Category Archives: Business

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Limit Organizational Exposure During the Polar Vortex

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A polar vortex has gripped large areas of the Northern United States, and all-time lows are being approached in parts of Midwest states like Iowa and Illinois. This frigid weather phenomenon is defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) as a large area of low pressure and cold air that normally surrounds the North and South poles. But during unstable conditions, the Arctic air can expand and drift southward to North America.

The extreme cold has led to several injuries and six deaths, including an auto accident that killed a couple, a man who likely froze to death in his Milwaukee garage and another man struck by a snow plow in the Chicago area.

The weather system has also forced the closure of schools, businesses, flights and even the United States Postal Service in some areas, and warnings are in effect for workers to stay home and keep off the roads.

Driving Tips

Some people must get out and drive, however, and so whether making deliveries, heading to or from work, or running necessary errands, drivers and asked to use heightened caution.

At this time last year when preparing for the “weather bomb,” AAA recommended precautions that can be applied during a polar vortex, including this basic tip: Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly when accelerating is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids, AAA said, cautioning that it takes time to slow down for a stoplight as it takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

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Building Tips

Looking inside your organization’s physical foundation is also critical to its resilience. In addition to clearing snow from driveways and de-icing entrances, organizations should be cognizant of how such brutally low temperatures can impact their workplaces. Interstate Restoration offers tips on how to address a building’s infrastructure during winter weather.

For example, if your pipes are found to be frozen, Interstate Restoration offers suggestions to reduce the likelihood of a burst:

  1. Turn off water to the building at the main water shutoff valve
  2. Inspect the pipe closely for cracks and note any that you find
  3. If you find cracks, call a plumber for advice before doing anything else
  4. If there is no damage present, add a space heater to the area or use a hair dryer to gradually warm the pipe. If the outside temperature is expected to rise, you can also wait for the pipe to thaw on its own before turning the water back on. PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Never use any type of open flame or torch to thaw pipes.

Outdoor Working Tips

The Department of Labor recommends that employees working in frigid temperatures avoid alcohol, smoking and some medications to help minimize risks.

As previously reported, the best way to avoid cold stress is by wearing proper clothing.

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The type of fabric makes a difference as well. For example, cotton loses its insulation value when it becomes wet, while wool, silk and most synthetics retain their insulation even when wet.

Here are some clothing tips for workers in cold environments:

  • For better insulation wear at least three layers of clothing: An inner layer of wool, silk or synthetic to wick moisture away from the body; a middle layer of wool or synthetic to provide insulation even when wet; and an outer wind and rain protection layer that allows some ventilation to prevent overheating.  Avoid tight fitting clothing.
  • Wear a hat or hood to help keep the entire body warm. Hats reduce the amount of body heat that escapes from the head.
  • Wear insulated boots or other appropriate footwear.
  • Keep extra clothing (including underwear) handy in case clothing gets wet.
  • Do not underestimate the wetting effects of perspiration. Venting of the body’s sweat and heat can be more important than protection from rain or snow, according to the DOL.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also issues guidelines, suggesting that heavy work be scheduled for the warmer part of the day, and to assign employees to work in pairs to lessen the risk of cold stress.

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Six Tips For Risk Managers When Assessing Automation Hazards

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From a risk management perspective, one of the benefits of automation is that robots can play a significant role in reducing injuries when deployed to replace or support workers in high-hazard jobs, such as those involving high force and repetition. Yet, without appropriate risk assessments, their benefits can become skewed in other situations.

Unfortunately, many companies still make critical automation decisions without adequately engaging risk management, which can leave workers vulnerable to a new set of unanticipated workplace hazards. By some estimates, manufacturers will deploy 1.2 million new robots in the next decade; the expanding use of robotics may bring numerous new significant safety considerations along with a critical need for effective risk management.

