Starting on the Right Foot

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

One of the most common injuries in the work place is a foot injury. It is very common for an employee to be injured by dropping a heavy object on their foot. 80% of foot injuries occur when an item weighing 30+ pounds is dropped on an employee's foot. Lighter objects can also cause injuries and they may be more severe in hazardous work areas. 

There are more than 60,000 employees that will injure their feet and have to miss work. Loss of work hurts the employee both physically and financially. The employer will also suffer by losing productivity in the workplace, and a possible worker’s compensation claims. It is cheaper and easier for both of employers and employees to provide the right protection upfront.

Luckily for both of them it is a pretty simple fix. An employee should find a pair of work boots that are suitable for their situation. In the average workplace there are usually three key components that an employee wants in their work boot. The employee wants a snug fit to prevent strains and twists that may cause other foot related injuries. Another component an employee wants to look for are non-slip soles that will help them keep their balance. This will also prevent strains or twists. It will also prevent an employee from falling and possibly dropping a heavy object. Finally an employee should look for a work boot that has strong toe protection to prevent injury from falling object. You can find this by looking for a work boot that has a steel or composite toe. If you find a work boot that has all of these components you will be able to safely protect your toes and feet while in the workplace.

Thank you for your time and attention. Let’s make it safe this Monday.

Lucas Wertish

Demand Generation Specialist, Lift’n Buddy, a Southworth Company

Electricity!

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

It’s something that is all around us but is often taken for granted. It has the ability to power our houses, cars, computers, phones, and many other devices we come in contact with on a daily basis. However, we often forget how dangerous electricity can be. According to e-Hazard’s high voltage training course, almost 8000 electrical contact accidents occur in the U.S. each year, and one worker dies each day from electrical contact. 

In the workplace it’s important to practice and implement strict safety rules when it comes to electricity. 

• Make sure inspections are done frequently and properly. 
• Properly label all switches and fuses to prevent confusion when trying to turn off the power to a machine about to undergo maintenance.
• Never overload circuits or outlets and never use extension cords as long-term wiring solutions. 
• Check quality of cords in high traffic areas to make sure no damage or exposed wiring has occurred. 
• Properly train your employees for detailed electrical safety if they work with high voltage equipment. 

Electricity isn’t just a safety issue in the workplace; it’s also a safety issue in homes across the country.  U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 47,820 reported home structure fires involving electrical failure or malfunction in 2007-2011. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, more than 30,000 non-fatal, shock accidents occur each year, and oftentimes it occurs when a kid tampers with a wall-outlet. 

Some safety tips for household electrical safety include: 

• If you have kids, always tamper-proof your electrical outlets. 
• Don’t use old and worn down extension cords or electrical equipment; the cost of eliminating potential dangers is much less than the potential loss of life or valuables.   
• Never overload outlets. If you need more plug-ins, consider paying the extra money to add separate outlets in your house. 
• Don’t ever try to fix your electrical issues unless you are qualified; hire a professional if needed. 
• Never leave potential fire-hazards, such as portable heaters, hair dryers, kitchen appliances, unattended. 

Paying the extra money on electrical training for your employees and spending the extra money on outlet covers or new wiring for your home use is well worth it. Never leave anything to chance; contact a certified electrician today. 

Thank you for your time and attention.  Let’s make it safe this Monday.

Christopher Feigal

Demand Generation Specialist, Lift’n Buddy, a Southworth Company

Secondhand Smoke

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

Smoking is very harmful to anyone who does it, but what many people don’t notice is that the smoke exhaled by smokers is harmful to those who breathe it in from the air. This is called secondhand smoke.  

Studies over the last 15 years by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have shown that that secondhand smoke is grouped with asbestos, benzene, and radon as Group A carcinogens. Research has shown that secondhand smoke can lead to cancer. 

With secondhand smoke being so harmful, regulations have been put in place. These regulations have been able to ban tobacco use in most every office and business across the country. Though upsetting many smokers, these actions had to take place in order to prevent non-smokers from inhaling harmful air.

