What Is UL?!

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

How many times have you seen these two letters without any idea of what they stand for? Almost every electronic gadget you use on a daily basis will have this logo somewhere including the device you’re using to read this blog.

The UL mark is given out by a not-for-profit safety consulting and certification organization called Underwriters Laboratories. UL certifies, validates, tests, inspects, and audits both business and consumer products to ensure their safety. They also provide expertise knowledge and training to educate customers in global trade compliance and regulatory issues when accessing world markets. 

UL was founded by William Henry Merrill in 1894 with a goal to ensure the safety of electrical devices. By the early 1900s the demand for electric powered homes and tools was increasing at exponential rates. Most people were unaware of the dangers posed by these new technologies which led to careless fires, electrocution, and even invisible microwaves that are harmful to humans.

Underwriters Laboratories first published the Tin Clad Fire Door in 1903, a design for a solid core wood door wrapped in metal. The heavy wood and metal doors slowed the spread of fires and gave precious minutes to people trying to escape a burning building. The doors also stopped fire from spreading out of control before firefighters arrived on seen. One year later, in 1904, the first UL mark made its first appearance on a fire extinguisher.

Since its first publication, UL has gone on to provide safety services to 104 countries with 64 laboratories across the globe. Today there are nearly 22 billion UL marks on products across the globe. UL no longer focuses solely on electrical safety, but has expanded into five different business divisions: Product Safety, Verification Services, Life & Health, Knowledge Services, and Environment.

Today on Make-It-Safe Monday look for the UL logo on the electronics you use every day. You can have the peace of mind knowing that gadget you’re using has been put through its paces and is deemed safe for typical use. Next time your company releases a new product or wants to expand into a foreign market, remember that your safety experts are only a click away.

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

Brad Lindemann

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

All electronics in the Lift’n Buddy are UL Certified and more information can be found at www.liftbuddy.com.

Behavior That is Rewarded will be Repeated.

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

Employees are the most likely to recognize a hazard in the workplace because they are on the front lines of your operation. Due to a biological trait, humans are programmed to repeat rewarding tasks. By taking advantage of this fact, companies can reward employees to create safer work environments. There are many creative ways to provide incentives for workers to improve a safety plan. To today on Make-It-Safe Monday we will cover how to provide simple incentives for workers to make their own jobs safer.

Suggestion Box: When looking for safety risks have employees drop ideas into a suggestion box. Any suggestion that gets put implemented will earn company merchandise like an embroidered shirt or jacket.

Close-Call Forms: Forms should be available to report incidents that could lead to a recordable injury in the future. Anytime an employee has a close-call a form should be completed and reviewed by the safety manager. This employee should be compensated with a lunch coupon or gift card.

Days since the Last Incident: Have your employees work as a team by counting how many days it has been since the last injury. Goals should be set at incremental target days with an increasing value of prizes for each goal reached. Prizes could be a casual dress day, company paid lunch, or company trip.

Rewards Banquet: Most businesses have annual outings or holiday parties where employees are recognized for their hard work throughout the year. Be sure to include a trophy or plaque for the safest department and the employee with the fewest incidents.

                                                                                                                                 

Always offer meaningful incentives that are appropriate to the level of accomplishment. A two year goal should be better compensated than a two month goal. Be punctual with your incentives to reinforce a strong connection between achieving a goal and being rewarded. Please be aware that most experts agree that rewarding employees for meeting safety goals is an effective practice, but should only be a part of a more comprehensive overall safety program.

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

Brad Lindemann

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

Lift Smart, Don't Be A Statistic

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Back injuries in the workplace are one of the most costly musculoskeletal disorders in the United States according to a study done at the University of Minnesota.  Lower-back pain affects over 1,000,000 workers in the United States each year.  More people miss work due to back injuries than any other musculoskeletal disorder. 

What causes this back pain though?  Back injuries are very common among those who work primarily in physical labor.  It can be caused by lifting to heavy of an object, repetitive lifting, lifting in extreme cold, lifting or carrying awkwardly shaped objects, or improper lifting and carrying form.  Back injuries can also be caused by standing too long or having poor posture when sitting or standing.  Back injuries are one of the most preventable types of injuries in the workplace.  They can be prevented by proper lifting technique, having mechanical help, or having others help.   Some options are more costly and effective than others. 

Having mechanical devices such as lifts or pulleys can be more expensive but studies show that the initial investment will more than likely be cheaper in the long run compared to the cost of workers compensation for those who are injured and the cost of hiring those to replace them or the cost to pay other workers more to cover their shifts.  Back injuries are very common in the work place and can be caused many different ways, but there are ways to help try to prevent some of the injuries from happening in the first place.

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

Contributed by Dale Bromenshenkel,

Demand Generation Specialist, Lift'n Buddy, A Southworth Company.

Identifying Risk Factors and Preventing Them

MAKE-IT-SAFE MONDAY

Today’s Make-It-Safe Monday focuses on identifying risk factors at work and taking steps to prevent them. Every day at work we face risks, dangers, and hazards to our health, but by identifying these factors and avoiding them we can limit many injuries. By recognizing these risks and stopping them before they occur we not only remain much happier and healthier workers, but also save lots of missed time and wasted money.

