Safety Guides

Safety concerns for restaurant workers

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), deep fat fryers are the leading cause of burns for food service workers.

Workers do not only risk burns when cooking with or cleaning fryers and vents; contact with hot splashing oil is also a serious hazard.

To prevent burns, your first line of defense is to exercise extreme caution around the fryer and oil. Ask a supervisor or a trained employee to show you how to operate the fryer before attempting it on your own.

Once you are trained, always wear the appropriate uniform. A long-sleeved cotton shirt, long pants and an apron all shield your body from hot oil splashes.

When Cooking

• Use the correct grease level and cooking temperature.
• Never put water or ice into the fryer as it may cause a flare-up.
• Do not overfill the fryer with frozen foods as it may cause the oil to splash and bubble over.
• Make sure the floor beneath your feet is completely dry to avoid slipping and bumping into the fryer.

During Clean-up

• Wear gloves and use a scraper when cleaning the fryer and hood.
• Avoid reaching over or climbing on top of fryers to clean them.
• Since these appliances are dangerous to operate, make sure you know how to operate a class K fire extinguisher, which is used to put out oil and grease fires.
• In the event of a fire, you and your fellow employees must act fast to prevent further damage and protect yourselves against injuries.

© 2007-2010, 2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ergonomic recommendations for wait staff

As you know, your job can be very taxing on your body. Serving food and bussing tables, especially while assuming awkward postures, can lead to neck, back and shoulder injuries.

Specifically, you are at risk of sprains and strains when balancing too many plates, lifting heavy trays above shoulder height, lifting overfilled containers of dirty dishes and excessive reaching across tables.

Tips to Stay in Tip-Top Shape

While you can't avoid lifting and carrying, there are a number of things you can do to prevent injuries from everyday activities, including the following:

• Avoid awkward postures while carrying trays, plates and glasses.
• Limit the number of plates you carry or ask another server for assistance with a bigger party.
• Use both hands to carry coffee pots or water pitchers. When carrying these items, hold your elbows close to your body.
• Move glasses and cups near you when pouring beverages for patrons instead of reaching across the table to do so.
• Balance trays both on your arm and your hand.
• Alternate carrying items from one hand to the other to give your wrists a rest.
• Balance loads evenly by placing the heaviest items in the middle of the tray.
• Try to stand by the patron you are serving rather than reaching across the table and over other people to hand the patron his/her food.
• When serving to customers in a booth, pass the plates along to the patron sitting the furthest away.
• Ask other employees for assistance when moving chairs and tables.
• Focus on good postures – try to keep your head up and your neck and back straight.
• When lifting large trays or bins, bend at the knees and lift with your legs (as opposed to bending at the waist).

© 2007-2010, 2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Preventing slips and trips in restaurants

Restaurant floors endure a variety of food spills and cleaning products. As a result, they can pose slip, trip and fall hazards for both employees and patrons. While these hazards are significant, many can be prevented by adhering to these safety tips.

In the Kitchen

Follow these tips to prevent slips, trips and falls in the kitchen:

• Wear non-slip, waterproof footgear. Also, be sure to lace your shoes tightly and never wear open-toed shoes or leather-soled shoes.
• If you spill while preparing food, clean it up immediately. Use cones or signs to warn fellow employees until spills are dry.
• Remove clutter from kitchen workstations to avoid obstructing walkways.
• Place all utensils, ingredients and other supplies back in their proper location after you're done using them.
• Never run in the kitchen.
• Avoid storing cooking oil on the floor. It may spill, or someone may fall onto it.
• Stand on non-slip floor mats in areas that are typically slippery, such as near sinks. Areas around these non-slip mats may be slippery as well.
• Notify your supervisor if you notice any uneven floor surfaces or drain covers that have come loose.

In the Dining Room

Follow these practices to protect your co-workers and customers from injuries:

• Remove clutter from walkways on the floor.
• Straighten out rugs and mats, and make sure they are always in place.
• Clean up any spills immediately, and place signs and cones to warn both patrons and other employees of the hazard.
• Place mats so that patrons do not slip while the floors are still wet.
• Never carry more than you can handle. You should be able to see over what you are carrying in order to properly navigate to your destination.
• Make several trips for large loads.
• Watch where you are walking while carrying loads of dishes back into the kitchen.

© 2007-2010, 2017 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Tips for servers of alcoholic beverages

Preventing violence due to unnecessary overdrinking is part of your job. To keep patrons safe while they enjoy themselves, you must be able to recognize the signs of intoxication and know how to intervene with intoxicated patrons.

Signs of Intoxication

While alcohol affects everyone differently, some common signs of intoxication include:

• Slurred or slowed speech
• Losing one's train of thought
• Red eyes and an inability to focus
• Decreased alertness
• Staggering or inability to walk
• Reduced fine motor skills, such as being unable to light a cigarette or to place poker chips on a table
• Drinking extremely quickly
• Acting overly friendly or inappropriate

When is Enough, Enough?

To monitor how much a patron is drinking, use the traffic lights system (versus trying to remember the number of drinks that he/she has consumed). Here's how the system works:

• G Green: The patron shows no signs of intoxication, is in a good mood and is not drinking rapidly. You have the "green light" to serve him or her.
• Y Yellow: The patron is not yet intoxicated, but may be drinking quickly, is in a "down" mood or is showing signs of impairment. You should stop serving this patron before he/she becomes intoxicated; proceed with caution.
• R Red: The patron is showing signs of intoxication, may be depressed, aggressive or angry, is drinking fast with the intention of getting drunk. You should STOP serving this patron and seek assistance in removing the patron from the facility safely.

