Filed under: Human Resources, Risk Management | Tags: Holiday Office Party, Holiday Safety, Human Resources, US Department of Labor
December 7, 2011
Send Your Employees a Safe and Sober Message about Office Parties and Drinking – Know When to Say When
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
For many organizations, office parties are an important part of celebrating the holiday season and other special events. Office parties typically mean lots of music, food and drinks. If the drinks include alcohol, however, office parties can have very unfortunate consequences.
Opinions vary regarding the appropriateness of making alcoholic beverages available at office parties or other company-sponsored events. Ignoring the possibility that some employees or guests may drive home “under the influence” invites trouble.
Improper use of alcohol may expose you to liability under tort, workers’ compensation or other laws. For example, an employer could be held liable if a person consumes alcoholic beverages at a company-sponsored party and subsequently causes a crash. Some employers have been held liable because negligent acts by employees under the influence of alcohol consumed at employer-sponsored events were found to be within the scope of their employment. In other cases, individuals have been held liable merely because they provided alcohol to social guests. In addition, many “sexual harassment” cases have arisen from the conduct of employees under the influence of alcohol.
The only sure way to avoid potential liability for alcohol-related crashes or conduct is to not make alcohol available. Moreover, let your employees know they are not to bring any alcoholic beverages to an office party.
However, if you do decide to provide or allow alcoholic beverages at an office event, state laws regarding their use and resulting employer legal responsibilities should be consulted and addressed. Also, there are several measures you can take in attempt to minimize any negative consequences of alcohol consumption:
- Be honest with employees. Make sure your employees know your workplace substance abuse po
licy and that the policy addresses the use of alcoholic beverages in any work-related situation and office social function. - Post the policy. Use every communication vehicle to make sure your employees know the policy. Prior to an office party, use break room bulletin boards, office e-mail and paycheck envelopes to communicate your policy and concerns.
- Reinvent the office party concept. Why have the typical office party? Try something new like an indoor carnival, group outing to an amusement park or volunteer activity with a local charity.
- Make sure employees know when to say when. If you do serve alcohol at an office event, make sure all employees know that they are welcome to attend and have a good time, but that they are expected to act responsibly. Limit the amount of alcohol an employee can have.
- Make it the office party of choice. Make sure there are plenty of non-alcoholic beverages available.
- Eat…and be merry! Avoid serving lots of salty, greasy or sweet foods which tend to make people thirsty. Serve foods rich in starch and protein which stay in the stomach longer and slow the absorption of alcohol in the bloodstream.
- Designate party managers. Remind managers that even at the office party, they may need to implement the company’s alcohol and substance abuse policy.
- Arrange alternative transportation. Anticipate the need for alternative transportation for all party goers and make special transportation arrangements in advance of the party. Encourage all employees to make use of the alternative transportation if they consume any alcohol.
- Serve none for the road. Stop serving alcohol before the party officially ends.
This information provided by the US Department of Labor is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice and should not be regarded as a guarantee against liability.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
July 19, 2011
Office Ergonomics/Computer Workstation Health & Comfort
by Jo-Anne Audette-Arruda, MPH, ARM
Can office employees really have a work place injury while working at their computers?
Absolutely! Over the last two decades the office environment has become a very sedentary work place. Many office tasks used to require employees to get up and move around, such as making copies, filing, processing mail, etc. Nowadays, many of those tasks have been replaced by various computer applications. The result: The computer workstation is our main work environment and we stay here for 8 hours a day (in addition to computer use at home)! The issue is that if employees are working in awkward positions or have contact stress with various workstation components, they may be placing excessive stress on those body parts. This constant exposure for a full-time employee increases the risk of a muscular skeletal disorder (MSD). Other common attributes that increase the risk of developing an MSD are gender; females tend to experience a greater percentage of injuries due to pregnancy, excessive weight, poor physical fitness, a sedentary lifestyle and genetics.
What can an employee/employer do to minimize the risk?
Both need to learn basic concepts of ergonomics and neutral body posture. When basic (and easy to implement) ergonomic principles are applied correctly, employees typically experience greater comfort at their workstation, ultimately having a positive impact on workplace safety and efficiency. Additionally, each of us has a personal responsibility for our own physical fitness, lifestyle choices and behaviors that may increase our risks for developing an MSD!
