MEMIC Safety Blog

The Little Things Can Cause Back Pain

 Posted by Allan Brown

Back pain is something that most of us will experience sometime in our lives.  Often the cause of back pain is misunderstood.  We do not have to be lifting something heavy to cause an injury.  Often it is the little things we do on a daily basis that initiate the injury process and it may be the lift or twist that is the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back. 

Consider this:

• Sitting places up to 50% more force on the back compared to standing erect.
• Prolonged sitting or standing with a forward head or slightly bent forward posture increases the pressure on the lumbar disc and changes the pressure to the disk back wall next to spinal nerve roots.
• Our body sags in response to gravity; this adds stress to our back.  Poor posture, tight muscles, and weak core strength increase the risk of back injuries. 
• We sit at work more than ever in the past. 
• Pain, tingling, and numbness can go from the back to your foot and anywhere in between.  Often the cause of this pain is in your back.  The discomfort anywhere else is considered referred pain.  
• Heavy and awkward lifting are back pain contributors.

What you can do:

• Take stock of your daily behaviors and posture.  Do you walk, sit, and stand in good posture?
• Adjust your chair to fit your posture.  Ensure the back support fills the inward curve of your low back. Sit back in the chair and up on your pelvis.
• After prolonged sitting or driving, stand up and gently perform a back bend to neutralize the disc pressure.
• Eliminate all lifts from the floor.
• Set up your work bench to reduce any extended reaches and awkward bending.
• As you age your body changes.  Gravity’s pull seems greater and your muscles weaken and shorten.   Stretching and strengthening can help slow this change.  Maintaining good posture, core strength, and flexibility are keys to slowing these changes. 
• Good sleep and good food are essential to a healthy body.

More resources can be found within the Safety Director at www.memic.com; check out the Resource Library by searching “back injury” or click the Ergonomics tab. 

Time for a Tick Check

 Posted by Peter Koch


Do you recognize these symptoms?   Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, joint aches, and a red bulls-eye like rash.  These can be symptomatic of tick borne illness such as Lyme disease. 

If you work outdoors either for your job or just around the yard at home chances are good that you have already pulled a tick from yourself or a pet this year. While they are not as annoying as the mosquitoes or black flies, their bite can be more threatening to your health by transmitting bacteria which cause illnesses such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease.

The instances of Lyme disease are on the rise in the New England states.  Don’t believe it’s a problem?  Just look at these numbers:  221% . . .270% . . .497%.  They represent the increase in Lyme disease incidence rates between 2005 and 2009 for Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont respectively.  You can check out the incident rates for all states here:  Lyme Disease Incident Rates.

Ticks don’t fly or jump, but grab hold of their hosts from blades of grass, leaves, or abundant leaf liter then climb to find suitable place to feed. The State of CT, in their publication Tick Bite Prevention, provides the following recommendations for preventing tick borne illness.

1)  Wear lighter colored clothing
2) Wear long pants and tuck your pants into your socks
3) Wash and dry clothing – ticks can’t survive an hour in a hot dryer
4) Carefully inspect the body and remove any attached ticks
5) Carefully inspect your pets and remove ticks
6) Use repellants (see the State of CT publication on Tick Bite Prevention for a list of effective repellants)

A key step in prevention of tick borne illness, especially if you work in the woods or areas with high tick populations, is self inspection and early removal.  According to the CDC, early removal of a tick, within 24 hours of attachment, can dramatically reduce the chance of Lyme disease. 

For more tips on prevention check these resources:  CDC, Tick Bite Prevention and the American Lyme Disease Foundation.

So take a MEMIC Minute this summer and check for ticks.

Does Your Business Have An Effective Injury Management System?

 Posted by Hartley Webb

Operating a business is never easy, but is especially challenging in a difficult economy.  This should lead management to identify cost control methods.  Workplace injuries are extremely expensive when both the direct and indirect costs are considered.  An injury management system can help limit these costs while assisting injured employees return to the workforce.   I’ve worked as a MEMIC safety management consultant since 1993, and I still see businesses that do not have effective injury management systems. 

An effective Injury Management System consists of the following:

1. Knowledge of loss experience (injury cause, injury type, body part).
2. Identify and meet with a local preferred medical provider who can treat occupational injuries and illnesses; establish a working relationship with a shared return-to-work philosophy.
3. Detailed job descriptions (that include physical tasks required) that can be used to communicate job requirements to the medical provider.
4. A written plan that identifies the employer and employee responsibilities regarding injury reporting, claim filing, preferred medical provider use, return-to-work guidelines, and communication with injured employees during treatment and restricted duty. 
5. Identify alternate duty job activities available in the event an injury occurs.
6. Documented injury management system training to include specific employee responsibilities.

OSHA has developed a “$afety Pays Program” that includes an injury cost estimator.  This tool can provide convincing evidence of the importance of an effective Injury Management System. 

