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!

As we approach the summer it’s the time of year that Minuteman Parking Company wants to remind everyone of ways to protect ourselves from heat related illness. We work in a variety of environments and since we work outdoors we have to be prepared for the heat and what can happen if we do not take the proper precautions. What is Heat Stress? What is Heat Exhaustion? What is Heat Stroke?  This month we are going to be discussing what can lead up to these Heat related illness and how we can prevent them.

OSHA states that when your body is unable to cool itself by sweating, several heat-induced illnesses such as heat stress or heat exhaustion and the more severe heat stroke can occur, and can result in death.

What is Heat Stress?

Heat Stress: A variety of problems associated with very warm temperatures and high humidity. Heat stress is a condition marked by weakness, nausea, dizziness, and profuse sweating that results from physical exertion in a hot environment.

Factors Leading to Heat Stress:

«     High Temperatures and humidity

«     Direct sun or heat

«     Limited air movement

«     Physical exertion

«     Poor physical condition

«     Some Medicines

«     Inadequate tolerance for hot workplaces

What is Heat Exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion: A warning that the body is getting too hot. The person may be thirsty, giddy, weak, uncoordinated, nauseous, and sweating profusely. The body temperature is usually normal and the pulse is normal or raised. The skin is cold and clammy. Although heat exhaustion often is caused by the body’s loss of water and salt; salt supplements should only be taken with advice from a doctor.          

Factors Leading to Heat Exhaustion:

«     Headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting

«     Weakness and moist skin

«     Mood changes such as irritability or confusion

«     Upset stomach or vomiting

What is Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke: A severe condition caused by impairment of the body’s temperature-regulating abilities, resulting from prolonged exposure to excessive heat and characterized by cessation of sweating, severe headache, high fever, hot dry skin, and in serious cases collapse and coma.

Factors Leading to Heat Stroke:

«     Dry Hot Skin with no sweating

«     Mental confusion or losing consciousness

«     Seizures or convulsions

How can you prevent heat stress from happening? 

«     Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

«     Monitor yourself and your coworkers.

«     Block out direct sun or other heat sources

«     Use Cooling fans/air-conditioning and rest regularly

«     Drink lots of water

«     Wear lightweight, light colored and loose fitting clothing

«     Avoid drinking Alcohol and caffeinated drinks

What to do you DO for Heat-Related Illness:

«     Call 911

While waiting for help to arrive you should do the following.

«     Move to a cool shaded place

«     Loosen or remove heavy clothing

«     Provide cool water to the person who is showing signs of heat-related illness

«     Fan and mist the person showing signs of heat-related illness with water.

If you have any questions on heat-related illness please ask your manager. As the days get warmer you need to remember to take your breaks and keep yourself hydrated. If at anytime you feel that you starting to show signs of a heat-related illness contact your Manager or Driveway Ambassador for help immediately.

At Minuteman Parking Company we have valets who drive guest vehicles and Shuttle Drivers that transports guests and patients. It is common knowledge that the number one cause of work-related fatalities is vehicle accidents. As a valet or shuttle driver you face the hazards of the roadway day after day.  Sometimes a trip may end tragically.

Now cellular phones threaten to increase the accident potential for all drivers.  As the cellular phones advance with technology we see new threats that come with using your cell phones while working. Minuteman Parking Company’s policy states that valets, shuttle drivers and cashiers must leave their cell phone in their vehicles while they are at work. According to one research study, the use of cellular phones while driving has increased the risk of being involved in an accident by 34%. The US Department of Transportation reports an increased number of complaints about drivers talking on their cellular phones while operating a vehicle. Critics of these studies argue that the research is poor. But in most States you can be fined talking on your cellular phone with a hands free device and in other states you can be fined for texting.  People say that having a cellular phone in a vehicle is an advantage when there is an emergency.

What do you think?

Some hazards that have been associated with cellular phone use include:    

• Passengers in the car often alert drivers to dangerous situations. The person you are talking to does not know what the situations are that you are dealing with.
• People who are on the phone are more likely to have intense conversations which will distract them from driving the vehicle properly.
• Users are said to be distracted and not driving defensively. The driver is less responsive to the traffic situations.
• Drivers who are on the phone are said to have a longer response time to traffic situations.

Here are a few safety reminders

• Leave your cell phone in your vehicle while you are at work.
• If you are on your 30 minute meal break and driving your vehicle keep your phone conversations short and sweet.
• If you are driving to work and you are in tricky traffic situations hang up your phone.
• Safe driving takes precedence over telephone etiquette.
• Try to resist dialing a number while driving in heavy traffic. Wait till you are at a stop light.
• Keep even more distance between you and the vehicle in front of you if your cellular phone.
• Remember in most states like California, you have to use a “hands-free” device. If you do not have one then you should not be using your cellular phone while driving.

