work comp – Page 6 – Risk Management 365

Motor Vehicle Safety on The Job

Risk of work-related motor vehicle crashes cuts across all industries and occupations. Workers who drive on the job may be “professional” drivers whose primary job is to transport freight or passengers. Many other workers spend a substantial part of the work day driving a vehicle owned or leased by their employer, or a personal vehicle. In the United States, companies and drivers that operate large trucks and buses are covered by comprehensive safety regulations. In contrast, there are no Federal occupational safety regulations that cover the workers who use smaller employer-provided vehicles or personal vehicles.

For all workers who drive on the job, employer safety policies are a critical element in reducing crash risks. Employer policies may be limited to supporting and reinforcing state traffic laws. However, many employers choose to manage road risk more proactively through programs and policies to promote safe driving behaviors, ensure that work-related driving takes place under the safest possible conditions, and ensure that worker vehicles are safe and properly maintained.

via CDC – Motor Vehicle Safety – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic.

Electrical Safety

Electrical current exposes workers to a serious, widespread occupational hazard; practically all members of the workforce are exposed to electrical energy during the performance of their daily duties, and electrocutions occur to workers in various job categories. Many workers are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their work environment, which makes them more vulnerable to the danger of electrocution.Electrical injuries consist of four main types: electrocution fatal, electric shock, burns, and falls caused as a result of contact with electrical energy.

via CDC – Electrical Safety – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic.

Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention

What are bloodborne pathogens?

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries may expose workers to bloodborne pathogens. Workers in many occupations, including first aid team members, housekeeping personnel in some industries, nurses and other healthcare personnel may be at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

What can be done to control exposure to bloodborne pathogens?

In order to reduce or eliminate the hazards of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, an employer must implement an exposure control plan for the worksite with details on employee protection measures. The plan must also describe how an employer will use a combination of engineering and work practice controls, ensure the use of personal protective clothing and equipment, provide training , medical surveillance, hepatitis B vaccinations, and signs and labels, among other provisions. Engineering controls are the primary means of eliminating or minimizing employee exposure and include the use of safer medical devices, such as needleless devices, shielded needle devices, and plastic capillary tubes.

via Safety and Health Topics | Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention.

The 10 most dangerous jobs in America

According to a September report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS, fisherman, loggers and pilots were the three deadliest in the United States in 2011. The organization recently examined the occupations with the highest rate of work-related deaths and found that of all U.S. workers, fishermen are the most likely to die on the job.

Here is the full list of work-related deaths in 2011 per 100,000 workers:

Fisherman 121.2
Loggers 102.4
Pilots 57.0
Farmers and Ranchers 25.3
Police Officers 18.6
Construction Workers 15.7
National Average 3.5
Firefighters 2.5
Cashiers 1.6
Office Admin 0.6
Business and Finance Staff 0.5

via The 10 most dangerous jobs in America | SmartPlanet.

Safety and Health Program Assessment

There are three basic methods for assessing safety and health program effectiveness:

Checking documentation of activity.
Interviewing employees at all levels for knowledge, awareness, and perceptions.
Reviewing site conditions and, where hazards are found, finding the weaknesses in management systems that allowed the hazards to occur or to be “uncontrolled.”

Some elements of the safety and health program are best assessed using one of these methods. Others lend themselves to assessment by two or all three methods.

via Tools for a Safety and Health Program Assessment.

Hazardous Drug Exposures in Health Care

Health care workers who prepare or administer hazardous drugs (e.g., those used for cancer therapy, and some antiviral drugs, hormone agents, and bioengineered drugs) or who work in areas where these drugs are used may be exposed to these agents in the workplace. About 8 million U.S. healthcare workers are potentially exposed to hazardous drugs, including pharmacy and nursing personnel, physicians, operating room personnel, environmental services workers, workers in research laboratories, veterinary care workers, and shipping and receiving personnel.

via CDC – Hazardous Drug Exposures in Health Care – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic.

Stay Safe at Work

If work isn’t performed safely, it can put a lot of wear and tear on your body. Back injuries are the most common type of workplace injury.

Make simple changes to prevent injuries and stay healthy:

Lift things safely.
Arrange your equipment to fit your body.
Take short breaks and stretch your muscles.
Eat a healthy diet and stay active.
Watch your weight.
Get enough sleep.

via Workplace Safety.

Tips to Safety at Work

Here are a few tips to stay safe at work.

Safety is a team effort. Ensure that every member of the crew knows the safety requirements before the job is started.
Safety is your responsibility.
Always communicate with co-workers during a job in order to maintain safety.
Don’t create unnecessary hazards. Notify others of both new and old ones.
Never take shortcuts. Always follow correct procedures.
Wear metal mesh gloves to protect your hands when using sharp knives regularly.
Keep your work area clean and orderly.
If you make a mess, clean it up. Never let safety be someone else’s job.
Keep access clear to emergency exits, equipment, and equipment shutoffs.
Prevent accidents by clearly identifying any hazards that cannot be removed.

via 80 Work Safety Tips to Remind Employees to Work Safe.

Adult Obesity

Obesity is common, serious, and costly. In 2009, about 2.4 million more adults were obese than in 2007. This epidemic has affected every part of the United States. In every state, more than 15% of adults are obese, and in nine states, over 30% of adults are obese. The medical care costs of obesity in the United States are staggering. In 2008 dollars, these costs totaled about $147 billion. More efforts are needed, and new federal initiatives are helping to change our communities into places that strongly support healthy eating and active living.

via CDC Vital Signs – Adult Obesity.

Construction’s “Fatal Four”

Out of 4,188* worker fatalities in private industry in calendar year 2011, 738 or 17.6% were in construction. The leading causes of worker deaths on construction sites were falls, followed by electrocution, struck by object, and caught-in/between. These “Fatal Four” were responsible for nearly three out of five (56%) construction worker deaths in 2011*, BLS reports. Eliminating the Fatal Four would save 419 workers’ lives in America every year.

Falls – 259 out of 738 total deaths in construction in CY 2011 (35%)
Electrocutions – 69 (9%)
Struck by Object – 73 (10%)
Caught-in/between – 18 (2%)

via OSHA Commonly Used Statistics.