Beatitudes Community

Hearing Safety

Noise-related hearing loss is a major occupational health concern. Thousands of workers annually suffer from hearing loss because of high workplace noise levels. Even when it’s short-term, noise can cause a temporary change in hearing. Noise is measured in decibels (dBA). A small increase in decibels results in a huge change in the noise and then potential damage to a person’s hearing.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) sets legal limits of 90 dBA on workplace noise exposure. These limits are based on a worker’s time weighted average during an 8-hour day. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that workers’ exposures be controlled below 85 dBA for 8 hours to minimize occupational noise-induced hearing loss. which limits your ability to hear high frequency sounds, understand speech and seriously impairs your ability to communicate.

Noise may be a problem in the workplace if:

  • You hear ringing or humming in your ears when you leave work.
  • You have to shout to be heard by a co-worker an arm’s length away.
  • You experience temporary hearing loss when leaving work.

Make sure you are using the proper Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs) such as earmuffs and plugs.

For more information visit www.copperpoint.com and view the Hearing Safety 1 & 2 videos.

Healthcare Worker Falls

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says slips, trips and falls are the second most common cause of lost-workday injuries in hospitals.

The top 10 slips, trips, and falls hazards are contaminants on the floor, poor drainage of pipes and drains, indoor walking surface irregularities, outdoor walking surface irregularities, ice or snow, inadequate lighting, stairs and handrails, step-stools and ladders, clutter, loose cords, hoses, wires and medical tubing, and improper use of floor mats and runners.

Research shows that among injured heathcare workers who filed workers compensation injury claims, knees, ankles and feet were the body parts most commonly injured from slips, trips and falls; most often these actions resulted in sprains, strains, dislocations and tears. These workers also are more likely to suffer fractures and multiple injuries than when they suffered other types of injuries.

Here are some helpful steps for injury prevention:

  • Follow the housekeeping program.
  • Watch for changes in walkway elevation, including where handrails and stairways occur. Watch out for yellow safety lines that warn you of these changes.
  • Use proper cleaning procedures for floors such as a two step mopping process rather than damp mopping.
  • Stay away from wet areas or go around.
  • Wear proper footwear for your are of work such as slip resistant shoes.
  • Keep the walkways clear of debris if you see any.
  • Make sure mats are placed properly in areas where the floor is routinely wet.
  • Report loose or warped carpeting or buckled or broken tile so it can be replaced.
  • Make sure to use ladders and stepladders properly.
  • Eliminate clutter from your work area.

For more tips on how to maintain a safe work environment visit www.copperpoint.com

 

Senior Driving Safety: CarFit at Beatitudes

With years of experience, older drivers are some of the safest drivers.  In fact, older drivers are more likely to wear seatbelts and less likely to speed or drink and drive.  However, older drivers, who do experience accidents, are at greater risk of serious injury, due to greater bone fragility.  Older drivers are also more likely to have physical, visual, hearing and memory impairments that can influence their ability to drive safely, and it can be difficult to know when to make the decision to stop driving.

Thankfully, there are a variety of programs and resources that can help keep senior drivers stay safe on the road despite many of these challenges.  From 9AM-1PM on October 29th, Beatitudes Campus will be cooperating with the NAU Occupational Therapy Program and AARP to host our second annual CarFit event.  CarFitcarfit-large is an educational program that offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles “fit” them.  The CarFit program also provides information and materials on community-specific resources that could enhance their safety as drivers, and/or increase their mobility in the community.

At the upcoming CarFit event, a team of trained occupational therapy CarFit technicians will work with each participant to ensure they “fit” their vehicle properly for maximum comfort and safety.  Each CarFit check takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.  During the check, the CarFit technicians will review 12 items, such as line-of sight, proper steering wheel tilt, positioning of airbag and head rest, mirror alignment and neck mobility for blind spot checks.  The CarFit technicians will also offer ideas for simple equipment and devices for those who have difficulty getting in and out of their vehicle or reaching the seatbelt.

