More than one million Swiss residents are injured in Switzerland each year during Non-occupational accidents. More than 37,000 are seriously injured, 1350 cases result in a disability pension and almost 2400 accidents are fatal. In total, 85 % of the fatal accidents occur in Accidents in the home environment and during leisure time.

The most common cause of death is a fall - with around 1680 victims per year. This is followed by choking accidents, with around 120 deaths per year. Six out of ten times, the accident happens while eating. In 70 % of these cases, the victim was 65 years old or older.

Choking accidents are rarely recognized immediately

Only one in ten choking accidents is recognized as such, although in around two-thirds of cases the person affected is not alone. To be able to help someone, it is indispensable to know choking signs: Is the person unable to breathe or speak? Does he or she grab the throat or make panicky movements? Does the skin turn blue? If this is the case, the emergency services must be alerted immediately and their instructions followed. To avoid the Risk of suffocation the BFU recommends eating quietly and in a seated position.

Among children, three fatal choking accidents are recorded each year. Children under the age of four are almost exclusively affected. Children can choke not only on food, but also on small parts such as button cell batteries, magnets or sharp objects. In addition, swallowing can cause serious internal injuries.

More info

www.bfu.ch

In addition to playgrounds, many street workout, outdoor fitness and parkour facilities for adults have been built. These are actively used. The corresponding consequences are more falls, some of which are unavoidable, but whose consequences must be mitigated. Each of these facilities has its own safety standard according to Swiss and European requirements, and there is also a requirement for adequate fall protection to prevent serious injuries. The playground standard SN EN 1176 and the test method SN EN 1177 are used to evaluate the fall-absorbing properties of floors.

Two types of fall protection floors

Basically, there are two types of fall protection floors. On the one hand, these are loose materials, such as wood chips, bark mulch, round gravel and sand, or site-bound ones, such as fall protection slabs made of rubber granulate and jointless, cast synthetic fall protection surfaces. In recent years, turf grids have become increasingly popular. They consist of a mesh of rubber with turf growing through the spaces between them. Turf and topsoil are considered fall protection for a maximum fall height of 100 cm.

For loose fall protection, the "grain size" of the material and the installation depth are decisive for the fall-absorbing properties of the floor. The installation depth depends on the maximum free fall height, i.e. the highest position on the play equipment from which a fall can occur. For example, up to 200cm fall height, a layer thickness of 20cm + 10cm (playground effect) is required. From 200cm to 300cm, it is 30cm + 10cm (playaway effect). The specified "grain sizes" differ depending on the chosen material. For the very popular wood chips 5-30mm are allowed, for round gravel 0.25-8mm. Deviating from these masses, according to SN EN 1176 certified loose fall protection material, the grain size and the layer thickness to be applied may differ.

The different fall protection surfaces vary in terms of costs, minimum installation thicknesses, and cleaning and maintenance requirements. The most important property of these coverings is always the safety-relevant shock absorption. This refers to the property of the floor to absorb and dissipate the impact energy of a fall. This is intended to prevent critical, i.e. life-threatening, injuries to the person who falls as far as possible.

SN EN 1177 describes the test procedures

SN EN 1176 specifies the requirements of playground floors and their shock absorption. SN EN 1177 describes the procedure for testing the floors. By means of the HIC value, the shock-absorbing properties and the critical drop height can be determined.

More info: In the issue SAFETY-PLUS 4/20 on October 28, the detailed technical article "Playground Safety" will be published. For this purpose, the technical article will appear in the issue SicherheitsForum on September 7. You can download a sample number request here free of charge.

www.safetycenter.ch/spielplaetze

The trade fairs postponed to November WorkSafety Switzerland and Swiss Corporate Fashion are being held for the first time as hybrid events. In this way, organizer boerding exposition SA is offering the two industry meetings simultaneously as a live event in Bern and as an online event. "The world of work continues to turn. The topic of occupational safety has become more important through Corona not become less important - on the contrary," says Managing Director Alexander Petsch. He further explains: "Industrial hygiene has been a marginal topic for some companies, but now it is a central aspect for every company. A lot of education is needed here, and we want to play an important part in this. That's why we have developed our events further, both in terms of content and concept."

Presence trade fairs with sophisticated security concept

From November 10 to 12, Swiss Corporate Fashion and its sister trade fair ArbeitsSicherheit Schweiz will be held live at the Bernexpo take place. In order to address the issue of occupational hygiene itself, boerding has worked closely with the local authorities to develop a sophisticated Safety concept developed. "As the organizer of numerous presence events, it is our duty to protect our own health and that of exhibitors and trade visitors. However, since in some cases company policies severely restrict attendance at events, we have gone a step further and will be offering hybrid events in the future," Petsch continues.

