Common Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries are, unfortunately, a relatively frequent occurrence. They occur, as would be expected, more often in dangerous work environments, like construction areas. They do also happen in non-traditionally dangerous fields, like in an average office. Even in a professional environment like an office building, there are many opportunities for injuries. Many of them are things that we do not expect or think of as particularly dangerous, but they can cause problems nonetheless.
Some of the most common causes of workplace injuries, according to information gathered by the Liberty Mutual Group, include:
· Overexertion. This can happen in a couple of ways, whether it is the performance of a single activity, like lifting an object that is too heavy, or an action repeated multiple times.
· Fall on a flat surface. This simply means a fall that does not include an elevation change, like slipping on a wet floor or a slippery surface.
· Falling from a height. This could include falling off of a ladder, from a roof, or down a staircase.
· Being hit with an object. Objects can fall from a shelf or be dropped by someone else- in either event, they can cause serious injuries.
· Repetitive motion. This does not have to be a particularly dangerous motion, but if it is repeated enough times, it can cause injuries like carpal tunnel or tendonitis. Typing is often associated with these kinds of injuries.
· Automobile accidents. Cars and trucks being used for business purposes have accidents; they are susceptible to all of the regular risks that any other traveler faces.
· Contact with dangerous temperatures. Frostbite, heat exhaustion, and burning are all ways that workers can be injured through changing temperatures.
· Crush injuries. Being caught or pressed by equipment, especially huge machinery, can obviously cause serious injuries. They can be devastating because of how powerful the machines are.
· Running into objects. Hitting desks, tables, chairs, or glass doors actually causes a number of injuries annually.
It is important to be as cautious as can be while at work to promote as much safety as possible, but it is also the responsibility of the employer to provide a safe work atmosphere.
Joseph Devine

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8 Ways to Prevent Injuries When Cleaning

There are many ways you or your cleaning workers can become injured on the job. By taking a few precautions and spending time on safety training, you can save your cleaning company money by preventing accidents from happening. Here are a few tips for preventing injuries:
Slips and Falls. Make sure you and your workers wear the proper footwear. Athletic shoes are preferred - never allow open-toed shoes or shoes with slippery soles to be worn on the job.
Ergonomic Injuries. Make sure everyone knows how to lift safely. For example, bend at the knees and not at the waist. Vary the employees' activities to avoid repetitive motions that can cause injuries. If possible, use equipment that is ergonomically designed like back pack vacuums. Before using a back pack vacuum, adjust it for the proper fit.
Equipment Accidents. Train employees on how to use all equipment properly in order to avoid accidents and keep the equipment in good working order. Floor machines like buffers and carpet cleaning equipment can be hard to handle so give employees plenty of practice. Allow only trained employees to use this type of equipment.
Climbing Accidents. Make sure employees use sturdy ladders for climbing. Never use furniture, boxes or wobbly ladders. Never stand on the top rung of the ladder and don't over-reach or lean too far to one side when standing on a ladder.
Cuts or Puncture Wounds. Never push down on trash to compact it as there may be sharp objects that can puncture your hands. Never pick up broken glass with your hands - use a broom and dust pan.
Respiratory Injuries. Avoid using aerosols in your cleaning business, as it's easier to breathe in the fumes from this type of container. Instead use pump sprayers and spray a small amount into your cleaning cloth rather than spraying large amounts onto the surface you're cleaning.
Avoid feather dusting, which makes the dust airborne and increases the risk of inhalation. Rather, use damp dusting methods with microfiber cloths. Also avoid sweeping. Instead, vacuum hard floors with a back pack vacuum and then damp mop the floor with a microfiber flat mop to keep dust from becoming airborne.
Eye and Skin Injuries. Use protective eye glasses when using cleaning chemicals to keep the spray from entering the eyes. Use protective gloves when using cleaning chemicals to prevent them from contacting the skin, causing irritation or burning.
As you can see, these simple precautions can keep you and your employees from becoming injured on the job. By spending a little bit of time on training, you'll save lots of money in escalating costs of worker's compensation insurance and lost time on the job.
Jean Hanson is Co-Founder of MyHouseCleaningBiz.com and TheJanitorialStore.com. Both are online communities for owners of commercial and residential cleaning companies who want to build a more profitable and successful cleaning business.

