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CONSTRUCTION SAFETY eNews for –
February 20,
2008 |
Welcome to Occupational Hazards’ new
E-newsletter, Construction Safety
E-News. This newsletter is dedicated to furthering
safety and health in
the construction industry. Each newsletter will feature an
article
written by a construction safety expert – safety
professionals,
trainers, consultants. |
In This
Newsletter:
1. Wellness -- A
Lifestyle "Fit" for Construction
2. OSHA Proposes
$195,200 in Fines against Pelham, Ala. Masonry Contractor
3. NYC
Implements Key Scaffold Safety Recommendations
4. Education
Helps Back Pain Patients Return to Work, Study Says
1. Wellness -- A Lifestyle "Fit" for
Construction
By Carlos Figueroa Jr.
Construction, the epitome of hard work performed in changing landscapes
in extreme elements, certainly takes a physical as well as mental toll
on all who choose it as a career. So why, in the name of Jane Fonda
(early 80's -- you remember!) and the recently updated USDA Food
Pyramid, haven't construction companies caught on to the wellness
movement?! The conservative answer is, "We're busy building the future."
I say, let's also begin "building better lives."
Some companies have begun incorporating the wellness concepts that have
been introduced to our industry; stretching and soft tissue injury
prevention come to mind. Yet, I am challenging our industry as a whole
to embrace preserving our most valuable human resource by establishing
wellness programs.
An employer should strive to provide a working environment that is
conducive to the health and well-being of each employee. A wellness
program -- when designed and implemented based on the needs and
interests of the employees and the goals of your company -- provides
lasting value to those who participate.
Let's look further into the value of wellness programs. Studies have
shown companies that have estimated an actual return on investment (ROI)
for their wellness programs. Over 75 percent of these companies
estimated ROI greater than break-even. At Donley's (my employer), we
have experienced a 13 percent decrease in benefit plan cost since 2005.
Donley's costs currently are 45 percent below the national average and
we continue to drive our costs lower. Factor those numbers in with the
positive effect to the lifestyle of your employees and their families
and I believe we have a recipe for success!
To start: To begin a wellness program, you must recognize who,
within your organization, is best suited to coordinate the program.
Next, create a committee that consists of representatives from various
departments of your company whose main purpose will be to create,
implement and monitor your program.
Branding: Brand your wellness program. A brand name distinguishes
it as an integrated program. At Donley's, we took the scripted "D" from
our company logo and created "D Lifestyle -- Building a better life."
This branding accompanies all communications regarding the company's
health benefits and wellness programs. The brand even has its own email
box for correspondence.
Plan events: Now, you need ideas and events! Seek guidance from
your healthcare benefits provider, insurance company, insurance broker
and occupational medical care providers. All can provide valuable
information to get you started. And don't forget that resource called
the Internet.
Structure your program events to the demographics of your target
audience, which is your employees and their families. Start with
information such as monthly health and benefits tips that update your
employees on a wide variety of wellness information. Provide speakers to
discuss healthy lifestyle topics. Once a core group has been
established, look to develop other programs such as:
- An annual Health Day - Provide health risk screenings with
consultation by a clinician.
- Flu shots -- A clinic provider can administer the vaccine at your
office.
- A Fitness Challenge -- Design an 8- to 12-week program to challenge
employees to improve their physical, mental and nutritional
fitness.
All of these events have proven to be effective components of a wellness
program, and there are many more options. You will need to choose what
is best for your company.
Enrollment: Utilize your facility during work hours to
effectively market your program. Offer open enrollment to all, including
families of employees if you can accommodate them. The family tie-in is
where the true reward exists.
Measure value: You should measure the value of the wellness
program. Survey all participants after each event. Ask the company as a
whole for feedback so that you may continue to provide programs that
your employees believe to be beneficial to them.
Improving the quality of a life, while creating a workplace environment
based on health choices that reward your employees and their families
and improving your bottom line ($$) seems like something we all can
build on. Join the movement... I think Jane is still out there!
Carlos Figueroa Jr. is corporate risk and safety manager, Donley's
Inc. Donley's "D Lifestyle -- Building a better life" wellness program
has been awarded the HealthSpace Cleveland Paul & Maxine Frohring Award,
the top honor in the Healthy 50 program that recognizes Northern Ohio's
50 healthiest companies based on dedication to employees' health and
wellbeing. The D Lifestyle program also was recognized as a Silver
Award Winner in the Healthy Ohioans Worksite Award and has been named a
"Health & Wellness Pacesetter" by ERC Health several years in a row.
Figueroa created Donley's wellness program in the early 2000s. The
wellness committee currently is chaired by Katie McClain, who can be
reached at (216) 524-6800. Major contributors to Donley's wellness
program have been the Oswald Companies, ERC Health, HealthSpace
Cleveland, Zurich, NA and Concentra Occupation Medical Centers.
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3. NYC Implements Key Scaffold Safety
Recommendations
While delivering a progress report addressing New York City's
strategic plan to protect workers on scaffolds, Buildings Commissioner
Patricia J. Lancaster announced that the majority of the plan's safety
recommendations have been implemented, leading the way to safer work
environments for scaffold employees.
>> More
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Join Gary Fox from GE as we review modern equipment techniques that can
be used to mitigate the risk of arc flash. The presentation will review
recent customer research findings on the subject of arc flash awareness,
techniques for reducing the risk in existing installations, and new
installation designs.
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