Intoxicated Patrons

You have a right and a duty to refuse service to patrons who are intoxicated. Keep the following in mind when trying to cut someone off:

• Politely deny service and offer food or alcohol-free drinks.
• Avoid threatening statements. Instead, put the focus on yourself by stating "If I serve you another drink, I may lose my job."
• Offer to call the patron a ride home.
• Be firm. Once you've refused service, don't back down.
• Stay calm and remain in control. Serve other customers to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
• Be courteous while dealing with someone who may get unruly.

In the event of a violent incident, fill out an incident report documenting the measures that you took to control the intoxicated person. This will assist in defending against liability.

© 2007-2010, 2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Do's and don'ts for restaurant servers

All jobs have some physical stressors, and waiting tables is no exception. While serving food and beverages, keep the following safe work practices in mind to stay healthy and injury-free.

Physical Hazards

Serving food and bussing tables, especially while assuming awkward postures, may lead to back, neck and shoulder strains and sprains. Specific potential hazards for servers include the following:

• Balancing or lifting too many plates or glasses while serving or clearing tables
• Balancing or lifting heavy trays above shoulder height
• Lifting large, overfilled containers of dirty dishes
• Repetitive reaching across tables to serve customers or to clear tables
• Moving and lifting tables and chairs to accommodate customers

Safe Work Practices

• Avoid awkward postures when carrying trays, plates or beverages. For example, serving with unsupported elbows and fingers can increase your risk for injury.
• Limit the number of plates or items you carry, realizing that carrying more than a few items puts additional strain on your arms and back, and over time may lead to injury.
• Use both hands to carry items, such as trays or water pitchers, and carry objects with your elbows close to your body.
• When pouring, move the glass or cup to you rather than over-reaching with a heavy coffee pot or pitcher to fill items.
• Carry plates with your elbows close to your body to lessen the strain on your arms and back. Avoid bending at the wrist or extending upward at the fingers. Your shoulder, arms and hands should be in a neutral position rather than bent at the wrist or extended upward at the fingers.
• Alternate carrying tasks from hand to hand.
• Balance the load evenly, placing heavier items in the center of the tray.
• Make sure trays are clean and dry, and without defect before using.
• Stand by the person you are serving if possible, rather than reaching across the table and over people. In booths, enlist the people sitting closest to the edge of the booth to assist you in passing the plates along.
• Get help when moving heavy tables and chairs, rather than lifting alone.

© 2010, 2012, 2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Guidelines for health care employees

Preventing foodborne illness is important for everyone. However, when cooking for others, especially senior citizens and those who are ill, you must exercise extreme caution. With about 48 million cases of foodborne illness occurring every year in the United States, food contamination may seem very difficult to prevent. However, by following these safety tips, you can ensure food safety and prevent foodborne illness at your facility.

Safety Steps

Safe steps in food handling, cooking and storage are essential to preventing foodborne illness. You typically cannot see, smell or taste harmful bacteria that can cause illness. Keep food safe in every step of preparation:

• Wash hands and surfaces often.
• Separate foods to avoid cross-contamination.
• Cook foods to the proper temperatures.
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly.

Food Handling Guidelines

• Refrigerate or freeze all perishable food items. The refrigerator should be set at 40° F or less and the freezer set at 0° F or less.
  • Check the temperatures with a thermometer designated for these appliances.
• Always thaw food in the refrigerator or under cold water, never sitting out at room temperature.
• Wash cutting boards and cooking utensils immediately with soap and hot water after contact with raw meats to prevent bacterial contamination.
• Do not leave perishable foods sitting out for more than two hours.
  • If the room temperature is above 90° F, do not leave foods out for more than one hour.
• If food is cooked, but will not be served for more than two hours, keep it in the oven at 140° F and cover with foil.
• Discard canned foods that are dented, seeping or bulging.
• Do not use packages that are torn or open.
• Poultry and meat is only good in the refrigerator for one to two days.
• Keep seafood in the refrigerator or freezer until right before use.
• Throw out foods with any sign of mold growth.
• Never store food near cleaning products or chemicals.
• Store condiments such as ketchup, mayonnaise and dressing in the refrigerator after opening.

© 2007-2010, 2013, 2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Laundry handling techniques for health care workers

Sheets, towels, gowns, blankets and other washable items used in health care facilities often come in contact with body fluids that can be dangerous for those who wash them. Contaminated and soiled linens can carry diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis.

If you're handling or washing laundry items during the course of your workday, take note of the following safety precautions that are designed to help you prevent accidental exposure.

Handling Tips

• Touch the laundry as little as possible with your hands.
• If you notice that linens are soiled, bag them separately in the location where they were used, instead of mixing them with other linens to be sorted later.
• Place wet, contaminated laundry in a leak-proof, color-coded bag (usually red) and/or container.
  • This container should have a bio-hazard symbol on it to designate the laundry as dangerous and containing human excretions.
• Hold contaminated laundry bags as far away from the body as possible and avoid squeezing the bag excessively because it may cause puncturing.
  • Seal the bag tightly to avoid leakage.
  • Use carts or laundry chutes designated for soiled linens to transport the bags.

Washing Tips

• Do not wash soiled linens with non-soiled laundry.
• If some of the items you will be washing are soiled, never wash them with other items of the same kind unless they are also soiled. Combining sheets, towels or gowns is appropriate when soiled, but never combine a non-soiled gown with a soiled one simply to wash like items together.
• Use hot water to clean and disinfect soiled laundry.
  • Cycle should be at least 25 minutes long and water should be at least 160° F.
  • Use chlorine bleach for added disinfecting power.
  • Add a mild acid to neutralize the alkalinity in the tub to disinfect the linens.
• Only combine like items after they have been properly washed and disinfected.

© 2009-2010, 2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Helpful tips for reducing your risk of strains and sprains

Over six million injuries occur in the workplace every year. Sprains, strains and tears to muscles and connective tissues are some of the most common injuries employees experience.

