Safety Net | July 2023

THE SAFETY NET

Is My Computer Setup Ergonomically Correct

Proper monitor distance, chair height, desk and mouse placement all contribute to minimizing stress on the body. Whether we are back at the office or working from home, we often slip into bad office posture habits when it comes to how we work at our computers.

The Mayo Clinic offers advice on how to set the proper positioning when using a computer in order to up y avoid some of the health problems associated with seated work, such as neck and back pain and sore wrists and shoulders, by using proper office ergonomics. The chair height, equipment spacing and desk posture all make a difference.

CHAIR

Choose a chair that supports your spine. Adjust the height of the chair so that your feet rest flat on the floor. Or use a footrest so your thighs are parallel to the floor. If the chair has armrests, position them so your arms sit gently on the armrests with your elbows close to your body and your shoulders relaxed.

DESK

Under the desk, make sure there’s enough room for your legs and feet. Don’t store items under your desk, as that can shrink the amount of available space and make it hard to sit correctly. If the desk is too low and the desk height can’t be changed, put sturdy boards or blocks under the desk legs to raise it. If the desk is too high and can’t be changed, raise your chair. Use a footrest to support your feet if necessary. If you don’t have a footrest, try using a small stool or a stack of sturdy books. If your desk has a hard edge that’s not rounded, pad the edge or use a wrist

rest. This protects your wrists from a problem called contact stress that can happen as a result of extended contact with a hard edge.

KEYBOARD AND MOUSE

Put your computer keyboard in front of you so your wrists and forearms are in line and your shoulders are relaxed. If you use a mouse or another type of pointer connected to a computer, place it within easy reach, on the same surface as your keyboard. While you are typing, using a computer touchpad, or using a mouse or pointer, keep your wrists straight, your upper arms close to your body, and your hands at or slightly below the level of your elbows. If possible, set the sensitivity of the mouse or pointer so you can use a light touch on it.

MONITOR

Place the computer monitor straight in front of you, directly behind your keyboard, about an arm’s length away from your face. The monitor should be no closer to you than 20 inches (about 50 centimeters) and no further away than 40 inches (about 100 centimeters). The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level. If you wear bifocals, lower the monitor an additional 1 to 2 inches (about 2 to 5 centimeters) for more comfortable viewing.

Four A’s of Fall Prevention

05.23.2023 | Safety + Health

Falls to a lower level are the second leading cause of workplace fatalities. Help prevent them by following the four A’s of fall prevention:

ASK

Ask yourself before starting work: Is a fall prevention plan in place? Are you trained in and using proper fall protection equipment? Are fall prevention systems such as guardrails in place?

AWARE

Be aware: Keep an eye out for possible hazards, including torn carpeting, spills on the floor, obstacles blocking a walkway, clutter on the stairs or cords on the floor.

ADDRESS

Address the hazards: Don’t assume someone else will do it. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. If you see a hazard, report it.

ALWAYS

Always keep safety top of mind. Follow safe practices, including walking slowly, watching where you’re going, wearing proper footwear and more.

Improving Workplace Safety With Robots

05.30.2023 | EHS Today

Recent advancements in data science and AI means robotic vehicles and arms can eliminate employees’ exposure to dangerous machinery and workplace hazards.

In a new whitepaper, Improving Workplace Safety with Robotics , the National Safety Council, through its Work to Zero initiative, evaluated the benefits of robotics and autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs, on reducing injuries and fatalities in the workplace.

“Robotics have long been deployed by organizations to improve operational efficiencies, but as companies increasingly look towards a more automated future, the many benefits this technology brings to workplace safety programs cannot be overlooked,” said Katherine Mendoza, senior director, workplace programs, NSC, in a statement.

“Recent advancements in data science and artificial intelligence mean that robotic vehicles and arms aren’t just capable of augmenting complex, precise tasks alongside human workers, but in many instances can eliminate employees’ exposure to dangerous machinery and workplace hazards altogether,” Mendoza added. The report reviewed the five most common robot configurations available to employers – AMRs,

Automated Guided Vehicles or AGVs, Articulated Robots, Humanoid Robots and Cobots – to assess their key benefits and applications.

