Winter Safety Tip from Dave Teloh
Carbon Monoxide (CO) – The silent killer
Q: What is CO?
A: A deadly gas.
Q: What are its characteristics?
A: It is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non irritating.
Q: What is its origin?
A: It is produced when fossil fuels are inadequately burned and not properly mixed with oxygen.
Sources include:
1. Vehicles
2. Small gas operated forklifts
3. Propane powered forklifts
4. Poorly vented furnaces and water heaters
Symptoms of CO poisoning:
1. Headache, dizziness and/or fainting
2. Flushed skin
3. Disorientation or clouded thinking
4. Abnormal reflexes
5. Convulsions
6. Damage to heart and brain from lack of oxygen
7. Coma and/or death
Q: How is the accumulation of CO prevented?
A: Ensure CO detectors are present and working. Ensure furnaces, water heaters, vehicles, small engines, etc. are in proper working order. Ensure ventilation is adequate whenever fuels are exploded.
Q: What if someone is exposed to CO?
A: Get the person into the fresh air. Monitor the exposed person for symptoms. If symptoms persist, seek medical attention.
February Service Recognition Honorees Celebrating Significant Anniversaries:
25 Years
Roger A. Draper, Maintenance
15 Years
Patricia A.Greene, Maintenance
Judith I. Rath, School of Education and Human Services
10 Years
Robert E. Lee, Maintenance
5 Years
Sylvia S. Bigler, Secretarial Center
Understanding Your W-2 Form Wage and Tax Statement
Canisius W-2 forms are distributed with paychecks in January. Checks and W-2 forms not picked up by January 24 were mailed to employees’ homes. The W-2 is your wage and tax statement and must be included when filing your tax return. To help you better understand the W-2, the Human Resources Office has prepared the following questions and answers.
To what address is the W-2 mailed?
If not picked up by January 23, 2004, the W-2 form is mailed to the address printed on the check stub. Faculty and staff may update their addresses at the Human Resources Office (Bagen Hall, Room 108).
What if my social security number is incorrect?
The Employee’s Social Security Number appears in Box D. If incorrect, contact the Human Resources Office at ext. 2241.
How are Box 1, Wages Tips and Other Compensation, calculated?
Start with the year-to-date gross wages from your last paycheck. Deduct tax-deferred retirement deductions, pre-tax benefit deductions (i.e., health insurance premiums, dependent care reimbursement and medical reimbursement), add other taxable payment (i.e., personal use of college vehicles, graduate tuition, taxable life insurance and other miscellaneous compensation commonly processed through Payroll).
How do Social Security recipients report income?
If you are actually drawing Social Security benefits, you report income in Box 1 when filing state and federal income tax, BUT USE THE FIGURES IN BOXES 3 & 5 when reporting annual wages to Social Security.
What are Box 5, Medicare Wages and Tips, and Box 6, Medicare Tax Withheld?
Medicare Wages and Tips and the corresponding Medicare Tax Withheld are the hospital care portion of Social Security. Prior to 1991, Medicare was included in Social Security withholding. They are now separated for payroll deductions and reporting purposes.
What is Box 10, Dependent Care Benefits?
This is a before-tax deduction under the Canisius Care Program. Reminder: Employees with dependent care accounts must include form 2441 when filing annual income tax returns.
What are the items shown in Box 12?
The Internal Revenue Service developed a coding system to report a variety of information in Box 12. The codes are explained on the back of the W-2 form, copy C. Canisius College uses the following codes:
• Code C: Group term life insurance coverage over $50,000
• Code E: Retirement plan reductions-403(b)
What is Box 13, the Retirement Plan?
This box should be checked if you are eligible to participate in the retirement plan offered by the college.
The remaining boxes should be self-explanatory. Questions regarding the W-2 form may be directed to the Payroll Office at Ext. 2841.
If an employee’s tax status has changed during the year (i.e., marital status, number of dependents, etc.), or they wish to increase or decrease withholdings, a new tax-withholding certificate (W-4 form) must be completed for 2004. W-4 forms are available from the Payroll Office by calling Ext. 2841.