As of September 16, 2013, OSHA has announced the latest round of Susan Harwood Training Grant recipients. OSHA awarded $10.1 million to the various recipients. There's a few that the Industrious Hygienist is really excited about.
From the "targeted topic" list of recipients:
Alaska Marine Safety Education Association, Sitka, AK
Ergonomics, award of $105,300
"The grantee will deliver training on ergonomic hazards for workers in the commercial fishing and fish processing industry. The goal is to educate workers on the basics of ergonomics including assessing ergonomic hazards in the workplace, redesigning work space for improved ergonomics, prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and exercises for preventing and relieving symptoms associated with MSDs. Training will be offered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese."
Why am I excited? The ergonomics recommendations will be focused on the commercial fishing industry, and Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) seems to have excellent outreach to their target population. Their website is informational and well-organized.
Plus, I have an Alaskan Malamute, so our household is a fan of many Alaska-related things.
National Jewish Health, Denver, CO
Multiple Topics, award of $105,300
"The grantee will develop and deliver training on multiple topics to automotive industry workers. The training will cover hazards to which automotive repair workers, mechanics and technicians can be exposed to in certain jobs including crystalline silica, asbestos, lead, hexavalent chromium and physical hazards that can cause respiratory disease, neurologic problems, skin disorders, allergies, cancer, hearing loss, eye injuries, and ergonomic injuries."
Why am I excited? National Jewish Health has been rated the leading respiratory hospital in the nation. Their mantra of "Science Transforming Life" is at the core of their research activities, which encompass aspects of mycobacteria, environmental health, occupational health, and allergens, all things which are near and dear to the Industrious Hygienist's heart. Interesting note: National Jewish Health first opened in 1899 as a tuberculosis sanitorium.
Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health, Dorchester, MA
Work Place Violence, award of $104,196
"The grantee will offer work place violence training for young workers and small businesses employing youth. Training will include an introduction to hazard identification and control; worker rights and responsibilities; and the identification and mitigation of work place violence in the retail and healthcare settings. Training activities will utilize participatory learning methods including interactive discussion, case studies, and role playing."
Why am I excited? The MassCOSH group seems to be extensively collaborative and holds a leadership academy for teen workers to promote job safety. Some of their core initiatives are: "Healthy Schools Initiative," "Immigrant Worker Center," "Teens Lead At Work," and a focus on union education and organization. They have articles, reports, and fact sheets from their educational findings.
In the "capacity building developmental grant" list of recipients:
Board of Regents of UW System for Univ. Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Safety and Ergonomics Follow-On, award of $148,400
"The grantee will provide training on safety and ergonomics to small utility employees and contractors. The training will target small businesses, non-English speaking/limited English proficiency, minority and other hard to reach workers. The grantee will also develop training materials for employees in the green/renewable power-generation (solar, wind and biofuel) sector in English and Spanish."
Why am I excited? The green/renewable power generation sector needs training and hazard assessments for the work being conducted at the generating sites.
SEIU Education and Support Fund, Washington, DC
Health Care Industry, award of $177,250
"The grantee will present training to workers employed in the home care, nursing home, and hospital sectors of the health care industry. The target audience will include non-English speaking/limited English proficiency, non-literate and low literacy workers, immigrant and minority workers. The grantee will develop and present a Hazard Communication (HazCom) course in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian."
Why am I excited? Healthcare health and safety is my specialty, and since OSHA announced its National Emphasis Program on Nursing Homes and Personal Care Facilities in April 2012, I've been hoping for someone to develop this kind of training.
Thanks to OSHA for offering the Susan Harwood Training Grants.
Showing posts with label ergonomics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ergonomics. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
Ten Tips for Easy Ergonomics + Safety 2013 Conference!
I spent the week in Las Vegas, NV at Safety 2013, the professional development conference for the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) - I had a great time and will discuss all the exciting things I learned over the next month or so.
To wrap up National Safety Month, this last week's focus was on ergonomics.
I completed my National Safety Council crossword puzzle on ergonomics and developed this list of "Ten Tips for Easy Ergonomics" from the puzzle and my own experience.
Ten Tips for Easy Ergonomics
1.) STRETCH! Stretching can relieve stress and help improve muscle fatigue.
2.) STRETCH MORE! Stretching reduces the risk of ergonomics issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.
3.) STRETCH CORRECTLY. To stretch out your neck, keep your head straight and in line with your shoulder, turn completely to the left and hold, then turn back to the center. Repeat on the right side. Hold for 5 to 30 seconds on each side.
4.) BREATHE WHEN STRETCHING. Breathe deeply and slowly when performing stretches.
5.) DON'T STRETCH UNTIL IT HURTS. Pain is not gain - you should only stretch until you feel a mild tension that relaxes as you hold a stretch.
6.) EVALUATE YOUR WORKSPACE. Use the Mayo Clinic office ergonomics site to determine areas for improvement.
7.) DON'T STARE AT A COMPUTER ALL DAY. Periodically take time to close your eyes for a minute at a time and then focus on an object at least 20 feet away. (Or, as I posted previously, work from home and get a dog, preferably a giant Alaskan Malamute who will pester you until you get up and chase him around.)
8.) USE A BACKPACK OR ROLLING BAG. Get rid of your messenger bag and heavy laptop case - find ways to carry as little as possible. Men's Health magazine had some helpful tips on reducing the amount of stuff you carry around all day.
9.) TRY YOGA. It's awesome, just make sure that you honor any feeling of restriction in your body and don't freak out that you're not Gumby or Pokey overnight. I just found a funny blog post called "Yoga Yoda Helps Me Find Ergonomic Zen" (complete with pictures!).
