[SOUND OF FALL]
And cut!
Great fall, John!
I'm a professional stunt man.
I do falls like this for a living.
You don't.
But all too often,
employees and volunteers just like you
are hurt doing jobs just like this.
I want to spend the next 15 minutes showing you
the leading causes of injuries at worship centers.
And even more important, how to avoid them.
[music]
[music]
Every year, six million people in this country
suffer workplace injuries.
Six thousand people die,
and many more are permanently disabled.
Worship centers, camps and schools
are no exceptions.
Church Mutual receives thousands of claims each year
for injuries to employees and volunteers.
Many involve people who find themselves lifting, pulling,
tugging in ways they're not used to.
Or doing jobs they're not used to doing
in unfamiliar surroundings.
Many are older volunteers.
The spirit is there,
but sometimes the capability is not.
And here are the leading causes of injury claims.
Slips and trips.
The good news is these are among the easiest hazards to correct.
Let's start with slips.
The common causes of slips are:
wet or oily surfaces, occasional spills,
loose or unanchored rugs or mats and flooring
that doesn't have the same degree of traction
in all areas.
Some of these causes go away with simple, good housekeeping.
Cleaning all spills immediately.
And keeping areas free of debris.
Securing all mats and rugs by tacking or taping.
Using nonskid throw rugs.
Other solutions take a little more work.
Like flooring.
If you do have a transition area,
re-coat or replace the problem surface.
Causes of tripping are equally apparent.
There might be cables or extension cords.
Floor clutter.
Outside, tripping causes include uneven walking surfaces
and unexpected obstacles, like roots and rocks.
The solutions to tripping are, again,
a combination of good housekeeping and common sense.
Inside your facility,
remove any cables that cross walkways.
Make it a habit to close all low drawers immediately.
Outside solutions are equally simple.
Repair cracks and breaks in sidewalks.
Keep walkways swept clean of rocks and debris.
Bad lighting is another cause.
Make sure working areas and walkways are well lit.
Replace burned out bulbs immediately.
Here are some good working habits all of us can use
to prevent slips and trips.
Always make sure you can see where you're going.
If you're moving something large have somebody help you
or use a cart if necessary.
And make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the job.
Another big cause of slips and trips is bad weather.
Studies indicate that almost 80% of the slipping injuries
in snow and ice occur in parking lots or on sidewalks.
Make sure you have a coordinated program of ice and snow removal
that happens before activities begin.
Walkways, stairways and ramps should be completely cleared.
And don't forget those seldom used exit routes--
you might need them in an emergency.
Walk-off mats should extend
the first 15 to 20 feet into your building.
Clean them frequently, both the top and the bottom.
Now let's talk a little about falls from heights.
They happen for a variety of reasons.
Stairways can cause major falls.
Keep stair treads in good repair.
All stairways with four or more steps
should have at least one handrail.
In good condition and secure.
And don't store things in stairwells.
Not using step stools or stepladders when you should
is another big reason for falls.
When you use a stepladder make sure the cross supports
are solidly locked.
And never, ever use the top step of a stepladder as a step.
Using extension ladders correctly
starts with proper ladder positioning.
Make sure you place ladders on solid, dry, level surfaces
and that there are no electrical lines nearby.
The distance from the base of your ladder to the object
you're leaning the ladder on should be about one-quarter
of the working length of the ladder.
And the side rails of the ladder should extend at least
three feet above the upper landing surface.
Working on a ladder necessitates planning and care.
Always face the ladder when you go up or down.
Use a toolbelt to house your equipment
instead of trying to pile tools on steps.
If you're painting, use a hook for cans and supplies.
With heavier tools,
ask to have them handed to you when you're in place.
Don't try carrying them up.
And always make sure to keep one hand free to secure yourself.
Accidents involving scaffolding are usually very serious.
And it's easy to use scaffolding incorrectly
or to use makeshift scaffolding.
Not good.
Safe scaffolding involves knowledge and planning.
Making sure the ground is compact and level.
Using proper base plates and mud sills.
Keeping scaffolding plumb,
square and level and all platforms fully planked.
Knowing how to properly install scaffold ties,
toe holds and guardrails at heights of ten feet or more.
A scaffold that's safe one day can shift and settle overnight.
They need to be inspected every day.
Rolling scaffolding that you use inside,
to paint or replace lighting for instance,
has its own special risks and cautions.
The bottom line is,
scaffolding is one thing that truly is best left to experts.
So, make sure you have a person in charge
who can recognize scaffolding risks.
Now, let's cover another area of risk: yard machinery,
such as lawn mowers, trimmers, leaf blowers,
chain saws and snowblowers.
With any of them, you have to be aware of two things:
that the equipment is properly maintained
and that you are properly dressed.
Make sure proper guarding is on the tools.
Blade shields and cutter guards, for instance.
That you're wearing long pants and proper footwear.
And make sure you're outfitted with ANSI approved eyewear
and hearing protection.
Chain saws need a special mention,
because you not only have to care about the machine
and your gear,
but also look out for whatever it is you're cutting!
