Jan 04 Advisor
Jan 04 Advisor
Jan 04 Advisor
Jan u a r y 2 0 0 4
S AFETY A DVISOR
Industrial Safety Awareness Reporter
B A C K I N J U RY P R E V E N T I O N
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Introduction
Everything we do affects our back. Unfortunately, the back is not very resilient. Once the back has been injured, it will never be as strong as it was before the injury. How many times a day do we lift, push, pull, stretch, and otherwise put a strain on our back? We do not strain our back intentionally, never the less, our back takes a huge beating every day. Prevention is the key to protecting our back from injury.
Safety Meetings
Body Mechanics
Understanding and Managing Stress 2
Body mechanics is nothing more than how to properly move and position the body for different activities in order to
prevent injuries. It is important to remember that our bodies do not stop functioning when we go home from work. We need to follow the same guidelines both at work and home. Our back is not, and is not supposed to be, straight. The natural position of the back is an S curve. This is referred to as the neutral position. To keep the neutral position and for good posture, we need to learn to maintain a straight line, from midline of the ears to the shoulders - to midline of the hips - to midline of the knees - to midline of the ankle. This means standing tall, pulling in our stomach, and tightening our buttocks. Think of it as a
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SAFETY MEETINGS
Work With a Safe Attitude Quiz 8
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Safety meetings come in all types and sizes, but most can be viewed as either formal or informal (or tailgate) meetings. Formal meetings are those meetings that are planned and announced in advance to provide groups of employees with information and training on specific issues, regulations, procedures, and hazard protections. When working out an advance schedule of safety meetings, other situations that call for safety meetings are likely
to emerge. They may include: Recent accidents Changes in unit or group safety trends New equipment, techniques, procedures, products or hazardous substances Management directives to emphasize safety requirements
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use your energy to tackle the rest. Share with those close to you when you are under stress and that may RECOGNIZING STRESS: Knowing the early warning signs of too much stress help bring stress down to a level which is tolerable. can help us take measures to control it before it con- Not all stress is bad. Stress is not just caused by bad trols us. The following are some warning signs that events but good ones too. Stress is serious business and it has many faces. Stress symptoms are your should be able to be recognized: bodys cry for help. Even minor signs of stress are Restlessness and anxiety early warnings that you need to manage your stress Inability to concentrate better. I wish you a healthy and happy 2004. I am Trouble falling asleep sure all of you have made a New Years Resolution Persistent fatigue for a reduction of stress. Lack of appetite Over eating Tension headaches Muscle spasms
CONTROLLING STRESS: Relax your body Exercise regularly Get enough rest and sleep Eat a balanced diet Relax your mind Rehearse for stressful events Adjust your mindset Get help if you need it Everyone copes with stress differently. What works to relieve stress for others may not work for you. Keep trying different methods until you find your own coping style. Remember you cant eliminate stress, but you can plan to reduce it. Identify events that stress you, and
2002 FDOT Statistics; Over 12% of all Workers Comp Claims cited the back/spine as the injured body part.
2002 FDOT Statistics; Over 20% or all direct costs incurred are attributed to back injuries.
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Florida Department of Transportation State Safety Office 605 Suwannee St MS #53 Tallahassee, FL. 32399-0450 Phone: 850 245-1500 Fax: 850 245-1552 SunCom 205-1500
Informal meetings, or tailgate meetings, are those where employees may be provided with some hands-on direction to show them how to do the job safely, or it may even be a one-on-one meeting with workers who are failing to use, or dont seem to be aware of, safe procedures in certain aspects of their job.
Look for ways to continually tie the safety message to workers' day-to-day activities. For instance, review the basics covered in a recent safety meeting by pointing out how they were followedor ignored recently on the job. Examples might include a task performed safely and properly using toxic chemicals, an acResearch, Layout, Design cident or a near-miss in your unit or another unit, etc.
& Copy Editor Keith Baggett
[email protected]
Look at safety as a positive, not a negative, and try to get workers to see it that way, too. When analyzing an incident that resulted in an injury, carefully avoid finger pointing or placing blame. This has never been the purpose of safety investigations. Seek out occasions to praise workers for incorporating safety on the job. Hold impromptu sessions to honor workers who may have done an outstanding job with safety cleaning up a hazardous spill correctly, for instance. When you Make a Fuss About Safety, everyone wins. These events dont have to be expensive or elaborate. You can present the group or individuals with certificates honoring their achievement, or you can just credit them publicly for their efforts. The idea is to make the point that safety counts, and the people who practice safety count too.
PAY ATTENTION
Tend to be injured far less often.
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plumb line from the ears to the knees. This will keep our back in a natural S curve. Our back needs to be maintained in the neutral position when sitting, standing, sleeping, reaching, and pushing. Many of us spend a large part of our day sitting. Sitting in the correct posture increases weight on the spine by 30 percent versus standing. Slouching can place an additional pressure of 150-300 percent on the back. Some possible solutions for proper sitting might include: have a chair with maximum adjustability; maintain neutral position; move frequently (take micro breaks); and have adjustable work surfaces. If your job includes long periods of standing, you should place one foot on a footrest that is approximately 8 inches high. This technique raises the front of the pelvis and reduces the possibility of a swayback condition. Alternate from one foot to the other frequently. Adjust your work surface height to keep from bending over while working. If your work area is a cubicle, you can adjust the desk height by increments of one inch. If you have a regular desk, and cannot find a way to correct the height, adjust your chair to fit the desk and use a footrest. When arranging your work area or the company storage room, consider each object carefully in order to avoid reaching overhead or bending over. Think about how often the object is used as well as the weight of the object. The best lifting zone is between the shoulders and waist. Place heavy and frequently used objects near waist height to reduce bending and twisting to reach the object. Place lighter objects higher or lower. Use dollies or carts to move heavy objects rather than carrying them. Pushing an object is much better for your back than
pulling it. If you push, you can see over your load and use your legs, not your back. Keep the object in front of you and stay as close to the object as possible, as this gives you more control and direction. Sleeping is very important to maintain physical and mental health. Most of us sleep between 6-8 hours per day. Even while asleep, you can injure your back if you do not maintain good back posture. To sleep properly you need to: Use a firm mattress. Avoid sleeping on your stomach. This can cause the back to sway. Place a pillow under your knees when sleeping on your back. When sleeping on your side, place a pillow between your knees and keep your knees bent.
Changing Lifestyle
Some simple changes to your lifestyle can help protect your back from injury. When attempting to change your lifestyle, be realistic. A little bit of change is better than none at all. Try making small changes over a period of time. Make a commitment to walk around the block everyday as opposed to running five miles. Regular exercise can help you strengthen your stomach muscles, lose a little weight, and increase your flexibility. Cut down on your food portions rather than going on a liquid or strict diet. Be willing to try something different new recipes, new sports, meditation, or aerobics.
Strain or Sprain?
Strain and sprain both mean something has been stretched beyond its limits. A strain refers to a muscle. When a muscle is strained, it has been forced to exceed its ability to work. Regular exercise can strengthen muscles and allow them to work harder longer, which is important considering muscles are the spines workhorses. A strain or sprain can occur in ligaments (fibrous bands connecting bones together) or in tendons
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(bands of tissue attaching muscles to bones). A sprained ankle is a common example of a sprained ligament. The symptoms of strains and sprains are sudden, sharp, and persistent pain at the injury site, followed by swelling.
way to go up or down? Plan a rest stop, if needed. 3. Establish a base of support - use a wide, balanced stance with one foot behind the object and the other foot next to it. Make sure you have firm footing and your feet are a shoulders width apart. 4. Bend your knees, keep your heels off of the floor and get as close to the object as possible. Always lift with your legs and not your back. 5. Get a good grip with your palms and make sure you have an adequate hold on the object. Be certain you will be able to maintain a hold on the object without having to adjust your grip later. You can use gloves to help maintain an adequate grip, but dont rely on gloves because they can de-sensitize the fingers making you unable to feel the object. 6. Lift gradually with your legs without using jerky motions. By using your leg strength, your chance of lower back injury is greatly reduced. 7. Keep the load close to prevent arching your lower back. As you begin the lift, tighten your stomach muscles and keep your head and shoulders up. The closer the load is to your spine, the less force will be placed on your back. 8. Pivot - dont twist. Move your feet in the direction of the lift. This will eliminate the need to twist at the waist.
Summary
You cannot always avoid lifting, but it is important to know your bodys limitations and how to use proper techniques for protecting your back against strains and sprains. The best way to prevent back injuries is to develop good health habits. Learn to use good body mechanics, including standing, sitting, pushing, pulling, and sleeping. Make some changes in your lifestyle, such as healthy eating habits and exercise regularly. Avoid common lifting mistakes and use proper lifting procedures.
Source; Bongarde Communications & Parley International
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Lectures Lectures where you or another speaker explain the information should only be one part of your program. Its a good way to define the what and why of your meeting and to outline what youll cover and how long it will take. But it should not be the only method of expressing the material unless its a very short meeting on a very limited and specific topic. Lectures are best when broken up with audiovisuals, discussions, and/or hands-on participation. Using hand-outs or quizzes can reinforce what is being learned. Remember too, than you dont have to be a safety professional in order to address a safety meeting. Other personnel may be able to participate & offer a different perspective on what may be a familiar subject. You may want to invite top management to provide an introduction that underlines the importance of good safety practices to the Department. Outside experts on such topics as emergency response can provide valuable information and examples. Perhaps a representative from an equipment manufacturer can demonstrate how a new piece of equipment works and answer questions. If you are going to be the main speaker, try to outline what you want to say rather than reading a whole presentation. Look directly at your audience as you talk. It will be more conversational and more interesting. Audiovisual Presentations Audiovisual presentations are a good way to get peoples attention and to demonstrate both the potential problems posed by your topic and the correct way to do things. Slides, videotapes, and films are available on many safety topics and make effective contributions to a safety meeting. Some also come with workbooks and other materials designed to reinforce the learning. If your Unit does not have any, check with your District Safety personnel or with the State Safety Office. We have many safety videos If you have a digital or a video camera, you can make any topic more relevant by illustrating it with slides or videos of your work area. Take pictures of equipment, procedures, etc., you want to focus on. Nothing will get the attention of your audience like a familiar landmark or picture. If youre planning a safety talk on housekeeping, take pictures of good and bad examples. The message is sure to be more personal when people see themselves and their work area and equipment highlighted in this way. Youll probably also need to create some visuals as you go. A large flip chart and felt-tipped marker are useful for highlighting or outlining information during the safety meeting. Programmed Instruction Programmed instructionreading material and written exercises can be effective supports to the other parts of your safety meeting. If your audience is accustomed to reading and able to handle written question and answer formats, use books and workbooks to reinforce the learning and to test how well workers have absorbed the information. Demonstrations Demonstrations should be included whenever possible in safety meetings. Show the correct way to perform an operation. Use real labels, material safety data sheets, etc, when you explain what they cover and what the information means. Have protective clothing and equipment with you as examples. Not only is a picture worth a thousand words, but also these real-life examples are an excellent way to tie the training to on-the-job applications. Hands-on Practice Hands-on practice is recommended whenever possible. It gives workers a chance to try out the methods, equipment, etc., that youre covering and it gives you a chance to see how they use them and make corrections on the spot in a no-risk environment.
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When youre conducting a session that includes hands on practice, take it slowly, step by step. First explain the procedure, then demonstrate it. Highlight key points, then allow each participant to try. If there seems to be general difficulty with some specific tasks or concept, go back to the beginning and demonstrate again, then ask for questions. Stay with it until all workers have had a chance to try and master the new skill, approach, or equipment. Give them immediate feedback on what they do right and immediate assistance when they have difficulties. Then follow up within a few days to see if they still know how to do the task correctly and to find out if they have any questions. Discussion Discussion is an excellent way to find out whether workers understand your message and to respond to any questions or problems. If possible, involve other safety personnel, supervisors, and/or outside experts in discussion sessions. Its important, however, that you or the other leaders always control the discussion so that it reinforces what is being covered in the meeting. Here are a few hints for effective discussions: 1. Always answer questions. If you dont have the information, make a note of the question, find out the answer, and get back to the person who asked it. 2. Prepare ahead. Open discussion doesnt always come easily. Prepare some questions to get the ball rolling. If no one volunteers an answer, call on people individually to respond. 3. Dont pass judgment on answers. If someone gives an incorrect response, correct it without comment. If an answer is a matter of judgment, give people a chance to voice different opinions. Discussion is good even when there is disagreement. 4. Compliment good responses or observations.
You dont have to overdo it, but be sure people get positive feedback when its deserved. 5. Keep the discussion on the topic. Its easy to wander into side issues that make no contribution to mastering the safety topic on hand. 6. Continually relate what youre discussing to the job. Ask participants for examples of related problems theyve had or ways theyve handled situations like the ones under discussion. 7. Use discussion periods to get a feel of how well participants understand the general and specific areas covered by the meeting and to determine whether you need to go back over some things or even have another meeting. Handouts Handouts covering the topic are very useful on-thejob reminders. But dont hand them out until the end of the session or they will just be a distraction to participants. Examples of useful handouts could include a copy of the agenda you covered or an outline of the topics, a safety newsletter, a prepared list of safety tips on the subject, etc. At the end of formal meetings on complex or especially important topics, you may want to give participants certificates stating that they completed the safety program. This will add recognition to the effort and provide a sense of satisfaction to the workers.
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The Safety Advisor is a monthly publication of the Florida Department of Transportations State Safety Office. It is designed to inform Department employees about safety practices both on and off the job. Your comments are welcomed. Access & Distribution of the Safety Advisor The monthly Safety Advisor is available from several sources ranging from your local Safety personnel, inter-office mail, to email to several web sites, both public & internal; The Industrial Safety Infonet web site; http://infonet.dot.state.fl.us/safetyoffice/Safety_Adv.htm The Florida Department of Transportation's public web site; http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/IndustrialSafety/indusSafSafeAdv.htm Do you know of a subject that should be mentioned here? Call or write & let us know what you think!
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Providing smooth and safe introductions of new equipment, procedures, and substances Reinforcing previous training Safety meetings will accomplish more if these objectives are stated clearly and understood by everyone in advance. Materials Materials for a safety meeting, as weve discussed here, come in many forms. From safety videos, to handouts & quizzes or electronic PowerPoint presentations, all are available from your District Safety personnel or from us here at the Sate Safety Office. Pick up the phone or send email & you might be surprised at just how many pholks want to help!
Source: Supervisors Safety Meetings Handbook, Bureau of Business Reports
Improving productivity by reducing accidents Reducing costs & lost production resulting from injury or illness Training employees to recognize and report hazards Bringing new employees into line with Department safety policies and practices Training employees to recognize and avoid unsafe practices Explaining how to prevent or minimize injuries on the job Training employees to respond to emergencies
2002 FDOT Statistics; Over 12% of all Workers Comp Claims cited the back/spine as the injured body part.
Answers: 1.) False 2.) D 3.) True 4.) True 5.) False
Answers
6.) True 7.) False 8.) True 9.) True 10.) False
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Florida Department of Transportation State Safety Office 605 Suwannee St MS #53 Tallahassee, FL. 32399-0450 Attention: Industrial Safety
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Fall Protection Traffic Safety Respiratory Protection Tool Safety Work Zone Safety Safety Committees Vehicle Safety Ergonomics
Laboratory & Office Safety Materials Managing Stress Fitness/Nutrition Bike/Pedestrian Safety Holiday Safety Electrical Hazards
PLEASE PRINT
Safety Slogan for the month of ______________________
THINK
Back Injury Prevention & Safety Meetings
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First Place
Lifting with your back can cause a strain You will know for certain when you feel the pain!
Buddy Sparkmann Jax maintenance D-2
Second Place
Come one, come all Theres a Safety Meeting down the hall!
Second Place
To lift a heavy load, try a mechanical mode, Something like a pallet jack Could keep injury from your back!
Stanley Youngblood Jax Maintenance D-2
Quotables
" The reward of a thing well done is to have done it. " --Ralph Waldo Emerson "Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame." --Ben Franklin
FDA and CDC Statement Concerning Rumors About Recalled Lot of Influenza Vaccine
Rumors have been circulating that a "contaminated" lot of flu vaccine has been recalled by the FDA. This is false. No contamination of any flu vaccine has been identified anywhere in the U.S., and the FDA has not recalled any lot of flu vaccine. Flu vaccine is routinely tested for safety, purity, and potency and all lots released have met these standards. As with any vaccine, flu vaccine is capable of causing some side effects, these are very rarely severe. Most side effects from flu vaccine are mild, such as arm soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, fever, or achiness. More serious reactions to the flu vaccine do occur, but they are rare. While FDA and CDC are currently investigating several recent reports of possible significant allergic
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reactions to flu vaccine, it is important to note that the number and type of reactions reported to date are not unexpected. The reactions reported, not all of which may have been caused by the administration of vaccine, do not, at this time, suggest any problem with the flu vaccine. However, FDA and CDC will continue to investigate these and any other reports and will provide any further information as available. While serious reactions to flu vaccine are rare, each year about 114,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die because of the flu.
The flu vaccine is the best way a person can protect themselves and their loved ones against influenza. October and November are the best months to get vaccinated - however, vaccination in December or later still provides considerable protection. For more information about influenza, go to http:// www.cdc.gov/nip/Flu.
Source; Centers for Desease Control
Safety Advisor Customer Satisfaction Survey We are interested in your opinion! In order to better serve your needs, please take a moment to fill out this brief questionnaire and send it either 1. By fax to 850-245-1552 (SunCom fax 205-1552) or 2. Via US Postal Service to the address shown below. Thanks for your time! You can reach us by mail at: Attn: Sunil Nath, Manager, Industrial Safety Florida Department of Transportation Safety Office M.S. #53 605 Suwannee Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450
Survey Questions
Yes No 1. Are the Safety Advisor topics relevant to your day to day job? 2. Are the materials contained in the Safety Advisor sufficient for your safety meetings? 3. What would you suggest to improve the suitability of the Safety Advisor to our needs or to improve the overall quality? (Please be specific) ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 4. Do you have any questions regarding Industrial Safety programs and/or operations? Please feel free to include questions or comments. ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________ Back Injury Prevention & Safety Meetings
From: Florida Department of Transportation State Safety Office 605 Suwannee St MS 53 Tallahassee, FL. 32399-0450
To: