When Jones Metal Inc. identified a safety risk in the shipping process, they didn’t delay in finding a solution.

The SFM policyholder, based in Mankato, Minnesota, provides custom sheet metal fabrication services for original equipment manufacturers in industries as varied as agriculture, construction and defense. The family-owned business, which marked 75 years in 2017, employs more than 80 people.

Safety grant funds new equipment

The pallet-wrapping process required two people lifting a roll of shrink wrap and reaching up and around the pallet while it was held up by a forklift. No injuries had occurred, yet the shipping manager recognized the risk of strains, sprains or being struck by a forklift and brought an automated solution to the company’s attention.

Jones Metal applied for a Minnesota OSHA safety grant to help them pay for an automated pallet wrapper that would eliminate the risks and improve their shipping process. The MNOSHA safety grant program awards up to $10,000 in matching funds to “qualifying employers for projects designed to reduce the risk of injury and illness to their workers,” according to the MNOSHA website. The application requires an on-site inspection and written report by a qualified safety professional.

Jones Metal’s Director of Human Resources, Val Bentdahl, called in SFM Loss Prevention Technical Leader Lee Wendel to assist in applying for the grant. Wendel visited their manufacturing facility, observed the pallet-wrapping process and provided a written recommendation for the equipment.

Jones Metal received the matching grant and installed the machine.

The end result: A safer and more efficient process. The step that previously required three workers now takes only a forklift driver, who operates the pallet wrapper with a remote control.

“The machine prevents the possibility of strain injuries and struck-by injuries, plus saves time,” explained Bentdahl. “It wraps the material in a fraction of the time, and it’s much more secure. It eliminates quality issues, and eliminates injuries.”

Focus on training from day one and return-to-work

Since Jones Metal became an SFM policyholder in 2015, it has taken full advantage of SFM’s safety resources. Working in a higher risk industry, Jones Metal is never complacent about injury prevention. Their safety committee proactively recognizes and addresses risks.

“They’re on the leading edge of adopting changes that are safer for their employees,” Wendel said.

They train employees on safety from day one, and experienced workers — their skilled workforce averages 14 years of experience — continue to receive safety training. They leverage the Minnesota Safety Council for specialized training.

Most of their safety training takes place through the online learning management system SFM offers free of charge to policyholders, called Vivid Learning Systems.

Vivid offers interactive 20- to 40-minute modules employees take individually, when it fits in their schedule. Topics cover a wide range of occupational health and safety subjects. Jones Metal makes use of online trainings for hearing protection, lockout/tagout and more.

When an injury does occur, Jones Metal supervisors respond quickly. Very few of their claims become lost-time claims because they understand the importance of bringing injured employees back to work as soon as possible. Jones Metal works within any medical restrictions to find transitional jobs for their workers, and they involve themselves with the claims process.

Even with a good loss history and an e-mod that has improved almost 20 percent in the last three years, Jones Metal continues to emphasize injury prevention.

“They’re always striving to do better than they’ve done before and looking for more resources to prevent injuries for their employees,” Wendel said.

Photo courtesy of Jones Metal

Due to an aging population and the high cost of hospital visits, there has been increased need for alternative care options for the sick, elderly or disabled. One of these solutions is the use of home health care.

For home health care workers, there is very little control over hazards they are exposed to. They face many unique safety risks while on the job.

Getting to and from work safely

If you are driving to work, make sure your vehicle is in good working order and keep emergency supplies on hand. While travelling, keep your car locked and stay on well-traveled roads. Park in well-light areas and avoid underground parking lots, dark alleys or parking next to large vehicles.

If you are using the bus or walking, stay in well-lit areas with high pedestrian traffic. Be aware of your surroundings, making sure to look and listen. Make sure any oncoming traffic can see you at all times.

Slips and falls

Indoor hazards include:

• Uneven or slippery floors
• Wrinkled or worn carpets and curling vinyl
• Clutter in rooms, hallways and stairs
• Lack of handrails on stairs
• Electrical cords on floors or that cross walkways
• Open drawers

While working indoors, keep your shoes on if allowed by the client and be sure to check the floor surface before walking on it. Watch out for clutter and suggest to the client that items be stored properly, electrical cords get tucked out of the way, and drawers stay closed. Always use handrails when going up and down stairs.

