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The Independent Report - Independent Bankers
of Colorado - June 1999
Loss & Prevention Safety Programs Are Important
In Any Business
By Joe Caulfield, District Manager, Administaff,
an Associate Member of IBC
Every business should be committed to providing
a safe working environment for its employees. Safe and healthy operations
provide mutual benefits, not the least of which is lower direct
and indirect operating costs associated with occupational injuries
and illnesses. Although the safety issues in the banking industry
differ from those of construction or manufacturing, they can be
equally devastating. Identifying loss exposures and controls, and
putting safety programs in place that can reduce or prevent accidents
can protect your bank from the unexpected. Each bank should have
an accident reporting procedure that directs supervisors on how
to investigate an accident. This should help uncover important facts
related to cause, effect and prevention. Every employee needs to
be aware of general safety precautions, from basic first aid to
emergency response procedures. Having a first aid kit and a fire
extinguisher on hand is an essential part of a proactive safety
program. Making sure all employees have access to these tools and
know where to find them is equally important.
Recognizing the most obvious safety hazards in your bank will allow
the creation and enforcement of policies to prevent the injuries
they may cause. A Professional Employer Organization (PEO) can help
with conducting this inventory and with developing the appropriate
policies to address them. Administaff, one of the nation’s
leading PEOs, believes the first step toward creating a safe working
environment is establishing and maintaining an effective Loss Control
Program. The accident prevention program offered by Administaff
includes surveys, recommendations, training programs, consultations
and analysis of accident causes. The banking industry is fortunate
to have a relatively low risk of workplace injury. Regardless, on-the-job
accidents can be costly for the employee and the bank. Reducing
the possibility of pain and suffering to the employee and the financial
impact to the bank is smart business for the entire organization.
Basic Safety Guidelines
Employees should consider safety to be a state of mind and make
injury prevention their responsibility. They should be aware that
the most common hazards in an office environment are chairs, office
equipment, video display terminals and safe lifting and be aware
of how their unsafe behavior can result in injuries by these very
common objects. The importance of maintaining a clean, orderly work
environment should be emphasized to every employee. Cumulative trauma
disorders from extensive computer use are a growing concern. Reviewing
the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards100-1988
"Voluntary Standards for Visual Display Terminal Workstations"
and ANSI 2-365 "Control of Cumulative Trauma Disorders"
are areas to investigate. Another area is possible injury from armed
robberies. Has management trained employees on how to protect themselves
in the event of a robbery? Have specific security measures been
implemented for opening and closing times? Another worksite issue
that Administaff can help your bank address is workplace violence
policies and procedures.
Fingers and hands are likely to be injured most
often in a bank setting. These injuries, even minor ones, can impair
the ability to work productively. Use of gloves or other protective
devices and basic safety awareness can help employees avoid many
common injuries.
Everyday Emergencies and Natural Disasters
Whenever possible, at least one member of the staff should be trained
to deal with life-saving procedures such as CPR, the Heimlich maneuver,
compresses and tourniquets and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Administaff
can provide training in these procedures. Because most natural disasters
common to Colorado occur with little or no advance warning, businesses
should prepare employees for the unexpected by developing an emergency
plan. The emergency plan should be explained thoroughly to all employees
and updated as needed.
In the event of a flood, employees need to know
evacuation procedures.
Tornadoes call for quick response and an understanding of where
to go in the building for safety.
When an office fire strikes, every second counts. A fire escape
plan should be developed and posted for employees.
Watch Your Step and Your Back
Injuries from slips an falls are the second-highest workers’
compensation claim in the United States while 40 percent of all
work-related injuries involve the back. Simple housekeeping techniques
can reduce slipping and falling in the workplace, and education
and training can reduce back injuries. Education can also make employees
less prone to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or other repetitive strain
injuries.
An Ounce of Prevention
Taking steps to create a safer working environment will benefit
the bank and its employees by reducing injuries and increasing productivity.
Knowing a plan is in place to reduce accidents and injuries will
make employees and management feel more secure.
Administaff is prepared to share its safety
expertise with its clients through on-site training or a library
of video tools. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth –
a lot of the bank’s time and money!!
For more information, call the nearest Administaff
office at 800-465-3800, or visit Administaff’s website at http://www.administaff.com.
Reprinted with permission of The Independent
Bankers of Colorado.
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