Know where that branch or tree is going to land!
Let's look at another big cause of disabilities:
back strain and pain.
Lower back injuries
account for 15 to 20 percent of workers' compensation injuries
and about 35 percent of workers' compensation claim amounts.
Lifting and carrying loads are the largest causes
of back disorders.
And most of these are caused by simply not knowing
how to lift properly.
Many lower back injuries occur in worship centers,
camps and schools
because volunteers who don't normally lift for a living
are suddenly asked to.
Notice the suit pants and tie?
Volunteerism is wonderful.
But be smart about it and about all lifting situations.
If you don't lift for a living,
start with some warm-ups just like you would if you were going
to jog or play sports.
Limber up before you lift up.
Now let's approach the load you're going to lift.
Stand close to the load.
Balance yourself.
Now squat down, bending your knees.
Keep your back straight, not curved, and your head up,
with your arms and elbows close to your sides.
Use your legs to bring you to a standing position.
Lift smoothly, don't jerk the load.
Not like this. Like this.
Hold it as close to your body as you can.
Don't twist your waist when moving a load--
shift your feet instead.
Then, when it's time to lower it, bend your knees,
not your waist.
Here are some other lifting dos and don'ts.
For loads on lower racks or shelves,
pull the load toward you first.
Make sure to use your legs, not your waist or back,
to power the lift.
Pushing or pulling loads is also a prime cause of back injuries.
Remember, pulling objects is always easier than carrying.
But pushing objects is less demanding than pulling.
When you push a load, stay close to it.
Use both arms.
Don't lift heavy loads above your head.
To reach loads above your shoulders,
use a step stool or ladder.
Another reason not to lift objects over your head
is rotator cuff injuries.
You usually hear about rotator cuff damage in sports,
but most tears actually occur to middle-aged or older people.
The rotator cuff is the tendons of four muscles right in here
that help stabilize your shoulder.
A sudden jerking can tear them.
Like a fall.
Or a load that's heavier than you thought.
You don't have to lift and strain to injure your back.
You can be doing a normal desk job
and eventually have severe back problems.
And millions of people do, simply by sitting wrong.
Prolonged sitting with incorrect posture
can lead to serious back problems
and shooting pain down your leg.
Bad ergonomics can also lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
and Tendonitis.
Reducing unnecessary back stress is the key here.
And it's done by keeping a balanced posture
at your workstation.
So, consider the ergonomics of your workspace.
First look at your chair.
The backrest should support your lower back or lumbar area.
The seat width and depth shouldn't be too big
or too small.
When you sit,
the front of your seat shouldn't press against
the back of your knees and legs.
Now roll up to your desk and see how you measure up.
Your head and neck should be upright,
not bent down or back to look at a monitor.
Your body should be perpendicular to the floor,
along with your shoulders and arms.
And, they should be relaxed.
When you approach your keyboard,
your wrists and hands should be straight, not bent up,
down or sideways.
And, there should be lots of leg room.
There isn't one perfect position you should maintain all day.
But this should be your norm.
Slips, trips, falls, back injuries,
rotator cuff injuries--
whether you're a pastor, a custodian, a volunteer--
they can happen to you.
But the chances are much less if you establish a safety program.
One that involves everybody, that identifies risks,
makes sure they get fixed
and continues to improve the working environment
of your facility.
Start by having everybody involved sit down
and begin listing work hazards they may be aware of.
Write them down.
Then have people do a "work-site analysis."
Let them spend a week in their normal activities,
noting problem areas.
Then reconvene.
Make a complete list of possible problems
and prioritize their correction.
Establish timelines for the corrections and stick to them.
Meet periodically to monitor progress and identify new risks
as they arise.
I'm Mike Ravn,
President of Church Mutual Insurance Company.
I'd like to suggest another way to help eliminate injuries--
by trying to match people with tasks
that they're trained to do.
Now that sounds simple,
but when your workforce is primarily volunteers,
it can be difficult.
Many times our volunteers attempt jobs
that they really shouldn't--
electrical wiring and roof repair--
a couple of good examples.
I'd urge you to at least make sure that people
who know the dangers of a job are in supervisory positions.
And, if you're not trained for a job you're about to do,
stop and think the task through, first.
Ask questions.
Know what you're getting into.
Remember that common sense and staying attentive
are among the best injury deterrents of all.
Thank you.
I hope you follow the suggestions in this video.
If you do, I think your work around your worship center,
camp or school will be much safer.
And, you'll be avoiding costly, long-term injuries.
[Sound of tumble]
Work safely.
And leave slips, trips and falls
to those of us who get paid to do them.
(Narrator) Church Mutual Insurance Company
offers brochures, videos, newsletters, posters,
checklists and more
to help make your organization and activities
safer for everyone involved.
They are available to our customers at no cost.
For a full list of materials, visit www.churchmutual.com.
For more infomation >> Disk Slip — What is it and How Do I Fix it? - Duration: 3:01. 
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