Safe Patient Handling

ergosafe-2100- bedRates of musculoskeletal injuries from overexertion in healthcare occupations are among the highest of all U.S. industries. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that in 2011, the rate of overexertion injuries averaged across all industries was 38 per 10,000 full time workers.By comparison, the overexertion injury rate for hospital workers was twice the average (76 per 10,000), the rate for nursing home workers was over three times the average (132 per 10,000), and the rate for ambulance workers was over six times the average (238 per 10,000). The single greatest risk factor for overexertion injuries in healthcare workers is the manual lifting, moving and repositioning of patients, residents or clients, i.e., manual patient handling.

via CDC – Safe Patient Handling – NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic.

THE “WRONG” WAY TO USE A LADDER

  • man standing on the top step of a ladder with caution sticker showing dangerDON’T stand above the second step from the top of a stepladder or the fourth rung from the top of an extension ladder.
  • DON’T climb a closed stepladder.
  • DON’T climb on the back of a stepladder.
  • DON’T stand or sit on a stepladder top or pail shelf.
  • DON’T climb a ladder if you are not physically and mentally up to the task.
  • DON’T place the base of an extension ladder too close to or too far away from the building.
  • DON’T over-reach, lean to one side or try to move a ladder while on it. Climb down and then reposition the ladder closer to your work.
  • DON’T exceed the maximum load capacity or duty rating of a ladder.
  • DON’T permit more than one person on a single-sided stepladder or an extension ladder.

via Werner Ladder DOs and DON’Ts.

How to Create a Motivating Workplace

happy_employees31The workplace environment affects how the employees perform and feel about their jobs. A motivating workplace encourages employees to work harder, which allows them to advance and succeed while your business gets ahead. The employees may also be more satisfied with their jobs when the environment motivates them at the office. Money often comes to mind as a motivating factor for employees, but other strategies also work to encourage improved work performance from all staff members.

  • Step 1 – Write the policies, procedures and expectations for the office in a handbook for all employees. The written manual teaches employees what you want from them so they have a framework for behavior in the office. Knowing what is expected helps motivate employees because they know how to follow company standards to succeed.
  • Step 2 – Implement company policies universally so all employees are treated equally and held to the same standards. This creates a sense of fairness that is a motivator for employees. If employees feel that certain employees are treated better than others, they won’t be as motivated to work hard.
  • Step 3 – Establish a reward program to recognize employee achievement. Create guidelines for receiving recognition through the program.
  • Step 4 – Apply raises consistently using set criteria. Raises based on performance helps motivate employees to work hard.
  • Step 5 – Create work goals for each employee with her help. Meet with her to write the goals together. Use your performance evaluations as a time to write goals and evaluate past goals.
  • Step 6 – Communicate with your employees on a regular basis, particularly if change within the company occurs. Uncertainty and lack of information promotes gossip and worries employees, which can chip away at their motivation.
  • Step 7 – Assign leadership opportunities to employees who show they are able to handle the responsibility. Allow the employees to take the lead on projects without hovering over every move they make.
  • Step 8 – Present all employees with educational opportunities related to work. Send employees to trainings or conduct your own sessions in the office.

via How to Create a Motivating Workplace | Chron.com.

Child Safety

child-safetyAs parents, we want to keep our children safe from harm. Take steps to keep your children safe:

  • Install the right child safety seat in your car
  • Teach children how to cross the street safely
  • Make sure they wear the right gear and equipment for sports
  • Install and test smoke alarms
  • Store medicines, cleaners and other dangerous substances in locked cabinets
  • Babyproof your home
  • Don’t leave small children unattended

via Child Safety: MedlinePlus.

Bring Safety Home, Off the job Safety

home-safety35pcWhat is off-the-job safety?

Off-the-job safety is the extension of an organization’s on-the-job safety culture. Off-the-job safety programs educate employees about being safe while not at work.

A growing number of businesses now consider off-the-job safety critical to good management of health care costs, productivity and profits. More importantly, off-the-job safety programs help save the lives of employees and their families.

via Bring Safety Home, Off the job Safety.