By Jean Hanson

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Slips, Trips And Falls: The Dangers Of Work

Each year approximately 400,000 employees are injured due to an accident at work.Recent statistics from the Health and Safety Executive have revealed that hundreds of workers across the UK have either injured or died because of a work related accident between 2007 and 2008.

According to figures from the HSE, there were 74 fatalities within the services sector from 2007-2008 with 72 in construction, 39 in agriculture and 35 in manufacturing.The report stated that “Of the main industrial sectors, agriculture and construction have the highest rates of fatal injury. Together these two sectors account for nearly half of fatal injuries to workers.”According to the HSE, slips and trips within the work place were the cause of major injuries reaching figures of nearly 11,000 reported incidents last year, while fatal accidents were caused by falls from heights.Slips, trips and falls are believed to be the biggest concern within health and safety costing over £800 million, according to 80 per cent of all British employers.According to the report, 229 workers had died of a work related accident while 136,771 injuries had been reported. 2.1 million Brits believed that their illness was made worse by their current or previous work.The report stated that “There is a long-term downward trend in the rate of fatal injuries. However, the year on year improvement has become less marked in recent years, to the extent that there has been very little change over the last six years.”‘Shattered Lives’ CampaignEarlier this year, the HSE introduced a new campaign to reduce the number of workers involved in work accidents.It targets those at higher risks of a slip, trip or fall at work and aims to prevent them from injuring themselves.Head of the Injuries Reduction Programme, Dr Elizabeth Gibby of HSE said: "Each year slips, trips and falls cost the British society nearly £811 million pounds. They can also have a shattering effect on businesses through costs such as employee absence, sick pay and reduced productivity."Each week someone dies from a slip, trip or fall at work. Over 50 per cent of injuries had been reported to the HSE last year in the catering and hospitality industry alone.Dr Gibby continued: “But what these figures don't reflect, is the extent to which these injuries affect individual workers and their families. Slips, trips and falls can be viewed as being minor, funny accidents but the effects are not. It can lead to major injuries, and a lifetime of disability or time off work and in worst cases, fatalities. 'Shattered Lives' will encourage people to change their attitudes: if you spot a hazard, don't assume 'somebody else will sort it out."“Irrespective of the size of the business and the job that you do, it could happen to you,” she added.
By: Manani Arti

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What to Do and Not Do in the Event of an Accident