Virtual additional offers further enhance the events

ArbeitsSicherheit Schweiz offers suppliers as well as users the choice between a physical and a virtual participation, but also a combination of both worlds. For example, on November 10 and 11, all keynotes and presentations will be broadcast live for all trade visitors. At the same time, there will be a virtual opportunity for personal exchange and networking with exhibitors. In addition, other suppliers will have an online-only presence and will be able to get in touch with users in this way. More information on this will be published shortly.

More info

www.arbeits-sicherheit-schweiz.ch

www.swiss-corporate-fashion.ch

Registration options: www.onlinekonferenz.arbeitssicherheit-schweiz.ch. When booking a ticket, both trade shows can be visited physically and online.

With the total revision of the currently existing ordinance on the safeguarding of the Drinking water in emergency situations is intended to prevent shortages and strengthen the resilience of operators of water supply facilities. The ordinance currently in force was enacted on January 1, 1992. It is being modernized and adapted to the new State Water Supply Act (LVG).

The substantive scope of the federal government's responsibility is not expanded compared to the current ordinance. Supraregional coordination and cooperation are emphasized. The enforcement of the ordinance remains with the cantons. The tasks of the cantonal authorities and the operators of Water supply systems have been more clearly defined and regulations reduced. The responsibility of the cantons is thus strengthened.

More info

www.admin.ch

With this second package, the Federal Council is implementing its decision of May 20, 2020 to submit an indirect counterproposal to the popular initiative "For lower premiums - cost brake in healthcare (cost brake initiative)" of the Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP).

As central Measure the Federal Council wants to introduce a target for mandatory health insurance (OKP; basic insurance). Each year, the federal government and the cantons will determine how much costs may grow, for example, for inpatient Hospital treatments, outpatient physician treatments, or pharmaceuticals. In doing so, they involve the most important players. The players primarily determine which measures are to be taken if the targets are exceeded. Patients, however, always have access to all services of the OKP. Today, there is a lack of systematic consideration of what cost growth is appropriate in the individual areas. The target increases transparency, strengthens responsibility and reduces medically unnecessary services.

The target also meets the concerns of the CVP's "cost brake initiative" and additionally shows how the specified growth targets can be achieved without rationing medically necessary services.

Improve coordination

The Federal Council also wants to strengthen coordination with three measures to avoid unnecessary treatment and thus increase the quality of care. All people in Switzerland should choose an initial consultation center to which they turn first when they have health problems, for example a family doctor, an HMO practice or a telemedicine center. These advise patients, treat them themselves or refer them to specialized physicians. Models with a limited choice of service providers, such as the family doctor model, have proven their worth and are widely accepted today.

More info

www.admin.ch

The parliamentary initiative "The risk in the use of Pesticides reduce" calls for measures to further reduce harmful impacts on the environment. The Federal Council is pursuing the same goal with the measures it has already taken and further measures planned. Effects of the "Action Plan" adopted in September 2017 Plant protection products" are already noticeable: the amount of chemical plant protection products used could be reduced. In order to achieve further progress, the Federal Council envisages corresponding measures in the agricultural policy from 2022 (AP22+). The Federal Council takes positive note of the fact that farms have already been able to reduce their ecological footprint in recent years.

The fact that the parliamentary initiative also aims to protect the EnvironmentThe Federal Council welcomes the fact that the focus is on the protection of human beings and animals. The formulated requirements support the measures it has already taken. The Federal Council is positive about the proposed inclusion of the industries. In this way, organizations are made responsible for taking additional measures themselves. The Federal Council recognizes that the implementation of these measures is a challenge for agriculture. Crops must be protected against diseases and pests to ensure the production of high-quality food in Switzerland.

More info

www.admin.ch

More info & link tips from the editors

The pesticide chlorothalonil is considered "probably carcinogenic", now the FOEN/federal government has to withhold this information from Swiss citizens, as with the NZZ to read is.

FOEN: Revision of the Water Protection Ordinance - Stricter limits strengthen water protection

Pesticides promote depression in adolescents

ARTE documentary "Careful Gent technique?"

The topic of self-efficacy is an important concept from psychology, the relevance of which in the treatment of somatic Complaints is increasingly recognized. This is demonstrated by various currents from the integrative field, in which the strengthening of the Self-efficacy in the treatment of physical DiseasesThe use of complementary medicine, namely in the care of cancer patients, as a resource and an effective factor. Here, for example, complementary medicine or mind-body medicine should be mentioned as integrative approaches that convey "self-care" by connecting the body with the psyche and are used in oncology. Through multimodal therapy concepts, which are also reflected in nursing care, symptoms are to be reduced and self-efficacy strengthened.

In the context of this NSK conference, approaches will be presented and discussed based on the concept of self-efficacy, and concrete offers will be presented. The aim is to demonstrate the relevance and benefits of self-efficacy and the offers based on it, to raise awareness for the topic and to enable an exchange and networking among the actors.

