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July 2004

Table of contents:

1. Keys to Successful Return-To-Work Programs
2. Causes and Signals of Choking
3. Think Safe! - Eye Safety at Work

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Keys to Successful Return-To-Work Programs

It has always been a difficult challenge for companies to create effective return-to-work programs. These programs are often met with resistance from employees, labor unions and even front-line supervisors who have to implement the program.

So what are the keys to providing effective return-to-work and modified-duty programs in today's workplace? They may be simpler than you think.

KEY #1: There is No Such Thing as "No Work Available"

The first key is to develop an organizational philosophy that "there is no such thing as no work available". In order to do this, it is important for everyone involved to fully comprehend the direct and indirect costs associated with not returning an injured employee to work.

Direct Costs:

• Increased Worker's Compensation costs

• Increased likelihood of permanent disability

• Increased medical costs

• Increased likelihood of litigation and associated costs

• Increased claim severity

Indirect Costs:

• Deconditioned employees who return to work are more likely to be reinjured or suffer new injury

• Costs associated with reassigning the injured employees workload- overtime or replacement worker costs

• Impact on quality of product or service when less skilled worker performs the job

• Diminished production in the worker's absence

• Increase in fraudulent claims and malingering by employees who know restrictions will not be met, but benefits will be paid.

The costs of lost-time injuries can be devastating to an organization. Many companies have had to downsize or close as a result of these outrageous costs. This is an issue that can affect everyone in the workplace.

KEY #2: Return-to-Work Programs Should Bring Value to Your Organization

The second key to implementing a successful return-to-work and modified-duty program is to create value. "Make-Work" programs that have employees sorting rubber bands, counting cars or sitting on display for others to see while performing meaningless tasks only serve to humiliate employees and can sabotage the goals of your program. Taking the following steps can help you to implement an effective and valuable program:

• Identify lighter jobs in every department and create functional job descriptions for these jobs.

• If there are no lighter jobs, consider combining lighter tasks from several jobs to create a modified-duty job. Quite often the employee can perform a good portion of his regular duty job with the exception of a few tasks that may need to be done with assistance or by someone else.

• Establish firm time limits for accommodating restricted-duty. At the end of the time limit, the employee needs to be re-evaluated to determine his readiness to return to his full-duty job or a more challenging modified-duty position.

• Remove the obstacles that prevent an effective return-to-work program. Encourage cross-departmental cooperation so that if there is no modified-duty position available within the injured worker's department, he can be assigned to another department. Work to get the support of union leaders if collective bargaining rules make this step difficult. Ensure that there is no harassment of the injured workers by non-injured personnel - this can truly sabotage your program.

• Ensure that the modified-duty assignment is safe, supervised and valuable to the organization.

• Work with your insurer, third party administrator or on-site therapy provider. These organizations can provide tools and expertise from a safety and ergonomics perspective and ensure that the modified-duty jobs are appropriate for the injured employee.

• Communicate your program: Make sure everyone knows about your program: front-line supervisors, employees, union representatives, and medical providers.

In summary, having an effective return-to-work program is imperative for minimizing both the direct and indirect costs associated with an injured worker. Programs that have a solid structure and provide value to your organization will be the most successful at returning an employee to work in a cost effective manner.

Stayed tuned to next month's issue of the CIS Onsite Newsletter for more ideas on return-to-work programs.

Source: The Journal of Workers Compensation, Vol. 12, No. 4, Summer 2003

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Causes and Signals of Choking

Did you know that more than 3,000 people die each year as a result of choking? Would you be able to recognize if a family member or friend started to choke? Do you know what activities might lead to choking? Here are some common causes of choking:

• Trying to swallow large pieces of poorly chewed food.
• Drinking alcohol before or during meals. Alcohol dulls the nerves that aid in swallowing.
• Wearing dentures. Dentures make it difficult to sense whether food is fully chewed before it is swallowed.
• Eating while talking excitedly or laughing.
• Eating too fast.
• Walking, playing, or running with food or objects in the mouth.

These are just some of the causes of choking. If you want to learn more about the signals of choking or the care needed to give to a person who is choking, contact your local American Red Cross Chapter for a schedule of courses in your area.

