This is a MEMIC Winter Weather Alert requesting all policyholders in the Northeast to heavily sand and salt all sidewalks, pathways, stairs, and parking lots--locations most often cited in winter slip-and-fall injuries. Additionally, everyone is urged to use extra caution while driving and walking and exiting vehicles, and to wear appropriate footwear and traction enhancers.

Heavy snow and ice conditions anticipated into Saturday, Dec. 17 are likely to create dangerous, icy conditions conducive to slip-and-fall injuries. MEMIC, a leading workers’ compensation specialty insurer, has seen significant increases in slip-and-fall injuries during similar weather conditions that are preventable with sand, salt, and caution.

In total, MEMIC sees more than 5,500 fall claims in a year, costing untold hardship and more than $38 million in medical and wage replacement costs. Slips and falls are among the most common workplace injuries.

In 2018 and prior years, for example, a truck driver who slipped on ice fractured a hip kept the driver out of work and cost more than $125,000 in medical and rehabilitation costs; a maintenance worker who suffered a head injury falling on ice experienced continued vision impairment and dizziness leading to extended treatment in excess of $250,000; and an employee became paraplegic from spinal cord injury after slipping in a parking lot at a treatment and wage replacement cost of nearly $1.5 million.

These are injuries that can be prevented with proper sanding, salting, and shoveling practices during winter weather conditions.

Clocking in at a little more than two and a half minutes, the Rolling Stones studio rendition of “You Gotta Move” just seems like a nifty number to motivate a microbreak for about the same length of time. Indeed, the twang from the electric slide-guitar accompaniment might inspire you to glide across the kitchen floor (if you’re working from home) and you don’t need to have moves like Jagger to strut your stuff with your head held high. Yeah, you gotta move regularly during the day to shake off the static posture blues and here’s why.

Minimal movement coupled with awkward posture, repetition, and excessive force creates insidious stress on the body. Prolonged static tasks such as sitting at a computer workstation or assembling widgets on a production line will eventually cause fatigue. Muscles tense, joints stiffen, flexibility diminishes, and a reduction in blood flow to the tired tissue ensues. In time, with more than one hit (to the body) from the deleterious effects of static loading, the risk of physical injury increases and will not fade away without ample recovery time. Counteracting this “fixed” condition can be achieved through multiple microbreaks. A loss control colleague, who worked with professional football players as a physical therapist, puts it perfectly, “Motion is lotion.” You don’t need to tell that to the Tin Man who breathed a big sigh of relief (aah!) as his raised, frozen-in-time, axe-wielding arm got oiled. He probably would have had the same reaction after hovering his hand over a mouse indefinitely.

It’s been said that the best posture is the next posture. Alternating often between a sitting and standing posture helps improve vascular circulation through increased cardiac contraction, thereby helping not to have a heart of stone, so to speak. This excited cardiovascular action, in turn, aids in the removal of metabolic waste from skeletal muscle and invites greater oxygen and nutrient delivery into it. Periodic stretching, targeting the parts of the body taxed the most from static stress, can be an invigorating experience and may even boost your productivity. And, of course, staying well hydrated will foster frequent bathroom breaks. This promotion of motion is especially important for the work-from-home person who may not stray too far from their workstation within the confines of their four walls. Just sat for sixty minutes on a Zoom meeting? Then get up and move for five minutes. In essence, sit for 60 move for 5.

Curiously, in their early years the Stones sang about time being on their side but then later came to realize, as reflected in song, that time waits for no one. With age comes wisdom and a whole lot of rock ‘n’ roll to soothe your soul, in their case. So, what are you waiting for? Like a jumpin’ jack flash, frequent movement through microbreaks, well, dare I say - it’s a gas, gas, gas!

To shine a light on more ergonomics-related information, check out these MEMIC posts. One that’s particularly relevant to the importance of movement is The Workplace Is Dynamic, Don’t Be Left Sitting Still which features a colorful infographic on striking a happy balance between sitting and standing. Remember, to not get stuck between a rock and a hard place, it’s pretty obvious that you gotta move.

Until recently, the word corona evoked an image of a clear, glistening longneck bottle of pale lager that pairs nicely with a summer afternoon down by the seaside. Add a wedge of green citrus fruit and another Corona gets its lime and your latitude has changed.

