This month we are going to review Slips, Trips and Falls. Over the last couple of months the majority of our Worker Compensation Claims have been due to a slip, trip or a fall. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, slips, trips and falls make up the majority of general industry accidents. 25% of all reported claims for the fiscal year are due to slips, trips and falls and over 17% of all disabling work injuries are a results of a fall while at work.  

The definition of a Slip: When there is too little friction or traction between or feet and the walking or working surface, and you loose your balance.

The definition of a Trip: When your foot hits and object and your upper body continues moving forward or backwards, throwing you off balance. A Trip can also be when you are stepping down unexpectedly to a lower surface and loose your step. Like when you step off a curb.

The definition of a Fall: Occurs when you are too far off your center of balance. This generally happens when you have a misstep going down a stairwell or when you get out a vehicle too quickly.

The most common injuries that happen due to a Slip, Trip or a Fall are:

o       Sprains and Strains

o       Bruises and Contusions

o       Fractures

o       Abrasions and Lacerations

Commonly affected Body Parts in Slip, Trip or Fall injury:

o       Knee, Ankle and Foot

o       Wrist and Elbow

o       Back

o       Shoulder

o       Hip

o       Head

So how can you protect yourself form a Slip, Trip or a Fall?

o       Make sure you are paying attention where you are walking or running.

o       Make sure that the driveways are always free of clutter.

o       Make sure you are following the proper lifting and carrying methods outlined in your Job Safety Agreement.

o       Report any hazards to your Manager or Driveway Ambassador

o       Make sure that you are using a lighted pathway

o       Make sure that you are using the Safe Path of Travel that was outlined to you in your Safety Checklist.

o       Be aware of your surroundings.

o       Have the proper Footwear for running and walking fast

            Take your time, watch your step and stay safe!!

Last month we discussed what your responsibilities are as employee with Minuteman Parking Company to stay safe while working. More than 65,000 work related injuries each year are due to unsafe work practices or short cuts that people take while performing there job. Many employees believe that if they can do the job faster they are doing the job better; sometimes fast is not safe and we want to be safe at all times.

Minuteman Parking Company has policies and procedures in place to help keep you safe while you are at work. Still many of our employees do not always follow our safe work practices.

Two things can add to an employee getting injured at work. The first thing is an unsafe act or practice. The second thing is an unsafe condition. Studies have shown that 9 out of 10 accidents are the results of unsafe acts, or things we do when we know better. Why do employees deliberately expose themselves to injuries? Most employees have one of the two following thoughts running through their heads when they do their jobs unsafely.

·        It won’t happen to me.

·        We all take short cuts while we are working.

It won’t happen to me.

Most of us probably have had this thought run through our head at one time or another while working. This thought is a form of rationalization of the risk of getting injured while working. We think that we have done this job over and over and nothing has ever happened to me; therefore nothing bad will happen to me.  You know the right way to do it, you realize that it is hazardous to do your job this way, but you really believe that “it won’t happen to me.”

We all take short cuts.

Some employees are very meticulous about following safe work practices. Because we do our jobs day in and day out we become comfortable; our jobs become routine.  When your job becomes routine you have a higher chance of using an unsafe method of doing your job like jumping over a fence or skipping a couple of steps in the stairwell.  The time you save is not worth the potential injury to yourself. 

One out of ten unsafe acts lead to a workplace injury.  We all know better, we know the safe way of doing our jobs from the training we all have received.  Don’t be a statistic.  Be Safe and Happy.

As we go into the New Year Minuteman Parking Company would like to remind our employees what their responsibilities are to insure that we are all safe while at work. As the year progresses Minuteman Parking Company will be rolling out some new Accident Prevention Programs. These programs will define responsibilities for Management, Driveway Ambassadors, Drivers and Attendants.  Management has a responsibility for the safety and health of all employees and to provide a safe work environment.

Everyone is expected to be responsible!

We all must get to work on time, work safely throughout the day, help our fellow teammates and guests and address any concerns to our Manager, Human Resources or the Training and Safety Manager.

