Financial Assistance for Safety Related Projects that Reduce Employee Risk for Injury

Did you know there is a Safety Grant Program through the MN Department of Workplace Safety Consultation?

 

The Safety Grant Program awards funds, with a dollar-for-dollar match up to $10,000, to qualifying employers for projects designed to reduce the risk of injury or illness to their employees.

 

Cities may apply for the grant by each city department if they wish. This way, each department can try to obtain equipment and/or training that is specific to improving safety in their own department.

 

Grant money can be used for:

• All or part of the cost of purchasing and/or installing recommended safety equipment;
• The cost of operating or maintaining such equipment;
• The cost of property, if the property is necessary to meet the safety inspection recommendations;
• The cost of training tied to equipment; and
• Tuition reimbursement

To apply for the grant, you must:

• Have workers’ compensation insurance
• Be an employer with at least one employee
• Have an on-site safety survey completed which results in recommended equipment or practices that will reduce the risk of injury or illness to employees

  

LMCIT Loss Control finds that many cities are having success in getting their grant application approved by having their internal Safety Committee conduct the on-site survey and make recommendations for improvement. However, there are other people that can conduct the survey for you (this is outlined on the website and in the application).

 

If you have an interest in applying for the Safety Grant, you should:

• Complete and send an application to Workplace Safety Consultation (WSC) - applications can be written or completed online
• If additional information is needed, the employer will be notified.
• Applications are accepted continuously, and grants are awarded monthly.
• WSC reviews the applications; the WSC director recommends approval or denial.

If recommended for approval, the employer will receive contracts in the mail for signature.

 

The signed contracts are sent back to WSC for the commissioner’s signature. Upon receipt of the fully executed contract, signed by the commissioner, the application is approved and the contract is effective. (Note: Do not purchase equipment or provide training prior to the commissioner signing the contract or those items will be voided from the contract.)

 

Information, applications and other useful forms for the Safety Grant Program can be obtained at the following link: Safety Grant Program

 

Back in 1993, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry started this program to assist employers in making their workplaces safer and healthier.  Since budgets are tight, some cities are struggling to get the safety equipment and tools that are needed.  This grant program can help with that, and many Minnesota cities are making use of it.

Grant money is possible as the result of funds that are deposited in the Safety Grant account from fines levied against employers.  As such, the amount of grant money available can fluctuate over time.  The number of grants awarded varies depending on available funding, but can range from 150 to more than 200 grants awarded each year.

by Jackie Torgerson

"Trash talking" from the City of Burnsville

The City of Burnsville has a lot of trash barrels in their park system. In fact, they have 442 barrels that need changing on a regular basis during the season! To reduce the risk of manually lifting these barrels the City obtained a new garbage truck built by Wayne Engineering. The new truck is capable of handling a Perkins dump system so the City elected to go with that option to eliminate the risk of manually handling the barrels. The Perkins barrel grabber/cart tipper (model D-6098-27K) lifts 55gal drums and regular trash carts. According to Tom Busse at the City, "It has been working very well for us." The local dealer the City engaged is ABM Equipment and Supply Co. in Hopkins (Bill Dietrich PH# 952-938-5085). Thanks to Tom Busse, Fleet Superintendent at the City of Burnsville, for sharing this information. Tom can be reached at tom.busse@ci.burnsville.mn.us 

by Matt Columbus

West St. Paul features manhole cover lifter

Everyone knows lifting manhole covers can be a risky job. Many cities have purchased a Big’s Easy Lift with a magnet or a long-handled extractor to get away from the old “pick and maul” method.

But one City did something very unique. With a little engineering know-how and a lot of ingenuity, the City of West St. Paul built their own truck-mounted manhole cover lifter!

This innovative system uses their existing snowplow rig on a pickup truck with a fabricated arm that quickly attaches to the rig.

With a combination of mirrors and a spotter, manhole covers are lifted with almost zero manual effort (only what it takes to crank the magnet locked).

 Thanks to Mike Salmanowicz, Street & Utility Superintendent at West St. Paul, for sharing this information. Mike can be contacted at

msalmanowicz@cityofwsp.org.

Mowers-“To Replace or Not”

Many cities are stretching their budgets by holding onto equipment longer these days. While this may be prudent, and even necessary, maintaining safe equipment also needs to be a consideration. If the city decides to buy a new mower, this is a good time to include new and improved safety items.

Either way, remember to restore, or consider upgrading safety features that can affect the operator, mechanic, and general public.

Staying with the old:

Safety and Ergonomic Considerations-

• Is the seat still supportive? Can it be replaced or upgraded?
• Are the muffler, anti-vibration padding, and anti-slip steps working as originally designed, or do they need replacing?
• Are wheel hubs, critical steering linkage, tires, and related items structurally sound?
• Are the discharge shuts, deflectors, and guards in place and functioning?

