Safety & Workers’ CompensationCoordinator’s Meeting

Tuesday, October 27, 20098:30AM – 11:00AM

8:30 Welcoming Remarks*Candy Clarke Aldridge

8:40 Opening Remarks*Ramiro CanoUpdate of revision on Employee Safety and Health A.P. 2-21

9:00 Guest Speaker*Introduction – Kim A. Smith *Kathleen Maness, MS Chevron Compliance Officer (Bio)

Successful Hazard Mitigation Through Program Management

9:45 Break

10:00 Safety* Citywide Injury Review – Kim A. Smith* Strain Or Injury By – Doug Wellhausen* Struck Or Injured By – James Snow* Fall Or Slip Injury – Doug Wellhausen* Exposure – James Snow

11:00 Closing Remarks* Kim A. Smith

Safety & Workers’ Compensation Coordinator’s Meeting

October 27, 2009

“ Get Your Safety Fix”

Ramiro Cano

Human Resources Department

Assistant Director

Opening RemarksOpening Remarks

Kathleen Maness, MS Kathleen Maness, MS Chevron Compliance OfficerChevron Compliance Officer

Successful Hazard Mitigation Through Program ManagementSuccessful Hazard Mitigation Through Program Management

Guest SpeakerGuest Speaker

BreakBreak

15 Minutes15 Minutes

SafetySafety

Kim A. Smith, HR Division Manager

Doug Wellhausen, HR Safety Officer

James Snow, HR Safety Officer

City Wide Injury ReviewCity Wide Injury Review

FY2009 Cause of Injury

•Total City Wide Claims – 2,393

•Total Incurred of City Wide Reported Claims - $7,675,686

•Top 4 Claim Category – 1,760

•Top 4 Causes of Injuries make up 74% of the claims

•Total Incurred for Top 4 Causes - $5,425,423

City Wide New Claims Incurred FY2009

Strain Or Injury By

$2,144,236.95577

24%

Strain Or Injury By

136136

209209

Strain Or Injury By$2,144,236.95

24%

9595

HA

S

3232 1414 29292828 99

2525

HFD

HPD

PWE

Park

s

GSD

SWD

Libr

ary

Oth

er D

epar

tmen

ts

$924,858.39

$402,938.34

$396.617.60

$136,125.43$109,002.07

$62,133.65

$43,920.64

$38,927.60

$29,713.23

What are Strains?• Strains are injuries that affect muscles or tendons

• Occur in response to a quick tear, twist, or pull of the muscle

What are Sprains?

• Sprains are injuries that affect ligaments

• Occur in response to a stretch or tear of a ligament

Strains / Sprains Causes

• Physical Exertion, especially in awkward positions

• Bending at the waist when lifting

• Holding/Carrying loads away from the body

• Twisting the body when lifting or lowering objects

• Over-reaching

• Repeated Forceful Gripping

Possible Solutions • Review/Update/Develop - your “Strain/Sprain” prevention policy/program

• Eliminate unnecessary lifting

• Shorten the distances that material must be moved

• Eliminate barriers such as the sides of bins or boxes

• Mechanize Lifting – use truck mounted lifting devices at job sites to remove tools and equipment from trucks

• Train employees on strain/sprain hazards

• Modify the Job - to fit the worker’s capabilities

• Reduce Stress on the body – change postures frequently during tasks

Decrease your accidents and

cost.

Strain Or Injury By

577

Struck Or Injured By

$1,422,676.31452

19%

Struck Or Injured By

7575

185185

Struck Or Injured By$1,422,676.31

19%

6161

Hea

lth

23233737

3333

212155

1212

HPD

PWE

HFD

HA

S

Park

s

SWD

GSD

Oth

er D

epar

tmen

ts

$1,075,026.86

$112,249.66

$98,779.15

$62,274.06

$38,683.34

$25,186.75

$3,235.72$2,726.85

$4,513.92

Struck or Injured By

Struck By or Striking against objects is a common cause of workplace injury. Incidents of this type include:

• Bumping into doors, desks, file cabinets, other people while walking

• Striking against sharp objects such as office machines, or workplace equipment

• Dropping equipment, tools, or other heavy objects on feet

• Falling objects from overhead (ex. Storage of items above eye level, ballasts/lighting, wires (communication and electrical), tree limbs)

Possible Solutions• Review/Update/Develop - “Hazard Identification” policy/program to increase

awareness and/or Office Safety Rules

• Eliminate the storage of heavy materials higher than 4 feet

• Pay Attention to where you are walking and what is around you

• Eliminate poor work habits (complacency reduces awareness)

• Train employees to report hazards

• Watch Ahead - Discourage employees from carrying objects that impede or block the range of vision

• Report unsafe conditions such as sharp edges, overloaded shelves, and low hanging cables or wires (Contact 311)

• Wear PPE that is appropriate for the task (i.e. hard hat for overhead or elevated work)

Strain Or Injury By

577

Struck Or Injured By

452

Fall Or Slip Injury

$1,771,305.79

382

16%

Fall Or Slip Injury

100100

8585

Fall Or Slip By$1,771,305.79

16%

5858

Hea

lth

1919 66 26263535

11114242

HFD

HPD

PWE

HA

S

HEC

Park

s

Libr

ary

Oth

er D

epar

tmen

ts

$612,887.90

$535,244.63

$263,712.32$93,939.14

$81,221.56$69,153.67

$48,604.91

$33,154.19

$33,837.47

Falls Account for the Most Hospital Visits

• 7.2 million Annually • More Than Motor Vehicle Accidents (US)• One Out of Every Five Hospital Visits

What is a Trip Hazard?

