Employee Safety Basics

EMPLOYEE SAFETY BASICS
M J S O R O R I T Y

O U T L I N E
REVIEWING
THE DATA
Leading
employee injury
types
MANAGING
THE RISK
Ways to prevent
leading employee
injuries
FURTHER
LEARNING
Where to go to
learn more

C A U S E S O F I N J U R Y B Y P O S I T I O N T Y P E
Falls and cuts are by far the leading causes of injury
across position type.

P E R C E N T A G E O F E M P L O Y E E I N J U R Y C L A I M S
Falls
38%
Cuts
20%
Lifting
15%
Struck By
7%
Burns
4%
Ergonomics
3%
Auto
3%
Other
10%

M O S T S E V E R E E M P L O Y E E I N J U R Y C L A I M S
The most severe claims are often due to falls and
lifting - two of the preventable types of injuries.

W H E R E D O F A L L S T Y P I C A L L Y O C C U R ?
Stairs and Steps (inside and outside)
Interior Floors (bathroom, kitchen)
Slip/Trip (carpet, rug, item on floor, cords)
Elevated (ladder, stool, chair)
Exterior (driveway, steps, parking lot, porch)
Off Site (in stores, parking lots)
Other (carrying items, unloading vehicle, in freezers)

A V O I D I N G F A L L S O N S T A I R S
A N D S T E P S
Maintain stairs/steps in good condition: free of
obstacles/storage, good carpet/tread surfaces, good
handrails.
Maintain good lighting – inside and outside.
Don’t carry so much as to have both hands full or to
have your vision obstructed.
Perform regular inspections.
Keep exterior steps free of ice/snow/water
accumulations.
Apply and maintain slip-resistive strips on exterior
wooden steps.
Don’t paint wooden steps with ordinary paint – can
become slick when wet. Use a slip-resistive paint or
varnish.

A V O I D I N G F A L L S -
I N T E R I O R F L O O R S
Install floor coverings that provide good traction.
Clean-up spills promptly: liquids, ice cubes, dropped
foods, spilled toiletries in bathrooms.
Use “wet floor” signs as needed.
Use mats/rugs with slip-resistive rubber backings.
Avoid use of ‘throw” rugs.
Apply and remove floor cleaning chemicals properly
so as not to leave a slick chemical residue on the
floor. Also, wax can be slippery.
Maintain carpets in good condition: watch for tears,
fraying, holes, especially in high traffic areas.
Wear shoes with slip-resistive soles.
Don’t leave objects on the floor in normal walking
areas.
Don’t drape electrical cords and similar items on
floors, especially at doors and walkways.

F R O M E L E V A T I O N S
Inspect the stepladder or stepstool before
using it. Look for damaged/missing steps
and supports, missing rubber “feet” on the
stepstool, cracks, bent sections, missing
connections, and other similar concerns.
Don’t use a stepladder or stepstool that is
too short for your needs.
Be sure to fully open the ladder or
stepstool and to fully secure the spreader
braces. For stools with wheels, lock the
wheels into place before using them.
Position the stepladder or stepstool on a
good steady and even surface. Don’t place
it on slippery surfaces, stairs/steps, and
other such areas which might cause it to
move while in use.

F R O M E L E V A T I O N S C O N T I N U E D
Don’t “overreach” the stepladder or stepstool by
standing above the noted top standing step, or by
reaching out to the side. Get a taller unit to avoid
reaching overhead and reposition the unit to avoid
reaching to the side.
Don’t use stepladders and stepstools at areas where
falling from them might cause you to fall farther
than the floor on which it is positioned, such as on
balconies/decks, at the top of stairs, near large open
windows, etc.
Don’t use a “makeshift” ladder/stool. Don’t stand on
chairs, boxes, or other such items to perform an
overhead task.
Always face the ladder or stool when ascending and
descending.

F R O M E L E V A T I O N S
Don’t ascend or descend a ladder or
stool while carrying items. Get help
as needed.
Don’t use a ladder or stool at points
where passer-bys could knock you
off. Block/lock doors as needed, post
signs, or use a “look-out” person.
Don’t attempt to move a ladder or
stool while still standing on it by
“hopping” it to the next needed area.
Don’t use boards, boxes, or other
items to give the ladder or stool extra
height.
Ladders and stools are designed for
use by only one person per time
unless they are specifically marked
for use by 2 persons.

E X T E R I O R A R E A S
Watch for uneven surfaces and damage to
walks and driveways, such as cracks, raised
portions, etc. Make repairs as needed.
Be sure to remove ice/snow from steps,
walks, driveways, and other walking surfaces
promptly.
Maintain good lighting in walking areas.
Avoid directing gutters and downspouts to
empty over walkways. Water can make the
walking area slick and might also later turn
into ice.
Stay on designated walking areas. Grassy
areas and other non-walking surfaces might
contain hidden holes or other imperfections.
Maintain good rails on porches. Don’t sit on
porch rails, lean against them, or climb
onto/over them.