Heavy Lifting- Many jobs require heavy lifting and for obvious reasons the added strain leads to an increase in injuries. When required to perform heavy lifting use the aid of equipment if possible, such as the easy to operate, efficient Lift’n Buddy. Also avoid repetitive lifting over a long period of time

Twisting- Twisting at the waist while lifting or holding a heavy loads increasing the risk of injury immensely. When lifting remember to turn your entire body, not just at the waist, to remain safe.

Reaching and Lifting- When reaching either over your head, across a table, or out the back of a truck there is already strain on the body, when combining that reaching with lifting it provides a high risk of injury and should be avoided whenever possible.

Carrying and Lifting- Risk of injury increases when carrying or lifting objects of strange shape. Always ask for help if available or use mechanical aid when necessary. Also remember to lift with your legs not back.

Awkward Positions- Similar to when reaching, awkward positions created an added amount of strain on the body that leads to injuries over time. Inappropriate posture that contributes to back pain can be caused by poor workstation layout or equipment design. Make sure to have a proper work area design to improve posture and minimize this risk.

Slips, Trips, and Falls- Common accidents from slips, trips and falls lead to many injuries, but proper setup and precautions in the workplace can greatly minimize the odds of falling. Make sure to report and fix any areas or situations that appear to be unsafe.

Sitting or standing- Many employees are probably either behind a desk or on our feet for a majority of our day. The long hours in one position creates a large amount of strain on our bodies over time and leads to injury. Make sure for every hour either sitting or standing and take a short break from that position to relax the muscles. A brief stretch can also be very beneficial.

This is a general list of many of the risk factors we face daily in the workplace. Make sure to avoid them when possible and if you see an unsafe situation be sure to report it. The safety of all workers in paramount in the workplace, so I hope you all have a safe week.

Contributed by Joe Wheatley

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

Lifting Tips to Avoid Injuries

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                Back injuries in the workplace can create many problems when it comes to efficiency on the job. These injuries come from repeatedly sitting or standing for long hours with bad posture. Lifting improperly when moving items is another major cause for injury. Here are some helpful tips when it comes to lifting objects to avoid back injury. 

• The first tip is crucial when it comes to picking up heavy objects. Bend at the knees first and always keep your back straight. Do not twist when lifting. If the object is too heavy or awkwardly shaped ask for help or use a mechanical devise to assist you. 
• The second tip should be considered when carrying the load. To avoid injury when carrying an object try holding it closely to your body and make sure you have a solid grip. Using your palms rather than your fingers will be easier and less likely to injure your hands. If the object does get too heavy, set it down, just remember to set it down safely.  When turning, remember to turn with your feet first and try not to twist. 
• The third set of tips is for setting down the object. Always keep your head up. If your head is up and you are looking straight forward it will help your back to be straight. Be sure when lifting the object to bend at your knees when you set it down.
• Lastly, if your job requires a lot of standing or sitting try these suggestions to avoid injury. Use cushioned floor mats. These mats well help reduce stress on the discs of your back. For jobs that require excessive amounts of sitting, try keeping your back straight and have your computer monitor at eye level. Take time to sit after prolonged periods of standing, stand after long periods of sitting, take plenty of breaks, and stretch.

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

Contributed by Dale Bromenshenkel,

Demand Generation Specialist, Lift'n Buddy, A Southworth Company.

How Do I Report Unsafe Working Conditions?

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Today, on Make-It-Safe Monday, we will be covering how to report an unsafe work environment. It is always in your company’s best interest to heed any warning when it comes to workers safety. Fixing a problem before someone gets hurt has the potential to save the company millions of dollars in medical bills and lawsuits.

First, it is recommended that you tell your company. Often companies are too large or your job is too specialized that employers are unaware of safety issues in the work place.  Reporting unsafe conditions gives your company a chance to address safety concerns and fix any issues. In this instance you could avoid having to take unnecessary steps to escalate the situation.

If your employer does not resolve your safety concerns, you do have other options. The Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a government body with the sole purpose of creating a safer work environment.  There are multiple ways you can contact OSHA, each of which is listed below. For situations where an employee is in an imminent danger while on the job, OSHA will conduct an investigation within 24 hours of receiving a report. All other health and safety related issues will be handled within 3 days to couple of months, depending on the severity of the situation. If an investigation finds that conditions are deemed safe, an employee can expect a written notification within 15 days.

Do not be afraid to contact OSHA in the event of unsafe working conditions. National whistle-blower laws make it illegal for an employer to intimidate, harass, or fire you based on reports you have filed. It is highly recommended that you report any of these abusive situations to OSHA or potentially take legal action.

Ways to contact OSHA and their Links:

Online Complaint Form

Download and Fax or Mail Form

OSHA Area Office Telephone Numbers or 1-800-321-OSHA(6742)

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

Brad Lindemann

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

Your Company Needs a Plan

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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.