Toolbox for Reducing Sprains and Strains 2011 Oregon Landscape Expo Oregon Landscape Contractors Association (OLCA) Eric Connelly, CSP Illa Gilbert-Jones, CIH, CSP
Agenda Defining safety culture Material handling and body mechanics Warming up and stretching out Simple steps to ladder safety
What is safety culture? Culture: Behaviors, ideas, meanings, beliefs, and values of a group Is passed along through communication and imitation, mostly unconsciously
Safety and Compliance OSHA Safety
What about common sense?
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Common sense = good judgment Good judgment is the result of bad experience which is most often the result of bad judgment. CS = Experience + Training + Focus Good people can make bad decisions when good decisions are not rewarded Good people can make bad decisions when good choices are not available SAIF CORPORATION November 18, 2011 Page 7
The Safety Cycle Action Action Upper Limit Recordable Incident Rate Lower Limit Withdrawal SAIF CORPORATION Page 8
MANUAL MATERIAL HANDLING AND SAFER LIFTING
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Manual Material Handling Use equipment whenever possible to lift, push, pull and carry heavy materials If you don t have the equipment use techniques to reduce stress on the body and get help Use good techniques on and off work SAIF CORPORATION November 18, 2011 Page 11
USE BETTER LEVERAGE BY KEEPING ELBOWS CLOSE
Leverage Zones The Green Zone Elbows in close to the body Pivot point is the elbow Weight is closer to the body provides better leverage requires less force to lift with your hands SAIF CORPORATION November 18, 2011 Page 13
Leverage Zones The Yellow Zone About 6 inches out from your side (about the distance between thumb & little finger) The pivot point has moved to the shoulder Force on the shoulder can be up to 6 times that of Green Zone SAIF CORPORATION November 18, 2011 Page 14
Leverage Zones The Red Zone Elbows stretch beyond the 6-inch string Pivot point changes to the low back Force on the low back can be 50:1 in the far red zone SAIF CORPORATION November 18, 2011 Page 15
6 inches closer reduces force 50%
SUPPORT YOUR UPPER BODY
MAINTAIN YOUR BALANCE DON T TWIST TRUNK
Line of Strength & Balance What is it? Imagine an elastic line stretched between your ankles You can easily shift weight from side to side One leg for power, one leg for balance SAIF CORPORATION November 18, 2011 Page 27
Your Line of Weakness Find the center of your line of strength and balance Make a line 90 degrees straight out and straight back This is your line of weakness SAIF CORPORATION November 18, 2011 Page 28
One Foot Forward! When you move one foot forward: The line of strength and balance changes direction The line of weakness also changes direction Instantly providing you with additional strength in front of you and less stress on your back SAIF CORPORATION November 18, 2011 Page 29
Why is this important? People often attempt to work along their line of weakness: Lifting boxes off the floor Picking up a pen off the floor Pulling a trash liner out of a can Transferring a resident from a bed/chair Vacuuming Putting a child in a stroller SAIF CORPORATION November 18, 2011 Page 30
3-point contact
MAINTAIN GOOD POSTURE THROUGHOUT THE TASK AVOID AWKWARD POSTURE
Neutral spine
Neutral Postures Postures in the mid-range of motion where the stress to joints, muscles, vertebrae and tissue is the least Arms relaxed at sides and not reaching Wrists straight Torso and Neck Upright The Body is strongest and most at rest in these postures. SAIF CORPORATION November 18, 2011 Page 42
THE VALUE OF WORK HARDENING AND WARM-UP EXERCISES
How to over-do it Overworking cold or weak muscles can result in strained muscles and tendons Reducing your risk Stay (get in) shape New hires and workers returning from leave should be eased into harder work Allow your muscles time to warm up prior to engaging in strenuous activity
Implementing a Stretching routine
LADDER SAFETY
General Safety Rules Use the right ladder Inspect your ladder don t use a defective ladder Set up the ladder properly. Get help when moving or setting up long or heavy ladders. Climb facing the ladder. Center your body between the rails and keep your hips square to the rungs. Hold the side rails with both hands; Use 3-point contact
General Safety Rules Hold the ladder with one hand and work with the other hand whenever possible. Attach light, compact tools or materials to the ladder or to yourself. Raise and lower heavy, awkward loads with a hand line or a hoist. Use extreme caution when you re pushing or pulling materials. Inspect your ladder each time you use it
Safety tips for specific ladders Step ladder Fully open to lock the spreader. Do not use the top of the step ladder Do not use the bracing for climbing. Orchard ladder Do not stand on the top cap of the ladder or the first step down. Use the third leg of the ladder to increase stability not a branch. Do not overreach waist stays within the ladder side rails keep both feet on the same rung or step.
Safety tips for specific ladders Extension ladder Place the upper end against a solid wall that will support the weight of the ladder and the climber. Be sure the top of the ladder extends at least three feet above the support point. Do not stand on the top three rungs Use the 4:1 rule Non-slip feet are firmly and evenly planted. Place the ladder in a vertical position before raising the extension. The sliding upper section should be on top of the base.
References SAIF ergonomics webpage http://www.saif.com/employer/safety/safety_1194.aspx Leverage zone poster English SAIF http://www.saif.com/_files/safetyhealthguides/leverage_zone_poster-091510.pdf Leverage zone poster Spanish SAIF http://www.saif.com/_files/safetyhealthguides/sim4_leveragezone_spanish_1009 22.pdf Entry exit poster SAIF http://www.saif.com/_files/safetyhealthguides/s-878.pdf SAIF stretch & flex webpage with links to poster and handout in English and Spanish http://www.saif.com/employer/safety/safety_1396.aspx SAIF ladder safety website with links to posters and related websites http://www.saif.com/employer/safety/safety_1214.aspx SAIF agriculture safety website with poster and links to related information http://www.saif.com/employer/safety/safety_agriculture.aspx Orchard Ladder Safety http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/22295/ladder%20saf ety_ver2010.mp4?sequence=2
Questions? Thank you