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Safety News
Making California Workplaces Safer
N e w s
A b o u t
O c c u p a t i o n a l
S a f e t y
a n d
H e a l t h
i n
Find it at StateFundCA.com!
I
t can be a tremendous
undertaking for employers to keep up to date
on what’s happening in their
industry – familiarizing themselves with new legal requirements that pertain to their
work situation, find training
and educational materials to
keep their employees safe, and access compliance
documents or programs.
Visit our newly redesigned www.statefundca.com
to access a wide range of resources, information,
and services. Navigate to the “Employers” section,
then “Safety & Seminars”. Once there you will have to
access to:
Seminars & Employer Education Series – Employers can find a schedule of State Fund-sponsored,
year-round, informational and training seminars in
various locations throughout the state. Seminar topics
are timely and specifically selected to address the
safety and compliance concerns of employers and aid
them in keeping their employees safe on the job.
Programs and Forms – State Fund has available
two programs on its website that can be downloaded
and customized – the employer-required Injury and
Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) and a Sample
Ergonomics Program. Also on the website for download are: the New Employee’s Guide to Workers’
Compensation brochure, the Notice to Employees
posting notice (which employers are required to
distribute to employees), the Cal/OSHA Injury
Summary (Log 300), and a copy
of the Employer’s Report of
Occupational Injury and Illness
(form 3067).
Safety Meeting Topics and
Loss Control Bulletins –
California law requires employers to provide periodic safety
training to their employees. And,
sometimes it’s difficult for employers to find topics
unique to their work site activities. On our website,
State Fund has listed over 320 different safety topics
in English with Spanish translations; downloadable articles include a convenient sign-in sheet for
recordkeeping. We also have Loss Control Bulletins
that keep employers informed of recent laws or new
safety and health issues.
ErgoMatters – Ergomatters are short articles written by State Fund’s team of ergonomics experts. Each
article is designed to provide technical or background information on a specific issue pertaining to
ergonomics in the workplace.
Safety Newsletters – State Fund quarterly publishes
a selection of industry-specific newsletters. Copies
of all newsletters appear on the website and can
be viewed and/or downloaded for safety and health
training and instructional purposes.
These are just a sampling of the wealth of information that can be found on State Fund’s website. Visit
www.statefundca.com today and see what other
products and professional services are available to
assist you. q
CONSTRUCTION
Safe & Straight
to the Point
Punctures and cuts are frequently occurring injuries that happen on the job. The
best way to prevent these types of injuries is
to avoid getting them in the first place.
Make sure to follow safe work practices
and use your tools correctly, making sure to
inspect, maintain, and replace them when
necessary. Always use the appropriate tool
for the job and make sure that blades on
cutting tools are sharpened as dull cutting
surfaces can cause accidents. Be wary of
hand positioning while you are working
with sharp tools. Practice good housekeeping by sheathing and storing sharp cutting
tools and placing these tools far back on
shelves and workbenches and not against
the edge where they may cause injury.
Wear the correct personal protective
equipment (PPE) for the job such as safety
glasses, work boots, gauntlets, and chaps.
Use a broom and dustpan, or cardboard
to pick up broken glass or metal shards,
and never pick up broken glass with your
hands. Sharp objects should be disposed
of in rigid sided containers that are puncture and spill resistant. These containers
should be labeled “sharp” to warn others
of the hazard.
Continued on next page
ISSUE TWO, 2011
Feature Articles
Find it at StateFundCA.com!
Safe & Straight to the Point
From Our Expert – The Ergonomics of the Tablet Computer
Safety Topic –
Wood Truss Construction
Your Gear Needs Care
In Each Issue
Employer Education Series
Reporting Injuries
S a f e t y
N e w s S t a t e
C o m p e n s a t i o n
I n s u r a n c e
F u n d I s s u e
T w o ,
2 0 1 1
FROM OUR EXPERT
The Ergonomics of the Tablet Computer
time without support can cause discomfort.
Additionally, the other fingers of the dominant
hand must be held out of the way so that they
do not accidently touch the screen.
T
hey are everywhere these days, tablet
computers that use a touch screen operated with a finger or stylus. Whether
they are used for web surfing or as input
devices for inspection, sales, customer service or healthcare; and whether they have 10”
screens or screens the size of a phone, tablet
computers have safety and health concerns
for the user.
The main issue is how these devices are held.
The non-dominant hand has to hold the device
while the dominant hand uses precise finger
movements to touch the screen. While tablets
are generally very light, holding even a 1.5 lb
weight in a fixed position for long periods of
Because there is no separate monitor, the
position of the user’s neck is bent forward in
order to see the screen. These issues can lead
to discomfort in the hands, arms and shoulders
holding the device and those interacting with
the screen as well as the user’s neck. All of
these issues can be amplified when the tablet is
used for extensive keying.
