ASSE: Changes in Safety Practice Needed to Prevent Serious Injuries

It doesn't appear to be getting any better ...

"Citing an "adverse trend" in the number of serious work injuries and the average cost of workers' compensation claims, veteran safety expert Fred Manuele called for safety professionals to take steps to assess their organization's experience with severe injuries and determine how to prevent them.

At an ASSE session titled "Preventing Fatalities and Serious Injuries: What are We Missing?" Manuele, president of Hazards Ltd., showed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that the percentage of nonfatal injuries and illnesses involving 20 or less days away from work had fallen from 1995 to 2001. However, for incidents involving 21-30 days, there was a slight increase and for 31 or more days, the increase was nearly 23 percent.

Manuele's conclusion is that "the frequency of worker injuries is down; serious injuries are more prominent within the entirety of the lost-worktime cases reported; and average workers' compensation claims costs have risen at a remarkable rate."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Toyota evolves the airbag

This should save some injuries - on slow crashes also ...

"Instead of getting your head biffed by one big airbag when you crash, Toyota’s new safety system takes the pressure off your poor melon.

If like us you’ve dinked your motor once (or three times), you’ll know that getting a face full of airbag isn’t quite as painless as having a party balloon bounced off your nose. So in a move to save your nose and neck from talking a pounding should you crash, Toyota’s new airbag system (pictured) distributes the impact via two airbags that fire most of the pressure onto your shoulders while still supporting your head."   continued ...   (Via T3)

Boeing Displays B/E Aerospace MiniPod Seats Aboard Its New 777-200LR Worldliner

Talk about the ergonomics of travel ...

"B/E Aerospace today announced that Boeing has selected a version of B/E's lie-flat MiniPod seat that's now available to customers for the business class cabin on the new Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner, the world's longest range passenger jet. In addition, B/E's Flight Structures Integration unit manufactured various interior structures for the aircraft. The 777-200LR, which is being showcased at the Paris Air Show, will display the latest technologies and options available for Boeing aircraft interiors.

Winner of the coveted Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award, the MiniPod product line offers many unique and customizable amenities and features for the business traveler, including advanced electric systems and controls for infinite adjustability from the upright dining and working positions to the lie-flat bed mode. A patented articulating arm structure moves downward as the seat reclines, providing additional bed width and comfort. The fixed back shell provides greater privacy and personal space, and can be outfitted with additional passenger controls and reading lights. Other features, such as a back massager, laptop power outlet and storage spaces for shoes and other passenger items are also available."   continued ...   (Via Yahoo Finance)

Proper desk setup and lighting protect eyes, wrists, neck and back

A good set of practical tips ...

"You're headed home from work. You notice your neck is stiff, your wrists are sore, and your eyes are tired. Just another day at the office, you think.

But with a few adjustments here and there, and perhaps some assistance from your company's human resources department (or maybe a helpful administrative assistant) you can reduce the physical stress and strain resulting from a poorly planned and structured workstation.

The University of Missouri's Department of Environmental Heath and Safety has published a Work Station Ergonomics Self-Help Guide to help workers make workplaces safer and more comfortable. The following information is annotated (with permission) from that guide:"   continued ...   (Via FortWayne.com)

Ergonomics Certification

An extensive list of training and certification for various aspects of ergonomics ...