The worst thing has just happened to you. You have had an accident. There's never a good time to have an accident but it always seems to happen at the worst possible time. So what do you do? First off you need to stay calm. It's a totally natural reaction to lose your head or panic right when you need to be rational. Just after the accident is the time you should be taking note of all the information you will need to ensure that you are fully compensated and covered for any damage done to your property or to you. Talk to witnesses, get their contact details, make notes and take pictures if possible at the time of the accident. You'll be glad you did as it will be difficult to accurately recall all of the details as time passes. Finally remember not to admit that you caused the accident, even if you did.
Right after the accident this will all be the last thing you think of, so make a checklist and keep it in the car.
While you are at the Accident Scene, note the following details
You will need:
Driver Details of everyone involved in the accident. Don't forget to add yours too. These details should cover the Drivers Name, driving license details, and driver insurance details including the insurance company name, policy number, and contact details. Finally remember to get the car license plate number. If you are carrying a camera take pictures of the accident scene, the damaged vehicles, and any injuries that were caused by the accident. Note the contact details of any witnesses such as name, address, phone number and email address so that you can follow up with them later.
Post-Accident Follow Up
Complete your own fully detailed description of the accident as soon as possible after it occurred. You can fill this in with the details and any pictures that you took at the scene of the accident. If you were injured then take pictures of your injuries. Follow up with the witnesses to the accident and get their written details of the accident. If the Police attended the scene of the accident ask for their report.
After the Accident
If you were injured you will need to keep track of the following medical expenses and visits:
Any hospital visits and treatments at hospitals such as MRI, x-ray, physiotherapy and laboratory services. Over the counter and prescription medications.
You should keep track of the dates, times and reasons you had to visit a doctor or the hospital, and keep a note of the time off of work due to the accident. If the time off caused a loss of income, you should get a letter detailing all of the lost income from your employer. Similarly if you are still in school you should keep track of all of the hours of missed schooling due to the accident.
While you are undertaking medical treatment you should take pictures of your injuries to show their progress over time. Keep a log of the date and time of the picture and add details of any pain that you are experiencing, how you are feeling, and any distress or discomfort that you experience as a result of the accident.
Keep track of all other expenses related to the accident. These will include some of the following: Property damages such as car repairs, damage to barriers, fences and signs.
Some other indirect expenses may also occur such as a cancelled vacation due to injuries sustained in the accident or the cost of a rental car while yours is repaired. Finally there are other miscellaneous costs, such as ointments,lotions to treat your injuries, and bandages.
Finally
Never reply to any questions or queries from any other party involved in or related to the accident, such as insurance companies or attorneys without first consulting your attorney. Do not settle any bills or sign any documents until you are sure of the extent of current and future medical expenses related to the accident, and have agreed on it with your attorney.
We sincerely hope you never need this advice, but if you are involved in an accident it's comforting to know that we are here!
Steve Dolan has been involved in several accidents and learned "The Hard Way". Click on Accidents and Injuries to find all the resources you need in the event of an accident.

Article Source:Steve_Dolan

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Top 10 Most Expensive Accidents in History

Top 10 Most Expensive Accidents in History

Throughout history, humans have always been prone to accidents. Some, such as the exotic car crashes seen on this page, can be very expensive. But that's trivial compared to the truly expensive accidents. An accident is defined as "an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss". Our aim is to list the top 10 most expensive accidents in the history of the world as measured in dollars. This includes property damage and expenses incurred related to the accident such as cleanup and industry losses. Many of these accidents involve casualties which obviously cannot be measured in dollar terms. Each life lost is priceless and is not factored into the equation. Deliberate actions such as war or terrorism and natural disasters do not qualify as accidents and therefore are not included in this list.

#10. Titanic $150 Million The sinking of the Titanic is possibly the most famous accident in the world. But it barely makes our list of top 10 most expensive. On April 15, 1912, the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage and was considered to be the most luxurious ocean liner ever built. Over 1,500 people lost their lives when the ship ran into an iceberg and sunk in frigid waters. The ship cost $7 million to build ($150 million in today's dollars).

#9. Tanker Truck vs Bridge $358 Million On August 26, 2004, a car collided with a tanker truck containing 32,000 liters of fuel on the Wiehltal Bridge in Germany. The tanker crashed through the guardrail and fell 90 feet off the A4 Autobahn resulting in a huge explosion and fire which destroyed the load-bearing ability of the bridge. Temporary repairs cost $40 million and the cost to replace the bridge is estimated at $318 Million.

#8. MetroLink Crash $500 Million On September 12, 2008, in what was one of the worst train crashes in California history, 25 people were killed when a Metrolink commuter train crashed head-on into a Union Pacific freight train in Los Angeles. It is thought that the Metrolink train may have run through a red signal while the conductor was busy text messaging. Wrongful death lawsuits are expected to cause $500 million in losses for Metrolink.