Typically the tablets offer a backlit display
screen and while this makes reading in dark areas convenient a poorly adjusted backlit screen
can lead to eye discomfort and headaches.
Tips for Reducing Risk:
Despite these limitations tablets can offer
a powerful and mobile computing option
for gathering data, research and a myriad
of other uses. Keep in mind these tips for tablet
use and reduce the risk of pain and discomfort.
•Don’t buy a larger screen than necessary,
Safe & Straight to the Point continued from page 1
Never reach into a garbage can with your hands or
try to “tamp” it down with your hands or booted
feet, in case someone has improperly disposed
of a sharp object or even a syringe. To properly
dispose of syringes, pick them up with tongs and
place them into hard plastic medical “sharps”
waste containers.
Notify your supervisor immediately if you receive
a puncture or cut on the job. If you suspect infec-
tion, seek immediate medical attention. If your
wound was caused by stepping on a nail or other
sharp object in contact with the soil, you may
be exposed to the bacteria that causes tetanus.
Consider getting regular boosters for tetanus every
five to ten years. If your wound was caused by a
needlestick, seek medical testing and treatment
due to a potential exposure to blood borne pathogens. Consider a Hepatitis B vaccination if you are
exposed to potential needlesticks. q
smaller, lighter models may be all you need
while still providing the computer power
needed and be easier to hold.
•If using the tablet for reading, consider an
adjustable stand.
•If you must use the tablet for extensive keying, purchase an external keyboard. Many
tablets allow the use of wireless Bluetooth
keyboards.
•If you use a tablet in the field, use a case with
a strap which reduces the need to hold the
tablet.
•Ensure the brightness of the display is properly adjusted.
•If using a stylus purchase a model with a
larger grip which reduces the need for tight,
pinched fingers.
•Take plenty of hand and eye breaks. q
–Helen Chandler, CIE
State Fund Ergonomist
S a f e t y
N e w s
S t a t e
C o m p e n s a t i o n
I n s u r a n c e
F u n d
Safety Topic / Temas de Seguridad
Wood Truss Construction
Wood trusses help create large, open living and work
spaces. Trusses are strong because of their triangular
components fastened together. However, improper truss
construction can come tumbling down like a house of
cards and injure workers.
The truss installation crew and crane operator should
coordinate their efforts by creating a job plan. The plan
should include information on where the trusses will be
built, stored, in what order they will be installed, and
how they will be fastened and secured.
Before beginning construction, examine the framing
system and trusses to ensure that they are solid and
stable. To protect the stability of the trusses, store
them properly by supporting them off of the ground on
platforms, etc. Don’t cut, drill or alter trusses unless
you have explicit instructions to do so from the truss
manufacturer.
Make sure stored trusses are kept bundled together so
they don’t slide and shift. Loose trusses should be stored
and horizontally stacked. Move trusses in the upright
position using the top chords as anchor points. Don’t
lift or move truss bundles using their storage banding,
it could give way suddenly and drop the load. Don’t let
trusses bend laterally, they could break suddenly and
cause injuries.
Install and secure trusses according to the building
design plan. Ensure that trusses are properly secured
with restraints at all required points so they don’t topple
over. Install structural sheathing on the trusses as you go
to cover, protect, and stabilize them. Don’t store equipment and materials on truss systems unless they meet
the load capacity.
Before truss construction, understand construction
site safety rules. Use the personal protective equipment
required to do the job safely. Use fall protection where
needed with proper harnesses and anchor points. Use
a crane safely by getting required certification and following good hoisting procedures. q
Construcción con cerchas de madera
Las cerchas de madera ayudan a crear grandes espacios
abiertos en los que vivir y trabajar. Las cerchas son
resistentes debido a que sus componentes triangulares
se sujetan entre sí. No obstante, las construcciones con
cerchas mal ejecutadas pueden derrumbarse como un
castillo de naipes y lastimar a los trabajadores.
Las personas encargadas de la instalación de las cerchas
y el operador de la grúa deben coordinar sus funciones
mediante la creación de un plan de trabajo. El plan debe
incluir información referente a dónde se construirán
y almacenarán las cerchas, así como en qué orden se
instalarán y cómo se sujetarán y afianzarán.
Antes de comenzar la construcción, examine la armadura
y las cerchas con el fin de asegurarse de que sean sólidas
y estables. Para proteger la estabilidad de las cerchas, se
deben almacenar apropiadamente, colocándolas sin que
toquen el piso, en plataformas, etc. No corte, perfore ni
altere las cerchas a menos de que el fabricante de éstas
dé instrucciones explícitas para ello.
Asegúrese de que las cerchas almacenadas se agrupen
juntas, de modo que no se deslicen ni se corran. Las
cerchas sueltas deben almacenarse y apilarse horizontalmente. Mueva las cerchas en posición vertical usando
los tirantes superiores como puntos de apoyo. No levante
ni mueva las cerchas agrupadas usando sus cintas de
almacenamiento, ya que podrían ceder repentinamente
y dejar caer la carga. No permita que las cerchas se
doblen lateralmente dado que podrían quebrarse súbitamente y causar lesiones.
