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July
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The Correct Use of Fire
Extinguishers |
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Concerned with the safety of its workers in their working
environment, Fazenda Tamanduá organized a talk, on April 13,
2005, addressing the theme of
The Correct Use of
Fire Extinguishers.
For this purpose, we had the collaboration of Lieutenant Saulo
and Sergeants Carlos and Serverlânio, from the Patos Fire
Brigade. |
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Explanations regarding the classes of fire
and types of fire extinguishers given by Lieutenant Saulo of
the Patos Fire Brigade. |
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main objective was to show the correct use of extinguishers to
the representatives of each sector - mechanics, tractor drivers,
cheese plant, fruit dehydration, sawmill, milking.
The program was divided into two parts: the
theoretical part, using a video cassette with explicit films
dealing with every class of fire, types of extinguishers and
safety hints in connection with any possible fire; and the
practical part, with demonstrations and the participation of
each person in fighting a fire. |
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Some
important information given during the training: |
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Classes
of Fires |
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Class A |
Fire on solid materials, such as wood, paper,
textiles, etc.
These materials have two properties:
- They leave residues when burnt (embers, ashes, charcoal).
- They burn on and below the surface |
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Class B |
Fire on inflammable liquids, such as oil,
gasoline, kerosene, etc.
These materials have two properties:
- They do not leave residues when burnt.
- They only burn on the surface. |
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Class C |
Fire on energized electric equipment, such as electric
machines, power control panels, etc. After the electric
circuit is switched off, the fire becomes class A. |
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Class D |
Fire on metals that are easily inflammable, such as potassium,
powdered aluminum, etc. |
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Fire extinguishers |
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Fire extinguishers were created in order to help fight small
outbreaks of fire. |
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Pressurized water extinguishers |
Appropriate for
class A
fires (wood, paper, textiles, solid materials in general).
The water acts by cooling down and smothering the flames,
depending on the way it is applied. |
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Carbon dioxide extinguishers |
Appropriate for
class C
fires (energized electric equipment), because it is not an
electric conductor.
Can also be used for
classes A
and
B. |
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Dry chemical powder extinguishers |
Appropriate for
class B
fires (inflammable liquids).
Acts by smothering the flames. Can also be used for
classes A
and
C. |
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Special chemical powder extinguishers |
Appropriate for
class D
fires (inflammable metals).
Acts by smothering the flames. |
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It
was very interesting because the participants, who were not very
familiar with these devices, had the opportunity to practice the
correct use of the fire extinguishers that exist in their place
of work.
The
Fire Brigade, thanks to their experience in educating people
regarding prevention and reaction in the event of fire, teaching
them the correct use of extinguishers in a pleasant way and
passing on their profound knowledge, should be congratulated on
the training given, which was very important for all concerned. |
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Maria Daguia (cheese factory worker) using a
water
extinguisher to fight a Class A fire. |
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Rubens (corral) using a chemical powder
extinguisher to fight a Class B fire. |
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In
the name of Fazenda Tamanduá, we would like to thank them for
their support and effort.
The matter of SAFETY IN THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
does not end there!
In the next event we will deal with the theme of
FIRST AID.
See you then!
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Fazenda Tamanduá
sets up a Medical Control Program
for Occupational Health |
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Always concerned about its employees’ health, and
as a pioneer in its segment of agricultural business, Fazenda
Tamanduá decided to set up a Medical Control Program for
Occupational Health (known by its Portuguese acronym PCMSO). |
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The
PCMSO is a program that specifies the conduct and procedures to
be adopted by companies in relation to the risks to which their
employees are exposed in the working environment. Its objectives
are the prevention, prior detection, monitoring and control of
potential health hazards.
