Occupational & Industrial Health & Safety - Riverside, CA - Guard Service Association Fourth Quarter 2008-2009

1. Handout # 17251 – Your Guide to Back to Backs
2. Handout # 17377 – Back Care and Safe Lifting
3. Handout # 17441 – Safety Zone: Using Natural Limits To Protect Your Back
4. Handout # 17970 – On-The-Job Back Exercises
5. Handout # 17762 – Road Safety
6. Handout # 17844 – Striving For Better Driving
7. Handout # 17325 – Protection Head, Foot, Hand & Eyes
8. Handout # 17529 – Prevent Slips, Trips & Falls

Required OSHA Documentation:

Set-up Msds station in employees work area.
Compliant Injury and Illness Prevention plan.
Log 300 required.
Items required but not limited to:
a. Policy
b. Safety Committee section
c. Safety Program section
d. Codes of safe practice on each piece of equipment/ or hazard assessment of work areas.
e. Hazardous communications Plan
f. Personal protection policy
g. Respiratory Program
h. Emergency evacuation
i. Ergonomics
j. Violence in workplace
k. First aid
l. Accident investigation

The Association has noticed there are a few common threads between the companies in the Association. That is the reason for the listed safety materials from State Compensation Fund listed above.

Unfortunately there are a few differences with the Recovery Industry and the Security Industry. But the items that will be addressed in this report will be of benefit to both industries, but when there are specific issues it will be stated for the benefit for one industry to the next the report will be very specific.

The data that we have received has some specific trends for both industries. Immediate training should be in:

1. Back safety
2. Drivers safety
3. Personal protective equipment (specifically in dress codes)
4. Slips/Trips & Falls
5. Violence in the workplace

1. Back safety:

Back safety has been one the most consistent injuries among the group. In the year 2007 it was the cause of $119,803 in workers compensation cost. In the year 2008 it was the cause of 15% of the monies paid out in claims. One of the main ways to keep back injury cost down would be back safety training. Every company in the group should first make sure that all of their employees have been trained on proper lifting techniques. They must also make sure that all of their employees stretch before beginning the work day as well as before lifting any heavy objects or a group of objects.

I’m sure that the handouts mentioned above and below on back safety would be of considerable help.

Handouts on Back Safety:

#17251 – Your Guide to Back to Backs
#17377 – Back Care and Safe Lifting
#17441 – Safety Zone: Using Natural Limits To Protect Your Back
# 17970 – On-The-Job Back Exercises

Back injuries are an industry wide problem and can only be prevented with specific training. What is also important is that every employer take an active share in their company’s safety training. Employees must also know the penalties involved with making fraudulent claims.

In 2008 Overexertion was the cause of 25% of your monies paid out in claims, which consistent with a lack of training. Ergonomic issues go right in hand with back injuries. So in order to pinpoint specifically we must train on back safety and then see how we do with Overexertion issues.

Workers should learn to squat over the item to be lifted, and face it squarely. In this position, the back gets added lifting strength and power from the legs and arms. Teach workers to tilt the item on edge with its long axis straight up so the center of the weight is as high as possible above the ground. Next, the worker should move up close to the item, because the backbone must act as a supporting column, and it takes the least strain close in. In this position, the worker is ready to lift. Still squatting, the feet should be set with legs pointed right at the load, with the back straightened, the worker may then grasp the load with both arms and slowly stand up with it.
A good way to help workers learn the right from the wrong way to lift is to have them practice lifting correctly a few times. They will notice that the correct way to lift is the easiest way to lift the load, with the least strain and awkwardness. To lift the wrong way will, over time, cause injury and pain and then no one will be laughing.

2. Drivers safety:

For most companies they may wonder where Drivers safety comes into play with safety issues. But drivers training is very important and State Funds reports show that to be an issue. In 2007 Transportation issues led to 14% of the monies paid out in claims. What alarms me about this figure is that most vehicle accidents are not reported to OSHA, so some claims could be worse than they may seem.

