The introduction to the WSSH program will be presented in a video. The video will be an interview of a San Diego County employee, Charlie, who experienced a back injury while on the job. He has a strong message to send to new hires about work safety. The interviewer Joe, is a new hire who happened upon Charlie in the HR office one day while looking over a WSSH pamphlet and posters that were in the office area. Joe has a lot of questions. Joe and Charlie spoke about the importance of WSSH. Charlie was injured while incorrectly lifting a box.

CharlieJoe

ACT ONE

Joe is in the break room reading pamphlets about the WSSH program and notices a man exiting from the HR office with a stack of paperwork. As the man exists the office, he turns around to say good-bye to Jane. Joe can’t help but notice that the man is hunched over, holding his papers in one hand and supporting his back with his other hand.

CHARLIEHi my name is Charlie. I notice that you are reading about working safe and staying healthy. Take it from me, you can’t know enough about the WSSH program when you are working for the County of San Diego. I wish I would have taken the training more seriously. You never think you are going to be the one to have an accident. What’s your name?

JOEUhhh… my name is Joe. Yeah, I was just hired and I’m not too sure about the WSSH program. Can I ask you a few questions?

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWOFADE IN: Joe and Charlie are sitting down at a table looking over papers and pamphlets. Joe begins asking Charlie questions about the WSSH program. Charlie appears to be uncomfortable-trying to find a good sitting position.

JOEWhat exactly is the WSSH program?

CHARLIEThe goal of the Work Safe and Stay Healthy Program is to encourage safe work habits amongst the employees. Really, the WSSH program was developed to encourage all San Diego County employees to work safely and thereby reduce injury incidents and their associated costs.

JOESo, are we to just go to the trainings because we are supposed to?

CHARLIEYes, but there is a purpose to our being there. Working safely needs to be a daily focus. The WSSH program is promoting a culture of safely amongst its workers. The employees are the most important part of the program because it’s up to us to make it successful-we have to be the ones to create a safe work environment.

JOEWell, why are the employees so valuable to the program?

CHARLIEThe County of San Diego provides us, the employees, with all the tools to recognize, identify and improve hazards in the workplace that are contributing to injuries and accidents.

JOE

So if they are providing us with the tools to recognize, identify and improve hazards, what more do we have to do?

CHARLIEJoe, each employee has a responsibility to work safely regardless of their position or role in their department. Think of it like a household. Each member of the household has responsibilities to maintain a safe and happy home.

JOEThat makes sense to me. The County provides us with the tools and it’s the individuals responsibility to work safely not only for themselves but for the greater good of the team-our work family.

CHARLIEImproving your job performance and working safely has a huge impact on the quality of your home life. Look at me, my home life is impacted daily because of my accident. I’m on restricted work duty, I’m constantly uncomfortable, and I have lots of doctor’s appointments every week. Thinking about the long run and my children was the last thing on my mind on the day of my accident. I remember noticing a pain in my back, but I continued to lift boxes from the registrars' office incorrectly. On that day, I was just thinking about getting home quickly and beating traffic. My son was born a month ago and I can barely stand up long enough to bath him or take him for a stroll.

JOEWow, I don’t know what to say Charlie. Because of your accident, both of your families have suffered-your real family and your work family.

CHARLIEYou’re right Joe. I can’t tell you how much my accident cost the County of San Diego. The WSSH program is a win-win program. If employees implement it-they stay healthy and safe for the duration of their career with the County of San Diego. Also, a successful WSSH program means a reduction of costs to the County of San Diego. Since the conception of WSSH in 2003/2004, a steady reduction of lost productivity and hours has occurred every year of the program.

JOEHas the reduction in hours and dollars really been that substantial?

CHARLIEThe decrease in lost hours and dollars has been very substantial. Take a look at the poster over there.

FADE IN: Charlie leads Joe over to the WSSH posters on the back wall.

