When you think of work-place falls, dramatic falls from higher elevations come to mind. Falls from higher elevations most likely result in serious or fatal injuries. Some indus-tries pose a greater risk for falls; the construction industry dominates the statistics for fatal work-place falls. Construction workers are also at a greater risk of non-fatal falls due to the nature of their work. However, during the course of a workday, anyone can slip, trip, or fall anywhere un-der a broad range of con-ditions, even in the seem-ingly benign office setting. Using a ladder to change a light bulb can result in a fall with injuries.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, three events accounted for 62 percent of the total num-ber of injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work in 2009: contact with objects and equipment, overexertion, and falls on the same level. Slips, trips and falls can result in fatalities too, causing 10 percent of all accidental deaths.

Slips involve a loss of balance caused by too little friction between your feet and the surface you walk or work on. A loss of trac-tion is the leading cause of workplace slips. Trips can occur when you encounter objects in your path or un-even flooring or walkways. Falls can occur anywhere. They are a serious safety concern because injuries often affect multiple body parts and require longer recovery time.

Hazards That Cause

Slips, Trips, and Falls

A recent publication from the National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) identifies the top ten slip, trip, and fall hazards in health care facilities, but everyone can look for these common hazards in any facility:

1. Water, grease, and other contaminants on the floor;

2. Poor drainage from clogged and misaligned pipes;

3. Damaged, warped, buckled, or uneven in-door flooring surfaces;

4. Outdoor walking surface irregularities;

5. Ice and snow at entrances, parking areas, walkways, and outdoor stairways;

6. Inadequate lighting; 7. Poorly designed and/or

maintained stairs and handrails;

Slips, Trips, and Falls Slips, Trips, and Falls …..

1

Are you practicing unsafe behaviors?……………….

3

Cold or flu — How can you tell the difference? ….

4

(continued on page 2)

February 2012 © J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. Volume 2, Issue 2

Inside this issue:

Ice and snow increase the risk of a slip or fall.

At Putnam City Schools, we are at the head of our class as far as working together towards a common goal...developing students to be the best that they can be.

We need to be proactive in maintaining a safe physical and emotional atmosphere for our students. As a Putnam City School District employee, you play an important part in helping us achieve this.

Whatever role you play within our school system, we want to thank you for doing your part to making our school system a leader.

Installing more light fix-tures in poorly lit areas;

Highlighting the edge (nosing) of stairway steps with a bright color;

Having employees wear slip-resistant shoes if they work in areas that are continually wet;

Providing additional mats in entrances during wet weather;

Using mats and runners long enough for people to take several footsteps to help clean shoes;

Installing rough-surface flooring in wet areas;

Using barriers, signs, or caution tape to restrict access to areas with wet floors;

8. Improper use of step-stools and ladders;

9. Tripping hazards from clutter, loose cords, hoses, wires, etc.; and

10. Improper use of floor mats and runners.

Prevent Injuries

Both employers and employees bear responsi-bility to prevent injuries from slips, trips, and falls. Some prevention strate-gies employers can take include:

Providing easy access to clean-up supplies, and encouraging workers to cover, clean, or report spills promptly;

Reducing or eliminating trip hazards over 1/4 inch high;

Patching cracks greater than 1/2 inch wide in walkways;

Redirecting downspouts away from sidewalks;

Placing bins of ice melting chemicals and scoops by exits for anyone’s use;

Slips, Trips, and Falls (continued from page 1)

Page 2 © J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. February 2012

Above all, looking where you are going before you step to be sure your path is safe and clear.

Slips, trips, and falls continue to be the cause of many workplace injuries and fatalities. Be proactive when it comes to slips, trips, and falls. Take the time to pay attention and see hazards. Prevent slips, trips, and falls for not only yourself, but also your co-workers.

Adding a handrail to any location with steps;

Training employees on the proper use of ladders; and

Organizing storage areas, and using wall-mounted storage hooks, shelves, hose spools, etc.

As an employee, you can do your part to prevent slips, trips, and falls by:

Being aware of your surroundings and the hazards present;

Reporting wet floors or spills that are greasy or slippery;

Wearing footwear with slip-resistant soles when conditions warrant it;

Using handrails on stair-ways;

Putting supplies, equipment, and tools away after use so they don’t create a tripping hazard; and

Use additional mats during wet weather.

Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips are more likely to occur when you hurry or run, wear the wrong kind of shoes, or don’t pay attention to where you are walking. Here are some simple tips to follow to avoid slips, trips, and falls:

Take your time

Pay attention

Look before you step

Adjust stride to the task

Make wide turns at corners

Wear proper footwear

Keep work areas clean and free of clutter Keep ice melt handy in slippery conditions.

Use caution signs or barriers to warn others.

Put objects away so they don’t create a tripping hazard.

Safety Focus: Are you practicing unsafe behaviors? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) imple-ments and enforces standards to keep workers safe in the workplace. As an employee, you should be aware of the numerous safety programs and procedures in

place at your company. With safety laws, safety training, and company policies in place to keep us all safe, why do workplace injuries still occur?

The Causes Behind Unsafe Behaviors

One reason injuries still occur may involve workers' behaviors and the factors that influence those behaviors. An individual might bypass the safe way to complete a task in order to save time or get done faster.