10.) DON'T GO OUT AND SPEND A BUNCH OF MONEY ON "ERGONOMIC" EQUIPMENT. Ergonomics doesn't have to be expensive, and many problems can be solved with fairly simple solutions. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has "10 Tips for Effective Ergonomics" that is worth reading.
On a humorous note, the Safety 2013 bags we were given as part of the conference were messenger bags/laptop bags. After filling up my messenger bag each day with the various freebies and papers and other bags from the vendors, even though I switched shoulders every couple hours, my neck, shoulders, and thoracic vertebrae are not pleased with me. :)
See below for my complimentary bag and the ridiculousness that was my name badge.
To wrap up National Safety Month, this last week's focus was on ergonomics.
 |
| National Safety Month - Week #4, Ergonomics Crossword Puzzle. |
I completed my National Safety Council crossword puzzle on ergonomics and developed this list of "Ten Tips for Easy Ergonomics" from the puzzle and my own experience.
Ten Tips for Easy Ergonomics
1.) STRETCH! Stretching can relieve stress and help improve muscle fatigue.
2.) STRETCH MORE! Stretching reduces the risk of ergonomics issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.
3.) STRETCH CORRECTLY. To stretch out your neck, keep your head straight and in line with your shoulder, turn completely to the left and hold, then turn back to the center. Repeat on the right side. Hold for 5 to 30 seconds on each side.
4.) BREATHE WHEN STRETCHING. Breathe deeply and slowly when performing stretches.
5.) DON'T STRETCH UNTIL IT HURTS. Pain is not gain - you should only stretch until you feel a mild tension that relaxes as you hold a stretch.
6.) EVALUATE YOUR WORKSPACE. Use the Mayo Clinic office ergonomics site to determine areas for improvement.
7.) DON'T STARE AT A COMPUTER ALL DAY. Periodically take time to close your eyes for a minute at a time and then focus on an object at least 20 feet away. (Or, as I posted previously, work from home and get a dog, preferably a giant Alaskan Malamute who will pester you until you get up and chase him around.)
8.) USE A BACKPACK OR ROLLING BAG. Get rid of your messenger bag and heavy laptop case - find ways to carry as little as possible. Men's Health magazine had some helpful tips on reducing the amount of stuff you carry around all day.
9.) TRY YOGA. It's awesome, just make sure that you honor any feeling of restriction in your body and don't freak out that you're not Gumby or Pokey overnight. I just found a funny blog post called "Yoga Yoda Helps Me Find Ergonomic Zen" (complete with pictures!).
10.) DON'T GO OUT AND SPEND A BUNCH OF MONEY ON "ERGONOMIC" EQUIPMENT. Ergonomics doesn't have to be expensive, and many problems can be solved with fairly simple solutions. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has "10 Tips for Effective Ergonomics" that is worth reading.
On a humorous note, the Safety 2013 bags we were given as part of the conference were messenger bags/laptop bags. After filling up my messenger bag each day with the various freebies and papers and other bags from the vendors, even though I switched shoulders every couple hours, my neck, shoulders, and thoracic vertebrae are not pleased with me. :)
See below for my complimentary bag and the ridiculousness that was my name badge.
 |
| My name badge *flair* and complimentary messenger bag from ASSE Safety 2013! |
Friday, June 21, 2013
National Safety Council: 5 Daily Tips for Workplace Health
Hi all -
I am cross-posting the National Safety Council's 5 Daily Tips to "Stretch Your Way to Better Health" for this week's tips for improved workplace health.
Last week's focus for National Safety Month was on Employee Wellness. Here's how The Industrious Hygienist is doing so far (image), up to last Sunday.
The National Safety Council also provided the following links for more information about ergonomics:
A quick note - some of you may be aware that OSHA is still working on its proposed ergonomics standard. OSHA is still able to enforce ergonomics complaints or possible violations under the General Duty Clause, which is used to cite serious hazards where no specific OSHA standard exists to address the hazard. OSHA has established Regional Ergonomic Coordinators for questions related to ergonomics in the workplace.
California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa are covered by Region IX, with Nancy McCormick listed as the Regional Ergonomic Coordinator. Her contact information is readily available on the OSHA website (email and phone) for more information.
I am cross-posting the National Safety Council's 5 Daily Tips to "Stretch Your Way to Better Health" for this week's tips for improved workplace health.
Monday: Ergonomics involves designing the job environment to fit the person and is important to take into consideration at work and home.
Tuesday: When working, give your eyes a rest and periodically take time to close them for a minute at a time and then focus on an object at least 20 feet away.
Wednesday: Symptoms of some ergonomic issues include tingling, numbness, pain, swelling and loss of grip strength.
Thursday: Stretching should be gentle and controlled, not painful. Breathe deeply when you hold your stretch.
Friday: Stretching periodically throughout the day can reduce sprains, strains and your risk of ergonomic injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.
 |
| The Industrious Hygienist's PALA+ Challenge worksheet. |
Last week's focus for National Safety Month was on Employee Wellness. Here's how The Industrious Hygienist is doing so far (image), up to last Sunday.
The National Safety Council also provided the following links for more information about ergonomics:
Want even more information on ergonomics? Click on the following links:
Office Stretches from Mayo ClinicCDC Ergonomics
Office Stretches from Mayo ClinicCDC Ergonomics
A quick note - some of you may be aware that OSHA is still working on its proposed ergonomics standard. OSHA is still able to enforce ergonomics complaints or possible violations under the General Duty Clause, which is used to cite serious hazards where no specific OSHA standard exists to address the hazard. OSHA has established Regional Ergonomic Coordinators for questions related to ergonomics in the workplace.
California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa are covered by Region IX, with Nancy McCormick listed as the Regional Ergonomic Coordinator. Her contact information is readily available on the OSHA website (email and phone) for more information.
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