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the science of arranging the working environment to fit the person doing the work. In the workplace, ergonomic principles are used to make alterations to a job so that it conforms to the person doing that job, rather than to force the person to fit the job. In administrative workplaces or office settings, this may mean making changes to the computer workstation including but not limited to adjusting the height of a monitor, desk, chair and/or keyboard. Simple changes to components of computer workstations will reduce stress on the body and may eliminate MSDs.
Muscular Skeletal Disorders
MSDs are caused or aggravated by repetitive motions, forceful exertions, vibration, contact stress (hard and sharp edges), and sustained or awkward postures that occur over extended periods of time. Computer use, as well as computer workstations could possibly expose workers to repetitive motions, awkward postures and continual contact pressure, all of which are well recognized risk factors for MSDs. MSDs can affect nearly all tissue types including nerves, tendons, tendon sheaths and muscles, with the upper extremities being the most frequently affected. These injuries range from disorders of the back, neck, arms, wrists, shoulders or legs and involve strains, sprains, tissue inflammation and dislocation.
The Solution
Develop a workplace ergonomics or computer workstation health and comfort program to reduce or eliminate the risk factors that lead to MSDs. This should include training for all members of your organization. Awareness is the key to preventing serious MSD injuries. It is important for employers and employees to know the signs and symptoms of MSDs. Early intervention is essential to recovery. Early reporting is necessary to lessen the severity of the injury. The longer warning signs are ignored, the more damage is done, the longer recovery takes, and in some cases, the damage is irreversible.
The Landrum Risk Management department has a variety of resources for ergonomics training both on-line and onsite. Additionally, we offer onsite ergonomic/computer workstation assessments that include a written report with findings and recommendations for improvement.
For additional information below are two excellent resources:
OSHA Computer Workstation etools
Oklahoma State University Office Ergonomics online training module
_____________________________________________________________________________
Jo-Anne Audette-Arruda, MPH, ARM
Senior Loss Prevention Consultant,
Risk Management Department, Landrum Human Resources
As a Loss Prevention Consultant for Landrum Companies since 2005, Jo-Anne is responsible for providing loss prevention services to clients through on-site and classroom training, facility safety audits and inspections, ergonomic assessments, accident investigation & analysis, and OSHA compliance services.
Jo-Anne received her Master of Public Health degree from Mercer University School of Medicine and Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rhode Island. In 2008, she earned an Associate in Risk Management designation from the Insurance Institute of America, is a Certified American Red Cross Instructor; an authorized OSHA General Industry Outreach Trainer and a Member of the American Society of Safety Engineers.
Filed under: "Hurricane Season Preparation", Risk Management | Tags: "hurricane escape route", "hurricane season", Gulf of Mexico, Human Resources, storm surge
June 1, 2011
It’s June 1st and We Know What That Means
Hurricane Season: June 1 – November 30. Are you prepared? At home and at work? It’s important to have a Hurricane Preparedness Plan for your family and your workplace or business. If you live on or near the coastline anywhere from Texas to Maine you most likely have seen or read hurricane preparedness guides. In fact, there are several very informative websites that can help you create a preparedness plan for hurricane season that will help protect your family, home and business.
You hopefully already have a preparedness plan complete and ready to go in the event one of the dreaded “named storms” pays a visit. Just in case you haven’t (or you need a little help), here is a list of websites that offer guidance to assist you with a storm readiness plan:
The message in this post and the commonality of the included resources is: Be Prepared. Plan your escape route, pack your emergency kit, collect those important papers and documents, and communicate your plans to friends and family, both locally and away. It could save a lot of heartache during and after a storm… and it just might save your life.
Read more Landrum posts about hurricane preparedness here.
Filed under: "Hurricane Season Preparation", Business Continuity Plan, Risk Management | Tags: "hurricane escape route", "hurricane season", Human Resources, safety, storm surge
May 16, 2011
Whatta’ Ya Mean It’s Hurricane Season Again?