But now comes another type of corona in the form of a virus known as COVID-19 that gets its host through respiratory disease. COVID-19 is a coronavirus and cousin to the SARS virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus) that caused an outbreak between 2002-2004 and the MERS virus (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) with outbreaks in 2012, 2015, and 2018. COVID-19 disease can range from mild to critical as well as deadly, particularly in patients with pre-existing cardiopulmonary conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates an incubation period of 2-14 days for the virus with symptoms similar to influenza such as fever, cough, and difficulty breathing that can lead to pneumonia and multi-organ failure. Presently, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral drugs to treat coronavirus infection, though projects are currently underway for clinical trials on humans.

Even with the increasing media attention on COVID-19, influenza remains a clear and present danger with the CDC estimating at least 29 million flu illnesses, 280,000 hospitalizations, and 16,000 deaths from flu this season in the United States. Certainly, Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” rings true in taking precautions to prevent infection from these respiratory droplet transmitted viruses. In the case of influenza, the CDC recommends the following.

First and foremost, get an annual flu shot. Though the vaccine may not be a precise match to the circulating viral strain, it will still help to minimize symptoms. Practice good cough and sneeze etiquette by covering your mouth and nose using a tissue or upper shirt sleeve. Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Wash, rinse, and repeat as needed throughout the day. Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, and mouth as mucous membranes are a site of viral entry. Regularly clean and disinfect touch surfaces (fomites) including cell phones, touch pads, tablets, doorknobs, and light switches. Remember, the foe might get you if you don’t get to the fomite. Limit contact with others when having flu-like symptoms and avoid close contact with sick people. If you’re sick with the flu, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone unless you need medical care. If you are an employer- encourage your employees to stay home if they are ill. The precautionary measures are similar for COVID-19 (with the exception of getting a flu shot) along with limiting movement and activity for someone who’s been in China or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days. For more information on infection control check out the CDC’s infection control site with plenty of resources available on standard precautions and transmission-based precautions, especially in healthcare settings.

Things to know about the COVID-19:

Read your disinfectant directions in order to clean workspaces appropriately. Coronaviruses may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. Only use a medical mask if you are sick to restrict the spreading of droplets. The World Health Organization (WHO) has an updated webpage covering the latest information on COVID-19. Check all warnings and advisories on travel before you leave home. There is an active infection map by Johns Hopkins CSSE should you want to track the progression of the disease. Employees will continue to worry until we get a better handle on the spreading of the COVID-19. The more factual information you can give them from the CDC the better. Remind your employees not to live in fear, just remember to wash your hands frequently. Hand hygiene goes a long way in keeping germs at bay. For more healthcare related information, check out these MEMIC Safety Net blogs.

Posted by Alexis Westin and Greg LaRochelle

Wild was the wind that howled in the fury of a blinding snowstorm. The tempest kicked up suddenly, as he headed into the night with the red glow of light at the front of his team guiding him onward. There was work to be done of grand importance and proportion - another season’s mission of spreading goodwill and delight. Each child in their angelic sleep would awaken the next morning to behold a gift that would set their spirit leaping. As was his habit afore the eve, he sought guidance and instruction from the MEMIC Safety Net to ensure a safe return to his waiting family upon the last delivery. This year’s crop of blog posts would prove fruitful in the planning and preparation of this wondrous endeavor.

Months earlier, he adopted the use of a face shield along with safety glasses when sharpening woodworking tools on a bench grinder after reading Tony’s post titled Eye Protection is More Than Having Safety Glasses. From Luis’s three part article on OSHA’s New Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard, he abandoned the use of sand and switched to a salt free, pet friendly ice melt for treating his outdoor walkways. New sit/stand workbenches were installed over the summer for his crew of toymakers, with encouragement to change posture regularly after reading Allan’s blog The Workplace is Dynamic, Don’t Be Left Standing Still. When pouring over his long list of names in his favorite stuffed chair, he limited his sitting time to 20 minute intervals; a tip he picked up from reading Maureen’s Ergonomics by the Seat of Your Pants post. On the matter of knowing who was naughty or nice, he learned about Behavioral and Integrity Testing from Alexis’s blog on improving hiring practices. For his rooftop landings, a fall hazard assessment would be made from reading Jayson’s blog titled Fall Protection and Prevention; What You Need to Know. And in case he’d encounter some simmering embers in a cozy fireplace, he’d put his fire extinguisher knowledge to good use from Debra’s post Do you have the right fire extinguisher for your workplace?