Additionally, for those who are interested in learning more about whether and when it may be a good idea to stop or limit driving, there will be resources provided for senior driving evaluations, senior driver rehabilitation, top signs that it’s time to stop driving, and how to talk to loved ones about when to give up the keys.

Space is limited at the Saturday, October 29th CarFit event, and residents are required to make appointments.  Please contact Jessica Meyer at x16110 (@jmeyer) to learn more and book your CarFit appointment.

Driving Skills

Here on campus a large number of our employees drive whether it be to and from work or in their own time for running errands. Driving can be a huge risk. Just in Arizona alone there were 116,609 crashes in 2015, 54,449 of which where either fatal or led to an injury. We are headed into peak seasons for car crashes which are at their worst in December according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Here are some tips to help you become a safer driver.

Skids:

  • Prevent skids by driving slowly and carefully, especially on curves.
  • If you find yourself in a skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas and carefully steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. If your car has anti-lock brakes, brake firmly as you “steer into the skid.” This procedure with bring the back end of your car in line with the front. For cars without ABS, avoid using your brakes.

Hydroplaning:

  • Hydroplaning occurs when your tires lose contact with the road and ride on a layer of water; you lose control of your vehicle and are unable to maneuver.
  • To avoid this, keep your tires properly inflated, maintain good tread on your tires and replace them when necessary, slow down when roads are wet and stay away from puddles. Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you.
  • If you find yourself hydroplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly; your car could skid. Ease your foot off the gas until the car slows and you can feel the road again. If you need to brake and your car has ABS, brake normally. If you do not have ABS, brake gently with light pumping actions.

Drive defensively. Defensive drivers adjust their speed to wet road conditions in time to avoid driving in a skid or hydroplaning.

Alcohol adds risk. Alcohol is a leading factor in fatal traffic crashes, playing a part in about half of all motor vehicle-related deaths. More fatal crashes take place on weekend nights than at any other time in the week.

Take precautions when driving at night. Traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day. Be aware of special hazards at night and effective ways to deal with them.

  • Darkness: 90% of a driver’s reaction depends on vision, and vision is limited severely at night. Older drivers have even greater difficulties seeing at night. A 50-year-old driver may need twice as much light to see as well as a 30-year old. If there is any doubt, turn your headlights on. Lights will not help you see better in twilight, but they’ll make it easier for other drivers to see you. Being seen is as important as seeing.
  • Fatigue: Drowsiness makes driving more difficult by dulling concentration  and slowing reaction time. Signs of drowsiness include eyes closing or going out of focus, persistent yawning and inability to remember driving the last few miles. Get off the road and take a short nap in a well-lit area. Avoid driving between midnight and 6AM. Make frequent stops for light snacks and exercise.
  • Avoiding collisions: It is more difficult to judge other vehicles’ speeds and distances at night. Reduce your speed and increase your following distance to avoid collisions.

For more information please visit copperpoint.com or azdot.gov.

Driving Safely on Campus

Some times it’s easy to forget some driving rules here on campus so we wanted to give you a little reminder.

Please remember to use the entrance gates on 17th Drive as they were intended. Do not go through the exit gate after a car has left. That is a one way and could lead to a potential accident for people not paying attention

Also, the speed limit on campus is 15mph. Do not speed around campus. Residents could jump out from behind cars more quickly than you realize and you could easily hit them. Break when going around corners as your vision is limited and you could run into something or someone.

There are stop signs around campus too and they need to be followed. Do not do the classic “California” stop of just rolling through the stop sign. Come to a complete stop and then continue.

The two empty spaces by Plaza South near the loading zone are not parking spaces. Remind family and residents if you see anyone parking there that it is not designated for that.

Finally you must park your car before clocking in. Clocking in and then parking your car is considered time theft as you are not working and that can take up to another 15 minutes before you actually get to your work station.

