Risk Profile Improvement
People in the U.S. are living longer than ever before. Many seniors live active and healthy lives. But there’s no getting around one thing: as we age, our bodies and minds change. There are things you can do to stay healthy and active as you age:
If you’ve been a safety professional or an operational manager for any significant amount of time, you’ve probably had your share of safety-related incidents. The most significant incidents are usually measured by their consequences. These may result in death, serious injuries, lost or restricted workday cases, OSHA recordable cases, first aid treatment, and/or equipment or property damage. Other incidents are commonly referred to as near misses, where serious consequences like the ones previously listed could potentially have occurred, but, through luck or circumstance, did not. Regardless of the type of incident, there is always one question that is asked afterward: Why did this happen?
Binge drinking can be dangerous on many different levels, especially for young binge drinkers, possibly affecting their health, brain and emotional well-being.
Binge drinking can increase risks for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders. It can affect your ability to plan, pay attention, make decisions, process emotions and control impulses. It also increases your risk of accident, injury and becoming the victim of violence.
The HR executive has a vital role in controlling risk. A major component of Risk Management planning is risk avoidance. Many risks can be avoided by controlling and planning the human side of the corporate equation. Succession planning, adequate severance and outplacement, executive coaching and development will ensure that an organization has the means to deal with current and future challenges.
via Innovative Employee Solutions – Knowledge & Resources – Risk Management and the HR Executive.
Automated external defibrillators are simple to use and easy to maintain. Failing to maintain your AED can lead to disaster on the day it is needed. Plan to be successful! Universally, all AEDs need the following to be operational when an emergency occurs:
The AED owner’s manual contains valuable information specific to checking and maintaining your AED—be sure to read and follow the instructions. AEDs are very reliable devices and problems are very rare, but they can happen. Your owner’s manual is also a valuable resource for correcting problems with your AED.
It is helpful to have a documented, periodic check of the AED. Your AED may have come with a checklist for a weekly or monthly check.
Finally, an action plan can help your emergency run smoothly. If your organization has one, review and practice it periodically. If not, draft a plan for your company.
via Maintaining Your AED – Project Heart Restart – The Christ Hospital.
There is no substitute for sound HR management practices. It makes no difference if you are a professional firm, retail outfit or contractor. It makes no difference if you have 5 employees or 50,000. It makes no difference if you have seasoned HR executives or not. Many companies fail to see the true cost of poor HR practices and don’t embrace the right ones until they get whacked in the head enough times that it begins to hurt!
Great companies don’t wait for the pain, they model best practices. This is not rocket science, it’s just plain common sense.
To calculate the cost of a poor hire click on the link below.
As you age, your relationship to food may change along with your body. A decreased metabolism, changes in taste and smell, and slower digestion may affect your appetite, the foods you can eat, and how your body processes food. The key is to figure out how to adapt to your changing needs. Now, more than ever, healthy eating is important to maintain your energy and health.
via Staying Healthy Over 50: How to Feel Young and Live Life to the Fullest.
The term Chain of Survival provides a useful metaphor for the elements of the Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) systems concept.
The 5 links in the adult Chain of Survival are:
A strong Chain of Survival can improve chances of survival and recovery for victims of heart attack, stroke and other emergencies.
via Chain of Survival.
Carry purses, portfolios or briefcases in a manner that will allow you to let go. Straps placed across your shoulder, around your neck or wrapped around your waist have caused injuries because women could not free themselves during a purse snatch.
Always be aware of your surroundings and carry your pocketbook clasp toward you, close to your body, tucked in the bend of your elbow as if it were a football. If there is a long strap, wrap it around the bag.
If someone attempts to snatch your pocket book, let go of it, especially if there is a weapon involved. When dining out, the only place for your purse should be your lap. The back of a chair is an easy target for a thief. Never carry a wallet in a rear pocket; use a front trouser or an inside coat pocket.
Be particularly aware of your purse/wallet in crowded situations, such as rush-hour trains and buses. If you are jostled in a crowd, be aware that a pickpocket might be responsible. Beware of arguments or commotions designed to distract you while your pocket or purse is being picked.
Minimize the amount of money, credit cards and valuables you carry by only taking items that are necessary for the day. Divide money between your purse/wallet and pockets. Carry your keys on your person separate from your identification.
Chronic diseases – such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes – are responsible for 7 of 10 deaths among Americans each year. Treatment for people with chronic conditions account for more than 75 percent of the more than $2.5 trillion spent on annual U.S. medical care costs. Obesity is a significant health care cost driver – in 2008, about $147 billion of medical bills were weight-related. With disease risk often related to economic, social, and physical factors, too many people engage in behaviors – such as tobacco use, poor diet, physical inactivity, and alcohol abuse – that lead to poor health and contribute to chronic disease.
The indirect costs of poor health—including absenteeism, disability, and reduced work output—may be several times higher than direct medical costs. Productivity losses related to personal and family health problems cost U.S. employers $1,685 per employee per year, or $225.8 billion annually.
Implementing and expanding evidence-based workplace health promotion programs will offer our nation the opportunity to not only improve the health of Americans, but also control health care spending. Evidence shows that workplace health programs have the potential to influence social norms; establish health policies; promote healthy behaviors; improve employees’ health knowledge and skills; help employees get necessary health screenings, immunizations, and follow-up care; and reduce their on-the-job exposure to substances and hazards that can cause diseases and injury. When done well, using evidence-based and best practices, comprehensive worksite health programs can yield on average a $3 return on every dollar spent, over a 2-5 year period.
via CDC – Comprehensive Workplace Health Programs – Workplace Health Promotion.