The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)

Safety 1997 Archive.

Table of Contents.

1. MARCH - SAFETY REPORT by Joe Hafeli,
2. MAY - SAFETY REPORT by Joe Hafeli,
3. AUGUST - SAFETY REPORT by Joe Hafeli,
4. SEPTEMBER - What's Buggin' You? by Joe Hafeli,
5. OCTOBER/NOVEMBER - STARS IN YOUR EYES by Joe Hafeli.

March.

SAFETY REPORT by Joe Hafeli, CFMS Safety Chairman.
     Recently it has come to my attention that articles are being written (copied from other sources) about using your vehicle to save your life. By all means use every thing to save yourselves that is available to you at that time but don't hurt or kill yourself doing it.

Do Not drink water from your radiator. Almost all coolant contains Eythelene Glycol that can be deadly if you drink it. Solution: Carry a 5 gallon container of good water.

Do Not clean your hub caps with sand so you can drink out of them. Solution: Carry a supply of paper or plastic cups to drink out of.

Do Not burn motor oil for a rescue party to spot. Solution: Carry traffic flares, they are bright enough to be seen day or night.

Do Not use motor oil as a salve for your skin. It is not only dirty and could cause infection, it is also a carcinogen. Solution: Carry antiseptic cream and sunburn salve in your first aid kit.

Do Not siphon gasoline to burn in a hubcap to cook with. You probably don't have food to cook anyway. Solution: Carry survival food and a small propane stove or sterno stove used by hikers; also carry matches or a lighter.

Do Not use windshield washer hose for a tourniquet. Solution: Carry material in your first aid kit. Never use a tourniquet unless you cannot stop the bleeding by using rags or better yet sanitary napkins. Carry some in your car. Use of a tourniquet may cause the affected part to be amputated when it should not have been required.

Do Not depend on door panels to insulate you from the ground. Solution: Carry a survival blanket and a regular blanket or two for emergencies.

Do Not depend on a dome light glass (or plastic cover) as a fire starter. Lighting gasoline in a hub cap to cook on (as suggested above) could be a real hazard to your health. Solution: Use the matches or lighter that you brought for your stove.

Do Not use Glove Compartment door or visors as shovels. Solution: Carry a folding shovel.

Do Not use slip covers, floor mats or rugs as clothing or blankets. Solution: Use the blankets you are already carrying and always carry adequate clothing for any weather.

Use car headlights to signal. Solution: This is all right but it's much simpler to purchase a powerful spotlight. You probably won't have the required tools to remove a headlight unless you have prepared yourself ahead of time and if you have you won't need it.

Solution: Prepare now, when you need it, it's too late. Many of these suggestions have been out dated. All of these problems can be avoided if you THINK SAFETY!

     CFMS Newsletter,
     March 1997.

Table of Contents.

May.

SAFETY REPORT by Joe Hafeli, Safety Chairman.
     Safety not only covers your physical self, but also your belongings. In this day and age you must provide as much protection as possible.
     When you are in your vehicle, keep your windows as close to closed as you can, while still being comfortable.
     Keep your doors locked when not entering or leaving the vehicle.
     Park in as light an area as possible.
      Be aware of anyone near you. Do Not emerge if anyone looks suspicious or out of place in your area.
     Do not leave packages or items exposed to tempt thieves. Lock them in the trunk or cover them. An empty box with some desirable name on it could cause a break in and damage to your vehicle.
     At home, park in a well lighted place or under a light with sensors (called Security Lights) on it. Thieves prefer to work in the dark.
     In low light areas they have been known to smash a window and also if time allows, they will remove a window to gain access.
     Make everything as inaccessible as you can. The more difficult access is, the less likely they are to attempt entry.
     In addition, be careful of your purse and or wallet. I know of one case where a wallet was stolen from the checkout stand of a grocery store.
     The best protection you can have is to be safety conscious at all times.
          CFMS Newsletter - May 1997.

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August.

SAFETY REPORT by Joe Hafeli, Safety Chairman.
     Much information has been put out lately cautioning everyone to not fill a gasoline can in the back of your pickup, especially if you have a plastic bed liner. It has been known for many years that gasoline sloshing around in a metal container can build up static electricity, much the same as walking on a nylon carpet. You have all seen the spark from your door key in a hotel with nylon carpets. You are cautioned to fill your can on the ground so static electricity will be shorted to the ground as it is generated.
     When full, put the cap on securely and lift it into the truck. If the can is filled in the truck, especially if it has plastic liner, the static electricity can build up a strong charge that can ignite the gasoline. If this should happen it could be a major catastrophe for both you, your vehicle and anyone else near. Remember the old rule, one gallon of gasoline equals 14 sticks of dynamite times five (5) gallons of gasoline equals the power of 70 sticks of dynamite. We don't think your vehicle or you could tolerate that much of an explosion. We need you, THINK SAFETY.
     Thank you Vern Cliff, for bringing this information to my attention.
          Via CFMS Newsletter,
          August 1997.

Table of Contents.

September.

What's Buggin' You? by Joe Hafeli, Safety Chairman.
     All of the things that bug or irritate you are not necessarily bugs. The everyday things around you can make you miserable or downright sick. Be particularly aware of your surroundings and of what may be lurking there.
     Mosquitoes, although not normally serious can be quite annoying. On the other hand, they can also spread malaria and encephalitis, both of which are quite serious. Be aware of standing water and dump or drain it, as this is the breeding place for mosquitoes.
     We must always be aware of deer ticks. They are known to carry Lyme Disease. After you are bitten, usually a Bullseye type of rash is followed by muscular aches, head aches and fever. One of the best ways to defend yourself is to wear light colored clothing, long sleeves and tuck your pants legs into the top of your socks. The next line of defense is to have a companion check you out for the possibility of ticks. Some people feel it takes twenty four hours to infect you when they bite you. Check yourself every day when you are in and around grassy and brushy areas.
     Bugs can also get into your eyes and ears. Rinse eyes with clear water. See a doctor if pain persists.
     A bug in an ear can be immobilized with about six drops of mineral oil in the ear, then get to a doctor for removal.
     Be aware of other stinging and biting insects such as Yellow Jackets, bees, and even ants.
     Calamine Lotion can sometimes soothe the irritation. Insect repellents containing Deet can be quite helpful but be sure to read the instructions and follow them carefully, and get the proper dosage for adults versus children.
     Many other irritants are very common such as poison oak, poison ivy and sunburn. Always remain aware of your surroundings and protect yourself.

Be Safety Conscious.

          via CFMS Newsletter,
          September 1997.

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October/November.

STARS IN YOUR EYES by Joe Hafeli, Safety Chairman.
     As the song once said "Don't let the stars get in your eyes". This is still good advice. When you are grinding steel, little starlike sparks appear. This can also happen when you strike a rock with a rock pick.
     These little starlike sparks are quite fascinating and also very dangerous. Steel is iron with carbon in it. The small chips are so hot that the carbon is burning. The chips can burn and scratch your eye ball, besides blinding you they can be quite painful. Some chips do not have the tell-tail sparks but are equally dangerous. Much dust consists of silicon dioxide (chalcedony) with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale.
     Many stones we grind are chalcedony and grit from your grinding wheels is carborundum with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. This all boils down to eye protection and/or face protection as being one of the most important forms of protection that we can have. Use it.

Think Safety.

          via CFMS Newsletter,
          October 1997.

Table of Contents.

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