If we can keep our driving safe then we can keep our residents safe. Thank you all for helping us do this!

Back Pain

low-back-pain-blue_02Did you know your back in the most injury prone part of your body? Most people suffer from back pain at some time in their lives. Back pain can affect anyone – men, women, desk workers, laborers, young and old. Billions of dollars are spent each year on thousands of occupational back injuries. Your back is a complex support system comprising four main components: the spine, the spinal cord, nerves and more than 400 muscles. Four common problems can affect the back: strain/fatigue, fractured vertebra, herniated disk and disease such as arthritis or infection.

Reasons for these potential problems include

  • Poor physical condition. Poor posture (slouching, rounded shoulders, etc.), lack of exercise and excess weight can contribute significantly to swayback (excess forward curving of the back) and weakened muscles.
  • Chronic strain. Any job that requires you to sit or stand partially bent over for long periods of time can result in excess muscle stress. Partial forward bending without change of position or reaching directly forward puts strain on both sides of the back. Bending over to one side puts strain on the opposite side.

Over time you may develop less resistance to strain. As chronic strain continues, muscles become less able to withstand strenuous activity and grow more prone to injury. General fatigue, tension and weakness also leave you vulnerable to back injuries. Working too long, too hard or holding the back in a fixed position can cause tension, tired muscles, weakness and less control of movement.

What can you do to prevent or relieve back strain? By following a few simple techniques, you can alleviate a great deal of stress from your back.

  • Change positions frequently if possible. Shift weight by altering feet on a footrest during standing jobs or by taking periodic breaks away from your desk or terminal.
  • Stretch periodically throughout the day.
  • Adjust working heights to prevent slumping or excess reaching.
  • Relax! Let your shoulders and neck muscles go limp. Swivel your head gently and let it drop all the way forward.
  • When standing, stand tall with head held high, abdomen flat and chest slightly up and forward.
  • When sitting, keep knees level with hips and support lower back with a firm cushion.
  • Sleep on a firm mattress or use a bed board between the spring and mattress. Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
  • When lifting an item, always bend at the knees first and slowly raise up, lifting with your legs.

For more back saving tips or any safety information visit scfaz.com.

Preventing Workplace Violence

Workplace violence is an unfortunate reality affecting hundreds of thousands of workers each year. It can result in injuries and death, property damage and lost profits. It can also cause emotional scars that can last for years. You can help prevent workplace violence by knowing how to spot the warning signs and how to respond to them.

Anyone is capable of violence but people who commit violence usually have one or more of the following traits:

  • A history of violence
  • Fascinations with weapons and violence
  • Use of alcohol or other drugs
  • Family and work problems
  • Low self-esteem
  • Physical and/or emotional problems

There isn’t one single motive for workplace violence however there are some factors that contribute to violent acts. Job related stress or frustrations, revenge for being fired or rejected for promotion, fear of losing your job, romantic interest that is rejected from your coworker, and family or money problems.

Again, anyone can become violent, depending on the circumstances. This includes visitors, customers, clients and coworkers. Paying close attention to what people say and do is key to preventing a potential act of workplace violence. Following are some possible warning signs to look for, but remember, not everyone who shows these signs will become violent; however it is best to be cautious if such behavior occurs. The person may use an angry or threatening tone, shout, scream, or curse, challenge rules or authority, make unreasonable demands, talk irrationally, pace nervously, make violent gestures, carry a weapon, stagger, slur their speech or would show other signs of being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

It is important to follow your employer’s guidelines when responding to workplace violence. Every situation is unique, and your response must depend on your training and judgement. Your goal is to prevent harm to yourself and others. Here are some helpful guidelines:

  • Take immediate action to protect yourself. Stay calm and follow your employer’s procedures. If possible, leave the area and call for help. If you can’t easily call for help, use a prearranged warning signal to alert coworkers
  • Stay calm and alert.
  • Be supportive and listen to the person. Don’t interrupt or respond with defensive words or angry gestures. Maintain eye contact without staring.
  • Offer the person choices. Suggest ways to solve the problem. Give the person an option out of the situation if possible.
  • Do not try to disarm or restrain the person. Try to calm the person until security or the police arrive.

