Occupational Safety Committee: Your safety is important
By: Steve Djukanovich
October 26th, 2006
For those of you who are not familiar with the Occupational Safety Committee, the committee is composed of a diverse group of University employees concerned with employee health and safety.
We meet monthly to discuss accident trends, policies and procedures, and other health and safety issues. The next meeting is at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the Applied Research Facility Conference Room.
You do not have to be a member of the committee to attend a meeting. Input from all employees and members of the University community is encouraged and appreciated.
One of the missions of the Occupational Safety Committee is to “facilitate employee awareness and observance of applicable health and safety standards.”
We are excited by the opportunity Our Workplace provides to support this mission and plan to use this forum to make employees aware of University safety initiatives and programs, as well as to provide a brief safety tip or two that might prevent an accident from occurring. So we hope you find the provided information useful in your effort to maintain work safely.
The average preventable auto crash costs an employer about $29,000!
University employees who drive as part of their job now have the opportunity to complete a driver’s training program sponsored by the National Safety Council.
The training is Internet-based and self-paced. It takes about three to four hours to complete.
Benefits – Completion of the training will improve your overall driving skills by providing the knowledge necessary to choose safe, responsible and lawful driving behavior. Another benefit of the training is that successful completion could result in a reduction of your personal auto insurance rates. You should check with your insurance agent to see if you qualify.
Who Should Participate - Although any employees who drive as part of their job are eligible to participate in the training, departments that would like to have their employees complete the training should give priority to employees who drive frequently and employees who have limited driving experience.
How to Learn More and Sign Up - Please note that a limited number of training slots are available. Contact Lisa Schaller in the Business Center North Risk Management Office at (775) 784-6139 if you want to register or have questions.
Watch out for the ice and snow
Winter weather is almost here, and with it comes snow and ice, which creates challenging walking conditions. If there is snow and ice on the ground, the following walking tips will reduce your chance of falling and possibly suffering an injury:
- Wear shoes or boots that provide traction, such as those with slip-resistant soles
- Consider attaching ice cleats to your shoes or boots
- Walk slowly
- Take short, flat steps
- Use handrails when available
- Consider using a walking stick
- Keep your hands free for better balance
- Don’t block your vision with items you are carrying or with a scarf or hat
Steve Djukanovich, University manager of risk and workers’ compensation, can be reached at steved@unr.edu.
