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Back Safety: Sprains and Strains

pan9999 — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 18:33:18 +0000

Back Safety: Sprains and Strains pan9999 Fri, 06/29/2018 - 14:33

One, two, three ... arrrgh! And another one, two, three ... arrrgh! And another back is strained because a worker didn't adhere to the approved method of lifting.

This is such a common event that training is regularly given on the appropriate way to lift and carry a load, and yet workers continue to be injured. Muscles or ligaments are strained, torn, or sprained. Injuries to the back result in literally millions of man-hours lost from work annually.

Your back is a finely tuned organic machine comprised of bone, ligaments, and muscles that perform flawlessly over our lives. We take it for granted until we injure it.

When injured, however, this marvelous organic machine can cause horrendous, debilitating pain and become a collapsing scaffold.

Our backs perform without a murmur of protest as we go through our various job activities. Movements such as sitting, standing, kneeling, and even lying prone on the floor require your back to perform. It only takes one small sprain for you to notice just how much you use your back.

Back injuries and difficulties are the primary injury that happens on the job. Companies must pay out thousands in workman's compensation losses for each back injury claim.
Workers pay out in terms of reduced or lost wages, emotional distress, and physical pain that can linger for years or even for the rest of the worker's life. Is it really worth the aggravation of injuring your back just because you don't want to spend less than a second to properly adjust your posture?

Some of the wrong ways to lift are:

not bending your knees
positioning your feet wrong
having an improper grip
having your weight not properly centered

To help avoid back injury

Maintain good physical conditioning. Ask your doctor for some exercises that will help you keep your muscles strong and properly toned.

Investigate the item you will be lifting. If it seems too large or weighs too much for you to properly lift, then ask for help. Many workers hesitate to ask for help because they fear that others will think they are weak or lazy. Don't allow this mindset to cloud your judgment. If the load is heavier than around 40 pounds, if one end is heavier than the other, if it is awkwardly shaped or difficult to manage by yourself, then don't. Ask a co-worker for help.

The right way to lift

Place one foot alongside the load to be lifted and one foot slightly to the rear of the load. The back foot will be positioned to provide the upward thrust that the lift will require. The body should be positioned close to the object.
Keep arms and elbows close to the body to help keep the weight centered. Using a palm grip, grasp a lower front corner and opposite upper back corner with your fingers and hand placed around the corners.
Using a squatting position, keeping your back straight (not straight up but in a straight line), tuck your chin in to your chest to help maintain the straight line of your spine. Begin the lift by straightening your legs and thrusting with the rear foot. You should feel the strain in your legs, not your back.

Remember

The discs which separate each vertebra are essential for pain-free operation of your back. A disc can become pinched by improper lifting.
Your back is susceptible to injuries such as hernias, sprains, or strains.
"Once your back is injured the first time, it is more likely to be injured again.

Points to ponder

Have you ever lifted large or weighty loads quickly without paying attention to how you are performing the task?
" Do you stay in shape by exercising and keep your muscles toned?
" Do you have an annual physical?
" Do you have coworkers, other team members, or material handling aids to assist you in moving large, awkward or weighty loads?

Lifting tips

Keep your feet about shoulder width apart to help keep you stable.
Your knees should be bent, not your back.
Don't twist or reach over too far. Don't "jerk" the load to lift it. Keep your lower back rolled inward and your abdomen muscles tight.
Use safety equipment such as back belts or material handling equipment if you need them and if you are properly trained to use them.
Keep a snug grip on the load. Never use a pinch grip. Use the entire hand to spread the weight.
Properly support your back.
Ensure that you sit up straight and don't slump when you walk or sit. You back will be stronger if you practice good posture.

Download the Back Safety: Sprains and Strains Resource (PDF)

Information contained in this publication was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. State Auto Insurance makes no representations or guarantee as to the correctness or sufficiency of any information contained herein, nor guarantees results based upon use of this information. State Auto Insurance disclaims all warranties expressed or implied regarding merchantability, fitness for use and fitness for a particular purpose. State Auto Insurance does not warrant that reliance upon this document will prevent accident and losses or satisfy federal, state and local codes, ordinances and regulations. The reader assumes entire risk as to use of this information. Further, this document does not amend, or otherwise affect the terms, conditions or coverage of any insurance policy issued by State Auto Insurance.

Ladder Safety Resources

LAC6530 — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 17:22:15 +0000

Ladder Safety Resources LAC6530 Fri, 06/22/2018 - 13:22

Based on 2014 published data from the bureau of Labor Statistics, 261,930 private industry and state and local government workers missed one or more days of work due ot injuries from falls on the same level or to lower levels. Seven hundred and ninety-eight workers died from these falls.

Particularly at risk of fall injuries are those working in:

Healthcare support
Building cleaning and maintenance
Transportation and material moving
Construction and extraction occupations

Workers who are male, Hispanic, older, self-employed, work in smaller establishments and work doing construction, maintenance and repair, experience higher ladder fall injury rates.

The construction industry experienced the highest frequency of fall-related deaths, while the highest counts of nonfatal fall injuries continue to be associated with health services and the wholesale and retail industries.

Doesn't just about everyone have a ladder? And it seems like many aren't following ladder safety protocols.

Ladder Safety Resources

American Ladder Institute ^®

Looking for ladder safety training? Check out the American Ladder Institute. While you're there, earn your Ladder Safety Certificate. Train yourself or your entire team online. Managers can set up a session for everyone in their group.

National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health^®

Since it's release in 2013 the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health's Ladder Safety app has helped thousands of users set up and use extension ladders more safely to prevent falls. The app contains general ladder safety, inspection and selection guidelines and related information. The Ladder Safety app is available for free, in English or Spanish, at Apple Store and Google Play.

OSHA® - Occupational Safety & Health

OSHA also provides ladder safety resources in their effort to prevent workplace falls.

To learn more about our Risk Engineering services and to view other resources, go here.

Download our Ladder Safety Technical Bulletin.

State Auto makes no representations or guarantee as to the correctness or sufficiency of any information contained herein, nor guarantees results based upon use of this information. State Auto does not warrant that reliance upon this document will prevent accident and losses or satisfy federal, state and local codes, ordinances and regulations. The reader assumes entire risk as to use of this information.

How a new job impacts home and auto insurance

SIL6504 — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 18:58:51 +0000

How a new job impacts home and auto insurance SIL6504 Fri, 06/15/2018 - 14:58

A new job can be an exciting new start. It can also mean some lifestyle changes. Many jobs today are implementing policies that include flexible hours, working from home and an increase in travel opportunities.

Here are some considerations to talk about with your insurance agent when you are starting a new job.

For your car insurance:

If you will be using your private vehicle for business purposes, check with your employer and your agent to make sure you have adequate liability coverage in case of an accident.
If the number of miles you commute changes, check with your independent agent. You may be able to save some money on your policy.
If you're renting a car for business purposes, your employer may already have an insurance policy in place. But, your personal coverage might also be needed to pay for damage in some cases.
If you now take public transportation and only use your car for pleasure trips then, your rates may be lowered so check with your independent agent.

For home insurance:

If you have office equipment in the house, such as a laptop or printer, talk to your agent to make sure it's covered on your homeowner insurance policy.
If you're now self-employed, doing out-sourced work or consulting, you may need to purchase professional liability coverage.
If clients come to your home, you may need to purchase a home business or a small businessowners policy.

Let your independent agent know if you have any other questions or concerns about your job transition.