A trip hazard is defined as a change in elevation in a walkway (that is not a ramp or stairway) of ¼ inch or higher

Slip/Fall Causes

Underlying Principles of Slip/Falls

Expectations • You expect the floor to be dry• You expect a clear path – no trip hazards• You expect the elevator to stop level with the floor

Slip/Fall Causes

• Transitions in walking surfaces

• Trip Hazards

• Wet/Slippery surfaces

• Walking surfaces with low co-efficiency of friction

• Improper use or damaged ladders

Slip/Fall Solutions

• Review/Update or Develop a “Slip/Fall” prevention policy/program

• Evaluate floors, stairs, parking lots, sidewalks, and other walkway surfaces

• Determine the adequacy of handrails, stairs, and ladders

• Assess the adequacy, reliability, and appropriateness of lighting

• Ensure unsafe conditions are reported/corrected

• Evaluate the need for an effective safety footwear program

• Install nonskid floor coatings and mats in slippery or heavy traffic areas

• Use contrasting colors to indicate changes in elevation

Decrease your accidents and

cost.

Strain Or Injury By

577

Struck Or Injured By

452Fall Or Slip

Injury382

Absorption$87,204.94

349

Absorption/Exposure

15%

5252

204204

Absorption/Exposure$87,204.94

15%

5050

Hea

lth

88

191966

77 22 11

HFD

HPD

PWE

Park

s

HA

S

SWD

GSD

Oth

er D

epar

tmen

ts

$59,342.94

$14,227.93

$8,527.52

$2,609.55

$1,197.06

$1,160.18

$139.76

$0 $0

Exposure

We have identified the most common categories of Exposure incidents:

• Inhalation

• Ingestion

• Absorption

• Thermal Stress

• Noise

Possible SolutionsExposures (Absorption, Ingestion, Inhalation)

• Review/Update/Develop Worksite Specific Hazard Communication (HazCom), Bloodborne Pathogen, and other General Awareness Plans/Programs

• Evaluate chemicals in the workplace annually; Substitute with safer/less hazardous products

• Determine the appropriate chemical or product for the job

• Review Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) with the employee prior to using any chemical in the workplace.

• Ensure unsafe conditions are reported/corrected

• Provide employees with appropriate PPE for the job, task, or process.

• Inspect all PPE for wear and tear before use and after use; report damaged PPE.

• Use labels and warning signs to identify potentially hazardous processes, areas, products, etc.

Possible SolutionsExposures (Thermal)

• Review/Update/Develop a “Thermal Stress/Inclement Weather” Plan/Program outlining methods to decrease the potential exposure

• Warn employees of extreme weather conditions (i.e. Hot/Cold/Raining)

• Identify extreme weather conditions that warrant immediate precautionary measures

• Ensure unsafe conditions are reported/corrected

• Communicate through Weather Bulletins or Safety Tailgates

• Hydrate ensure you are getting adequate fluid intake (e.g. Gatorade, Water)

• Reduce exposure through micro-breaks and specified work-rest cycles.

• Be alert of changing weather conditions and employee thermal symptoms

• Use appropriate Equipment/Clothing (e.g. Clothing, Hats, Glasses, Rain Gear)

Possible SolutionsExposure (Noise)

• Review/Update/Develop a “Hearing Conservation” Plan/Program outlining methods to decrease the potential exposure

• Warn employees of hazardous noise areas and equipment through labels and signs

• Identify hazardous noise producing equipment or tools with a Sound Level Meter

• Ensure unsafe conditions are reported/corrected

• Communicate the importance of hearing protection for employees using hazardous noise producing equipment or tools

• Monitor exposed employees though Baseline and annual Audiometric Testing

• Reduce employee exposure by limiting or reducing the amount of time in/around hazardous noise areas or equipment

• Use appropriate PPE (e.g. ear muffs, disposable inserts) to reduce the noise levels below the 8-hour Time Weighted Average (8-hr TWA) of 85 dBA

Strain Or Injury By

$2,144,236.95577

Struck Or Injured By

$1,422,676.31452

Fall Or Slip Injury

$1,771,305.79382

Absorption$87,204.94

349

City Wide New Claims Incurred FY2009

HR Central Safety Office is here for departments and management to reduce their overall accidents by

assisting in the development of policies, guidelines, and procedures.

Give us a call to help you.

713-837-9346

Tentative Safety & Workers’ Compensation

Coordinator’s Meeting March 30, 2010EB Cape Center

Lead the Way with SafetyLead the Way with Safety