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October 2013 A Saving Chicago CPR Publication Chicago’s Premiere American Heart Association Training Site The 6 most common employer safety concerns How to anticipate, prevent, and mitigate workplace accidents Why should I be concerned about health and safety in the workplace? The modern workplace is changing more rapidly now than it ever has in history. Although health and safety standards have increased over the past 20 years, with workplace fatalities consistently decreasing from 1991 to 2012[1], changing technology and environments have also introduced many new concerns for employers in all industries. According to one recent estimate by the National Safety Council, occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities cost the U.S. economy an average of $142 billion every year, with employers paying an average of one billion dollars a week on worker’s compensation alone. [2] [3] $1000 $2000 $3000 $4000 $5000 $6000 $7000 The first step towards a safer and healthier workplace is awareness. This guide will help you identify some of the most common occupational safety concerns and show how to reduce their impact on your employees and your business through prevention measures and first aid training. Average Return on Investment Workplace illnesses, injuries, and deaths are clearly a major burden on the U.S. economy and businesses, however many incidents are preventable. A recent study conducted by Liberty Mutual found that, on average, for every $1 spent on safety, businesses saved $3 on eventual direct costs related to accidents.[12] Average return on a $2000 investment in safety precautions is $6000 $500 $1000 $1500 $2000 $2500 $3000 $3500 Money Spent on Safety Precautions Source: The Liberty Mutual Foundation (773) 969-6846 • SavingChicagoCPR.com 2 What are the most common employer health & safety concerns? 1. Stress A recent survey conducted by the Trades Union Congress found that employers view stress as the most significant health and safety issue in their workplace. This problem has seen an increase in the years since the 2008 recession, with more employees reporting worries about job security and financial concerns. Although stress is frequently perceived as a minor problem, it has significant health implications. Stress can have a negative effect on serious pre existing physical and mental conditions, including, but not limited to: • • • • • High stress has not been shown to cause cardiovascular disease, but it has been linked to an increased risk of developing it. [4] For this reason alone it is a problem that should be taken seriously. If you’re worried that your workplace subjects employees to high levels of stress, hiring a counselor could help them deal with their anxiety and identify potential problems before they become more serious. High blood pressure Heart disease Depression Fatigue Insomnia Even minor stress can lead to more serious conditions. Therapists can improve employees’ mental health (773) 969-6846 • SavingChicagoCPR.com 3 Always make sure workers take frequent breaks. 2. Overexertion An estimated 3.5 million injuries occur every year because of overexertion. Most common in labor intensive professions, overexertion can also occur in other, less physical professions. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by the repetitive motion of typing. You can help prevent overexertion by sharing these simple precautions with employees: • • • • • • Stretch before heavy lifting Lift with bent legs Never bend, twist, or reach while lifting Always ask for help if you need it Never strain to lift a load that is to heavy Take frequent breaks Although the most common injury associated with overexertion is back strains, the effects can be much more serious. Overexertion was the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries in the workplace in 2012. [5] Aside from minor strains and pain, Overexertion can lead to hernias, arthritis, and difficulty walking or moving. It can also trigger sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in people with underlying heart disease. [10] (773) 969-6846 • SavingChicagoCPR.com 4 Violence is the leading cause of occupational fatalities among women. 3. Workplace Violence In 2012 violence was responsible for 18% of fatal occupational injuries, and was the leading cause of death for women in the workplace. An average of 2 million American employees report some kind of workplace violence every year. [1] The problem is usually associated with banks, retail stores, and other industries where robbery is common. However, no industry is immune. Violence in the workplace can result from dissatisfied customers, disputes between employees, or can be a random act. This makes it one of the most difficult safety issues to anticipate. The first step towards preventing workplace violence is taking a zero tolerance approach to the issue. Remember that violence includes threats, harassment, and intimidation, not just physical attacks, and should not be tolerated with anyone who works for or has contact with your company. If you are in a high risk industry, employing security professionals and installing cameras can also help to reduce the risk of a violent incident. (773) 969-6846 • SavingChicagoCPR.com 5 Electrical hazards can be minimized by following OSHA guidelines. 4. Electric Shock As electronics become more common in all areas of the workplace, so does the risk of electric shock. Electrical hazards are no longer relegated to specialized professions such as engineers and electricians. Power strips, extension cords, and computers now make potentially life threatening shocks possible in even the safest professions. Electrical shock accounts for approximately 5% of all on the job fatalities. [1] three may be life threatening and require immediate medical attention. Electrical hazards can be reduced by seeing that your employees receive the proper training for their equipment. By following the OSHA safety guidelines for electrical safety, you can greatly reduce the risk of accident related to electric shock. Electrical shock occurs when current passes through the body, resulting in unpleasant sensations, reflex reactions, or, at worst, severe burns, ventricular fibrillation or brain damage. The latter (773) 969-6846 • SavingChicagoCPR.com 6 5. Slips & Falls One of the most common of workplace accidents, falls accounted for 605 employee deaths and 212,760 injuries in 2009 Fall related accidents are most prevalent in the retail, wholesale, health