Your Company Needs a Plan

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

In 2011, the United States’ private manufacturing sector reported half a million injuries and illnesses that were job related. Work related injuries are not always as sudden as getting your hand caught in a machine, but can be caused by small repetitive injuries that go unnoticed for years. Loud noises or repetitive heavy lifting are commonly overlooked in the workplace. An employee may not notice a slight hearing loss or a stiff back after two years, but after 15 years this micro-trauma will take its toll on the body. These long term injuries will end up costing companies millions of dollars in lost productivity and lawsuits. 

Nearly 99% of companies have a safety plan for their employees. The problem is that this plan is being poorly implemented. Depending on the business, these can range from word of mouth instructions to a 500 page operational manual. Understandably, word of mouth instructions can be easily forgotten, and most will not take the time to read a 500 page technical book. Today, on Make-It-Safe Monday, we are going to focus on putting together a safety plan that is easy and effective.

Regular Assessment: Every time a new machine is brought into the workplace, there should be adequate training for all employees that will come use it. A schedule should be created to check old equipment and confirm that it is up to date.

Structure: A safety team should be put together consisting of employees from each department within the business. This brings fresh and new ideas from people who don’t work with the equipment on a daily basis. 

Simplicity: The safety guidelines should be presented in a way that is very straight forward and concise. Signs and labels on each machine stating its’ proper use is a great regular reminder. Certain businesses may be able to take advantage of a check list for lengthy or repetitive procedures. Keep safety manuals short if possible, two to three pages at most.

Administration: Implementation and persistence should be stressed from upper management on down. It should be emphasized on a regular basis that managers are the leaders and all safety procedures need to be enforced.

Due to recent economic downturns, many programs and jobs dedicated to safety have been reduced or cut all together. It is in the best interest of your company and most importantly your employees that you have the right tools in place to create a safe working environment. 

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

Brad Lindemann

Sales Coordinator, Lift'n Buddy, A Southworth Company.

Back Safety in the Workplace

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

Back injuries account for up to 20% of missed time at work. Today on Make-It-Safe Monday we are going to take a look at the major principles of safe handling that can prevent thousands of injuries.

They include Assess, Plan, Prepare, and Perform.

1)      Assess

a.       Assess the task

b.      Assess your capabilities

                            i.      Strength, height, health, etc.

c.       Assess the load

                            i.      Weight, shape, size, handles, stability

d.      Assess the environment

2)      Plan

a.       Plan the task

                            i.      What is the appropriate posture

                           ii.      Is mechanical help available

                          iii.      Are others available to assist

b.      Plan the route

3)      Prepare
a.       Prepare the load

                             i.      Can the load be split or multiple loads?

                            ii.      Cover sharp edges or corner
b.      Prepare yourself and the area

                             i.      Clear any obstacles

                            ii.      Get a firm grip

4)      Perform
a.       Use proper lifting techniques to perform the task

                             i.      Get a wide base

                            ii.      Get close to the load

                           iii.      Lift with your legs not back

                           iv.      Avoid twisting while lifting

                            v.      Use a team when necessary

As a child my father liked to tell me “work smarter not harder.” This is especially true when it comes to the safety of lifting objects. By following the principles of safe lifting and moving objects in a planned, smart way we can diminish back lifting injuries in the workplace. 

Have a great week and stay safe.

Contributed by Joe Wheatley

Demand Generation Specialist, Lift’n Buddy

Information contributed from blr.com

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

Aaron M. Lamb
General Manager, Lift'n Buddy.  A Southworth Company

Preventing Back Injuries-The Nation’s #1 Workplace Safety Problem

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

We all know back injuries are a major problem when it comes to workplace safety. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year, and back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses. Further, one-fourth of all compensation indemnity claims involve back injuries, costing industry billions of dollars on top of the pain and suffering borne by employees.”

So it’s clear back injuries are a major concern in the workplace, but identifying the problem is only the first step in fixing it. So today we are going to focus on the steps administration, employees, and engineers can take to prevent back injuries.

Some possible steps employers can take to limit back injuries among workers include:

1. Strength testing works to reduce assignment of works to jobs that exceed their strength capabilities. A study has shown this can prevent up to one-third of work-related injuries
2. Training employees to utilize lifting techniques that place minimum stress on the lower back.
3. Advice or implement physical conditioning or stretching programs to reduce the risk of muscle strain.

