Common Control Strategies Emergency Services Organization

Among Emergency Services Organization Safety Group members, the three most common causes of injury are strains, slips, trips, and falls, and miscellaneous causes.  The three causes of injury with the highest average claim costs are motor vehicle collisions, strains, and slips, trips, and falls. 
 
Texas Mutual recommends that you implement control strategies to protect your employees from these causes of injury.  You can use the free safety resources available through the texasmutual.com Safety Resource Center to implement new company policies, train employees, and document your safety activities.
 
Strains:

• Train employees in safe lifting procedures and team lifts for moving patients and ladders
• Instruct employees to utilize patient lift devices (i.e. sliding boards, transfer cot with handles, transfer board, ambulation assist device, and descent control system)
• Use the “Back Injury Prevention: You’re in Control” online video to train employees on material handling safety
• Review the “Back Safety: Posture; Mechanics; Exercise” handout with employees

 
Slips, Trips, And Falls:

• Train employees to properly slant truck mounted ladders
• Have employees practice and utilize tying-in techniques
• Install nonskid materials on floors and stairs
• Provide safety straps to any firefighters who continue to ride on tailboards
• Implement and enforce footwear policy and issue turnout boots and shoes that are slip resistant
• Develop a housekeeping schedule for fire and EMS stations and conduct documented inspections
• Ensure spills are cleaned up immediately and post or place “wet floor” signs out are may be required to highlight area
• Train all exposed employees on the proper use and placement of ladders and step stools

 
Miscellaneous Causes:

• Play the “Eye Safety: No Second Chances” online video during an upcoming safety meeting
• Review the “Eye and Face Protection” toolbox talk with employees
• Complete regularly scheduled inspections of all personal protective equipment
  
  

Motor Vehicle Collisions:

• Use the “Emergency Vehicle Rollover Prevention” and “Highway Safety For Emergency Services” DVD’s to train drivers on vehicle specific safe driving practices
• Review the “Seatbelts-Why Buckle Up?” toolbox talk during an upcoming safety meeting
• Instruct drivers to complete pre-trip vehicle safety inspections
• Check the Motor Vehicle Records of all authorized drivers on a regular basis

 
Control Strategies for Additional Common Industry Hazards:
 
Being Struck by Objects:

• Check to ensure that toe boards are present at the edge of all elevated work and storage areas
• Post the “Lifting Safety” poster in your workplace
• Use the “Lift for Life” online video to train employees proper lifting techniques
• Review the “Back Safety” Toolbox Talk with employees

 

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