Throughout their lives, workers pick-up many potential behaviors...some good, some bad; some safe, some un-safe. They generally choose those behaviors that will keep them safe. However, there are factors that can lead them to choose the unsafe behavior while on the job:

Apathy — Sometimes workers just don't care about working safely.

Unsure — Workers may be reluctant to ask for clarification and start tasks with unclear directions.

Uncomfortable — A job may be physically uncom-fortable, so a worker is prone to rushing to get the job done or bypasses safe procedures.

Hurrying — Although working quickly can some-times be positive, if speed jeopardizes safety then it's dangerous.

Dislike for authority — Some workers just dislike authority. It may influence their decision to work safely, either by failing to follow procedures or working angrily.

Overconfidence — Being too sure of oneself dur-ing the performance of a task can make a worker think that an accident won’t happen.

Horseplay — Most horseplay consists of unsafe

behavior when done in the workplace. Workers can get so caught up in the moment that they fail to recognize the potential hazards of their actions.

Outside distractions — Thinking of personal tasks, problems, or upcoming events can cause loss of focus on the task at hand.

We’ve always done it this way — Sometimes it is hard to change the way a task is performed to a newer, safer method because the task steps are so ingrained.

If you witness co-workers engaging in unsafe behav-iors, it could be because they have never had negative consequences from those actions. We never think a car accident is going to happen to us and usually that is true. We exceed the speed limit or use a phone while driving because we haven’t experienced a negative consequence. The same can happen in the workplace. People have learned that the risks they might take are worth it because they don’t expect to be injured.

Correcting Behaviors

Many behavioral factors can be corrected or con- trolled if workers are taught to recognize them. But changing ingrained behaviors is no easy task. How can you take steps towards practicing safe behaviors?

Take the time to do it right. Follow the correct steps when performing tasks. Don’t take shortcuts even if it saves time. After awhile, doing things correctly will become habit.

Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is intended to protect you and prevent injury. Know how to use and care for it correctly.

Ask questions if you don’t understand. If you aren't sure why a certain task is done the way it is, ask.

Take safety seriously. Horseplay may be fun, but unsafe behavior can lead to injury. Play it safe.

Adapt. Times change. Methods change. Improve-ments to processes are made.

Be proactive. Practice safety and encourage safe behaviors in others.

You can take the first step toward practicing safe behavior. Your example may serve to inspire your co-workers to do the same.

February 2012 © J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. Page 3

also common cold symptoms.

Flu

On the other hand, flu virus-es typically come on more suddenly than colds and arrive with more severe symptoms, possibly including a high fever, a dry cough, more severe body aches, and exhaustion. While flu symp-toms can improve over just a few days, it’s not uncommon for some symptoms (especially fatigue) to last a week or more.

Even if you think you can tough it out, severe or persis-tent flu symptoms (like a prolonged high fever or severe exhaustion) merit a doctor’s visit to determine the best course of treatment.

Sinus Infections

In some cases, a virus can cause the sinuses to become inflamed, resulting in a sinus infection. Normally, the sinuses are filled with air, but

Now that cold and flu sea-son is upon us, many people will be faced with determining which type of virus is responsible for the symptoms they experience. This may be particularly perplexing since — in addition to sharing a season — colds and the flu also share symptoms. However, since flu viruses have a greater potential to turn into serious illnesses such as sinusitis or pneumonia, it is important to assess what kind of virus is causing your symptoms.

Colds

A cold rarely comes with a fever of more than 101 degrees, and usually disappears on its own within a week. Colds often begin with a sore throat (which usually goes away after a day or two) and a stuffy nose. Congestion and some body aches are

with a sinus infection, they become filled with fluid, allowing bacteria to grow, which is what ultimately causes the infection.

Symptoms of a sinus infection may include:

Pain around the teeth or jaw;

Headache;

Congestion;

Pressure or pain behind the eyes; and

Green or yellow nasal drainage.

In most cases, a sinus infection is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold, so treatment beyond that administered for a cold typically isn’t required. However, a doctor might recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce pain and headaches associated with a sinus infection. Nasal sprays and/or decongestants may also be helpful.

Cold or flu — How can you tell the difference?

Page 4 © J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. February 2012

Is it the common cold or the flu?

“My father taught me to work, but not to love it. I never did

like to work, and I don’t deny it. I’d rather read, tell

stories, crack jokes, talk, laugh —

anything but work.”

Abraham Lincoln

The mission of Putnam City Schools is to prepare our students to be responsible citizens and lifelong learners. It's a mission in which we are succeeding. For 17 consecutive years, Putnam City Schools has been selected as one of the top school systems in the nation as a recipient of the SchoolMatch "What Parents Want Award." SchoolMatch maintains information on every public school system in the country to help employees transferred by their companies find schools that match the needs of their children. Criteria used in selecting winners of the "What Parents Want Award" include curriculum, academic test scores, recognition for excellence, library/media services, class size and above average expenditures on pupil instruction.

Portions © 2012 J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.®

Portions © 2012 Putnam City Schools

Check out our website! www.putnamcityschools.org

Putnam City Schools

5401 N.W. 40th

Oklahoma City, OK 73122