As the trend toward greater automation gains momentum, here are six tips for risk managers to assess automation-related workplace hazards and help their organizations achieve the gains they envisioned with these major investments:

  1. Do not underestimate the value risk management brings to automation. Although automation is not new, companies still have much to learn about its effective deployment and implementation – especially in situations where the aim is increased productivity.
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     Risk managers need to be actively involved in assessing potential risks as automation purchasing decisions are made, as well as in planning and managing implementation, related employee training and post-implementation safety assessments and injury monitoring.

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  1. Initiate a dynamic dialogue. When the aim of investing in robotics and automation is specifically for productivity improvement, the starting point should be for risk and operations managers and safety/ergonomics experts to open a dialogue with workers in units designated for automation; they are much more flexible than robots and can offer insights on improving the workplace, reducing injuries and driving efficiency – either without significant investment or by focusing deployment of automation where it is likely to have the greatest impact.
  1. Focus on human factors with increased automation. As plants become more fully automated, the interface between the equipment and employees becomes increasingly significant. Historically, there has been an increased emphasis on automation, but an insufficient focus on the human interface. With more industries retooling plants and upgrading operations, the premium will be on the intelligent design of the next generation of facilities. It calls for the use of advanced tools, such as HumanCAD 3D, to analyze the impact of new equipment on human operators, production, and maintenance, as well as assessments from ergonomics and risk management professionals.
  1. Understand automation is not a panacea. Even the latest robotics may not address every issue, such as assembly tasks that require very fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and higher-level thinking (such as complex assemblies, part orientation, inspection and precision fits). The automation of some tasks ultimately could require higher rates of repetition in the upper extremities of workers. In this case, ergonomic workstation design, scheduled breaks and worker feedback will be keys to prevent injuries and achieve gains in quality and productivity.
  1. Do not overlook worker demographics. Although automation may help all workers raise their productivity levels, implementation should account for the needs of an aging workforce. Businesses with multiple manufacturing facilities may have to refine workstations, signage, and lighting in areas with higher concentrations of older workers to achieve consistent productivity gains across all operations.
  1. Monitor potential worker safety issues with new product designs. Some forward-looking organizations are pushing for the application of design rules and human factors analysis to evaluate the “Design for Assembly and Ergonomics” (DFMAE) process. In these situations, product designers and advanced manufacturing equipment engineers collaborate with ergonomists to evaluate new product designs and the manufacturing equipment that goes with it. Until such approaches become widespread, it makes sense to check how new product designs might affect assembly workers.
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    Even slight adjustments in product design, manufacturing equipment or workstations can make the job easier and less stressful for employees without expensive robotics.

Investments in highly sophisticated equipment require thorough evaluation of all potential risks involving the interface between the equipment and employee. In some cases, operating equipment may expose workers to a range of injuries, such as repetitive motion issues. And high-speed mobile equipment can pose an outright danger on a factory floor without the delineation of designated “safety zones.” As key members of their organization’s automation team, risk managers play a critical role in anticipating and assessing exposures, developing remedies and facilitating success to ensure robots are working in collaboration with employees and not creating new, unanticipated risks.

2017 Workplace Fatality Statistics Released

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2017, a total of 5,147 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States. And while this data marks 43 fewer casualties than in 2016, employers should note that it is still an increase of more than 300 in both 2014 and 2015.

The continued high rate was fueled by the frequency of transportation incidents (2,077) and 887 fatal falls, which marked their highest level in the 26-year history of the census.

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Another key finding involved overdoses of drugs and alcohol while at work.

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Unintentional overdoses due to nonmedical substances while at work increased 25% from 217 in 2016 to 272 in 2017. The BLS noted that this was the fifth straight year in which unintentional workplace overdose deaths have increased by at least 25%.

The National Safety Council (NSC) released a statement in reaction to the BLS data, saying that it was “disheartened to see a small rise in unintentional, preventable worker fatalities.” The NSC’s statement continued:

“Once again, the data clearly show we are not doing enough to mitigate the risks of these everyday killers. At work, leadership should set the tone and engage all employees in safety, identifying hazards and measuring safety performance using leading indicators to ensure continuous improvement.”

