Don`t Sit Still For Back Pain Chock and Block For Safety

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Don’t Sit Still For Back Pain
W
hy do so many of us have back
problems today? In part, it’s the way
our work and lifestyle has evolved. As
people grow more sedentary in an increasingly
automated world, we’re
doing more sitting and
adding extra pounds. As
a result, our backs are
becoming more vulnerable to injury.
Sitting, especially
slouching, is one of the
most common positions during our waking
hours. It also happens
to be one of the worst
positions for our backs, by putting continuous
pressure on the lower back muscles and disks.
Low back pain is a warning that something is
wrong. Recognize this warning and take steps to
prevent a back problem from getting worse. Here
are some helpful suggestions if you sit for long
periods during the course of your workday.
• Choose the right chair, a chair that supports the
length and width of your back with adjustable
armrests and a seat height you can adjust.
• Sit smart. Sit straight and close to your work,
don’t slump forward. Your buttocks should rest
against the back of the seat. Your knees should
stick out a hand’s width beyond the edge of the
chair with your feet resting comfortably on the
floor or footrest.
• Adjust your work height and angle. Your surface
work and keyboard should be at elbow level. If
you work at a computer, the top of your screen
should be at eye level.
• If possible, get up
regularly and stretch
or, shift your sitting
position at least once
every 30 minutes.
Vehicular vibration
adds additional stress
to the backs of those
who drive long distances. Here are some
back comfort tips for
drivers.
• Position the seat forward so that your knees
are bent. If the tilt of the seats can be adjusted,
change the angle slightly every so often.
• Placing a cushion at the small of your back
and sitting in a slightly reclining angle may ease
pressure on your lower back while driving.
• Change your sitting position frequently or get
out of the vehicle every hour and walk around
for a few minutes.
Some other suggestions which reduce stress on
your back include: sleeping on a firm mattress,
controlling your weight, and getting some exercise.
Make sitting a pleasure, not a pain. q
Chock and Block
For Safety
Chocking and blocking prevent accidental or
unintended movement of mobile equipment
and cargo. Chocking the wheels of a truck,
trailer, tractor, or other piece of mobile
equipment provides a physical stopper to the
wheels to prevent runaways that can crush
and injure workers. Blocking stabilizes cargo
loads to prevent shifting and trailer overturns
or provides a physical barrier on equipment to prevent accidental activation during
maintenance.
When chocking, use specially designed truck
wheel chocks of the appropriate size and
material to securely hold the vehicle. Don’t
use lumber, cinder blocks, rocks, or other
make-shift items to chock. Make it easy to
find and use the correct chocking equipment; store chocks inside trailers, truck
rigs and/or other mobile equipment. Keep
chocks available at loading docks; chain the
chocks to the dock to prevent them from
being misplaced.
Use special caution when exiting a truck,
tractor, or other mobile equipment. Ensure
that the brakes are set, the vehicle is at a
complete standstill, and that it will not roll
forward or backward before you exit. If you
are performing maintenance or parking
the vehicle for an extended period of time,
Continued on next page
ISSUE TWO, 2010
Feature Articles
Don’t Sit Still For Back Pain
Chock And Block For Safety
From Our Expert –
Drink…Drink…Drink…Water, That Is
Safety Topic – Burns
Emergency Action Plans
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 0
F R O M O U R E X P ER T
Drink… Drink… Drink… Water, That Is
loss occurs in all environments – cold, mild,
and hot. Drinking plenty of water throughout
the day, even when there is a lack of thirst,
replaces lost fluids.
The body is designed to maintain an internal
temperature of approximately 98.6°F. The body
releases excessive heat by circulating blood to
the capillaries in the upper layers of the skin
thus increasing heat transfer and perspiration. When the body heats up faster than it can
cool itself down, mild to severe heat-related
illnesses may develop.
N
o matter what the time of year; no
matter what the temperature; no matter where you live or work – indoors
or outdoors – staying hydrated is important to
overall health and performance.
