Safety – Page 6 – Risk Management 365

Snow Shoveling Safety Tips

Snow shoveling can certainly be good exercise. But there are certain higher risk groups who should think twice before picking up that shovel.

If you’ve ever had a heart attack, if you have heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you probably don’t want to do the shoveling yourself. At the very least, you should consult your doctor before attempting it.

Smokers may want to resort to that snow blower – and certainly you should never smoke while shoveling. Tobacco smoke constricts blood vessels just as cold air does; the combination can be dangerous.

And if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you could be putting yourself at risk. You don’t want very strenuous snow shoveling to be the only thing you’ve gotten off the couch for in a month. It’s definitely something that needs to be worked up to.

Here are some tips to make shoveling safer:

Always remember to dress warmly. You may be working up a sweat, but that doesn’t mean you’re immune to the effects of the cold.
Don’t feel you need to get the whole driveway cleared in one shot. Take breaks every 15 minutes.
Go inside for some hot chocolate, but don’t drink coffee. The caffeine may increase your heart rate and cause your blood vessels to constrict, just like smoking does.
Keep hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
And most importantly, know the warning signs of a heart attack. These may include chest pain, shoulder, neck or arm pain; dizziness, fainting, sweating or nausea; or shortness of breath. And if you think you’re having a heart attack, seek medical help immediately.
When shoveling, it’s important to avoid back strain. The average shovel (loaded with 16 pounds of snow) ends up moving 192 pounds of snow, if you load your shovel about 12 times a minute. That’s almost 2,000 pounds being lifted in just over 10 minutes!

Here is how to shovel properly:

Lift with your legs, not your back. Bend your knees and keep your back as straight as possible so that the lifting comes from your leg muscles, not your back. Never bend at the waist. Step in the direction that you’re throwing snow. This will help prevent the lower back from twisting and will help alleviate any back soreness that you might typically experience the day after a hard shoveling job.
Create some distance between the hands. This will give you more leverage and make it easier to lift snow.
Pick up smaller loads of snow. It’s best to shovel by sections. If you’re shoveling deep snow (a foot or more), take it easy and shovel two or three inches off at a time.
Do push. Don’t lift. Save your back and your energy by simply pushing the snow to the side instead of lifting the snow and throwing it off to the side.

via Snow shoveling safety tips – 19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports.

Prevent Snowblowing Injuries

Tips for Snowblowing

Never stick your hands in the snowblower! If snow jams the snowblower, stop the engine and wait more than 5 seconds. Use a solid object to clear wet snow or debris from the chute. Beware of the recoil of the motor and blades after the machine has been turned off.
Proper supervision. Do not leave the snow blower unattended when it is running. Shut off the engine if you must walk away from the machine.
Safe fueling. Add fuel before starting the snow blower. Never add fuel when the engine is running or hot. Do not operate the machine in an enclosed area.
Avoid the engine. Stay away from the engine. It can become very hot and burn unprotected flesh.
Watch the snowblower cord. If you are operating an electric snow blower, be aware of where the power cord is at all times.
No tampering. Do not remove safety devices, shields, or guards on switches, and keep hands and feet away from moving parts.
Watch for motor recoil. Beware of the brief recoil of motor and blades that occurs after the machine has been turned off.
Keep children away. Never let children operate snowblowers. Keep children 15 years of age and younger away when snowblowers are in use.
Understand your machine. Read the instruction manual prior to using a snowblower. Be familiar with the specific safety hazards and unfamiliar features. Do not attempt to repair or maintain the snowblower without reading the instruction manual.

via Prevent Snow Shoveling and Snowblowing Injuries -OrthoInfo – AAOS.

Heating Safety Tips

Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. Half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February. Some simple steps can prevent most heating-related fires from happening.

Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
Never use your oven to heat your home.
Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
Test smoke alarms monthly.

via Heating safety tips.

10 Commandments of Firearm Safety

The Ten Commandments of Firearms Safety should be etched in your memory forever. Let them govern your actions wherever and whenever you’re involved with firearms. In the woods. On the range. Or in your home. Please take time to review and understand these rules.

Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.
Don’t rely on your gun’s safety.
Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.
Use proper ammunition.
If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care.
Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting.
Don’t alter or modify your gun and have it serviced regularly.
Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.

via 10 Commandments of Firearm Safety – Hunting Safety Tips – Hunting Safety Rules.

How Can Total Worker Health Help My Business or Workplace?

“Today leading companies have learned that because of lost workdays and diminished employee productivity, poor health costs them more than health benefits do.”

Safe and healthy employees are less likely to be injured while on the job and are vibrant, engaged, and high performing.