Spring Clean Up: Chainsaw Awareness

 Posted by Andy Wood

With the snow banks melting in the Northeast comes the requisite spring clean-up around the property. If your facility includes even a little wooded property, that clean-up will most likely include some quality time with your chainsaw. Regardless of your skill level, it’s critical that you are aware of the hazards you will face and have the skills to manage them successfully; or recognize that you don’t and obtain additional resources from your employer. These resources may take the form of gear upgrades, more help, or additional training.

The OSHA standard for logging operations (1910.266) sets the baseline standards for all chainsaw operations.  It is very specific about training, supervision, and operational guidelines. Some very practical information is available on their website, specifically the Logging ETool.

For basic chainsaw operation, I’ve divided the necessary information into three categories. MEMIC has developed webinars and guiding documents for each of these topics. All are available on the Safety Director at www.memic.com.

1. A full compliment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
2. A saw maintained in serviceable condition.
3. Some baseline knowledge of industry standards which address: hazards, ergonomics, saw control and physics. (Refer to the Logging ETool referenced above.)

Specific hands-on training should be attended and operations closely supervised in regards to the most hazardous chainsaw operations, tree felling, and storm damage clean-up.

If you consider the tools and equipment you’ll use during outdoor projects, I think you’d agree that the chainsaw may create the greatest hazard. Take the time to get it right as the stakes are high when the accident involves a chainsaw, trees under tension, and gravity.

Seven Key Slicer Errors to Avoid

 Posted by Peter Koch

I never realized just how dangerous a meat slicer could be; but 20 years later I can still see the scar.  According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industry, between 2000 and 2004 more than 700 workers were injured while using a meat slicer.  I guess I was ahead of my time.  While working for a small family owned restaurant I committed one, well more than one, of the seven key slicer errors, and in an instant, became a statistic.

Seven Key Slicer Errors:

1. Operating the slicer with the blade guard removed.
2. Leaving the slice thickness set to anything but zero when not in use.
3. Pushing the food into the blade with your hand.
4. Slicing pieces that are too small for the food pusher.
5. Cleaning the slicer with the blade spinning.
6. Cleaning the slicer with the power cord plugged in.
7. Taking your eyes off the slicer when it is in operation.

For me it was #5 and #7.  My penance was eight stitches and nerve damage to my left pinky finger.  Not a good trade off for what little time was saved.

This is by no means a complete list. However, to avoid injury when using or cleaning the meat slicer always:

1. Read the user manual and complete required training before operating the slicer.
2. Inspect the equipment to ensure all safety devices and parts operate smoothly and efficiently.
3. Pressure the product being sliced with the weight handle/food pusher Use the slicer in manual mode before selecting automatic.
4. Follow all manufacturer and company instructions for cleaning the slicer.
5. Set the slice thickness to zero when finished slicing and before cleaning.
6. Turn off AND unplug slicer before cleaning.
7. Wear cut resistant gloves when operating or cleaning.

Remember, before your start; take a MEMIC Minute for slicer safety.  Check out these links on slicer safety and PPE:

• Meat Slicer Safety – WorkSafe BC
• Protecting Young Workers – OSHA
• Cut resistant gloves – NH Bragg
• Cut resistant gloves – Dyneema
  

Revised Hazard Communication Standard Reaches Final Rule Stage

 Posted by Greg LaRochelle

 

 

On Monday, March 26, 2012, OSHA published the Final Rule on the revised Hazard Communication Standard to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).  In an August 2011 blog (available in the MEMIC Safety Net archive section) the rationale behind the alignment and revision was explained.  At that time, the final rule was anticipated in September.  However, the comment and approval process took longer than expected and this resulted in the March 26^th final rule publication. 

OSHA has posted a Fact Sheet on their website that outlines the benefits and major changes of the revised standard as well as the requirements and effective completion dates.  Here’s a summary of the completion dates, compliance requirements, and effected parties included in the fact sheet.
Employers should contact their chemical product suppliers to request a safety data sheet (SDS) using the existing material safety data sheet (MSDS) binder as a reference.  As the new safety data sheets are compiled, the MSD sheets should be archived and retained. 

Employers should then begin to train their employees on the 16 section format of the safety data sheet and new label elements with hazard pictograms and signal words. 

 

 

Traffic Work Zone Safety

 Posted by Hartley Webb

With the sudden appearance of warm spring weather we are already seeing another sign of the season:  road repair, street and parking lot sweeping, and highway cleanup crews.  Transportation incidents are the leading cause of death in the workplace, so take a minute to read over these tips if your employees are exposed to motor vehicle traffic. 

Some employers feel that placing a worker wearing a reflective vest in a traffic zone is acceptable rather than using other exposure control methods.  Employers should control traffic risks by:

1. Eliminating the hazard.  Can the work be done when there is no vehicle traffic?
2. Evaluating engineering controls.  For example, can barriers be used to separate workers from all moving traffic?
3. Implementing administrative controls.  Ensure adequate training and strict work rules are enforced.  Keep workers out of the direct traffic lane when possible, and ensure they are alert and attentive to all moving vehicles including construction equipment.
4. Lastly, use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as retro-reflective clothing, hard hats, and safety toed boots.    

