DOAS Risk Management Services Division Loss Control Office Contact us by email: [email protected]or call (404) 656-6245 for additional information. Topic of the Month…Ergonomics What is “Ergonomics”? Ergonomics is fitting the task to the person. Employees perform job tasks that expose them to potential injuries and illnesses due to the poor design of a workstation or tools they are using; or due to bad habits workers have developed. Ergonomics involves the assessment of job tasks to identify risk factors and the implementation of engineering or administrative controls to address the hazards. What are Ergonomic Risk Factors? Ergonomic risk factors are characteristics of a job that contribute to the creation of various strains and stresses on the body. When a person has a higher level of stress or exposure to a hazard, the greater the chance of an injury or illness. The big four ergonomic risk factors are: Force, Duration, Repetition, and Body Position. Other potential ergonomic risk factors include: Vibration, Contact Stress, Sustained Exertions, and Cold Temperatures. Ergonomic injuries are a type of Strain Georgia’s #2 cause of injury. Prevention of Ergonomic Injuries at Workstations: Areas to review Possible preventive strategies Repetition Alternate tasks Share tasks with coworkers Take frequent Micro breaks from keying/or using mouse Reduce or eliminate unnecessary work Awkward Posture/Position Sit supported against the back of your chair Avoid bending or twisting your neck or trunk Keep shoulders relaxed and arms close by sides when working Keep elbows at approximately 90 degrees when using keyboard and mouse Keep wrists in a straight or neutral position when keying or using the mouse Keep fingers in a relaxed position when keying or using the mouse Keep work materials within close reach Use a telephone headset for frequent/prolonged phone use Change positions/tasks frequently Force/Pressure Key with a light touch Avoid prolonged or excessive grasping of the mouse Use larger diameter pens to reduce grip when writing Use electric stapler for large stapling jobs Select a chair with adequate padding Avoid resting elbows and wrists on sharp or hard edges and surfaces Eye Strain Reduce glare on your computer screen by adjusting its placement and tilt, using a glare guard or using window blinds and light filters “Rest” your eyes (Every 20 minutes, focus on an item 20 feet away for 20 seconds.) Take visual breaks from the screen Blink often when viewing the monitor Wear appropriate corrective lens for computer work Adjust the font or brightness and contrast of the screen Use available Zoom/View functions within applications If you need further assistance, please contact us for discussion or a site visit or training session. A short evaluation goes a long way to Prevent injuries. Ignoring the issue will not make the problems go away. Nationally, one-third of workplace injuries involve ergonomics. If it hurts, you may need to change something at your workstation. Micro-breaks such as Stand up and stretch, Shoulder Stretches, Wrist stretches every 45 minutes make a difference. As you can see from the table above, small inexpensive changes can make a big difference. Thanks for your time. Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work. DOAS Loss Control Bulletin January 2017
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DOAS Risk Management Services Division Loss Control Office Contact us by email: [email protected] or call (404) 656-6245 for additional information.
Topic of the Month…Ergonomics
What is “Ergonomics”? Ergonomics is fitting the task to the person. Employees perform job tasks that expose them to potential injuries and illnesses due to the poor design of a workstation or tools they are using; or due to bad habits workers have developed. Ergonomics involves the assessment of job tasks to identify risk factors and the implementation of engineering or administrative controls to address the hazards.
What are Ergonomic Risk Factors? Ergonomic risk factors are characteristics of a job that contribute to the creation of various strains and stresses on the body. When a person has a higher level of stress or exposure to a hazard, the greater the chance of an injury or illness.
The big four ergonomic risk factors are: Force, Duration, Repetition, and Body Position.
Other potential ergonomic risk factors include: Vibration, Contact Stress, Sustained Exertions, and Cold Temperatures. Ergonomic injuries are a type of Strain Georgia’s #2 cause of injury.