Sprains and strains can result from lifting injuries, being hit by fallen objects or even a simple misstep. Overusing your muscles can also cause these injuries. Protect yourself and others from these painful injuries by always practicing safety on the job.

Sprains

Sprains occur when a ligament has been stretched too far from its normal position. Sprains of the fingers, wrists, knees and ankles are most common.

Strains

Strains are the result of pulling too far on a muscle or by pulling a muscle in one direction while it is contracting. Strains can also be caused by repetitive movements that lead to an over-stretching of muscle fibers. Strains of the back, neck, groin and hamstring are most common.

Tips for Prevention

To help reduce your risk of sprains and strains while on the job, keep these tips in mind:

• Follow safe lifting guidelines, especially if your position requires you to lift particularly heavy items.
• If you are lifting something particularly heavy, use extreme caution. When in doubt, ask for help with the lift.
• Reduce repetitive movements if possible; chronic strains are usually the result of overuse.
• Use proper form while completing tasks and avoid extensive gripping, which can increase the risk of hand and forearm strains.
• Practice safety measures to help prevent falls. Avoid slippery surfaces.
• Wear proper attire, including footwear, gloves and other applicable protective equipment.
• Consider your posture when sitting or standing for long periods of time; maintain an overall relaxed position.
• Maintain a healthy fitness level outside of work to keep your body strong and flexible.
• Stretch before you begin working, and take short breaks throughout the day to stretch and rebalance your body.

If you have any questions or concerns about sprains or strains, do not hesitate to contact your supervisor.

Often attributed as a partial cause of the ever-increasing cost of health care, medical malpractice claims are a common, and costly, risk faced by health care providers. However, according to recent research, technological developments in the health care industry may be able to lower some of the risk of medical malpractice claims.

Studies have begun to track the effect that the use of electronic health record (EHR) systems has on preventing medical malpractice claims. EHRs allow doctors to quickly scan patients' medical histories, giving them more background information, which leads to a more accurate diagnosis. It also means avoiding duplication of tests and negative reactions between medications. When all of this information is readily available, doctors and nurses can make better decisions about patient health. Better care means fewer mistakes, which in turn means fewer malpractice claims. The clear record they provide of a patient's treatment history also makes EHRs useful in defending against a medical malpractice claim if one is filed.

Additional Benefits

EHRs may be able to do more than just help prevent claims, they may also get you a lower rate from your insurer. If study results continue to confirm the connection between EHRs and lowered occurrences of medical malpractice claims, insurers may start offering discounts to facilities that implement such systems.

Going beyond the realm of malpractice claims, EHRs also offer a number of other benefits to both your staff and patients. Once implemented, EHRs can streamline many of your existing processes. Charts no longer need to be physically moved from one location to another. With a few clicks, patient information can be brought up anywhere in your facility instantly. This kind of quick access to patient information means information stays up to date and is always on hand. This not only makes life easier on staff members, it also means that patients get high-quality, efficient care.

Implementation

Even though EHRs can simplify operations and save money in the long run, the investment of time and money that is required to switch to a new system deters some health care providers. However, the switch to EHRs may soon be unavoidable. Recently there has been an increased focus on EHR implementation by federal regulators. Fortunately, with the push for a more broad adoption of the technology comes a potential increase in available government funding to help health care providers make the switch.

When you make the decision to transition from paper records to an electronic system, there will be a learning period that goes along with the implementation process. The full benefit of EHRs cannot be realized unless employees are properly trained in how to use them. If systems are poorly implemented, they will not generate the positive returns they are capable of.

Adopting EHRs takes an initial commitment from you and your staff, but in the long run, they can simplify operations and save money all while helping you provide the best possible care to your patients.

© 2011 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Workplace violence in the health care industry has been declining, but that doesn't mean it's completely absent from hospitals and other medical clinics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost half of non-fatal injuries from occupational assaults and violence occur in health care and social services settings.

Who is most at risk? Statistics indicate that nurses were the most likely victims of assault, most of which are committed by a patient on an employee. Other assaults occurred between a stranger and an employee, and between two or more former or current co-workers. Given the risks, there is an imperative need for health care facilities to establish violence prevention policies to protect their employees.

Violence Prevention Program

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), health care facilities should instill a violence prevention program as part of their larger safety and health program. This program serves to reduce the severity and frequency of injuries that employees face, track the facility's progress in reducing violence and decrease the threat of violence to employees' safety. Specifically, the program:

• Outlines a clear policy detailing that violence including verbal and nonverbal threats, will not be tolerated in the workplace
• Eliminates the chance that individuals would seek revenge on an employee for reporting violence
• Encourages employees to report violent acts quickly
• Outlines a plan to maintain safety in the workplace
• Explains management concerns for employee physical and emotional health

The goal of such a program is to guarantee that:

• Employees comply with and support a violence-free workplace
• Employees feel comfortable reporting violence

Training

When designing violence prevention programs, orchestrate prevention training that is mandatory for all employees. According to OSHA, training is a key element in violence prevention, as the employees receive extensive information about how to conduct themselves in the workplace in the event of violence. They are also formally warned about the no-tolerance policy, in the event that they feel like instigating a fight down the road. Essentially, the intentions of the facility are made extremely clear in the training session.

