June: National Safety Month
June 12, 2012
June is National Safety Month and the North Dakota Safety Council (NDSC) is promoting Safety 24/7 at work, at home, and on the road. The National Safety Council (NSC) has developed tools to be addresses each week.
This week is Ergonomic Safety Week. One of the most prevalent injuries in an office setting is related to ergonomics. Because office workers spend the bulk of their day seated at a desk and working on a computer, they are prone to strains and other injuries related to posture and repetitive movement. Ergonomics involves designing the job environment to fit the person and is important to take into consideration at work, but also while working on projects at home. It's about learning how to work smarter and preventing conditions such as overexertion.Refer to Ergonomics Toolkit for more details.
Week 1 June 3-9: Employee Wellness
Week 2 June 10-16: Ergonomics
Week 3 June 17-23: Preventing Slips, Trips & Falls
Week 4 June 24-30: Driving Safety
Source:www.ndsc.org
National Public Health Week April 2-8, 2012
March 28,2012
Every April since 1995, communities across the country have celebrated National Public Health Week (NPHW). The theme for this year's Public Health Week is "A Healthier America Begins Today: Join the Movement." From 2005 to 2009, more than 2,600 North Dakotans died from chronic diseases each year, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, according to the ND Department of Health.
Small preventive changes and initiatives in our community, homes and families can make a big difference in living healthier lives. People are encouraged during NPHW to learn more about the steps they can take to prevent diseases through more active living, healthy eating, and living tobacco and drug free.
The Grand Forks Public Health Department is highlighting the importance of prevention and wellness to improve our community's health with several educational opportunities.
On Monday, April 2, at 10:05 am, tune in to KNOX 1310 AM to hear an interview with Todd Hanson, Mosquito Control Supervisor, about the upcoming mosquito control program strategies. Later that day, Mayor Brown will officially proclaim the week as National Public Health Week in Grand Forks at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend or watch on GFTV Channel 2.
During the week of April 2- 6, community members are encouraged to visit the Grand Forks Public Health Department's Facebook page for daily health tips. "Like" the page for important public health messages throughout the year. In addition, daily blogs will cover topics of tobacco prevention, food safety, mental health and more.
For the entire month of April, the Grand Forks Public Health Department will have a display in its waiting room that explains the work being done and the services available in Grand Forks city and county. The public is invited to drop by the third floor of the County Office Building, at 151 S. 4th Street, Monday through Friday, 8AM – 5PM, to see the display and visit the department to ask questions and gather more information.
Contact: Kevin Dean, Public Information Officer, 701.746.4636 or Theresa Knox, Grand Forks Public Health, 701.787.8140
Source: www.grandforksgov.com
Read more about National Public Health Week at www.nphw.org
Kick Butts Day is Wednesday, March 21st
March 19,2012
In honor of Kick Butts Day on Wednesday, March 21st, the Healthy UND Tobacco Free Campus Task Group is taking the opportunity to highlight the tobacco free campus policy and quit tobacco options. Kick Butts Day, founded by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, is a national day to raise awareness about tobacco use, the leading cause of preventable death and disease.
UND is a tobacco free campus, which means tobacco use in any form is not allowed on university property. Tobacco use is allowed on city streets and sidewalks adjacent to these streets. Each and every UND community member, including students, administrators, faculty and staff, play an important role in ensuring the success of this policy. Here are some things you can do to support a tobacco-free UND:
- Educate yourself and others about the tobacco-free UND policy and quit options
- Abide by the tobacco free campus policy
- Respectfully inform individuals of the policy when you observe violations. To watch a video of how to respectfully approach someone violating the tobacco-free policy, visit Tobacco Free UND.
- Motivate others to learn more about the policy and cessation options
- For those that use tobacco, choose to use only on city sidewalks/streets and dispose of cigarette butts in the tobacco receptacles located in these areas. To view a map of UND and city property, as well as to find out where receptacles are located, visit Tobacco Free UND.
We encourage those who use tobacco to take advantage of the following services to help you quit:
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ND QUITS: http://www.nd.quitnet.com or 1.800.QUIT.NOW
Free telephone or on-line support and free nicotine replacement medications -
NDPERS Tobacco Cessation Program, https://www.bcbsnd.com/ehealth/ndpersquit
Up to $700.00 in coverage for provider visits, medications, and counseling for benefited employees and their dependents - Health and Wellness Resource Office, Memorial Union, 701.777.2097 und.healthwellnessresources@email.und.edu , Free quit kits and resources
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Student Health Services, McCannel Hall, 701.777.4500,
UND Student Health Services, Provider visits and free quit kits for students -
Student Health Services Pharmacy, McCannel Hall, 701.777.3965
Over-the-counter and prescription medications available for purchase
Thank you for joining us in our efforts to promote a healthy learning environment campus.
