Injury Prevention - Winter Slip and Fall Safety



-487045-20193000AG SAFETY S.T.A.T. - SAFE TACTICS FOR AG TODAYVol. 10 No. 1 January 2017*****************************************************ANNOUNCEMENTSSAFETY RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT — Emergency?&?Disaster?Animal?Response?Planning?OHIO AGRABILITY — Managing Your Aches and Pains in the WinterINJURY PREVENTION— Preventing Slips and Falls during Icy ConditionsINJURY PREVENTION— The Silent Killer – Carbon Monoxide EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT— Winter Travel Safety *****************************************************ANNOUNCEMENTS *Limited Dates Remain* -- Grain C.A.R.T. Programming for 2017Agricultural rescue training and education are an integral part to protecting our work force of families tied to agriculture in Ohio. The Grain C.A.R.T. (Comprehensive Agricultural Rescue Trailer) was designed and built to do that two fold. Opportunities exist to offer professional training to first responders and/or deliver grain safety awareness curriculum for outreach education to farmers and agricultural industries by scheduling the Grain C.A.R.T. for your area in 2017. The Grain C.A.R.T. is off the road for the winter months, but 2017 travel is being booked now to kick off in March. Please contact Lisa Pfeifer at (614) 292-9455 or pfeifer.6@osu.edu, if you would like to discuss program planning with the Grain C.A.R.T. in your geographic area. A few weekend dates remain open for late May to early June or late September, with more available weekday options sprinkled throughout the farming season.Add Safety To Your Winter Meetings and Workers’ Compensation ProgramsPlease consider the Ag Safety Office when developing your winter and early spring producer meetings or Workers Compensation group-rating programs. Our staff will work with you to design a program specifically for your audience group, or feel free to select a topic from those suggested below. Trainees will develop a safety mindset and learn about workplace hazards. Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the U.S. affecting a wide range of audiences. The diversity of the workers is reflective in the culture of farming, where there is a range of workforce age, competency level and certain regulation practices. We look forward to scheduling in your area for 2017.Suggested Program Topics – Contact Kent McGuire at mcquire.225@osu.edu or Dee Jepsen at jepsen.4@osu.eduTractor and Equipment SafetyOSHA and AgHiring Young Workers: Matching Workers to their Age and Stage of Development, and Employment Laws for Hiring Farm KidsNoise on the FarmGrain Handling and Bin SafetyFirst Aid on the FarmPreventing Slips, Trips, and Falls on the FarmManaging Safety with Agricultural EmployeesATVs and UTVs – Training programs for all agesSun Safety and Skin Cancer PreventionEmergency Plans for the Farm and Agritainment BusinessGrain C.A.R.T. – Comprehensive Ag Rescue TrailerOhio AgrAbility Program Topics – Contact Lisa Pfeifer at pfeifer.6@osu.eduAging Productively on the Farm or in the GardenAgrAbility & Universal Design on the FarmAssistive Technology for the FarmSAFETY RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT - Emergency?&?Disaster?Animal?Response?Planning?The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has an Animal Response Plan Development Tool Kit available on their website to help communities prepare for the safety and welfare of all types of animals in the event of an emergency or disaster. Each county EMA office is the lead agency for the development and implementation of their county’s Animal?Response?Plan?and?the?OSUE?county?office?is?included in the plan?as?one?of?the?many support?agencies. To?familiarize?yourself?and?staff?with?this?planning?tool, visit: . Reach out to your county EMA?office to?learn?what?is?contained?in?your county specific plan. OHIO AGRABILITY - Managing Your Aches and Pains in the WinterLaura Akgerman – Disability Services Coordinator for Ohio AgrAbilityAnyone with aches & pains knows that cold weather makes everything hurt a little more, and makes it harder to work and get everything done. According to Professor Robert H Shmerling, MD, at the Harvard Medical School, weather may or may not have an impact on your arthritis pain, but there may be “a connection between weather and joint symptoms… researchers have been unable to figure out just what matters most about the weather and arthritis symptoms or why there should be a connection”. While you cannot control the weather, you can control how to react to it, and how to manage your health, wellness and productivity.If you will be working outside in cold weather:Wear layers of clothing, keep an extra pair of gloves with you (in case one pair gets wet)Wear a hat that covers your head and ears, and use the hood on your coat or sweatshirt to keep out draftsTake short, frequent breaks to warm up, and don’t overexert – yourself, energy is required to keep muscles warmIf you are working in remote areas, try to work with someone else, and carry your cell phone in case you need to call for helpThe Arthritis Foundation of Washington reports “a lack of physical activity will cause joints to become stiff. Exercise eases arthritis pain. It increases strength and flexibility, reduces joint pain, and helps combat fatigue”. Stay active and healthy over the winter:Include stretching, strengthening and endurance activities in your daily routinePlan your day to alternate between difficult and easier tasks, do the most strenuous tasks early, when you have the most energy Sit when possible to minimize stress on your joints Be mindful of proper techniques for lifting, carrying, bending and reaching overheadUse labor saving devices when possibleTransport items by cart rather than carrying themFor more information about Ohio AgrAbility visit or contact Laura Akgerman, Disability Services Coordinator for Ohio AgrAbility & OSU Extension Akgerman.4@osu.edu, 614-247-7681.INJURY PREVENTION – Preventing Slips and Falls During Icy ConditionsKent McGuire – OSU Ag Safety and Health Program CoordinatorWhen the temperature drops, ice can become a severe problem on the farm. Water troughs ice over, barn doors freeze shut, and ice glazes over travel paths or equipment stored outside. Icy conditions can cause severe slip / fall injuries because an individual slides abruptly causing a loss of balance and impacting the surface below. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2014, there were 34,860 workplace slip-and-fall injuries involving ice, sleet or snow that required at least one day away from work to recuperate. This does not include thousands more winter slip-and-fall related injuries that were minor and did not result in lost work time. Here are some simple guidelines to reduce the risk of a slip / fall injury from icy conditions:- Use the proper footwear that can provide some slip resistance and traction.- Take short steps or shuffle, and try to ensure your torso stays balanced over your feet.- Keep your hands out of your pockets. You can help break your fall with your hands free if you do start to slip and by placing your arms out to your side can help to maintain your balance. - Utilize handrails and grab bars, or follow a fence line in an effort to maintain your stability by holding on to a solid object.- If applying salt to travel paths is not an option, apply sand, gravel, kitty liter, floor dry or some abrasive substance to provide a texture for traction.- Use grassy areas as a secondary travel path. This will provide a course texture to increase traction while walking.- Take extra precaution around livestock watering areas. Ice can form in theses areas by water being splashed or dripped around the perimeter of the tank.- Minimize distractions to remain alert to icy hazards and avoid carrying bulky items that block your view- When transitioning from the bright outdoor environment to indoor areas, stop briefly to allow your vision to catch up with the change in lighting, in order to recognize hazards ahead.- Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles or equipment; use the vehicle for support.- Use 3 points of contact when mounting or dismounting large equipment (1 hand / 2 feet) or (2 hands / 1 foot). Ensure there is solid footing on the ground before final dismounting.For more information, please contact Kent McGuire, OSU Agricultural Safety & Health, at mcguire.225@osu.edu or 614-292-0588.INJURY PREVENTION - The Silent Killer – Carbon MonoxideLisa Pfeifer – OSU Ag Safety and Health Education CoordinatorWinter is a time when fuel-burning devices are at peak utilization and along with that come the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. The Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal, lists examples of devices the may produce dangerous levels of CO gas as:Fuel fired furnaces (non-electric)Gas water heatersGeneratorsFireplaces and wood stovesGas stovesNon-electric space heatersGas dryersCharcoal grillsLawnmowers, snowblowers, etc.AutomobilesCarbon monoxide cannot be detected without a carbon monoxide detector/alarm. It can present like any other illness. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 or consult a health care professional.Helpful resources with more in-depth information can be found at:The Ohio Committee For Severe Weather Awareness website, Ohio Department of Commerce website, American Red Cross website, about OSU Ag Safety, visit or contact Lisa Pfeifer, OSU Agricultural Safety & Health, at pfeifer.6@osu.edu or 614-292-9455.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - Winter Travel SafetyLisa Pfeifer – OSU Ag Safety and Health Education CoordinatorWhen the weather outside is frightful, the roadways and travel may not always be so delightful. Remember to plan accordingly as you set out in inclement weather. Safety steps take a little extra time, but they may ultimately help protect you and your loved ones in foul weather.Winterize VehiclesFill antifreeze and windshield washer reservoirsCheck tire inflation levels and tread depthEnsure you set out with a full fuel tankInspect battery condition and charge level at the beginning of the winter seasonCheck and Restock Emergency ItemsInvestigate the condition of the spare tirePack ice scrapers, a flashlight, booster cables, and a phone chargerKeep a blanket in your car during the winter monthsLocate maps you will need for your tripBe ResponsiblePlan your travel and inform others of your planned arrival and departure timesStow you cell phone while drivingPull over if you need to check directions or use your phoneBring some cash with youAssign a designated driver before setting out if anyone will be drinkingFor great winter weather resources drop by the official website of the Department of Homeland Security at about Emergency Management, visit or contact Lisa Pfeifer, OSU Agricultural Safety & Health, at pfeifer.6@osu.edu or 614-292-9455.*********************************************************************************************************************Ag Safety S.T.A.T. – Safe Tactics for Ag Today is an e-mail newsletter prepared by Dee Jepsen, Extension Agricultural Safety Specialist and team members from the State Safety Office, in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering at OSU. The primary goal of this monthly newsletter is to help you stay connected to everyday safety news and activities that maybe used in your own newsletters or programs. If you have safety-related questions or program ideas that you would like to share, please contact Dr. Jepsen at jepsen.4@osu.edu********************************************************************************************************************* ................
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