#7. B-2 Bomber Crash $1.4 Billion Here we have our first billion dollar accident (and we're only #7 on the list). This B-2 stealth bomber crashed shortly after taking off from an air base in Guam on February 23, 2008. Investigators blamed distorted data in the flight control computers caused by moisture in the system. This resulted in the aircraft making a sudden nose-up move which made the B-2 stall and crash. This was 1 of only 21 ever built and was the most expensive aviation accident in history. Both pilots were able to eject to safety. The crash was captured on video. It shows one B-2 Bomber successfully taking off followed by the B-2 Bomber which crashes. The crash starts at 2:00


#6. Exxon Valdez $2.5 Billion The Exxon Valdez oil spill was not a large one in relation to the world's biggest oil spills, but it was a costly one due to the remote location of Prince William Sound (accessible only by helicopter and boat). On March 24, 1989, 10.8 million gallons of oil was spilled when the ship's master, Joseph Hazelwood, left the controls and the ship crashed into a Reef. The cleanup cost Exxon $2.5 billion.

#5. Piper Alpha Oil Rig $3.4 Billion The world's worst off-shore oil disaster. At one time, it was the world's single largest oil producer, spewing out 317,000 barrels of oil per day.. On July 6, 1988, as part of routine maintenance, technicians removed and checked safety valves which were essential in preventing dangerous build-up of liquid gas. There were 100 identical safety valves which were checked. Unfortunately, the technicians made a mistake and forgot to replace one of them. At 10 PM that same night, a technician pressed a start button for the liquid gas pumps and the world's most expensive oil rig accident was set in motion. Within 2 hours, the 300 foot platform was engulfed in flames. It eventually collapsed, killing 167 workers and resulting in $3.4 Billion in damages.

#4. Challenger Explosion $5.5 Billion The Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed 73 seconds after takeoff due on January 28, 1986 due to a faulty O-ring. It failed to seal one of the joints, allowing pressurized gas to reach the outside. This in turn caused the external tank to dump its payload of liquid hydrogen causing a massive explosion. The cost of replacing the Space Shuttle was $2 billion in 1986 ($4.5 billion in today's dollars). The cost of investigation, problem correction, and replacement of lost equipment cost $450 million from 1986-1987 ($1 Billion in today's dollars).

#3. Prestige Oil Spill $12 Billion On November 13, 2002, the Prestige oil tanker was carrying 77,000 tons of heavy fuel oil when one of its twelve tanks burst during a storm off Galicia, Spain. Fearing that the ship would sink, the captain called for help from Spanish rescue workers, expecting them to take the ship into harbour. However, pressure from local authorities forced the captain to steer the ship away from the coast. The captain tried to get help from the French and Portuguese authorities, but they too ordered the ship away from their shores. The storm eventually took its toll on the ship resulting in the tanker splitting in half and releasing 20 million gallons oil into the sea. According to a report by the Pontevedra Economist Board, the total cleanup cost $12 billion.

#2. Space Shuttle Columbia $13 Billion The Space Shuttle Columbia was the first space worthy shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. It was destroyed during re-entry over Texas on February 1, 2003 after a hole was punctured in one of the wings during launch 16 days earlier. The original cost of the shuttle was $2 Billion in 1978. That comes out to $6.3 Billion in today's dollars. $500 million was spent on the investigation, making it the costliest aircraft accident investigation in history. The search and recovery of debris cost $300 million. In the end, the total cost of the accident (not including replacement of the shuttle) came out to $13 Billion according to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

#1. Chernobyl $200 Billion On April 26, 1986, the world witnessed the costliest accident in history. The Chernobyl disaster has been called the biggest socio-economic catastrophe in peacetime history. 50% of the area of Ukraine is in some way contaminated. Over 200,000 people had to be evacuated and resettled while 1.7 million people were directly affected by the disaster. The death toll attributed to Chernobyl, including people who died from cancer years later, is estimated at 125,000. The total costs including cleanup, resettlement, and compensation to victims has been estimated to be roughly $200 Billion. The cost of a new steel shelter for the Chernobyl nuclear plant will cost $2 billion alone. The accident was officially attributed to power plant operators who violated plant procedures and were ignorant of the safety requirements needed.

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