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May/June 2005

Table of contents:

1. NEW HIRES: High Risk Group for Injuries
2. Wrist-rests for keyboards...Yes or No?
3. Think Safe! - Heat Stroke and Other Heat-Related Diseases

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NEW HIRES: High Risk Group for Injuries

Did you know that approximately 40% of all Workers' Compensation claims are from employees in their first year of hire? One of the reasons new hires are particularly susceptible to injury is because they lack adequate strength and endurance to meet the physical demands of the job. This results in overexertion injuries, particularly sprains and strains, and can be very costly to your organization.

So how do you know if the new hire has the ability to safely meet the physical demands of the job? One way is to have a Post-Offer Screen (POS) program set-up for your organization's physically demanding job positions. With a POS, a qualified person is offered the job contingent upon passing a POS (similar to requiring potential employees to pass a drug test). The POS tests the new hire's ability to perform the essential functions of the job in a safe manner. For employees with disabilities, the POS identifies the essential functions of the job for which the employer must explore "reasonable accommodations".

Ideally, the POS should take place onsite (rather than in a "simulated" environment), using the real-life tools, equipment and materials of the job. Performing the POS onsite enhances the accuracy of the screen since the physical tests correlate exactly with the demands of the job.

Another way to reduce injuries among new hires is through Job Specific Training (JST). JST involves education and work conditioning. New hires are formally educated in proper work techniques in order to develop safe, long-lasting work habits and expertise. They undergo a brief period of job specific work conditioning where they develop the physical endurance and strength necessary to perform the job without injury. JST should also be performed onsite so the company benefits from the employee's productivity while mastering real-life, job specific skills.

Both Post-Offer Screens and Job Specific Training can significantly reduce the rate and cost of injuries among new hires. If you are interested in learning more about these onsite programs, or need assistance in setting them up, please contact CISonsite at 866-298-1312.

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Wrist-rests for Keyboards...Yes or No?

Adapted from smartcarept.com

The purpose of a wrist-rest is to ease these sustained postures stresses on the neck and shoulder. Reducing this stress is far more important than wrist position. No matter what wrist position is used, some wrist structures will be stressed. Finding and staying with an ideal wrist position will not prevent CTS or tendinitis. Overall posture variety is far more important than wrist position perfection. Focus on changing positions and reducing the muscle tension in the neck and shoulders. Use wrists-rest to help by lightly and intermittently resting the arms on the padded wrist rest. The object is to interrupt sustained neck-arm posture muscle holding with brief pauses for upper extremity weightbearing. DO NOT rest the wrists while keying as this will increase the pressure and irritation in the carpal tunnel.

Make sure that the computer workstation is set up to encourage good posture, take a brief stretch break every hour, and incorporate as much variety of activity into your workday as you can!

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Think Safe! - Heat Stroke and Other Heat-Related Illnesses

• Heat Syncope - Fainting caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
• Heat Exhaustion - Extreme fatigue characterized by fever, muscle aches and weakness, nausea and vomiting.
• Heat Stroke - Failure of the body's temperature control system - this is a medical emergency! Symptoms include fever of 105 ° or more, confusion, agitation, hyperventilation, racing pulse, lethargy, convulsions, and eventual loss of consciousness.

Be on the lookout for these danger signs and take the following precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses:

• Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water and sports drinks. Avoid tea, coffee, soda and alcohol as these lead to dehydration.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, lightly colored clothing.
• Limit vigorous activity during hot, humid weather. Stay inside if possible.
• Take frequent drink breaks and mist yourself with a spray bottle to avoid overheating.

Taking these precautions can help you and your employees avoid potentially life-threatening conditions and ensure a safe and productive summer.

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