We all are responsible to:

·        Listen and learn

·        Be an active participant in learning a new skill or safety issue.

·        Ask for assistance if the training or instruction is not clear or your do not feel comfortable in performing the task assigned to you correctly and safely.

·        Report ALL unsafe acts and nears misses immediately to a Manager.  

·        Address all problems with Management ASAP.

·        Give your Management Team solutions to issues

·        Continue to address issues with your Management Team and Human Resources if issues are unresolved.

·        Be an active member in the safety of the workplace.

·        Participate in Safety Discussions at your location.

·        WORK SAFE

Minuteman Parking Company would like you to take an active part in making your location safe for you, your fellow teammates and our guests.

Keep open communication with your Team Members. Lack of communication is one of the biggest roadblocks to a safe work environment. Do not let this happen at your location. Be responsible and we will all stay safe.

As we approach the holidays I thought it would be nice to revisit the December 2007 Safety Topic that Gary Barnett came up with.   As the holidays get underway many factors come into play that leads people to abuse both drugs and alcohol.  Below is what Gary posted in 2007 about this topic.

Drug use and alcohol consumption are normally considered personal issues. They only become an employer’s concern when they affect safety and worker performance. Drug and alcohol abuse cost employers through absenteeism.   Abusers hurt themselves and their families if they lose their job as a result of their actions.  If they are fired or cannot function on the job, the company loses the services of an experienced worker.  Those under the influence of drugs or alcohol cause friction in the work group, lower morale and work efficiency, use poor judgment that result in bad decisions, and give the company a poor public image.

Certain times of the year individuals should be especially aware of their alcohol and drug consumption; In the winter months when the days are dark and dreary some people experience a sense of depression or seasonal affected disorder (SAD). They may turn to drugs or alcohol in the mistaken belief it will relieve the symptoms of the disorder.

The holiday season, with increased social gatherings and added financial stress, leads some people to use alcohol or drugs to help them cope.  When workers are tired, hung over and still trying to recover, they may not give all their attention to the safety aspects of their job. Their judgment and safety performance becomes impaired and the likelihood of an accident or injury to themselves or coworkers increases.

Sometimes a personal or health problem persists. In most cases, the problem gets resolved. But if it is not resolved some people turn to alcohol or drugs. Even some prescription drugs can interfere with job performance. The individual cannot think clearly or becomes distracted. This can lead to accidents. Irresponsible consumption of drugs or alcohol not only jeopardizes the safety and health of the worker and coworkers but can impact the employer’s business and affect the future of all families involved.

Be Safe, Be Smart and think of others..

 As you are working do you know the difference between a hazard and an accident?

A Hazard is defined as a condition or changing set of circumstance that presents a potential for injury, illness or property damage. A Hazard is the potential or inherent characteristic of an activity, condition, or circumstance which can produce adverse or harmful consequences.

An Accident is defined as an unfortunate event often the result of carelessness or ignorance. An Accident is an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance usually resulting in an unfavorable outcome.

As you can see in the definitions there are some key words: Unplanned; Unforeseen; Unfortunate; Unfavorable and most importantly the word: Potential.

The only way an accident is going to happen is there has to be a hazard or pure carelessness of the driver.  Daily routines can become mundane and robotic. This is when we start taking things for granted. Once you start taking things for granted you begin to take shortcuts. These shortcuts lead to doing your work unsafely. Complacency and taking things for granted are causes of a large number of work injuries each year. As you go through your daily routines you need to be aware of hazards and you need to be able to recognize them. Remember recognizing hazards and doing something about is everyone’s responsibility.  Inform your manager or supervisor of any hazard you see.

So while you are at work you should be asking yourself these simple questions:

Ø      Do I have the right shoes on today?

Ø      Are my shoes in good repair?

Ø      Is my work area safe? 

Ø      Has anything changed for your previous shift?

Ø      Is there a safer way for me to accomplish my task?

Ø      Am I taking a shortcut because the driveway is busy?