CHARLIEJust look at these numbers! In Fiscal Year 2002-2003, the County of San Diego lost 189,548 hours of productivity due to injuries and accidents. By Fiscal Year 2007-2008, lost productivity hours dropped down to 104,698! Joe, that’s almost 90,000 saved hours.

JOEMan, when you say like that I really can see the impact of WSSH.

CHARLIEYou betcha’ there’s an impact. Those are the hours the County of San Diego has saved because of WSSH. Let’s look at the dollars WSSH has saved. WSSH has been able to maintain a significant cost decrease over the baseline year. We went from an expenditure of $22.2 million down to $17.3 million-that’s even with the rising cost of medical care!

JOE Now that we have learned why working safe and staying healthy is important to you personally and to the San Diego County, let’s turn back the clock and see what Charlie could have done differently…

What should Charlie have done to avoid his accident?

1) Know what the safe work procedures are to perform a work task.

2) Know what personal protective equipment is needed for each task and how the equipment must be properly used and maintained.

3) Learn, observe and comply with safety and health rules, procedures and policies. Not removing safety guards from any safety equipment.

4) Participate in safety and health training sessions and meetings.

6) Promptly report to your supervisor unsafe or unhealthy conditions and or work practices that are observed.

5) Wait for the person on the next shift to finish the job.

If learner chooses anything other than #1, a video will pop up. The video will

show “Charlie” being responsible catching

himself lifting “sloppily” and correcting his

technique.

Summary of Employees ResponsibilitiesHere’s what you need to do to work safe and stay healthy…

1. Promptly report to your supervisor unsafe or unhealthy conditions and work practices that are observed.

2. Promptly report to your supervisor all work related injuries, occupational illnesses, and accidents occurring within the course of your employment.

3. Know the safe work procedures that must be used to perform each job task. Know what personal protective equipment is needed for each task and how this equipment must be properly used and maintained.

4. Participate in safety and health training sessions and meetings.

5. Learn, observe, and comply with safety and health rules, procedures and policies. Do not remove safety guards from any safety equipment.

You’ve learned why it’s so important to you personally and to the San Diego County to work safe. The WSSH program improves the quality of your personal and work life. Let’s learn more and practice…

Temporary Hazards Permanent

Hazards

A hazard is a condition or act that

potentially could cause you harm. If

you identify a hazard and it is something

you can fix right away- fix it.

Hazardous situations that you are aware of but

unable to correct need to be reported to your

supervisor right away. Permanent hazards are

those that require a supervisor’s advice.

1) Identify

2) Eliminate

3) Report

In the following screens, imagine you are the San Diego County employee in the scenarios described. Recall what you have learned about the San Diego County’s protocol for handling temporary and permanent hazards.

After you read through the scenario, click on the answer of your choice.

1) Identify2) Eliminate3) Report

1. Stop what you’re doing and report that the equipment is broken.

2. Stop what you’re doing and call the supervisor.

3. Stop what you’re doing and identify the source of the odor.

4. Stop what you’re doing shut everything off.

Correct! Identify is the first step in hazard injury prevention. (if they click on 3 this message appears)

Not quite. The first step in hazard injury prevention is to identify if there is a problem. (if they click on 1,2, or 4 this message appears)

1. Check for injuries to yourself and others. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. Once injury –related injuries are under control, contact the supervisor.

2. Get out of the car to see if anyone has been hurt including herself.

3. Don’t get out of the car. Call the police and wait.

4. Tell the bus driver to not worry about it. It’s not her car anyways.

Correct! Identify is the first step in hazard injury prevention. (This message appears if they click on 1).

Try again. The first step in hazard injury prevention is to identify the problem. (if they click on 2,3, or 4 this message appears).

1. The canine’s body language is aggressive; baring teeth, low growl, lunging body.

2. The canine isn’t in a kennel nor on a leash.3. “Guard dog on duty” posted on the residents door.4. All of the above.5. You are in a canine-dense area of San Diego.

