MINNESOTA TELECOM ALLIANCE
SAFETY NEWSLETTER
MAY 2017
2016 Safety Trends
Safety will continue to be a top concern for companies. The above chart shows 2016 safety trends for companies that participated in MTA's Safety Program, based on OSHA 300 Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. In 2016 there were 42 non-fatal occupational injuries, resulting in 507 days away from work. Safety requires constant vigilance.
Workplace safety needs to be top of mind in any company. Workers' compensation dollars can be kept to a minimum by preventing workplace accidents. Without appropriate workers’ compensation programs in place, employers can end up with significant costs that can impact employee health, worker productivity, and revenue. The primary causes for non-fatal injuries in 2016 were slips/trips/falls, body strains and pulls, cuts/pinched extremities, and needle sticks. To avoid such accidents, here are some workplace safety recommendations.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
This was the leading injury in 2016 — mostly due to icy conditions. Keep your workplace safe: Shovel and apply ice melt as necessary; watch for areas where ice trends to form and remove ice accumulations; provide good lighting and clear path markings in parking lots and walkways; clearly identify steps, ramps and other elevation changes that might not be visible in snow; contract with a snow removal company to keep lots clear of snow and ice; and place high-quality, beveled edge track off mats in walking areas. Other slip, trip and fall tips not related to winter weather: Clean up spills immediately; stay off freshly mopped floors; secure all cords in traffic areas; remove small throw rugs or use non-skid mats; wear shoes with good support and slip resistant soles; keep drawers and cabinet doors closed at all times; never stand on a chair, table, or other surface on wheels; ensure adequate lighting both indoors and outdoors.
Body Sprains, Strains and Pulls
Strains and pulls were the second leading injury in 2016. A sprain is an injury to a ligament — the tough, fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones. Sprain injuries involve a stretching or a tearing of this tissue. Ankle, knee and wrist injuries account for the majority of sprains.A strain is an injury to either a muscle or a tendon — the tissue that connects muscles to bones. Back injuries are the most prevalent strains. Depending on the severity of the injury, a strain may be a simple overstretch of the muscle or tendon, or can result in a partial or complete tear.
To minimize the chances of sprains, observe the following practices:
1. Practice safety measures to help prevent falls. For example, practice safe housekeeping by keeping work areas clear of clutter.
2. Avoid strenuous activity on the job when tired or in pain.
3. Use extra caution when working on slippery surfaces such as ice or wet floors.
4. Always wear appropriate and proper fitting footwear for your job.
5. Use extra caution when walking across uneven surfaces. These are areas where you could easily turn or twist an ankle or knee.
6. When stepping off ladders, always look where you place your feet before you put your full weight on them.
To minimize the possibility of incurring strains, observe the following practices:
1. Whenever possible, arrange your work areas to minimize the amount of heavy lifting required.
2. Before any heavy lifting activity, always warm up, using moderate stretching exercises. Do not stretch aggressively as you may over-stretch and injure yourself.
3. Always plan the lift. Consider the weight of the object, how far you must carry it and your route of travel. When you approach an object on the floor, try to get an idea of how heavy it may be by moving it with your foot or cautiously lifting it off the ground. If the object is too heavy, seek additional help or use a mechanical lifting device such as a forklift, hand truck or winch.
4. Lift objects in the “power zone.” This is the area between mid-thigh and mid chest height. Avoid lifting objects outside this zone.Use your best judgment when lifting heavy objects. Do not attempt to lift an object that exceeds your strength, and use extreme caution when lifting objects exceeding 50 lbs.
5. Always carry objects close to your body.
6. Always lift slowly and smoothly.
7. Avoid twisting. Always turn the whole body as one unit when changing direction while carrying a heavy object.
8. Move heavy objects by pushing or pulling, whenever possible. Pushing is always preferable.
9. Always stand close to the object that you are lifting and be certain that fingers and toes are clear when setting it down.
10. Always lift with your legs and not your back.
Cuts/Pinched Extremities
The key to preventing these injuries is keeping body parts away from hazards. Established work procedures are needed to identify and control exposure to hazards. Employees should maintain proper machine guards, use lockout/tagout procedures, wear PPE, and use tools safely. One of the most common sources of cuts is the use of knives and other cutting tools. Using proper tools for the job, knowing how to utilize the tools given to them, and wearing proper PPE will eliminate some of these injuries.