Everyday you need to make the right choices while you are at work. One wrong choice can lead to an accident.

BE SAFE!!!

Medical facilities across the country are preparing for the worst as we head into a new flu season.  The H1N1 virus also known as “swine flu” is expected to infect millions of people this winter and public health officials hope to lessen the threat by providing vaccines to the those people with the highest risk.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

The initial priority should go to health care and emergency workers, pregnant women, those from 6 months to age 24, and adults with underlying medical conditions ranging from heart disease to asthma.

An article in the Orange County Register last week discussed how area hospitals are preparing to combat the potential epidemic of swine flu.

To help minimize the spread of the H1N1 virus, Minuteman Parking has teamed up with the staff at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange to hand out face masks to visitors who may be exhibiting flu symptoms when they use our valet parking services.  We are proud that we are on the front lines of fighting this potential epidemic, and pleased that a picture of team member Jim Kirkpatrick was included in the OCRegister article.

Minuteman Parking Team Member Jim Kirkpatrick Passes Out Face Mask at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange

You can find out more about swine flu and the swine flu vaccine at the OC Register website or from the special H1N1 website from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After reviewing the current trends of Worker Compensation Claims at Minuteman Parking Company we have noticed a rise in the number of accidents that involve employees getting in and out of guest vehicles. This month we would like to focus on making sure that all employees know the best way of getting in and out of guest vehicles. We want to make you aware of what can happen.

During the recent months we have had employees injure themselves getting into vehicles that were parked too closely together. When employees have to go into a car sideways and try to pull their bodies into the vehicle it can cause strain on their knees and lower backs.

We have also had employees during peak business periods feel the need to jump out of vehicles and injure their knees and ankles.

Many serious injuries can happen if you do not get in or out of a vehicle safely. Here are some tips to make sure that you do not get injured while getting in or out of a vehicle.

• If a vehicle is too high for you to easily slide in, use the side step that is attached to the vehicle.  Make sure that you can open the door completely so that you can get in or out of the vehicle without having to squeeze yourself out the door.
• Always take your time getting in and out of a vehicle. If you are in a rush and are not careful you can twist your knees, back or ankles trying to get in and/or out.
• Make sure that the seat is in a position that will allow you to safely enter the vehicle.

Minuteman Parking Company would like to remind all employees that we want you to work safely and we want to ensure that you have a safe work environment.  As you are working your shifts we want you to be conscious of how you get in and out of guest vehicles and mindful of what your body is doing as you perform these tasks.

By paying attention to details and focusing on the job at hand we can all help prevent workplace injuries.

This Month is Safety Preparedness month and Minuteman Parking Company wants to ensure that all of our employees are safe and ready to act if there is an emergency. This month we would like to go over some simple tips to help you make sure that your location is safe and we would like to remind you of some of our Emergency Procedures.

As an Employee you are responsible for:

• Learning to work safely
• Take all workplace rules seriously
• Recognize hazards
• Avoid any hazards you see
• Report ALL accidents and injuries immediately

Upper Management is responsible for:

• Providing a safe and healthy workplace
• Train employees on how to work safely
• Train employees on how to recognize hazards
• Train employees on what to do if an emergency occurs at your location

Poor housekeeping can result in slips, trips and falls and it is everyone’s responsibility to be aware of all potential hazards.

In case of an Emergency you need to be familiar with your locations’ emergency procedures. At each location we have evacuation routes and meeting places that we expect all employees to follow during an emergency.

If you are unfamiliar with the evacuation routes and meeting places please ask your manager. Below are some simple steps to follow during and emergency at your location. Each location follows these basic steps in all emergencies.

• Clear the front drive of all vehicles so that the emergency crews can have access
• If you are in an office, close the door and leave the area immediately.
• Know the location of the closest fire extinguisher. If it is a small fire try to extinguish.
• Immediately contact Hotel/Hospital Management of the emergency.
• If you are close to an alarm, pull it to activate the emergency alarm. This will warn others of the threatening situation.