When: 5 November 2020, 09:30 - 16:45

Location: Park 18, Steinhölzli Bildungswege, Bern, Liebefeld

Registration

More info

www.nsk-krebsstrategie.ch

Driving a car and talking on the phone at the same time - this topic divides the Swiss population. The BFU's Safety Barometer 2020 shows: 51 % of the drivers surveyed would be in favor of a general ban on using the phone at the wheel. Also the Phone with a hands-free system would then be prohibited. Today, the police and the courts generally only punish people for using a cell phone while driving if they hold it to their ear or operate it while driving.

The gut feeling of this half of the respondents corresponds to the scientific findings. Because accident research proves it: Anyone who talks on the phone while driving increases their own risk of an accident. This also applies if a hands-free system is used. Although this leaves the driver's hands free, he or she is distracted while driving. Distraction and inattention of various kinds led to 43 fatalities and more than 1,000 injuries in traffic accidents last year. Seriously injured guided.

Fewer accidents, but too many drunk drivers

Overall, there are fewer and fewer heavy vehicles on Swiss roads. Accidents - This is also shown by the new safety barometer. However, with 187 people still killed and 3639 seriously injured last year, much remains to be done. Accidents under the influence of drugs and medication, for example, are not decreasing. And drunk driving is more common in Switzerland than in most other European countries. Current figures from an international survey make people sit up and take notice: 34 % of Swiss respondents said they had driven under the influence of alcohol in the previous month. By comparison, 5 % in Hungary, 18 % in Germany, 20 % in Italy and 29 % in France said this.

Intraurban progress is smaller

Fewer serious accidents than a few years ago are occurring on roads outside built-up areas and on freeways, as the Safety Barometer 2020 continues to show. In contrast, the number of accidents in built-up areas is hardly decreasing. This is regrettable, because accidents with serious injuries happen most frequently in built-up areas.

In addition to infrastructure measures, it is the road users themselves who are called upon to take action. For example, distraction by smartphones: Half of all pedestrians sometimes use a smartphone while walking. There are also many people on foot and on bicycles who are dressed in dark clothing - light-colored, reflective clothing is more visible and therefore safer. Lower speed limits could also reduce the number of serious accidents in built-up areas. A majority supports this: 59 % are in favor of a speed limit of 30 km/h in villages and neighborhoods, and 50 km/h only on main roads.

More info

www.bfu.ch

Urgent Germs into a wound, they can trigger a permanent infection that may not heal or may even spread throughout the body and lead to life-threatening blood poisoning (sepsis). Today, especially in complex wounds, the problem of the Antibiotic resistancebecause bacteria such as staphylococci have become insensitive to the former wonder weapon of medicine. Researchers at Empa have therefore developed cellulose membranes that can nip such infections in the bud.

The team led by Empa researcher Katharina Maniura from the "Biointerfaces" laboratory in St. Gallen used electrospinning to produce fine membranes from plant cellulose for this purpose. The cellulose fibers with a diameter of less than one micrometer were spun into a delicate three-dimensional fabric in several layers. The membranes became particularly flexible and at the same time stable after the researchers had additionally spun in the polymer polyurethane.

To make a antibacterial effect the researchers designed multifunctional protein building blocks - known as peptides - that can bind to the cellulose fibers and also exhibit antimicrobial activity. These peptides have the advantage that they are easier to produce and remain more stable than larger proteins, which are more sensitive to the chemical conditions in a wound.

Skin friendly membranes

When the cellulose membranes were treated with such a peptide solution, the fiber scaffold became saturated with the protein building blocks. In cell culture experiments, the researchers then demonstrated that the peptide-containing membranes are well tolerated by human skin cells. For bacteria such as staphylococci, which are often found in poorly healing wounds, however, the cellulose membranes were a death sentence. "In bacterial cultures, more than 99.99 percent of the germs were killed by the peptide-containing membranes," Maniura said.

In the future, the antimicrobial membranes will also be equipped with additional functions. "For example, the peptides could be functionalized with binding sites that enable the controlled delivery of additional therapeutic agents," Maniura said.

More info

www.admin.ch

Every job requires attention and correct assessment of the situation. Mentally ill and stressed persons have accidents twice as often as healthy employees. The reasons are clear, lack of attention and misjudgements lead to Accidents. Mentally ill and burdened persons are more and more. Clear figures are provided by the 2017 health survey and the comparison of previous years.

Also the Drug consumption is increasing. Stress and Depression are also on the rise. The topic of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) also concerns people in their everyday working lives. Three specialized psychiatrists will inform participants about stress, the effects of medication, and ADHD. In this way, people at risk can be better recognized and understood, and preventive action can be taken.

