Category: Toolbox

Instructions: Use this Safety Toolbox Talk to spark discussion within the employee group. Test knowledge retention with the associated quiz in the download above.

Instructions: Use this Safety Toolbox Talk to spark discussion within the employee group. Test knowledge retention with the associated quiz in the download above.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Introductory Comments

Instructions: Use this Safety Toolbox Talk to spark discussion within the employee group. Test knowledge retention with the associated quiz in the download above.

ERGONOMICS

Introductory Comments

Ergonomics is the science and practice of designing jobs or workplaces to match the capabilities and limitations of the human body.

Ergonomics touches every division.  It focuses on designing workstations, tools and work tasks for safety, efficiency and comfort. The goals are to decrease fatigue and injuries, along with increasing comfort, productivity, job satisfaction and safety.  

Each year over a million workers suffer back injuries.  To avoid back strain, you must not be casual about any lifting you do.  Automatically run through 5 questions in your mind: 

• Have I checked the object before trying to lift it? 
• Is the load packed correctly? 
• Is it easy to grip this load? 
• Is it easy to reach this load? 
• What is the best way to pick up this object? 

Employees may begin to have symptoms such as fatigue, discomfort, and pain, which can be the first signs of a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).  Lifting, pushing, pulling and even repeated motions involving little or no weight can cause MSDs.  Four frequent MSD causes are: 

1. Moving heavy objects.  The weight can damage the discs in your spine or strain the muscles in your back and shoulders.  At-risk activities include lifting, carrying and positioning heavy objects. You should try to find alternatives to moving them (example using hand trucks, carts or other mechanical assistance, or getting a lifting partner). If you must lift a heavy object, it is best to carry it as close to your belt buckle as possible.  Plan the lift and route prior to starting to avoid twisting. 

2. Gripping heavy objects or applying pressure to a tool with your hands.  Over time, these can strain the muscles in your hands and arms as well as the tendons attaching the muscles to bones.  You can prevent these injuries by increasing your grip strength.  Some ways to do this are by keeping your wrists straight, using two hands and making sure your gloves fit properly.  Your thumb and fingers should overlap slightly for best grip.  Keep your hands warm because cold temperatures tend to make you grip too hard. 

3. Repetitive lifting of light objects can be just as damaging to your body as lifting heavy objects.  Frequent lifting can tire out your muscles, making them more prone to injury.  If your muscles become tired, the stress will shift to your joints and the discs in your spine, putting them at risk for injury as well. 

4. Repeating the same motion too often.  MSDs can develop unless you rest and allow your body to heal.  Control the motions you make and how often you make them.  Reduce repetitive motion hazards by taking stretch breaks and spreading these tasks throughout the day. 

Prevention Tips 

• Stretch 
• Walk 
• Stand up 
• Sit up straight but relaxed 
• Take a break

Reference:  OSHA Standard 29 CFR Part 1010.900 

Meeting Start Question

• What is ergonomics? 
• What precautions do you take to avoid back injuries? 
• Can lifting, pushing, pulling and even repeated motions involving little or no weight cause MSDs?   

Critical Safety Points

• To avoid back strain, you must not be casual about any lifting. 
• Prevention tips include stretching, walking, standing up, sitting up straight but relaxed and taking a break. 
• One of the four frequent MSD causes is repeating the same motion too often. 

Instructions: Use this Safety Toolbox Talk to spark discussion within the employee group. Test knowledge retention with the associated quiz in the download above.

ERGONOMICS AND WORKPLACE STRESS

Introductory Comments

Ergonomics is the science of fitting jobs to workers instead of trying to get the worker to fit the job. It focuses on designing workstations, tools and work tasks for safety, efficiency and comfort. Ergonomics seeks to decrease fatigue and injuries, along with increasing comfort, productivity, job satisfaction and safety, because work injuries are not inevitable and a well-designed job should not hurt you. Ergonomics is important because when you are doing a job and your body is stressed by an awkward posture, extreme temperature, or repeated movement your musculoskeletal system is affected. Your body may begin to have symptoms such as fatigue, discomfort, and pain, which can be the first signs of a musculoskeletal disorder. ~ Reference source: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/2018-12/fy15_sh-27643-sh5_ErgonomicsWorkbook.pdf

Ways to Reduce Ergonomic Risks Include

• Engineering improvements include rearranging, modifying, redesigning, or replacing tools, equipment, workstations, packaging, parts, or products.
• If your job requires sitting for long periods of time, having an adjustable seat or foot stool so that your knees are higher than your hips helps protect your lower back.
• Administrative improvements include changing work practices or the way work is organized such as:
  • Providing variety in jobs
  • Adjusting work schedules and work pace
  • Providing recovery time (i.e., muscle relaxation time)
  • Modifying work practices
  • Ensuring regular housekeeping and maintenance of work spaces, tools, and equipment and
  • Encouraging exercise.