Suggested engineering controls include:

• A reduction in the size or weight of the object lifted. The parameters include maximum allowable weights for a given set of task requirements; the compactness of a package; the presence of handles, and the stability of the package being handled.
• Adjusting the height of a pallet or shelf. Lifting which occurs below knee height or above shoulder height is more strenuous than lifting between these limits. Obstructions which prevent an employee's body contact with the object being lifted also generally increase the risk of injury.
• Installation of mechanical aids such as pneumatic lifts, conveyors, and/or automated materials handling equipment.

Another recent study that was done found that up to one-third of compensable back injuries could be prevented through better ergonomics. Now that is a large number of expensive injuries that could be prevented easily. Not only would it save money and man hours, but more importantly would increase safe, healthy, happy employees.

Contributed by Joe Wheatley

Demand Generation Specialist, Lift’n Buddy 

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

Aaron M. Lamb
General Manager, Lift'n Buddy.  A Southworth Company

The Devil Is In The Details

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

When people are working jobs that require a lot of physical labor, back injuries are very common.  You probably know how injuries, especially back injuries, can affect the work place, creating problems with workers compensation, loss of labor, and delays in production or distribution.  But these back injuries are hurting more than the businesses.  They are really hurting the people affected by them.  This is usually forgotten about when looking into nameless, faceless statistical data.

A study was done by Judith A. Turner, Ph.D. of the University of Washington, Seattle, which was published in the Journal Spine.  Turner and her colleagues did a study where they performed interviews with 1,885 workers who submitted a workers’ compensation claim due to back injury.  They analyzed a wide range of factors including medical, job-related and psychological factors, that could contribute to having the disability at one year after the injury.  Not surprisingly, workers with a more severe injury were more likely to be disabled after a year.  They said that workers who had pain spreading down to their leg, indicating involvement of the spinal nerve roots, or radiculopathy, were at a higher risk.  They said those who visited the chiropractor were less likely to be out for longer periods of time.  

The study done by Dr. Turner and her colleagues became 88% accurate on predicting if a new back injury was going affect the person for a year plus or not.  Dr. Turner stressed the importance of avoiding the injury from the start.  She suggested the use of inventions that would help to eliminate some of the heavy lifting.  With people utilizing these inventions it would help out the businesses and the people working for them.

Contributed by Dale Bromenshenkel, 

Demand Generation Specialist, Ergologistics

Studies such as these can provide workers and their companies clear weapons to fight the epidemic presence of work place injury.  Paying attention to these studies can root out the "devil" and clearly identify statistics that can lead to a common cure.  In essence, let's not let the injuries of myriads of workers throughout time go in vain. It has once been morbidly said, "A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic."  In an attempt to re-quote this for relevance, "EVERY worker injury is tragedy, and a million worker injuries is ignorant insanity."  We can do better. A lot better.

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

Aaron M. Lamb
President, Ergologistics

It's All About the Back

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

Happy Holidays from all of us at Ergologistics and Lift'n Buddy! I would like to dedicate this post to all the hard, dedicated workers who make the world go 'round while many of us enjoy the time off with friends and family, specifically those workers in public utilities, transportation, hospitality, law enforcement, and many others. Simply, thank you! I wish you all the warmth of the Holiday Season.

I would like to focus this blog post on going back to the basics of back health. It is a subject I dedicate a lot of thought to, as I believe it is core to health. As many of us go through our daily lives, micro-trauma to the back can creep up on us, and typically manifests itself in recurring pain at the most inopportune times. My philosophy has always been to save your back for the grand kids, or weekend round of golf.

What a tragedy it is when we injure this delicate human structure at the work place! With proper, dedicated, and regimented care, we can all keep are backs in optimum condition. Let's go back to basics and discuss what it means to have a healthy back. The following informuation is from University of Maryland, Division of Administration & Finance and Department of Environmental Safety. This is great food for thought:

Having a Healthy Back

Your back is the main support structure of your entire body. Along with your muscles and joints, it allows you to move (sit, stand, bend, etc.) and to bear weight. But the back is also a delicate, finely balanced structure that can be easily injured if it is not cared for properly. Knowing the basics of back care can make the difference between a healthy back and an aching one!

A Healthy Back

The back (or spinal column) is composed of 24 moveable bones called vertebrae. Between each vertebrae is a cushion-like pad called a disc that absorbs shock. These vertebrae and discs are supported by ligaments and muscles that keep the back properly aligned in three balanced curves. When any of these various parts becomes diseased, injured or deconditioned, back problems and pain are almost certain to follow.

A Balanced Back

A healthy back is a balanced back--your cervical (neck), thoracic (chest) and lumbar (lower back) curves are all properly aligned. (You know your back is aligned properly when your ears, shoulders and hips are "stacked" in a straight line.) A healthy back is also protected and supported by flexible "elastic" discs and well-conditioned muscles.

