Tag Archives: Back Safety

Back Safety

8 Workplace Safety Concepts Everyone Should Understand

With some types of workplace, safety is at the core of it. If you work in a hospital, on a construction site or in a laboratory it’s pretty likely that workplace safety is something you are already extremely experienced with. However, if you work in an office it’s likely that you aren’t as well-informed as to what exactly you should be doing to stay safe, since the risks tend to be far more hidden than in the other environs. In a counter-intuitive sense, there are also things that people in higher risk workplaces could learn about hidden risks and how to mitigate them. So, without further ado, here are eight tips for workplace safety.

  1. Understand Risks

Every office or worksite ought to have a health and safety manager who should be able to give you a thorough understanding of what the risks in that particular area are. Getting familiar with these is a great start since, if you don’t understand what is at stake you can’t act to address it.

  1. Posture

This is a huge one and universal to all careers. “It doesn’t matter where you work or what you do, posture can actually be a n issue which can cause serious life changing damage if not addressed”, says Anthony Allam, marketer at WriteMyx and NextCourseWork. It is particularly important though, if you sit at a desk for long periods of time. So, invest some energy in getting it right.

  1. Monitor Stress

Stress-levels dictate, to some degree, a lot of the way that your body and mind function. Mental safety is just as important, if not more so, than physical safety so it’s worth paying attention to workplace stress levels for that reason alone. However, stress also can affect your body, in your posture, in the way you breathe and move and, across time, can have damaging effects if left unchecked.

  1. Don’t Forgo Procedure

It can often seem painfully dry, but workplace procedure is there for a reason. “Procedures aren’t invented for the sake of torturing you with boring rules. It’s there to ensure that, even with slip-ups, employees will remain safe”, writes Ella Maguire, project manager at BritStudent and Australia2Write. It’s especially important in labs and on construction sites, but it applies in regular offices as well.

  1. Report Accidents And Problems

When something goes wrong, or something breaks or someone gets hurt, the first instinct can be to quickly solve the immediate issue and then try and put the rest of it behind you. Tis is the wrong approach. Incidents have to be reported for your safety and the safety of future employees. If something isn’t working, or there is a dangerous fault in a workplace it must be fixed to ensure safety, which won’t happen if incidents don’t get reported.

 

  1. Emergency Exits

You ought to be able to get out of any workplace with ease and speed. There can be a whole range of reasons why you might want to escape, from a gas leak to a fire drill. Obstructions to an exit are illegal but they are also often difficult to spot, sine it’s not until people are actually hurrying to safety that you realize that there is a problem, by which point it’s too late. That is the benefits of drills and vigilance over this aspect of safety.

  1. Be Careful When Lifting

If you’re on a construction site, then you have already likely done a lot of work on how to lift correctly. If you are in the office, probably not so much. But there are items all around the office which are heavy and can, therefore, damage your back if you lift it incorrectly. So, learn how to lift it well, or leave it to someone else.

  1. Take Breaks

Illness and injury come from over-exertion. Make sure you are always getting enough respite whilst in the workplace.

Conclusion

To conclude, all worksites represent risk and health and safety dangers, and it is your responsibility as someone on the site to establish those risks and do everything you can to ensure that safety is maintained, for yourself and others around you. It can be tough, but with these tips you’re already off to a good start.

Katrina Hatchett, a lifestyle blogger at Academic Brits and writer for Origin Writings, is involved in many business projects. She enjoys identifying project problems and finding solutions for these, and her goal is to improve efficiency of communication within companies. She also writes for the PhDKingdom blog.

 

Back Safety, General Safety Issues

BACK TO “BACK” SAFETY

First, how many of us know exactly how our backs are built?  According to the National Ag Safety Database, (NASD), your backbone is made up of 24 individual bones called vertebrae that are stacked on top of one another.  Vertebrae are separated by soft discs of cartilage that performs as shock absorbers for your vertebrae.  They help your back to bend, twist, and move around.  Most of the support to your spine is maintained by your stomach muscles, as well as the many muscles and ligaments that run up and down the length of your back. 

