Stay safe in this season of challenges

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Health and safety practices for the cold holiday season

Posted December 29, 2020

Cold fronts have recently swept across the United States, reminding us that it is winter. While the colder months can bring a lot of wonderful moments, such as cozy fires, or maybe some snow days, it does bring some dangers.

There are a few areas where we can practice caution while at work or while we work at home:

Driving in inclement weather
Traveling during the holidays
Testing for carbon monoxide

Driving

Before driving, clear all of the ice or snow off of your windshield.

During this time of year, temperature drops and earlier sunsets can lead to hazardous driving conditions in some cases. Cold weather precipitation such as snow, ice, and sleet can compile on roadways.

Prepare your car for winter weather by testing your battery. Most auto store chains can help check this for you and prevent a dead battery. It is also a great time to check your tire pressure, wiper blades, and cooling system. Keep your gas tank full if you are expecting a storm in the area.

Once you are ready to hit the road, make sure you can see from your mirrors or cameras and remove and debris like dirt and ice. If the conditions are poor on the road, give yourself extra room between cars, avoid cruise control, and avoid quick acceleration or deceleration.

If you do not need to travel, staying home is always a good option. If you have to leave your home, sharing travel plans can be an extra layer of safety.

Traveling

If you are traveling for the holidays, being prepared for what to expect on the road can make the experience much more enjoyable. According to the National Safety Council, traveling by car during the holidays has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile.

A focused and well-rested driver is a safe driver. Stay off cellular devices so you can focus on the road and other drivers. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination so you are not rushing or making quick driving decisions.

Make sure everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seat belt. If you are attending a celebration, always designate a sober driver.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can lead to an unexpected illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 400 people in the United States die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning every year. Symptoms can mimic the flu and can include headaches, dizziness, weakness, or confusion.

Warming your car in your garage might be convenient, but is incredibly dangerous as it creates a build-up of carbon monoxide. Do not run a car in a garage that is connected to your home, even if the garage door is open.

Heating your home with a gas oven, flameless chemical heater, or a generator can also produce fatal levels of carbon monoxide. A space heater, wood fireplace, or even a community assistance program can help if you need additional heat.

Carbon monoxide detectors are also available and can be quickly installed in your home or workplace. These detectors, which work similarly to fire detectors, are relatively inexpensive and can quickly detect and alert you so everyone in the building can step outside for fresh air. If the alarm does go off and someone is experiencing symptoms, call 911 and do not reenter the home. If no symptoms are experienced, call a professional to check the space.

SynTerra professionals hope you have a happy and healthy holiday and that these tips can be useful throughout winter. Please contact Paul Tarquinio for further assistance regarding health and safety topics. Our experts can assist individuals or teams with safety programs, hazard assessments, PPE selection, or general training.

Kathy Webb, P.G.

Senior Market Leader | Principal

Kathy, a founder of SynTerra (previously The Fletcher Group) in 1992, has completed remedial investigations and regulatory compliance projects associated with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facilities, state and federal Superfund sites, solid waste landfills, brownfield redevelopment, utility coal combustion residual (CCR) management units, and regulated industrial facilities. She has supported litigation as an expert witness related to chlorinated solvents, metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Kathy is known for her practical assessment strategy with the perspective of the client’s business objectives. She routinely evaluates groundwater corrective action systems for effectiveness and progress toward achieving compliance objectives. She has also co-authored a trade journal paper with case studies of low-impact remedial strategies. Kathy is a licensed Professional Geologist in North and South Carolina.

Mark Taylor, P.G.

Principal

Mark has worked more than 40 years in natural-resource based industries. His expertise includes mine geology and mine engineering, hydrogeologic and geotechnical investigations, solid and hazardous waste management, and regulatory negotiations. He has published peer-reviewed papers about coal geology, ore geochemistry, mineralogy, and solid waste management. He is a leading expert in mining and environmental permitting for litigation support.

Mark is licensed as a Professional Geologist in South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Washington. He serves on the boards of the Upstate Red Cross and Upstate Forever. He served on the South Carolina Board of Registration for Geologists for six years. Mark holds a Master’s degree in Geological Sciences from The University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Science from Harvard University.

Andrea Kehn, P.E.

Vice President of Engineering | Principal

Andrea, leader of our Civil & Environmental Engineering Business Unit, has 28 years of experience in chemical manufacturing and environmental consulting. She leads and supervises staff professionals on multidisciplinary projects for a variety of industrial clients. Andrea’s vast experience and expertise includes: air quality construction and operating permitting; air quality modeling; air permit record-keeping and reporting; Oil Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP); NPDES Permitting; water quality modeling; process safety management; risk management compliance and auditing; and RCRA compliance.

Andrea is registered as a Professional Engineer in South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.

Ruth Albright, P.E.

Vice President | Principal

Ruth has led projects for major industrial facilities throughout the Southeast and beyond. She built her knowledge of environmental regulations and their application to manufacturing operations while working for the second largest chemical manufacturing company in the United States. At SynTerra, she has expanded both her knowledge and reputation working for chemical manufacturing operations of all sizes. She has also worked extensively with other manufacturing operations, including pulp and paper, industrial equipment, pharmaceuticals, food, and automotive parts and assembly. Her experience includes air and wastewater permit compliance, solid and hazardous waste management, solid waste construction permitting, hazardous materials transportation, wastewater treatment systems, air pollution control equipment operations and maintenance, and ambient air monitoring systems.

Ruth is a professional engineer registered in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Michigan, Arkansas, and Kentucky. She is an active member of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Environmental Technical Committee and serves as the chair of the water subcommittee. She has previously served as the program and committee chair for the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce Environmental Affairs committee. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University.