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November / December 2007

Lost-Time Days are Often Unnecessary

Time away from work for employees suffering from Workers’ Compensation related injuries is often not necessary. By consulting an onsite physical or occupational therapist, you can dramatically minimize – or even eliminate – days away from work due to injury. An onsite therapist can:

Work with your organization to develop an appropriate and quality restricted duty program.
Provide onsite therapy services if needed.
Evaluate the employee’s workstation and offer suggestions for modifications that may allow the employee to perform their regular duty job with minimal to no difficultly.
Provide recommendations for appropriate alternate duty job assignments if “3” above is not possible.
Train the employee in safe work habits, in the actual work environment, that can prevent aggravation of the current injury and future re-injury.
Identify the true physical capabilities of the employee.

If lost-time is a problem for your organization, give CISonsite a call today at (866) 298-1312 and make an appointment for an onsite therapist to meet with you to address your needs.

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New Year's Resolution: Keeping Safety a Top Priority

As the new year approaches, it’s a good time to reflect on the success of your safety program during the past year. Was safety a top priority for everyone in your organization? Did you manage to meet objectives, or do you perhaps need to undertake some new initiatives in 2007?

Hunt down and eliminate hazards. One initiative that you might consider is to turn the spotlight on workplace hazards.

For example:

Why It Matters . . .

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were more than 4 million nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses reported in 2005 (the most recent year for which statistics are currently available).
Almost 1.3 million of those cases involved days away from work.
Also in 2005, 5,702 employees died because of work-related injuries and illnesses.

Take a second look at the layout and condition of work areas.

Examine tools and equipment to make sure they are safe for employees to use (and review maintenance schedules to make sure they stay that way).
Observe the way employees work (you might be surprised at how many unsafe behaviors you observe).
Check to make sure that appropriate personal protective equipment (in good condition) is readily available to all workers.
Identify potential fire, chemical, electrical, and other hazards throughout your facility and take action to eliminate these risks.

Emphasize training.

Employee training is probably the most important aspect of any successful safety program.

Check OSHA standards for training requirements (many regulations have very specific requirements).
Make sure training sessions are interactive and provide plenty of opportunities for questions and discussion.
Take advantage of available technology to enhance and expand training options.
Provide lots of demonstrations and hands-on experience during training sessions.
Don't forget to provide training for supervisors and managers, too (especially when new regulations, policies, equipment, processes, etc., are introduced).

Encourage employee participation.

If employees at all levels in the organization are actively involved in promoting workplace safety, your safety initiatives for 2007 are much more likely to achieve objectives and improve overall safety.

Encourage employees to make suggestions about how to improve workplace safety (and then be sure to give their suggestions serious consideration!).
Involve employees in problem-solving when challenging safety and health issues arise.
Rely on safety committees composed of employees from all levels and functions to identify hazards, investigate accidents, and promote safe work habits among your workforce.

Recognize and reward safe behavior.

Finally, don't forget to show your gratitude for the efforts employees, supervisors, and managers are making to create a safer workplace. Use recognition and reward programs to reinforce safe behavior and positive safety attitudes. Talk up safety at every opportunity. Let employees know that their safety is your top priority this year, and ask them to join you in making it their top priority as well.

This article was taken in its entirety from:

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Think Safe!

Winter Driving Tips

Here are a few tips to keep you safe while driving in winter weather. Before you leave the house:

Check The Forecast - Find out about the driving conditions. Safe drivers know the weather, and they know their limits. If the weather is bad, remember, Ice and Snow, take it Slow, or just don't go.
Limit Travel During the Storm - Check road reports, forecasts and roadway temperatures. Stock up on household items. Emergency groups encourage you to have supplies that will last three days.
Prepare Your Vehicle – Check your battery, tires, windshield wiper fluid, wiper blades, and emergency kit. Get your car serviced if needed.

Safe Travel on the Road

Winter Conditions call for different driving tactics, Ice and Snow, take it Slow - slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. It's not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.

Drive with your headlights on.
Ice and Snow, take it Slow, Drive for conditions. Don't get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It won't help you stop any faster.
Drivers should allow additional room between their vehicles and others. Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances.
Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle.
Look farther ahead in traffic. Action by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra time to react.
Avoid using cruise control or overdrive. Don't let your car make a bad decision for you.
Stopping on snow and ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.

Be safe and have a wonderful winter and a safe and prosperous New Year!

(Article taken from the Washington State Department of Transportation)

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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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