GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS WORKSAFE WEEK

Last week was the fifth annual Worksafe Week held in Missouri.

Gov. Bob Holden in May had proclaimed the week of June 11-15 Worksafe Week, based on the premise that 80 percent of all workplace injuries are because of unsafe acts and 20 percent are caused by unsafe conditions.

Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance president and chief executive officer Dennis Smith said workplace injuries and deaths affect more than just employees. They can be devastating to families. That's why MEM is partnering with Kids' Chance, a statewide, nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to children whose parent has been killed or critically injured in a workplace accident.

The first Kids' Chance began in Georgia with the help of an insurance company executive whose father had been killed in a work-related injury. Today, 14 states have developed their own Kids' Chance organization. Kids' Chance Inc. of Missouri is an organization of diverse groups that have joined together to raise funds, award scholarships and manage the organization.

For information contact Kids' Chance of Missouri at 1-800-484-5733.

Attitude key to combat injuries in work place

Having the right attitude regarding safety in the work place is the single greatest advantage employees can have when protecting themselves from injuries, says Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance's vice president of loss prevention Bob Gibson.

Gibson recommends eliminating these attitudes:

* It's not my job. Employees don't feel safety is their responsibility.

* I've done this job before. Employees become lax in regards to safety once the job has become routine.

* Training is not important. Employees don't feel the need to participate in safety training.

* It won't happen to me. Employees feel they are immune to workplace injuries.

* I don't have time. Employees don't think they have time to worry about safety issues.

Injuries in work place can happen any time

Workplace injuries can happen at any time. Employers and employees must:

* Have the strength to do what is right, including resisting shortcuts.

* Avoid taking risks. This means being aware of hazards that exist and respecting them.

* Care about safety. They should take a few extra minutes to report safety hazards, put on personal protective equipment or promote safety awareness.

* Be open to the importance of training, seeing it as an opportunity to review safety procedures in the work place.

Stress disorders cause lost of time at work

Repetitive stress disorders, most commonly resulting from tasks like typing, hammering or working in awkward positions for long periods of time, account for one in three injuries that require time off from work, according to a 1999 study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Repetitive motion injuries are the No. 1 cause of workers compensation claims affecting one in eight employees.

"Repetitive stress disorders like carpal tunnel, may seem like an insignificant injury that result in little trauma to the injured employee," says Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance vice president of loss prevention Bob Gibson. "But the pain and aggravation not to mention the time off from work can be immense. Educating employees on how to safely do their jobs is critical in preventing these types of injuries."

Falls second leading cause of work- deaths

Slips and falls rose to the No. 2 spot in the list of leading causes of work-related deaths in 1999.

Specifically, employers and employees need to:

& Be aware of their surroundings at all times.

* Be committed to preventing injuries at work, including picking up trip hazards.

* Take the time to use personal protective equipment.