Fall Safety Zone: Cold Weather Tips | Workplace Violence | Safety Program Sign Up

Fall 2024 Keep Warm, Keep Working: Cold Weather Safety Tips Winter is quickly approaching, so it is time to think about your safety when preparing for the winter months. When working outside in the cold, wear layers of clothing to stay warm, i.e., thermal undergarments, insulated pants, coats and overalls.  Frostbite can occur in the cold temperatures especially when bare skin is exposed. Symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling and clumsiness due to joint stiffness. Skin can also become cold, hard and waxy-looking and may blister after rewarming. Skin discoloration can occur in frostbite, including red, white, blue, gray, purple or brown, depending on the seriousness of the frostbite. It is important to note that you need to seek immediate emergency care for intense pain, intense shivering, slurred speech, drowsiness and trouble walking. These are also symptoms of hypothermia. Having an emergency kit in your vehicle is important, especially in the winter. Here are a few items to consider: Flashlight with extra batteries First-aid kit Booster cables and windshield brush/scraper Drinking water and high-calorie, non-perishable food, i.e., trail mix and energy/protein bars Sand or cat litter for traction Cell phone adapter/charger Blanket Hand warmers Can You Get Dehydrated in the Winter? The answer is yes. We always tend to think about the summer, hot temperatures, and sweating when it comes to dehydration. Even if you are not sweating, you lose water through the skin and the drier air from the heating of our homes and buildings. We tend to drink less water in the winter months; therefore, dehydration can occur. Signs of dehydration in the winter are dry, cracked lips and skin and even digestion issues. According to the American Heart Association, it is important to sip on water throughout the day in the winter. Safeguarding Your Workplace: A Guide to Violence Prevention "Struck or injured by fellow worker, patient, or other person" is one of the leading causes of workers' compensation injuries that we see in Missouri. These include workplace violence, which is potentially underreported. Workplace violence incidents may include violence from co-workers, patients, clients or the public, and they can even stem from domestic violence situations. Workplace violence can cause fatal or non-fatal injuries to victims and can also affect the entire organization by causing fear and anxiety, decreased productivity, lower morale, increased absenteeism, turnover and negative public perception. While no business is completely immune, there are certain industries and occupations that may have increased risk factors for workplace violence incidents: businesses where exchange of money occurs working around high-valued items or property working with the public working with volatile, unstable people working in high-stress situations or interacting with people in distress working around people with a history of violence working alone or in isolated areas working late at night or in high crime areas working around where alcohol is served Hazard reduction techniques can be industry or job specific, however all employers can start by having a zero-tolerance policy towards workplace violence. A workplace violence prevention program can include engineering and administrative controls. Other suggestions include: Conduct a physical assessment of your workplace to look at design, layout, signage, physical barriers, lighting and visibility, and access control. Avoid having employees work alone, when possible. Have staff "check-in" regularly and ensure they have a good means of communication available should a situation arise. Conduct background checks and have a reporting system (to include near misses and threats) to identify people with a history of assaults and violent behavior. Provide training to staff on identifying warning signs, de-escalation techniques, and training on your company's workplace violence prevention policy. Guards and security devices including alarm systems (i.e. panic buttons), video surveillance, and metal detectors can also be used. Have a visitor policy and check-in procedures, and ensure staff have sufficient escape/exit routes should the need arises. Have a response team set up that can assist an employee in an escalating situation and establish a rapport with your local police department who may respond to incidents in your facility. If an injury occurs due to workplace violence, ensure employees receive timely and appropriate medical treatment, report the injury to your workers' compensation insurance carrier and/or OSHA as appropriate, record the incident, and conduct a post-incident investigation. Update your workplace violence prevention program as needed. Offer debriefing or counseling services for workers impacted by workplace violence incidents. Resources: For more workplace injury and fatality data and statistics, toolbox talks, and written safety programs, visit the Department's https://labor.mo.gov/safe-at-work. NIOSH's Online Workplace Violence Prevention Course for Nurses: Online Workplace Violence Prevention Course for Nurses | NIOSH | CDC Sign Up for Missouri Workers' Safety Program Services The Missouri Workers' Safety Program helps employers to improve workplace safety and reduce their workers' compensation insurance costs. We work to ensure that Missouri businesses have access to individualized safety and health services. There are three ways for an employer to receive service: Your workers' compensation insurance carrier must provide you with individualized safety assistance at your request. Ask your carrier about these services today. If you feel that your carrier is not providing you with adequate service, contact the Missouri Workers' Safety Program. The Missouri Workers' Safety Program maintains a list of certified safety consultants and engineers that can offer you independent services. The Missouri Workers' Safety Program offers free safety and health services to Missouri businesses. Contact us today for additional information. Complete a Request for Services (WSP-6) PDF Document. UPCOMING EVENTS/LABOR NEWS OCT. 6-12 - FIRE PROTECTION WEEK This year's theme is "Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!" This is a great time to not only check our smoke alarms in our homes and businesses, but also revisit our evacuation procedures for fire emergencies: NFPA Fire Prevention Week (FPW) OCT. 17: GREAT SHAKEOUT EARTHQUAKE DRILL Join millions of people worldwide participating in the International ShakeOut Day at 10:17AM (local time) to practice earthquake safety: Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills - Select Your ShakeOut Region NOV. 7: SAFETY & HEALTH PROGRAM MANAGEMENT TRAINING – VIRTUAL! This is a free class offered by the Missouri On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program. Attendees will learn how to develop a fully functioning safety and health management program. Space is limited, so reserve your seat today by calling 573-522-7233. View this Safety Program flyer to learn more. Contributing authors: Jennifer Hyleck, GSP Missouri Workers' Safety Program Amanda Kremer, CSP Missouri Workers' Safety Program Click here to view this email in a web browser.   Questions? Contact Us STAY CONNECTED: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Subscriptions  |  Help This email was sent to ignoble.experiment@arconati.us using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Missouri Department of Labor · P.O. Box 59 · Jefferson City, MO 65104-0059 · 1-800-320-2519