However, taking a few extra moments to prioritize safety during your end-of-year breakdown can significantly reduce the risk of injuries and ensure a healthy and happy start to your well-deserved time off. Utilize this checklist to keep yourself safe:

Moving & lifting like a pro

• Heavy lifting? Team up! ✓​ Remember, team lifting is crucial for all those substantial items like furniture, bookshelves, and stacks of boxes. Avoid the risk of back strains and other musculoskeletal injuries by teaming up with a co-worker. Coordinate your movements and lift with your legs, not your back.
• Navigate stairs with caution! ✓​ When carrying items on stairs, always use the handrail. Ensure your vision isn’t obstructed by what you’re carrying. Take your time and maintain a secure footing to prevent falls.
• Elevate heavy loads safely! ✓​ If your school provides an elevator, utilize it to transport bulky or heavy items between floors. This simple step can significantly reduce the strain on your body and prevent potential injuries.

Reaching new heights safely

• Use proper equipment for elevated tasks! ✓​ When reaching for items on high shelves or taking down decorations, always use a stable footstool or ladder. Never stand on chairs, desks, or makeshift supports. Remember the three-point contact rule – keep two feet and one hand in contact with the ladder to maintain balance and prevent falls.

Maintaining a safe environment

• Keep emergency exits clear! ✓​ Before locking up for the summer, conduct a thorough check to ensure all fire exits, fire extinguishers, and alarm pull stations are completely clear, unobstructed, and easily accessible. This is vital for the safety of anyone who may need to access the building.
• Dispose of waste safely! ✓​ Never use your hands or feet to compress garbage in trash cans. This practice can lead to cuts, punctures, and exposure to potentially harmful substances. Utilize appropriate trash bags and ensure they are properly tied and disposed of.

By consciously incorporating these safety measures into your end-of-year routine, you’re not just tidying your classroom but actively mitigating risks and safeguarding your well-being. A few extra moments of attention now can translate to a summer free from preventable injuries.

Thank you for your incredible dedication throughout the school year. As your partner in safety, we wish you a happy, healthy, and safe summer break!

The post Summer Send-Off: End-of-Year School Safety Checklist appeared first on MEM.

Watch below as Larry Lambert, MEM’s Associate General Counsel, explains practical steps businesses can take to ensure the safety of their employees while managing marijuana use in the workplace.

Where to start?

Employers should start by reviewing their current drug and alcohol-free workplace policy. These policies need to be updated to comply with the new law. Employees should be prohibited from being under the influence of intoxicating substances while at work or using work equipment.

Unfortunately, testing for marijuana impairment isn’t as accessible as testing for alcohol. Employers should have trained staff who can identify if someone behaves as though impaired and then follow up after an incident with a drug test.

Key Differences

Medicinal marijuana users now have certain protections given by the state. Employers cannot discriminate against them in hiring, firing, or any terms of employment outside of specific criteria. Medical users must undergo a standard process to get and retain their certification.

Recreational use will likely increase, but many users will likely not be as educated on the product as medicinal users. Anyone over the age of 21 can legally purchase marijuana.

A Strong Safety Culture

A strong safety culture is your most powerful weapon in protecting your business and employees. When employees know what is expected and that policies are not only in place to protect them but enforced, they can feel safe and confident in doing their job.

The post Marijuana and the Workplace: Managing the Missouri Workforce appeared first on MEM.

Watch as our Field Service Manager, Terri Sweeten, explains the four steps to making the process clearer and easier.

Step 1 – Seek medical care for the injured worker 

When an employee is injured on the job, obtaining medical care is a priority. Call 911 if an incident results in a head or neck injury, severe bleeding or leaves an employee unresponsive. For non-emergent injuries, like strains or sprains, contact a healthcare provider.  

Employers should create an incident plan that identifies preferred: 

• Medical providers 
• Urgent care providers 
• Occupational therapy providers 

In the state of Missouri, the employer has the right to direct medical care. Employees may choose their own healthcare provider, but it may also be at their own expense. Directing medical care ensures employees get the right care sooner.  

Step 2 – Report the claim  

After care is arranged for the injured worker, employers need to report the claim in a timely manner. Reporting within 24 hours helps capture important incident details before they are forgotten. Timely reporting also enables work comp experts to provide employers with assistance and support.  

Step 3 – Complete an incident investigation 

Completing an incident investigation helps reveal the true cause of an injury and build safer workplaces. These procedures should include collecting: 

• Witness statements 
• Photos/Videos of the incident and surroundings 

• Post-incident drug and alcohol testing  

Step 4 – Return to work 

Return to work programs help injured workers get back to work sooner and reduce work comp costs. Some job tasks may need to be released or eliminated until they are fully recovered. If accommodation can’t be provided, then a temporary role elsewhere is an alternative. An employee’s physician should always guide their return to the job. 

The post Work Comp Incidents: 4 Steps to Follow When a Worker is Injured  appeared first on MEM.

The goal of a safety program is to reduce injury risk and increase employee awareness on the job. 

A quality safety program is made up of 4 key components:  

• Written Safety Rules. Document every safety rule and expectation for your business. Keep them in a place that is easy to access.  
• Communication to Employees. Employees need to know each safety measure they are responsible for. Communicate this information through training, monthly Toolbox Talks or one-on-one conversations. Schedule time ahead to share with employees and record their attendance. 
• Monitoring Safety. Enforcing safety rules is just as important as having them. For example, if employees are expected to wear hard hats or eye protection, then check regularly to make sure they are worn. 

• Corrective Action. If you notice a safety hazard or an employee in need of coaching, address and document it. Make sure to acknowledge and thank employees who are doing things right. This praise goes a long way in earning long-term buy-in from employees into safety efforts.  

Resources

Foundations of Safety Program

Three Programs that Deliver ROI in Workplace Safety 

Safety Culture: Building a Safer Workplace with leadership support 

The post Creating a Safety Program  appeared first on MEM.