Spotlight on Safety
Quarterly Newsletter for Safety and Loss Prevention

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Summer 2004, Vol. 6; No. 2

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Summer...

Hopefully everybody is enjoying their summer. In this issue of Spotlight on Safety, you will find useful information on Designated Medical Provider policy changes, refrigerator hygiene, lifting, and sun exposure.

Designated Medical Provider (DMP) Policy Change

The North Dakota Risk Management Division (Risk Management) is changing the Workforce Safety and Insurance (Worker’s Compensation) program for state agencies. Previously, UND employees had three Designated Medical Provider’s (DMP’s) they could choose from for the treatment of work-related injuries/illness. Risk Management now requires state agencies to designate only one DMP.

UND employees injured on the job must seek medical treatment as follows:

Primary DMP: Altru Occupational Health - 780-1546 (Phone) 1300 Columbia Rd. So., Altru Health Institute Bldg. Can be utilized for all employees for any injuries, including but not limited to those of a serious nature.

OR

Alternate DMP: UND Student Health Services - 777-2605 (Phone) PO Box 9038, 2891 2^nd Ave No., McCannel Hall. For minor injuries only, such as cuts/scrapes likely requiring only ONE visit.

Altru Occupational Health was selected by Risk Management because it has an occupational health services department with an occupational health physician as the attending physician. An occupational health physician specializes in work-related injury/illness. Dr. Paul Fleissner is Altru’s occupational health physician. Dr. Fleissner has practiced in many occupational health settings and can offer specialized care for any work-related injury.

UND Student Health Services has been an excellent resource for injured UND employees in the past. Because of this, and their convenient on-campus location, UND Safety and Environmental Health (Safety) has negotiated with Risk Management for the continued use of UND Student Health for minor injuries such as minor cuts or other injuries that will likely require only one clinic visit.

Employees intending to see a medical provider other than the University’s DMP’s must designate this in writing before utilizing that provider’s services. This is accomplished by completing a DMP F orm and filing it with Safety. Forms are available at: www.safety.und.edu/forms/forms.html. Forms must be on file at Safety prior to the injury. If your job should require you to be out-of-town for a short period (under 30 days), you are urged to seek an After-Hour Clinic or an Urgent Care facility. Additionally, if your job will require you to be away from the University’s DMP’s for six months or more, you must designate a DMP in the area you will be working.

Beginning October 1, all prior DMP forms will be obsolete. ALL EMPLOYEES MUST complete/sign the new form. Forms are due and DMP’s become effective

SEPTEMBER 30.

Refrigerator Hygiene

The refrigerator is the place where our food stays cool in the summer heat. But it can also become a breeding ground for bacteria if not properly cared for. Here are some helpful tips for keeping a clean fridge:

• Make it a habit to unplug the fridge, pull out all of the food, and thoroughly clean both the inside as well as the outside.
• Throw out any outdated items. Place all good items in an ice chest packed with ice.
• Clean with warm soapy water, starting at the top. A solution of one cup vinegar and one gallon warm water will also kill any bacteria. A solution of two tablespoons baking soda and one quart warm water will eliminate any odors.
• Wipe off the containers of the food you put back in the fridge, such as sticky jelly jars. Open a new box of baking soda and place it in the back to ward off odors.
• Make it a habit to wrap up all food tightly and don’t let food stay out longer than necessary.
• Make sure the temperature is between 35 and 40 degrees.
• Use the vegetable and fruit bins for just that purpose. Veggies require high humidity and fruits need low humidity.
• Place meats in the meat bin. They are designed to keep meat a bit colder than the rest of the foods to help guard off bacteria.
• Don’t store perishable items in the door, such as meats, dairy products, or mayonnaise.    
  

Lifting

Lifting incorrectly puts strain on muscles. Over-extended vertebrae can pinch nerves and cause swelling. Once the back is hurt, the healing process can take months, years, or even be permanent. So take it easy and lift smart when picking objects up. Here are some helpful tips to aid in correct lifting:

• Size up the object about to be lifted. If it is too big or heavy, request help from either another person or use a piece of lifting equipment.
• Make sure the area is free from obstructions that could create tripping hazards.
• Bend at the knees, get a firm grip with all of the hand, tuck in the chin, and lift with the legs.
• Always keep the back straight while lifting. Never hunch the back over an object and then lift using back muscles.
• Pull object close to the body once lifted and tighten stomach muscles to help support the spine.
• Never block vision with object and avoid walking backwards.
• Turn the body with the feet. Never twist the body from side to side or bend the back while carrying an object.

Sun Safety Tips

• Avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun is strongest.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim and tight weave clothing.
• Apply sunscreen about 15-30 minutes before you go out.
  • Choose one that’s waterproof;
  •  Blocks both UVA and UVB;
  • Has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
• Examine your skin once a month and consult your doctor or skin specialist if anything looks irregular.
• Drink plenty of water. Heat from the sun causes the body to sweat more. Not drinking enough water while in the sun can cause dehydration.
• Never look directly at the sun with the naked eye.

*****Safety Update*******

The Loss Control Committee passed the following standard practice:

Standard Practice 310-Excavation and Trenching

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