To help avoid inhaling secondhand smoke, the Mayo Clinic has compiled a helpful list of 5 ways to prevent inhaling:

1. Don't allow smoking in your home. If your guests smoke, ask them to do it outside. If your partner smokes, encourage him or her to quit. 
2. Patronize restaurants and other businesses that enforce no-smoking policies. 
3. Don't allow smoking in your vehicle.
4. Choose smoke-free care facilities for children and aging loved ones. 
5. If you must share space with someone who's smoking, sit as far away from the smoke as possible.

Thank you for your time and attention. Let’s make it safe this Monday.

Phil Kwitek

Demand Generation Specialist, Lift’n Buddy, a Southworth Company

Staying Safe This Winter Season

 MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

As the fall season is coming to an end, winter will soon be upon on us. The cold nights are beginning and the snow is soon to come. With this in mind it’s important to be prepared for the winter weather, especially when it comes to winter driving. If your car breaks down in the winter or you get in an accident and you are not prepared, it can have harmful and in some cases deadly consequences. 

Things you can do to help prevent a breakdown and/or accident are:

• Get your car serviced. It’s important to have your car checked thoroughly for any needed repairs or parts. 
• Check your battery. In the winter it takes more battery power to start your car; make sure your battery is in good condition to avoid getting stuck with a dead battery. 
• Check your windshield wipers and windshield waster fluid. Make sure windshield wipers are in good condition and replace any worn blades. You should also make sure your windshield waster fluid is full. It’s a good idea to keep extra in your vehicle just in case you run out during a snowstorm. 
• Inspect your tires. If you use snow tires make sure you don’t put off getting them installed until after the first snowstorm, the sooner the better. If you’re keeping your current tires, check to make sure the tread is not too worn down or uneven and that they have the proper air pressure. 

However, no matter how much we try to prepare, we can’t be certain that someone else wont hit us, or that our car won’t break down unexpectedly. Because of this it is a good idea to be prepared in case an accident or breakdown does occur. We recommend stocking your vehicle with the following supplies in the case of an emergency:

• Shovel and Ice Scraper. If your car gets buried in snow or freezing rain covers your windshield and windows, you need to be prepared.
• A Towrope. It’s possible you could end up stuck in a ditch or on the side of the road. It’s a good idea to have the ability to get towed out of the ditch if someone stops to help you.
• Blankets & Warm Clothing. It’s important to be able to stay warm if you have to wait for a tow-truck or for emergency workers to come to your aid. 
• Jumper Cables and a Flashlight.  It’s good to be prepared if your car does not start. Don’t assume someone else will have the jumper cables to help you start your car. 
• Flares or Reflective Markers. In a snowstorm, visibility is often times very limited. Because of this, if your car breaks down it is important to make yourself as visible as possible to avoid getting hit by another driver. 

Winter is soon to be upon us so I thank you for your time and attention. Let’s make it safe this Monday and winter season.

Christopher Feigal

Demand Generation Specialist, Lift’n Buddy, a Southworth Company

Indoor Air Contaminant Safety

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

There’s nothing quite like taking a deep breath of fresh clean air. This indeed is something that all students and employees should be able to achieve. By just breathing sanitary air, an individual can perform job functions at much more productive rates opposed to working in unsanitary air. Unfortunately, there are many students and workers that face the issue of indoor air contamination. This is an issue that is very important to cover.

Indoor air quality in schools and workplaces is not only a comfort concern, but it is also a safety concern.

Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has been tied to several symptoms including:

• Headaches

• Fatigue

• Trouble Concentrating

• Irritation of eyes, nose, throat, and lungs

Also, certain exposures such as radon and asbestos can cause long-term health issues such as cancer.

Reasons typically causing poor IAQ include; poor ventilation systems, problems controlling humidity and temperature, dust from construction or renovations, mold, cleaning supplies, and pesticides.

