MINNESOTA TELECOM ALLIANCE

SAFETY NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2017

National Safety Month

Every June, the National Safety Council (NSC) celebrates National Safety Month and focuses on reducing injuries and death at work, on the road and in our homes and communities by educating and influencing behaviors around the leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths. This year during the month NSC suggests we concentrate each week on the following areas:

Week 1: Stand Up to Falls

1.  Week 2: Recharge to Be In Charge (Focusing on Fatigue)

2.  Week 3: Prepare for Active Shooters

3.  Week 4: Don't Just Sit There (Focusing on Ergonomics)

In addition to those areas here are five more fun (pardon the pun) things you can do to focus on safety:

1.  Get a Suntan (farmers tan). If you work in the office and have no idea what your outside personnel do all day in the 90 degree heat take a day and observe their operations. By doing this not only will you have a better understanding of what they do, but you may also be able to see safety hazards and suggest on the job improvements. Just make sure you wear your sunblock, safety vest, and hard hat as needed and watch out for wild parsnip.

2.  Start Gambling. One of leading causes of injury are falls from ladders due to the use of broken or damaged ladders or the use of the wrong type of ladder for the job. If you don’t want to bet your life, take a day to inspect all of your company ladders to ensure they are in proper working condition. Additionally, most injuries happen when transitioning from the ladder to a roof top so ensure you have the right size ladder (it must extend it at least three rungs above the roof line); utilize the correct angle (there’s an app for that); and tie off whenever you can.

3.  Build a Bon Fire. Every year we talk about fire safety and fire extinguisher use, however, 90 percent of us have never actually used a fire extinguisher. Summer is a great time to take an expired fire extinguisher (or even buy an additional one), go outside and start a small fire and give your employees an opportunity to extinguish the fire. You never know when someone may have to extinguish a fire in an actual emergency.

4.  Play Doctor. We have first aid kits throughout the facility and in all of our vehicles, but some of them have very little in them or the supplies are expired. Take the time to inspect all of your first aid kits to ensure they are properly supplied. We can provide you with an OSHA recommend first aid kit supply list if you need one. Inventorying you r first aid kits will also give you an idea of what type of injuries or ailments your employees may be having on the job. We can also do makeup CPR/AED or First Aid training if anyone needs it.

5.  Have a Scavenger Hunt. If you want to test your employees’ knowledge on pervious safety training sessions challenge your employees throughout the day to try and find a safety hazard on a particular subject. Give the person who identifies the most hazards a prize. By doing this fun game it gets all of your employees looking for hazards and increases their overall awareness throughout the facility.

As a reminder we will be visiting you facilities throughout the summer conducting safety audits and observations, updating training records, and completing hazardous chemical inventories. It’s also a great time for us to get out of the classroom and do some hands-on training. If you have a particular area you would like us to address or need additional resources please don’t hesitate to ask your MTA Safety Consultant for assistance.

Have a great summer!

Jeff Ulmen

Senior Safety Consultant

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Backs and Work

Now that summer is here and most Companies are up to their necks working on projects, let’s not forget to take care of ourselves.

Chronic back pain affects eight out of ten people, so if you haven’t hurt your back yet, your time may still be coming. Practicing back safety at work prevents issues from becoming worse. Planning ahead, getting help, and working "smart" prevent back injuries from occurring on and off the job. Workers' Compensation and health insurance claims add expenses to the company budget.

Plan Ahead

Your body is most vulnerable when you have not moved for extended periods of time, such as when you get to your work location. Plan ahead for your workday by getting the rest you need, sleeping for eight hours is still recommended for waking up refreshed. Your body is vulnerable when your system is malnourished, which includes lack of sleep. Practice a healthy lifestyle by eating healthful foods regularly; drinking lots of water, and getting one hour of moderate exercise per day, walking is great for your back.

Consider stretching before you go to work to reduce the strain on your back muscles. Minimize the amount of time you carry items, utilize a handcart or dolly, even for seemingly lightweight items. While the weight of the object is a factor, bending over excessively can cause back problems. Store items you use most often off the floor, preferably at waist level which is your power zone.

Prevent work-related back injuries by ensuring your working conditions are free of debris and slippery spots. Slip, trip and fall injuries cause most back pain problems in America. I realize now, that National Flip-Flop day was last week, but “proper” foot wear with non-slip soles is an important ingredient in preventing falls.

Work Intelligently

When you are, lifting or moving objects, keep them as close to your body as possible, which helps lower the strain on your back. Do not twist when you lift or put down materials, turn your feet, hips and shoulders at once, this includes shoveling. Improve back health by lifting materials smoothly and using your legs rather than back muscles for strength. Quick jerking motions irritate your upper and lower back, causing soreness the next day. If you need support when lifting, lean on a sturdy object and do not bend over. If the item is too heavy, kneel down and place the object on your knee before you stand to lift it.

Get Help

There is a difference between being lazy and working smart. Everyone is afraid of appearing weak in front of their coworkers or family members, but practicing proper back prevention techniques is an intelligent move. Ask for help when moving heavier items or equipment, remember it’s not just the weight of the object but also the size and shape that you need to consider.

If you do injure your back, get the help and advice you need to get yourself healed. Report injuries that occur on the job to your Supervisor so that they can be handled promptly and you can receive proper medical attention.

Hopefully by following these tips we can go through summer, and the rest of the year, free of back pain.

Take Care

Dan Berg, M.S.

Senior Safety Consultant