If we all could get a picture of what our backs actually look like, it’s doubtful that it would be as well lined up as the description.  The base of my spine is not lined up as it should be, and when I try to use my stomach muscles, it hurts my back.  I also sit at a computer all day, and my posture is not straight, as it should be. Slouching makes the back ligaments, not the muscles, stretch and hurt, thus putting pressure on the vertebrae.  If you work at a desk job, the best way to sit is straight, with your back against the back of the chair, and your feet flat on the floor, and your knees slightly higher than your hips.  When standing, stand tall, with your head up and shoulders back.  (Teach your children to get in the habit of good posture.)

Many persons carry excess weight, such as potbellies, which exert extra force on back and stomach muscles.  Your back is trying to support the weight out in front by swaying backwards, which causes excess strain on the lower back muscles.  Losing weight can reduce strain and pain in your back.  Having strong back and stomach muscles is important in order to ease the work your back goes through daily.  

Many times we sleep on mattresses that are not firm enough for good support.  You could try placing plywood between your box springs and mattress for better back support.  Either sleep on your side with your knees bent, or on your back with a pillow under your knees for support.  When driving, keep your back straight against the seat and close enough to the wheel so your knees are bent and are slightly higher than your hips.  

My work experience causes me to reflect on years of lifting heavy boxes full of files, rather than ask someone to help me.  I surely have paid for it, but not as seriously as others, who lift heavy objects all day long.  In my case, I could have asked for a little help, and it would have eliminated the risk of hurting my back.  We often don’t think about the object that we are going to lift, or how we are going to go about the task.  Plan your lifts in advance – think about the weight of the object you will be moving and how far you are moving it.  Eliminate any hazards that you see could be eliminated ahead of time.  And never fail to ask for help when you need it. 

We all know the standard rule: lift with your legs, not your back.  Slowly squat down by bending your knees, not your back and stomach.  With both hands, firmly grab the load and bring it close to your body.  Once it is close to your body, slowly straighten out your legs until you are standing upright.  Make sure you can see where you are going, as you walk slowly to your destination.  

Once you have reached your target, it is equally important to unload the object properly.  Reverse the lifting procedures just described and you will reduce the strain on your back and stomach muscles.  If necessary to set the load on the ground, squat down by bending your knees and position the load out in front of you.  Remember, if it is too heavy, bulky, or awkward for you to lift alone, find someone to help you with it.  I have found that now, when I fill file boxes, I only fill them half-full, and carry that to the car to be returned to our office; then I carry the other half of the files and place them in the box in my car.  It’s sure easier than trying to carry the whole thing.  Also, you may want to find a cart to transport your load.

Remember, it is easier to prevent a back injury than to repair one.  It is necessary to take care of your back because your back is critically important to your ability to walk, sit, stand, and run.  There are all types of lifting belts, back supports, and other ergonomic products that can support your back.  

 

Pat Brownlee writes for Blog4Safety, owned by parent company, Texas America Safety Company, http://www.tasco-safety.com/ Brownwood, Texas.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

CLICK IT OR TICKET!

Every year during this holiday period, law enforcement agencies join forces day and night, coast-to-coast, to deliver the most successful seatbelt enforcement campaign ever.  The “Click It or Ticket” National Enforcement Mobilization dates are May 18 – 31, and August 21 – September 7, 2009.  Started by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, most states are onboard in stressing the importance of wearing seatbelts and using proper child seat restraints.  Many persons who died in traffic crashes were not wearing seatbelts.  In the United States, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds.

With the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, law enforcement agencies are launching campaigns to let drivers know, especially teenage drivers, that there will be tickets written for all persons under 18 who are not wearing seatbelts, whether they are in the front or back seat, and that children less than five years old and under 36” tall must be safely secured in a child seat.

Similarly, Texas law states that if any passenger under age 17 is not wearing a seat belt- front or back seat- the driver will be ticketed.  Since 1999, the Texas Department of Public Safety has had a Zero tolerance policy regarding seatbelts and child safety seats.  Violations can result in fines up to $200, plus additional court costs.