Outdoor hazards include:

• Slippery surfaces, such as sidewalks, steps and wooden ramps covered with water, ice, snow, leaves or moss
• Uneven or damaged sidewalks and driveways
• Debris or items left on walkways
• Poor lighting

Wear footwear with a good tread and check all walking surfaces before taking a step. Move cautiously when exiting your vehicle and when walking on uneven, wet or icy surfaces. Be sure to notify your client representative and supervisor of any hazardous conditions.

Violence prevention in the home

Violence refers to any physical force that may cause injury, as well as threatening statements or behavior. Clients and their family members or visitors may become violent or argumentative due to frustration caused by the client’s condition. Clients may also be experiencing difficulties due to trouble communicating, effects from medication, physical or cognitive limitations or frustration over being dependent on others.

Be sure to read over the care plan before visiting clients. Assess their mood before starting your duties and be sure to tell them what you’re going to do before you do it. Make sure you have easy access from the home.

If a situation becomes stressful, stay calm and face the person with your elbows at your sides and arms out. Watch for signs that the person might strike out. Don’t argue or raise your voice. Reassure the person that their concerns will be dealt with as soon as possible and tell them how to make a complaint to your supervisor. Tell your supervisor about the situation as soon as possible.

Overexertion and repetitive motion

The five main risk factors that cause overexertion and strain from repetitive motion include:

• Force
• Repetition
• Awkward postures
• Static postures
• Contact stress

Signs of overexertion and strain from repetitive movements include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Loss of normal joint movement
• Shooting, dull, sharp or aching pain
• Tenderness
• Weakness
• Pins and needles
• Hot or cold sensations

Transferring, repositioning, dressing and bathing clients, as well as housekeeping work, can put you at high risk for strains and sprains. Plan your tasks to reduce the potential for injury.

Transferring or repositioning clients

The best way to avoid injury when transferring or repositioning clients is to use equipment and transfer assist devices, such as lifts or low-friction slide sheets. Clearly communicate your intentions and instructions the client. Avoid having a client hold on to you.

If you have to lift manually, it’s important to practice safe patient handling. Lift from a position of power by keeping your head up. Get close to the client while lifting and make sure you have a good hold. Use a staggered stance by positioning one foot in front of the other and remember “nose follows toes” to avoid twisting. Bend your knees and avoid jerking motions.

Dressing and bathing clients

When dressing a client, try to avoid awkward positions, such as reaching to dress the client, and static postures, such as supporting the client in one position for a long time. Keep your body upright and shift your weight with your legs when helping the client move.

Other best practices include starting with the client’s weaker side when putting on clothes, helping your client lean forward when putting on shirts and sitting on a stool when assisting with socks and shoes.

When bathing a client, avoid awkward and static positions, using the same set of muscles repeatedly without a chance to rest and contact stress from kneeling on the floor or leaning against the tub. Be sure to gather all equipment and supplies you need and position them in easy reach. Before you help clients into the tub, be sure to seat them on a transfer bench or shower stool.

Housekeeping hazards

While on the job, there are several household tasks that you might not think are hazardous, including making beds, cleaning and doing laundry.

When making beds, avoid bending at the back and flexing your knees as you make the bed. Walk around the bed instead of reaching over it. If you have to work from one side, keep one hand on the bed for support.

While cleaning, use equipment with long handles for hard to reach areas, place a folded towel under your knees while kneeling and make sure protective gloves fit well to prevent using extra force with gripping.

Carry loads you can comfortably manage while doing laundry. Avoid bending forward, fold clothes at a comfortable height and avoid twisting when lifting.