Driven by the night’s excitement, he knew to pull in the reins on his eager team, having learned about the tragic consequences of hurried flight from reading Randy’s “I Feel the Need for Speed” blog. The old saying “Ice and Snow, Take it Slow!” came to mind from Dave’s post Still Plenty of Winter Driving to Go! His labor of love, through a stormy night, would be one of flawless execution thanks to MEMIC’s dedicated team of safety professionals.

MEMIC’s loss control staff wishes everyone a safe and joyous holiday season.

Santa Safety Net

A Simple Slip and Fall

As the winter ice finally disappears, we can finally move on to other safety hazards - no more slipping and falling on ice! That’s certainly a good thing, but the sad truth is that slip, trip, and fall injuries can happen at any time, in any season, at any locale. I’ve seen a few reminders of this in the last few days.

Turns out that an old acquaintance of mine from my Navy days is now a 2-star admiral. Seems he’s been a lot more successful than I was! He is a very tall athletic pilot who has commanded organizations all over the country and the world. The interesting, and certainly equal parts tragic and inspiring, is that he now leads from a wheelchair. Admiral Kyle Cozad is now paralyzed from the waist down from a slip and fall incident in his kitchen. Hard to believe that such a “simple fall” could result in such a life-changing injury. But it sure is a reminder of how precious our health is and how quickly it can be so dramatically altered. Check out Kyle’s story in this edition of the Navy Times.

On an even more personal level, I nearly took a header down my own basement stairs a few weeks ago. Another “simple fall” that could have been disastrous. As I turned from the doorway to enter the staircase I missed a step and started the nose dive. Here’s where years of safety experience actually saved me. I had my right hand on the handrail and was able to stop my fall. Not until I was on my knees, facing down the steps, with very sore shins mind you. But as I think about it I was very close to becoming one of those statistics… another person dies falling down the steps at home.

So what does all this mean to you in the workplace? I’m hoping that the lesson is pretty clear to you at this point. People are not invincible and serious injuries occur from the most mundane of incidents. Taking a few minutes to talk with your employees about slip, trip, and fall prevention could actually save a life. I know that sometimes this sounds like “common sense,” but I also know that there is no such thing as “common sense.” We have to engage in best practices and hazard assessments so that our fellow workers don’t suffer preventable injuries. So think about taking the following steps… yes, pun intended.

Lead by example. Use the handrail on stairways, wear the right footwear, and be aware of your surroundings. Train employees about fall protection requirements and do site inspections looking for tripping hazards, damaged railings, or poorly lighted steps and walkways. Replace missing floor tiles, bunched up carpets, and other irregularities that are just lying in wait.Clean up all spills quickly and use “Wet Floor” signs. Develop a comprehensive safety plan that includes fall prevention strategies, responsibilities, and accountability. As I wrap up this edition of the Safety Net I realize that the Stanley Cup playoffs are in full swing and that falling on ice is still a hazard. Just ask Gavin DeGraw how he feels after his unfortunate face plant on the ice after singing the National Anthem at the recent Predators-Stars game. Fortunately, his pride was the only injury but it sure could have been painful in many other ways. Take care out there and check out the MEMIC resources on fall prevention. Remember, gravity is not our friend.

By Randy Klatt

Putting safety first is easier said than done, but preventing workplace injuries is a manageable problem. The key may be found in a quote from Walt Disney who once said, “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

Almost everyone says they support safety, and every company owner says that safety is a priority. Employees don’t want to get hurt, so why do we see so many workplace injuries? So often organizations have the right policies in place, and they may conduct the proper training. However, there is often no connection between safety administration and safe operations. In essence they have done the “talking”, but they haven’t begun “doing”. Following Walt’s advice could make a significant impact regarding injury prevention.

For example, take a close look at your office ergonomics program. If you do ergonomics training for all new hire employees, and recurrent training for all office staff you may think you’ve done all you can. You may even offer dynamic workstations and the latest in ergonomically correct input devices. But the questions to ask are these: How are the employees actually interacting with their workstations on a daily basis? Are they using those devices correctly? Do they adjust the chair appropriately? Do they stretch regularly? An effective ergonomics program includes workstation evaluations, employee monitoring, and intervention when needed to correct bad habits or noncompliance. If these last few pieces are not happening consistently then the “talking” is done, but the “doing” is missing.

