San Jose Mercury News, December 6, 2010, Monday

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San Jose Mercury News (California)

December 6, 2010, Monday

Workplace safety most important to workers

BYLINE: By Melanie Wanzek, CTW Features

BODY:
What's most important to workers? According to a recent study from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, the answer is not minimum wage, maternity leave or even paid sick days. It's safety.

More than eight in ten workers rated workplace safety first in importance among labor standards. The study, "Pub-lic Attitudes Towards and Experiences with Workplace Safety," collected data from dozens of surveys and polls con-ducted from 2001 to 2010 by NORC. It found that about 12 percent of workers reported an on-the-job injury during the past year and 37 percent said they have required medical treatment at one time for a workplace injury. The study also revealed that many workers experienced job-related stress, which can contribute to injury.

Stay safe in your workplace with these tips from Nellie J. Brown, director of the Workplace Health and Safety Program at Cornell University ILR School.

1. Avoid unnecessary risks or shortcuts that jeopardize your safety. "Not only could you experience serious injury, but your employer pays higher costs for workers' compensation - a lose-lose situation," Brown says.

2. Complete all available safety training. This will help raise your awareness to the hazards of your job and the jobs of co-workers around you who could potentially endanger you, too.

3. Voice your concerns. If you see others engaging in unsafe behavior, don't hesitate to mention it in a respectful way. Brown suggests offering solutions with observations for effective outcomes. Solutions are often simple but some-one must speak up to for a change to take place.

4. Use all engineering controls and personal protective equipment that your employer provides. Hearing protection in particular often goes unused, which can result in significant hearing loss and a lower quality of life over time.

5. Eat well, sleep enough and exercise. Take care of yourself and do things you enjoy to help your body and mind sustain occupational stress and avoid injury.
? CTW Features

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LOAD-DATE: December 6, 2010