The report offers the following key findings:

• AGVs and AMRs are available as off-the-shelf solutions for small and large industrial warehousing and factory facilities, requiring approximately one week of mapping and route planning before robotics pallets and mobile shelving units become operational.

• Remote-controlled robots offer high-value use cases for confined entry inspections, working from height and hazardous material handling, reducing the risk of human exposure to toxic gases, high temperatures, electric shock hazards and falls from height.

• Cobots and robotic arms are well established for repetitive manual tasks, such as machine tending, parts repositioning and pick-and-place – and implementation and return-on-investment (ROI) can be seen quickly enough for organizations of all sizes. Such deployments can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive manual work and allow workers to focus on more varied, complex tasks.

• Deployment of safety-related robotics in more complex and dynamic environments, such as construction, mining and logging require longer development and testing times with the need for advanced computer vision and artificial intelligence technologies – resulting in such use cases being currently available only to large industrial operations.

• Pre-built, easy-to-use robotics hardware and software packages are being continuously developed for additional common safety-related use cases – meaning the real ROI concerning safety will be seen in the near future for both large and small industrial organizations.

In addition to concluding this technology can be ideal for manufacturing applications, where repetitive, high-volume production is necessary, the report identified several other examples in which employers can use robots to create safer outcomes for their workers, including:

• Inspecting confined spaces and industrial facilities. Organizations in the construction, mining and logging industries may especially benefit from using wheeled AMRs to remove human workers from on-site hazards.

• Transporting parts, goods and materials. Used alongside sensors and computer vision, AMRs and AGVs can minimize the risk of human-machine collisions.

• Using robotic arms for precision cutting and welding, as well as the safe handling of toxic, high-temperature or explosive materials.

• Machine tending and parts repositioning by using robotic arms and AMRs to reduce risks associated with manual machine handling.

However there are barriers to adoption which include the following:

• Cost - While recent advancements have reduced the price and increased the viability of robotics for common industrial applications, costs of implementation and ongoing maintenance may still be prohibitive for smaller industrial operations.

• Disruption in Workplaces - Some AVG and AMR configurations may be disruptive to some work environments or need to be coupled with additional safety technologies to effectively mitigate risk.

• Fear of Job Loss -There is also an enduring concern that robotics or other technology may eventually replace human workers, but the report noted that, in addition to robotics having the potential to improve efficiency and safety, increased automation may help

businesses reduce costs overall, which can lead to increased investments and the creation of new jobs in other areas, especially in engineering, maintenance and programming. Ultimately, this white paper found the importance in having a proactive approach to addressing the potential consequences of automation, such as retraining and reskilling programs for displaced workers, and ensuring the benefits of automation are shared equitably across organizations.

The report concludes the following:

Robots and AMRs are ready for deployment by small and large industrial operations in highly constrained applications, such as machine tending and in-facility goods and parts transportation.

However, advanced use cases are not yet available to organizations outside of those with larger budgets and the ability to invest extended periods of time for implementation.

Advances in the manufacture and design of articulated robotic arms, quadrupedal robots, wheeled vehicles and battery technology have reduced the price and increased the viability of robotics for common industrial applications, but levels of intelligence in control systems are still limited.

However, the fields of computer vision, data science and artificial intelligence are rapidly accelerating robotics towards a more autonomous future with applications better integrated with complex, dynamic environments and alongside human workers. Such advances, alongside the availability of pre-built hardware and software packages for everexpanding applications, will offer high-risk industries robotic replacements at lower price points with better out-of-the-box functionality and ease of programming for staff without specific robotics training – leading to safer and more productive workplaces.

Keep Aging Workers Safe on the Job

04.24.2023 | Safety and Health Today

KEY POINTS

• According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, 24% of workers were 55 or older – up from 19% a decade earlier.