Almost. The San Diego County recommends that you look for various signs that a dog could indeed be a hazard. Try again. (If 1,2, or 3 are chosen, this message appears)

Incorrect. Hazardous animals reside in all parts of the county. Try again. (This message pops up if #5 is chosen)

Congratulations! The County says that employees should check the areas for multiple signs that a hazard could be lurking. (this message pops up if #4 is clicked)

1) Run to his vehicle to phone in the hazard to his supervisor.

2) If the owner is present and the dog is unrestrained, do not look the animal in the eye and ask the owner to restrain the dog.

3) Be sure the dog is restrained before any attempt to handle business.

4) If the owner isn’t present, back away slowly and calmly from the animal until you are in a safe place.

Incorrect! Don’t ever run when confronted by a

hazardous dog. The County of San Diego recommends that you slowly and calmly back away from the animal until you are in a safe place.

(this message appears if they click on #1)

Correct! The County of San

Diego’s protocol for handling hazards is

Identification and then

Elimination. (This message pops up if they click on #3).

1. Stop what you are doing and identify the source of the leak.

2. Stop what you are doing and report it to maintenance.

3. Stop what you are doing and down paper towels to wipe up the spill and place a hazard cone, if there is one, over the area. Notify the supervisor and building facilities people.

4. Remain on schedule and go to lunch.

Not quite. After a hazard has been identified, try to eliminate as much of the hazard as possible. (If 1,2, or 4 were chosen, this message appears)

Correct! Elimination is the second step in hazard injury prevention. (If they click on 3 this message appears.)

1. Stopped and called the supervisor.

2. Stopped and put a cone or caution tape around the area and then called maintenance.

3. Stopped and repaired the carpet himself.

4. Forget about the carpet tear, it’s not a big deal.

Hazardous situations that you are aware of but unable to correct need to be reported to your supervisor right away. (This message would pop up if # 1 were chosen)

Try again! Hazardous situations that you have identified but are unable to correct are to be minimized if possible and then reported to your supervisor. (this message pops up if they click on 4)

Congratulations! Effective County of San Diego employees prevent others from becoming injured in these situations.(this message pops up if they click on 2 or 3)

1) Move your wrist back and forth occasionally. If the tingling doesn’t stop, buy a wrist brace.

2) Call the doctor to have it checked.

3) Report the problem with your wrist to your supervisor right away.

Not quite. The County of San Diego recommends that you report work place injuries to your supervisor (this pops up if they click on 1 or 2)

Correct! Letting the supervisor know is the best way for you to protect yourself . Supervisors may have to fill out paper work and have the employee see a doctor to determine if the injury is work related. (this pops up when thy click on 3)

Classroom Training such as…

•Body Mechanics and Ergonomics, •Find It & Fix IT, •Incident Investigation …can be scheduled via the Learning Management System. A calendar of topics can be found http://cww.co.san-diego.ca.us/dhr/Risk_Management/WorkSafe/Calendar.pdf. Risk Management retains a safety video lending library library. A list of titles can be found here http://cww.co.san-diego.ca.us/dhr/Risk_Management/WorkSafe/Active_docs/WSSH%20LP%20Video%20Lending%20Library%2001-26-2007.doc 

If you are a San Diego County Department Supervisor continue with the following portion.

A County of Registrar’s warehouse worker, Charlie, had a back injury several months ago. The following video is of Charlie’s supervisor, Ron, who has some important information for you about the role of department supervisors and the important of the WSSH program.

ACT ONEFADE IN: Charlie’s supervisor Ron, enters the HR office and sees Charlie leaving. They speak briefly between themselves. As Charlie leaves, Ron stays behind looking over some papers.

RON

Speaking to audience (other supervisors): We, the supervisors play a critical role in ensuring that those we supervise understand safety practices and procedures. We are responsible to provide employees with the appropriate incentive to do things right. One of the best ways to convince others of the importance of health and safety issues is by carrying out your safety responsibilities conscientiously and with conviction. Let’s take a look at some scenarios and see how the supervisors could have handled them differently.