In addition, by getting to know staff members who are part of the violence prevention initiative, employees may feel more comfortable reporting injuries or threats in the event that they occur. The training may include:

• An explanation of the violence policy and program initiatives
• Encouragement to report threats or violent incidents
• Tactics for preventing or reducing hostile situations, conflict or anger
• Ways to manage anger
• Suggestions for how to resolve conflicts without violence
• Suggestions for how to reduce stress and relax
• Outlining the security procedures for the facility
• Self-defense tips
• Ways to assist a victim in need of support

Facility Analysis

OSHA also recommends that a health care facility conduct an analysis of records, security measures and trends regarding violence. By doing an analysis, management can identify the recurring threats to their employees, security breaches of any kind and ways to protect their employees in the future. Health care facilities are particularly hazardous, according to OSHA, because of the following:

• Medications and money available in the pharmacy area (robbery target)
• Employees must work evenings in potentially high crime areas
• Employees are exposed to sometimes violent, mentally unstable patients
• Patients may be uncooperative or combative at times
• Rooms may contain furniture or items that could potentially be used as a weapon against employees

After conducting an analysis of the facility, management should instill additional safety controls, including:

• Increase lighting in high risk areas such as patient rooms, isolated treatment areas or outside the facility
• Install metal detectors to alert security staff if patrons are bringing guns or knives into the facility
• Install plexiglass windows around the pharmacy check-out window to minimize the threat of theft
• Use safety devices such as alarms, panic buttons, cameras, two-way mirrors, key-card access systems and hire security personnel
• Install curved mirrors at hallway intersections
• Train staff on how to recognize hostile situations and behavior
• Increase staffing in the evenings or in places where patients may become violent
• Encourage employees to carpool so they arrive and depart in groups
• Provide a complimentary shuttle service or security guards to escort employees out of the building
• Explain the zero tolerance policy for violence to patients
• Have relationships with the local police and alert them of the emergency action plans in the event of violence
• Gather previous records of patients to determine if they pose threats to employees

Design a program to deal with violent and combative patients including:

• Arrange furniture in such a way to prevent the staff from becoming trapped in the room
• Place minimal, lightweight furniture in the rooms without any sharp corners
• Affix the furniture to the floor
• Remove excess clutter from the rooms, especially items on countertops that could be used as weapons
• Make sure that there is a second exit in patient rooms for employees in the event that the patient becomes violent
• Require that employees implement a buddy system when treating high-risk patients so they are never alone

Response to Violence

In the event that a violent act is committed in the facility, employees need a supportive management staff to rely on to get through the trying time. To ensure that employees receive the support they need, the health care facility should establish a response team to deal with the situation.

This team is responsible for providing medical care for the injured employee(s) and counseling after the fact.

OSHA also requires that facilities fill out an OSHA Form 300 within eight hours of the incident to document all work-related injuries if three or more employees were hospitalized. By documenting violence, OSHA and the facility can determine the severity of the incident and determine how the situation can be prevented in the future.

Remember that it is the facility's responsibility to take steps to protect its employees from violence and maintain a safe working environment.

This Risk Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. © 2007-2010, 2014 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

The use of cleanrooms is commonly required for manufacturers of sensitive electronic equipment, pharmaceuticals, sterile medical devices and in any other critical manufacturing environment where the contaminants present in outside air could destroy the product's functionality.

Though cleanrooms are critical parts of the manufacturing environments in which they are used, they are surprisingly unregulated by the U.S. government. In fact, the only federal standard that regulated cleanrooms was canceled in 2001, though manufacturers still widely use the standard as a guideline. It is important to keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does have Quality Systems Regulations in place that require manufacturers to use structures that ensure their products meet provisions, and that the business follows good manufacturing practices; however, this does not specifically address cleanroom conditions.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), of which the United States is a member, covers the classification of air purity in cleanrooms, and specifies the requirements for testing and monitoring cleanrooms to prove compliance. But from an employer's perspective, it is not ISO 14644-1 and ISO 14644-2 standards that should determine how to treat your cleanroom facility; rather, it makes the most business sense for you to treat your cleanroom with the utmost care to ensure that the facility stays up to specifications.

What Does Clean Mean?

Individual subsets of industries set their own standards for just how "clean" companies' cleanrooms must be. For example, integrated circuit manufacturers must operate in a cleanroom of no more than ISO 4, which does not allow any particles greater than 5 micro-meters in size, or one-thousandth of a millimeter. Depending on the type of manufacturing that is performed at your workplace, your ISO rating can vary. Check your industry cleanroom standards to determine the proper ISO rating.

Standards aside, a cleanroom is only useful if it is maintained properly. Many employers are unaware of the fact that a particle 200 times smaller than the width of a human hair can cause a major contamination disaster in a cleanroom. Contamination will not only cost your company because of expensive downtime while the problem is fixed, but it will also result in increased product costs. For example, many electronic products produced in a contaminated cleanroom will not function properly and will result in product recall, while medical devices manufactured in a contaminated cleanroom will not meet FDA regulations.

Preventing Contamination

Building a cleanroom properly is the first step to saving money in the long run, since it is much easier to eliminate the possibility of contamination as the facility is being built. Removing contamination after the fact is not only extremely difficult, but also enormously costly in both time and money. It is important to warn your employees that contamination can come from many unexpected sources, including the following:

• Other elements of the building or facility that hold the cleanroom, including walls, floors, ceilings, paint, coatings and air conditioning debris
• Equipment and supplies, such as loose particles from friction, vibrations, brooms, mops, items brought into the cleanroom and cleanroom debris
• Microorganisms, like viruses, bacteria and fungus
• People are often the largest source of contamination. This can come from skin flakes and oil, hair, saliva, cosmetics or perfume, and clothing debris like lint and fibers. However, it can also come simply from peoples' presence; a motionless person, standing or seated, generates 100,000 0.3 micron-sized particles each minute, and a person walking at a swift pace will generate 10,000,000 particles per minute.

Ensuring that the facility meets the accurate air quality standards starts with requiring employees to wear the proper equipment while inside the cleanroom.

Take Precautions

To lower your cleanroom's risk of contamination, take the following precautions:

• Warn employees about the danger to the company in bringing personal items — such as wallets and phones — out while in the cleanroom.
• Encourage employees to make as subtle and slow of movements as possible while in the cleanroom.
• Check periodically for leakages in the shell enclosing the cleanroom that separates the clean air from the rest of the building.
• Monitor the cleanroom closely during construction.
• Regularly measure and test the cleanroom to ensure it is running properly.