Resources for home health care workers

• Getting to and from work safely 5-Minute Solution
• Slips and falls 5-Minute Solution
• Violence prevention in the home 5-Minute Solution
• De-escalation Team Training – health care
• Overexertion and repetitive motion 5-Minute Solution
• Transferring or repositioning clients 5-Minute Solution
• Dressing and bathing clients 5-Minute Solution
• Housekeeping hazards 5-Minute Solution

With four distinct generations now working together, employers must create and adapt safety and health programs to engage baby boomers, generation X-ers, millennials and the newest generation.

Members of the youngest generation, lacking an agreed-on name, but commonly called Generation Z, are just beginning to enter the workforce, according to the Pew Research Center . Millennials, now in their 20s and 30s, may soon surpass Baby Boomers as the United States’ largest generation .

These generations have dramatically different cultural, societal and educational experiences that shape their perspectives, motivations and “norms” about their work lives. They also have different safety needs.

prior to 1946

1965 – 1980

1997 – present

Make changes to keep older workers safe

Older employees have delayed retirement far longer than previous generations, and they simply cannot do the physical work they once did in the same manner without increased risk of injury. 

Cumulative trauma from age, work and lifestyle can start to exhibit itself in soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries. Physical strength and muscle mass also decrease as we age.

Employers should take a fresh look at work tasks and processes and try to engineer out manual aspects or incorporate devices or design to reduce the physical burdens of the job.

For example, it may mean breaking down packaging to decrease the weight lifted, or moving keyboards and monitors into more ergonomically correct positions. Job rotation or cross-training can be used to reduce physical strain on employees and prevent repetitive motion injuries. Functional strengthening or flexibility exercises can make employees more resistant to injury and incorporate wellness into the work process.

These improvements can also serve younger employees and promote safety for all employees.

Mentor younger employees on safety

When older employees begin to retire in large numbers shortly, a knowledge vacuum could occur if steps aren’t taken to prevent it. Hundreds of years of collective information about the employer — especially about equipment, machinery, buildings and processes — could be lost.

Begin using mentorship programs or relationships to transfer knowledge to younger generations so their safety isn’t jeopardized when long-term employees retire. A side benefit of mentorship: younger generations can give a fresh look at established processes and generate ideas to make them safer or more efficient.

Take advantage of younger employees’ tech savvy

Younger generations can be incredibly savvy with technology. Use their knowledge to assess opportunities to introduce technology that will advance safety in the workplace. Diversifying training and communication methods to include online, video and teleconferencing benefits all employees.

However, be aware that people’s preferences may differ. Some employees prefer the phone over instant messaging; set guidelines so everyone is communicating effectively. As more and more digital applications enter the workplace, ensure that less technologically advanced workers receive the training and instruction they need to use them safely.

Emphasize wellness among all workers

Total Worker Health — incorporating safety with health promotion on and off the job — benefits all generations in your workplace. Younger generations may expect employers to promote physical activity, mental health, work-life balance and proper nutrition, and they may buy in more quickly than older workers.

Use younger employees’ momentum, energy and leadership to engage older employees in your efforts. Total Worker Health can help reduce the occurrence of chronic, age-related conditions that increase the risk of workplace injury and delay recovery.

Give immediate feedback to younger employees

All employees need and want feedback about their performance and safety efforts. Even so, they differ considerably in what they perceive to be the optimal amount and timing.

All new employees should have a safety orientation, even those who may not be new to the industry. You can’t make assumptions about employees’ safety knowledge based on their ages. Rather, you must train all employees and provide feedback that is best suited for them.

After the initial safety orientation, incorporate ongoing safety messages into team huddles or meetings to combat the information overload that can happen at the beginning of a new job. SFM’s 5-Minute Solutions and Supervisor Initiated Trainings are two tools to add short safety messages into daily work.

Younger employees often look for immediate feedback or response, while older employees may take more of a “no news is good news” approach. Make sure management and employees are all on the same page and understanding of each other’s needs for safety communication.

Having so many generations in the workplace at once presents challenges as well as opportunities. Thinking through your safety program with all of your employees’ needs in mind will take time and effort, but it should pay off in the form of safer, more knowledgeable employees of all ages.

Will your company take part in Safe + Sound Week August 13-19?