By Guy Storey, ARM
How fast a year can pass when we look forward to beach weather, and enjoying the summer season for all the reasons that caused many of us to move to the Gulf Coast! However, June is just around the corner, and that means the beginning of Hurricane Season.
“ You live at the Beach…how fun is that?” How many times have you had that conversation with friends and relatives that you left up north (that’s any place north of I-10)?
New beach chairs? The new cooler with “sand dune” tires? Don’t forget the suntan lotion! All the fun things to plan for the summer season should also focus on preparation for Hurricane Season. The weather gurus are predicting another busy year! What a bummer! Dr. Gray and his team of prognosticators from Colorado State University (that’s right, hurricane “experts” from the Rocky Mountains) are predicting 16 named storms, 5 of which will develop into major hurricanes, and a 72% chance that one will make landfall in the U.S. More importantly, their statistics reflect a 49% chance that a major hit will occur between the Panhandle and the Texas coast.
Now, ask yourself, how accurate were last year’s predictions? Waaaaay off base, but we didn’t care because we missed all of the action, and celebrated when the season ended! But no matter the guesstimates, it’s time to get ready for the next Ivan or Katrina. Getting started early is not a bad thing! With early forecast technology, we have time to make last-minute preparations, but it’s time to put your program into motion now!
Our friends and neighbors in Alabama and other southern states were unfortunately caught unprepared after the largest outbreak of tornadoes on record. For several days almost the entire northern half of Alabama has been without power, and our hearts go out to the families and businesses that were affected by the storms. Although there was no way to prepare for such a sudden and horrific natural disaster, there is something you can do to prepare for a hurricane.
Plan your escape route, and communicate the plan to family and friends. Make certain that important papers and documents are packed and ready to go. Make necessary repairs to home and landscape to prevent missiles from damaging your property…or your neighbor’s property. And don’t forget about your pets! They need refuge too. Is your Homeowners Insurance coverage adequate for “probable maximum loss” (PML in risk management jargon)?
Are your emergency supplies, medications, battery-powered equipment and spare batteries in adequate stock? You don’t need to be reminded every day about the gas prices, but it’s wise to keep the fuel tank at a reasonable level if you should have to evacuate at a moment’s notice. And it may be time to invest in a new generator, and plenty of duck tape and tarps….the best investment that you may never need!
The disastrous season of 2004-2005 is a faint memory to most of us, with little impact in our personal lives. Hopefully those most affected have recovered mentally and physically/fiscally from the devastation. But time heals…or makes us forget how painful it was for many of the residents of the Gulf Coast….from the Panhandle to New Orleans, we all felt that we were the center of Mother Nature’s bulls eye!
Go online to any number of Hurricane Preparation sites, the American Red Cross being one of the most comprehensive, and prepare a plan for you and your family. And consider assistance to any neighbors that may have physical or mental challenges, the elderly or those financially strapped that may need help in a time of crisis. There is no harm in asking those in need before Katrina’s sister is steaming toward our shores…”what can I do to help you prepare?”
Plan and prepare! Time is on your side…maybe.
Read more about Hurricane Preparedness in previous published articles by Guy Storey.
Guy Storey, ARM
Filed under: Consulting, Customer Service, Human Resources, Landrum Lagniappe, Notes from Tom, Risk Management | Tags: "small business owner", Communication, employees, Human Resources, PEO, safety, safety officer, Training, Trust
post written by: Tom Folkers, Business Development Manager, Landrum Professional Employer Services
Ask yourself, “How many safety officers do we have on the payroll?”
If you’re a small business owner you’re first response may be, “We’re too small to have a Safety Officer.” Or maybe you’re thinking it is just one of the many hats you wear.
As the owner of a specialty contracting firm for thirty years, I never figured people got paid enough to lose a finger or an eye, or that it made sense for anybody to spend the day in the emergency room. That’s why everybody, from their very first day, was empowered to take on at least some of the duties of a safety officer.
Part of everyone’s orientation at Folkers Window Company went something like this:
“Everybody that works here has the authority and the responsibility to stop an unsafe procedure. Nobody here gets paid enough to sacrifice safety for getting the job done. If you see something that doesn’t look right, stop and talk about it. Call the office for more equipment or more people, if that’s what it takes to get it done without someone getting hurt. Don’t resume that part of the job until it can be done safely.”