All acts of violence, physical and verbal, should be reported, according to our procedures. Provide as many facts as possible. Consider seeking counseling after a violent incident, even if your weren’t directly involved. Help is available through our chaplains and HR staff for counselors.

For more information you can visit www.scfaz.com.

Sun Safety Challenge Winners

The Sun Safety Challenge has come to an end. Thank you to all the participants! The winners are:

Valerie Medina who won the $100 Sunglass Hut gift card.

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Andrew Moore who won the beach pop up tent.

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Mahree Morin who won the cooling towel.

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Congratulations to all three. We are currently not starting a new Wellness Challenge but they will be back soon so keep your eyes out for when we release one.

Sun Safety Challenge

The hydration has ended and the Challenge has begun. Did you miss your chance to pick up a tracking sheet at last month’s All Staff? Stop by the HR office any time from cool-cactus-18780927AM to 4:30PM and grab yours and start tracking.

To compete, just wear sunscreen that has a rating of SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 or higher every day. Try to reapply the sunscreen every two hours, especially if you get wet, to stay protected all day.
Also, wear either sunglasses or a hat each time you go outside. Each day you do these things you can check off a sunscreen bottle or a cactus on your tracking sheet

The contest will run from July 21st to September 1st. Please turn in your tracking sheets by September 5th to be entered in the raffle. Prizes include a Cooling Towel, Easy Pop-Up Tent, and a $100 Gift Card to Sunglass Hut!

Keeping an Eye on Safety

Wearing the right type of eye protection equipment is the key to preventing most on-the-job eye injuries. Regular glasses do not provide adequate protection, and contact lenses are never a substitute for safety gear. There are many types of eye protection, many of which can fit over prescription glasses.51nEM2JsWlL._SY445_

Choosing the right eye protection is essential. If you work where there is airborne dust or grit, danger of flying particles or splashing chemicals you need eye protection. Choose the protective eyewear best suited for your job.

  • Glasses with impact resistant lenses that have side shields provide adequate protection for most types of work.
  • Flexible fitting or cushion-fitting goggles fit easily over prescription glasses and provide both front and side protection.
  • Special purpose eyewear, such as chemical or chipping goggles, provide maximum protection from fumes and flying debris.
  • Full face shields may be worn in addition to protective eyewear for maximum facial protection.

All lenses, frames and transparent shields should meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. Check with your supervisor if in doubt.

There are three important rules for all protective eyewear used on the job:

  1. Be sure it fits right. Eyewear should never interfere with body movement. Choose appropriate protective eyewear that fits firmly but not tightly.
  2. Maintain it properly. Check your equipment daily, inspecting for scratches cracks or other defects. Repair or replace lenses as needed. Equipment should be clearly labeled with your name and stored in a clean, dry area.
  3. Wear it. The best safety equipment in the world is no good unless you use it.

It is important at work to know locations of eyewash stations, face-washing units and first-aid equipment. Complete all required training and know how to use emergency equipment. Report accidents to your supervisor and get medical help immediately.

For more information please visit www.copperpoint.com.

Eye protection at work could eliminate 90% of eye injuries. Listen to hear how easy it is to protect your eyes on the job. http://www.thesafetybrief.com

 http://www.creativesafetysupply.com

Hand Protection on the Job

Tara and I recently went to an OSHA 10-Hour General Industry which went over many work place hazards and OSHA regulations. It was very eye opening how many terrible things could happen to just your hands in the work place.

Safety, it’s in your hands. Whether you’re a machine operator, a lab technician, or an office worker, your hands are one of your most important “tools”. By recognizing hand hazards, following download (1)established safety guidelines, and using protective guards, shields, gloves and other personal protective devices as needed, you can save your hands from injury.

