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Carbon Monoxide ID: 15890
Quiet Killer. Flash Player 9 is required.

The Quiet Killer

Source: National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
Running Time: (3:15) Release Date: 11/03/2008


Editor's note:  This video about the dangers of carbon monoxide is based in the US, but the message is the same no matter where you live in the world.  Have your appliances inspected, install carbon monoxide detectors, and test the batteries in your detectors regularly. 

UPDATE CONTENT Last Updated: 25-Feb-2009

Carbon Monoxide: Colorless, odorless, tasteless but.......DANGEROUS ! ID: 15891

Carbon Monoxide: Colorless, odorless, tasteless but.......DANGEROUS !

by Dr Alex Barbey

(reprinted from the Hub)

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning affects thousands of individuals around the world, particularly during winter time and provokes many deaths each year. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas which gives absolutely no warning of its presence.

How does CO form and accumulate?

Carbon monoxide can be produced by household appliances such as heaters, stoves, water heaters and furnaces. It is the result of incomplete or inefficient combustion which can be produced with natural gas, propane, oil, coal, wood, kerosene and anything that burns. It can also appear with a fireplace or charcoal grill as well as a gasoline motor or any fuel-fired engine.

Lack of oxygen is usually the main cause of inefficient combustion. This is usually due to poorly ventilated rooms or buildings. Air must be able to circulate in and out of the building particularly when a heater is working or combustion is taking place (fireplace, cooking, etc.). This is true even during the winter time.

Tight sealed doors or windows, additional insulation, poorly maintained or blocked chimneys (sometimes by a bird's nest), all reduce the air flow in a house or building. Blocked air vents, often sealed to save energy, can provoke severe and sometimes fatal accidents during the winter time when the heater is running full throttle and the CO is building up rapidly. Warming up the car in an attached garage (even with the garage door open) can be dangerous in that it increases the amount of CO entering the home.

What makes CO dangerous?

Normally, hemoglobin contained in each red blood cell circulating in the blood vessels, picks up oxygen molecules in the lungs and transports them throughout the entire body. CO, however, has an affinity 200 times greater for hemoglobin of the red blood cells than oxygen. This means that the oxygen molecule will not be able to hitch a ride on the red blood cell since the CO molecule is already in the driver's seat ! This results in a lack of oxygen for the vital parts of the body including the brain and heart.


What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

CO poisoning may take place with small amounts of CO inhaled over a prolonged period of time or for a large amount inhaled over a short period of time. Symptoms of CO poisoning are variable and are often described as being flu-like. For low levels of CO poisoning, complaints commonly include headaches, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, insomnia and nausea.

Higher levels can provoke ringing in the ears, throbbing in the temples along with deep and difficult breathing as well as reddish patches of color on the face or chest. At even higher levels the poisonous atmosphere provokes unconsciousness and death.

What is the treatment for CO intoxication?

If the victim is still breathing when found, he/she should be removed rapidly from the poisonous atmosphere. Windows should be opened. The victim will usually recover quickly, however, CO poisoning ALWAYS requires administration of pure oxygen with a face mask in a medical facility.

People who recover may have neurological complications. This may include various types of paralysis, blindness, muscular spasms or memory loss. Most of these complications disappear with time, but occasionally some may remain definitely.

How can CO be detected?

Years ago, canaries were used by miners as indicators of rising CO levels. The birds were extremely sensitive to carbon monoxide and would lose consciousness a few minutes before it affected the men. This usually gave them enough time to evacuate the mine.

Today, special meters exist which can measure CO content in a room. CO is measured in parts per million (ppm). Symptoms start appearing at 100 ppm of CO.

Numerous, inexpensive, commercially sold CO detectors and alarms exist. They function like a smoke detector. When they sense CO, they set off an alarm. Having one of these in the sleeping area can be very useful.

When a person is suspected of having high CO levels, a blood test can also be performed which measures the amount of carboxyhemoglobin (CO + Hemoglobin) found in the blood.

In conclusion, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas which can be fatal. It is due to inefficient combustion.

Prevention of CO poisoning requires that all heating appliances be installed properly and by certified personnel, that they be maintained regularly and that air flow be maintained in all buildings by correct ventilation. A CO detector with an alarm can be extremely useful in prevention and detection of CO poisoning.

UPDATE CONTENT Last Updated: 25-Feb-2009

H1N1 Influenza A Information from the Schlumberger Health Hub ID: 16208



H1N1 Influenza A Information for Schlumberger Families

(05/11/2009)
Schlumberger H1N1 Influenza A Awareness

Watch the video on Combating flu from the NHS in the United Kingdom
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/Prevention.aspx
National Health System, United Kingdom
 

Schlumberger has prepared a generic plan for dealing with the H1N1 influenza A threat .