Remember that following these guidelines could save your company hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost product and in downtime by lessening your risk for cleanroom contamination.

© 2007-2010, 2013, 2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Choosing the right glove for the job

Since no one glove protects against hazards in every task you do, you must take several considerations into account before choosing the right glove for the job. In addition, you must balance the amount of protection needed with the glove's characteristics to determine which pair will allow you to work both safely and efficiently.

Fit

Measure your hand circumference around the palm or at the base of the fingers. The number of inches will determine your size.

Dexterity

Disposable thin-gauge gloves made from natural rubber latex (NRL), nitrile, neoprene or plastic PVC offer the most dexterity and sensitivity.

Thin, disposable gloves allow for work with small parts, food products and other delicate tasks but don't offer as much protection.

Protection against Chemicals

Use disposable nitrile gloves when handling oils and grease. They also protect against dry chemicals and many other lab chemicals.

These types of gloves can be layered to provide added protection.

Toughness

Wear cotton or leather gloves, preferably with coating, when handling abrasive or heavy objects. Gloves coated with NRL, PVC, nitrile, neoprene and polyurethane outwear normal cotton and leather gloves by two to 10 times.

Gloves with coating offer the least amount of dexterity, so choose a pair with lighter weight coatings, palm-coating or flat-dipped gloves.

Cut Resistance

If you need to protect your hands against sharp objects, choose gloves with a higher level of cut resistance (Level 0=<200 grams to Level 5=3,500 grams). Keep in mind, however, that no glove will protect you from a serrated or moving blade.

Handling Oily or Slippery Objects

Wear sponge or foam-coated gloves that allow you to have a solid grip on slippery objects. Oil is able to penetrate these types of gloves, making the objects easier to hold and reducing the risk that you will drop them and injure yourself or a co-worker.

Chemical Hazards

• Wear gloves coated in NRL, nitrile, neoprene or PVC when handling fuels, grease and oils.
• Wear butyl or laminate gloves when handling ketones.
• Wear neoprene when handling acids and caustic materials.

© 2009-2010, 2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Keep focused to avoid workplace accidents

To prevent the dangers associated with distracted driving, more and more states have passed laws banning the use of cellphones while behind the wheel. The need for such laws is a good example of the common and dangerous side effect of personal electronic devices.

Our workplace safety is built on attentive employees focused on the task at hand, and such devices can play an unfortunate role in creating workplace accidents. Too many workers think that they can safely perform their jobs while talking on the phone, texting or listening to music. Unfortunately, these actions are more distracting than most realize.

Don't let the use of personal electronic devices lead to an injury. Do your part to keep distractions out of the workplace.

Texting

Texting combines a number of hazards. Not only are you distracted by the conversation taking place, you also become distracted by operating your cellphone. While inputting a message, it is easy to lose track of what is going on around you as you no longer have a visual connection to your surroundings. A message may only take a few seconds to send, but in a fast-paced environment even that may be too long.

Hands-free Devices

Many people mistakenly believe that using a hands-free device allows them to safely talk on the phone without hurting their ability to carry out other tasks. While such devices do free up both hands, studies have repeatedly shown that the conversation itself is the biggest cause of distraction. Even though using a hands-free option seems like a safe alternative to a handheld device, for your own safety they should be avoided in situations where your full concentration is needed.

Music Players

There are a variety of sounds in the workplace that alert workers to what is happening around them. Unfortunately, when you are listening to music from a personal electronic device, a shout from a coworker, an odd sound from a malfunctioning machine or the backup alarm from a truck or forklift can be easily missed.

In addition to hurting your ability to hear warnings, devices that deliver sound directly into the ear may increase hearing loss in noisy environments. Headphones can obstruct the proper fit of PPE while offering no hearing protection of their own. Also, to drown out background noise, volume is often raised above the normal listening level. This increases the amount of harmful noise you are exposed to, accelerating hearing loss.

© 2011, 2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) keeps records not only of the most frequently cited standards overall, but also within particular industries. The most recent statistics from OSHA reveal the top standards cited in the fiscal year 2021 for the machinery manufacturing industry. This top 10 list comprises establishments that create end products that apply mechanical force, such as the application of gears and levers, to perform work. Some important processes for the manufacture of machinery are forging, stamping, bending, forming and machining used to shape individual pieces of metal.

*ACV (Average Cost per Violation) – The dollar amount represents the average cost per violation that employers in this industry paid in 2021. To understand the full capacity and scope of each standard, click on the standard number to visit www.osha.gov and view the language in its entirety. Source: OSHA.gov

Design © 2022 Zywave, Inc.

Helpful tips for reducing your risk of injury at work

Hand, wrist and finger injuries are among the most common ailments suffered by workers, and they can be both extremely painful and debilitating. An occupational injury not only causes initial pain – it can also require weeks or months of rehabilitation.

Sources of Injury

Throughout the day, your hands come in contact with a multitude of hazards such as heavy or fast-moving machine parts, sharp tools and corrosive chemicals. The following is a sampling of hand, wrist and finger hazards you might face on the job every day:

• Cutting tools operating at high speeds
• Heavy machinery
• Extreme temperatures
• Pinch points
• Equipment without machine guards
• Wearing clothing that can get caught in a machine

On-the-job Protection

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to shield your body from hazards. Since the hands, wrists and fingers are so susceptible to injuries, there are many varieties of PPE to choose from and that your employer may require.