In 2008 Transportation issues went down to 10% but still there was over $20,000 still paid out, with an average of $11,000 paid out in claims annually. This is definitely an issue for both types of businesses in our association.

Initially you may wonder, why would the exposure to driving accidents be the same for both Recovery & Security companies? Well both have been known to drive vehicles for their line of work. And they also drive vehicles in times of the night that most are accustomed to sleeping.

Security driving issues:
a. Driving at night with low visibility.
b. Required to be trained to operate all types of moving vehicles such as Golf Carts.
c. Are all the vehicles been used undergone a pre-trip inspection.
d. Has everyone required to drive a vehicle received a copy of their driving record?
e. Is every employee required to drive at night received a reflective vest, in order to be visible to anyone or vehicle they may come across?

Recovery driving issues:

The recovery industry is very unique when it comes to driving issues. From what we gather all of these individuals have received some drivers training. Some companies in the Recovery industry will not even allow their employees to drive on their own until they have been employed with the company for over 2 years. And have received a 6 months drivers training. But unfortunately we are still having Transportation claims.

The biggest concern for workers of the Recovery industry is that their whole success with their job is based off of being able to stay unseen and out of most people’s radar. So for them wearing an orange reflective vest could cause some other serious issues.

One consistent thread with all drivers in the state of California is fatigue. The employees in the association usually do most of their work at night, playing a huge role in transportation related incidents. They must be trained on ways to stay alert. There are exercises that could also be useful. And must learn that rest as well as diet plays a big role in their state of alertness!

Also what could possible lead to their transportation claims could come from them jumping off of their vehicles since they are driving trucks!

Recovery & Security companies must keep these statics in mind:

An estimated 6,335,000 car accidents occur annually.

An estimated 2.3 million people are injured annually in vehicle accidents.

An estimated 42,500 people die annually in vehicle accidents.

1 out of 12 vehicles will be involved in a two-car vehicle accident.

These 2 handouts listed below & above should be ordered for both industries inside the association because this is not just a concern for the association, but is required by the State of California, the D.O.T & OSHA.

Handout # 17762 – Road Safety
Handout # 17844 – Striving For Better Driving

3. Personal Protective Equipment (Dress Code):

This problem is interesting because the Security industry has somewhat of a dress code & the Recovery industry has no dress code at all. In 2007 11% of the claims paid out were due to Lacerations. In 2008 10% of the claims paid out were due to Head injuries. Both injuries could be due to a lax dress policy.

Head injuries could be avoided by wearing some type of hat. I understand that hard hats are too bulky for the work that both the Security & Recovery industries do. But any type of hat could keep head injuries from becoming severe. A hat could cushion the blow. A hat could eliminate cuts on the head.

Lacerations could possibly be eliminated by wearing long sleeves. They could also be eliminated by wearing gloves. Security industry specifically has somewhat of a dress code, and even with their industry long sleeves are not required.

4. Slips, Trips & Falls:

Slips, Trips & Falls is definitely an issue with both the Recovery & Security industries. In 2007 Slips, Trips & Falls only accounted for 10% of the claims paid out. But in 2008 it went up from 10% to 20 % paying out $93,819, over $40,000 more paid out than in 2007.

The way to eliminate this type of accident in the Recovery & Security industry is to make it mandatory to wear Oil & Water Resistant shoes. Tennis shoes should not be allowed. OSHA is starting to make boots mandatory in several industries just to eliminate the type of injuries that these association members are having.

Another concern regarding Slips, Trips & Falls is due to visibility. Is each Security Officer using his or her flashlight at all times when working during the night? With the Recovery industry this poses another challenge, since once again staying invisible is important for their safety when repossessing cars.

Handout # 17529 – Prevent Slips, Trips & Falls, should definitely be ordered for all companies since this accident is definitely one that is posing many problems for both industries.