Be alert around machinery at all times. Cutting, puncture and crushing hazards can be avoided by:

  • Using “helpers” such as push sticks and brushes to avoid placing hands in dangerous areas.
  • Never removing or tampering with safety devices such a guards or kill switches.
  • Disconnecting power when adjusting, cleaning or repairing machinery. Follow proper lockout/tagout procedures.
  • Removing watches and other jewelry before working with machinery, Don’t wear gloves around moving machine parts. Never wear gloves containing metal around electrical machinery.

Chemical hazards are a common cause of dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). Signs include sores, blisters, or dry skin that gets infected easily. For protection against chemical hazards:

  • Wear gloves and other personal protective equipment that are appropriate for the hazards you face. Remove gloves last, after taking off other protective clothing.
  • Wash hands often, especially after exposure to irritating substances and before eating, smoking or leaving the workplace.
  • Use appropriate cleaners to wash hands.
  • Clean or change work clothes as often as necessary.
  • Read the labels and Safety Data Sheets for any chemicals you use. Follow recommended safety precautions.

There are seven types of hand protection. Choosing the right type of glove for hand protection is important. Cover up all exposed skin, make sure it fits snugly, and use additional protection such as barrier creams or gloves liners when necessary. Proper glove selection varies, depending on the nature of your work:

  • Metal mesh – for those who use knives or cutting tools
  • Insulated –  protect against electric shock
  • Leather – protect against sparks, rough surfaces and bruises
  • Lead-lined –  protect against exposure to radiation
  • Rubber or vinyl – protect against corrosive chemicals
  • Cloth – protect against moderate heat and moderately sharp edges
  • Disposable plastic – Guard the wearer and/or the substance handled (i.e, food server)

Hidden hazards: repetitive motion injuries. Long-term exposure to regularly repeated movements may cause repetitive motion injuries. These injuries can be overlooked as they often occur during routine work activities such as lifting, twisting, hammering, pressing or pulling. Symptoms include:

  • Numbness of fingers or palms
  • Tingling sensation, soreness or pain; weakness
  • Pale skin or skin that turns cold
  • Difficulty moving fingers, shoulder, elbow or wrist

If you have any of the above symptoms, advise your supervisor. You may need additional follow-up with a health care provider.

If you see hazards around the campus please talk to your supervisor or report it to Facilities. If you know of potential risks you can report it to the safety committee. To learn more about the safety committee or to join please stop by Human Resources.

For more information about hand safety or other safety tips please visit www.copperpoint.com.

Sun Safety Challenge

The hydration challenge has ended and the Sun Safety Challenge has begun. Did you miss your chance to pick up a tracking sheet at last month’s All Staff? Stop by the HR office any time from cool-cactus-18780927AM to 4:30PM and grab yours and start tracking.

To compete, just wear sunscreen that has a rating of SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 or higher every day. Try to reapply the sunscreen every two hours, especially if you get wet, to stay protected all day.
Also, wear either sunglasses or a hat each time you go outside. Each day you do these things you can check off a sunscreen bottle or a cactus on your tracking sheet

The contest will run from July 21st to September 1st. Please turn in your tracking sheets by September 5th to be entered in the raffle. Prizes include a Cooling Towel, Easy Pop-Up Tent, and a $100 Gift Card to Sunglass Hut!

Ergonomics

SolutionsCenter_Ergo_checklistErgonomic injuries, or musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), accounted for 33% of all work injuries and illnesses in 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average time away from work it took to recuperate from an MSD was 11 days. MSDs are linked to repetitive tasks such as frequent reaching, lifting, or carrying, overuse of muscles, awkward postures, forceful exertions (carrying or lifting heavy loads), and static posture which is staying in fixed positions when working.

Common MSD injuries include tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, reduced range of motion, loss of strength, pain and swelling, and numbness and tingling such as your hands falling asleep.

