Falls break bones
Put a stop to standing on chairs
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It seems like common sense: "Don't stand on a chair. Use a step stool instead."
But, last fall SFM received several injury reports for teachers and paras who fell off a chair while standing on it to decorate a bulletin board, organize shelving and adjust a ceiling mounted swing in a sensory room. These falls resulted in a fractured arm, dislocated shoulder, bruised ribs and other injuries. Teachers and paras also often miss weeks of work and are on restricted duty upon return as a result of their injuries.
What can you do?
Remind your faculty that falls from chairs and other unauthorized surfaces are very common. They are also easily prevented.
- Make step stools readily available.
Place step stools in easy-to-access, in-your-face locations where staff have no excuse but to use them. Maybe that means having a stool in every classroom or every office supply area.
- Talk to faculty about the risks.
- Institute a policy.
Set the expectations that employees will not stand on "unauthorized surfaces" such as chairs, desks and tables. Explain the consequences, and follow through.
- Use reminders. Generate awareness.
- Be a good example. Do what you say, and say what you mean. If employees see you with good habits, they are more likely to develop good habits themselves.
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New tool to help manage your workers' comp
As a school district, SFM knows you're always looking for better ways to keep your employees safe and control your workers' compensation premium. SFM has created a new online resource for policyholders to help you do just that--SimplyWorkComp.com. Visit the site for legal news and information about workers' compensation, tips for controlling premiums and workers' compensation basics.
Please visit the site and sign up for our monthly email newsletter, follow us on Twitter, follow us on LinkedIn or subscribe to our RSS feed.
Here a sampling of what the site has to offer:
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Don't miss December deadline to train employees on new Haz Comm standard
Hazardous chemical labeling and safety data sheet format requirements are changing. Employers are required to train all employees who produce or handle hazardous chemicals on the changes by Dec. 1, 2013, under U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, which have also been adopted by Minnesota OSHA.
The U.S. is joining the international community in accepting the Globally Harmonized Standard (GHS) for labeling--a change that OSHA expects to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities.
To learn more, check out OSHA's fact sheet for the basics or the agency's extensive Q-and-A for detailed answers about the change.
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A Supervisor Initiated Training (SIT) is a hazard-specific training talk presented by a supervisor. It takes less than three minutes and tells staff important safety messages.
Encourage supervisors to present at regularly-scheduled meetings. Remind employees that lifting properly can help keep your back healthy and injury free.
Use SFM's SIT matrix to view other topics.
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Liquid on the floor can be dangerous
Drinking fountains, for example, are necessary, but dangerous. Liquid on the floor is a common hazard in every school whether in the hallways, cafeteria, bathrooms or kitchen. SFM receives multiple injury reports for slips, trips and falls every day.
That is why Skip, SFM's slip-fall fighter, is taking over for the penguin and is on a crusade to prevent slips, trips and falls.
After all, they happen year-round and can be costly.
Most often, prevention is pretty easy with good housekeeping and common sense.
Join Skip and focus your efforts.
- Keep floors clear of liquid.
- Straighten cords, a trip hazard.
- Use handrails on stairways.
- Have good housekeeping. Pick up clutter.
- Use step stools or ladders instead of unauthorized surfaces like chairs.
- Avoid distractions like cell phones. Watch where you're stepping.
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How to control your premium
If an injury happens, are you ready to roll out a plan of action? Some questions to ask yourself.
After years of low pricing, workers' compensation premiums have been trending up both nationally and regionally.
The uptick is greater for some employers, less for others. SFM determines each policyholder's premium on its individual merits. Those include such things as the organization's injury experience, changes in business, loss controls, and projected costs of any future claims.
Ask yourself-
-- "Have I already thought through a broad-based variety of possible jobs that a recuperating employee could do?"
-- "Do we have a point person for return-to-work?"
Read on for more specific questions and the solutions you're looking for.
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