Dehydration occurs when the body takes in
substantially less fluid than what is lost through
its normal body processes. The body is nearly
60% water by weight; the loss of just 2.5 liters
(0.66 gallons) per day can adversely affect it,
if not replaced. This natural process of fluid
Heat stress occurs when the body is unable
to release heat and cool itself. According to
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH), when air temperature is equal
to or warmer than the skin, blood brought to
the skin’s surface cannot efficiently release
heat. The body’s main cooling mechanism is
the evaporation of perspiration (or sweat) and
if evaporation cannot occur, the body is unable
to rid itself of excess heat and this natural
cooling process becomes impaired. If the body
cannot release excess heat, it stores it and this
increases the body’s core temperature and
heart rate. Prolonged heat stress can lead
to death.
Increased air temperature, high humidity,
radiant heat, and minimal air circulation can
increase the risk of developing heat-related
illnesses. Other risk factors include: increased
age; body weight/body build; level of physical
fitness; lack of acclimatization; poor nutrition;
fatigue; alcohol or drug use; certain medical
conditions, such as diabetes; wearing personal
protective equipment (PPE), such as nonbreathable protective clothing, hoods, and/or
respirators, as they can increase workload
and/or restrict movement; and, inadequate
water/fluid replacement.
For more information on preventing heat
stress, go to http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/
HeatIllnessInfo.html. ❑
R.J. Banks, MS, CIE is the Senior Ergonomist
for State Fund.
Chock And Block For Safety continued from page 1
chock the wheels. To properly chock a free-standing vehicle, place chocks on the left and right rear
axle wheels. It is safest to chock both the front
and back wheels on both sides of a vehicle. Some
vehicle wheels may also need to be chocked at the
front and back of each tire.
Ensure that trailers are firmly placed against the
loading dock edges and prevent rollaways by using
chocks. Place chocks on the left and right wheels
that are closest to the loading dock. This placement allows a forklift to push down on the trailer
wheels and seat them more firmly against the
chock. If only the front axle is chocked, a forklift
could push the trailer forward and loosen the
chock or cause the wheel to jump the chock. The
driver, dock workers, and forklift drivers share the
responsibility to ensure that the truck and trailer
wheels are properly chocked. Never drive a forklift
into a trailer until you ensure that the wheels are
properly chocked. Ensure that the trailer floor
is in good condition and that it can support the
weight of the forklift and its load.
Block or secure trailer cargo to prevent the load
from shifting during transit and unloading. Shift-
ing loads can strike, injure, and engulf workers
while a sudden shift in center of gravity can
overturn a trailer. Securely block all cargo, not
just wheeled equipment and round items (e.g.,
wire reels). Block items separately and on all four
sides using lumber thick enough to prevent cargo
movement. Don’t use other freight or cargo as a
block. When performing maintenance on equipment that could pose a pinch hazard, block it to
prevent accidental activation. ❑
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
Burns
Burns can be caused by a number of sources: heat,
electricity, chemicals or radiation. Stay alert to the
potential burn hazards on your job, wear personal
protective equipment when necessary, and learn the
basics for burn first aid. Quick action and proper first
aid can lessen the effects of a burn and, in some cases,
save a life.
Contact with extreme heat in any form causes burns.
The first action in a burn situation is to stop the heat
source or break contact between the heat source and
the skin. Because the body holds heat and continues
to burn until the skin cools, even with a minor burn,
a person can go into shock. For most burns, cool the
burn with water. Unless told to by a medical professional, never use butter or ointments, which may seal
in heat and cause infection. Never break a burn blister;
it protects the burn area from infection.
For burns caused by electricity, turn off the electric
El contacto con el calor extremo en cualquier forma
puede causar quemaduras. Lo primero que se debe
hacer en una situación de quemadura es eliminar la
fuente de calor o romper el contacto entre la fuente
de calor y la piel de la víctima. Debido a que el cuerpo
retiene el calor y continúa quemándose hasta que la
piel se enfríe, aun con una quemadura leve, la víctima
puede caer en estado de shock. Para la mayoría de las
quemaduras, se debe enfriar la piel con agua. A no ser
que lo indique un profesional médico, nunca se deben
usar mantequilla ni ungüentos, los cuales pueden
retener el calor y causar una infección. Nunca rompa
la ampolla de una quemadura, ya que ésta protege el
área contra infecciones.
