MONIQUE NAVARRO JHIOVANNI FRANCO ANGEL ORTIZ GROUP 04 SAFETY CONSULTING FIRM BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING A WORKPLACE SAFETY PROGRAM

Introduction At the forefront of productivity issues is back injury related workers compensation claims. There were 956 workplace injuries between 2012 and 2013 at Quezada Imports. Quezada Imports faced losses upwards of 3.5 million dollars between 2012 and These figures can be dramatically reduced with the implementation of this proposed “Workplace Safety Plan.”

Issue Back injuries have the highest rates of occurrence within warehouses, one of the main factors being the continuance of employees lifting of heavy objects without proper training. OSHA lists the factors associated with back disorders. (OSHA, 1999). Reaching while lifting. Poor posture--how one sits or stands. Stressful living and working activities--staying in one position for too long. Bad body mechanics--how one lifts, pushes, pulls, or carries objects. Poor physical condition-losing the strength and endurance to perform physical tasks without strain. Poor design of job or work station.

Issue Repetitive lifting of awkward items, equipment, or (in health- care facilities) patients. Twisting while lifting. Bending while lifting. Maintaining bent postures. Heavy lifting. Fatigue. Poor footing such as slippery floors, or constrained posture. Lifting with forceful movement. Vibration, such as with lift truck drivers, delivery drivers, etc. (OSHA, 1999).

Introduction

Relevant Information Injuries to the back are the most common type of injuries occurring in the warehouse. The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics shows that warehousing have the highest rate of Back injuries than any other job. (OSHA, 1999).

Relevant Information The Graphic below show the rates of back injuries on different work environments or environments.

Culture of Prevention Having a culture of prevention is extremely important to avoid accidents and injuries in the workplace. Since accidents cannot be controlled we must work to prevent them.

Culture of Prevention The Center of Disease Control and Prevention offers this graphic which documents the primary reasons for which accidents occur in the United States.

Culture of Prevention The International Social Security Association lists the next points about the culture of prevention (Helsinki, 2013).  Comprehensive management of safety and health  Ways to promote safety culture (e.g. zero accident vision, resilience technology, attitude, cognitive factors in occupational accident/risk prevention).  Developing safety and prevention culture - the role of training and education (e.g. education and safety in health and safety, transition from school to work, lifelong education and training).  Benefits of prevention (e.g. economics, working career, work ability).

Available Options

Recommendations Mandatory 5-Minutes Stretches  A cost effective way to reduce the occurrence of back injuries.  Improves muscles strength and alertness

Recommendations Safety Workshops  These workshops would be implemented in order to avoid having incidents involving back injuries.  These workshops can be utilized to teach employees proper lifting techniques, such as lifting with their legs opposed to using their back.  A good forum for machinery operation training.  These workshops can be administered at little to no cost and are a practical way to educate employees.

Recommendations Hydraulic Lift  One of the best options available to help employees to lift heavy items as it can lift up to 800 lbs.  Increases Productivity.  Cost effective  Minimal training.  Hydraulic lifts range from $700 to $1,000.

Recommendations Hydraulic Lift

Recommendations Pneumatic Lift  Can potentially reduce back injuries significantly.  Capability of lifting as much as 4000 lbs with as little as 80 psi.  The approximate cost of this equipment ranges from $3,900 to $4,300.

Recommendations Pneumatic Lift

Recommendations Fork Lift  Great option for carrying heavy items with minimal effort.  Increases productivity.  These vehicle can carry up to 3 tons.  Cost effective as these vehicles run on diesel fuel.  Training and/or certification for operation is needed.  The prices for a fork lift range from $8,000 to $13,000 dollars.

Recommendations Fork Lift

Cost Analysis Hydraulic Lift  Equivalent to the work of 20 employees  Savings of $72,200 dollars.  Can save up to $3.451 million dollars per year Pneumatic Lift  Equivalent to the work of 100 employees  Savings of $361,800 dollars.  Can save up to $3.458 million dollars per year Fork Lift  Equivalent to the work of 150 employees  Savings of $536,000 dollars  Can save up to $3.416 million dollars per year *Figures based on savings from potential workplace injury claims.

Cost Analysis

WE AT GROUP 04 SAFETY FIRM APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THIS PROPOSAL AND ARE CONFIDENT THAT UPON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE “WORKPLACE SAFETY PROGRAM WHICH WE HAVE PREPARED SPECIFICALLY TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS AS AN INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE AND ENGINEERING UPDATES, QUEZADA IMPORTS WILL FIND ITSELF TO ONCE AGAIN BE A THRIVING AND PRODUCTIVE COMPANY. Conclusion

References Primary research- Personal Interview with Union Pacific Railroad Yard Employee Mario Flores by Monique Navarro, November 18, 2013 at 1 p.m. Location Alpine Yard. Helsinki. (2013). International Social Security Association. In International Symposium on Culture of Prevention – Future Approaches. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from on-Culture-of-Prevention-Future-Approaches. on-Culture-of-Prevention-Future-Approaches Ege, S. (November 1, 2009). Occupational Health and Safety. In The Benefits of Stretching. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from Nunley, K. (n.d). Chron. In Advantages & Disadvantages of a Weightlifting Belt. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from disadvantages-weightlifting-belt-1472.html. disadvantages-weightlifting-belt-1472.html Mayo Clinic. (May 16, 2013). Mayo Clinic. In Proper lifting techniques. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from pain/LB00004_D. pain/LB00004_D OSHA. (1999). United States Department of Labor. In Back Disorders and Injuries. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from