An Aching Back

A number of physical conditions, such as curvature of the spine (scoliosis), arthritis and herniated (ruptured) disks, can cause back pain, but the majority of backaches are due to poor posture and weak supporting muscles. Improper posture places excess stress on the spinal column. Over time, poor posture can lead to sudden or recurrent back pain. Weak muscles contribute to, and are often responsible for, poor posture since they cannot adequately support the spinal column.

Preventive Back Care

Once you understand how your back works, and what can go wrong, you're ready to start taking care of your back--for the health of it. By using proper posture (when you sit, stand, lift, recline and move) and by exercising the muscles that support your back, you can prevent the most common causes of backaches. The result is freedom from back pain and a stronger, healthier back.

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

Aaron M. Lamb
President, Ergologistics

Lift'n Buddy Attends Largest Ergonomics Event

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

Hi, my name is Nikki Lamb and I am the Director of Sales for Ergologistics and I will be your guest blogger for this week's Make-It-Safe Monday series.  We are incredibly excited to be at the 18^th annual Ergonomic Exposition and Convention at Caesar’s Palace this week in Las Vegas.  With the highest attendance expected since 2008, it is encouraging to know that companies such as Boeing, Honeywell, and Disneyland are all committed to continuing to ensure worker safety by exploring new products at this year’s show.

This is the first time our company has had an opportunity to exhibit our award-winning innovation at a trade show this far west in the United States.  Lift’n Buddy has been nominated for the “Attendees Choice Award” at this year’s show.  A vote for Lift’n Buddy is a vote for good health and worker’s safety.

The Ergo Expo is the largest ergonomics event in the nation; not only in numbers of exhibitors and attendance, but also education in ergonomics for professionals looking for new ways to reduce workplace related injuries, improve productivity, and grow the bottom line. Lift’n Buddy fits perfectly in this mix as an easy way to reduce injuries associated with repetitive and heavy lifting.  The Lift’n Buddy raises materials to ergonomically correct heights which helps companies reach their long-term safety and health goals.

If you happen to be at the show, please stop by Booth #612 for an engaging conversation on worker safety and how Lift'n Buddy can provide a unique solution for a multitude of work applications.  If you are reading and not at the show, feel free to contact me at your leisure at info@liftnbuddy.com, or call 1-855-LIFT-BUD.  I look forward to continuing this ultra-important conversation with you.

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

Nikki Lamb
Director of Sales, Ergologistics

Extent of Exposure - Thankful for Safety

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

It is the week of Thanksgiving and that means one thing, we are all going to eat a lot, for a long time, and go back for multiple servings of that delicious Thanksgiving meal. What does this have to do with safety you may ask? Well when it comes to musculoskeletal injuries in the workplaces the three main factors all have striking similarities to a delicious Thanksgiving meal. Magnitude, duration, and frequency result in the loosening of your belt during Thanksgiving and are the leading causes of musculoskeletal injuries. While overdoing it during Thanksgiving is an acceptable tradition, exceeding your limits in the workplace is a major problem and needs to be avoided.

To ensure safety in the workplace, today’s Thanksgiving week Make-It-Safe Monday will examine the “Extent of Exposure” and review how to stay safe. To take extent of exposure into account, consider questions:

·         What is the magnitude of the exposure?

o    For example, how much force is needed or how severe is the awkward posture?

o    Limit lifting objects that are too heavy, are awkward to lifting and have large lifting ranges

·         How long (total time) is the worker exposed to the risk?

o    For example, is the worker exposed to the risk for a full shift, or for two hours?

o    Long periods of lifting or exposure should be limited, especially if at high magnitude

·         How frequently is the worker exposed to the risk?

o    For example, is the task repeated many times each shift, or does it occur only occasionally?

A Risk Assessment should also consider the following:

·         What is the combined effect of all the identified risk factors?

o    For example, lifting heavy objects from the floor to a height above the shoulders several times a minute poses a greater risk than lifting the same objects between the knee and waist level infrequently.

In order to limit injury, lost time, lost productivity, and compensation costs it is important to limit the magnitude, duration, and frequency of workplace procedures. Endless stats and facts can be found on the cost of workplace injuries to businesses which is why I include a friendly reminder that devices that aid in ergonomics in the workplaces can result in large savings in the long run. Equipment such as the Lift’n Buddy (www.liftnbuddy.com) can aid in all areas of  “Extent of Exposure” in the workplace.

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you all a safe week.

Demand Generation Specialist

Joe Wheatley 

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications

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

Aaron M. Lamb
President, Ergologistics