

Tracy Beavers: EWB-USA Chapter Relations Manager (CRM)

Ian Toohey and Chris Lombardo: Webpage Maintenance

Please contact Ian Toohey at iantoohey@gmail.com for more information about EWB-USA in the South Central Regional.

Technical Advisory Committee

The technical advisory committee performs the technical reviews on the projects slated for implementation. The committee meets 1-2 times every month via teleconference and web conference.

Where to Submit: Please send all submissions to Projects or waivers can be faxed to 303-772-2699.

When to Present: The TAC reviews all implementation plans.  Most chapters that are implementing a project will give a half hour presentation at one of the TAC meetings listed below.  (Note: Presentations for most chapters will be via teleconferencing and web-conferencing.  It will not be necessary to fly out to the meetings). Assessments will just be reviewed by the project managers via a conference call with the chapter.

When to Present in 2009 (TAC Meeting Dates)

It is recommended that committee members have overseas experience, 5 years of professional experience in a relevant technical discipline. Experience with EWB projects is preferred, and a P.E. license is preferred but not required. Please contact AnnMarie Spexet for more information on joining the TAC