Posts Tagged ‘risk’

Reducing the Risk of Manual Material Handling

Back injuries account for one of every five injuries or illnesses in the workplace.  Around 80% of these injuries occur to the lower back and are associated with manual material handling tasks. Oftentimes we get drawn into the “let’s get ’er done” attitude with many material handling tasks. The work does need to be completed, but taking a couple of seconds to determine the best way to do the job may prevent weeks of back pain.

When you lift…

– DO –
Plant your feet firmly – get a stable base
Keep the load close to your body
Bend at your knees – not your waist
Tighten your abdominal muscles to support your back
Keep your back upright – keep it in its natural posture
Use your leg muscles as you lift
Get a good grip – use both hands
Lift steadily and smoothly without jerking
Breathe. If you must hold your breath to lift it, then it is too heavy

– DO NOT –
Lift from the floor
Lift loads across obstacles
Twist and lift
Lift from an uncomfortable posture
Fight to recover a dropped object
Lift with one hand (unbalanced)
Lift while reaching or stretching
Hold your breath while lifting – Get Help

Begin each material handling task with the end in mind:  Where are you going to move it? Do you have a good grip? Is there a clear path?

Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work!

Workplace Safety Tips From DOAS Risk Management Services

  

Preparing Your Emergency Plan

Is your emergency plan for your home and your work prepared, and is it up to date?  Do you know what to do in case of an emergency at work?  Is your home one of the 50+% in the U.S.A. that has no emergency plan?  Do you know what steps to take to start an emergency plan? Here are just a few guidelines to help you prepare your home or office in case of an emergency.

For additional tips and ideas, check out Ready Georgia.

Supply Checklist for Severe Weather emergencies

  • Do you have a stored water supply of at least 3 gallons per day per person?
  • Do you have a 3 day non-perishable food supply for your family?
  • Do you have a manual can opener, batteries, flashlights and a NOAA alert radio?
  • Do you have a fully stocked First Aid kit?
  • Are you prepared for a cold weather emergency if the power goes out?
  • Are you familiar with your local community’s or agency’s emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes and locations of emergency shelters.

Fire & Medical emergency preparation for your location or home:

  • Are there two ways out of your home or office?
  • Have you established a meeting point once you have evacuated?
  • Do you have a First Aid kit?
  • Are emergency phone numbers posted at every phone?
  • Do you know who has First Aid training at your location?
  • Do you have a fire extinguisher? If so, does your family know where it is and how to use it?

Flooding preparation:

  • Is your home located in a flash-flood-prone area? To find out, contact your county planning department.
  • Have you planned or practiced a flood evacuation route with your family?
  • Do you know what items you want to take with you during an evacuation?
  • Do you have emergency contact numbers in case roads are flooded in your area or at your location? Have you identified that out-of-town family member or friend who will serve as the family contact in case your family is separated during a flood?
  • Have you identified potential home hazards and know how to secure or protect them before the flood strikes?
  • Have you identified that out-of-town family member or friend who will serve as the family contact in case your family is separated during a flood?

This is just a short list of items to consider as you begin to develop your emergency preparation plan. A few minutes of preparation can save a life or make you far more comfortable in case of an emergency situation.

Workplace Safety Tips

Brought to you by Department of Administrative Services Risk Management Services Division

 Reduce Your Chances of Heat Stress Injuries

Summer temperatures are on the way, and with this season’s warm weather comes the potential for heat-related injuries. Employees who work in outdoor settings and other severe environmental conditions are at a higher risk for heat-related illnesses and should exercise greater caution by taking appropriate protective measures.  You should recognize the hazards and symptoms of heat stress disorders, identify ways to prevent them from occurring, and take corrective actions if these symptoms occur.

Managers and supervisors need to use the following P.A.S.T. steps to prevent heat-related injuries: Plan, provide Access to Water, provide Shade for break areas, and provide proper Training to prevent heat related injuries. Although summer heat is the largest cause of heat distress, it may also occur when workers are exposed to confined areas such as pipelines, shipboard spaces with limited ventilation, or any confined area involving welding or cutting. Heat can increase the risk of injuries as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. Burns may also occur as a result of accidental contact with hot surfaces or steam.

Symptoms:  The major heat stress injuries and illnesses include heat rash, heat cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. The initial symptoms are mild and usually involve headaches, thirst and tiredness. The symptoms of heat stress disorders are very slow to start, but increase in intensity if precautions are not taken. The six main factors involved in causing heat stress include humidity, clothing, air movement, activity level, temperature and radiant temperature of the surroundings. Adjusting to these factors and/or controlling them reduces the chance of heat stress.

Warning signs of heat exhaustion are heavy perspiration, fatigue and weakness, muscle and body ache, headache, nausea, rapid heartbeat, confusion, loss of consciousness, and vomiting (with or without loss of consciousness). Heat stress can quickly move to heat stroke, a life-threatening medical emergency, when the body’s natural cooling system breaks down and causes the body’s core temperature to rise and overheat the brain. Some of the symptoms of heat stroke are immense thirst, severe headaches, disorientation, dry/hot skin (no sweating) and possibly collapse. Workers who are overweight, 65 years of age or older, suffer from heart disease and high blood pressure, and/or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat are at greater risk of heat stress and should seek and follow medical advice.

Treatment and Prevention: Workers should avoid exposure to extreme heat, sun exposure, and high humidity when possible. When these exposures cannot be avoided, workers should take the following steps to prevent heat stress:

  1. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton. Avoid non-breathing synthetic clothing.
  2. Gradually build up to heavy work. Schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of day.
  3. Until you acclimate to the high temperatures, take frequent cool down breaks in extreme heat and humidity. Take breaks in the shade or a cool area when possible.
  4. Drink plenty of fluids (water, Gatorade, Powerade, etc.) frequently. Drink enough water that you never become thirsty. Approximately 1 cup every 15-20 minutes.
  5. Avoid carbonated beverages (soft drinks – Coke, Pepsi, etc., tonic, seltzer and sparkling water) as these drinks only increase dehydration and give a false sense of being properly hydrated.
  6. Avoid alcohol the evening before the work shift, and drinks with large amounts of caffeine or sugar as they can lead to dehydration even before heat exposure.
  7. Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress.
  8. Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers.

If your co-worker or employee appears to be suffering from heat stress disorder, remove him or her from the heat and provide a cool, shaded place to rest. If they become disoriented or non-responsive, call for medical attention immediately.

Remember, there is no better cure than prevention
Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work!