The second annual Safe + Sound Week raises awareness about the value of safety and health programs. The theme is taken from the phrase, “Safe workplaces are sound businesses.” Throughout the week, companies are encouraged to hold events demonstrating their commitment to safety.

The Safe + Sound Week information on OSHA’s website offers multiple activity ideas for each of the three main elements of a successful safety and health program:

• Management leadership
• Worker participation
• Finding and fixing hazards

All organizations, regardless of industry or size, may take part. Participating businesses can be listed on the map of events and receive a certificate and badge recognizing their efforts.

Led by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the coalition of organizers for Safe + Sound Week include:

• American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
• American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
• Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR)
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• National Safety Council (NSC)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPP)

Learn more about Safe + Sound Week or register your event .

In the United States, trench and excavation hazards cause more than 100 deaths and 1,000 injuries every year. Eventually, all excavations and trenches will cave-in, but knowing proper safety procedures and what hazards to watch for will greatly reduce the risk of injury.

The National Utility Contractor’s Association (NUCA) is holding a safety stand down week for trench and excavation safety from June 18-23. This event, endorsed by OSHA, provides companies with an opportunity to have a conversation with employees about trench and excavation hazards and best practices to prevent injury. Take a break to talk about trench and excavation safety, plan a safety event or provide training for all workers.

Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are much more likely than other excavation-related accidents to result in worker fatality. Keep an eye out for warning signs, such as bulges in the walls of the excavation and cracks running parallel to the edge.

Other trench and excavation risks include:

• Asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen
• Inhalation of toxic materials
• Exposed utility lines, underground and overhead
• Falling objects
• Water in the excavation
• Moving machinery near the edge of the excavation could cause a collapse
• Vehicle traffic

Trench and excavation safety recommendations

When doing trenching and excavation work, a competent person capable of identifying and correcting hazards and who has the authority to stop work must be present. Prior to beginning work, underground utilities should be located. Before an employee enters the excavation, test the area for hazardous atmospheres such as oxygen deficiency and high concentration of combustible gas or other hazardous substances. If detected, clear away prior to entry.

Depending on the depth of a trench, different safety requirements are necessary. Access or egress must be provided for an excavation of four feet or greater. If an excavation is more than five feet then a protective system of either a bench, slope or shield must be in place. When the excavation exceeds six feet, fall protection is required.

Examine equipment used for protective systems for damage that could impair its function. Remove and replace damaged equipment.

Spoil piles should be a minimum of two feet away from an excavation’s edge and placed so that rainwater runs away from the excavation. Ladders are required to enter or exit a trench and must be within 25 feet of all workers. Employees should not work outside of a trench box or shoring. All workers need appropriate personal protection equipment: hard hats, safety boots, safety glasses and Class II high visibility vests.

By following these safety recommendations and keeping aware of your surroundings, you can significantly reduce the risk of injury.

Other resources

Visit SFM’s resource catalog for more construction safety materials.

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of worker death in the construction industry? Falls from elevation accounted for 384 of the 991 fatalities in construction in 2016. Fall prevention is an easy an important way to keep your workers safe and save lives.

One of the reasons falls are so common is due to lack of proper equipment and training. In 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) included fall protection general requirements, scaffolding requirements and fall protection training requirements on their list of the top most cited violations for the year.

May 7 – 11, 2018 is National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction week. This is a voluntary event where employers are encouraged to engage their employees on the importance of fall prevention. Companies can take a break from work and allow supervisors and employees to have an open discussion about safety.

Fall prevention

Proper fall protection is key to prevention. According to OSHA, fall protection is any equipment, device or system that prevents a worker from falling or that diminishes the effects of a fall. Safety standards for construction require that workers use fall protection whenever they are more than six feet off the ground. In general industry, the requirement is four feet.

Hazards that may cause a fall include leading edge work such as roofs or bridges, roof holes and manholes, ramps and runways, steel erection, articulating lifts, bore pits, shafts and work over open tanks. Fall protection is required in hoist areas, runways, areas above dangerous equipment, wall openings, repair pits, stairways and scaffolds.