• Select gloves that are appropriate for the task at hand. Make sure they are long enough to fit correctly. Gloves that are too big can get caught in machinery, and gloves that are too small wear out easily.
• Leather gloves provide protection from bruises, cuts and minor burns. Cut-resistant gloves offer shielding from sharp-edged tools. Heat-resistant gloves offer protection against burns. Rubber, vinyl or neoprene gloves shield hands from corrosive materials.
• Barrier creams applied to the skin provide an invisible protective coating against minor irritations.
• Guards or hand pads protect against heat and abrasive materials.
• Finger guards protect against pinch hazards.

Recognize Hazards

While PPE will shield you to some extent, you also must learn how to recognize potential hazards and then take the proper steps to avoid them. Consider the following recommendations while on the job:

• Develop a "safety first" attitude and take time to familiarize yourself with the hazards in your working environment. Become familiar with all equipment and know what others are doing around you.
• Concentrate on the task at hand, even when you're frustrated or when there are distractions.
• Use common sense and remain alert for unexpected problems. Be wary of possible hazards.

© 2014, 2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Helpful tips for reducing your risk of injury at work

Wet floors, spills and excess clutter can mean disaster for employees on the warehouse or retail floor, causing many every year to suffer lost pay and serious pain. Injuries caused by slips, trips and falls range from sprained or strained muscles and joints to broken bones and head injury. There are several precautions you should take to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Floors

• Keep floors clean and dry at all times. Wet floors present a slip hazard and can promote the growth of infection-causing microbes like mold, fungi and bacteria.
• Remove all objects and clutter from aisles, exits and passageways.
• In the event that grease or oil spills on the kitchen floor, clean the mess immediately and alert your co-workers of the problem before they accidentally fall.
• Use floor or ceiling electrical plugs for power to avoid running a cord down a long hallway.
• Display warning signs to alert others of a wet floor.
• Use floor mats while surfaces are drying after cleaning to provide traction.
• Clean up spills immediately.
• In areas prone to slipping (toilet and shower areas), use a no-skid wax product to clean.
• While washing the floor, wear protective footgear to prevent falling.
• Keep an eye out for uneven floors, and fix them or notify someone who can immediately.

Other Recommendations

• Use strong ladders to reach as opposed to standing on small stools or boxes.
• Stretch out bulging carpets to prevent trips and falls.
• Use the handrails while walking down stairs to prevent slipping or walking too fast.
• Repair broken light fixtures and replace bulbs for adequate visibility.

Always Stay Alert

Adopt a see it, sort it mentality. If you notice any situation that you think could present a slipping, tripping or falling hazard, act immediately to remedy it or notify your supervisor. You could be saving an unsuspecting victim serious pain.

© 2010, 2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Selling your goods online can enhance customer relationships, attract new customers and increase sales revenue. However, if you are considering expanding your business online, it is important to understand what is required to maximize information security and minimize credit card payment risks. E-commerce sites that have little or no fraud controls in place can experience a chargeback rate of 10 percent or more. It is important to understand the basics of credit fraud before opening up for business online.

Typical Risks for E-Commerce Merchants

Those handling transactions online should consider the following common risks:

• Fraud
• Account information theft by hackers
• Account information theft on site
• Customer disputes and chargebacks

Authentication Systems

To avoid chargebacks, it is up to the e-commerce merchant to apply the right tools and controls to verify the cardholder's identity and the validity of the transaction. When used efficiently, these systems can reduce fraudulent transactions and the potential for customer disputes:

• Address Verification Service checks a credit card holder's billing address with the issuer, providing merchants with an indicator of the validity of the transaction.
• Card Verification Value numbers are printed on the back of credit cards and can help ensure that the customer is in possession of a genuine card.
• Fraud Screening examines transactions and calculates the level of risk associated with each transaction, providing merchants with risk scores.

Chargebacks

Chargebacks are transactions that are returned as your financial liability, and they translate into extra processing time and cost in addition to possible loss of revenue. They occur for several reasons:

• Customer-disputed transactions
• Fraud
• Authorization issues
• Inaccurate or incomplete transaction information
• Processing errors

When cardholders dispute transactions on their statements, they usually ask for a copy of the receipt, which you should provide to the card company as soon as possible to avoid loss.

Train Your Staff

Be sure your staff is aware of the risks of credit fraud and chargebacks. They should know the chargeback rules and regulations that your provider uses and be well-versed in your risk management policies and procedures.

This Risk Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. © 2011 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

With the increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets, access to online shopping websites is only a fingertip away for most consumers. As a result, the online retail industry is an increasingly attractive target for major cyber attacks. The results — including tarnished reputations, lost sales and costly lawsuits — can be devastating.

This happened to Zappos, a large online shoe and apparel store owned by Amazon. Cyber criminals broke into Zappos' internal network and stole personal information from 24 million customers, including names, addresses and the last four digits of credit card numbers. Zappos attempted damage control by informing their customers about the incident and advising them to change their passwords, but much of the damage was already done.

As an online retail business, your success is dependent on the health and security of your biggest tool — your network. In order to protect your network and keep your online business profitable, it is critical that you understand the risks you face.

Hackers and Hacktivists

Do you think hackers only target big brand retail websites that can gain them national attention? Think again. In reality, data thieves are simply looking for the path of least resistance, and have begun to realize that small to medium size online retailers make easier targets because they generally lack IT departments and the high-level security software that big retailers have. Despite the increasing number of large and high publicized cyber attacks, 85 percent of small business owners believe their company is safe from cyber attacks.

A cyber attack could knock a small to midsize online retailer offline for days, causing them to lose sales, customers and their reputation. Worse yet, a single data breach could even force some small retailers out of business. Visa, Inc. estimates that 95 percent of the credit card data breaches reported to them happened with their smallest business customers.

Not all hackers are after customers' credit card numbers. "Hacktivists" attack computers or computer networks as a means of political protest. They're not just targeting government websites, though. In April 2011, hacktivist group Anonymous attacked the Sony® website in hopes of gaining attention about recent legislation called the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). They gained attention, and Sony's website was offline for hours.

