1. Presented by Susan Mellott Scheper
2009 Safety Training
Presented by
Susan Mellott Scheper

2. Subjects/Topics Back Safety Office Safety Slips & Falls Driving Safety
Workplace Violence

3. Back Safety
The National Safety Council estimates that there are over 400,00 back injuries in the workplace each year, which translates to between $6 billion to $8 billion.
Proper lifting technique can reduce painful and costly back injuries.

4. The 6 L’s of Lifting L-1 Load L-2 Legs L-3 Lungs L-4 Low Back
L-5 Lever Arm
L-6 Look Up

5. L-1 Load Check the load before you lift it!
It could be bulky or have uneven weight that may shift during the lift.
Know the weight of the load and get help if it is too heavy.

6. L-2 Legs Lift with your legs, not your back!
Your large leg muscles are made for lifting and squatting.
Your back muscles run along your spine and are too long and thin to be used for lifting.

7. L-3 Lungs Exhale when you do something difficult!
Before lifting the load, tighten abdominal muscles.
Breathe out through tightened lips as you lift

8. L-4 Low Back Do not slouch your shoulders!
Maintain the hollow of your lower back.
Keep your upper back straight throughout the lift.

9. L-5 Lever Arm Keep the load close to your body!
Since Force = Weight X Distance, the closer the load is to your body, the less it weighs.
Move as close to the load as possible.
spread your legs apart and carry the load as close to you as you possibly can.

10. L-6 Look Up Look up just before your lift!
Your body follows the posture of your neck and head, so looking up will keep your back aligned correctly.
Looking down will slouch your back.

11. Your responsibility
These recommendations were developed using generally accepted safety standards.
Compliance with these recommendations is not a guarantee that you will be in conformance with any safety regulations nor does it ensure the absolute safety of your occupation or place of business.
Safety and health remain your responsibility.

12. OFFICE SAFETY
1. Posture
2. Eye Strain
3. Walkways
4. Workstations

13. OFFICE SAFETY Posture 2. Eye Strain
Poor posture is one of the major causes of back, neck
and shoulder pain in offices across the country.
Poor posture can lead to stiffness, fatigue and muscle tension.
Often we are tempted to cradle the phone receiver
between our chin and shoulder and work on the
computer at the same time. This position can lead to
pinched nerves and disc injuries in the neck and back.
Simple Solutions-Set up straight and keep the three
natural curves of the spine in their normal position by
aligning your ears-shoulders-hips.
Use a headset or speakerphone when necessary.
Stretching and changing positions occasionally will also minimize stress to the lower back.
2. Eye Strain
Eyestrain is a common problem in many offices today as
the use of computers and video display terminals (VDTs)
continues to increase.
Symptoms include itching and burning eyes, blurred vision and dry / irritated eyes.
Fortunately, there are many easy ways to adapt our
environment to reduce the strain on our eyes.
Simple Solutions-Position yourself and screen away from
windows and sources of natural light. Ensure that your
screen is within an acceptable range (between 18 and 28
inches).
Ensure your screen is positioned at eye level when you are seated in your chair. Dimming the lights in the area and adjusting brightness of the screen will also help. Select color options if your screen will allow it. Using green or amber text on dark backgrounds are the best for extended screen usage.

14. OFFICE SAFETY
3. Walkways
Many office accidents are caused by poor housekeeping and cluttered walkways.
Closing file cabinet drawers and doors will improve the safety of your office environment.
Often, overflowing trash cans, phone and electric cords can create slip and fall hazards that are unnecessary and easily eliminated.
Simple Solutions-Maintain clean walkways by emptying trash regularly and removing all unnecessary materials from the work place.
4. Workstations
Poorly designed or arranged workstations create and
assortment of problems.
Ensure that your workstation is arranged so that the most frequently used items are at your fingertips.
Straining to reach the phone, keyboard or calculator will reduce your productivity and increase the chances that you will be injured at your desk.
Your keyboard should be placed in a position so that your
arms are in a relaxed position on the armrests of your
chair.
Your arms should be forming a 90-degree angle. If your arms are in any position other than the one described, experiment with moving the keyboard to another area of the desk o r maybe into your lap. It will be awkward at first as you have probably grown accustom to typing in the other position.
Simple Solutions-Rearrange your workstation so that the
items you use the most frequently are at your fingertips.
Find a place for the keyboard that will allow you to work
in an appropriate position.

