Category: Safety

The Understated Injury: Overexertion

82183-GettyImages_83665722Injuries related to overexertion account for over 3 million hospital visits a year. Most of these injuries are preventable. Use your head; avoid pushing your body past its limits.

Physical Overexertion

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), physical overexertion is the most common cause of workers compensation claims. These types of injuries usually occur through repetitive motion such as typing, lifting heavy objects, or working in an awkward position. The pain is often acute, though it will decrease after medical care and preventative measures are taken. However, if the overexertion is constant, acute pain can become chronic, leading to problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis.

via The Understated Injury: Overexertion.

How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

yoga-carpet-tunnelIf you spend a lot of time doing activities that involve forceful or repetitive hand or wrist movement or use of vibrating equipment, you have an increased risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. These activities can include driving, working with small instruments, knitting, or using a sander. You can reduce your risk-and any hand pain or weakness you may already have-by taking a few simple steps.

Key points

  • Many health conditions and diseases make you more likely to get carpal tunnel symptoms. But if you exercise, stay at a healthy weight, control other health conditions such as arthritis and diabetes, and avoid smoking, you can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Arranging your activity and work space using ergonomic guidelines can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Office ergonomics focuses on how a workstation is set up, including the placement of your desk, computer monitor, paperwork, chair, and associated tools, such as a computer keyboard and mouse. The same ideas can help you arrange your position for other daily activities.
  • Proper body mechanics are key to preventing carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Evaluate your daily routine for activities that increase your risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Take frequent breaks from activities to rest, stretch, change positions, or alternate with another activity.

via How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Christmas Holiday Decoration Safety Tips

FGFguy_christmas_lightsBefore crawling up on the roof to string the Christmas lights, you need to know that every year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 12,500 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts and shocks, related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

In addition, warns CPSC, candles start about 11,600 each year, resulting in 150 deaths, 1,200 injuries and $173 million in property loss. Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths, 30 injuries and an average of more than $10 million in property loss and damage.

“Sometimes people are having such a nice time during the holidays that they forget to extinguish candles,” said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. “Always put out lit candles before leaving a room or going to bed. Always keep burning candles within sight. Also, make sure your holiday lights bear the mark of a recognized testing lab to show they meet safety standards.”

via Christmas Holiday Decoration Safety Tips from CPSC.

Safety Tip: Keep Exits Clear

lMake sure your workplace entrances and exits are fully operational and easily accessible. If your employees need to get out of the building quickly, make sure that their exits aren’t blocked by any large or unmovable objects. This is more than just a workplace violation: this is a potential life or death matter.

via How to Reduce Accidents in the Workplace: 11 Steps.

Back Injuries

bendingliftingStrained muscles and sprained ligaments are the most common causes of back pain. This type of back pain, which lasts less than three months, is considered to be “acute”. With proper treatment these injuries usually heal within a few weeks.

When back pain persists or frequently reoccurs, it is considered to be “chronic”. Chronic back pain may indicate that something is wrong with the spine itself.

Several factors may increase the onset of acute or chronic back pain including:

  • Lifting incorrectly
  • Carrying objects incorrectly
  • Pushing or pulling heavy objects
  • Frequent back bending
  • Poor posture
  • Being overweight
  • Lack of physical fitness
  • Inadequate tools
  • Environmental barriers

Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing either acute or chronic back pain.

via Back safety – Environment, Health & Safety – University of Wisconsin System.

Workplace Safety & Health Administration and Enforcement

Construction Inspector - SatisfiedThree Department of Labor (DOL) agencies have responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the laws enacted to protect the safety and health of workers in America.

OSHA administers the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.

Safety and health conditions in most private industries are regulated by OSHA or OSHA-approved state systems.

Nearly every employee in the nation comes under OSHA’s jurisdiction with some exceptions such as miners, some transportation workers, many public employees, and the self-employed.

Employers subject to the OSH Act also have a general duty to provide work and a workplace free from recognized, serious hazards.

Mine Safety and Health Administration

DOL’s MSHA has responsibility for administration and enforcement of the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, which protects the safety and health of workers employed in the nation’s mines.

The Act applies to all mining and mineral processing operations in the United States, regardless of size, number of employees, or method of extraction.

The Fair Labor Standards Act

FLSA contains rules concerning the employment of young workers, those under the age of 18, and is administered and enforced by DOL’s Wage and Hour Division. Intended to protect the health and well-being of youth in America, the FLSA contains minimum age restrictions for employment, restrictions on the times of day youth may work, and the jobs they may perform.

Other resources

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs – Administers four major disability compensation programs which provide wage replacement benefits, medical treatment, vocational rehabilitation and other benefits to certain workers or their dependents who experience work-related injury or occupational disease.

Office of the Ombudsman for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOMBD) and the SHARE initiative also play a role in the administration of DOL workplace safety and health programs.

For help in determining which safety and health standards apply to particular employment situations, select from the subtopics lists. Also, see the Office of Compliance Assistance Policy’s Web pages on safety and health in the workplace.

via U.S. Department of Labor — Find It By Topic — Workplace Safety & Health.

Your Best Defense Against a Workplace Injury

information_about_workplace_health_and_safety_policiesA safety and health management system (SHMS) is your best defense against a workplace injury.

An effective safety and health management system has five primary elements:

•          Management Commitment

•          Employee Involvement

•          Workplace Analysis

•          Hazard Prevention and Control

•          Safety and Health Training

This systematic approach integrates occupational safety and health objectives into the company’s organizational structure.

The results of a system approach include:

•          An effective system supports the organization’s philosophy.

•          Safety and health policies and goals are clearly communicated.

•          Accountability for implementing the system is understood and accepted.

•          Long-term solutions are implemented rather than one-time fixes.

•          Evaluation of results over time promotes continual improvement.

•          An effective system positively impacts the company’s bottom line.

Prevent Injury at Home

157523780-20142450Many unintentional injuries and deaths are related to the home and its environment. Within the home, more than 11,000 people are estimated to die each year from preventable unintentional injuries, including falls, fires, drownings, and poisonings.

Health and Safety Tips:

Prevent falls:

  • Install grab bars in showers and tubs.
  • Use nonslip mats in bathtubs and showers.
  • Install stair rails.
  • Have good lighting.
  • Keep stairs in good repair.
  • Keep stairs free of clutter.
  • Use safety gates in homes with young children.

Prevent fire-related injuries:

  • Keep flammable objects away from the stove.
  • Make sure every bedroom has two exits in case of fire.
  • Practice your fire escape plan.
  • Install smoke alarms on every floor, including basements, and change the batteries at least once a year.

Prevent drowning:

  • Supervise young children in bathtubs.
  • Always watch young children while they are swimming or playing in or around water.
  • Teach your children to swim and about water and pool safety rules.

via CDC – Healthy Homes | Health Topics | Injury Prevention.

Confined Spaces

confinedspace“Confined Space” refers to a space which by design has limited openings for entry and exit, unfavorable natural ventilation which could contain or produce dangerous air contaminants, and which is not intended for continuous employee occupancy. Confined spaces include but are not limited to storage tanks, compartments of ships, process vessels, pits, silos, vats, degreasers, reaction vessels, boilers, ventilation and exhaust ducts, sewers, tunnels, underground utility vaults, and pipelines. According to data collected by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program, fatal injuries in confined spaces fluctuated from a low of 81 in 1998 to a high of 100 in 2000 during the five-year period, averaging 92 fatalities per year.

via CDC – Confined Spaces – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic.