MEMIC Safety Blog

Don't Become a Snow Blower Statistic

 Posted by Rod Stanley

As the winter of 2012 settles in, take a MEMIC minute to review some statistics related to snow blower use:

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission (USCPSC) reports that – each year – snow blower operators suffer more than 500 amputations and over 5000 emergency room visits.  The vast majority of these injuries occur while trying to clear snow and ice jams from the collection auger or discharge chute.

The American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) finds that the average injured individual is a 44-year old male.  The dominant hand is involved 90% of the time, resulting in amputation of finger tips, most commonly the middle one. 

Additional weather related factors , reported by the ASSH, that increase the likelihood of a clogged snow blower include heavy, wet snow, accumulation greater than six inches, and a temperature of 28 degrees, or higher.

The bottom line is – if you operate a snow blower – sooner, or later, it’s going to get clogged; when this occurs take the following action:

1. Power down the machine.  Shut down gasoline models, and unplug electric.
2. Never – ever -- use your hand to clear the intake augers or discharge chute.  Use the handle provided with most new snow blowers, stick, ice scraper, or other tool to remove ice and packed snow. 

These two, simple steps will prevent you from becoming a “snow blower statistic.”

Handheld Cell Phones Banned from Commercial Vehicles

 Posted by Randy Klatt

As of January 3, 2012, the use of handheld cellular phones by most commercial vehicle operators is illegal under federal law.  The ban applies to interstate carriers including large trucks and busses.  See the links at the bottom of the page for more information from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The law provides for a maximum driver penalty of $2750, and an $11,000 fine for a carrier that allows the use of handheld cell phones by drivers. 

Although the law does not apply to all Commercial Driver’s License holders and still allows the use of hands free devices, the message is clear.  Driving while using a cell phone creates a serious safety hazard and the federal government has responded very aggressively to mitigate this issue.

Employers, who operate a fleet of commercial vehicles, must take the time to review their fleet plan for compliance with the new FMCSA regulations and ensure that drivers are not distracted by the use of cell phones. 

"This final rule represents a giant leap for safety," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "It's just too dangerous for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone while operating a commercial vehicle. Drivers must keep their eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and head in the game when operating on our roads. Lives are at stake."

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration News Releases

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FAQ's

Preventing Slips and Falls

 Posted by Peter Koch

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010 294,620 employees suffered injuries from slips, trips, or falls.  Of these, 221,100 were from falls to the same level or slip or trip events. 

The National Floor Safety Institute or NFSI  reports : 

• Slips and falls are the leading cause of workers' compensation claims and are the leading cause of occupational injury for people aged 15-24 years.
• Compensation & medical costs associated with employee slip/fall accidents is approximately $70 billion annually (National Safety Council Injury Facts 2003 edition).

All slips and falls are preventable with a little planning and forethought.  Since we may have little control of the surface we tread upon, slip and trip avoidance depend heavily on YOU.  Your attention to your surroundings, what you have on your feet, and what you’re doing in the moment are all critical.

Consider the following areas when planning for prevention or analyzing a slip/fall event:

1)  The surface,
2)  The awareness or behavior,
3)  The footwear,
4)  The environment.

It is usually awareness/behavior that contributes the most to a slip or fall occurrence, but the best attack on slip and fall hazards is a combined evaluation of these four areas.

The following is a checklist and mnemonic when evaluating slip and fall hazards and developing a plan for preventing them.

• Condition and lighting of the surface and pathway
• Condition of the Footwear
• Surface Encumbrances (obstacles, fluids)
• Pitch and Condition of Stairs
• Location and Condition of Handrails
• Relevance of Pathway
• Behavior/Condition of the Worker
• Pace of Work in/around Pathway

This is not necessarily a complete list of areas to evaluate, so don’t limit yourself when trying to develop a plan for prevention or in post incident analysis.

So Take a MEMIC Minute and remember, ALL slip and fall events are PREVENTABLE!