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Practicing Safety at WORK

Practicing Safety at WORK. Louis Stokes Cleveland, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center JCAHO Environment of Care Series Fiscal Year 2009. Objectives. Smoking Restrictions Personal Protective Equipment Electricity Preventing Back Injuries Ergonomics Slips, Trips and Falls

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Practicing Safety at WORK

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  1. Practicing Safety at WORK Louis Stokes Cleveland, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center JCAHO Environment of Care Series Fiscal Year 2009

  2. Objectives • Smoking Restrictions • Personal Protective Equipment • Electricity • Preventing Back Injuries • Ergonomics • Slips, Trips and Falls • MRI Safety • Reporting Injuries at Work

  3. Smoking Restrictions • Smoking is prohibited within hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, office, shop, plant, or other buildings at Brecksville, Wade Park, and CBOCs of the Cleveland VA Medical Center. • Employees are responsible for reminding patients, visitors, and other employees who are seen smoking in restricted areas that this is in violation of Medical Center Policy 000-012. • Smoking is prohibited in any government vehicle. Sorry VA

  4. Personal Protective Equipment • Required when engineering or administrative controls are inadequate. • Must be properly selected and worn. • Training is required. • Pre-Job analysis • Hazard Assessment

  5. Working with Electricity • Inspect cord and connections regularly. • Third prong (ground) must be in place. • Be aware of trouble signs with appliances such as frayed electrical cords, etc. • Do not bring in extension cords from home. They are not approved for use in the VA.

  6. Your back – Protect it at all times

  7. Back Injuries Back injuries are considered by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) as the nation's #1 workplace safety problem. Back injuries are often: • Very painful; • A long term or lifetime disability; and • Expensive to diagnose and treat.

  8. Back Injuries Common Causes of Back Injuriesh Heavy lifting Twisting at the waist while lifting or holding a heavy load Working in awkward, uncomfortable positions

  9. Common Causes of Back Injuries Reaching and lifting Lifting or carrying objects with awkward or odd shapes

  10. Preventing Back Injuries Safe Lifting 100 lbs. 10 lbs. Lever effect -- can magnify weight by factor of up to 10. Keeping the load close to the body reduces the pressure exerted on your back.

  11. Preventing Back Injuries Lifting SafelyThe KEY to lifting safely is keeping your back slightly arched. NEVER USE YOUR BACK TO LIFT! • Start the lift by putting your feet close to the object. Get a firm footing. • Center your body over your feet. • Squat down like a professional weightlifter, bending your knees. Keep your back slightly arched. You want your legs to do the lifting, not your back. • Grasp the load securely with your hands, and pull the load close to you. • Smoothly lift straight up. NEVER TWIST YOUR BODY WHILE LIFTING, KEEPING YOUR HEAD UP, AS IF LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD, NOT DOWN.

  12. Preventing Back Injuries Carrying the LoadAs you carry the load: • Keep your back straight or slightly arched. • Walk slowly and surely. • Use your feet to change directions. Never twist your back. • Avoid leaning over. • Avoid lifting a load over your head. • If you become tired, set the load down, and rest for a few moments.

  13. Preventing Back Injuries EXERCISE FOR LOW BACK PAIN • Keeps Body Flexible • Helps Prevent Injury • Do Not Overdo-- Follow Doctor’s Instruction Carefully

  14. Health Problems Associated With Computer Use • Muscular fatigue is characterized by— • • Pain. • • Stiffness. • • Physical discomfort. • Computer workers experiencing one or a combination of these problems typically lose proficiency and productivity, and could eventually have work-related musculoskeletal disorders particularly as a result of muscular fatigue.

  15. Preventing Computer Related Injuries ERGONOMIC AIDSIf you are experiencing discomfort at your workstation, try making adjustments. • Adjust Chair to Fit the User • Adjust Height and Position of Keyboard • Adjust Tilt and Curvature of Keyboard to Match Natural Hand Position • Adjust Desk or Table to Fit Employee • Use Footrest for Dangling Feet

  16. Preventing Computer Related Injuries Neck strain can result from looking up at a monitor that is placed too high.

  17. Preventing Computer Related Injuries Position your monitor at or just below eye level.

  18. Preventing Computer Related Injuries Flexing and stretching exercises can help prevent computer-related injuries. Wrist Flex and Extension (for forearms and hands) While sitting or standing... Extend both arms in front of you, with palms facing down. Slowly bend (extend) both wrists so fingers point to the ceiling as if they are in a hand-stand position. Hold for a count of 5. Next, bend (flex) both wrists so fingers point to the floor and hold for five seconds. Relax and repeat.

  19. Using Carts • Push rather than pull carts. • Keep your back straight at all times. • Face the direction of travel when possible.

  20. Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls • Wear shoes with anti-skid soles. Soft rubber soles help prevent slips. • Close file and desk drawers all the way. • Hold the hand railing on stairways. • As much as possible, keep one hand free for support or to stop a fall. • Watch out for wet floors. • Report loose or worn flooring or torn carpeting. • Use designated walkways--avoid walking across grassy areas.

  21. Preventing Injuries The MRI uses a powerful magnet. Patients can be seriously injured or killed By items being drawn into the magnet DANGER! Powerful Magnetic Field Do not bring things attracted to magnets into the MRI

  22. Beware of Og Heed safety signs.

  23. Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC FY2003 Lost Time Accidents 40 22 14 12 Lifting Struck by Assaults Falls

  24. What to do if You are Injured at Work Accident Reporting • Immediate reporting of accidents will result in the elimination of the cause and may save someone else from being injured. • First thing, report on-the-job injuries to your supervisor. • Have your injury evaluated by the Personnel Health clinician. • Complete a CA-1 using ASISTS as soon as possible after being injured. • If off duty due to an injury, keep your supervisor informed of your medical status. Inform your physician that light duty work is available. If your injury causes you to miss the next workday or more, or if you have medical expenses, you must file a CA-1 to have your medical expenses paid and to avoid being charged sick or annual leave.

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