Follow these safety precautions to help prevent children from choking:

• Don't leave small objects, such as buttons, coins and beads within an infant's reach.
• Have children sit in a high chair or at a table while they eat.
• Do not let children eat too fast.
• Give infants soft food that they do not need to chew.
• Make sure that toys are too large to be swallowed.
• Do not give infants and young children foods like nuts, grapes, popcorn or raw vegetables.
• Make sure that toys have no small parts that could be pulled off.
• Cut foods a child can choke on easily such as hot dogs, into small pieces.
• Supervise children while they eat.

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Think Safe! - Eye Safety at Work

Workplace injuries are a leading cause of eye trauma, loss of vision and blindness, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In fact, an estimated 1,000 eye injuries occur in American workplaces each day. Power tools, heavy machinery and potent chemicals are among the workplace hazards that can put your eyes at risk. Many workers who experience eye injuries aren't using appropriate eyewear or aren't wearing eye protection at all. With proper use of protective eyewear, up to 90 percent of eye injuries can be prevented, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

WHAT CAUSES INJURIES?

Common workplace eye injuries and their causes include:

• Eye irritation. Dust and grit fly into your eye, causing irritation.
  
• Corneal scratches. Flying material particles - such as plastic bits or metal flakes - scratch the cornea, the domed layer of clear tissue at the front of your eye.

• Chemical splashes. Hazardous chemicals splash into your eyes, damaging them.

• Corneal or retinal burns. Welding torches or lasers cause corneal or retinal burns.

PROPER PROTECTION

Different situations require different types of protective eyewear. The main types of protective eyewear are safety glasses, safety goggles and face shields.

Safety glasses. Safety glasses may look similar to regular eyeglasses, but the lenses are more durable and provide better protection against flying debris or chemical splashes. People with vision problems may use specially made safety glasses that have corrective lenses.

Safety goggles. Safety goggles fit snugly around your eyes. Safety goggles are available in several different styles - some are made of firm plastic, and others are made of flexible rubber. People with vision problems may wear corrective eyeglasses underneath some types of safety goggles. Other specially made safety goggles may have corrective lenses mounted behind the protective lenses.

Face shields. Face shields cover the entire face. Some hard hats and helmets have a face shield attached to them. Corrective eyeglasses may be worn beneath the face shield.

If your job carries a known risk of eye injury, your employer is required by federal law to provide you with protective eyewear. All types of protective eyewear should meet the following criteria, according to OSHA:

• Provide ample protection against job-specific hazards, such as flying debris or radiation from light sources
• Fit snugly without inhibiting movement or vision
• Be reasonably comfortable
• Be strong and durable
• Be easily cleanable and capable of being disinfected

HOW TO HANDLE AN EYE EMERGENCY

If an eye injury occurs, see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible or go to an urgent care center or hospital emergency room. The full extent of the damage isn't always apparent. Even a seemingly minor injury may cause permanent eye damage if it's not treated. Following these tips immediately after the injury may help prevent further damage.

If you sustain a blunt injury or cut to your eye:

• Cover your eye with some type of shield. For example, tape the bottom of a plastic or plastic foam cup over your eye.

• Don't put any ointment or medication in your eye, as these medications may not be sterile. Don't try to rinse your eye, as it could make the injury worse.

• Don't rub your eye. This could tear the tissue, causing more damage.

• Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These may increase bleeding.

If you get a chemical in your eye:

• Immediately rinse your eye with water to dilute and remove any chemical residue. Using your fingers, try to pull your eyelids open as widely as possible. Flood your eye with a steady stream of cool, clean water for at least 15 minutes. Tilt your head toward the injured side so that the chemical doesn't wash into the uninjured eye.

• After rinsing your eye, cover it with a soft pad. If possible, take the chemical container to the emergency room or urgent care facility with you or write the chemical name on a slip of paper and take that along.

If you have a foreign object in your eye:

• Don't try to remove anything that's on your cornea or that appears to be stuck or embedded in the white (sclera) of your eye. Don't rub your eye. Cover both eyes with a soft pad.

If the foreign object is floating on the white of your eye or inside your eyelid, try to remove it with the corner of a clean cloth, a tissue or a cotton swab. Don't use your fingers, as doing so may push the foreign object further into your eye

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