Instale y afiance las cerchas de acuerdo con el plan de
diseño de la construcción. Asegúrese de que las cerchas
estén bien sujetas con dispositivos de fijación en todos
los puntos requeridos, de modo que no se vengan
abajo. Instale revestimiento estructural en las cerchas a
medida que las va instalando para cubrirlas, protegerlas
y estabilizarlas. No almacene equipos ni materiales en
las cerchas a menos de que éstas satisfagan la capacidad
de carga.
Antes de construir con cerchas es necesario entender
las reglas de seguridad de la obra. Use los equipos de
protección personal requeridos para realizar el trabajo
de un modo seguro. Use dispositivos de protección
contra caídas donde sea necesario, con arneses y puntos
de apoyo adecuados. Las grúas deben utilizarse con seguridad, obteniendo para ello la certificación correspondiente y siguiendo los procedimientos apropiados para
elevar objetos pesados. q
I s s u e
T w o ,
2 0 1 1
Topic Review/
Revisión del Tema
Instructor _________________________
Date / Fecha_______________________
Location / Ubicación_________________
Attended by / Asistente(s)
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Safety Recommendations /
Recomendaciones de seguridad
__________________________________
__________________________________
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__________________________________
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Safety News
News About Occupational Safety and Health in
ISSUE TWO
2011
CONSTRUCTION
Prsrt Std
US Postage Paid
Permit 803
Zip Code 92887
Loss Control Services
P.O. BOX 420807
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94142-0807
Please forward to the person responsible for your safety program
Your Gear Needs Care
It is important to make sure personal protective equipment (PPE) ensures the maximum level of protection
for the job while also being aware of its limitations. It
is vital to keep and maintain the PPE in good working
condition.
Hard hats should be subject to periodic cleaning and
daily inspection for holes, cracks, tears, and other
damage. They should be kept out of the heat, and
replaced if any perforation or cracking is found.
Eye protection should fit properly, be comfortable,
and provide unrestricted vision and movement. Eye
protection should be durable and cleanable and must
be disinfected each time if the device is being shared
among workers.
Protective gloves should be visually inspected for any
tears, or punctures. Filling the gloves with air and
tightly rolling the cuff towards the fingers will reveal
any pinhole-sized leaks. Discolored or stiff gloves may
be sign of excessive use or degradation.
Safety footwear must be inspected prior to each use.
Check for cracks, holes, broken buckles, and the soles
for any embedded materials.
For an in depth breakdown on the use and care of PPE,
visit www.dir.ca.gov/title8/sb7g2a10.html q
Remember To Recycle
This Newsletter
Employer Education Series
State Fund continues to promote community educational outreach by increasing the quantity and frequency of employer seminars. These seminars are produced and sponsored by State Fund and are open to State Fund policyholders.
The seminar topics cover all aspects of worker’s compensation and are offered statewide.
As part of State Fund’s Employer Education Series, the local State Fund Loss Control departments offer safety seminars
dedicated to loss prevention. They feature safety training targeted to specific industries and safety topics of interest to
California employers. Various programs in the series are developed in conjunction with State Fund insured Group
Programs and external affiliates and partners. Some of these partners are occupational safety and health providers
such as Cal/OSHA Consultation Service, the Department of Health Services, and the University of California.
The goal of State Fund’s Employer Education Series is to present valuable information from recognized safety and
health experts to enable employers to reduce the frequency and severity of workplace injuries, facilitate regulatory
compliance, and increase business profits.
The program venues provide the opportunity for attendees to have their workplace safety questions immediately and
personally answered by industry experts. The typically half-day seminars are usually held at regional State Fund offices.
To learn what programs are scheduled in your area, visit www.statefundca.com and click on Seminars. q
Reporting Work-Related Injuries
State Fund’s Claims Reporting Center (1-888-222-3211) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for policyholders
to report injuries as soon as they occur. Agents will do the necessary paperwork to get the claim started and refer the
injured to the designated physician or provider.
Within 8 hours of any serious illness or injury (requiring hospitalization over 24 hours, other than for medical observation or where there is permanent employee disfiguration) or death occurring in the workplace or in connection with
employment, employers must report the incident to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health. q
This Construction Safety News is produced by the Safety and Health Services Department of State Fund to assist clients in their loss control efforts. Information or
recommendations contained in this publication were obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the date of publication. Information is only advisory and does not
presume to be exhaustive or inclusive of all workplace hazards or situations. Permission to reprint articles subject to approval by State Compensation Insurance Fund.
Published by State Compensation Insurance Fund’s Safety and Health Services Department. Editor: Sunil Sharma; Managing Editor: Gennenia Gordon
© State Compensation Insurance Fund 2011
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