Safety is sometimes an administrative activity; it could even be a collateral duty of the HR Manager. If there is a Safety Manager, he or she may be responsible for training, OSHA compliance, and injury reporting. But who’s responsible for safe behaviors? Making the connection between administration and operations can make a huge impact on injury reduction. But in order to do this the Safety Manager must have operational authority over the entire organization. This safety person would then be able to correct any unsafe behaviors without delay. Creating an immediate, and likely negative, consequence for unsafe behavior is often the only way to change behavior.

Better yet, a safety committee with representatives from each department, all with operational authority, could better impact behavior within the entire organization. Safety committees often have a meeting once a month (talking), but what happens between the meetings is the really important part (the doing). Getting out onto the shop floor, into the offices, out to job sites, or into the company vehicles is the only way to see what is really happening. Are employees following the rules? Are they engaged in safe behaviors? Are they taking shortcuts that have immediate positive impact on operations, but potentially a negative impact on safety?

Ultimately the improvement in these areas can lead to a culture where every employee feels he or she is a safety team member. If management properly supports safety then employees watch out for each other, they correct unsafe conditions or behaviors on their own, and they follow their training because it’s the right thing to do. The safety program is working effectively and production no longer trumps safety. So get out there and start doing! You might be surprised at what you find. For more information regarding effective safety programs check out the OSHA Safety and Health Management E-Tool.

In the workplace, the word “safety” can evoke two distinct opinions. Some see safety as the most important aspect of their business, a healthy investment which their company strives to promote throughout the workplace. Others see safety as code for an overburdensome waste of time, money, and effort. For companies struggling with safety culture improvement, here are some ideas for raising safety awareness.

Employees may be hesitant to embrace safety if they feel that it does not apply to them. It is important that employees understand that even if they are not working on machines or climbing to dangerous heights, that they are still at risk of injury. Include information and statistics on real life safety topics such as distracted drivers, food safety, fire prevention, ergonomic injuries, slips/trips/falls, and workplace violence. Topics like these will show employees that there are risks involved with every job! Videos of real workplace safety hazards and community safety programs can help get the point across. Encourage employees to include their family members in the safety message. Injuries can affect people at home or at work.

A great way to involve employees in your safety culture is by creating a new safety committee, or inviting them to join your existing safety committee. Make sure management allows employees to participate during work time. A safety committee should have representation from all levels of the organization, from management to laborers. This gives employees the opportunity to express any concerns they may have. Post any identified safety issues along with efforts to ensure those issues are addressed. Create a company safety goal for the committee to work toward using a SMART goal format. Rewarding employees for participating or making safety improvements is another good way to improve culture.

A fast and simple way to keep safety in the minds of your employees is to include a reminder in their paycheck envelopes, send emails, or broadcast the message over the company PA system. Providing and sharing safety tips, statistics, and real-life stories about other companies like your own are just a few examples of what can be included. Ask your employees for suggestions or ideas on what they would like to learn more about. Provide rewards or make announcements about which employees participate and make suggestions for improvements.

Many companies have taken the step to create a safety incentive program within their company. Traditional incentive programs based on a lack of injuries are frowned upon by OSHA since they may unintentionally discourage employees from reporting accidents in fear of having the incentives revoked. However, other programs such as a “Find & Fix” or Safety BINGO that focus on hazard identification and correction, may benefit your safety program. Encourage employees to look for hazards in the workplace and report them to the appropriate personnel to correct the problem!

These methods, along with written programs and proper training, will help to make safety in the workplace a habit instead of a hassle. Utilizing MEMIC’s online resources is another great way to provide safety awareness information in an effective and productive manner.

The Flu and Safety – The Sniffly Connection

Lean organizations are the norm - every person and every job matters to the mission. When all hands are ready for duty, safe work practices align with the mission. However, when a couple of absences enter the workflow, safety mindfulness can be diverted to thinking about shortcuts. Outcomes can include injuries instead of efficiencies.

Millions of workdays are lost due to the annual flu season in the US - almost 17 million in one NIH study. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that billions of dollars are spent in sick days and lost productivity in our country.1 Some of those lost days are hospitalized workers with complications from the flu. The flu can even be life threatening. Influenza is contagious before symptoms are severe enough to keep you home. So the virus spreads - the more folks incubating the flu illness at work before they feel badly enough to miss work, then the MORE ill folks we’ll have incubating and out of work the next week.

The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination as the first and best way to prevent flu. Take a look at the infographic on CDC’s “BusinessPulse: How CDC protects the health of your business” for ways CDC is assisting businesses in promoting flu vaccination for employees.