Mexico City is no longer at Level 2    
Quarantine measures are lifted for people coming from Mexico City    
Travel ban is completely lifted for Mexico   


  • Schlumberger H1N1 Influenza A Awareness (Levels 0 and 1) PowerPoint Presentation for Families  4.6mb
  • Schlumberger H1N1 Influenza A Awareness (Level 2) PowerPoint Presentation for Families (to be added)

Number of confirmed H1N1 influenza A cases in the world

H1N1 Influenza A map for May 11, 2009

Updated H1N1 Influenza A map: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8021547.stm

Detailed number of cases/deaths/suspected/confirmed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_swine_flu_outbreak


Schlumberger H1N1 Influenza A Posters :

The latest information through external websites :

Schlumberger Travel Restrictions and Guidelines : 

Update # 7 — Monday, May 11, 2009

Due to the human to human transmission of Influenza A(H1N1) being less severe in impact than originally anticipated, the following decisions are effective immediately:

The travel ban to Mexico and seven-day quarantine have now been lifted.
Although new cases of H1N1 have been reported in the US, it is business as usual.
It is essential for all employees to complete the H1N1 Flu Level 1 Certification in QUEST.  (
Family members are encouraged to view the adapted powerpoint training/awareness presentations which are at the top of  this page.)

General recommendations


It is important to remain vigilant. The main route of transmission of the new influenza A(H1N1) virus seems to be similar to seasonal influenza, via droplets that are expelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing. You can prevent getting infected by avoiding close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms and taking the following measures:

Hygiene is key: wash hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based disinfectants following contact with others, public door handles, public handrails, etc.
Use disposable handkerchiefs.
Cover your mouth when coughing.
Stay informed about public health service recommendations

Update # 6 — Saturday, May 9, 2009

As of today, the only Level 2 H1N1 flu area is Mexico City. Therefore, people travelling from Mexico who have not been, or transited through Mexico City, do not need to start the seven-day quarantine and may return to their duties.

Only people who have arrived from anywhere in Mexico (including areas outside Mexico City) in the last few days and are currently in their quarantine period should finish their full seven-day period before returning to their duties.

The seven-day quarantine remains in place for all employees travelling from Mexico City until further notice.

Update # 5 — Friday, May 8, 2009

As of today, 24 countries have officially reported almost 3000 cases of Influenza A(H1N1)—and the World Health Organization's pandemic alert remains at phase 5. To date, the only Level 2 H1N1 flu country is Mexico, where 44 deaths have been attributed to the virus. In the USA there have been 1480 confirmed cases and two deaths.

The travel ban to and from Mexico remains in place until further notice, and so does the seven-day quarantine for all employees travelling from Mexico.

Employees in Level 0 and Level 1 countries are required to complete the H1N1 Flu Level 1 Training in QUEST. 
Family members are encouraged to view the adapted powerpoint training/awareness presentations which are at the top of  this page.

Update # 4 — Tuesday, May 5, 2009

As of today, 21 countries have officially reported 1124 cases of Influenza A(H1N1)—and the World Health Organization's pandemic alert remains at phase 5. However, the virus does not seem to be as severe as initially anticipated.

To date, the only Level 2 H1N1 flu country is Mexico, where 25 deaths have been attributed to the virus. All employees resident in Mexico must ensure they have completed the H1N1 Flu Level 2 Training in QUEST.*  The Travel ban to and from Mexico remains in place until further notice, and so does the seven-day mandatory quarantine for all employees travelling from Mexico.

Employees in Level 0 and Level 1 countries are required to complete the H1N1 Flu Level 1 Training in QUEST. *

* Family members are encouraged to view the adapted powerpoint training/awareness presentations which are at the top of  this page.
  

Update # 4 from the Hub — Monday, May 4, 2009

This message aims at giving you an update on the Swine Flu situations and action plans in Mexico & Central America GeoMarket (MCA):

  • To date, Schlumberger MCA does not have any reported Swine Flu case, affecting Employees, Contractors or Families
  • According to medical authorities, it looks like the situation is becoming stable
  • This is a positive news, and means that the measures we have taken allowed a good control of the epidemics. However, we need to continue being cautious and respect health measures, in order to avoid any new development of the situation
  • The current travel restrictions from/to Mexico City remain valid till the end of the week at least (update will be given separately). In case of critical travel, the exemption needs to be made via QUEST

Thanks to the MCA Team for those positive actions and results.

Juan Manuel Delgado
MCA GeoMarket Manager


Update # 3 — Thursday, April 30, 2009
  • The World Health Organization raised the current level of flu pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5 yesterday.
  • As of today, Schlumberger is putting into place a mandatory seven-day quarantine period for all people who have left Mexico.
  • This means that any person who has left Mexico must be placed in a designated staff house / guest house or hotel for a period of seven days starting from the day he or she has left Mexico.
  • If the individual has no flu-like symptoms after that seven-day period, he or she may return to normal duties.
  • In line with our Emergency Response Standards, worldwide guidelines can be found at the Schlumberger H1N1 Influenza A Response Plan Web site on the Health Hub.
View quarantine guidelines here.

