40. Vibration / 41. Wellness Programs / 42. Workplace Violence Flashcards
Vibration risk factor
- Individual health
- Intensity and frequency
- Duration
- Affected areas
Two principal types of vibration
HAVS: Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome
Whole Body Vibration
Tools intensify HAVS by (5)
- Heightened speed of vibration
- Poor maintenance
- Tool weight
- Lack of handle insulation
- Increased skin contact
Workers intensify HAVS by: (4)
- Tight grips
- Awkward postures
- Incorrect tool usage
- Prior injuries or poor health
HAVS chronic effects: (4)
- Damage to muscles, tendons, bones & joins
- Nervous system problems
- Raynauld’s syndrome (“white/dead finger” in cold env.)
- Disrupted circulation to the hands and arms
Control measures to HAVS
Substitution processes and methods
Isolation
Cushioning methods
Low vibration and acceleration
Maintenance
Training
Are recommendable anti-vibration gloves to prevent HAVS?
No, since they are thicker and this cause that the worker uses greater strength to grip the tool.
Main sources of Whole Body Vibration
- Engines
- Road & surface conditions
- Machine & vehicle design
- Vibration of the floor
Risks of WBV exposure include:
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Spinal degeneration
- Chronic back pain
- Herniated discs
Design features and control measures that minimize WBV exposure:
- Suspension & maintenance
- Age and condition of the vehicle or machinery
- Cab layout, design & orientation
- Anti-fatigue mats
- Frequent work-rest regimens
- Vibration dampening devces
- Appropriate maintenance
EAP (related to wellness programs)
Employees Assistance Program, generally managed by Human Resources Department
Workplace safety & wellness programs improves: (6)
- Productivity
- Workers’ compensation claims
- Employee absenteeism
- Faster return to work
- Health care costs
- Profitability
Benefits of wellness programs (3)
Reduce stress
Improve overall health
Improve interpersonal relationships
Objetives of wellness program
Achieve work-life balance and improve physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Key metrics for measuring wellness program
- Improved productivity
- fewer sick days
- lowered insurance used
- improved employee recruitment and retention
- fewer worker compensation and disability claims and premiums
Risk factor that increase potential for workplace violence, according to NIOSH, are:
- Contact with the public,
- Handling money or valuables,
- Delivery of passengers, goods or services
- Having a mobile workplace (taxicab, police cruiser)
- Working with unstable or volatile persons (healthcare, social services, criminal justice settings)
- Working alone or in small numbers
- Working late at night or during early morning hours
- Working in hig crime areas
Four types of workplace violence
- Criminal
- Worker vs Customer
- Co-worker vs co-worker
- Personal
Prevention program for workplace violence
- Policy: zero tolerance
- Risk assessment
- Prevention and control
- Training, education and awareness
- Post-incident counseling
- Recordkeeping
Which is the best protection an employer can provide to their employee against workplace violence?
Zero-tolerance policy
A defensive, hostile attitude and tendency to blame others for problems is a red flag when hiring a new employee.
True.
Measures taken to identify and potentially violent people before hiring them as a means of preventing workplace violence.
Workplace violence screening
The act of reviewing both confidential and public information to investigate a person or entity’s history. ____ are commonly performed by employers to ensure that an employee is who he or she says they are, and to determine that the individual does not have a damaging criminal history.
Background check
Workplace violence response to include: (5)
- Identifying hazardous situations.
- Relevant policies.
- Security equipment.
- Diffusing threatening situations.
- Summoning help.
What is the general rule for an employee who see a person with an arm?
Leave de location and call for help.
What include response assistance? (workplace violence)
- Crisis counseling
- Stress debriefing
- Employee assistance programs