Workplace Stress

Avoid distractions such as:

• Adjusting the radio or other controls,
• Eating, drinking or personal grooming, and
• Talking on the cell phone.

Stay Focused

• Continually search the roadway to be alert to situations requiring quick action.
• Driving requires your full attention.

Avoid Aggressive Driving

• Keep your cool in traffic!
• Be patient and courteous to other drivers.
• Do not take other drivers’ actions personally.
• Reduce your stress by planning your route ahead of time, allowing plenty of travel time, and avoiding crowded roadways and busy driving times.

Drug Free Workplace

• Governing Regulation, Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, Public Law 100-690
• Substance Abuse Policy PM-78-03, States that any employee under the influence of, using, selling, transferring, illegally possessing, or testing positive for controlled substances, and / or alcohol while at the workplace or on City property while on or off duty shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination following an investigation my management and after the employee has had an opportunity to answer such charges.

Meeting Starter Questions

• Who is the most valuable asset?
• What can drivers do to stay safe?
• What are some distractions when driving?
• The City of Memphis has a substance abuse policy?

Critical Safety Points

Cold Weather Driving – During winter months, be mindful of the below points:

• During daylight, rehearse maneuver slowly on the ice or snow in an empty lot
• Steer into a skid
• Know what your brakes will do: stomp on antilock brakes, pump non-antilock brakes
• Stopping distances are longer on water covered ice and ice
• Don’t idle for a long time with the windows up or in an enclosed space

Instructions: Use this Safety Toolbox Talk to spark discussion within the employee group. Test knowledge retention with the associated quiz in the download above.

WAYS TO PROTECT AGAINST COLD STRESS

Cold environments force your body to work harder and use more energy to maintain its temperature.  Blood flow shifts from outer extremities to your core and that increases the risk for frostbite and hypothermia.  Both frostbite and hypothermia can lead to amputations and death.  Here’s what to do:

Layer clothing.  Wear an outer layer of wind-breaking material such as nylon or Goretex, a meddle layer of down or wool to absorb sweatand provide insulation and an inner layer of cotton to allow for ventilation.

Protect your extremities. Wear a hat. Up to 40% of body heat is lost through your head. Make sure boots and gloves are insulated and waterproof. It’s a good idea to bring an exta set in case they get wet.

Drink fluids. Drink plenty of warm liquids, but avoid caffeine. It is easy for the body to become dehydrated in cold weather.

Here’s how to spot symptoms and provide care:

Frostbite – Symptoms progress from tingling, stinging or aching in frosbitten area and ar followed by numbness. Skin color turns from red to purple to white in severe cases will blister. Wrap the area with soft cloths and soak in warm water. Don’t rub the area.

Mild hypothermia – Symptoms include shivering, lack of coordination, slurred speech and memory loss. Move victim to a warm area, remove wet clothing, cover with blankets and give warm liquids.

Moderate hypothermia – Shivering stops, victim is unable to stand and becomes confused or irrational. Call 911. Then cover all extremitites completely and place hot packs on the head, neck, chest and groin.

Severe hypothermia – Muscles grow stiff, victim passes out and eventually dies. If someone shows signs of severe hypothermia, call 911. Begin CPR if the victim is not breathing and has no pulse.

Meeting Starter Questions

• What parts of your job put you at risk for cold stress?
• What types of personal protective equipment do you wear to protect yourself against the cold?
• Do you know what to do if you or a co-worker is suffering from signs or symptoms of cold stress?

Critical Safety Points

Cold temperatures and increased wind speed (wind chill) cause heat to leave the body more quickly, putting workers at risk of cold stress. Anyone working in the cold may be at risk.

Safety Tips for Workers

• Know the symptoms of cold stress
• Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers
• Dress appropriately for the cold
• Stay dry in the cold because moisture or dampness, e.g. from sweating, can increase the rate of heat loss from the body
• Keep extra clothing (including underwear) handy in case you get wet and need to change
• Drink warm sweetened fluids (no alcohol)
• Use proper engineering controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) provided by your employer

Reference source:  https://www.osha.gov/dts/weather/winter_weather/beprepared.html

Helpful City of Memphis COVID Resources

Temporary Coronavirus Leave and Travel Policy:

https://totalrewards.memphistn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/City-of-Memphis-Covid-19-Policy_PM4604_110220-003FINAL.pdf

What to do Fact Sheet: https://totalrewards.memphistn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/COM-Covid-What-to-Do-Fact-Sheet_110220-003FINAL.pdf

Instructions: Use this Safety Toolbox Talk to spark discussion within the employee group. Test knowledge retention with the associated quiz in the download above.

Infectious Diseases – Influenza and COVID-19

Introductory Comments

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak.   An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population, begins to cause serious illness and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide.

Some basic hygiene (see www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/stopgerms.htm) and social distancing precautions that can be implemented in every workplace include the following:

• Encourage sick employees to stay at home.
• Encourage your employees to wash their hands frequently with soap and water or with hand sanitizer if there is no soap or water available.
• Also, encourage your employees to avoid touching their noses, mouths, and eyes.
• Encourage your employees to cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or to cough and sneeze into their upper sleeves if tissues are not available.
• All employees should wash their hands or use a hand sanitizer after they cough, sneeze or blow their noses.
• Employees should avoid close contact with their coworkers and customers (maintain a separation of at least 6 feet). They should avoid shaking hands and always wash their hands after contact with others. Even if employees wear gloves, they should wash their hands upon removal of the gloves in case their hand(s) became contaminated during the removal process.
• Keep work surfaces, telephones, computer equipment and other frequently touched surfaces and office equipment clean.
• Discourage your employees from using other employees’ phones, desks, offices or other work tools and equipment.
• Minimize situations where groups of people are crowded together, such as in a meeting.
• Use e-mail, phones and text messages to communicate with each other.
• When meetings are necessary, avoid close contact by keeping a separation of at least 6 feet, where possible, and assure that there is proper ventilation in the meeting room. Reducing or eliminating unnecessary social interactions can be very effective in controlling the spread of infectious diseases.
• Reconsider all situations that permit or require employees, customers, and visitors (including family members) to enter the workplace.
• Promote healthy lifestyles, including good nutrition, exercise, and smoking cessation. A person’s overall health impacts their body’s immune system and can affect their ability to fight off, or recover from, an infectious disease.

Meeting Starter Questions

• What is a pandemic?
• Can you identify some forms of basic hygiene and social distancing precautions?
• Should we schedule in-person meetings?

When is the flu season in the United States?

In the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. While influenza viruses circulate year-round, most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, but activity can last as late as May. The overall health impact (e.g., infections, hospitalizations, and deaths) of a flu season varies from season to season. CDC collects, compiles, and analyzes information on influenza activity year-round in the United States and produces FluView, a weekly surveillance report, and FluView Interactive, which allows for more in-depth exploration of influenza surveillance data.  The Weekly U.S. Influenza Summary Update is updated each week from October through May. Reference source https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

Preventative Steps:

• CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 will be more important than ever.
• Flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, but they will reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths on the health care system and conserve scarce medical resources for the care of people with COVID-19.
• CDC estimates that last season, fewer than half of Americans got a flu vaccine and at least 410,000 people were hospitalized from flu. Increased vaccination coverage would reduce that burden.
• Most flu vaccines protect against the four flu viruses that research suggests will be most common.
• Everyone 6 months of age and older should get annual flu vaccine by the end of October.
• Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
• People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older. Many people at higher risk from flu also seem to be at higher risk from COVID-19.
• Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for people at higher risk to keep from spreading flu to them. This is especially true for people who work in long-term care facilities, which are home to many of the people most vulnerable to flu and COVID-19.
• Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for infants should be vaccinated instead.

Common Flu Sign and Symptoms – Flu signs and symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who are sick with flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

What should I do if I get sick?

Contact your Medical provider

What are the emergency warning signs of flu? People experiencing these warning signs should obtain medical care right away.

In Children:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish lips or face
• Ribs pulling in with each breath
• Chest pain
• Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)
• Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)
• Not alert or interacting when awake
• Seizures
• Fever above 104°F
• In children less than 12 weeks, any fever
• Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

In Adults:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse
• Seizures
• Not urinating
• Severe muscle pain
• Severe weakness or unsteadiness
• Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

Basic Precautions for All Work Activities:

The CDC strongly recommends that you provide the seasonal flu vaccine to workers and encourage them to get vaccinated. Vaccination is the most important way to prevent the spread of the flu. Encourage sick workers to stay home. Not everyone who has the flu will have a fever. Other symptoms could include a runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. Develop flexible leave policies that encourage workers to stay home, without penalty, if they are sick. Discuss other human resource policies with staff, including administrative leave transfer between employees, pay policy for sick leave, childcare options, and what to do when ill during travel. Reference source:  https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

Additional links for helpful references include:

City of Memphis Covid-19 What to Do Fact Sheet

https://totalrewards.memphistn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/COM-Covid-What-to-Do-Fact-Sheet_110220-003FINAL.pdf

City of Memphis Temporary Coronavirus Leave and Travel Policy PM-46-04

https://totalrewards.memphistn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/City-of-Memphis-Covid-19-Policy_PM4604_110220-003FINAL.pdf