Spring is here and we’re getting into the Tornado season for this area. It’s important to review what the various National Weather Service alerts mean. See the FREAS SharePoint page under Safety for more information on this topic and previous Weekly Safety Messages.
The orderly arrangement of work areas is vital to the safety of all workers, regardless of whether they are involved with machines and tools or with appliances and furniture. Approx. 6,000 persons are killed on the job annually in the United States, and an estimated 19,500 in home accidents. 17% of the on-the-job deaths are caused by falls. When each of us keeps their own area in order, the whole plant is a safer place to work.
Whether it happens at work, on the golf course or on the boat, overexertion continues to be a leading cause of injury over all age groups. It was the second leading reason (after falls) that adults age 25-64 ended up in emergency departments in 2013. Overexertion causes 35% of all work-related injuries and is, by far, the largest contributor to workers’ compensation costs. It also is the #1 reason for lost work days. More than 322,00 people missed work in 2016 due to overexertion.
When we hear about CTS – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome we often think this injury is associated with office personnel who work at a computer station all day long. The truth is CTS can happen to any of us who perform a repetitive motion task, or uses a tool not designed for the job we are doing. Use the right tool and the right position when performing any assigned task.