All drivers are at risk of having a vehicle accident before, during or after work, and the use of a cell phone may increase this risk. Concentrate on the above reminders! Don’t become a statistic!

Drinking and Driving is a serious problem that plaques the United States. 23,000 deaths a year are caused by drunk drivers. When we drink, alcohol goes into our stomach where it is absorbed by the blood stream. The alcohol is then carried to the brain. When it reaches the brain, alcohol can affect our driving in three ways.

1. Alcohol impairs our judgment and decision making ability

2. Alcohol affects our coordination and our ability to handle a vehicle

3. Alcohol affects our vision—we can not always see things clearly

Minuteman Parking Company would like to remind everyone of our Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Substance Abuse

Illegal drugs in the workplace are a danger to everyone. Minuteman Parking Company is considered a Drug-Free Workplace. That means any employee who works for the Company is prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use or being under the influence of a controlled substance.  Controlled substances are generally considered to be, but not limited to, heroin, morphine, marijuana, hashish, cocaine, amphetamines, tranquilizers, PCP, LSD, “designer drugs,” etc., or any divertive thereof.  For the purposes of this policy being under the influence meant having any detectable level of alcohol or controlled substances in one’s system.

The consumption use or possession of any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance, or the illegal use of drug(s), by anyone while acting in any employment capacity for the Company or on Company property, is strictly prohibited. Anyone found in violation of this standard will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination of employment without prior notice or warning.

Unusual Behavior: If, in the opinion of management, your behavior is considered to be unusual and is or could be injurious to the Company or its employees, you may be subject to a drug/alcohol test as a condition of continued employment.

On-the-Job Injury: If you are involved in any on-the-job injury, the medical facility where you are sent will be asked to conduct a test to determine if drugs, alcohol, or any illegal substance was present that could have contributed to the cause of the injury. This test is mandatory and considered to be a condition of continued employment. Failure to comply with the directions from the medical facility or to take this test will result in immediate termination of employment without further notice or warning.

Test Results: A test result that reveals illegal substance use or substance abuse or alcohol influence will normally result in immediate termination of employment of the employee.

Prescribed and Over-the-Counter Drugs: The use of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs, or possession incident to such use, is not prohibited if:

·         The drug has been legally obtained and is being used for the purpose for which it was prescribed or manufactured; and

·         The drug is being used at the dosage prescribed or authorized; and

·         The use of the drug is not inconsistent with the safe and efficient performance of the employee’s duties.

If you have any questions on the above policy please contact your locations Direct Manager or the Training and Safety Manager.

The Right Way to Lift

Back injuries cost American industries 10 to 14 billion dollars a year in worker compensations and about 100 million lost work days annually according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH.) If you have a healthy lifestyle that includes the following you can help maintain a healthy back.

«     Attention to posture

«     Conditioning and body mechanics

«     Avoiding obesity

«     Smoking

«     Minimizing emotional stress

Diane W. Braza MD. Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Medical College of Wisconsin says that if you have proper posture, conditioning and body mechanics will help lead to healthier back and limit back injuries. She also states that up to 80% of Americans suffer back pain at some point in their lives. The cause of 90% of back pain is caused by strains or sprains of back muscles, ligaments or soft tissues. The remaining 10% of back pain is caused by more serious conditions like degenerative disk disease or herniated disks in the spine. All the cases mentions above can be prevented or treated by using her three key components in preventing back injuries.

Posture

Proper posture is very important whether you are standing, sitting or sleeping. A good technique to help with proper posture is holding in the belly to keep it from protruding and putting excess stress on the spine. Over time poor posture can lead to a weakened spine and abdominal muscles that can contribute to back pain and injuries.

Conditioning

Conditioning of the body and cardiovascular system with aerobic exercise as well as strengthening and stretching out the muscles. Some studies have shown that smoking can contribute to back injuries. Swimming, walking, and short distance running is a great way to help condition your body. These exercises can also help increase the blood flow to your spine which will help reduce the risk of back injuries.

Body Mechanics

Body mechanics refer to the way we use our body. These mechanics include lifting, bending and stretching. Anytime that we are lifting we need to think of how we are lifting an item before we lift it. Remember to always to lift with your knees and keep that item close to you as you lift it up. If the item is too heavy ask for help. Make sure that you pace yourself while you are at work. Make sure that you take your breaks. This will help your back relax so that you do not strain it. When standing you want to vary the position of your body.

Here are some key techniques to remember to help prevent back injuries.

«     Keep you back as straight as possible and maintain proper posture when lifting an object

«     Bend with your knees and hips not at the back or waist

«     Pivot the hips and not the back

«     If possible lift from an area that is waist high

«     Never reach above your head to lift an object use a step ladder.