By carrying out common inspections of ventilation systems and indoor humidity and temperature control systems as well as sanitation procedures, this will assure that your establishment has optimum IAQ. If any clear issues are spotted, it is very important that the issue is discussed with management so that a solution can be acquired.

Thank you for your time and attention.  Let’s make it safe this Monday.

Phil Kwitek
Demand Generation Specialist, Lift’n Buddy, a Southworth Company

Save Money, Invest in Your Employees

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

Injuries in the workplace happen every day.  According to the National Safety Council (NSC) the most common kind of workplace injury is overexertion.  This includes injuries related to pulling, lifting, pushing, holding, carrying, and throwing activities at work.

Overexertion is not only the most common type of workplace injury, but it is also the most expensive for employers.  The injuries are often classified as acute, meaning that they aren't that serious and will go away after preventive action takes place.  The sad truth is that many people don’t take these preventative actions and end up overexerting the same part again and again allowing the injury to become a chronic one.  This repetitive overexertion without preventative action is the cause for the most common type of workplace injury.

The most common part of the body that ends up with a chronic injury is the back.  People often lift heavy or awkwardly shaped objects and if they lift improperly or repetitively it can lead to serious back injuries.  Some quick hints and guidelines for avoiding injury would be to have proper lifting posture and if the object is to heavy have someone help you.

A way to avoid lifting an object off the ground would be to have a mechanical lift of some sort.  A lift will allow the worker to move and lift the object without having to bend down and potentially hurt their back.  A mechanical lift could also make the workplace more efficient allowing workers to lift heavier loads by themselves and move them with ease.  Mechanical lifts are not the cheapest things, but if you compare the cost of workers compensation to the mechanical lift, the lifts are not that bad, especially after adding the money saved through the efficiency gained in the workplace.

Bottom line is the overexertion of the back is a very common injury in the workplace and precautions should be in place to avoid workers getting hurt.

Thank you for your time and attention. Let’s make it safe this Monday.

Dale Bromenshenkel
Demand Generation Specialist, Lift’n Buddy, a Southworth Company

Harassment

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

Harassment.  Bullying.  Discrimination.  Although there are laws to deal with flagrant versions of these social interactions in the workplace, they are often glossed over in an attempt to avoid additional conflict.  These behaviors are often ignored, but this is unacceptable and sometimes dangerous. These actions between coworkers can lead to an increasingly hostile environment.

Harassment can be loosely defined as when a person is subjected to behavior that is repeated, unwelcomed, unsolicited, or offensive. According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, surveys show that 5% of workers reported being subject to some form of harassment/bullying (in 2005). This might seem like a small number; however, that means that in a small company of 100 people, 5 of those people are being subjected to some form of bullying and therefore suffering from emotional instability while trying to work.

Harassment at work can diminish self-esteem, compound stress, and trigger depression. Co-workers may gloss over an incident by saying something like, “He/she just doesn’t know how to take a joke.”  If ignored, these negative interactions can escalate and may result in lower quality output, whether in the product line or customer service, possibly leading to company ethics violations.  In extreme cases, it can lead to P.T.S.D. and even homicides and/or suicides.   Harassment is not a joking matter.

It is better to prevent harassment than to have to deal with the costs of counseling and possible compensation that may be required after the harassment has occurred.

Five important steps to take to help prevent harassment include:

• Outline and clearly state unacceptable behavior.
• Keep an up to date anti-harassment policy. 
• Provide conflict management training. 
• Have clear and strict consequences for harassment complaints. 
• Maintain confidentiality with all internal issues, making sure rumors cannot be spread due to breached confidentiality.

Always report any suspected harassment, bullying, or discrimination to your PR representative, your union (if applicable), or to the proper supervisor.

Remember: even if you get a good laugh, the end results of harassment won’t be a joking matter!

Thank you for your time and attention. Let’s make it safe this Monday. 

Christopher Feigal
Demand Generation Specialist, Lift’n Buddy, a Southworth Company