Over the past couple of weeks, Earthquakes have been all over the news. But do you know what to do in case of an Earthquake?  Below are some simple guidelines for you to follow in case of an earthquake whether you are at work, home or in a vehicle.

If you are Indoors:

q     DROP to the ground; take COVER and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

q     What ever you are covering yourself needs to be a sturdy Table or piece of       Furniture.

q     If there is not anything to COVER yourself with you still want to DROP, COVER your head and HOLD ON. The best thing to do if there is nothing to get under is to crouch in an inside corner of the building.

q     Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity and you know that it is strongly supported, load bearing door.

q     If you are at home and in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow. Unless there is something that can fall on you, then you need to move to the nearest safe place.

q     Stay inside until the shaking stops and if it is safe to go outside.

q     Be aware that electricity may go out and if your location has fire sprinklers they may turn on.

You should stay away from:

q     Windows

q     Mirrors

q     Outside Doors and Walls

q     Anything that can fall off the walls

q     Light Fixtures

If you are Outdoors:

q     Stay Outside

q     Move away from buildings, streetlights, trees and utility wires.

q     Move to an open area and DROP to the Ground and Hold ON.

If you are in a Moving Vehicle:

q     Stop as quickly and as safety permits and stay in the vehicle.

q     Do not stop near buildings, trees, overpasses, utility wires and streetlights.

q     Once the shaking as stop use Extreme Caution as you begin to drive again. 

q     Do not pull into a Minuteman Parking Company Parking Garage during or after an Earthquake.

q     Wait until you hear from your Manager to enter any Minuteman Parking Company Garages.

q     When you are driving home after an Earthquake avoid overpasses, ramps and freeways that may have been damaged during the earthquake.

q     Listen to you local radio station for road closures

What do I do if I get TRAPPED?

q     Do not light a match or lighter

q     Do not move about and stir up dust in the area that you are trapped in.

q     Cover you mouth with a shirt, piece of cloth, or mask.

q     If you are trapped with someone keep the talking to a minimum as you do not want to inhale the dangerous amounts of dust that will be in the air.

q     If there are exposed pipes or a wall, TAP on the wall or pipe to alert Rescuers of your location.

q     Shout only as a last resort.

Minuteman Parking Company wants all of their employees to be safe during and after an earthquake. So be aware that Aftershocks will continue after the initial earthquake. Sometimes the Aftershocks can be stronger than the initial earthquake.

Stay calm and be conscious of your surroundings.

In our line of business back aches and pains can make it very difficult to concentrate while at work. Our jobs can put significant demands on our backs throughout the day.  Can you avoid back pain and injuries at work? The answer is “YES” if you understand what causes these injuries and how to prevent them.

If you ask a doctor what causes back pain they are never 100% sure. They will ask what you do throughout your day and family history and generally will tell you that a combination of the things you do throughout your day and your history may be a cause of your back aches and pains. Not all of these factors are preventable. 

What factors are preventable?

The factors that we can control are the weight of objects we are lifting. We are in control of our own fitness routines and flexibility. If we change our lifestyle and incorporate some stretching and exercise we will strengthen our back and help reduce work related injuries.

While at work you will need to look at what you do and you will need to see if you need to modify your work performance to help reduce these risks.

 There are 4 factors that can increase your risk of back aches and injuries.

            Force- Are you over-exerting yourself?

            Repetition- How many times during your day do you do the same thing over and over? Repetition can lead to fatigue in your muscles which can lead to injuries.

            Posture- This refers to how are standing, sitting or performing a task.

            Stress- Your stress level at work or home can lead to muscle tension and tightness which can result in back aches and pains.

A combination of one or more these four risks can result in serious back injuries.

To help reduce Back Aches and Pains you should first be fit. You can do specific strengthening and stretching exercises that target you back muscles. By doing this you will strengthen your cores muscles and make your back stronger. Strong and flexible muscles will help keep your back in shape. 

Secondly, you want to pay attention to your posture. If you have poor posture you will put stress on your back. So pay attention to how you are standing and sitting while at work and at home.

Finally, you want to make sure that you are lifting properly. You want to make sure that you are following the lifting procedures that are outlined in our Job Safety Agreement.  Always remember to let your legs do the work and keep all items close to your body.

By adjusting what you do at work and adopting healthy habits you can reduce back aches and pains and you will feel better over all.

Before you lift an object remember to plan your moves and listen to your body.  If your body tells you that an object is too heavy, do not lift it, ask for help.

Be Safe and Be Healthy!!!!

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.