Follow these work station tips to avoid a MSD:

  • Look for work stations that are designed with spring leveling carts and elevating tables to keep objects at waist level for lifting.
  • Adjust work areas to fit your height.
  • Shift positions or get up and stretch periodically. Encourage your co-workers to do the same.

Occupations more likely to see MSD injuries include nursing assistants, and heavy tractor-trailer truck drivers. The most server MSDs occurred to the shoulder, according to BLS figures. Office workers and those in industrial jobs may suffer chronic strain in their shoulders and necks.

Follow these steps to prevent shoulder and neck strain:

  • Place your desk telephone closer to you so you don’t have to reach over to pick up the handset.
  • Consider getting a hands-free head set if you spend a lot of time on the phone, as squeezing a handset between the ear and shoulder can cause stress and neck pain.
  • Stand up occasionally from your desk and move around and stretch.
  • If you’re working on a processing line, make sure your area is set appropriately for your height. Taller employees should not be stooping and shorter employees should not have to reach improperly as both static, focused postures can cause strain and stress.
  • If you’re using hand tools, make sure they are sharp so you aren’t twisting your arms, neck or shoulders to complete cutting tasks.

OSHA offers industry-specific guidelines for some trade and professional associations and related organizations. The agency offers a variety of eTools proving Web-based solutions to ergonomic hazards.

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A Lesson Learned

My shopping trip to Fry’s began as all the others, finding most of the items on my list in their usual places. That’s as it should be. After all, I’ve been shopping there since I arrived at Beatitudes Campus almost 4 years ago. Checking out and leaving the Market was uneventful until I reached the exit. I observed a young boy, slight, around 12 to 13 offering to help an elderly woman with her bags, but she rejected his offer. Being just behind her, he saw me driving the buggy with the basket on the front with my cane and several bags in it. Admitting to myself that I must appear to need help, I wasn’t too surprised when he asked, “Can I help you mister?” I had already noted his entrepreneurial aspirations and was prepared to accept his offer and give him a generous tip.

We walked a short distance to my leased Honda Civic as I fished the keys from my pocket. My young helper handed me a bag of groceries and then a couple more. I reached for another couple of bags and saw him reach very quickly into the scooter basket, grab my black shoulder bag and begin running, at top speed, toward the wall separating Fry’s parking lot from the large apartment complex to the east. I shouted “STOP HIM! HE HAS MY BAG.” That had no effect on my young thief, but it did get some attention from other shoppers, groundskeepers at the apartments, and a security man inside the store. Meanwhile, the kid was long gone with my bag which contained my wallet with everything an identity theft operation would need in order to wreck my orderly, peaceful life. Fry’s Security called the police who arrived within 10 minutes or so. Other customers, naturally curious, hung around to find out what they could as I gave my statement to the Phoenix Police.

I admit that I was not fully alert, as I should have had my bag over my shoulder instead of in the basket with the groceries. He would have had a big-time tussle taking it away from me before others arrived to help me. I have vowed to myself that I will be more alert and plan for any such eventuality. Meanwhile, I’ve already been to the DMV for my duplicate license (a two-hour wait), joined the LifeLock program advertised on line, spoken with the police again, and had several conversations with Lucille, our very helpful manager of the BMO Harris bank branch here on campus. Of course, there’s still much to do, but I’m well on the road to getting things back together.*

Hearing Safety

Noise-related hearing loss is a major occupational health concern. Thousands of workers annually suffer from hearing loss because of high workplace noise levels.

Even when it is short-term, noise can cause a temporary change in hearing.

Noise is measured in decibels (dBA). A small increase in decibels results in huge change in the noise and the potential damage to a person’s hearing.Caution_HearingProtectionRequired2__80643.1368466751.1280.1280

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) sets legal limits of 90 dBA on workplace noise exposure. These limits are based on a worker’s time weighted average during an 8-hour day. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that workers’ exposure be controlled below 85 dBA for 8 hours to minimize occupational noise-induced hearing loss, which limits your ability to hear high-frequency sounds, understand speech and seriously impairs your ability to communicate.