O F F S I T E
Off site locations (e. g. retail stores) can present
various potentials for falls.
Watch for, and avoid, the same areas noted above:
icy walking surfaces, damaged walking surfaces,
spilled items in retails aisles.
Try to park only in well lighted areas after dark.

H O W D O L I F T I N G I N J U R I E S T Y P I C A L L Y
O C C U R ?
Lifting and carrying (boxes, furniture, unloading
vehicles, luggage, trash containers, milk crates,
appliances, frozen foods, food pans from ovens).
Work motions (bending/kneeling to clean, twisting
at the waist, breaking-up ice, shoveling snow, other
housekeeping duties).

T H I N G S T O C O N S I D E R W H E N
L I F T I N G
Weight, size, and shape of the item to be lifted.
Distance of the load from the body.
Height of the load at the start and at the finish (lift
overhead? Lift item from floor?)
Twisting of the torso.

L I F T I N G : K E E P O B J E C T S
C L O S E T O Y O U R B O D Y
Lifting a 10 pound object puts 10 pounds of force
on your lower back if the object is kept close to
your body.
However, if the 10 pound object is held-out
from your body, 100 pounds of force is placed
on your lower back during the lift.
So, if you weigh 105 pounds and lift a 10 pound
object from the floor away from your body, you
place 1150 pounds of force onto your lower back
(force to lift 10 pounds is 100 pounds of force +
force to lift your body requires 1050 pounds of
force).

Danger
Zone
The ideal lifting range
is between the
shoulders and the
knees.
Avoid heavy lifts above
the shoulders and
below the knees.
Place heavier goods
on middle shelves and
lighter goods on
upper and lower
shelves.
E R G O N O M I C P R I N C I P L E F O R
L I F T I N G
Danger
Zone

Do NOT
twist at the
torso
Twisting places
significant force
on the lower
back, especially
when lifting and
carrying items.
Pivot with
your feet,
not with
your body.
B A S I C L I F T I N G C O N C E P T S

When moving items without lifting (e. g. using a cart), it is better
to push than to pull.
Pulling places a lot of force on the lower back and can more
quickly lead to injury.
Use carts with good wheel diameter. Carts with larger diameter
wheels require less force to move than do ones with small
diameter wheels.
Use carts with good handles.
Don’t overload the cart so as not to obstruct your vision.
P U S H I N G V E R S U S P U L L I N G

Plan ahead
and
prepare for
a safe carry.
Check the load.
Heavy?
Awkward? Can
you see around
it? Is the weight
evenly
distributed?
Need help?
Need to break-
down the load?
Check your path
of travel:
Clear path?
Doors to open?
Good walking
surface? Up or
down stairs?
Need to make
more than one
trip?
C A R R Y I N G L O A D S

W H Y N O T B A C K B E L T S ?
Workers gain a false sense of security.
Persons might attempt to lift heavier weights
than they would without a belt.
Belts that are worn incorrectly (too high, too low,
too tightly) can place forces on internal organs and
can result in injury.

S T A N D A R D L I F T I N G T E C H N I Q U E S
Stand close to the load with your feet
slightly apart for good balance.
Bend your knees and keep your back
straight.
Grip the load firmly with your entire
hand, not just with your fingers.
Avoid “jerky” lifting motions.
Keep the load close to your body.
When turning, move your feet – don’t
twist!
Reverse these steps to sit-down the
load.

L I F T I N G W I T H T W O P E R S O N S
Lifters should be of similar height to distribute the load evenly.
Before starting, plan your strategy and decide who will take
charge.
Long loads – Each person should carry the load on the same side
and walk out of step to avoid excess bounce if the item is flexible
(e. g. roll of carpeting).
Up and down stairs – If possible, the tallest and/or strongest
person should be on the bottom, where the load is heaviest.

S H O V E L I N G S N O W
Shift your weight to your rear foot, keeping the
load close to your body.
Turn your feet in the direction of the throw –
don’t twist!
Don’t pick-up too much snow at one time.

Avoid
prolonged
bending
and
stooping
while
cleaning.
If you must
kneel and the
floor surface is
hard, use knee
pads.
Check for
“stuck”
windows
before
opening them
to clean.
E R G O N O M I C C O N S I D E R A T I O N S :
C L E A N I N G

C O M M O N C A U S E S O F C U T S
Handling knives
Using slicers
Using box openers
Contact with broken dish/glass (in sink, in trash)
Sharp can lids
Contact with shrink wrap box edge

Don’t use knives with dull
blades.
Don’t attempt to catch a
falling knife.
Don’t use knives with
loose/broken handles.
Don’t leave knives in a sink,
especially if filled with water.
K N I V E S :
D O S A N D D O N ' T S
Cut in a direction away from your
body.
Store knives in a knife block, on a
magnetic bar, or in sheaths
when not in use.
Use knives only for their
intended purpose – not as
screwdrivers, can openers, ice
picks, etc.
Carry knives with the tips
pointed toward the floor.
Wear a wire mesh cutting glove
on the hand not holding the
knife.
D O S : D O N ' T S :