• Research from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training shows that older workers are more likely to experience pain in the torso, back, shoulders and knees. They also take longer to recover.

• Steps for employers to include modifying work operations, providing resources and using updated equipment.

The U.S. workforce is aging. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, 24% of workers were 55 or older – up from 19% a decade earlier.

“The aging workforce is something that’s going to be with us for some time,” said Jim Grosch, a research psychologist and co-director of the NIOSH National Center for Productive Aging and Work. Identifying and reducing the risks that many older workers face – especially those who perform hands-on

labor – can help employers retain their experience and keep them injury-free.

RISKS ‘DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT AGING WORKERS’

“We don’t want to suggest that older workers create the safety hazards, because it’s the job conditions that create the safety hazards,” said Chris Cain, executive director of CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training. “But we do see that the risks on the job do sometimes disproportionately affect aging workers.”

The most recent data available from BLS shows that fatal injuries among workers 55 and older increased 8% from 2018 to 2019. The 2,005 deaths in 2019 represent “the largest number recorded for this age group,” the agency says. That figure fell 13.9% to 1,727 in 2020.

In 2020, workers ages 55-64 had a fatal injury rate of 4.4 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, while those 65 and older had a rate of 8.6, according to BLS. Both of those rates were significantly higher than that for all workers, at 3.4.

CPWR research on nonfatal injuries shows that older workers are more likely to experience pain in the torso, back, shoulders and knees. They also take longer to recover. Because soft tissue injuries don’t result in an open wound, a worker in pain may not be as readily noticeable to a coworker or supervisor.

METHODS OF HAZARD PREVENTION

So, what can employers do to help mitigate hazards facing older workers?

Adapt the physical work environment. Small steps include changing signage so it’s easier to read and increasing illumination/wattage to provide better lighting where needed.

Moving break rooms closer to common work locations; providing cushioned, anti-fatigue mats for workers who stand on the job; and ensuring footwear isn’t worn or weathered also may help.

“Small, inexpensive, fairly simple changes can sometimes add up to be quite something,” Grosch said.

Promote individual health. What do workers know about their own health? What are they doing to maintain it? Employers can help bolster awareness of worker health and monitor health metrics over time by providing screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and other common health concerns.

Embrace technology. David Biderman, executive director and CEO of the Solid Waste Association of North America, points to automation to help mitigate various injury risks. In the waste industry, this includes automated side-loader garbage trucks. By removing the need for a worker to ride on the step, the trucks eliminate exposure to hazards outside the truck as well as musculoskeletal concerns related to manual lifting and leaving and reentering the vehicle.

In the construction industry, Elkins said, “We’ve come a long way with smaller forklifts” and similar equipment designed to alleviate strain on workers.

Provide training. As technology and other factors –including the COVID-19 pandemic – change the way work is done, employers need to make sure workers’ skills and knowledge are maintained or enhanced.

“I believe in safety in general,” Biderman said, “and in the solid waste industry in particular, it’s impossible to overcommunicate about safety. We encourage companies and agencies to repeat safety messages over

and over again to help the recipient of that message –the frontline employee or the supervisor – internalize that safety message and then change their unsafe behavior in response to that.”

CAREFUL COMMUNICATION

Although adjusting work responsibilities or redesigning job tasks to more evenly distribute physical demands can have a positive effect on older workers’ health, the effort may be met with reluctance by the workers themselves.

A 2012 study conducted by CPWR concluded that older construction workers may be hesitant to shift to less physically demanding work because, in part, of the risk of reduced income or decreased access to health and pension benefits.

For supervisors who want to talk with older workers about making changes to the job, Elkins recommends choosing your words wisely and with care.

For example, if a worker is beginning to pivot away from more regular manual labor, consider presenting the situation as taking on an “apprentice” who will learn and benefit from the worker’s expertise.