Para las quemaduras causadas por la electricidad,
T w o,
2 0 1 0
Topic Review/
Revisión Del Tema
Instructor _________________________
power at the source. Don’t touch the victim until all
wires are clear. Make sure the victim’s breathing and
heartbeat are regular and seek medical attention immediately.
If the burn is from a chemical, locate the chemical
container and follow the label directions for treatment,
consult the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or call
the Poison Control Center. Remove any contaminated
clothing. If the eyes are affected, flush for 15-30
minutes. For acid chemicals, immediately flush the
area for 15-20 minutes. For dry chemicals, brush the
chemical off the skin – but not with bare hands – and
then flush it for 15-20 minutes. Get professional medical attention as soon as possible.
Stay alert to possible burn hazards, use all recommended protection devices, know the location of wash
stations, and know where emergency phone numbers
are posted. ❑ ❑
Quemaduras
Las quemaduras pueden ser causadas por varias
razones: calor, electricidad, sustancias químicas o
radiación. Manténgase alerta a los peligros potenciales de quemaduras en su trabajo, use los equipos de
protección personal cuando sean necesarios y aprenda los conocimientos básicos de primeros auxilios
para quemaduras. Una acción rápida y los primeros
auxilios apropiados pueden disminuir los efectos de la
quemadura y, en algunos casos, hasta salvar una vida.
I s s u e
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Attended by / Asistente(s)
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desconecte el suministro eléctrico en su fuente. No
toque a la víctima hasta que todos los conductores eléctricos queden libres. Asegúrese de que la
respiración y el ritmo cardíaco de la víctima se hayan
normalizado y busque atención médica de inmediato.
Si la quemadura ha sido causada por una sustancia
química, busque el envase de la sustancia y siga las
indicaciones de tratamiento contenidas en la etiqueta,
consulte la Hoja de Datos de Seguridad de Materiales
(MSDS, por sus siglas en inglés), o llame a un centro
de control de envenenamiento (Poison Control Center). Quítele a la víctima la ropa contaminada. Si han
sido afectados los ojos, lávelos con agua durante 15 a
30 minutos. En caso de ácidos, lave con agua el área
afectada de inmediato durante 15 a 20 minutos. Para
sustancias químicas en polvo, quite la sustancia de la
piel con una brocha o cepillo suave – nunca con las
manos – y luego lave el área durante 15 a 20 minutos.
Obtenga atención médica lo más pronto posible.
Manténgase alerta a los posibles peligros de quemadura, use todos los dispositivos de protección
recomendados, conozca la ubicación de las estaciones
de lavado y sepa dónde están escritos los números de
teléfono para emergencias.����❑ ❑
Safety Recommendations /
Recomendaciones de seguridad
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Safety News
News About Occupational Safety and Health in
ISSUE TWO
2010
Trades & Services
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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
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This Newsletter
Emergency Action Plans
Employer Education Series
Workplace emergencies can happen unexpectedly,
but with an action plan in place and workers trained
to respond quickly and appropriately, efficiency can
be optimized, damage and injuries can be minimized,
and, in some cases, lives can be saved. An Emergency
Action Plan details what actions will be taken to
ensure personal safety in an emergency. Review your
company’s Plan, train all workers in its elements, and
update the plan periodically or whenever the plan,
personnel, equipment or worksite changes.
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.
Your Plan should describe in detail what actions
would be taken by whom for emergencies likely to
occur in your workplace. It should include procedures for reporting emergencies, activating alarms,
equipment shutdown, rescue, escape, first aid, and
employee accounting. Make sure workers know and
understand their role in the Plan for various emergency scenarios. Training and random emergency drills
should be held at least annually to allow workers to
practice the response procedures.
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.scif.com and click on Seminars. q
For help with your Plan, visit State Fund at
www.statefundca.com, California’s Office of Emergency Services at www.oes.ca.gov/, or the Federal
Emergency Management Agency at www.fema.gov/. q
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 GroupPrograms 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.
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 Trades & Services 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: Judy Kerry
© State Compensation Insurance Fund 2010
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