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1. Overexertion when lifting

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2. Physical and mental fatigue

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1. What are some methods to reduce overexertion when lifting heavy objects?

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2. Is it possible to incorporate more breaks or a shorter working hours?

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Repetitive stress injuries

slips and trips

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what are some methods to reduce repetitive stress injuries?

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What are the ways slips and trips can be prevented?

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We know that complacency can cause minor and major injuries.

Distractions at the work place can also lead to work-related accidents and illnesses

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Why complacency sets in?

What type of distractions occur at the workplace?

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Workplace bullying creates a hostile environment that may create violence.

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How can workplace bullying be reduced if management is unable to mitigate the issue?

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Chemical sensitivity may cause injuries in the workplace.

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How can chemical injuries be reduced?

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Allergies can cause injuries in the workplace.

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Allergies can cause injuries in the workplace.

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Overconfidence can cause injuries in the workplace.

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Overconfidence can cause injuries in the workplace.

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Deviation from established procedures can cause injuries.

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Deviation from established procedures can cause injuries.

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How can adherence to policies and procedures be increased or ensured in the workplace?

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How can adherence to policies and procedures be increased or ensured in the workplace?

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How can the effect of allergy be mitigated to prevent employee distraction?

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How can the effect of allergy be mitigated to prevent employee distraction?

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Physically demanding occupations can be strenuous, some methods to reduce overexertion include (Kilbourne, 2012):

1.      Prohibiting solo lifting of heavy loads; encourage employees to work together instead.

2.      Include lifting and other physical requirements during the hiring process. If a position calls for strenuous activity, ensure the person is physical fit.

3.      Require more frequent short breaks, rather than longer, less frequent breaks.

4.      Providing various lifting aids; to include back braces, gloves, forklifts, jacks, straps etc.

5.      Stay hydrated.

Resource

Kilbourne, C. (2012). 6 strategies for reducing overexertion risks. Retrieved from https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2012/10/6-strategies-for-reducing-overexertion-risks/

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Is it possible to incorporate more breaks or a shorter working hours?

1. Perpetual Guardian, a firm in New Zealand, conducted a trial of a four-day working week (Haar, 2018). They declared from their successful trial that employees are only productive for about three hours in the working day. Employees reported more engagement, better work-life balance, and less stress. Managers from the firm also reported no reduction in productivity.

2. Japanese word “Karoshi”, translate to “death by overwork”. The Japanese government are urging companies to give employees the option to leave early on the last Friday of the month; known as “Premium Fridays”. The introduction of this was intended to improve the coutnry’s poor work-life balance and to encourage more consumer spending (McCurry, 2018). Only 11.2% of employees leave work early on this designated day; companies complained on being too busy at the end of the month to give their employees additional time off.

I believe it is possible to have a shorter work week. But it depends on the work environment, the timing off the added time off, as well as, commit from both management and employees to prioritize and eliminate certain tasks.

Resources

Haar, J. (2018). Working four-day weeks for five days’ pay? Research s hows it pays off. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/working-four-day-weeks-for-five-days-pay-research-shows-it-pays-off-100375

McCurry, G. (2018). Japan urges overworked employees to take Monday mornings off. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/03/japan-overworked-employees-monday-mornings-off

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-If it looks heavy get help. Reason? Heavy lifting may damage tissue by imposing loads which exceed the physical capacity of the tissue producing muscle or ligament injury.
-When prolonged episodes of lifting pay attention to muscle, "creep" can occur at relatively low loads. Helliwell PS, Taylor WJ (2004)
-Pay attention to your body mechanics.
-Be alert when instances whenever there you are engaging in...

High rates of repetition.

Prolonged abnormal postures.

High force requirement.

Resources:
Helliwell PS, Taylor WJ

Repetitive strain injury

Postgraduate Medical Journal 2004;80:438-443.

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To prevent slips and trips...

Clean up spills immediately. If a spill can’t be cleaned up right away, place “wet floor” warning signs for workers.

Keeps walkways and hallways free of debris, clutter and obstacles.

Keep filing cabinets and desk drawers shut when not in use.

Cover cables or cords in walkways.

Replace burnt-out light bulbs promptly.

Consider installing abrasive floor mats or replacing worn flooring.

Encourage workers to wear comfortable, properly fitted shoes.
Tracy Haas Depa (2016)
Preventing falls..

Pay atttention to your surroundings.

Remove clutter, and be aware of using any unstable items as support, or aid.

Watch for floor holes, or openings.

Use fall protection apparatus according to directions.

Walk with your feet pointed slightly outward, and make wide turns around corners.

References
Tracy Haas Depa (2016)

https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/14029-preventing-slips-trips-and-falls

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Strategies for Reducing Overconfidence in the Workplace

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Strategies for Reducing Overconfidence in the Workplace

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While almost all workplaces have effective safety policies and procedures in place, this does not mean that they are always adhered to. Many employees will develop an overconfidence in their capabilities as their tenure increases. In order to combat this, it is good to have periodic training in which staff are shown examples of overconfident behavior and the ramifications.

References:

https://www.safeopedia.com/safety-and-overconfidence-i-wont-fall/2/4898

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Strategies for Getting Employees to Abide by Procedures

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Strategies for Getting Employees to Abide by Procedures

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Most well established companies are going to have processes and procedures that should be followed. Getting staff to follow them is another problem altogether. The best way to encourage abidance is to offer incentive to the employees that do. This is not always effective, so it is also a good idea to have punishment of some sort when they are caught not following procedure. However, negative enforcement should be pursued only as a last resort.

Sources: http://businessknowledgesource.com/blog/how_to_make_sure_your_employees_follow_procedures_033973.html

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Jamon Greene

Effects of Distraction

In regards to safety, risk awareness and hazard recognition are vital to a successful safety management program.  Usually when hazards and risk are unrecognized human error occurs.  A distraction is a person, place, or thing that agitates the mind or emotions of a person.  A distraction is anything that can deter the mind of worker from his or her profession.  An example would be the misuse of a cellphone while working or the emotions an individual has for a family member.  This altered state is what causes a seasoned employee to make a major mistake.

Albert, A., Feng, J. & Namian, M. (2018, April). Effect of Distraction on Hazard Recognition and Safety Risk Perception. American Society of Civil Engineers. Retrieved from https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CO.1943-7862.0001459

Complacency

Complacency is a person’s security within his ability to perform, thus creating a state of mind that reduces the natural severity of risk or hazard.  Complacency is normally caused when an individual feel comfortable in their environment and the task the are conducting.  The risk and hazards around us become normal and we accept them as the norm.  Complacency can be defeated in many ways such as safety promotion, elaboration from first-line supervisors, consistency from coworkers to address unsafe actions.

Newfoundland & Labrador Construction Safety Association. (2018) Workplace Complacency. Retrieved from http://www.nlcsa.com/downloads/Workplace%20Complacency%20TBT%20Final%202018.pdf