Noise may be a problem in the workplace if:

  • You hear ringing or humming in your ears when you leave work.
  • You have to shout to be heard by a co-worker an arm’s length away.
  • You experience temporary hearing loss when leaving work.

Here are some ways to reduce noise hazards

  • Engineering controls
    • Low-noise tools and machinery
    • Maintain and lubricate machinery and equipment
    • Place a barrier between the noise source and employees
    • Enclose or isolate the noise source
  • Administrative controls
    • Operating noisy machines during shifts when fewer people are exposed
    • Limiting the amount of time a person spends at a noise source
    • Providing quiet areas where workers can gain relief from hazardous noise sources
    • Restricting worker presence to a safe distance away from noisy equipment
  • Hearing protection devices (HPDs)
    • Such as earmuffs and plugs (acceptable, but less effective)

To learn how to create and implement an effective hearing conservation program, visit www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/noise/hcp/ and copperpoint.com to view the videos “Hearing Safety I & II.”

Working Safely

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Have you ever been injured on the job? Maybe you slipped in the kitchen or tripped over a stray cord, but what are the first steps you should take?

All work-related accidents and injuries need to be reported to your supervisor immediately. You then need to go the the Sierra Springs Nursing Station which is located on the 3rd floor of our Heath Care Center. There, you will be evaluated and then determine if you need to be sent out to our MBI facility for treatment and rehab. If you are scheduled for rehab, you must complete all sessions and have a release from your doctor to come back to work. In some instances we have light duty work that you can perform in your department or another department. See Human Resources for details. Call 911 for any life threatening injury.shutterstock_107156552-300x300

As of Friday, June 17th we are 10 days without an injury. We are coming off a streak of 145 injury free. We’d like to hit that high of a number again but we need your help to make this a safe work environment. First, make sure you have all the proper equipment for the job. This could be your non-slip shoes or gloves but includes a wide variety of items. Second, keep your eyes open for potential dangers. Is there a rug that could be a tripping hazard? Did someone leave an electric box open that should be closed? Is there a large puddle of water on a slippery deck? If you can, clean or adjust the area to make it safe. If you do not have the skills or equipment to make it safe you need to report it right away. Remember, you aren’t only keeping yourself safe when you spot and fix these things, you are protecting your fellow staff, the residents, and any visitors we have on campus. So let’s all work together to make Beatitudes a safer place for everyone here.

Safety Streak Continues

As of Thursday, May 12th, the Campus has had 150 days without any employee injuries!  This is a positive metric for the Campus for many reasons, let me share a few of them with you:

  • Staff are not missing work to go to the 3rd floor of the HCC for assessment and later out to MBI for treatment or follow up visits
  • The nursing staff are not needing to leave residents to assist employees with assessments
  • Our loss ratio (dollars paid for employee claims divided by premium dollars we pay to the insurance carrier) has dropped from 48% to 11% year-to-date!
  • This will result in savings for next year’s workers’ compensation renewal for sure!

Keep up the amazing work, Team Beatitudes!  Think Safety – Work Safely – Report Concerns/Near Misses Timely!

Near Miss Report Form

Safety Update – April Wrap Up

The Campus accident-free streak continues!  As of the writing of this post, there have been zero employee accidents for the last 137 days – that is awesome!  We had two first aid only claims and those employees are healing nicely and did not need outside treatment, so they were not required to be reported to the workers’ compensation insurance carrier.

If you see a hazard or have a concern about something potentially unsafe in your area, the Campus Safety Team wants to know!  Pick up a Near Miss form located on the Safety Bulletin Boards near each time clock area and turn it in to the HR office.

Keep up the great work, Team Beatitudes.  Think Safety, Work Safely.  You rock!