and construction industries, with construction reporting the highest number of fatalities. [7] Falls usually occur when a worker is carrying a heavy load, moving over an unstable or slippery surface, or working near an unprotected edge. Almost all falls are preventable if the necessary precautions are taken. OSHA recommends these steps to reduce the risk of accidental falls: • All employees should wear non-slip shoes when working in an active environment • Extreme caution should be taken when near an unprotected ledge • All floor holes and openings should be well marked • Heavily trafficked areas should remain clean and uncluttered • Ladders should only be used on level, stable ground The proper signage can greatly reduce the risk of a fall. (773) 969-6846 • SavingChicagoCPR.com 7 6. Heart Attacks Although not always a result of occupational duties, heart attacks accounted for approximately 18 percent of all workplace fatalities reported to OSHA in 2012. Proper diet and exercise reduces the risk of heart attack. Heart attacks, or myocardial infarctions, occur when blood flow to the heart is interrupted. This can cause damage to the heart tissue and lead to death. Heart attacks are usually the result of preexisting cardiovascular disease but are up to 35 times more likely to occur when under extreme physical or mental stress. [6] Because most heart attacks at the workplace occur because of preexisting medical conditions, it is difficult for employers to prevent them. However, steps can be taken to reduce the risk of fatality if a heart attack does occur in the workplace. Training employees in Automated External Defibrillators and CPR can significantly reduce the risk of death in heart attack victims. Heart attacks are usually the result of a pre existing heart condition. (773) 969-6846 • SavingChicagoCPR.com 8 What makes the workplace safer and healthier for employees? It is clear from our brief look at the 6 most common workplace safety concerns that no work environment is free from illness and injury. It is the responsibility of all employers to take steps to prevent and prepare for accidents. Following OSHA Guidelines The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) provides extensive guidelines for workplace safety in all of the discussed categories and many more. By following these guidelines, you can greatly reduce the risk of workplace accidents. Learn more about this and other steps you can take to improve workplace safety at OSHA.gov. First Aid Training Even in the safest workplaces, accidents are inevitable. The most effective way to mitigate injury when problems do arise is through employee education and first aid training. By creating a team of educated first responders through an employee training program, you can greatly reduce the risk of death and severe injury in the workplace. (773) 969-6846 • SavingChicagoCPR.com 9 What makes an effective first aid program? AED Training CPR Training An automated external defibrillator, or AED, is a portable device that automatically diagnoses and treats cardiac arrhythmias. It is a potentially life saving device, effective in many workplace accidents. The moments before the EMTs arrive are critical in deciding whether an accident victim will survive. If an accident victim has sudden cardiac arrest, CPR can often sustain brain function long enough for medical professionals to properly diagnose and treat the problem. In 2012, there were 1216 fatalities from heart attacks, 354 from electric shock, and 267 from asphyxia in the workplace. Of these, OSHA estimates that up to 60 percent could have been prevented had employees had access to an AED and appropriate training in its use. [6] AED access and employee training is a necessity in industries where the risk of electric shock or asphyxiation is particularly high. But it is also important to remember that cardiac arrest can occur even in the safest industries. An AED could mean the difference between life and death. CPR is an extremely effective way to reduce the risk of fatalities in the workplace. Studies have shown that in situations where CPR training is widespread, SCA survival rates are about 30%, whereas areas where CPR training is rare, survival rates are as low as 1 to 2 percent. [11] Implement Your First Aid Program By following the OSHA standards and instituting a comprehensive first aid program with CPR and AED training, you can significantly improve the safety of your workplace. While implementing a first aid program may seem overwhelming, help is available. Saving Chicago CPR can provide your employees with life saving AED, CPR, and general first aid training. We’ll walk you through the process step by step, helping you implement a program that makes your workplace a happier, healthier place. If you have any questions about first aid training or need help starting your program, call us at (773) 969-6846. You can also visit us online at http://savingchicagocpr.com (773) 969-6846 • SavingChicagoCPR.com 10 [1] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2013 [2] National Safety Council. (2006). Injury Facts, 2004 - 2006 Edition. Itasca, IL, p. 51. [3] OSHA Business Case for Safety and Health 2011 https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/products/topics/businesscase/costs.html [4] The Impact of High Stress Dr. Steve Bressert 2011 http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-impact-of-stress/000104 [5] National Safety Council. National Safety Council Focuses on Preventing Overexertion at Work and at Home During National Safety Month, 2010, Itasca, IL. [6] OSHA. Automated External Defibrillators. 2012. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/aed/#1 [7] CDC. Fall Injury Prevention in the Workplace. 2011. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/falls/ [8] American Heart Association. About Sudden Death and Cardiac Arrest. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=604. [9] Trade Unions Council. Safety Reps Guide to the HSE Stress Management Standards. http://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-issues/health-and-safety/stress/safety-repsguide-hse-stress-management-standards [10] OSHA. Fundamentals of a Workplace First Aid Program. 2012. https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3317first-aid.pdf [11] Heart.org. CPR Statistics. 2012 [12] The American Society of Engineers. Return on Investment. http://www.asse.org/professionalaffairs-new/bosc/ROI.php A Saving Chicago CPR Publication Copyright 2013 (773) 969-6846 • SavingChicagoCPR.com 11