5. Violence in the Workplace:

This is something that definitely worries the association. Violence in the Workplace could mean not only a minor accident put could lead to possibly a major accident if not a fatality. In 2007 this may have not seemed as a serious concern since is only contributed to 5% of the monies paid out in that year. But in 2008 it jumped to 14% of the monies paid out. To put that in prospective in 2007 the monies paid out to this claim was $1,000. That number jumped to $329,422 in 2008.

So how do we get a handle on this when both industries, Recovery & Security put themselves in harm’s way?

TRAINING

Training and instruction on workplace violence ensures that all staff is aware of potential hazards and how to protect themselves and their co-workers through established prevention and control measures.
Required training is to be provided to employees annually.
The training covers topics such as the following:
• The Workplace Violence Prevention Policy.
• Risk factors that cause or contribute to assaults.
• Early recognition of escalating behavior or recognition of warning signs or situations that may lead to assaults.
• Ways of preventing or diffusing volatile situations or aggressive behavior and managing anger.
• Information on multicultural diversity to develop sensitivity to racial and ethnic issues and differences.
• A standard response action plan for violent situations, including availability of assistance, response to alarm systems, and communication procedures.
• How to deal with hostile persons.
• Progressive behavior control methods and safe methods of restraint application or escape.
• The location and operation of safety devices such as alarms systems, along with the required maintenance schedules and procedures.
• Ways to protect oneself and co-workers, including use of the "buddy system."
• Policies and procedures for reporting and record keeping.
• Policies and procedures for obtaining medical care, counseling, Workers' Compensation, or legal assistance after a violent episode or injury.
The need for this training should be obvious with the amount of incidents going up and the increase cost of worker’s compensation claims has skyrocketed. But just to put things in prospective here are some statics.

Some 2 million workers are victims of workplace violence each year.

Averages per year of violence in workplace for the US:

Homicides 900
Rape/sexual assault 36, 500
Robbery 70,100
Aggravated Assault 325,000
Simple assault 1,311,700

The costs and consequences of workplace violence, albeit difficult to quantify precisely, are real. Compensation costs, loss of productivity and personal tragedy, to name a few, can all result.

The yearly cost of violence in the workplace in the United States amounts to $55.4 billion.

The rates for workplace homicide are higher for males than females; however, homicide has been the leading cause of occupational-injury death for women. Rates also increase with age because older workers do not survive as well as younger workers. Researchers have also found that older workers are perceived as softer targets.

In 10% of cases, a crime is committed by a co-worker or former worker; 6% of cases involve customers or clients; and 7% are personal disputes that are brought into the workplace.

Turning to non-fatal workplace violence: while non-fatal assaults and violent acts accounted for less than 2% of all non-fatal injuries and illnesses in the U.S. in an average year, there are 23,000 incidents of this nature which resulted in time away from work. Women suffered 57% of the non-fatal assaults and violent acts. Assaults and violent acts by persons include not only physical assaults but also “threats or verbal assaults.” Threats or verbal assaults constituted less than 1% of non-fatal assaults and violent acts by persons; however, women suffered 85% of them.

With regard to fatal occupational injuries, assaults and violent acts accounted for 16% of all such injuries in an average year. One type of assault and violent act - occupational homicide - accounted for 677, or 11%, of all work-related occupational injuries in an average year.

Women and men were almost equally likely to be the victim of homicide at the hands of a work associate - a co-worker, customer, or client. One-fifth of women who were victims of occupational homicide were killed by a husband, an ex-husband, a boyfriend, or an ex-boyfriend. Men are not typically victims of occupational homicide by a wife, an ex-wife, a girlfriend, or an ex-girlfriend. Women make up at least 50% of the workforce.

It is very important for companies in the association to get a grasp on these incidents immediately. Not just for the benefit of worker’s compensation costs, but for the safety of the employees. These incidents addressed could lead to long term consequences for both the companies and their employees.

The association has many resources for its members. They have access to a safety professional and safety handouts. To access these resources please get in touch with Laura Cross-Whiteman at www.guardserviceassociation.com

Report Prepared by Sean A. Nelson