PDRMA’s Injury Prevention Program (PIPP) is a cornerstone of safety culture, yet it’s often easy to forget training and slip back into old habits in the hecticness of the workday. PDRMA Risk Management Consultant Tim Jaskiewicz sees it first-hand. “I’m in the field frequently, observing both supervisors and staff,” Jaskiewicz notes, “and I see everyone let their guard down.”

Jaskiewicz offers an overview of the most common PIPP missteps he sees. As you work your way through fall and head into winter, renew your commitment to PIPP principles and the pursuit of safety throughout your agency.

Incorrect lifting and bending. “I see field staff bending at the hips rather than with their legs to squat to lift things,” Jaskiewicz observes. He knows they’re aware of the proper way to do their job tasks, but being in a hurry and/or not keeping safety foremost in their minds means old habits creep in. That’s when supervisors can step in with reminders about safety to their teams.
 
Repetitive use of motions or tools. “You want to prevent overuse injuries by rotating staff through jobs during the day or alternating their tasks throughout the week,” he suggests. One option is to give staff two jobs to alternate between during the day, so joints and muscles can have breaks to relieve contact stress....

In this year’s “road test,” Group A members (those scheduled for an LCR) piloted the new Risk Management Review process ahead of its debut in 2021. We surveyed them for their frank appraisal of the process so far, and the results are in; the new system is earning high marks.

Risk Management Consultant Jackie Pierce, ARM-P, explains: “The new review process started this summer, giving members a chance to be interactive with consultants in identifying individual risk management needs and creating goals and plans for each agency. My Pilot Group A members did a fantastic job in providing critical data and information that helped the review process we used in the Kickoff Meetings!” 

Pierce worked with each of her Group A members to schedule a Kickoff Meeting with key players at the agency. “Together we developed objectives during the meeting to guide us through creating goals and Plans of Action customized to each member,” she says. “Next, we’ll create SMART Goals and conduct assessments based on each plan. Group A members are now seeing the benefits of our new review process...

Join us Nov. 15 for our 2019 Risk Management Institute, when we’ll tackle the issues you’re facing at your agencies. This year’s topics include subjects such as managing marijuana use in the workplace, high-risk terminations and workplace violence...

Learning during the fall season isn’t just for kids. It’s appropriate — and vital — to learn and take refresher courses to ensure old habits don’t pop up at the worst times. “Make it a point to check out our Training Calendar as well as our online resources to see what you and your staff can learn or review...