Prevention of Ergonomic Injuries at Workstations:
Areas to review Possible preventive strategies
Repetition Alternate tasks Share tasks with coworkers Take frequent Micro breaks from keying/or using mouse Reduce or eliminate unnecessary work
Awkward
Posture/Position
Sit supported against the back of your chair Avoid bending or twisting your neck or trunk Keep shoulders relaxed and arms close by sides when working Keep elbows at approximately 90 degrees when using keyboard and mouse Keep wrists in a straight or neutral position when keying or using the mouse Keep fingers in a relaxed position when keying or using the mouse Keep work materials within close reach Use a telephone headset for frequent/prolonged phone use Change positions/tasks frequently
Force/Pressure Key with a light touch Avoid prolonged or excessive grasping of the mouse Use larger diameter pens to reduce grip when writing Use electric stapler for large stapling jobs Select a chair with adequate padding Avoid resting elbows and wrists on sharp or hard edges and surfaces
Eye Strain Reduce glare on your computer screen by adjusting its placement and tilt, using a glare guard or using window blinds and light filters
“Rest” your eyes (Every 20 minutes, focus on an item 20 feet away for 20 seconds.)
Take visual breaks from the screen Blink often when viewing the monitor Wear appropriate corrective lens for computer work Adjust the font or brightness and contrast of the screen Use available Zoom/View functions within applications
If you need further assistance, please contact us for discussion or a site visit or training session. A short evaluation goes a long way to Prevent injuries. Ignoring the issue will not make the problems go away. Nationally, one-third of workplace injuries involve ergonomics. If it hurts, you may need to change something at your workstation. Micro-breaks such as Stand up and stretch, Shoulder Stretches, Wrist stretches every 45 minutes make a difference. As you can see from the table above, small inexpensive changes can make a big difference.
Thanks for your time. Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work.
DOAS Risk Management Services Division Loss Control Office Contact us by email: [email protected] or call (404) 656-6245 for additional information.
Topic of the Month…Severe Weather Preparedness!
Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia is February 6 – 10, 2017. All of these events highlight the need for emergency preparation. Unfortunately, Georgia has had to use some of these systems already in 2017. So far in FY2017 the State of Georgia has had over 60 claims with losses exceeding $7,000,000 in losses, we were very fortunate. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) have the responsibility of handling Federal and State emergency events. GEMA’s Ready Georgia, a statewide emergency preparedness campaign, offers tools that residents can use to create an emergency supply kit, develop a communications plan and stay informed about potential threats. Ready Georgia’s interactive website, www.ready.ga.gov (http://ready.ga.gov/) provides detailed information on Georgia-specific emergency preparedness and allows users to create a personal profile and receive a customized checklist and family communications plan. Employers can use the Ready Your Business guide to create custom contingency plans, and children can visit the ReadyKids page for age-appropriate information, videos and games. For preparedness on the go, families can also download Ready Georgia’s free mobile app at http://www.ready.ga.gov/mobileapp to learn how to prepare for emergencies, create family communications plans and more. Is YOUR emergency plan for your home and your agency location prepared and is it up to date? GEMA and FEMA offer a lot of information to help develop a plan on how to deal with emergencies. Do you know what to do in case of an emergency at your agency, at your location? 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? Ready.GA.gov offers some of the following guidelines for homes. Also look at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/ambassadors.html#.VqosrVLzMrx Which is the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration Weather Ready site. 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 three-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?
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 numbers posted?
□ Do you know who has First Aid training at your location?
Flooding preparation:
□ 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?
Of course these are the short list of items. A few minutes of preparation can save a life or make you far more comfortable in case of an emergency situation.
Thanks for your time. Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work.
DOAS Risk Management Services Division Loss Control Office Contact us by email: [email protected] or call (404) 656-6245 for additional information.
Topic of the Month…Struck By
The State of Georgia is on a path to have around 500 “Struck By” injuries. These injuries will cost the State of Georgia approximately $2,000,000, 12% of our total injuries. Nationally Struck By injuries run about 16%, it is one of the top injuries in the Construction field. Some are hard to prevent, but, some can easily be prevented. Here is a further break down of the injuries.