Safer and Healthier Employees…

… Are good for business and help improve the bottom line. Companies that have exemplary safety, health, and environmental programs outperformed the S&P 500 by between 3% and 5%.

… Create a happier, less stressful, and more prosperous business environment. According to a survey by Aon Hewitt, the National Business Group on Health, and the Futures Company, employees who reported having a strong culture of health at work were more likely to report being happy, less likely to report that stress has a negative impact on their work, and less likely to cite the work environment as an obstacle to health.

… Do better at their jobs and contribute more. Employers that have high employee engagement performed better than employers with low employee engagement in profitability, customer ratings, turnover, safety incidents, productivity, and quality. Engagement includes feeling like someone at work cares about the employee as a person and having the materials needed to do work right.

… Are absent from work less and more productive when at work. For every dollar spent on worksite wellness programs, absentee day costs were reduced by $2.73, and medical costs were reduced by $3.27.9 Research on chronic conditions and productivity estimates that presenteeism causes 18-91 lost work days per year and absenteeism causes 1-10 lost work days per year. Presenteeism costs more than absenteeism and medical expenses combined.

… Enjoy their jobs more, reducing turnover costs. Employees who feel supported by their employers are more likely to want to keep their jobs and will help attract and retain the best employees for the business. A study by the World Economic Forum found that 64% of employees who reported that their workplaces were active promoters of health intended to stay with their companies at least five years.

via CDC – Making the Business Case – NIOSH Total Worker Health.

Winter Driving Safety

If you find yourself driving in the snow, stay alert, slow down and stay in control. These are the three key elements to safe driving in the snow.

Here are a few other tips for driving in the snow:

If you think you may be heading into snow or there is a possibility of driving in the snow, make sure you do a maintenance check on your vehicle before making the trip. Check the vehicle battery, belts and hoses, anti-freeze, oil, lights, brakes, heater and defroster and check the exhaust system for leaks which may allow carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle.
Plan your route ahead of time and give yourself extra travel time. Make sure someone knows your travel plans.
Wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict your movement while at the wheel. Keep warm clothing available for when you exit the vehicle.
Always clear any snow and ice from all windows, lights, mirrors and the roof before driving. After starting the vehicle wait for the interior windows to clear of fog so you will have appropriate visibility.
Make sure there is sufficient windshield washer fluid in the vehicle reservoir and that it is rated for freezing temperatures.
It takes longer to stop on slippery surfaces, so add additional time to the three-second rule.
Know the proper handling procedures for a skidding vehicle.
Slow down in snow and icy conditions, make turns slowly, and make all starts slow and smooth.
Remember that bridges and overpasses may freeze before the regular travel lanes of a roadway. Watch out for black ice, areas of the roadway that appear black and shiny and where your vehicle can suddenly lose traction. Slow down in these areas and keep your foot off the brakes.
If you get stuck or stranded, don’t panic. Stay with your vehicle for safety and warmth. Wait for help to arrive. If you have a cell phone and are in an area with cell phone service, try calling for help. Try to always know your exact locations while driving.
Keep your clothing dry. Wet clothing can lead to dangerous loss of body heat.

via Winter Driving Safety.

Before You Celebrate—Plan Ahead

Of course, we don’t intend to harm anyone when we get behind the wheel during the holiday season. Yet traffic fatalities persist and myths about drinking live on—even though scientific studies have documented how alcohol affects the brain and body.

Because individuals are so different, it is difficult to give specific advice about drinking. But certain facts are clear—there’s no way to speed up the brain’s recovery from alcohol and no way to make good decisions when you are drinking too much, too fast.

So this holiday season, do not underestimate the effects of alcohol. Don’t believe you can beat them. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you choose to drink:

Pace yourself. Know what constitutes a standard drink and have no more than one per hour.
Have “drink spacers”—make every other drink a nonalcoholic one.
Make plans to get home safely. Remember that a designated driver is someone who hasn’t had any alcohol, not simply the person in your group who drank the least.

Have a safe holiday season!

via Publications | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism | New Year, Old Myths, New Fatalities: Alcohol-Related Traffic Deaths Jump During Christmas and New Year’s.

Combining Safety & Wellness = Total Worker Health

Today, emerging evidence recognizes that both work-related factors and health factors beyond the workplace jointly contribute to many safety and health problems that confront today’s workers and their families. Traditionally, workplace safety and health programs have been compartmentalized. Health protection programs have focused squarely on safety, reducing worker exposures to risk factors arising in the work environment itself. And most workplace health promotion programs have focused exclusively on lifestyle factors off-the-job that place workers at risk. A growing body of science supports the effectiveness of combining these efforts through workplace interventions that integrate health protection and health promotion programs.

via CDC – NIOSH Total Worker Health.

Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls at Work

Here are six guidelines to help you create a safer working environment for you and your employees.

1) Create Good Housekeeping Practices

Good housekeeping is critical. Safety and housekeeping go hand-in-hand. If your facility’s housekeeping habits are poor, the result may be a higher incidence of employee injuries, ever-increasing insurance costs and regulatory citations. If an organization’s facilities are noticeably clean and well organized, it is a good indication that its overall safety program is effective as well.

Proper housekeeping is a routine. It is an ongoing procedure that is simply done as a part of each worker’s daily performance. To create an effective housekeeping program, there are three simple steps to get you started

Plan ahead– Know what needs to be done, who’s going to do it and what the particular work area should look like when you are done.
Assign responsibilities– It may be necessary to assign a specific person or group of workers to clean up, although personal responsibility for cleaning up after himself/herself is preferred.
Implement a program– Establish housekeeping procedures as a part of the daily routine.

2) Reduce Wet or Slippery Surfaces

Walking surfaces account for a significant portion of injuries reported by state agencies. The most frequently reported types of surfaces where these injuries occur include

Parking lots
Sidewalks (or lack of)
Food preparation areas
Shower stalls in residential dorms
Floors in general

Traction on outdoor surfaces can change considerably when weather conditions change. Those conditions can then affect indoor surfaces as moisture is tracked in by pedestrian traffic. Traction control procedures should be constantly monitored for their effectiveness.

Keep parking lots and sidewalks clean and in good repair condition.
When snow and ice are present, remove or treat these elements. In some extreme cases, it may be necessary to suspend use of the area.
Use adhesive striping material or anti-skid paint whenever possible.

Indoor control measures can help reduce the incidence of slips and falls.

Use moisture-absorbent mats with beveled edges in entrance areas. Make sure they have backing material that will not slide on the floor.
Display “Wet Floor” signs as needed.
Use anti-skid adhesive tape in troublesome areas.
Clean up spills immediately. Create a procedure for taking the appropriate action when someone causes or comes across a food or drink spill.
Use proper area rugs or mats for food preparation areas.

3) Avoid Creating Obstacles in Aisles and Walkways

Injuries can also result in from trips caused by obstacles, clutter, materials and equipment in aisles, corridors, entranceways and stairwells. Proper housekeeping in work and traffic areas is still the most effective control measure in avoiding the proliferation of these types of hazards. This means having policies or procedures in place and allowing time for cleaning the area, especially where scrap material or waste is a by-product of the work operation.

Keep all work areas, passageways, storerooms and service areas clean and orderly.
Avoid stringing cords, cables or air hoses across hallways or in any designated aisle.
In office areas, avoid leaving boxes, files or briefcases in the aisles.
Encourage safe work practices such as closing file cabinet drawers after use and picking up loose items from the floor.
Conduct periodic inspections for slip and trip hazards.

4) Create and Maintain Proper Lighting

Poor lighting in the workplace is associated with an increase in accidents.

Use proper illumination in walkways, staircases, ramps, hallways, basements, construction areas and dock areas.
Keep work areas well lit and clean.
Upon entering a darkened room, always turn on the light first.
Keep poorly lit walkways clear of clutter and obstructions.
Keep areas around light switches clear and accessible.
Repair fixtures, switches and cords immediately if they malfunction.

5) Wear Proper Shoes

The shoes we wear can play a big part in preventing falls. The slickness of the soles and the type of heels worn need to be evaluated to avoid slips, trips and falls. Shoelaces need to be tied correctly. Whenever a fall-related injury is investigated, the footwear needs to be evaluated to see if it contributed to the incident. Employees are expected to wear footwear appropriate for the duties of their work task.

6) Control Individual Behavior

This condition is the toughest to control. It is human nature to let our guard down for two seconds and be distracted by random thoughts or doing multiple activities. Being in a hurry will result in walking too fast or running which increases the chances of a slip, trip or fall. Taking shortcuts, not watching where one is going, using a cell phone, carrying materials which obstructs the vision, wearing sunglasses in low-light areas, not using designated walkways and speed are common elements in many on-the-job injuries.

It’s ultimately up to each individual to plan, stay alert and pay attention.

via 6 guidelines to prevent workplace slips, trips and falls.

Myths and Facts About Seat Belts

MYTH: I’d rather be thrown clear in a crash.

FACT: Being thrown safely clear in a crash is almost impossible. When you’re thrown, you may be thrown through the windshield, scraped along the pavement, or even crushed by your own vehicle or another one. The idea of being thrown from a car and gently landing in a grassy area beside the road is pure fantasy. Your best bet in a crash is to stay inside the vehicle, securely held by your seat belt.

via MSP – Myths and Facts About Seat Belts.