What is a DDoS Attack?

Hackers can attack online retailers in a number of ways, one of which is a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack. DDoS is a type of cyber attack in which a hacker floods your retail website with traffic and overwhelms your server to the point that your legitimate customers are unable to access your site. DDoS attacks can last a few hours to a few days; meanwhile, your company loses out on business and may incur the cost of bringing in an IT specialist to investigate and stop the attack.

Can You Prevent a DDoS Attack?

Industry experts report that DDoS attacks have risen 30 percent in recent years. This could cause a huge loss for online retailers, especially if the attack occurs on Cyber Monday or during the busy holiday shopping season. Although many times DDoS attacks occur on larger brand online retailers, no retailer is immune. Small and midsize companies that rely on larger e-commerce providers or payment processing companies could be affected if those larger companies come under attack.

With DDoS attacks, you'll usually never find the source of the attack. Instead, focus on procedures to carry out once an attack happens, including communicating the incident to customers.

Mitigate the DDoS Risk

To mitigate some risks that DDoS attacks pose, it is important to understand your Web hosting environment. Some examples of Web hosting include the following:

• Shared hosting, in which multiple websites share a single server. This is the most common and economical option for small companies, as the host likely already has a DDoS response plan in place.
• Cloud hosting, a newer platform where the hosting is decentralized and users are only charged for the services they use, not a flat fee.
• In-house hosting, in which a company, such as a larger online retailer, hosts its own site and assumes all of the responsibility for DDoS attacks.

Many small and midsize online retailers use shared hosting because they don't have IT departments and the capabilities to host their own sites. When selecting a Web hosting service, consider the following:

• Does the hosting company cater only to e-commerce clients or to a variety of clients? The behavior of other users on the server could impact the performance of your website.
• How many websites are packed on a single server?
• What type of DDoS response plan does the host have in case of an attack on the network?

Data Breaches

Hackers love to steal credit card data, and online retail websites have plenty of data available. With the increased use of wireless networks, data theft can occur more easily. Cyber threats include fraud, worms and viruses.

Most websites use secure socket layers (SSL), which are supposed to guarantee that log in, password and credit card information is safe during a customer's online shopping. SSL relies on special electronic certificates issued to a secure website, but each Internet browser validates the certificates in a different way. Keep in mind that SSL is not immune from hacking, and beware of fake certificates.

Mitigate Data Breaches

Are you providing your customers with a secure online shopping experience? Consider the following:

• Comply with the Payment Card Industry-Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). Merchants who don't can get fined by credit card companies.
• Purchase as much security as you can afford. Consider how much lost customer data or lost customers would cost your company.
• Maintain continuous vigilance of your site and know your real customers.
• Have firewall segmentation between wireless networks and point-of-sale networks, or in front of any network that comes in contact with credit card information.
• If you suffer a data breach, communicate this to your customers.

Cyber security is a serious concern for online retailers of all sizes. We are here to help. Contact Guidepost Insurance Services for more information.

This Risk Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. © 2011-2013 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

It's always important to gain better control over your rising workers' compensation costs. One solution is to shift your focus from solely trying to minimize lost-workday incidence to a more holistic approach. Having a sound safety program designed to continuously improve can yield significant savings by reducing injuries and illnesses over the long run — saving workers' compensation dollars and protecting your bottom line.

The Five Steps

You can control workers' compensation costs with five steps designed to create a well-rounded safety program that produces a safer job site, achieves OSHA compliance and reduces accidents.

Safety Makes Good Sense

All employers should strive to keep their employees as safe as possible, and it also makes the most sense for the health of your business:

• Studies indicate that properly designed, implemented and integrated safety programs lead to a return on investment, and that firms will see direct bottom-line benefits.
• A competency-based safety program is compliant with OSHA construction requirements and therefore reduces the threat of OSHA fines.
• A competency-based safety program lowers accidents, and fewer accidents lower workers' compensation costs.
• A safer job site creates better morale and improves employee retention. Auditing keeps your programs fresh and effective, and drives continuous improvement.
• A competency-based program produces people who are fully engaged in every aspect of their job.

Contact Guidepost Insurance Services today at 1-877-376-5443 to learn more about our OSHA compliance and safety program resources.

This Risk Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. © 2010 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

The nature of retail operations can increase associated safety exposures, especially as it pertains to burglary risks. Nevertheless, there are steps your business can take to minimize potential exposures. Use this safety checklist to keep your retail business securely protected in case of a burglary.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

ENGINEERING CONTROLS

ADMINISTRATIVE AND WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS

For more risk management guidance, contact us today. This checklist is merely a guideline. It is neither meant to be exhaustive nor meant to be construed as legal advice. © 2008, 2012, 2014 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Precautions for avoiding injury

The loading dock is an essential component of your business, but despite its daily use, it still presents serious safety hazards. There are risks for pinch point injuries from rolling doors, falls from elevated docks and truck beds, and accidental collisions between equipment and workers — among other injury-causing hazards.

Avoid Injury on the Dock

All workers must be alert to these hazards to avoid injury. To stay safe at your facility's loading dock, consider these useful recommendations:

• Always wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and steel-toed boots with grip soles. Wear ear muffs or plugs where required.
• Make sure trailer lanes are clearly marked so that backing up, parking and spotting is easier.
• Make sure that dock bumpers are in place and in working condition. Report any damaged bumpers to your supervisor to ensure that they are replaced as quickly as possible.
• Do not sit idle on a dock. This will prevent unnecessary exposure to diesel exhaust.
• Never lean on or hang over a loading dock, as you could fall off the dock or be crushed by a backing trailer.
• Steer clear of trailers when a forklift is loading or unloading.
• Check dock levelers or bridges before using them.
• Use trailer locking devices to prevent a gap from opening between the trailer and the dock.
• Do not operate any machinery that you are not trained to use.
• Never load trailers that are not firmly seated against a dock, and always check the weight capacity of the leveler before you begin loading a trailer.
• Inspect the trailer's floorboards to assure that they can withstand the load, the lifting device and your body weight combined.
• Your load should never exceed the capacity of your loading equipment.
• Keep aisles and working areas free of clutter and debris on loading docks.
• Only walk in the designated pedestrian walkways.