S L I C E R S :
Use slicers only with the blade
guards in place.
Don’t place your hand on the top of
the blade guard while operating the
slicer.
Be sure to replace the blade guard
after cleaning and after making
adjustments.
Be sure to power-off and unplug the
slicer before cleaning, adjusting, and
when not in use.
Wear a wire mesh glove when
cleaning the blade.
R E M I N D E R S :

Don’t place glass drinking
glasses inside each other.
Don’t use a drinking glass
to scoop ice.
Don’t submerge a hot
glass into cold water or a
cold glass into hot water.
Don’t place broken
dishware loosely into a
trash bag. Place it first
into a heavy box or other
item that it won’t
penetrate, then place that
item into the trash bag.
G L A S S E S & D I S H W A R E :
Visually inspect
glasses and dishes
before handling for
cracks, chips, sharp
edges.
D O S : D O N ' T S :

A D D I T I O N A L T I P S T O
P R E V E N T C U T S
Use only a box cutter that has a retractable blade, and
keep the blade retracted when not using the opener.
Don’t pull the box opener toward your body. If it slips,
the blade could strike you.
Watch hand placement when removing wrapping
material from a dispenser that has a serrated edge.

H O W D O B U R N S T Y P I C A L L Y O C C U R ?
Contact with a hot liquid: water, juices, gravy, tea,
grease.
Handling hot pans/plates.
Removing pans from ovens.
Contact with a heated oven, burner, or hot plate.

A V O I D I N G B U R N S
Don’t place heated pots and pans on a stove
with the handles protruding over the edge.
Fill pots, pans, and buckets with heated
liquids or liquids to be heated no more than
2/3 full.
When adding ingredients to hot liquids
(especially cooking oils), add a small portion
per time, and slowly, to prevent splashing.
Transport hot liquids only in closed
containers.
Use a cart to move large hot items – coffee
urns, containers of heated food, etc.

Always use oven mitts
when removing hot pans
from an oven or when
adding pans to a heated
oven.
Be sure to turn-off ovens
and burners when
finished, and make sure
surfaces have cooled
before touching them.
Allow adequate cool-
down time before
cleaning.
Don’t overfill the fryer. Fill
it only to the indicated
maximum fill level mark.
Always use tongs to
add/remove items from
fryers. Don’t add food
with your bare hand and
don’t remove food from a
fryer with a fork.
When filtering the oil,
make sure it has cooled
and always wear
appropriate eye, face, and
hand protection.
B U R N P R E V E N T I O N
F O R D E E P F R Y E R SF O R O V E N S

T Y P I C A L C A U S E S O F S T R U C K
B Y / A G A I N S T I N J U R I E S
Struck in head while removing stock from an upper
shelf.
Dropped item onto foot or leg.
Caught hand between a door and a jamb.

A V O I D I N G S T R U C K
B Y / A G A I N S T I N J U R I E S
Avoiding placing heavy/bulky
items on overhead shelves or
any items onto shelves where
you can’t see.
Lift/handle/move items
correctly, as previously
discussed under lifting safety,
to avoid dropping them onto
your legs or feet.
Watch placement of hands
and fingers.

A study found that
80% of all vehicle accidents and 65% of near-crashes involved
some type of driver inattention within 3 seconds of the crash.
Looking away from the forward roadway for more than 2
seconds doubles the risk of a crash or near-crash compared
with normal baseline driving.
Reaching for an object (e. g. food item, item falling from the
seat) increased the risk of a crash or near-crash nine-fold.
Drivers are 3 times as likely to be involved in a crash or near-
crash when engaged in a secondary complex task (e. g. using a
cell phone or texting).
Driver inattention contributes to more than 45% of all crashes
and near-crashes in urban environments.
M O T O R V E H I C L E A C C I D E N T S

P R E V E N T I N G D R I V I N G
D I S T R A C T I O N S
Stay focused on your driving and look away from
the road only as infrequently as necessary.
Secure items in the vehicle in a manner so that
they are unlikely to fall or move as you are
driving.
Use you cell phone to make/answer calls and to text
only when safely parked off of the road.

I N J U R Y M A N A G E M E N T
SEVEN KEY STEPS TO HELP CONTROL
EMPLOYEE INJURY COSTS
Insure prompt medical treatment.
Notify immediately.
Provide information to the treating physician.
If the injured worker does not return to work the
same day, make contact within 24 hours.
Follow-up with the physician within 24 hours.
Maintain contact with the injured worker while
he/she is off from work.
Establish a return-to-work / light duty policy.

BENEFITS
OF A
LIGHT
DUTY
POLICY
Increases productivity of the employees.
Helps reduce costs due to fewer lost work
days.
Minimizes wages lost by injured workers.
Helps maintain good employee morale
and communications.

F U R T H E R L E A R N I N G
Numerous articles and other safety
materials on the MJ Sorority website:
www.mjsorority.com.
Numerous educational materials and safety
resources on Travelers’ website:
http://tinyurl.com/travelersworkplace

Employee Safety Basics

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