One day walking through the shop, I heard a radial arm saw screaming and screeching through a formed sheet of aluminum. A new employee, who I had just “empowered” with the safety orientation, was trying hard to make a good impression by getting a lot of work done. When asked what was making all the noise, he said the blade on the saw was wobbling because the bearings needed to be replaced. With visions of blade fragments crashing through his face shield, or a ragged edge of sheet metal piercing an artery, I unplugged the saw and told him to get with the production manager to replace the bearing (or the whole saw if necessary). With an incredulous look he said, “Wow, you really mean it.”
“Mean what?” I asked.
“You really mean all that stuff about safety.” He continued to explain that he had heard safety speeches everywhere he had ever worked, but he never really believed that if it came down to actually stopping production those safety speeches would really hold up.
Any number of our long-term employees would have done the same thing; it just happened that I was the first to hear something out of the ordinary. The lesson in that experience is that a culture of safety does not happen from one brief speech during an orientation. The culture grows by example and new employees learn from the people they work with, even the boss.
Empower each member of your team to be a “Safety Officer.” If your company is large enough to actually have a designated safety officer, that’s all the better. As a credentialed professional, they will be able to strategically create a safe environment and implement systems to avoid costly OSHA penalties. However, no one person, or even several people, can watch everybody all the time. So make sure everyone “has the authority and the responsibility to stop an unsafe procedure.”
Landrum Human Resources offers Safety training classes and many other professional seminars; click here to learn more.
Tom Folkers, Business Development Manager
Filed under: "Hurricane Season Preparation", Human Resources, Landrum Lagniappe, Risk Management
Gulf Power is hard at work, but it may take some time before power is restored. Be aware there may be power lines down in your yard. Be careful! If you have a generator, make certain that it is only operated away from the house. You can’t smell or see carbon monoxide fumes!
Stayed tuned to your local news reports; information is vital and will help you plan your recovery. If your cell phone works, update friends and relatives as soon as possible. This is one time when “no news is good news” is not good news! Roads may be blocked with debris, so you may not have city or 
county services for a while. If you have a medical emergency, dial 911 — but keep in mind that 911 should only be used for true emergencies!
Do not drink tap water until you are advised by authorities that the water supply is safe for consumption. Don’t even brush your teeth with tap water until you know it’s safe! And avoid skin contact with flood water and mud.
Now you can reflect on the time and effort dedicated to preparation and planning. But Hurricane Season does not end until November 30… don’t pat yourself on the back just yet. Be Prepared just makes sense! Stay Safe!
Guy Storey, ARM
Guy Storey is the Director of Risk Management for Landrum Human Resource Companies, Inc. He provides site inspections and training classes for client companies in the areas of safety and risk management.
For additional information, we have included a list of websites to assist you as you prepare for hurricane season, June 1 – November 30.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml
http://www.onestorm.org/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=/OnePlan
http://www.bereadyalliance.org/default.asp
http://www.weartv.com/newsroom/wx/features/hurricane/
Filed under: "Hurricane Season Preparation", Consulting, Human Resources, Landrum Lagniappe, Risk Management, Training | Tags: "hurricane escape route", "hurricane season", Communication, employees, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, storm surge, Training, Trust
nhc.noaa.gov
Before you go to the safe room (that would be an interior closet or hallway), make sure the exterior doors are secure and braced, and the curtains and blinds are closed. Stay away from windows and glass doors. Don’t be fooled by the “eye of the storm” …or the tornadoes that can follow!
If you have a sturdy table that will fit in the closet or hallway, it’s better to be safe under the table than to have no protection at all. A mattress is better than nothing but you may be there for awhile, and wearing a mattress for hours on end may become uncomfortable! Extra blankets or sleeping bags will make the safety zone much more tolerable. The battery-powered radio will keep you tuned to the weather report, and the flashlights are necessary to make shadow puppets…anything to pass the time!
Why do hurricanes always hit at night?
Guy Storey, ARM
Guy has created a series of Hurricane Awareness Articles to help businesses and individuals prepare for Hurricane season. More great tips will be posted during National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 23-29.