Contact with Animals/Insects is a challenge when working outdoors or with animals. We have had bites from ticks, bees, snakes, cats, dogs, horses this year. But for home health care please request patients to have their dogs secured before the visit. Looking where you are going can help as well. We have a few fire ant
bites every year. In many cases, they were not aware of the ant mound. Georgia workers were struck by many different items such as doors, vehicles, pry bars, chains, pots, rocks, etc. Many of these items were being moved at the time and hands or feet rolled over by carts or hit by the item when it fell. Don’t push a door open rapidly, someone may be on the other side. If working near a door, post a warning sign or prop open door. Always be aware of hand placement to avoid these types of injuries. Wheels will roll on the floor or your toes, they don’t care, keep clear. When working with tools always be aware of what can happen if the tool slips. Gloves give you a lot of protection. Gloves can also help reduce or eliminate many cuts as well. Housekeeping plays a role here as well, items that are not stored properly can fall and hit fellow employees as well. Are tools secured properly? If the hazards cannot be eliminated, as a last resort employees should wear Hardhats to protect themselves from overhead hazards. Stay away from moving equipment, forklifts swing out at the rear of the vehicle catching many people off guard. Most moving equipment such as backhoes, bulldozers trucks, forklifts and cars have blind spots and operators can’t see you. Ask What If? Too many times we start an operation and never ask: What if that truck moves? What if the load slips off the cart or hand truck? What if the tool slips, I’m I in the line of fire? Are you prepared to safely handle these potential events?
Thanks for your time. Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work.
Home is the place where we feel most safe, so it may come as a surprise to hear that falls in the home are one of the leading causes of injury-related death in the U.S., second only to poisoning. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, including concussions.
Eliminating tripping hazardsPrevent falls at home—and at work—by removing the sources of tripping:
• Secure electrical and phone cords away from walking areas, such as hallways or in front of your desk
• Use non-skid rugs and be sure to tape them down to prevent rolling
• Keep drawers and cabinets closed when you’re not using them
• Wear proper footwear, paying special attention to outdoor conditions
• Clean up any spills immediately and include warning signage if necessary
• Refrain from walking while distracted - stay focused on your surroundings
• Ensure there is adequate lighting in your workspace
• Don’t carry more than you can handle—large loads can obstruct your vision and affect your balance
Stand Up to Falls
GREEN CROSS TIPReduce your chances of falling by getting your vision checked regularly. If you take any medication, discuss common side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness with your doctor.
FAST STATFalls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, including concussions.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention )
Preventing falls in your bathroomFalls can happen anywhere, but in your home, the bathroom is one of the most dangerous places. According to the CDC, about 235,000 people over age 15 visit the emergency room each year due to a bathroom related-injury. Older adults are especially susceptible. According to the National Institute on Aging, 80 percent of senior falls happen in the bathroom due to slippery floors and surfaces.
Keep loved ones of every age safe:
• Place a non-slip mat both inside and outside of the tub
• Plug in nightlights in and around the bathroom for increased visibility
• Clean up any condensation or puddles on the floor
• Place nonslip decals on the bottom of your shower or tub
• Keep shampoo, soap and other bath products higher up to avoid bending
• Install grab bars by the toilet and in or near the shower and tub to assist older adults
• Make sure the bathroom door swings outward in case of a fall
Make your home safer by starting at the source. Remove tripping hazards around your home and ensure your bathroom is slip-free to eliminate the risk of falling.
Like many Americans, you might feel that you’re not getting enough sleep. The CDC reports that 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep. It is also estimated that 37 percent of the U.S. workforce is sleep deprived. We need proper sleep to recharge our stamina, face the day and avoid injuries at home and at work.
Getting good sleepTo be alert, well-rested and at your best, follow these tips:
• Get 7-9 hours of sleep every day
• Create and follow a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day—even on weekends.
