"A Cat Has Nine Lives, But You Don't"
Nine Tips That Can Keep You Alive, Healthy And Productive
Working as a firefighter/paramedic for the past twenty years has taught
me a lot. For example, most of the injuries and medical emergencies my
co-workers and I have responded to have not been to work sites for work
related injuries, but to people's homes, or areas where they have been
participating in recreational activities.
After training thousands of people in work related safety programs and
seeing the stringent rules and regulations that most employees follow on
the Job, it's no surprise that for many organizations, work related
injuries have been reduced. But, I have also noticed that the person who
might refuse to use a ladder at the workplace because of its poor
condition would be the same person who would go home, drink four beers,
fire up the chain-saw, stand on a three-legged stool and attempt to cut
down branches from his backyard tree. It seems that no matter how safe
workers are on the job, it doesn't mean they will work safely once they
leave the work place. But, the employer still has to pay for these
injuries-no matter where they happen.
It is because of the experiences I have encountered as a
paramedic/firefighter that I wrote this booklet. Horrible injuries have
happened to people that could have been prevented. Often the results of
these injuries will affect the injured person and their families for as
long as they live.
Your employer may have given you this booklet. Please don't think that
the only reason they gave it to you is help reduce their benefit costs.
Some of you may already have experienced the pain and suffering that
follows a serious injury. Fortunately, most of you have not. It is not
only good for business for your employer to help promote off the job
safety, but it is also the right thing to do.
The Ripple Effect of Injuries
As you are aware, company benefits are an expensive privilege. If you
have them you are fortunate and should protect them in every way
possible. Injuries, or delays in treating medical emergencies not only
affect families and employers in obvious ways, there are also many
hidden costs that many people fail to realize. The following are
examples of the problems that can follow a serious injury.
How Injuries Can Affect the Worker
We were called by the police to a house where a man had committed
suicide. We were familiar with this man because we had attended him many
times. One and a half years ago he had fallen from the roof of his house
while doing some repair work. His injuries were very serious: a broken
pelvis, two broken legs and a broken back with some spinal cord damage.
The constant pain caused him to become addicted to painkillers. He
became angry at the world because of his injury. This put a lot of
stress on his wife and two small children. The financial situation for
the family was affected and his wife returned to work. Not contributing
to the family caused him to go into a deep depression that he tried to
cure by drinking. Finally his wife left him, taking the children with
her. This was too much for him and he chose to take his own life.
This may be extreme, but situations like this do happen:
- Injuries cause pain and suffering to
the injured person
- Injuries add stress to the people
close to the injured worker
- Financial difficulties may result
- Substance abuse may result
- Lowered self esteem and a sense of
worthlessness may result
If you can prevent injuries, or recognize
medical emergencies early and have them treated, you can help avoid the
ripple effects.
How Off the Job Injuries Affect Your Employer
When a worker is injured, either on or off the job, a tremendous ripple
effect can occur. There are just a few of the potential added costs.
The worker has to be replaced, sometimes at overtime wages.
Replacement workers may have to be trained, causing lost productivity.
Managers have to devote more time to the training of the replacement
worker.
Added administration costs.
When an employee is off work for an extended period, it is often more
difficult for him or her to return to work.
Disability insurance rates will rise.
Morale problems. When someone is seriously injured or killed, everyone
who was close to that person is affected.
Holidays may have to be turned down for other employees in order to
maintain staffing levels.
As you can see, there are many hidden
costs. This added cost can make it more difficult for your employer to
compete in the marketplace. As a result, everyone's job security could
be affected. We should all try to reduce injuries and the severity of
medical emergencies whether we are at home, work or play. If we can do
this, it's a win-win situation for everyone involved. Your employer
reduces pay out for needless injuries, and you live a longer, happier
and safer life.
ISBN: 0-9698989-2-4
Please send Cheque or
Money Order to:
Inter Provincial Safety Resources Ltd.
16 Deersaxon Rd. S.E.
Calgary, AlbertaT2J 6W1, Canada
Fax orders to (403) 225-3215
For more information call 1-888-278-8964 or (403) 225-2011
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