Flaggers must be effectively trained, certified, and supervised in order to prevent improper traffic flagging techniques.  These can be caused by inadequate training, a low willingness to follow training objectives, or failure to properly supervise.  Following the guidelines provided by the US Department of Transportation’s publication “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” (MUTCD Part 6) is critical for proper work zone setup.   Check out this resource here:  MUTCD

OSHA provides a “Quick Card” for Work Zone Traffic Safety that can found online -  Work Zone OSHA Quick Card.   Finally, the Center for Disease Control is a great resource for additional training documents and information regarding highway work zone safety.  Check their website at CDC Highway Work Zones.

OSHA Recordkeeping: When Is Treatment First Aid?

 Posted by Donna Clendenning

Have you ever wondered if an injury is recordable on your OSHA 300 log?  If so, I recommend that you go straight to the OSHA website (www.OSHA.gov, Section 1904.7(b)(5)(ii)).

Some injuries resulting in first aid care are not recordable. But what is considered first aid?  OSHA has developed a list of fourteen first aid treatments that are not recordable on the OSHA 300 log. The complete list from the OSHA website is as follows:

1. Using a nonprescription medication at nonprescription strength.
2. Administering tetanus immunizations.
3. Cleaning, flushing, or soaking wounds on the surface of the skin.
4. Using wound coverages such as bandages, Band-Aids, gauze pads, etc... or using butterfly bandages or Steristrips.
5. Using hot or cold therapy.
6. Using any non-rigid means of support, such as elastic bandages, wraps, or non-rigid back belts.
7. Using temporary immobilization devices while transporting an accident victim.
8. Drilling of a fingernail or toenail to relieve pressure or draining fluid from a blister.
9. Using eye patches.
10. Removing foreign bodies from the eye using only irrigation or a cotton swab.
11. Removing splinters or foreign material from areas other than the eye by irrigation, tweezers, cotton swabs or other simple means.
12. Using finger guards.
13. Using massages.
14. Drinking fluids for relief of heat stress.

OSHA states “this list is comprehensive, i.e. any treatment not included on this list is not considered first aid for OSHA recordkeeping purposes.”  This OSHA information regarding first aid and recordability should help you answer the question “Is it first aid or is it medical care?”

Dealing with Dual Monitors

 Posted by Greg LaRochelle

Dual computer monitor use is becoming more common in today’s office environment.  As this technology increases our workload, ergonomic setup becomes even more important.   Here are some tips for proper setup:  

1. If both monitors are used fairly equally (50/50 or 60/40) they should be positioned directly in front of the user, corresponding to the centerline of the keyboard, and angled slightly in a shallow V configuration. 
2. If one monitor is used more frequently (70/30 or 80/20) the primary monitor should be positioned front and center with the secondary monitor flanking it on either side at a 30 degree angle.
3. In both cases place the monitors as close together as possible.
4. Place monitor height so the top tool bar is at eye level; this promotes neutral neck posture. 
5. Bifocal or trifocal eyeglass wearers should adjust the monitor level lower to avoid neck extension.  
6. Proper monitor distance from the person depends on visual accommodation, but in general should be an arm’s length away or 18-24 inches from the user’s face.
7. When viewing the monitors, use eye movements more than head and neck rotation.
   If the monitor bases reduce available work surface space consider mounting the monitors on a single post monitor arm or add an articulating keyboard/mouse tray under the work surface.  This will free up more space to place an adjustable angle document holder on the work surface behind the keyboard.

It may take a few days to adjust to a dual monitor setup.  If discomfort sets in, review the proper setup and make sure to stretch periodically with a focus on the neck, upper back, and shoulders. 

For more information MEMIC policyholders can access online ergonomic resources within the Safety Director at www.memic.com.

Know about the "No Zone"

 Posted by Randy Klatt

Sharing the roads with large trucks is a real safety concern for those driving passenger cars.  But one important point to remember is that a large tractor trailer or snow plow creates “blind spots” that limit the truck driver’s ability to see all areas around the vehicle.  If you drive within these areas the trucker won’t be able to see your car.

This area is easy to locate.  Remember, if you can’t see the trucks mirrors, then the truck driver can’t see you.  Steer clear of these blind spots so that the truck driver won’t pull into your lane.  Driving in the No Zone also limits your visibility to the side or front, so please avoid them.

The diagram below illustrates the No Zones around a snow plow; very applicable this time of year.  Sharing the road with large commercial vehicles is a necessity and can be done safely.  Just be patient and avoid the NO ZONE. 

Check out these two websites for more information:  
http://www.clearroads.org/driversafety_resources.html 
http://www.maine.gov/dps/bhs/about/

Remember:  Ice and Snow, Take it Slow!