There are many options for fall protection:

• Covers
• Guardrail systems
• Personal fall arrest systems
• Positioning devices
• Warning lines
• Controlled access zones (CAZs)
• Safety net systems
• Travel restraint systems
• Ladder safety systems

Before beginning a task, workers should utilize pre-task planning to reduce the chances of falling. Workers should also assess the task to choose compatible fall arrest equipment. Ensure sturdy construction and anchor points prior to starting the job.

Personal fall arrest systems must be properly selected, maintained, inspected and utilized. Do not mix components from different models. All open sides of the work area should be marked with warning lines at least 6 feet back from the edge. Clearly mark the lines with high visibility flags.

Training also plays an important role. A qualified person must train workers on how to correctly identify and minimize hazards, use personal fall protection and maintain, inspect and store equipment or systems used for fall prevention. If your company doesn’t have someone trained in fall protection, bring in an expert to help.

Additional resources

• Fall protection – Construction Supervisor Initiated Training
• OSHA updates walking-working surfaces and fall protection standards
• Fall protection 5-Minute Solution
• Fall protection 5-Minute Solution – Spanish

You probably don’t think too long about grabbing an extension cord or plugging something in to an outlet. It’s easy to forget that these everyday activities can pose a risk for fires, shock and even electrocution if done improperly.

Extension cord safety

Extension cords are often used incorrectly.

Here’s what you need to know to use one safely:

• Choose a round, three-wire grounded extension cord versus a two-wire or flat-wire cord.
• Choose an extension cord that’s rated for the electrical load needed and type of use, such as residential versus commercial.
• Check cords regularly for cracks, tears, exposed wires and missing ground plugs. If you find anything wrong, take the cord out of service and tag it for repair or throw it away.
• Don’t place cords under carpets or furniture and never string them through doorways, walls, windows, ceilings or floors.
• Do not fasten an extension cord to a wall.
• Buy an extension cord that is long enough for the job; don’t chain multiple cords together.
• To disconnect a cord, pull on the plug, not the cord.
• Follow the information on the cord’s warning label.
• Don’t use an extension cord for more than one appliance.
• Don’t use a multi-plug extension cord, as these don’t have a fuse built in to protect you from overloading the cord.
• Only use extension cords for temporary needs, lasting 90 days or less. For anything more, use permanent wiring, conduit and outlets to prevent fires and electric shock.
• When in doubt, ask a qualified electrician or maintenance employee to review your electrical setup.

Extension cords are often used for power tools on construction sites. For more on this, read our blog post on hand and power tool safety.

To give a quick talk to your employees on extension cord safety, see our Electrical extension cord safety 5-Minute Solution.

Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet safety

You’ve probably seen a GFCI outlet in your bathroom or kitchen. Many contractors use them whenever they need temporary power.

These outlets can help protect you from electrocution by quickly shutting off electricity when there’s a ground fault.

GFCI protection can come in the form of an outlet, portable outlet, cord or a circuit breaker panel with a test and reset button.

It’s important to test and reset GFCI outlets periodically to make sure they’re working properly. To do this:

1. Plug a light into the outlet.
2. Push the test button.
3. If the light goes off, push the reset button and the light should go on again. That means it’s working. If the light does not go off, have a qualified electrician repair the GFCI before using the outlet.

On a construction site, test and reset GFCIs daily before use.

Other electrical safety risks

There are a number of other electrical safety hazards you should be aware of at home and work, such as:

• Stay away from overhead electrical service lines when climbing ladders.
• Don’t use metal ladders when doing electrical work. Also, don’t use them when doing work near power lines.
• Use proper lockout/tagout procedures for machinery that needs maintenance or repair.

Electricity can pose a serious hazard in any workplace. Remember to use it safely to protect yourself and your coworkers. 

SFM’s team of loss prevention representatives, comprised of occupational health and safety professionals, understand workplace safety and how to prevent injuries.

