Public employees such as administration, public safety, highway and utility workers serve essential roles in keeping communities running smoothly. Unfortunately, the nature of work they perform may also expose them to uncontrolled hazards that may result in work-related injuries and illnesses. By identifying and understanding the most common root causes for incidents, practical preventive measures can be implemented. Using root cause information will help public employees effectively manage the exposures inherent in their work activities. (Note: This list is by no means exhaustive.)
Root Causes for Common Incidents and How to Avoid Them:
- Overexertion
Root Cause: Employees lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling heavy objects or struggling to subdue suspects. The exertion required may exceed the physical limitations of the human body. Workers may also have pre-existing conditions such as age-related deterioration or prior injuries, making them especially vulnerable to injury.
Recommendation: Provide mechanical lifting aids such as dollies, hoists and power liftgates. Educate employees on proper lifting techniques. Encourage coordinated team lifts of heavy or awkward loads. Provide options for dealing with resisting suspects such as ongoing defensive tactics education, less lethal force options and adequate staffing to overpower resisting suspects. Promote ongoing employee conditioning and pre-exertion stretching programs to improve overall physical fitness.
- Slips, Trips, and Falls
Root Cause: Not looking where stepping, uneven ground, wet or icy surfaces, cluttered walking/working surfaces, inadequate aisle clearance, poor housekeeping, low lighting and/or improper footwear for environmental conditions.
Recommendation: Look before stepping. Regularly inspect work areas for housekeeping and organization. Optimize lighting in work areas. Slip-resistant coatings on walking/working surfaces. Wear footwear appropriate for the work environment and weather conditions. Ensure prompt snow and ice removal during winter weather. Use guiderails and personal fall protection equipment to prevent falls from height.
- Vehicle Crashes
Root Cause: Vehicle operated at excessive speed. Emergency vehicle response without using lights and/or sirens. Driver or passenger are not wearing seat belt. Driver is distracted (e.g., cell phone or computer). Driver is cognitively impaired due to fatigue or medication that causes drowsiness.
Recommendation: Enforce seat belt use. Check motor vehicle records for actionable violations and review employer expectations with frequent violators. Enforce police pursuit and emergency response driving policies. Minimize overtime and ensure adequate staffing to encourage employees to get 7-9 hours quality sleep in a 24-hr period. Limit continuous driving during snow emergencies to maximum of 11 hours in a 24-hr. period.
- Struck-By and Caught-In/Between Hazards
Root Cause: Being in the line of fire of a hazardous activity. Inadequate temporary traffic controls including no shadow vehicles. Lack of a controlled work area/zone. Tools used at elevation not tethered. Machine guarding inadequate or removed. Not wearing personal protective equipment required for the job.
Recommendation: Educate employees regarding identifying trajectory of hazards and how to stay out of the danger zone. Ensure manufacturer machine guards are in place on equipment. Use load taglines and never stand beneath hoisted loads. Establishing proper temporary traffic controls, wear high visibility traffic safety apparel and head protection when working in or near roadways. Create a controlled work zone with cones/barriers, caution/danger tape and/or signage. Tether tools used in overhead work. Wear proper PPE for anticipated hazards such as safety helmet with chin strap, eye/face protection and safety footwear.
- Chemical and Environmental Exposures
Root Cause: Contact with hazardous substances such as chemicals, dust, fumes or biological agents. Exposure to poisonous plants and stinging/biting insects. Exposure to extreme temperatures.
Recommendation: Review and follow safe handling information on label or safety data sheet (SDS) for hazardous substances. Recognize and avoid common poisonous plants. Look for insect nests when performing pre-job assessment and avoid these areas or apply insecticide. Ensure vaccinations are up-to-date for Tetanus and Hepatitis B. Select proper PPE for anticipated hazards. Monitor weather conditions and adjust work schedules and task demands during heat waves. Encourage periodic hydration and cool rest environments for workers operating in high temperatures and humidity.
- Violence
Root Cause: Having to interact with individuals who suffer from poor impulse control or mental illness.
Recommendation: Anti-bullying and harassment employment policies. Employee assistance programs. Physical barriers in work areas that create secure public-private work envelopes. Perimeter security controls. De-escalation, conflict management and active shooter response training. “Obvious” surveillance systems in public interaction areas such as lobbies and transaction counters. Duress alarms used by staff to summon assistance. Buddy system when conducting potentially contentious activities such as turning off utility due to non-payment.
Preventing work-related injuries and illnesses requires that public employers focus on the environment as well as the behaviors of those doing the work. By addressing common root causes and investing in practical prevention strategies, public entities can safeguard their most valuable resource – their employees!