Garage door industry magazine for garage door dealers, garage door manufacturers, garage door distributors, garage door installers, loading docks, garage door operators and openers, gates, and tools for the door industry.
Issue link: https://idoi.epubxp.com/i/134362
associationnews (continued from page 55) of twisting. Repetitive reaching above shoulder height compounded with lifting can contribute to rotator cuff injuries. For example, "order picking" is a job that requires frequently retrieving items of a variety of weights from high shelves. Any lift or lowering that starts or ends above shoulder height places the shoulders and back at higher risk for injury. As a rule of thumb, if an above the shoulder reach is required as part of the job, then the job should be targeted for task redesign. ERGONOMICCONTROLS Effective ergonomic controls can reduce the risks associated with factors like weight and force, and help eliminate undesirable motions, such as bending, reaching, and twisting. Thus, ergonomic intervention can reduce the probability of overexertion injuries. To avoid excessive forces, awkward postures, and repetitive motions, employers should improve the ft of the work demands to the capabilities of the worker. It is important to note that worker capabilities vary with age, physical condition, strength, and other factors. TYPESOFERGONOMICCONTROLS The combination of engineering and administrative controls may be effective as a comprehensive control plan to reduce or eliminate overexertion injuries. Engineeringcontrols are physical controls that include rearranging or redesigning the task and providing new or improved equipment (tools, workstations, parts, or materials) to: • Minimize signifcant body motions • Minimize weights and forces • Minimize frequency of handling and re-handling In addition to overexertion, automobile accidents are especially prevalent in the construction industry. Most motor vehicle crashes are not a result of mechanical breakdowns, lack of training or even weather. Most crashes happen because of driver behaviors. Drivers make many decisions before they get behind the wheel and while operating a motor vehicle. This starts with some simple tips on what to do and not to do to stay out of crashes: • Plan your trip to allow enough time to get there without having to speed taking into account normal traffc and weather you are likely to encounter. • Plan your route and pre-program your GPS if you use one. Not having to look for directions, read maps or enter an address lets you focus on driving. The stress of being lost and needing to focus on where you want to be makes it more likely you will make mistakes that can contribute to becoming involved in a crash. • Make sure your vehicle is in good condition. • Make calls before and after you drive. • Use good look forward capacity as you drive. Glance two blocks ahead in neighborhoods, 8 to 12 seconds in normal traffc and as far as you can see when driving on an interstate. Looking ahead allows you to slow down and plan ahead for traffc fow and lane positioning. • Keep distance between your vehicle and other vehicles. Passenger car drivers should keep 4 seconds of space. Four seconds may seem like a lot but you need time to perceive a situation, time to react and space for the brakes to slow or stop the vehicle. • Follow the speed limit. Speed reduces the amount of time you have to react to hazardous situations and gives you less time to react to unexpected moves of other drivers. • Avoid driving when tired or impaired. By having and following safety procedures for overexertion and driving, IDA members will able to continue save premium dollars with less workers compensation and automobile claims. Liberty Mutual is the insurance carrier for many of the IDAssurance members. When drivers make wrong decisions or do not make decisions when they should, the consequences can be serious. So serious that more than 30,000 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes last year. If you want additional information about the advantages of the IDAssurance Program, please contact Andrew Stergiou at 212-603-0321 (astergiou@alliantinsurance.com). To reduce the chances of you and/or your employees becoming one of the statistics, you should plan ahead and stay focused on driving when behind the wheel. Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. is the consulting broker for the IDAssurance Program, is one of the largest and most experienced insurance and surety bond brokerage frms in the country. 56 International Door & Operator Industry™