Safety Matters

CCOHS Offers Tips for Proper Ergonomie Hand Tool Use

Workers who use hand tools not only risk getting cuts and
bruises, but also face a bevy of hazards such as soreness,
aches, pains and fatigue. In fact, the frequent and prolonged
use of hand tools can lead to musculoskeletal disorders
(MSDs) of various kinds, including carpal tunnel syndrome
and tendonitis. Long periods of time when muscles are tense
or motionless, awkward work positions, tissue compression
and tool vibrations all can affect the health and performance
of hand tool users.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
(CCOHS) presents tips for avoiding MSDs when working
with these devices.
Change it up. Using the same movement and same part
of the body can overload those muscles, ligaments, tendons
or tissues, and cause pain and injury. Change body positions
to distribute the workload over different parts of the body
and to give overused muscles some relief and recovery time.
To achieve this, rotate tasks among workers and assign larger
tasks to a team of workers with each member sharing different jobs.
Work at a safe pace. If the pace is too fast, the muscles
involved do not have enough time to recover from the effort
and restore enough energy to continue the work. If the pace
is imposed externally, adjust it to the speed that is acceptable
for the slowest worker.

Take work breaks and rest breaks. The work break is

a period of fime between tasks which allows an employee to
relax muscles involved in operating tools. A rest break not
only allows for refreshment, but also can be used to stretch
and relax.
Take time to adjust. When returning to work or when
starting a new job, a worker should have an adjustment or
acclimatization period to refresh old work habifs or get used
to a new routine.
Train workers. Before introducing a new tool or piece
of equipment, or when changing the way the job has been
performed provide refresher training that includes information about the changes.
According to CCOHS, a hand tool must decrease the
physical demands placed on those using the tool in order to
be ergonomically effective. However, even the best-designed
tool, the most ergonomically correct workstation and the
most up-to-date work organization will fail to prevent
injuries if workers do not receive proper training. As new
materials, technologies and equipment replace older ones,
the importance of training increases. For more information,
visit www.ccohs.ca.

Grainger Offers Tips for Preventing Slips, Trips & Falls

According to Injury Facts 2012 Edi-

tion, falls account for more than 8.7

nullion emergency-room visits in the
U.S. each year. Grainger, a leading
safety product distributor, offers five
tips for creating a safer environment at
work and at home.
1) Follow good housekeeping
practices. "Proper housekeeping is a
routine," Grainger says, citing several
simple steps for keeping on track:
Plan ahead. Know what needs to
be done, who is going to do it and how
the work area should look when the
work is completed.
Assign responsibilities. While individuals should clean up after themselves, it may be necessary to assign the
task to a specific person or group.
Move items in cabinets so that those
used most often are on lower shelves,
about waist level.

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OCTOBER 2012

Keep objects off the fioor. Pick up

papers, books, shoes, boxes or other
things that are on the fioor and store
them elsewhere.
2) Reduce wet or slippery surfaces
Most injuries occur on parking lots or
sidewalks, or in food preparation areas
and showers. To reduce the hazards:
Keep parking lots and sidewalks
free of debris and in good condition.
Use adhesive striping material or
antiskid paint outdoors and antiskid
adhesive tape indoors.
Use moisture-absorbent mats with
beveled edges in entrance areas. Ensure
that they have backing material which
will not slide on thefloor.Use appropriate mats for food preparation areas.
Put a nonslip rubber mat or selfstick strips on the floor of showers and
tubs. Install grab bars inside the tub.
3) Avoid creating obstacles in
aisles and walkways. "Obstacles,
clutter, materials and equipment in
aisles, corridors, entranceways and
stairwells also contribute to trips injuries," Grainger explains.
Keep work areas, passageways,
storerooms and service areas clean and
orderly. Close file cabinets and drawers
after use.
Coil or tape wires such as cables,
air hoses, extension cords, lamp and

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phone cords next to the wall. Do not

string materials across hallways or
designated aisles.
Always keep objects off stairs. Fix
loose, broken or uneven steps and
ensure that the carpet is firmly attached
to every step.
4) Create and maintain proper
lighting. Poor lighting in the workplace
or at home can contribute to incidents.
Use proper illumination in staircases, ramps, hallways, basements,
construction areas and dock areas; keep
poorly lit walkways clear of clutter and
obstructions.
Keep work areas well lit and clean.
Keep areas around light switches clear
and accessible.
Repair fixtures, switches and cords
immediately if they malfunction.
At home, place a lamp close to the
bed where it is easy to reach.
5) Wear proper shoes. "Shoes play
a big part in preventing falls," Grainger
says. "Pay attention to the slickness
of the soles and the type of heels; tie
shoelaces correctly. At work, educate
employees on the appropriate footwear
for their duties."
For more information about preventing slips, trips and falls, visit Grainger's
Safety Resource page at www.grainger
.com/infolibrary.

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