April 15, 2010

Promote the importance of work readiness year 'round

With the school year coming to a close, teachers and other staff may be less focused on safe work practices. Remind employees the importance of taking care of themselves.

• Encourage employees to stretch before beginning work. Kitchen and custodial tasks can be especially demanding on the body. For employees working in labor-intensive work environments, stretching can help improve flexibility, reduce strains and sprains, and enhance overall fitness.
• Make proper lifting techniques a priority. Maintenance and grounds workers are not the only folks lifting heavy objects throughout the day. Teachers and para-professionals should also be using good lifting and transfer methods. Promoting the four points to safe lifting could result in fewer back injuries and less soreness.
• Reinforce wellness and positive life habits. Support staff awareness and application of proper eating, adequate sleep and regular exercise. Healthy employees are productive employees.

Promoting health and safety is an investment in your most important asset, your employees. Have supervisors observe work activities and coach employees on safe work methods.

Get the help you need; call your SFM LP rep

Prepare for the changes that come in the summer months may include using outside help from your SFM loss prevention representative.

Your SFM LP rep can help with:

• Safety training
• Workplace analysis
• Project planning

Schedules fill fast. Contact your LP rep soon to schedule a visit before the summer rush and risks.

Call (952) 838-4200 or (800) 937-1181, or email us.

Advice from SFM's

Return to work
Visit SFM's 'warehouse' of ideas on transitional jobs

Policyholders can take advantage of SFM's return-to-work expertise through its new online "Transitional work warehouse."

Using this "warehouse" of ideas for transitional jobs can help you provide injured employees with opportunities to return to work as soon as medically possible. That can significantly reduce a claim's costs, helping your organization control its workers' compensation experience modification factor and insurance premium.

Read more...

Hazard Alert

TV mounts can cause serious injury

Check to be sure TV monitors are properly attached to ceiling mounts.

In a recent incident a teacher was injured when a TV monitor fell while he was adjusting the screen for viewing. Prevent these kinds of accidents by doing an inspection of TV mount hardware, installation and wear.

See photos for specific hazards identification.