Symposium of the SGAS

The symposium is organized by the SGAS (Swiss Society for Occupational Safety) recognized as a training unit. According to the SGAS continuing education regulations, it counts as two (2) continuing education units.

Registration deadline is September 9, 2020. Important: A maximum of 60 participants can be considered. Registrations will be considered according to the date of receipt. In case of cancellation after the registration deadline, the full registration fee will be charged.

Go to Conference Program:

Registration online

Location: Psychiatric Services Aargau AG, Königsfelderstrasse 1, 5210 Windisch

To the site plan

SGIG is a company of the suissepro.

Ms. Bearth, together with other members of the Consumer Behavior Group at ETH Zurich, you took a close look at the behavior of the German-speaking Swiss population during the Corona crisis. What exactly did you study?
Angela Bearth: We have conducted two longitudinal surveys in recent months: In the first survey, we interviewed about 1500 people between the ages of 18 and 69 a total of four times about their behavior during the Corona crisis. We conducted the first survey right at the beginning of the lockdown in mid-March, and the last one now after the introduction of the Mask obligation on public transport. In the second survey, we asked around 500 people over the age of 59 a total of three times about their behavior. So we deliberately focused on the main risk group.

How representative are the two groups?
I hesitate somewhat to call the two groups representative, but they certainly give a good picture of the situation, since we have taken care to ensure a representative distribution of genders and age groups. In tendency, both groups are somewhat better educated than the average of the population.

Let's talk about the elderly first. How well did they adhere to the recommendations?
It is remarkable that about 60 percent of the elderly still went shopping themselves even in the acute phase. Of course, not everyone has a nice neighbor who can take over. But it is still astonishing how few adhered to the recommendation. The answers to the open questions confirm that many older people feel patronized if they are no longer allowed to do their own shopping.

What about the other recommendations?
Overall, the hygiene measures were well observed, with the Risk awareness is significantly higher in people with a pre-existing condition.

More info

www.ethz.ch

Content of the SGAS Symposium 2020:

ISO 45,000 - Experience from the field, Ute Bauckhorn, Schindler Elevators Ltd.

The company Schindler Aufzüge AG was able to successfully certify its management system according to ISO 45'001 in spring. From this experience, it will be shown what has changed compared to OHSAS 18'001 and how the requirements of EKAS are covered. The biggest innovations are explained, also how the "Opportunities" in the new focus topic "Risks and Opportunities" can be identified and promoted.

Crowd Management, René Bonk, Security Officer FC Basel

Crowd management is the systematic planning and monitoring of an orderly movement or gathering of people. Even though crowd hazards have taken on a new significance in recent months (see Corona), the classic experience in crowd management and control from the football stadium will be shown and explained.

Pandemic: Background - Status - Future Prospects, Michael Schützenmeister, MD, AEH AG

And suddenly a jolt went through our society. A pandemic, as epidemiologists had been predicting for decades, took hold and completely turned our lives upside down. We have heard a lot, experienced a lot ourselves, heard many theories. An occupational physician shows us the scientifically accepted facts, the current state of ignorance and what this means for our immediate future in the Working world means.

Safety on, for and after construction, Dario Bischofberger, Bisch Sicher AG

Construction safety has various facets: On the one hand, planning must take into account that work can later be carried out in the rooms according to all rules of occupational safety and health protection. On the other hand, the actual construction must proceed in such a way that neither accidents nor damage to health are to be expected.

Daily program

09.00 - 09.30 Enrollment,  SGAS

09.30 - 10.40 ISO 45'000 - Experiences from the field, Ute Bauckhorn

10.40 - 11.10 Break                 

11.10 - 12.20 Crowd Management, René Bonk

12.30 - 13.30 Lunch, PHZH

13.30 - 14.40 Pandemic: Background - Status - Future Prospects, Michael Shooting Master

14.40 - 15.10 Break                      

15.10 - 16.20 Safety on, for and after construction,  Dario Bischofberger

16.20 - 16.30 Conclusion

Subject to changes

Cost: The cost for participation in the full-day symposium including lunch is CHF 350.00 for non-members and CHF 270.00 for SGAS members. For the participation in the symposium Zurich 2 FBE will be credited.

Appointment: September 24, 2020

Location: Room LAA-J002C, Zurich University of Teacher Education, directly at the main station, exit Sihlpost, Lagerstrasse 2, 8090 Zurich

Adjusting the continuing education requirement for 2020:
In the first half of 2020, most of the training courses were postponed or even cancelled. The SGAS therefore reduces the training obligation or training recommendation for 2020 to half (i.e. SiIng 4 FBE, SiFa and Spez ASGS 3 FBE, SiKo, KOPAS and SiAss 1 FBE).

Registration: online until August 17, 2020

www.sgas.ch