• Eliminate unnecessary light
• Keep your bedroom temperate – neither hot nor cold
• Make sure your bed and pillows are comfortable and support restful sleep
• Avoid eating right before bed
• Remember that bedtime is for sleeping, not reading or watching TV
• Avoid using electronic devices before bed which can inhibit sleep
Recharge to be in Charge
GREEN CROSS TIPDon’t check your phone or tablet before you go to bed. Devices that emit light can prevent you from getting good sleep.
FAST STATOne in three adults don’t get enough sleep. Most adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep every day.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention )
Dangers of Sleep DeprivationWe all have busy lives and sleep is often the first thing many of us cut back on to accommodate our schedules. In the long run, this can be dangerous. Sleep deprivation has been shown to raise the risks of depression, obesity and heart disease, and has an adverse effect on reproductive health. Lack of sleep can also lead you to experience short bursts of sleep lasting anywhere from a fraction of a second or up to 30 seconds, known as microsleep. Individuals who experience microsleep lose awareness and consciousness during the episode, which can be dangerous especially on the road.
• Plan to take regular rest breaks and rotate drivers when travelling long distances
• Avoid alcohol and medications that may make you drowsy while driving
• If you feel drowsy, pull over when it is safe to do so
• To combat drowsiness, have a cup of coffee or caffeinated drink and stretch your legs by taking a short walk
• If you need more rest, take a quick nap if it is safe to do so
• If you are too tired to continue driving even after a break, don’t drive. Stay at a hotel or call someone—a loved one, friend or even a cab or ride-sharing service—to get you to your destination safely
Don’t get sidelined by fatigue. Get plenty of sleep to recharge and stay healthy and avoid dangerous situations like driving when drowsy.
Preparing for the worst can be difficult. Nobody wants to think about being involved in a situation with an active shooter-they can be unpredictable and unfold quickly. Because an active shooter behaves erratically, they have no pattern and their victims are random—being prepared can be your best defense.
Responding to an active shooter situationActive shooters can appear in public places such as movie theaters and shopping malls or in private workplaces. No matter where you are, remain as calm as possible and remember:
• Be aware of any possible danger in your environment
• Identify the two nearest exits
• If you can flee, do so immediately—leave belongings behind
• If you cannot flee, hide in an area where the shooter can’t see you
• If you are behind a door, try to lock or block entry to it
• Silence electronic devices
• As a last resort, try to incapacitate the shooter. Keep moving and be distracting. In close range situations, fighting increases your chance of survival.
• Call 911 as soon as you can do so safely
Prepare for Active Shooters
GREEN CROSS TIPAlways be aware of your environment. Locate the nearest two exits in any place you visit.
FAST STATActive shooter situations are unpredictable and unfold quickly. There is usually no pattern and their victims are selected randomly.
Wait for law enforcement to arriveLaw enforcement will usually be required to end the situation. Comply with law enforcement and allow them to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
There are several ways you can assist:
• To the best of your ability, be prepared to provide 911 and law enforcement with your location, the number of shooters, physical description of the shooter(s), the number and type of weapons used by the shooter(s) and the number of potential victims
• When law enforcement arrives, remain calm and follow all instructions
• Don’t scream or yell
• Keep your hands raised, visible and free of any objects
• Evacuate the area quickly—do not stop law enforcement to ask questions or for help
Facing an active shooter can be unimaginable, but being prepared might save your life. Remember to stay alert and as calm as possible. Try to run first, hide if you cannot flee safely and fight only when you have no other choice.
Safety Check:
If you have back pain, you’re not alone. About 80% of the U.S. population will experience back pain issues at some point in their lives, and 31 million will experience low-back pain at any given time. Most of these cases are not caused by serious underlying conditions, but from actions like improper lifting technique.
