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July / August 2006

Recognize that the injury problem exists.
Provide the resources to identify and eliminate the injury risk factors (money, personnel, outside experts, etc.)
Set high expectations for all personnel with regard to the injury elimination program.
Hold themselves, the supervisors, and the employees accountable to meet these expectations.

Supervisors are perhaps the most important individuals in the fight against workplace injuries. They have the following responsibilities:

Identify the risk factors that can lead to injuries.
Implement corrective actions to minimize these risk factors.
Motivate employees to work safely and responsibly.
Enforce safe work practices among their employees.

Managers and supervisors will benefit from comprehensive training to help them meet these responsibilities. CISonsite has a 4-hour program that covers virtually everything they need to know to dramatically reduce - or even eliminate - musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace. Check out the IMPACC Provider section of our website at www.cisonsite.com or call us at (866) 298-1312.

Look for Part II of this article in our next newsletter where we'll discuss the employee's role in injury prevention.

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Job Analysis Tip #5: Lifting and Back Pain

Lifting has been long associated with back injury and pain. However, if it's lifting that causes back injury, then why do the Olympic power lifters have fewer back injuries than almost all other Olympic athletes, including the ping-pong players?

The reason is because it isn't lifting itself that causes back injury. There are other factors that lead to the back injury:

Forward Bending of the Low Back: Our spine naturally has a curve "in" (or lordosis) at the low back. This natural curve should be maintained whenever someone is lifting below chest height. This position is the safest, most stable position of the spine. It's virtually impossible for people to hurt their back if this curve "in" is maintained.

Twisting: Our spines are not designed to twist when we are handling a load. Twisting damages the joints, ligaments and discs of the spine. Twisting can almost always be eliminated by pivoting.
Poor Physical Condition: Employees in poor physical condition will not be able to maintain proper body mechanics (curve "in" at the low back, squat, controlled lifting and lowering of the load). They will also fatigue more easily and have a tendency to over-exert themselves. This puts them at significant risk for back injury. New employees should be screened to ensure their ability to safely meet the physical demands of the job. All employees should be encouraged to get in shape and stay in shape.
Awkward or Heavy Lifts: There are times when the employee tries to use proper body mechanics but can't due to the size, shape or weight of the load or the environment in which it is being lifted. In these cases, management needs to step in and find a better and safer way for the lift to be performed. This may involve rearranging the work environment, obtaining an assistive material handling device, requiring a 2-man lift, etc.

Managers and supervisors must supervise to PREVENT back injuries . Really look at how your employees perform their jobs - if you see any of the situations above act immediately to rectify the problems.

For more information on how CISonsite can help your organization to prevent back injuries in the workplace, visit our website at www.cisonsite.com or give us a call at (866) 298-1312.

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Think Safe! Controlling Infectious Disease in the Workplace

Every year, millions of Americans contract infectious diseases. These diseases result in reduced workplace productivity, high healthcare costs, and adverse or even fatal outcomes. However, many of these infectious diseases can be easily prevented by following the simple principles of infection control at work - as well as at home.

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) has put together a checklist that can be used to help curtail the spread of infectious diseases. The ACOEM recommends that employers hold educational programs at least annually to teach employees basic principles of infection control including:

Hand washing
Receiving appropriate immunizations
Preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
Properly handling/preparing food

For more information and the comprehensive checklist for controlling infectious diseases, click on the following link:

http://www.acoem.org/pdfs/2003LaborDayCheckList.pdf

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Our programs assist employers in reducing their OSHA recordables and Worker’s Compensation claims, cost and injuries. We offer a variety of customized programs to fit each employer’s unique needs.

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Our mobile therapists come directly to your facility, by treating the worker onsite. the therapist can directly observe the physical demands of the worker’s job and design a treatment program that specifically addresses these demands.

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Our case managers work with employers and insurance companies to proactively manage the care of an injured worker through the entire case management process from injury to return to gainful employment.

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