Risk Profile Improvement
Occupational hearing loss is the most common work-related injury in the United States. Approximately 22 million U.S. workers exposed to hazardous noise levels at work, and an additional 9 million exposed to ototoxic chemicals. An estimated $242 million is spent annually on worker’s compensation for hearing loss disability.
via CDC – Noise and Hearing Loss Prevention – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic.
Construction workers build our roads, houses, workplaces, and repair/maintain our nations physical infrastructure. This work includes many hazardous tasks and conditions such as work at height, excavations, noise, dust, power tools and equipment, confined spaces and electricity.
via CDC – Construction Safety and Health – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic.
WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:
But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.
via Distracted Driving | Facts and Stats | Texting and Driving.
What are the hazards associated with operating powered industrial trucks?
There are many types of powered industrial trucks. Each type presents different operating hazards. For example, a sit-down, counterbalanced high-lift rider truck is more likely than a motorized hand truck to be involved in a falling load accident because the sit-down rider truck can lift a load much higher than a hand truck. Workplace type and conditions are also factors in hazards commonly associated with powered industrial trucks. For example, retail establishments often face greater challenges than other worksites in maintaining pedestrian safety. Beyond that, many workers can also be injured when:
One of the best ways to prevent and control occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities is to “design out” or minimize hazards and risks early in the design process. NIOSH is leading a national initiative called Prevention through Design (PtD) to promote this concept and highlight its importance in all business decisions.
The concept of PtD can be defined as:
Addressing occupational safety and health needs in the design process to prevent or minimize the work-related hazards and risks associated with the construction, manufacture, use, maintenance, and disposal of facilities, materials, and equipment.
via CDC – Prevention through Design – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic.
Workplace injuries are preventable. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe at work.
Preventing sexual harassment in the workplace, though difficult, is critically important. Fortunately, federal and state courts that have wrestled with the complex issues present in sexual harassment litigation have identified three steps an organization should take to prevent sexual harassment as well as liability for incidents that may nevertheless occur.
Step 1—Develop a Written Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures.
Step 2—Distribute the Sexual Harassment Policy.
Step 3—Educate the Workforce and Train Supervisors.
An organization that diligently takes these three steps will significantly reduce sexual harassment complaints and protect the organization from costly litigation.
via Risk Managers’ Forum—Preventing sexual harassment in the workplace 08/08.
There is mounting evidence of obesity contributing to the cost of workers compensation. Longitudinal studies by Duke University of its own employees—and by Johns Hopkins University of employees of a multi-site U.S. aluminum manufacturing company—point to substantially higher odds of injury for workers in the highest obesity category. Further, a 2011 Gallup survey found that obese employees account for a disproportionately high number of missed workdays, thus causing a significant loss in economic output. Finally, earlier NCCI research of workers compensation claims found that claimants with a comorbidity code indicating obesity experience medical costs that are a multiple of what is observed for comparable non-obese claimants.
via NCCI Releases New Research on Indemnity Benefit Duration and Obesity.
The potential for risk in human resources can negatively affect entire business organizations — yet only half of organizations say they have a formal plan to assess such risks. It’s up to HR leaders to better understand the risks and the potential costs they represent to the business.
via Human Resource Executive Online – Managing Human Capital Risk.
There are 5 steps to risk management. They are:
So which one is most important? The most important step is Identify because you cannot analyze, control, finance or measure what you do not know exists.