Additionally, the BLS found:

  • Contact with objects and equipment incidents were down 9 percent (695 in 2017 from 761 in 2016) with caught in running equipment or machinery deaths down 26 percent (76 in 2017 from 103 in 2016).
  • Fatal occupational injuries involving confined spaces rose 15 percent to 166 in 2017 from 144 in 2016.
  • Crane-related workplace fatalities fell to their lowest level ever recorded in by the census, 33 deaths in 2017.

Clearly, the fatality rate of some occupations remains alarmingly high. Below are the 10 most dangerous jobs in America for 2017, according to the BLS and the fatal work injury rate (per 100,000 workers).

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Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel – Organizations Focused on Distracted Driving

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It is probably not shocking to learn that distracted driving is fast becoming a huge problem.

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The introduction of the smartphone, that clever device that allows you to text, email, speak with a friend and, ugh, take a video of yourself hopping out of your car and dancing while it’s in drive, is right at the center of the blame.

For parents, the thought of their newly licensed teenager taking the family sedan out – with their phone in hand – can be frightening.

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And, it should be. According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia distraction was a key factor in 58% of crashes involving drivers ages 16 to 19.

But, distracted driving is not something that only parents should worry about. “When it comes to preventing distracted driving, people often worry about their teenage drivers — but what about conversations happening at the office or while people are on the job?” said Jordan Solway, Group General Counsel and Vice President of Claim, Travelers Canada.

Travelers’ public policy arm, The Travelers’ Institute, recently commissioned a poll that highlighted the importance for businesses to identify the risks of distracted driving with their employees. The poll found that 37% of Canadian drivers answer or make communications while driving. Of these drivers, 14% cited “wanting to always be available for work.” as a key reason for their distractions behind the wheel.

But, always being connected can create risks. “When you’re involved in a conference call, you’re paying less attention to your surroundings,” Solway said. “Driving is a complex function that requires visual (eyes on the road), physical (hands on the wheel) and cognitive processing. Taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds actually doubles your chances of an accident.”

Countless organizations, public agencies, universities and other businesses employ the use of fleets, while other organizations rely on their employees to drive from location to location in their own vehicles as part of the course and scope of their responsibilities.

“In Ontario, similar to other provinces, it really does not matter if the vehicle is owned by the employee or the organization, if there is an accident caused by distracted driving and the driver was in the course and scope of his or her employment, the organization can be held liable,” Solway said. “This isn’t something just big businesses need to worry about.  In fact, the opposite. A distracted driving judgment against a smaller, neighborhood business has the potential to have significant financial consequences.”

The 2012  $21 million jury award against Coca-Cola for a distracted employee who was driving was a wakeup call to all organizations that:

1) companies can be held liable for their employees who operate vehicles while distracted,
and
2) organizations can even be considered negligent if they do not have a distracted driving policy or if their policy is inadequate.

There is a great opportunity for risk professionals to step in and develop policies procedures that address distracted drivers and mitigate the consequences of their actions to their organizations.

“Fundamentally, every business should have a [distracted driving] policy. There should be training on the policy. And, not only should the policy require compliance with the applicable law, but also, it should have clear direction on how and when mobile devices should be used in a vehicle,” Solway said.

Travelers Canada recommends four key steps to making a distracted driving policy more effective:

Training and continuing education are great but it shouldn’t stop there. “The organization has to enforce progressive disciplinary action against those violating the policy,” he said.

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“They must be warned and dealt to further demonstrate that the organization is serious when it comes to distracted driving.”

Technology will be a key solution to combatting distracted driving. Most new vehicles are equipped with hands-free technology, cellular devices now feature a Do Not Disturb Function and some organizations have installed video recording devices in vehicle cockpits – all great options for promoting safer driving habits.

“In the not so distant future sensors, collision warnings, smarter-cars and autonomous vehicle operating systems could help keep drivers’ eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and minds focused on safe driving,” Solway said.