Lift safelyPrevent strains, dislocations and muscle tears. When lifting, make sure you:
• Stretch and warm up before you perform any lifting
• Keep your back straight and bend your knees – remember to never twist or bend your back
• Are on solid ground with your feet shoulder-width apart
• Keep the box or object close to your body
• Lift with your legs, not your back
• Limit the amount of weight you carry – separate boxes or make two trips instead of carrying more than you can handle
• Ask for help to carry heavy, bulky or large loads
• Keep pathways clear of tripping hazards
Work Ergonomically
GREEN CROSS TIPPrevent lower back pain by staying healthy and active. Carrying extra weight and smoking can make you more susceptible to back injuries.
FAST STATAbout 80% of the American population will experience a back problem at some point in their lives, and 31 million will experience low-back pain at any given time.
Telecommuting is an increasingly popular option to help employees maintain a better work-life balance. Convenience and flexibility are great, but don’t leave ergonomics at the office.
Make sure:
• Chairs have proper lumbar and arm support, and can be adjusted for height
• Feet are flat on the ground or a footrest
• The viewing distance from your eyes to the monitor is at least 18 inches
• Your keyboard and mouse are at approximately elbow height
• Lighting is sufficient enough that you don’t have to strain, but not too bright where glare is an issue
• To take short breaks. Look away from your screen every 15 minutes, take microbreaks in between bursts of heavy typing and don’t forget to take a rest break every 30 or 60 minutes. Get out of your chair, stretch and move around.
By making ergonomics part of your routine at work and at home, you can keep your body free of strain and pain.
DOAS Risk Management Services Division Loss Control Office Contact us by email: [email protected] or call (404) 656-6245 for additional information.
Topic of the Month…FY2017 Injury Review
Fiscal Year 2017 ended on June 30, 2017. During FY2017, 5,373 (4.38%) of fellow State of Georgia employees were injured. Of those, 1,271 (1.03%) were injured severely enough to lose a week of work. We saw a two percent increase in the Falls, Slips, Trips previously we had been on a down tread, down to 21% in FY2016 from 27% in FY2011. We had a one percent decrease in Strains and Motor Vehicle Collisions in
FY2017, contact us if we can help you with driver training. Visit our web page at; http://doas.ga.gov/risk-management/risk-management-education-and-training For our recently revised Falls, Slip, Trips & Do’s & Don’ts Driver training!
Please take this opportunity to review your three leading causes of injury and put plans in place to conduct training on those topics in FY2018. Based on the chart below most agencies should be completing the following Safety National Courses:
1. Falls, Slip, Trip; Costs expected to exceed $12,000,000 2. Strains & Sprains or Back Injury Prevention Costs expected to exceed $8,000,000 3. Cuts or Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA) Costs of each expected to exceed
$4,000,000
THANK YOU! For your efforts to reduce injuries. We have a new fiscal year with
more challenges, more exposures, more hazards, and unfortunately more injuries. When you look at many of the injuries, 90+% are preventable. No injury is acceptable or part of the job. If we can help you with your Safety training, please contact us at [email protected].
Thanks for your time. Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work.
DOAS Risk Management Services Division Loss Control Office Contact us by email: [email protected] or call (404) 656-6245 for additional information.
Topic of the Month… Falls from Different Levels Prevention
Falls, Slips, Trips made up 23% of the workers’ compensation injuries in Fiscal Year 2017. “Falls on different levels” comprised 20% of all Fall, Slip, Trip injuries. These injuries are expected to cost the State of Georgia about $3 million. Many of people believe that we can’t prevent Falls, Slips, Trips injuries, it is part of the business. Is it part of your business to throw away $12 million a year in expected losses; year after year after year, not to mention the pain and suffering of our fellow employees? What is your plan to deal with this exposure? Are we going to do the same thing and hope it gets better? Have you looked at departments with the higher incidence of falls and determined why? Has your agency conducted Falls, Slips, Trips awareness or prevention training? DOAS has developed an on-line training that is available on the free LMS or at the DOAS Web site: http://doas.ga.gov/risk-management/risk-management-education-and-training/preventing-falls-slips-and-trips-training Personal awareness is hard to control, but are we setting the example? Do we really have to answer that email or text while we are walking across a busy street? Do you have a Falls, Slips, Trips prevention plan? Has your location conducted an audit of your facility for potential fall hazards? Such things as:
Are floor level changes guarded? One of the most over looked elevation changes are loading docks. Are removable guard rails in place? Especially as in the photo the dock is near an emergency exit.