Safety First!

If you notice any safety hazards at the loading dock, or have any safety concerns, contact your supervisor. A safe workplace starts with being alert to potential hazards!

This flyer is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or legal advice. © 2010, 2017 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Are You Aware of All of Your DOT and FMCSA Compliance Obligations?

Transportation requires an enormous amount of coordination and recordkeeping. We can offer you forms, checklists and guides to help keep you in compliance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

© 2017 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2017 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

As a motor carrier, you put a lot of trust in your drivers when they're out on the road and expect them to perform their job as safely and efficiently as possible. This is especially important when you consider that even the most experienced drivers can unintentionally overlook operating protocols, putting the well-being of your vehicles, employees and the public in jeopardy. What's more, just one accident can lead to costly vehicle repairs, insurance claims or even compliance fines from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The ABCs of CSA

Like all motor carriers, the FMCSA has a responsibility to prevent crashes, injuries and fatalities related to the use of commercial motor vehicles. To accomplish this, the FMCSA uses an enforcement program called Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA). The CSA program is designed to hold motor carriers and drivers responsible for their role in road safety by collecting performance data and identifying organizations with safety issues. The program applies to any interstate carrier that has a U.S. Department of Transportation number, regardless of:

• Their fleet size
• Whether or not the vehicles they operate require a commercial driver's license
• The type of carrier they are (e.g., for-hire, private, flatbed, van, utility or construction)

Essentially, CSA is a monitoring and evaluation system that allows the FMCSA to intervene when safety regulations are not being followed by carriers or their drivers. Here's an overview of how it works. Your company's performance data appears online in the FMCSA's Safety Measurement System (SMS). Data in this system — most of which is available to the public — is updated once a month to include the latest information related to driver and vehicle violations, crash reports from the last two years and investigation results.

The FMCSA organizes SMS data into seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs):

1. Unsafe Driving
2. Crash Indicator
3. Hours-of-service Compliance
4. Vehicle Maintenance
5. Controlled Substances/Alcohol
6. Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Compliance
7. Driver Fitness

The FMCSA then measures a motor carrier's performance under each one of these BASICs, assigning them a score and prioritizing riskier fleets for interventions (e.g., warning letters, investigations and fines). Scores are based upon roadside, on-site and off-site inspection results and are reflected as a percentage rank from 0 to 100. The higher the percentile, the worse the safety performance.

What This Means for Your Business

As a motor carrier, maintaining BASIC scores below the intervention threshold is crucial. Not only does this demonstrate to the FMCSA that your fleet is operating safely, it also can help you avoid fines and business interruptions should your organization or drivers be placed out of service. And because violations that impact BASIC scores will show on a driver's pre-employment screening program (PSP) record for three years, your employees have just as much to lose from poor driving performance.

How the Scoring Works

Every violation is categorized under one of the seven BASICs. Once a violation has been categorized, it is weighted on both time and severity:

• Time — A time weight of one, two or three is assigned to every violation based on when the violation occurred. The more recent the crash, the more it will impact your score:
  • Violations are weighted triple if they occurred between now and six months ago.
  • Violations are weighted double value if they occurred between six and 12 months ago.
  • Violations have a single weight if they occurred between 12 and 24 months ago.
  • Violations drop out of the system if they occurred more than 24 months ago.
• Severity — A severity weight between one (least severe) to 10 (most severe) is assigned to every applicable violation. In general, the severity weight relates to the level of crash risk associated with the violation. If the violation was severe enough to warrant an out-of-service order, the violation is assigned an additional two points.

For the Unsafe Driving BASIC, the intervention threshold is 65% for general carriers (50% for passenger carriers and 60% for HAZMAT).

Educate Drivers on the Unsafe Driving BASIC

In order for your employees to help you keep your scores low, they need to have an understanding of the BASIC program. Driver behavior has a direct impact on how your fleet ranks:

1. How violations impact BASIC scores — Drivers should understand how violations not only harm their personal record, but also contribute to your business's score.
2. How long violations stay with the company — Just one violation can affect your company's standing for up to two years. Violations may remain on a driver's record for three years.
3. How warnings impact BASIC scores — Warnings can impact BASIC scores just as much as a ticket, making it crucial for drivers to operate with the highest levels of care and safety.

Utilize Technology to Proactively Address Driver Behaviors

More than ever before, carriers have access to tools and resources they can use to monitor drivers and improve safety throughout their fleet. Consider the following devices:

• Telemetric and GPS systems — Allow carriers to monitor things like driving speed, hard braking and other behaviors in real time. This allows you to flag potentially risky behavior for review and provide employees with specific training resources.
• ELDs (Electronic Logging Devices) — Allow truck and bus drivers to track their hours of service, automating the process and making it easier for safety inspectors to spot violations. These devices are required by law for many motor carriers.
• Dashcams — Provide both drivers and carriers footage they can review following a violation. You can use this footage during driver performance reviews, encouraging positive driver behavior or providing one-on-one coaching.

Use All Available Data to Make Informed Hiring Decisions

Because your BASIC score is directly tied to the performance of your drivers, it's important to hire the best candidates possible. Do not tolerate drivers who rack up high scores and refuse to change their ways. Consider a combination of motor vehicle records (MVRs) and information from the pre-employment screening program (PSP) when making hiring decisions.

© 2017 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.