Minuteman Parking Company is committed on providing a safe work environment for all employees and in return this will create a safe environment for our visitors. At any time you notice something that is unsafe please notify your Manager or Driveway Ambassador. If you have any questions on any of the emergency procedures at your location please contact your manager for clarification. Remember, safety benefits everyone and by following the simple steps we have outlined for you it will help reduce the number of workplace injuries and make your location safer for all.

Many of our locations use parking garages and one hazard that can occur in all parking garages is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. CO is a clear, odorless gas which is created by inefficient combustion emissions. The most common source of CO that Minuteman Parking Company Team Members encounter is from vehicles that we park for visitors to our facilities.

Carbon Monoxide kills by binding up the hemoglobin in the blood. CO has an affinity for hemoglobin that is several times greater than that of oxygen. This means it only takes small amount of CO to bind up a large amount of oxygen delivered to the tissues.

Without the oxygen you will slowly suffocate to death.

What does this mean to you as a Minuteman Parking Company Team Member?  How does Carbon Monoxide affect you?

Here are some signs of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

• Slight Headache and Dizziness
• Nausea
• Drowsiness and a euphoric feeling
• Unconsciousness
• Death

OSHA has mandated the level of CO that you as employee are allowed to be in for an 8 hour day. The OSHA mandated level is 50 parts per million. This is a very small amount of CO. If you took a million ice cubes and placed them into a room. Then you removed only 50 of those ice cubes. The 50 ice cubes you removed would be the maximum amount of CO OSHA would allow you to be exposed to in an 8 hour day.

Many of our Parking Garages have CO sensors. If you hear the sensors going off in the garage notify your Manager. The sensor alarm means that the CO Levels in the Garage are starting to become unsafe and you will need to take extra precautions in the garage. When the CO sensors start to go off it means that the level of CO in the garage has just hit 50 parts per million. The sensor will get louder and go off more frequently the higher the lever CO gets in the garage.

If the CO sensors start to go off in your garage make sure that you open all stairwells so that air can flow through the garage. This will help push the CO out of the parking garage.  If you need to pull or park a vehicle while the CO Sensors are going off then you need to make sure that you are wearing a mask or have a towel over your mouth and nose so you do not breathe in CO. Make sure you notify all of your fellow team members that the CO sensors are going off and that they need to take extra precaution when parking and pulling vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and take your health and the health and safety of others seriously.

 

Do you know if you are wearing the correct shoes for your job? How can you tell if the shoes you are wearing will keep you safe?  Slips and falls are going too happened and wearing the proper shoes can help prevent them from occurring more often. Minuteman Parking Company has many different job titles and each job has its own function in keeping our operations running smoothly. Having the right footwear for your job can help prevent workplace injuries. Your job functions will dictate the appropriate protection against foot injuries. Here are some things to consider.

An estimated 130,000 disabling foot injuries and 40,000 toe injuries occur on an annual basis according to the National Safety Council.  General hazards you can encounter at work are: Heavy objects that may fall on your feet (luggage), heavy objects that may roll over them (cars) or toes that are stubbed on immovable objects (curbs or stairs).  Wearing the wrong footwear can cause you to slip and fall resulting in multiple injuries. Are your shoes made out of the right material?  Are your shoes slip resistant? We deal with wet surfaces and oil spills from vehicles. Can your shoes protect you from slipping and falling? Your shoes should also fit properly and be comfortable to wear and they should be in good condition. If your shoes start to get worn out it is time to replace them.

For those of you that work in an office you might think I can wear whatever shoes I want, but even in an office your footwear is important for safety. There are injuries reported by office workers involving doors slamming into feet and workers wearing sandals who were required to have a surgical procedure to remove their toe nails. This means that you should not wear opened toed shoes to work.

Managers must monitor what footwear their staff is wearing to work.

Remember, a valet is an occupational athlete and we need the right footwear to perform the job to our maximum potential. You would not wear golf shoes to play basketball!!   Take a good look at your shoes and ask yourself if they are the right shoes for your job.   

We do not want anyone to get injured while at work!