Filed under: "Hurricane Season Preparation", Human Resources, Landrum Lagniappe, Risk Management, Training | Tags: "human resources consulting", "Hurricane Check List", "hurricane escape route", "hurricane season", Communication, employees, Florida, Human Resources, storm surge, Training
“Be Prepared” spelled another way is CHECKLIST. In other words, it is necessary to write important factors on paper when preparing for Hurricane Season. Remember, the “shortest pencil is better than the longest memory!”
Start with the “haves,” and finish with the “wants!” Protecting your home should be at the top of the list. Make certain you have adequate insurance coverage (and take the policy with you if you evacuate!), and purchase flood insurance if your home is at risk of rising water. Hurricane shutters are a worthwhile investment, but 5/8” plywood, securely fastened to the window frames, will protect the windows.
If you decide to “hunker down” and ride it out, you must have a Disaster Supply Kit. A first aid kit is first on that list, but cash and credit cards should be a close second. A 30-day supply of prescription medications is also very important. Non-perishable foods and bottled water are essential, and a manual can opener will help serve the canned tuna. Flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, and a cell phone are necessities! A camera will be useful in the event that you suffer property damage, and a tarp, plastic garbage bags, a tool kit and duct tape may be needed to make immediate repairs and prevent further damage to your property. A generator is a wonderful addition, but don’t forget the extra gas to keep it running for several days. And don’t forget bug spray – it can make life a little more pleasant if your doors or windows are missing!
Guy Storey, ARM
Guy has created a series of Hurricane Awareness Articles to help businesses and individuals prepare for Hurricane season. More great tips will be posted during National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 23-29.
Filed under: "Hurricane Season Preparation", Human Resources, Risk Management, Training, Uncategorized | Tags: "hurricane escape route", "hurricane season", Communication, employees, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Human Resources, hurricane shelter, storm surge, tidal surge
nhc.noaa.gov
Are you prepared to the pack the car, notify family and friends of your escape route, and secure your property? “Be Prepared” takes on a new meaning when the time comes to seek shelter from the storm.
If your family is at risk, don’t gamble their safety and well being! Be decisive, execute your plan, and give Mother Nature plenty of time and space to stay out of harm’s way.
You have completed your checklist, boarded the windows (the common rule is that if you can keep the windows, you can keep the roof!), secured lawn furniture, BBQ grills and trash cans, and removed debris to avoid airborne missiles. Now you’re ready start the journey. Oops…the gas gauge on your car tells you that you’re on empty! Mental Note: Refill often… Don’t leave your gas tank near empty with an approaching storm!
What’s on your checklist?
Guy Storey, ARM
Guy has created a series of Hurricane Awareness Articles to help businesses and individuals prepare for Hurricane season. More great tips will be posted during National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 23-29.
Filed under: "Hurricane Season Preparation", Human Resources, Landrum Lagniappe, Risk Management, Training | Tags: "hurricane escape route", "hurricane season", Communication, employees, Hurricane Ivan, storm surge, tornadoes, Training
No, it’s not Christmas in June! And there will be no celebrations during National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 23-29…only preparation for the start of the 2010 Hurricane Season, June 1 through November 30.
Guy Storey, ARM
I still have fond memories of my Boy Scout days when “Be Prepared” was the key to a successful overnight camping trip, or an eventful canoe cruise down the Chattahoochee River. But, living near the Gulf Coast gives that old Scout motto new meaning – and great importance to survival from one of Mother Nature’s most powerful forces!
As we learned from Hurricane Ivan and many other catastrophic storms, the devastation can be felt many
Hurricane Ivan
We have been lulled into a false sense of security the last several years as the prognosticators have missed the mark on projections of storms making landfall. This could be the year that they are “right on,” and we can’t afford to ignore the risks of that Category 5 that could target our Panhandle Paradise.
Plan your escape route, pack your emergency kit, collect those important papers and documents, and communicate your plans to friends and family, both locally and away. It could save a lot of heartache during and after a storm… and it just might save your life.
Guy has created a series of Hurricane Awareness Articles to help businesses and individuals prepare for Hurricane season. More great tips will be posted during National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 23-29.