The implementation of this program is important both to comply
with the legislation in force and to prevent possible legal
consequences resulting from the appearance of occupational
illnesses. The
planning and implementation of the
PCMSO varies according to the risks and characteristics of each
individual Company and its workers (age, sex, working conditions
and environmental risks, among others). |
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Dra. Paula Christianne G. G. Souto Maia conversando com
uma colaboradora da Fazenda Tamanduá |
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For that reason, we decided to set up this program at Fazenda
Tamanduá, with the participation of Dr. Paula Christianne
G. G. Souto Maia as the Coordinating Doctor for this project. It
is she who defines the actions related to health to be
undertaken within the PCMSO; assigns doctors to carry out
occupational and complementary tests; provides the examining
doctors with the technical parameters and criteria for the
procedures; and issues, at the end of each consultation, an
Occupational Health Declaration.
The occupational medical tests within the program are generally
carried out when the worker is admitted, returns to work,
changes his job or is dismissed, in addition to periodical
tests. With regard to the type of test indicated by the program,
that depends on the worker’s activities. The tests are as
follows: clinical evaluation, audiometry, electro-cardiogram,
eye test, blood tests (including glycaemia), summary urine test,
and fecal parasite tests. |
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At Fazenda Tamanduá, the worker is not regarded as a mere complement
to the production process, but a basic and determining factor for
the company’s operations and also its greatest asset. If the worker
is not well, the company will certainly not be well either. When
less is spent on promoting health and on investments in the quality
of life, a high frequency of illnesses and accidents will have to be
faced, as well as the costs resulting from this imbalance. |
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Healthy, happy and leading a high-quality life, our worker will
certainly feel at home in his professional context, becoming
more productive and creative and enjoying better conditions to
develop all his potential. Thus, it is up to the company to
assess and correct any distortions in its processes, its working
environment and organization, and also to create opportunities
for people to become aware of their responsibilities in relation
to developing and maintaining their health.
Taking care of one’s health does not mean fearing illness, but
rather understanding that we should be committed to nurturing it
as an essential path towards self-fulfillment.
This message was well received by all the workers involved in
this process. The most varied comments were made during the
implementation of the program, but they all understood the
message:
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“To
be happy and live well is more important
and this helps us to live longer lives”. |
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Along the same lines, we have recently had another visit of the MOBILE
DENTAL UNIT.
The Mobile Dental Unit, which was set up by the SESI (Social Service of the
Industrial Sector) to attend the companies’ workers and their dependents,
was installed at the farm on May 23 and is still working there. The SESI
charges R$ 10.00 per procedure, and in our case, Mocó Agropecuária Ltda.
takes full responsibility for the costs; this is different from most
companies, where, despite the fact that the dental treatment costs so
little, the workers usually pay for it themselves. Thus, all the workers and
their dependents make use of this benefit because it is easily accessible
and totally free. |
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Dr. Eguiberto
Wanderley de Araújo Júnior and one of
the
students of the Pólo Nordeste School |
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In the opinion of Lúcio de Brito Morais, one of the company’s workers,
the advantage of the dental treatment was great due to its being totally
free. “I can’t imagine how much I would have to pay for this treatment
if I had to have it done somewhere else”.
Food Handler Robsanubia da Silva Assis, who had a record number of
fillings, said she was very happy with the treatment: “I was very
pleased, because I would have had to travel to the town of Patos
otherwise. And also, of course, because it was free”.
The unit provides both remedial and preventive services; and the
preventive part also includes educational talks, at the Farm, given by
the dentist himself. |
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Such was the case with all the students of the Pólo Nordeste School,
where Dr. Eguiberto Wanderley de Araújo Júnior assembled the kids and, using
dynamic activities, explained the correct way to brush one’s teeth, also
applying fluorine to the children’s teeth.
As we are all aware that prevention is essential, another talk has already
been scheduled, for adults this time, in order to ensure that everyone will
have good dental health and an impeccable smile!
Paula Leite |
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Fazenda
Tamanduá
Caixa Postal 65 - Patos / Paraíba - CEP 58700-970 - Brazil
Tel.(55
83)3422-7070 Fax(55 83)3422-7071 |
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