To get to know a company’s unique safety risks and provide strategies to address the risks, our loss prevention team spends most of their time visiting and working one-on-one with employers. The frequency of in-person visits depends on company size and nature of the business.

What to expect during a loss prevention visit

For the initial visit, the loss prevention representative will meet with the business owner, a safety manager or perhaps someone from human resources or the head of operations. The visit typically takes about 45 minutes and can include a walk-around of the facility.

A visit with a loss prevention representative serves two purposes:

1. Educating you about SFM’s loss prevention services and answering any questions
2. Learning about your organization, operations and unique safety risks

The second purpose of the visit helps the loss prevention representative develop a thorough understanding of your business’s needs, its safety program and current processes.

Knowing how your business operates and cares for employees will help us work together and provide you with the right resources to reduce safety risks unique to your business. To do that, we ask about several areas, including:

• Operations
• Hiring practices
• Safety program
• Common exposures, such as driving or outdoor work
• Return-to-work program

“Part of learning about the operation is seeing the work in action,” says Loss Prevention Technical Leader Lee Wendel. “We want to understand their current processes and current risks. Then we can begin finding a solution for the risks. Whenever we can, we want to be part of the solution.”

The loss prevention representative will ask questions about workers’ core functions to identify risks for work injuries. They then come up with strategies or resources to reduce or eliminate those risks.

For example, if any of your employees drive as part of their day-to-day work, they’ll ask about your seat belt and cell phone use policies. When visiting a healthcare facility, safe patient handling training and equipment will be discussed.

By the end of the visit, you will know more about the resources SFM can offer you, and our team will be able to provide customized recommendations to help meet our shared goal of keeping workers safe.

Construction projects at schools can create a variety of new hazards for employees, students and visitors.

For example:

• Construction materials can create trip hazards
• Increased parking lot traffic can pose danger to pedestrians
• Work can create noise and air quality issues

That’s why SFM’s loss prevention staff created a new resource to help schools keep employees safe throughout construction projects. The checklist includes advice to consider while planning and preparing for the project, as well as tips to maintain safety as the project is ongoing.

You can download the school construction safety checklist in the resource catalog.

The number of patient injuries in Minnesota hospitals due to falls continues to rise, according to a report from the Minnesota Department of Health.

Patient falls were the second most common event in the 2017 adverse health events report . Minnesota state law requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to report adverse health events in 29 categories.

While pressure ulcers were the most common event, falls resulted in the most injuries and patient deaths. From October 2016 to October 2017, Minnesota hospitals reported 82 falls, with 77 resulting in serious injury and 5 in patient death.

In health care, patient and caregiver safety go hand-in-hand. When a patient falls, the natural reaction for a caregiver is to try to catch or hold them up. This can result in further injury to both the patient and the caregiver. Lifting and transferring patients, or trying to catch them as they fall, are common sources of strain and sprain injuries.

Based on independent research and SFM’s claims data, moving patients manually puts health care workers at risk for severe injuries.

Participate in Patient Safety Awareness Week

Plan ahead for the annual Patient Safety Awareness Week . 

During the week, health care professionals and consumers can take a pledge to help reduce harm in health care and join the initiative to help raise awareness.

Stay informed on health care worker safety and how health care professionals can impact patient and worker safety on the Institute for Health care Improvement’s website .

Use safety products to promote health care worker safety

Having the right lifting aids and transfer devices available for health care workers to use and making sure they are properly trained in using them can go a long way in preventing injuries in health care settings. Sometimes it can be hard to know what options are available and which ones have the best track record.

For that reason, we put together a list of vendors and safety products we recommend for proper safe patient handling.

SFM’s health care safety resources

To support injury prevention for both health care workers and their patients, SFM offers specialized safe patient handling resources. Topics covered include repositioning patients, assisting with bathing, patient falls and lifting injuries in health care. Here are some of our most popular resources for health care:

• Fact sheet: Occupational injuries in health care
• Patient starts to fall Supervisor Initiated Training
• Health care Supervisor Initiated Training combo pack (packet of 16 different topics)

See the full list of SFM’s resources for health care in the “Safety” section of our website.