Recognizing the Signs of Depression

Depressed man with his head on his armsIt isn’t always easy to tell when normal reactions to difficult situations (grief, sadness, etc.) have crossed the line towards clinical depression that needs treatment. However, the number of signs or symptoms you are experiencing, along with the duration and frequency you have them are all important. You are probably dealing with clinical depression (which warrants a visit to your doctor for evaluation) if you have experienced 5 or more of the following symptoms (and at least one of them is among the first two listed), nearly every day for two weeks or more:

  • Loss of interest in things you normally enjoy
  • Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
  • Thoughts of death or suicide
  • Feeling worthless or guilty
  • Problems falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early or sleeping too much
  • Unexplained decrease or increase in appetite, resulting in weight gain or loss within the last month.
  • Trouble thinking, concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
  • Extreme tiredness or lack of energy that interferes with your ability to work or take care of your daily responsibilities
  • Feeling restless, unable to sit still, or abnormally slow when moving

via Recognizing the Signs of Depression | SparkPeople.

Road Rage Can Be Deadly

RoadRageRoad rage is aggressive or angry behavior by a driver of an automobile or other road vehicle. Such behavior might include rude gestures, verbal insults, deliberately driving in an unsafe or threatening manner, or making threats. Road rage can lead to altercations, assaults, and collisions that result in injuries and even deaths. It can be thought of as an extreme case of aggressive driving.

via Road rage – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Serving Sizes and Portions

dv1554020A portion is the amount of food that you choose to eat for a meal or snack. It can be big or small—you decide.

A serving is a measured amount of food or drink, such as one slice of bread or one cup (eight ounces) of milk.

Many foods that come as a single portion actually contain multiple servings. The Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods—on the backs of cans, sides of boxes, etc.— tells you the number of servings in the container.

For example, look at the label of a 20-ounce soda (usually consumed as one portion). It has 2.5 servings in it. A 3-ounce bag of chips, which some would consider a single portion, contains 3 servings.

via Serving Sizes and Portions, Eat Right, NHLBI, NIH.

The HR Department as a Revenue Enhancer

HRN-Europe-HRTo many CEOs and CFOs, the HR department as a revenue enhancer takes getting used to. That’s not the way they were taught.

They are more interested in the payoff and are asking appropriate questions: What’s in it for the company? Where is the improvement in the revenue stream? How does this get us new customers and retain our current customers. Where is the proof of corporate performance enhancement metrics?

Once they get solid answers to these questions from competent HR leaders, the CEOs are quick to change their thinking. To answer the payoff questions, recognize that a continual company-wide value chain analysis is critical to the success of any organization.

Over the past decade, CEOs began demanding that their Human Resources departments deliver flawless functional work and become a knowledgeable partner with all other disciplines to advance the business plan of the company.

Individual professional silos are breaking down. Disciplines such as finance, sales, marketing, operations, and HR no longer exist as stand alone entities. They are inter-dependent with one another. Weakness of any one of the links inhibits other links from maximizing their efficiency and productivity.

via Human Resources Department As a Profitability Factor.

How to Start Running Safely

jogging1If all the benefits of cardio have you wanting to start running, here are some tips for you to follow so you can start your new pastime safely.

  • Get the OK. Check with your doctor if you are new to running or exercise, or if you have any health problems, to make sure you are fine to start.
  • Invest in the right shoes. Dressing the part doesn’t just come down to wearing the cutest attire. Make sure you buy the right shoes; don’t go for looks, but go for support and long-lasting materials that cushion. Quality running shoes may not be cheap, but they’ll help prevent injuries and make running that much more enjoyable. Here’s what to expect when buying the right running shoe.
  • Start slow. It’s OK to walk — don’t think you have to power through a whole mile when you first start. Starting slow helps keep you from getting overuse injuries. Instead, use a walk/run strategy: run for five to 10 seconds every minute, and gradually shift the ratio as you become stronger. Also, try to set a few goals (like these small minigoals for beginning runners) to conquer to keep you interested and motivated.
  • Fuel up correctly. Make sure you’re eating the right foods to prevent an upset stomach or feeling weak. Eat a mix of proteins and carbs about 30 minutes before a run, and make sure it’s light so you don’t feel sluggish and get cramps. Read more tips on what to eat before a run here.
  • Warm up and cool down. Don’t force muscles to work without warming them up first. Briskly walk or jog before you start running to prevent pulls and strains. And make sure you cool down after a run; slow down to a jog and stretch your leg muscles.

via How to Start Running Safely | POPSUGAR Fitness.