Photo Credit: James Tourtellotte

Gary McMahen, Customs Safety and Occupational Health Manager, joined the agency in 1986. He has 25 years of experience in federal and private sector safety compliance.

As the agency's senior safety advisor, Gary McMahen is particularly concerned about preventing on-the-job accidents. He says that a common misconception is that most accidents are caused by unsafe work conditions, when in fact, more than 90 percent of injuries to Customs employees are caused by unsafe work practices. McMahen provided the following information on accidents at Customs and what could have been done to prevent them.

It could happen to you
Scenario: Mission support specialist lifts a box of paper and injures her lower back. You can prevent this type of injury by using proper lifting techniques. This involves bending your knees, lifting by using your legs instead of your back, keeping your back straight, and holding the load close to your body. Be sure to ask for assistance when lifting heavy objects.

Scenario: Special agent in hot pursuit of a suspect is severely injured in an accident with another vehicle; in his haste, he failed to fasten his seat belt. Regardless of the situation, all employees operating government vehicles must wear seatbelts at all times. No pursuit is worth suffering a permanent disabling injury or losing your life.

Scenario: Inspector reaches into a crate of automotive parts and lacerates her hand on a jagged metal part.By wearing leather gloves, you can prevent this type of injury. The personal protective equipment (PPE) hazard assessment that was done for this work task would help you determine what protective equipment to use.

Scenario: Canine enforcement officer during the course of a shift experiences a debilitating back injury as a result of multiple lifting of his canine into trucks to be inspected. Use a lifting device to assist the canine's entry into the trucks. Since Customs dogs typically weigh between 35 and 75 pounds, multiple lifts can cause significant back injuries.

Scenario: Marine enforcement officer is thrown into the steering wheel and breaks two ribs when his vessel strikes a submerged log; he was not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD). Unseen objects in the marine environment are hazards that can't be anticipated. Proper stance, bracing, and the use of a properly fitted PFD would have cushioned the blow and saved his life if he had been thrown overboard.

Scenario: Inspector enters a shipping container and suddenly has difficulty breathing; it is later determined that a drum of hazardous materials in the back of the container was leaking. You can prevent an accident like this by checking the manifest for hazardous materials before entering the container. The container may have required forced air ventilation and air testing before entering. Another solution is to wear an alarmed atmospheric testing instrument to alert you to air contaminates.

Scenario: Special agent suffers from heat stress during physical fitness training. You can avoid heat stress by following these tips: drink lots of fluids, exercise in the morning or evening, and wear lightweight, loose fitting clothing. It's also important to know your own limits.

Scenario: Inspector receives puncture wound from a used hypodermic needle during examination of luggage. Taking a slow and deliberate approach when examining luggage contents will help you prevent accidental contact with hypodermic needles and other sharp objects. The best way to avoid being "stuck" when examining luggage is to wear puncture-resistant gloves.

Injury stats at Customs 28% are from strains and sprains 23% are the result of slips, trips, and falls 14% are unknown or fall in the miscellaneous category 12% result from being struck by, or striking against an object 10% are from cuts, lacerations, dog bites, and puncture wounds 5% result from exposure to a hazardous material or communicable disease 5% are from motor vehicle accidents 3% are the result of human violence

How do I report safety problems? The fastest way to get a safety problem corrected is to report it to your immediate supervisor. You may also report hazards to your local safety officer, an HRM field safety specialist, a local safety and health committee member, union representative, or the HRM Safety and Occupational Health Branch. "I encourage all employees to get directly involved in workplace safety issues," says McMahen. "Report all unsafe conditions and work practices, volunteer to be a collateral duty safety officer, serve on a local safety committee, or participate in problem-solving activities such as job-hazard analysis. Be part of the solution." Your safety contacts at Indy (317) 290-3020, extension 1148 Gary McMahen - Branch Chief Brent Bolton - Industrial Hygiene /Lab Safety Jim Britt - Environmental Compliance and Hazardous Materials Vernon Slake - Safety Training Richard Whitman - Radiation Safety Dennis Johnson - Safety Inspections, Program Evaluations, Accident Investigations Robert Hamilton - Personal Protective Equipment/Motor Vehicle Safety Mic McKeighan - Injury/Illness Statistics, Reports, and Information Systems Jack Kinney - Safety Policy and Procedures Safety Specialists Frank Meyers, South Florida (305) 810-5167 Saul Olivas, West Texas/New Mexico (915) 858-6618 Cornel Castro, South Pacific (310) 215-2607

New York U.S. Customs Service Retirement Luncheon The 2nd annual New York Customs Service retirement luncheon will be held on June 7, 2001. All Customs retirees, non-retirees, and others are welcome to attend the luncheon. For more information, please contact Mr. Robert E. Del Vicario at (516) 334-6293.