Your employee partner can visit the Travel Advisory in QUEST to find information about all the countries we operate in:
- Log in QUEST
- Go to Country Security
- Click the country to obtain local information


Update #2
— Tuesday, April 28, 2009
  • Following a deterioration of the sitation, a full travel ban for employees to and from Mexico has now been put in place until further notice.  In addition, Mexico City Airport should not be used as a transit hub.
  • Relatives of Schlumberger employees based in Mexico who are looking for information may call the emergency hotline:
    • — International: +52 1 55 41 90 01 17/ +52 155 4190 0117
    • — National:        (045) 55 41 90 01 17 / (01) 55 52 63 30 33
UPDATE CONTENT Last Updated: 11-May-2009

Household Safety ID: 10924
Jan. 22, 2003 (QHSE) Prevent injury from superheated liquids. Microwaved water and other liquids do not always bubble when they reach the boiling point. They can actually become superheated and not bubble at all until the container is moved, causing bubbles to rapidly form. Read the full text and see a video demonstration ...

UPDATE CONTENT Last Updated: 27-Jan-2003

Schlumberger Malaria Prevention Program Survey ID: 12993
All,

You can go directly to the Survey:
www.clinicalresearch.nl/epidemiology/malaria/malaria.asp

The following message is forwarded on behalf of Dr. Alex Barbey, International Health Coordinator. It is a survey regarding the Schlumberger Malaria Prevention Program.

If you choose to take the malaria survey, the first question asks for an employee GIN number. This is a unique Group Idendification Number assigned to anyone who has a Schlumberger LDAP record.

Ideally, to help Dr. Barbey compile accurate results, you should enter the GIN number of your husband (or wife), which can be found in his or her Schlumberger Directory record.

But if you do not know this number or cannot get it from your spouse, you may enter N/A (not applicable).

At the bottom of the second page there is another option that must be ticked off:

  • I am an employee of Schlumberger
  • I am the spouse of a Schlumberger employee
  • I am filling out this questionnaire for my child
Your response to the malaria survey will help Dr. Barbey and Schlumberger to make future improvements to the Malaria Prevention Program.

Any questions let me know, I'll be happy to assist.

Best regards,
Tracey McTague

Dear Schlumberger spouse,

Please continue reading if during the last two years you or any member of your family have either:

  • been concerned by the Schlumberger Malaria Prevention Program
  • traveled to, lived in or worked in a country where there is malaria
  • had a suspected or confirmed case of malaria
  • received a Schlumberger Malaria Curative Kit
  • contacted the Schlumberger Malaria Hot line

If none of the above apply to you, you are free to delete this message.

In 2003 Schlumberger launched a Malaria Prevention Program, contracted a Malaria Hot Line and developed a Curative Malaria Kit in order to mitigate the serious risk posed by fatal falciparum malaria found in Africa, Asia and South America.

This program is now over two years old and we need your feedback. We are conducting a satisfaction survey concerning the Schlumberger Malaria Prevention Program. In particular we need feedback concerning the training and awareness that the company has provided as well as your input on the Curative Malaria Kit and the Malaria Hot Line.

If you or any member of your family have been concerned since early 2003 by any part of the Schlumberger Malaria Prevention Program, traveled or worked in a malaria country, had a suspected or confirmed case of malaria, used any part of the Curative Malaria Kit (even if only the thermometer), or called the Malaria Hot Line for malaria information or advice PLEASE FILL IN THE SURVEY developed by Schlumberger and the University of Leiden Medical School (Netherlands) at: www.clinicalresearch.nl/epidemiology/malaria/malaria.asp

and answer the questions.

The survey will take approximately 10 minutes.

I thank you in advance for your timely response and vital feedback. It will certainly help us continue to improve the program for the future.

Sincerely,

Alex Almeida
QHSE Manager, NSA

(on behalf of Dr. Alex Barbey, Schlumberger International Health Coordinator)

UPDATE CONTENT Last Updated: 20-Jul-2005

SSA Family Health and Safety Passport ID: 16359

The SSA Family Health and Safety Passport is a vital travel document for families of Schlumberger employees. It contains a record of health and safety training, your family's travel history, medical information about the employee's spouse and children, contacts, and important information about the company and what to do in an emergency. There is even a space for keeping track of pet vaccinations and information about moving with pets.

More than 4,000 copies of the passport are in use today around the world. Spouses can obtain SSA Passports from their local SSA Coordinator. Employees can also order the passports (available in groups of 10) from InTouch.

