Summer 2005       

 

 

NEWSLETTER

 

Safety Professionals

 

Helping You Manage an Effective Loss Control Program

 

State Fund's Safety Professionals will assist you in analyzing the hazards and needs of your company and help you develop, implement, and promote an effective loss control program. Some available services include:

·              Safety Surveys - analysis of accident history and inspections for current hazards.

·              CAL-OSHA Counseling - interpretation of safety rules and regulations.

·              Loss Analysis Reports - summary of your workplace accidents and their costs.

·              Ergonomics Services - to address costly cumulative trauma disorders and strains/sprains. (Written reports of findings with possible recommended control measures are provided.)

·              Back Program - analysis of specific work activities to limit back injuries and reduce their associated costs.

Some services are subject to qualifying criteria. Contact your local State Fund office for more information.

Certified Safety Professionals

State Fund has a large number of Certified Safety Professionals (CSPs) on staff. The CSP is awarded to safety professionals by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
CSPs have the following qualifications:

·              A bachelor's degree in safety from an accredited safety program, or equivalent experience, or a combination of experience and education.

·              A minimum of 4 years of professional safety experience.

·              Successful completion of 2 full days of written examinations.

·              Required ongoing professional education and experience.

Stretching

No matter what the occupation—from clerical to construction—or how active one is in their off-work time, a warm-up and/or stretching routine can be incorporated into everyone’s life. Some form of stretching can be done anytime, anywhere. Although some people are genetically predisposed to some amount of “tightness” of their connective tissue, gentle stretching does provide muscle relief and a time for recovery. Just standing up to stretch after sitting for long periods of time has recuperative value as it improves circulation, allows the exchange of nutrients between the discs and surrounding tissue, plus it compensates for being in a static posture.

Three main purposes for movement are:

1.       Warm-up or preparing for activity.

2.       Movement or change of posture to get fuel (oxygen) to the muscles.

3.       Balance—or counter-posture—to compensate or "apologize" for a statically held posture.

 

Types of beneficial movement

·              Warm-Up or Preparation. Although often thought of as calisthenics in the gym or on the field, warming-up is designed as a general muscle and cardiovascular warm-up to be done prior to strenuous or repetitive work or play. Warming up is especially important in cold environments. The goal is a general body warm-up that should include activities for the upper body, the trunk, and the lower body. Examples would include arm circles, jumping jacks, or marching in place. The intent is to increase blood flow through the muscle and make it more ready to respond to work or play and loosen up joints. Professional athletes always warm-up before they go out on the field. It should not be any different for the industrial athlete.

·              Relieving Muscle Tension. The purpose of periodically stretching during the course of the workday is to “apologize” to muscles that have been overworked, overstretched, or held in an awkward position. Periodic stretching compensates or "apologizes" to the body by bringing the body back into balance. For example, if the task requires bending forward for long periods of time, stand up and gently arch backwards at the waist. If the task requires long periods of static sitting, s-l-o-w-l-y roll the shoulders backwards and gently bring the shoulder blades together. This moves the shoulders and chest out of the hunched-over posture that is frequently seen in people who sit at their workstation for extended periods of time.

When to warm-up

·              Warm-up before physical activity at work, home, or play.

When to stretch

·              Stretch before and after any physical activity at work, home, or play.

·              Stretch at various times throughout the day—in the morning; after being in one position for a while such as sitting, standing, or bending; periodically during the workday; or, when the muscles and joints feel stiff.

How to stretch

• Stretch s-l-o-w-l-y and gradually, putting a constant stretch on the muscle.
• Don’t bounce!
• Tension, not pain, should be felt in the muscle.
• Hold the stretch for 5 to 15 seconds.
• Keep breathing. Continue to breathe slowly but steadily throughout the stretch.
•  

Safe Work Practices For Workers in Hot Environments

Some jobs must unavoidably take place in hot working environments. Working in conditions of extreme heat combined with additional stresses to the body from physical activity, loss of fluids, fatigue, and various other factors, can lead to dangerous health effects or can jeopardize worker safety. However, if the risks are understood and precautions are taken, work in hot environments can be performed in relative comfort and security.

There are four environmental factors which can contribute to the amount of heat stress a worker may experience on the job -temperature, humidity, radiant heat, and air velocity. Other contributing factors may be the worker's age, weight, fitness, medical condition, and the ability to acclimatize to the heat. If the temperature of the work environment cannot be controlled, then every effort should be made to assist the individuals to maintain a safe and healthy body temperature while working in a high-heat environment.

The human body naturally strives to maintain a balanced operating temperature (normally 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), even when it's exposed to extreme heat. Breathing, sweating, blood circulation, and the body's adaptation to the hot environment combine to enable the body to remain within a safe temperature range. But sometimes heat from the sun, radiant heat from a hot surface or heat from hot processes can overwhelm the body's cooling mechanisms and result in mild to severe health disorders. These heat-related disorders include heat rash, heat cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

 

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are the most serious conditions and result when the body is subjected to more heat than it can handle. How much is too much? It varies, depending on the person and the situation. If improperly treated, heat stroke can be life-threatening. However, many heat-related health problems can be prevented or the risk of developing them reduced by following a few basic precautions:

·              Acclimatization - Give workers time to get used to the heat. With gradual increased exposure, workers become better able to tolerate the heat. Provide cool, shaded rest areas where workers can take periodic breaks as needed. Longer or more frequent breaks may be necessary when it's very hot or the work is especially strenuous. Job sharing or heavy work rotation among several workers can also lessen the heat load on workers.