Elkins cautions that, “You have to really watch the way you approach that, because you will offend them and they’ll even get hurt and won’t talk about it. ‘I don’t need a helper. I’ve been doing this for 20 years,’ and now a young kid shows up.

Cain

“So you tell them, ‘Look, he’s not a helper, he’s an apprentice. You’re here to train him.’”

In Cain’s experience, the institutional knowledge older workers have may open new, safety-related doors to them.

“We rely on peer training a lot in the building trades to train workers on skills and in safety and health,” Cain said, “and we’ve learned that is a potential career path for older workers to get involved in training and safety, and even site safety activities. Once you get a large career and a lot of experience behind you, you may have an opportunity to continue to rely on that breadth of experience.”

Ladder Safety

03.16.2023 | Honeywell - Carly Ingersoll

Did you know that more than 22,000 people across the U.S. are injured while using ladders each year? And, unfortunately, 161 people suffered a fatal injury from a ladder in 2020. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 65% of those ladder fatalities came from movable ladders.All of these can be avoided.

Falls make the top three list of most common disabling workplace injuries.2 While the number of ladder-related deaths has declined slightly in recent years, decreasing by 12% from 2016 to 2020,3 even a single injury or death from a ladder fall is one too many.

That’s why, since 2017, the U.S. has observed National Ladder Safety Month in March. Ladder Safety Month aims to raise awareness about the various components of ladder safety and outline best practices we all can use to decrease ladder injuries, falls and deaths.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK OF LADDER INJURY?

U.S. workers in several industries had the most reported workplace injuries from ladders in 20204 that required them to take days off work. These include:

• Construction & Extraction (5,370 injuries)

• Installation, Maintenance & Repair (5,790 injuries)

• Transportation & Material Moving (1,670 injuries)

• Farming, Fishing & Forestry (660 injuries)

These injuries come at a cost – not only for workers and their health but also for employers. A 2018 workplace safety survey in the U.S. found that $17+ billion is spent on falls that result from working at height.5

HELPFUL TIPS TO STAY SAFE WHEN WORKING ON A LADDER

While people might think they know how to climb and work on a ladder safely, they may not be in compliance with ladder safety guidance. In the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s fiscal year 2021 list of most frequently cited violations across industries, “Ladders, Construction” (29 CFR 1926.1053) came in at number three.6 For example, OSHA’s guidance mandates that fall protection be provided for workers climbing or working on fixed ladders higher than 24 feet.

• The following tips from OSHA and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) can help workers and employers lower their risk of ladder injuries and comply with safety guidelines.

BEFORE YOU CLIMB:

READ LADDER LABELS.

• Check the ladder’s feet and the surface where the ladder is placed. Only use a ladder on a stable and level surface, unless it has been secured. Do not place a ladder on unstable bases to gain height.

INSPECT THE LADDER:

1. If you see damage, remove the ladder from service and tag it until it can be repaired or discarded.

2. Ensure the appropriate accessories are there (such as ladder levelers, jacks or hooks) and use them only for their designed purposes.

3. Check for slippery material on the rungs.

4. Ensure all locks on an extension ladder are engaged properly.

• Look at your surroundings: Make sure there are no overhead power lines nearby. If so, avoid using a metal ladder near them or any energized electrical equipment.

• Footwear: Make sure your footwear is in good condition and free of mud, water, ice or grease. Wearing footwear with heels can help prevent your foot from slipping forward.

SETTING UP:

1. Positioning: Place the ladder base at the correct angle—a quarter of the working length of the ladder from the wall.

2. When accessing an elevated surface using an extension or straight ladder, it must extend at least 3 feet above the point of support.

3. Secure ladders that are placed in any location where they can be displaced by other work activities (or erect a barricade to keep traffic far enough away from the ladder).

WHILE CLIMBING AND USING THE LADDER:

• Check the weight : Do not exceed the ladder’s maximum load rating. Consider both the weight of the person it is supporting and the weight of any tools or equipment

• Maintain three points of contact on the ladder - Two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.

• Always face the ladder while climbing up or down.