Changes in elevation: Are they marked? Are you warned of the elevation changes?
Ladders, are they inspected annually? Worn parts replaced? Taken out of service when broken.
Unmarked elevation changes: Have they been identified? Plans for improvement?
Mats and rugs: Are they in place?
Rainy days: Are door mats checked for saturation? Replaced or Wet vacuumed to remove excess water?
Drainage problems: Identified on rainy days? Are down spouts discharging onto walkways? Plan/work orders in to address problems?
Lighting: Are areas properly lit? Are light bulbs replaced as needed?
Are walkways free of obstacles? (No cords, boxes, trash, hoses, carts) What is your agency’s procedure for reporting issues? Each agency has its own exposures to address. Doing nothing allows the injuries to continue. Look (For the Hazards), Evaluate (What can be done.), Correct!
Thanks for your time. Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work.
State of Georgia Numbers: In FY2017 we had over $16,000,000 in
projected property losses. Approximately 10,000,000 were from wind storms most
from Hurricane Matthew. About $2,000,000 in fire losses.
Some FACTS form NFPA •
On Average, one of every 13 hotels or motels reported a structure fire each year. • The majority of hotel fire deaths result from fires that started in the bedroom. • Cooking equipment is the leading cause of hotel/motel fires.
If You Can’t Escape… SHUT off fans and air conditioners. STUFF wet towels in the crack around the doors. CALL the fire department and let them know your location. WAIT at the window and signal with a flashlight or light colored cloth.
ALUE PRO-
Vacations and business travel make ho-
tels and motels our home away from
home. It is just as important to be pre-
pared and know what you would do in a
hotel/motel emergency as it is in your
own home.
Be safe When traveling!
• Choose a hotel/motel that is protected by
both smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system.
• When you check in, ask the front desk what
the fire alarm sounds like.
• When you enter your room, review the es-
cape plan posted in your room.
• Take the time to find the exits and count the
number of doors between your room and the
exit.
Make sure the exits are unlocked. If they are
locked, report it to management right away.
DOAS Risk Management Services Division Loss Control Office Contact us by email: [email protected] or call (404) 656-6245 for additional information.
Topic of the Month…Strains/Material Handling
Strains and Sprains injuries are a large piece of the pie when you look at the State of Georgia’s injuries for FY2017. Employees with the State move a lot of material from, GDOT moving dirt and rock for road repair, to offices moving boxes of paper. We have a lot of exposure. How do we reduce this exposure? By reducing our lifting as much as possible. When is the last time you looked at your operations and asked; What can we do to reduce some of these lifts? Ask the basic questions:
Can we leave it on a cart?
Can we use a forklift?
Can we use a Hand truck to move the item rather than carrying the load?
Can we avoid lifting from the floor?
Avoid lifting from the floor as much as possible, we need to arrange our work stations with material handling in mind. A little planning can go a long way to prevent injuries. Not only do we want to avoid causing pain to ourselves and our fellow workers there is a lot of money involved. We will spend millions of dollars on injuries. But had we spent a few hundred dollars on carts, hand trucks or pallet jacks we may have avoided many of those injuries.
Have we looked at material we handle every day without much thought? Trash! Besides reducing how much we generate, have we looked at ways to reduce trash handling. Our janitorial staff is tasked with throwing numerous bags of trash over their heads or lifting to chest level. Can we lower the trash bin level so they throw down into it? Can we provide mechanical assistance to them to avoid the lifts?
We can do more to reduce these types of injuries if we use our minds rather than our backs. It is still called work for a reason, many of these material handling jobs still must be done, so is there a better option? The injury you prevent may be yours!
Thanks for your time. Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work.