Needle sticks
Needle sticks are a serious hazard in any occupation. Contact with contaminated needles, scalpels, broken glass, and other sharps may expose workers to blood that contains pathogens which pose a grave, potentially lethal risk. Recommendation: Do not have employees take shoes off when entering a customer’s residence. Wear booties over shoes instead. The best product I’ve seen so far is the Yuleys Clean Step System by HexArmor. These are a hands-free, cost-saving and safe rubber overshoe that will protect the employee and the customer’s residence. The cost is around $20 a pair.
Be Safe,
Aaron Wilfahrt
Safety Consultant
Is Your Office a Danger Zone?
Warning! Hazardous Area! When we see this type of sign, we often think construction or manufacturing — not an office. An office can seem like a very safe place to work; however, many serious accidents and injuries occur in offices.
The most frequent types of incidents are falls from heights (such as chairs, stairs, or ladders), tripping, or slippery surfaces. Strains from overexertion, and striking or being struck by objects are all common sources of injury in an office setting.
Falls
The most common type of injury is also one of the most preventable. In many cases falls are the result of an unsafe act, such as standing on a rolling chair to reach a high shelf. Falls also occur when there is an unsafe condition present, such as a wet floor. A little extra care in these situations can help to prevent a fall. Here are some simple tips for preventing falls:
· Keep pathways clear
· Close drawers completely after every use
· Avoid excessive bending, twisting, and leaning backward while seated
· Secure electrical cords and wires away from walkways
· Always use a stepladder for overhead reaching — never use chairs as ladders
· Report loose carpeting or damaged flooring
If you start to fall, it is best to scrunch and roll, rather than reaching out. This way your body is better able to absorb the impact of the fall instead of possibly being injured by trying to stop the fall.
Overexertion (Strain)
The majority of back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders are the result of lifting. In general, most lifting in an office environment does not involve heavy objects but if not done correctly, can cause severe stress on the back. Practicing good lifting technique significantly lowers the stress placed on the back and reduces the potential for injury. Things to consider when approaching a lift are:
· The weight of the object
· The shape, firmness and stability of the object in order to maintain a good grip
· The height of the lift
· The distance the object is to be carried
Striking or Being Struck by Objects
Office layout, inattention, and poor housekeeping are the biggest contributors to striking or being struck by objects. Bumping into people and things causes a significant number of office injuries. Office furniture, file cabinets, and equipment are some of the objects that people hit as they travel through an office. It is important to pay attention when walking and not carry objects that obstruct one's view. File drawers should be closed when not in use, and aisles and walkways kept clear of obstructions.
Improper storage and material handling are often related to incidents in which office workers are struck by an object. Objects falling off shelves, cabinets, and desks can result in bodily injuries, especially to the head. Serious injuries can occur if file cabinets are unbalanced (top-heavy) and not secured to a stationary object such as a wall. In storage areas, place heavier items on bottom shelves to increase stability and stack boxes so that they will not fall over.
These are just some of the hazards in an office environment, but all have a common theme: Proper layout and design, good housekeeping, as well as good care and maintenance of furniture and equipment are vital for providing a safe office workplace. Remember, each of us is responsible for keeping our workplace safe; report anytime you see something that is unsafe. Watch for items such as:
· Torn carpet
· Loose tiles
· Loose or wobbly steps or floorboards
· Burned-out lightbulbs
· Broken chairs or desks
· Electrical cables or obstructions in walkways
Keep your office from becoming a DANGER ZONE by:
· Being serious about safety
· Thinking before acting
· Being aware of your environment
· Practicing good housekeeping
· Reporting when there is something unsafe
Remember, safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Chris Swanson
Safety Consultant
MTA Individual Safety Excellence Award (Challenge Coin)
The goal of the Safety Excellence Coin is to recognize individuals who are making significant contributions to safety compliance. This award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond his/her scope of work or responsibility to demonstrate his/her commitment to the organization's safety culture. This individual promotes a safety culture and uses techniques that strive to prevent accidents that may cause serious injuries or fatalities. Recognized individuals will maintain high standards of occupational safety.
How to be awarded:
The Safety Excellence Coin will be presented by a Safety Team Member onsite based on the performance criteria above. The Safety Team will focus on summer month activities where safety becomes a higher degree of concern due to more activity. A log will be retained and the individuals will also be recognized during the MTA Convention.
If you have any questions, please contact a Safety Program Staff Member.