• Do not use the top rung as a step unless it was designed for that purpose. You have climbed too high if your knees are above the top of the ladder.

• Do not move or shift a ladder while it is in use.

• Never slide or jump down from a ladder.

Prevent Heat Illness Before Symptoms Appear!

06.05.2023 | JJ Keller Management Suite

Preventing heat illnesses requires planning and controls. Once an employee shows symptoms of heat illness, the employee must stop working to recover and might even need time off. Recognizing signs of heat illness is important, but preventive measures should ensure that workers don’t experience symptoms.

Prevention measures and controls should prevent symptoms from developing. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends the following to prevent heat-related illnesses:

• Monitor the weather and develop a plan for when a heat wave is forecasted.

• Create a buddy system where workers observe each other for symptoms of heat-related illness to allow for early intervention.

• Provide a cooler place, ideally a shaded or airconditioned area, and encourage workers to take breaks. Adjust the frequency and duration of breaks based on temperature, humidity, sunlight, and physical tasks. Remember that wearing PPE can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.

• Ensure that cool, potable water is readily available and encourage workers to hydrate before, during, and after work. For moderately intense work lasting less than two hours, workers should drink approximately one cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes. During prolonged sweating lasting several hours, workers should drink sports drinks containing balanced electrolytes.

• Acclimate workers by gradually increasing workloads so their bodies adjust to working in the heat.

TRAINING WORKERS

Because susceptibility to heat stress varies by individual (age, weight, health conditions, etc.), training is key so employees can self-monitor and watch out for each other. Employers should provide heat stress training that covers:

• Identifying and controlling heat hazards and understanding risk factors.

• Recognizing the signs and the symptoms of heatrelated illnesses.

• Causes of heat-related illnesses and steps to reduce the risk, like drinking enough water and monitoring the color and amount of urine output.

• Individual factors that may impact workers’ risk for developing a heat-related illness.

• Proper care and use of heat-protective clothing and equipment

• The heat load caused by exertion, clothing, and personal protective equipment.

• The importance of acclimatization.

• Immediately reporting any symptoms or signs of heatrelated illness, first aid procedures, and contacting emergency medical services.

OSHA INSPECTIONS

In 2022, OSHA launched a National Emphasis Program on heat illness prevention (CPL 03-00-024). The document directs OSHA compliance officers to consider the following questions during a heat illness prevention inspection:

• Is there a written program?

• How did the employer monitor ambient temperature(s) and levels of work exertion at the worksite?

• Was unlimited cool water easily accessible to employees?

• Did the employer require additional breaks for hydration?

• Did the employer schedule rest breaks?

• Did employees have access to a shaded area?

• Did the employer provide time for acclimatization of new and returning workers?

• Was a “buddy” system in place on hot days?

• Were administrative controls used (earlier start times, employee/job rotation) to limit heat exposures?

• Did the employer provide training on heat illness signs, how to report signs and symptoms, first aid, how to contact emergency personnel, prevention, and the importance of hydration?

OSHA does not yet have a regulation on heat illness prevention, so the agency cannot cite for things like not developing a written plan. However, OSHA can use the General Duty Clause to cite employers for recognized hazards. The above considerations could help an employer show that its actively trying to protect workers from

Short Service Employees “Interns”

05.30.2023 | Weeklysafety.com

Workplace safety is one area that is critically important for management to focus on during the new hire training period for short service employees.

A short service employee refers to a worker who has been employed for a relatively short period of time or has less experience in their newly assigned position.

Short service employees may be hired on a temporary , seasonal, probationary basis, or they might be hired on for a permanent role. Short service employees are new to the tasks required for their job position and should get the extra attention required until they demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to do their job competently and safely.

Ensuring workplace safety is important for all employees, and short service employees may benefit from extra guidance on the safety and health program. Employers have a legal obligation to provide a safe and healthy work environment for all employees, regardless of their length of service.

