National Safety Month

National Safety Month is coming to a close and we want to thank all of you for your participation. In this final week, we are going to talk about slips, trips and falls- a common cause of workplace injury and death.

Falls can happen anywhere. Whether it’s working at heights or tripping on the same level, you always need to keep your eyes out for hazards.

While it was great celebrating safety with you this month, safety is a priority for our organization all year round.  If you’d like to get more involved with our safety efforts, reach out to [email protected].

This first week we are focusing on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Commonly known as ergonomic issues, MSDs are complex ailments resulting from exposures to repetitive movements, awkward or static postures and forceful exertion.  They can include tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, ruptured or herniated discs, and sprains – just to name a few.

Doing our jobs should never hurt.  If you ever experience pain while working, please report it to your supervisor right away.

If you are concerned or experience discomfort within your current workstation, you are encouraged to complete a Computer Workstation Ergonomics Self-Assessment Checklist.

If further action is needed, please contact [email protected] to schedule an Ergonomic Assessment.

Stay tuned for National Safety Month materials next week on workplace impairment.

As we continue our celebration of National Safety Month, we want to bring your attention to the very important topic of impairment.  The National Safety Council defines impairment as the inability to function normally or safely as a result of a number of factors- from chemical substances (e.g., alcohol, opioids, cannabis), physical factors (e.g., fatigue and certain medical conditions), social factors (e.g., professional and other stressors) and mental distress (e.g., related illness and other factors).

While we may experience impairment in different ways, the takeaway is universal: if you feel unable to safely perform your tasks due to impairment, you shouldn’t be performing them.  If you feel different, you function different.

Stay tuned for National Safety Month materials next week on injury prevention.