1) Remind Charlie at the end of his shift that he needs to be more careful when lifting and moving boxes.

2) Become familiar with workers’ compensation procedures just in case Charlie hurts himself.

3) Take immediate steps to correct unsafe conditions and enforce compliance with safe work procedures.

If supervisor chooses 1 or 2, video of Ron pops up reminding the new hire that supervisors are responsible for the safety of their workers.

Correct! If # 3 is chosen, video of Ron pops up. Ron praises new hire for knowing that bad work habits must be corrected immediately..

1) Ensure that adequate training and instruction has been given to this employee concerning safe working procedures and inform him of any hazard to his health which is known to be associated with the work environment.

2) Make sure that John is ok. Follow up by conducting an accident investigation after an accident or “near miss” incident as soon as possible. All the facts and opinions regarding the causes of the accident should be compiled and documented.

3) The supervisor should have told John to stop digging and call headquarters to find out what the odor could be.

Not quite. (1 &3) Supervisor's are responsible for their employees safety first and foremost.(video of John the supervisor)

Correct! You are on your way to becoming a superior supervisor. A supervisor’s job is to make sure his employees are safe and well (video of John the supervisor).

Try again. Remember that supervisors must carry out safety responsibilities conscientiously and with conviction (video of supervisor John)

1) The supervisor needs to know the safe work procedures that must be used to perform each job task.

2) The supervisor should use this as an opportunity to conduct a safety meeting to help. The meeting will increase safety awareness and keep employees informed about the safety program.

3) The supervisor could share with the office workers about a tingling sensation she experienced in her wrist.

Supervisor Joe comes out on video: Great choice! A supervisor’s role is to provide employees with incentive to do things right and review safety procedures before accidents happen. Marge and Lillian's supervisor needs to inform management of the situation and ensure that they receive medical care for their injuries. Next, the supervisor needs to request an ergonomic assessment for their staff to ensure that their workstations are ergonomically correct.

Supervisor Joe comes out on video: Not quite.

Supervisors have a responsibility to conduct

safety meetings whenever they see a need. Potential

injuries or workman’s compensation situations are grounds for a safety

meeting (1 and 3).

ACT TWOFADE IN: Ron shows up in the HR office finishing up a conversation with Lillian and Marge. Lillian is wearing a wrist brace. They seem happy and leave to start their shifts. They exit. Ron stays behind and stands in front of poster of Supervisor’s Responsibilities. He faces the audience.

RONAre you getting an idea for the importance of your role to the employees of The County of San Diego? We have a critical role in ensuring that our employees understand safety practices and procedures. If you ever are unsure of your responsibilities as a supervisor, review the Work Safe Stay Healthy Supervisor’s Responsibilities listed in the Human Resources Office . That list of responsibilities includes…

(The following frame of supervisor’s responsibilities will now be seen and they will be read by Ron)

Know the safe work procedures that must be used to perform each job task. Know what personal protective equipment is needed for each task and how this equipment is properly used and maintained.

Ensure adequate training and instruction is given to employees concerning safe working procedures and inform them of any hazard to their health which is known to be associated with the work environment. Encourage individual responsibility with regard to accident prevention. Periodically remind employees of what conditions to look for and how to correct or report these conditions.

Take immediate steps to correct unsafe conditions within your authority and ability. When an unsafe condition cannot be immediately corrected, you should take temporary precautionary measures and follow-up to ensure that corrective measures are completed in a timely fashion.

Enforce compliance with safe work procedures. Recognize employees who follow safe and healthy work practices. If an unsafe act is observed, inform the employee immediately and explain why the act was unsafe.

Periodically conduct safety meetings to help increase safety awareness and keep employees informed about the safety program. Safety meetings should be short and cover relevant safely topics and recent job accidents or specific job hazards.

Conduct an accident investigation after an accident or “near miss” incident as soon as possible. All the facts and opinions regarding the causes of the accident should be compiled and documented.

Become familiar with workers’ compensation procedures so you can advise your employees concerning application and procurement of benefits.