Short service employees may lack the experience and knowledge of long-term employees, which can make

them more vulnerable to accidents and injuries on the job. Hazard recognition may not be intuitive when short service employees are not familiar with the workplace culture, procedures, and safety protocols.

To ensure the safety of short service employees, there are quite a few things employers and management can do in a way that enhances the workplace safety and health program.

Employers should provide short service employees with comprehensive training on workplace safety, including hazards specific to their job duties, safe work practices, and emergency procedures. The training should be ongoing, and employers should ensure that short service employees are up to date on any changes in safety procedures.

Experienced or senior employees can be assigned to act as a mentor to short service employees. Mentors provide guidance and support, answer questions, and help short service employees navigate the workplace safety culture. While one person may act as a mentor, all employees should speak up in a positive way if they notice short

service employees engaging in unsafe behaviors or if they notice anyone new to the job who could benefit from extra assistance.

Short service employees should be included in the regular workplace safety audits , and their feedback should be taken into consideration. Safety audits identify potential hazards and also assess the effectiveness of safety controls that have been implemented. Involving short service employees in the safety audit process is a great learning opportunity.

All employees must have access to the personal protective equipment (PPE) to do their job safely, and short service employees are no exception. PPE will vary depending on their job duties and work environment and may include equipment like safety glasses , hard hats, gloves, or respiratory protection. Along with providing the equipment should come adequate training to ensure short service employees are using their PPE correctly.

When hazards are found in the workplace or at the jobsite they should be reported immediately. Short service employees should actively participate in the hazard reporting process as soon as they are trained in hazard recognition . A successful workplace safety and health program includes a hazard reporting process that is effective.

Management plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of short service employees. The leadership team sets the tone for workplace safety by making it a priority and communicating the importance of safety to all employees. Management has the opportunity to foster a culture of safety by promoting open communication about safety concerns, rewarding safe behaviors, and taking proactive steps to identify and address potential hazards .

Employers must provide the necessary resources for ensuring workplace safety, such as training materials, PPE, and safety equipment. Management should regularly monitor and evaluate safety programs to ensure their effectiveness and make adjustments as needed.

Veteran employees should lead by example and model what it means to keep a positive safety attitude . Always follow safety procedures, even if it takes longer to do the task, show up on-time to safety meetings, and accept accountability for safety on the job. It’s also important that long-term employees do not let short service employees do any task that they have not been trained to do safely.

Some organizations may choose to create and implement a short service employee program with

written documentation that specifies responsibilities and training requirements.

As part of a short service employee program, it may be important for supervisors, co-workers, and project managers to be able to identify newer employees so they can watch their backs on the job. A new-hire identification system tells the team the short service employee is in a transitional period, but it does not have to be a designation of inexperience or lower skill sets. A short service identification system could be implemented in a number of ways including vests, colored hardhats, recognizable clothing or PPE, or hardhat decals .

Another key component of a short service employee program may be crew composition requirements. For example, there may be rules that state short service employees should not make up more than 50 percent of a single crew at one time and/or a crew of five or fewer employees should not include more than one short-service employee at a time.

Mentor qualities can also be defined in a written short service employee program. Mentors should speak the short service employee’s primary language, have experience with the new worker’s tasks, and be qualified for the training that is required. It is also important that mentors have a track record for working safely, have demonstrated that they can be a clear communicator who can explain the hazards of the job, and remain patient as they take the time necessary to help new workers succeed.

Ensuring the safety of short-service employees is essential for their well-being and for the success of the company. By providing adequate training, assigning mentors, conducting regular safety audits , providing PPE, encouraging reporting, and fostering a culture of safety, employers can help keep short service employees safe on the job.

The management team and long-term employees all play a critical role in ensuring workplace safety, by volunteering for mentorship positions, leading by example, speaking up, setting the tone, providing resources, fostering a culture of safety, and monitoring and evaluating safety programs .

By working together, employers, long-term employees, and management can create a safe and healthy work environment for short service employees as they navigate through the early days of their journey within the organization.