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January/February 2005

Table of contents:

1. Minimizing Injuries in Problem Jobs
2. What is High Blood Pressure
3. Think Safe! - Snow Shoveling Tips

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Minimizing Injuries in Problem Jobs

In virtually every organization there are a few jobs that are informally classified as "Problem Jobs". The employees in these jobs tend to get hurt more frequently and experience a higher severity of injury than their co-workers in other job positions. It seems that every effort you've made to minimize the injury risks has resulted in little change and now you're trying to decide what your next step is.

It may surprise you to know that many experts believe that only about 20% of work injuries are the result of poor workplace design and that up to 80% of work injuries are attributed to how employees choose to use their bodies on the job. So, if you're only looking at the ergonomics of a job, you're missing the larger piece of the puzzle where you can have more of an impact.

Don't get it wrong - ergonomics are important - and every employer is bound by OSHA's General Duty Clause to address problematic ergonomic issues. But sometimes the ergonomic solutions are far more simple and low-cost than we think.

As a next step, you may want to consider having a medical ergonomist complete a Work Risk Analysis for your organization's problem jobs. The medical ergonomist is an expert at:

1. Identifying the work habits of employees that put them at risk for injury, and
2. Creating reasonable recommendations to address and significantly minimize these risks.

At CISonsite our medical ergonomists are physical and occupational therapists and have years of experience in performing ergonomic Work Risk Analysis (WRA). Our WRA is written in plain English and provides the following information:

1. A Biomechanical Description of the job being performed
2. A list of the Observed Risks for Injury
3. A comprehensive list of Corrective Recommendations to address these risks. Recommendations fall into the categories of: Egronomics, Exposure Reduction, Education, Exercise and Enforcement.

The vast majority of recommendations made are practical and low-cost but highly effective. Organizations that have implemented our recommendations have experienced reductions in injuries and Workers' Compensation costs of 40-60-80%!

To learn more about a Work Risk Analysis or to find a medical ergonomist in your area, please contact us at 866-298-1312.

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What is High Blood Pressure?

Another name for high blood pressure is hypertension. High blood pressure means the pressure in your arteries is consistently above the normal range. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. It's written as two numbers, such as 122/78 mmHg. The top, systolic number is the pressure when the heart is at rest. The bottom, diastolic number is the pressure when the heart is at rest. High blood pressure is a consistently elevated pressure 140 systolic or higher and/or 90 diastolic or higher. No one really knows exactly what causes most cases of high blood pressure. It usually can't be cured, but it can be controlled.

Fifty million Americans (1 in 4 adults) have it, and many don't even know they have it. Not treating high blood pressure is dangerous. You can live a healthier life if you treat and control it!

Who is at higher risk?

• People with close blood relatives who have it
• African-Americans
• People over 35
• Overweight people
• People who use too much salt
• People who use too much alcohol
• Women who take birth control pills
• People who aren't active
• Pregnant women

How can I tell I have it?

• You usually can't tell! Many people have it and don't know it.
• The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to get it checked regularly by your doctor.

What can untreated high blood pressure lead to?

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Kidney failure

What can I do about it?

• Lose weight if you are overweight
• Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt and fat
• Limit alcohol to no more than two drinks a day
• Be more active
• Take medicine the way your doctor tells you
• Know what your blood pressure should be and work to keep it at that level

How can medicine help?

• Some medicines help relax and open up your blood vessels so blood can flow through better.
• A diuretic can help keep your body from holding too much water and salt.

How can I learn more?

• Talk to your doctor, nurse or health care professional.
• If you have high blood pressure, members of your family also may be at higher risk for it. It's very important for them to make changes now to lower their risk.

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Think Safe! - Snow Shoveling Tips

With the winter season in full effect, keep in mind that outdoor activities can be risky. Snow shoveling, for example, can be especially dangerous. Exercise experts say shoveling heavy snow requires as much energy as running 9 miles per hour! In addition, breathing cold air, and being exposed to the cold all make the heart work harder. If you are over 45, sedentary, smoke, have elevated blood pressure, are overweight, and/or have a heart condition, play it safe and get someone else to do the shoveling.

Experts warn that snow shoveling is not the exercise to use to start getting in shape. To prevent injury:

• Dress warmly, but don't bundle. You want to move naturally and not make movements difficult or awkward.
• Warm up and stretch before you start shoveling. Walk around with large arm movements to get the blood flowing and your body temperature up before you start.
• Use a lightweight push shovel if possible. Also, spray your shovel with Teflon so the snow does not cling.
• Always keep one hand close to the base of the shovel to balance weight of the lift and lessen the lower back strain.
• Try to push the snow when possible. Avoid lifting and throwing snow any distance. Push or walk the snow to a pile.
• Avoid sudden twists with your body. Try to move the entire body together as a unit.
• Use your legs and bend your knees to help with leverage.
• Work slowly, pace yourself. Shovel for five to seven minutes then rest for two or three minutes. Don't wait until your tired or short of breath. If you start to fatigue, stop.
• If you experience pain, stop immediately. Rest yourself for five to ten minutes. For any new injury, use ice and not heat. Apply ice packs ten minutes on, ten minutes off and 10 minutes on again to help start reducing inflammation.
• If you have a health problem or are not in good shape, do not even consider snow shoveling. Find someone ahead of time to help. Don't wait until there is a lot of snow on the ground before you figure out how to remove it.

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