A September, 2008, report published by the NHTSA, showed that seatbelt use was 84% in passenger cars, 86% in vans and suv’s, and 74% by truck occupants, which indicates that seatbelt use is improving every year.  This followed daylight observations in 1800 sites nationwide.  States with primary seatbelt laws averaged 13% higher at 88% use of seat belts, than states with secondary seatbelt laws, which had 75% use of seatbelts.  Primary seatbelt law states allow citations for seatbelt violations alone.  Secondary law states are allowed to issue seatbelt tickets if the vehicle is stopped for another violation.

So, whether in your state it’s “Buckle Up, America, “Buckle Up, your state”), “Click It or Ticket”, it’s a good idea to follow the law and do all you can to keep yourself and your passengers safe.  Your holiday will end on a better note if you don’t have to go to court to pay a fine when you get home.  After you buckle up, drive carefully, watch for the other drivers, and have a safe holiday!

Back Safety

MY ACHING BACK

1 Comment

It’s no wonder that back problems account for twenty percent of all work-related injuries.  According to NIOSH, an estimated 20 – 50 billion dollars is spent per year on work-related back injuries.  Poor posture causes weakness in our backs.  Another source of back pain is overexertion, twisting, and working in awkward positions.  Both NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and OSHA agree that there are many methods to advance the prevention of back injuries in the workplace.
Employers should select workers that are physically fit to handle the lifting tasks at hand.

It is also helpful for a company to know if the person has had any type of back injury in the past.  As part of their training, they should:

  • Undergo strength testing.
  • Be taught proper lifting techniques.
  • Avoid awkward posture.
  • Undergo stretching programs.
  • Learn the use of mechanical aids in lifting.
  • Use PVC-dot grip gloves to reduce grip force needed to lift and carry heavy objects.
  • Bend knees rather than back when lifting, carrying, or holding weighty items.
  • Apply the use of forklifts, carts, or dollies when possible.

Companies should have a maximum weight limit that workers are expected to meet, with male/female limits set accordingly.  The height of the subject to be lifted should be adjusted as well.  Workers should be instructed the proper ways to lift, carry, push, and pull manual materials.

Healthcare providers are especially challenged with the duty of transferring patients from beds to wheelchairs.  There are all types of equipment that accommodate this type of lifting, from electric beds, lift chairs, and other special hoists.  Caregivers should first be trained in the proper methods of lifting, and know when to get someone to help them.  Not only are they taking a chance on harming the patient, but causing injury to themselves, as well.

Back Safety, Ergonomics, General Safety Issues

ERGONOMICS – HEALTH CARE WORKERS

Healthcare workers – nurses, nurse aides, physical therapists, EMS personnel, etc., are in a league of their own.  Their work-day (or night) consists of assessing patient needs and providing treatment for them, many times under a great deal of stress.  The science of fitting the job to the worker is called Ergonomics.  When the physical capacity of the worker is mismatched with the physical requirements of the job, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can happen.  Ergonomics is the practice of designing tasks and equipment to fit the capabilities of the worker in order to prevent injuries before they occur.

Health care workers, especially those in nursing homes, are in an environment where these types of stress exist.  Many patients/residents totally depend on staff members to assist them with most activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, etc.  Employee injuries can result due to multiple interactions when transferring/handling persons.

Management of healthcare facilities is responsible for developing a safety program to ensure the well being of both the patients/residents and employees.  Health care workers should be given the opportunity to be a part of the program planning process.  Workplace hazards could be identified through documenting the number of illness/injuries, reports of unsafe conditions, reports of back pain, and potential incidents.

Some lifting guidelines are:

  • Never lift alone
  • Never transfer patient/resident when you are off balance
  • Limit the number of lifts per worker per day
  • Provide proper training on how to use lift equipment
  • Do not lift when body is in a twisted position

Back and wrist supports, and elbow pads offer some relief from the stress and strain on the body while lifting.  It is important that family members who serve as caregivers in the home seek some type of training on lifting, in order to stay in good physical condition and protect the loved one they are caring for.

OSHA