·              Rehydration - Sweating is part of the body's natural cooling system, but it does results in water loss. The way to replace this loss and help the body continue to cool itself is to drink water or electrolyte-replacement "sport drinks" throughout the day, at least one cup every 20-30 minutes. Thirst is not enough to insure sufficient water intake. Workers should be encouraged to drink before, during, and after work. Alcohol, coffee, tea, and caffeinated soft drinks, which cause dehydration, should be avoided.

Appropriate Dress - Thin, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing aids in evaporation and              allows air movement near the skin. For some jobs, clothing with built-in air cooling features is appropriate. Reflective clothing can shield the body from radiant and convective heat. Those who work outdoors should wear a hat and sunscreen for increased protection against the suns rays.

Physical Conditioning - Workers who are in good physical condition are better able to  tolerate higher work temperatures. Encourage workers to stay in shape, avoid alcohol, and eat light, healthy meals. Heavy meals contribute to body heat and divert blood to the digestive system.

Engineering Controls - Fans, ventilators, exhaust systems, and air coolant systems help keep worksite temperatures to adaptable levels. Other controls such as installing heat shields and insulating heat-producing machinery can also help reduce radiant heat or lower the environmental temperatures. Install a temporary canopy over outdoor work areas or shade heavy equipment operators to lessen the sun's intensity. Use available mechanical devices to reduce physical exertion.

·         Work Scheduling - To take advantage of climatic and other environmental conditions, start jobs earlier in the morning, then space hot work throughout the day. Schedule the more strenuous or the hottest work for the coolest times of the day. Schedule more workers to reduce the work load or have them work in shifts or limit work hours within shifts to minimize exposure to high temperature and sun. Rotate work in areas where humidity may be high and air movements minimal. Postpone nonessential tasks during heat spells.

Monitoring - Supervisors should check environmental conditions at least hourly and monitor worker response to the heated conditions. Heat stress is a silent hazard. Workers my not realize that there is a problem until heat stress is well advanced. In wilderness environments, recognition of the gravity of the situation is important. The victim of serious heat distress must be transported as soon as possible to the nearest medical facility. In the meantime, every effort to reduce the victim's body heat load must be made.

 

Educating - Workers should be aware of the need to replace fluids, recognize dehydration and heat exhaustion, and know what to do when those conditions appear. Employers should train workers to recognize early warning signs of heat distress and take prompt, appropriate action. Workers should know to get immediate emergency medical attention if a worker has one or more of the following symptoms: mental confusion or loss of consciousness, flushed face, hot dry skin or no sweating. Make sure all workers know who is trained to give first aid. Emergency phone number of ambulance, hospital, and doctors should be posted and readily accessible at all job sites.

Safety also a concern in hot environments. Accident frequency seems to be higher in hot environments. Hot environments tend to lower mental alertness, impair judgment, and reduce physical performance. Increased body temperatures and physical discomfort in turn promotes irritability, anger, and other emotional states which may cause workers to become less aware of safety procedures.

During unusually long exposure to hot working conditions, the number of heat illnesses typically rises. Heat stress can be life threatening. The key to preventing heat related illnesses and accidents is to understand the hazards of working in hot environments, take proper precautions to safeguard health, insure recognition of early warning signs of heat stress, and make sure workers follow recommended safe work practices.

 

"Information or recommendations contained in these articles were obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the date of publication. Information is only advisory and does not presume to be exhaustive or inclusive of all workplace hazards or situations."

The above evaluations and/or recommendations are for general guidance only and should not be relied upon for legal compliance purposes. They are based solely on the information provided to us and relate only to those conditions specifically discussed. We do not make any warranty, expressed or implied, that your workplace is safe or healthful or that it complies with all laws, regulations or standards.

Required Employer Responsibilities

California law requires that:

“Every employer…shall post and keep posted in a conspicuous location frequented by employees and where (it) may be easily read by employees during the hours of the workday, a notice which shall state the name of (the) current compensation insurance carrier…”

The notice must also contain information regarding employee rights and responsibilities and must”…be posted in both English and Spanish where there are Spanish-speaking employees.”

Additionally, the law requires employers to provide a form on which employees may indicate the name of their personal physician or personal chiropractor.  The form must be provided to new hires either at the time the employee is hired or by the end of the first pay period.

If you would like free copies, in English or Spanish, of the required posting notice, the brochure explaining an employee’s workers’ compensation rights or the physician predesignation form, call State Fund’s toll-free customer service number at 1-877-405-4545.

Reporting Work-Related Injuries

State Fund’s Claims Reporting Center (1-888-222-3211) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for policyholders to report injuries as soon as they occur.  Agents will do the necessary paperwork to get the claim started and refer the injured to the designated physician or provider.

Within 8 hours of any serious illness or injury (requiring hospitalization over 24 hours, other than for medical observation or where there is permanent employee disfiguration) or death occurring in the workplace or in connection with employment, employers must report the incident to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

* Some or all articles were reprinted by permission from State Compensation Insurance Fund.