From Florida to Maine, seasonal flu cases have been reported already. Get your own flu shot and promote employee vaccinations. As CDC says, “Make it your Business to Fight the Flu”. It is a win-win when workers are protected. The CDC offers information, free podcasts, mobile apps, widgets, eCards, and more to make the vaccination campaign effective. Click here for more info on containing the contagion from MEMIC’s Greg LaRochelle.

"Take 3" Actions to Fight the Flu says CDC

Vaccinate Stop germs Antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them

The National Safety Council recently announced that traffic fatalities for 2015 rose significantly from the previous year.  The estimated 38,300 people killed on US roads represent the largest year for year increase in 50 years, and makes 2015 the deadliest year since 2008. 

Lower gasoline prices and job growth have had an impact on the number of miles driven in the last few years, but the rise in fatalities seems to be outpacing the rise in miles driven.  The following excerpt is taken directly from the National Safety Council:

"These numbers are serving notice: Americans take their safety on the roadways for granted," said Deborah A.P. Hersman, NSC president and CEO. "Driving a car is one of the riskiest activities any of us undertake in spite of decades of vehicle design improvements and traffic safety advancements. Engage your defensive driving skills and stay alert so we can reverse this trend in 2016."  

In a continuation of the bad news, preliminary numbers indicate this trend is continuing in 2016.  In the first six months of 2016 traffic fatalities increased 9% over 2015.  Add to this the 2.2 million people injured in crashes in those six months.  Every driver should be concerned; 100 people dying on the roads every day is simply unacceptable.  So what do we do about this?  The increase in driving plays a part in the increase in fatal crashes, but so does complacency, distraction, speeding, and fatigue.  These are all factors that are within our control as average drivers.  Getting behind the wheel includes the inherent responsibility for our own safety, but also for the safety of everyone else we encounter on the roadway. 

Technology improvements have made vehicles safer than they have ever been.  Survivability rates in many models are unprecedented.  However, the driver is still the weak link in the chain and all the technology in the world currently does not make up for poor decision making.  The future may include driverless cars, but in 2016 we, the vehicle operators, are still responsible for nearly every crash that occurs. 

The solution to the problem is actually pretty straightforward:

Avoid driving when fatigued.
Plan your trip and leave with plenty of time to account for weather or traffic delays.
Follow the rules of the road… always.
Never mix driving with alcohol or drugs that may impair your ability to drive.
Never, never, never text while driving.
Let phone calls go to voice mail, and pull over to a safe area before making a cell phone call in the vehicle. No text or phone call is worth the increased risk of a crash.

For additional information regarding safe driving practices check out the resources available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Safety Council, and the National Transportation Safety Board.   Let’s all make a concerted effort to reverse this recent trend.  The life you save may be your own!

Slip, trip and fall incidents result in some of the most common workplace injuries. The risk of falling outdoors increases in the winter as temperatures drop and ice and snow accumulate across a wide swath of the country. Even though the days are getting longer, we have a lot of cold weather ahead. Consider the following reminders:

Plan for the weather by wearing appropriate footwear – even if you’re only going across the parking lot and in to the building, wear a low heel boot or shoe with good tread made for outdoor winter weather. You can carry in high heels or leather soled shoes and put them on when indoors. Consider wearing a pair of ice cleats or other traction enhancement device such as Stabilicers, Yaktrax, ICETrekkers, or Winter-Tuff Ice Traction Spikes. These can be a lifesaver, but use with caution and follow manufacturer’s instructions to include removing before you walk indoors! Check out various models and features at Top10The Best. You can also access Pete Koch’s previous post entitled “What’s on Your Feet This Winter?” or Greg LaRochelle’s “A Whoops and a FOOSH: Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls.” When walking on ice and snow covered parking lots or walkways take short steps and walk at a slower pace so you can react appropriately to quick changes in traction. Always use handrails when walking up or down steps. Take your time, and plant your feet firmly on each step. Use caution when exiting or entering your vehicle – use the door handles and vehicle itself for support, as needed. Even if parking lots or walkways have been cleared of snow – beware – there still could be “black ice.” Water can refreeze and create a very slippery layer of ice that can be treacherous. Try not to carry too much when walking in inclement conditions – keep your hands and arms free to help maintain your balance, if needed. Once you get in your building safely, be sure to remove as much of the snow and water from your boots/shoes as possible. If you have dry shoes to change in to, do it as soon as you can safely sit in a chair, out of the way of other pedestrian traffic.