Pocket Guidelines for State Fleet and Rental Vehicles
March 1, 2012
Pocket Guidelines have been developed by UND Safety to assist state employees utilizing State Fleet or rental vehicles. If a rental vehicle is needed, the codes are listed that need to be used when renting vehicles under the State Cooperative Agreement whether it is Enterprise, National, or Hertz. Also, guidelines include information when the above rental agencies are not available at your destination. There are steps to be taken should an accident/incident occur with a State Fleet or rental vehicle. This Pocket Guideline is located under Spotlight/Announcements and also in the Risk Management section under Car Rental Policy and Guidelines. This easy Pocket Guideline can be folded and put in a wallet for easy reference.
Pocket Guidelines
9-1-1 Contact in ND - Dial Only - No Texting
Feb 28, 2012
Local 9-1-1 officials are reminding residents to call, not text, when they have an emergency. The technology to receive text messages is not yet available for 9-1-1 centers in North Dakota.
Voice calls to 9-1-1 automatically route to the emergency call center based on where the call is made, and triggers an immediate confirmation with the 9-1-1 operator that the call has been received. If you try to text 9-1-1, the message will not go through.
As more people abandon landlines and rely solely on cellphones, emergency officials remind people they need to provide the dispatcher a location, as well as details about the emergency. "If you call 911, answer all questions, don't hang up, follow instructions and try to provide a precise location," said Becky Ault, Grand Forks 9-1-1 Center Director. "If it is a misdial, don't hang up. Tell the dispatcher what happened so they know there isn't an emergency".
"It's especially important for the younger generation to realize you can't text 9-1-1," she added. "Parents need to make sure their children know they must still dial 9-1-1 for emergency assistance".
Special systems such as TDD/TTY (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) have been in place for years for the hearing-impaired community and those remain fully integrated into the North Dakota 9-1-1 system.
For more information about the 9-1-1 system in Grand Forks, go to www.grandforksgov.com and click on the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) link.
City of Grand Forks News Release - 02/28/2012
Contact: Kevin Dean, Public Information Officer, 701.746.4636
Source: www.grandforksgov.com
August is the worst month for West Nile.
North Dakota Reports First Human Case of West Nile Virus in 2011
July 27, 2011
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Health today announced the state’s first human case of West Nile virus infection for 2011, according to West Nile Virus Program Manager Michelle Feist.
The patient is a male age 10 to19 who resides in Towner County. The patient was not hospitalized.
"The identification of West Nile virus in a person is a reminder of the importance of taking precautions to protect ourselves from the bites of mosquitoes," Feist said. "This is the time of year when peak West Nile virus transmission occurs. The number of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes, the mosquito that spreads West Nile virus, from state surveillance traps is increasing and this puts people at increased risk for West Nile virus infection."
In 2010, nine human cases of West Nile virus were reported to the Department of Health. Peak illness onset occurred during the week ending Aug. 21, 2010. In addition, West Nile infection was identified in two horses, one dog and one reindeer.
"Areas affected by flooding and recent rainfall have increased the amount of standing water in the state," said State Epidemiologist Tracy Miller. "People participating in outdoor activities and those involved in flood clean-up and restoration projects should take precautions against mosquito bites because they likely will be in areas where mosquitoes are present."
To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, the state health department recommends the following protective measures:
- Use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, IR 3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or permethrin when outdoors. Always follow the directions on the manufacturer’s label.
- Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most likely to bite.
- When possible, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts while outside.
- Eliminate stagnant water and leaf debris in containers around homes where mosquitoes can lay their eggs (e.g., buckets, flowerpots, old tires, wading pools and birdbaths).
- Keep mosquitoes from entering your home by repairing screens in windows and doors.
- Keep the grass around your home trimmed.
West Nile virus activity will be updated Wednesday mornings each week throughout the West Nile virus season on the Department of Health’s West Nile virus website at www.ndhealth.gov/wnv.
For more information, contact Michelle Feist or Tracy Miller, North Dakota Department of Health, at 800.472.2180 or 701.328.2378.
Please note: To access archived news releases and other information, visit the North Dakota Department of Health Press Room at www.nddohpressroom.gov.
For More Information, Contact:
Michelle Feist (mafeist@nd.gov)
Tracy K. Miller, MPH (tkmiller@nd.gov)
North Dakota Department of Health
Phone: 701.328.2378
Mosquito Safety