  

Going with the new:

• Safety and Ergonomic Considerations-
• Is an adjustable or premium seat upgrade available?
• Do controls and foot pads have anti-vibration qualities?
• How easy is it to change attachments?
• How easy is it to remove the cab?
• Is the mower designed to operate on surfaces the city has to deal with including: hills, ditches, wet areas, etc.?
• How are blades changed? Does the deck lift-up or roll-out?

  

Employees spend a considerable amount of time on these mowers, ensuring that all safety and comfort features are working for them can make a big difference over the long run.

      Lawn mower features

by Joe Ingebrand

Evaluations and comments referenced herein are provided for loss control purposes only in conjunction with the LMCIT insurance program. They are not made for the purpose of complying with the requirements of any law, rule or regulation. We do not infer or imply in the making of these evaluations and comments that all material facts were reviewed or that all possible hazards were noted. The final responsibility for conducting safety, loss control and risk management programs must rest with the insured.

© Berkley Risk Administrators Company, LLC

Skid-Steer Safety

As cities look for ways to improve efficiencies, and reduce sprain and strain injuries associated with manual material handling, a skid-steer is one piece of equipment they often turn to.  But as with any equipment operation safety needs to be paramount. And while OSHA does not have a specific standard on skid-steers, employers have received citations for a serious violation under the General Duty Clause of the OSHA Standard (Section 5(a)(1)).

OSHA Citations related to Skid-Steers:

• Improper employee training on the safety features associated with the skid-steer loader

• Disabling of the interlock control system caused it to not function properly.
• Backup alarms did not function properly.
• Seatbelts had been removed from the skid-steer loaders.
• Failure to use an approved lift arm to support device during servicing.
• Not properly maintaining the skid-steer loader according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Employees intentionally bypassing of the safety systems of the skid-steer loader.

Skid-Steer General Safety Practices:

• Always read and understand the operator's manual before using the piece of equipment.

• Always lower the bucket or attachment so that it is flat on the ground.

• Do not attempt to activate the skid-steer loader’s controls from outside the operator's compartment.

• Do not leave the operator's seat while the engine is on. Never attempt to activate the controls unless properly seated with the seatbelt fastened and the seat bar (if equipped) lowered.
• Keep all body parts inside the cab while operating a skid-steer loader.
• Never modify, bypass, disable, or override safety systems.
• Never permit riders on the skid-steer loader, in the bucket or attachment, or in the operator's compartment unless the compartment is designed to accommodate a second rider.
• Establish a routine maintenance and inspection program in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, and use approved lift arm support device.
• Train personnel on the proper inspection, use, maintenance, and repair of skid-steer loaders.

Getting On/Off Equipment:

§  Use three points of contact when getting in and out of skid steer. If using snow bucket or other large attachments, consider a side step for getting in and out of unit.

By Joe Ingebrand

Flushing out resources!

Do you recall a time when you felt foolish for not using something that made your work life so much easier? Then you tried it and wondered why in the world you didn’t use it sooner? Well…. this may be another one of those opportunities for you.

I was a speaker at a Rural Water training event and boy I wish I could have had on film a conversation that took place so I could share it with you here- the video would have said it all but the conversation was not caught on tape. What you would have seen is one Public Works Director’s shock and amazement that everyone else in the room was not utilizing the documents and resources available to them in LMCIT’s Sanitary Sewer Toolkit. It saved him numerous hours of time and was essentially a "plug and play" program for his city.

You can find links to all the helpful documents and guides at the following web address: LMCIT Sewer Tool Kit .

What’s your opinion of the tools available there?

by Andy Miller

City Employee Injured After Fall

"A City of Watertown, SD, employee is in intensive care after falling off a piece of city equipment last week. The employee fell off a street sweeper on April 2, 2013 and fractured his skull. Initially, he was conscious and responsive, but due to the severe trauma, he was air-lifted to Avera Mckennan Hospital in Sioux Falls." (The Public Opinion .Com, Watertown, South Dakota)

  

(3-point contact)



(Portable steps)



No matter what type of equipment employees are operating, safety precautions need to be taken when it comes to climbing in and out of the equipment, or performing maintenance activities on the equipment.

(Built in steps)



 Three-Point Contact Every Time

DO

• Keeps steps and standing surfaces free of snow, mud and debris.
• Wear shoes with good support and tread.
• Exit and enter facing the cab.
• Slow down and use extra caution in bad weather.
• Get a firm grip on rails or handles with your hands.
• Look for obstacles on the ground below before exiting.

DON’T

• Don't climb down with something in your free hand. Put it on the vehicle floor and reach up for it when you get down on the ground.
• Don't rush to climb out after a long run. Descend slowly, to avoid straining a muscle.
• Never jump! You may land off balance, on an uneven surface and fall.
• Don't use tires or wheel hubs as a step surface.
• Don't use the doorframe or door edge as a handhold.
• Don't get complacent and become an injury statistic!