For more information, see SSA Family Health and Safety Passport Frequently Asked Questions. Send feedback and suggestions to: ssa-passport@slb.com

UPDATE CONTENT Last Updated: 11-Jul-2009

The Dangers of Swimming ID: 16276
Reprinted from the Schlumberger Hub

The Dangers of Swimming
by Dr Alex Barbey
 
It's the weekend. It's vacation time. The weather is hot and sunny and the only thought in your mind is getting to the beach and cooling off in the shining blue water.

Think twice! Recreational swimming is the second most common cause of death in people under 24 years of age, and each year thousands of swimmers are injured. It is worthwhile to take a few minutes to review the main risks of swimming and recommendations for a safe outing, particularly in tropical areas.

Before Going into the Water

Before you go swimming, make sure that you are in good health and not suffering from an acute health condition such as diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure or an infectious disease that may put your life in danger or result in serious health consequences.

Protect yourself from the heat and the sun. Avoid getting a sunburn. Do not stay directly exposed to the sun's rays for long periods of time, particularly between midmorning and midafternoon. Be aware that light reflected from the sand or water can be as intense as direct sunlight. The intensity of sunlight also increases closer to the equator. Wear a shirt, sunglasses and a hat with a wide brim that shades your face, ears and neck. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher on any exposed areas, and reapply it every 2 to 3 hours or more often if you are swimming or sweating. Drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated and developing heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Avoid walking barefoot along the beach or in shallow water. Wearing shoes at all times, even when wading, will help you avoid cuts and wounds as well as fungal infections and certain parasites.

Know the area where you are swimming:
  • Strong currents and submerged objects can cause injuries and drowning. Avoid climbing on wet rocks.
  • Beaches close to cities and river mouths are often heavily polluted with sewage and other wastes. Swimming in a chlorinated pool or driving a little farther to an unpolluted beach is well worth the extra effort. If you cannot avoid swimming in a polluted area, keep your head above water to prevent ear infections and avoid swallowing the contaminated water, which is swarming with bacteria.
  • Fresh water (lakes, ponds, rivers, etc.) in the tropics serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can transmit malaria, dengue fever or yellow fever, as well as for snails, which are hosts to the parasite Schistosomiasis. This microscopic flatworm burrows through the skin to reach the bloodstream and infest numerous organs, including the liver and kidneys. This risk does not exist in seawater because of its salt content.
  • Check the local weather conditions beforehand. If a storm develops, avoid swimming. If you are already in the water get out rapidly, because water conducts electricity much better than air. Seek shelter in a building or vehicle.
  • At least one person in your party should have first aid training and know how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
In the Water

Know your physical limits: be honest with yourself about how well you can swim under different conditions.
  • At many beaches you are not under the watchful eye of a lifeguard. You and your family are swimming at your own risk. Adopt the buddy system: swim in pairs or in a supervised area. Never swim alone.
  • Do not swim when you are too tired, too hot or cold or too far for safety.
  • Avoid mixing alcohol and medication with swimming. They impair judgment and increase the risk of drowning. Many medications can increase your sensitivity to sunlight and the risk of getting sunburned.
  • Do not eat or chew gum while swimming. Having something in your mouth can result in choking.
  • Do not go swimming right after a meal. Although the classic one-hour wait after a meal may be a little long, give your digestion some time to get started.
  • Do not touch strange objects in the water and be careful where you walk or swim. Jellyfish, stingrays and stonefish as well as poisonous seaweed and other aquatic life (sharks, barracuda, snakes, sea urchins, etc.) can transform a vacation into a nightmare. Stonefish live in tropical seas. These spiny venomous fish blend in with the sand and are easily stepped on. Their sting is very painful and can sometimes be fatal.

Other Water Sports: Diving, Boating and Fishing

When diving, always use extreme caution in unfamiliar areas. Always enter the water feet first and check the water depth as well as what lies below the surface. Each year hundreds of people are paralyzed from irreversible neck and back injuries sustained while diving.

Plan ahead when boating or fishing: tell someone where you are going and when you will be back. Know the nautical rules and regulations before going. Always wear an approved life jacket. If your boat swamps or capsizes, stay with it. Boats usually remain floating and may eventually drift to shore.

Children and Swimming

Special precautions must be made for children around water. Constant adult supervision of children playing near or in water is essential. A toddler can drown in as little as 3 inches [8 cm] of water because the reflex that makes you hold your breath when your face is submerged has not fully developed. Never leave a small child unattended, even if it is only for a few seconds. Remember that flotation aids are not intended to be life saving devices. Make sure that pool areas are fenced and the gate is latched to avoid access to children.

Have fun at the beach. Observing these guidelines will make your outing more enjoyable and less likely to end unhappily. Use common sense and avoid unnecessary risks. Remember that swimming can be great fun, but be careful, it is a potentially dangerous recreational activity.
 

UPDATE CONTENT Last Updated: 20-May-2009



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