15. Slips & Falls
1 in 6 reported workplace injuries are slips, trips and falls from the same or different level.
Even minor slips can lead to painful and disabling injuries.
Slips, trips and falls account for approximately 15% of all workers’ compensation claims.
They have a major impact on workplaces because injuries can mean: loss of productivity, pain and suffering, higher insurance rates, retraining of workers, lost work time, major medical costs, disability or death, loss of workforce

16. Primary Causes of Slips, Trips and Falls
Poor housekeeping — clutter and debris in walkways
Flooring conditions — uneven or wet floors
Weather conditions — rain, snow or ice
Stairways - slippery treads and absence of handrails
Inappropriate footwear - slick-soled shoes
Poor lighting
Being careless

17. Checklist to help prevent slips, trips and falls.
Keep the workplace and walkways free of debris and clutter.
Clean up all spills immediately and use signs to warn against hazards.
Remove snow and ice.
Use mats in areas that are typically wet or slippery.
Install handrails and non-slip surfaces in stairways.
Be sure to wear appropriate footwear with good traction.
Keep all work areas well lighted.
Post warning signs if an area has just been mopped or is wet.
Post signs where there is a difference in floor levels.
Tape down all extension cords or other portable trip hazards.
Be alert.

18. SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS Teamwork leads to a good working environment.
It is everybody’s responsibility to make sure the workplace stays free of slip, trip and fall hazards.
If you identify a hazard, take action to remove the hazard or report it to your supervisor.
Even a minor slip can lead to a major injury.

19. SAFE DRIVING BASICS
Over 20% of all work related fatalities were caused by vehicle accidents.
Vehicle accidents cost U. S. business over $55 billion dollars annually.

20. KEYS TO SAFE DRIVING
Vehicle inspections: Maintaining a safe, well maintained vehicle is the first step toward safer driving.
Be sure to do the following inspections periodically.
Under the Hood - Check oil, transmission, windshield washer and brake fluid levels, check belts and hoses for signs of wear, check the battery and charging system for corrosion, visually check engine and the ground under the vehicle for signs of leaks.
Outside the Vehicle - Check headlights, taillights, backup lights, turn signals and emergency warning lights for proper functions, check windshield wipers, tire-pressure and tread wear.

21. Inside the Vehicle
Check horn, seatbelt, child restraints and gauges for proper functions.
If you notice any problems during these inspections, service is required.
Know your vehicle and rules of the road to avoid accidents.
Pre-driving Check - Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before starting it!
Being unfamiliar with the vehicle causes many work-related traffic accidents.

22. KEYS TO SAFE DRIVING Rules of the Road Seatbelts
Know the rules and practice them daily!
Use safety belt systems.
Operating a vehicle without a seatbelt is illegal in the state of Kentucky and is punishable by fine paid
Always use seatbelts and child restraints.
Approximately 50% of those involved in fatal vehicle accidents are unrestrained and 55% of fatally injured children are unrestrained.

23. KEYS TO SAFE DRIVING Notice changes Speed Kills
Look ahead to avoid any hazardous obstacles.
Be prepared for anything.
Know how to react to changes in driving conditions such as snow, ice and water in the roadway.
Reduce Speed. Quite often the hustle and bustle of everyday life seems to creep into our driving habits.
Rushing between appointments and hurrying to get to work or home may lead to disaster!
Twenty percent of all traffic fatalities are caused by excessive speed.
Increasing your speed increases your chances of being injured in a vehicle accident.
Additionally, higher speeds also an increase insurance, fuel and maintenance cost.

24. VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE
Recent studies indicated that over 2 million employees are physically attacked on an annual basis.
U. S. Department of Justice survey found that one in every six violent crimes occurs in the workplace.

25. What is Workplace Violence?
Workplace Violence is any extreme behavior intended to abuse, injure or murder a person in the workplace.
A broader definition would include the intent to damage or destroy property in the workplace.

26. Four basic types of workplace violence
Physical violence
Verbal violence
Is the act of using force against people or property in the workplace.
This would consist of assault, fighting, homicide, rape stalking, suicide, and destroying or sabotaging equipment or company property.
Is the act of making verbal threats against people or property in the workplace.

27. Four basic types of workplace violence
Written violence
Visual Violence
Is the act of using a written medium to threaten or abuse employees and / or property.
Is the act of using visual aides and bodily gestures that are threatening or abusive to people in the workplace.

28. What can we do to prevent violent acts?
Be observant of surroundings and changes that may be unsafe.
Establish open lines of communication with other employees and supervisors.
Listen to other employees and customers and take all threats seriously.
Be observant and report all acts of violence to supervisors
Be aware that successful stress management can prevent workplace violence.
Listen to other employees and customers and be considerate of their needs.
Help other employees when you are aware that things begin to affect their job.
Understand that personal problems often affect our work life.

29. Be ready for an Emergency
Action Plans
Evacuation Plans
Fire
Medical
Tornado & Severe Thunderstorm
Bomb Threats
Hostage Situation
Emergency Maintenance
Workplace Violence
Handout for each building
Check your floor

30. Time for the Safety Quiz
Questions?
Time for the Safety Quiz