How to beat the cold while working outdoors in minnesota

We live in Minnesota and the fact is that our winters are cold. Those of us that work outdoors   in extreme temperatures for extended periods of time need to pay attention to our bodies and keep an eye on our co-workers for potential symptoms of cold stress.

Extremely cold or wet weather can cause hypothermia or frostbite at a much more rapid pace than we would expect.

Symptoms to watch out for

Someone with hypothermia, a condition in which the body uses up its stored energy and can no longer produce heat, may exhibit shivering, confusion, and blue skin. If you or a co-worker are suffering from hypothermia:

• Request immediate medical assistance.
• Move into a warm room or shelter.
• Remove wet clothing.
• If conscious, warm beverages may help increase the body temperature.
• Once the person’s temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.

Frostbite is indicated by tingling or stinging hands; numbness; or bluish or pale, waxy skin. If you or a co-worker is suffering from frostbite:

• Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
• Unless necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes.
• Immerse the affected area in warm (not hot) water, or warm the affected area using body heat. Do not use a heating pad, fireplace, or radiator for warming.
• Do not massage the frostbitten area – this may cause more damage.

Top 10 cold weather precautions to take

The best protection against cold-related health risks is to be aware, prepared, and implement engineering controls to protect workers. Consider the Top 10 Cold Weather Precautions:

1. Have sufficient clothing, including face/head protection, gloves, and waterproof, insulated footwear. Loose multi-layered clothing provides the best protection, because air trapped between layers of clothing provides an additional thermal insulation. Tight clothing reduces blood circulation and can restrict movement, which can be hazardous.
2. Drink plenty of fluids, preferably warm sweet beverages. Cold weather suppresses thirst, and dehydration can occur without proper fluid intake.
3. Increase caloric intake. Working in heavy protective clothing expends more heat, so 10-15% more calories are required.
4. Take periodic breaks as wind velocity increases or the temperature drops.
5. Avoid alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and medications that inhibit the body’s response to cold or impair judgment.
6. Avoid the cold if you are becoming exhausted or immobilized, conditions that can accelerate the effects of cold weather. Never touch cold metal with bare skin.
7. Shield work areas from drafty or windy conditions. Seek a heated shelter if you have prolonged exposure to a wind chill of 20 degrees or less. Include chemical hot packs in your first aid kit.
8. Work during the warmest hours of the day and minimize activities that decrease circulation.
9. Learn the symptoms of cold-related stresses: heavy shivering, uncomfortable coldness, severe fatigue, drowsiness, and euphoria.
10. Work in pairs so partners can monitor one another and obtain help quickly in an emergency.

Staying warm and safe while on the job can become a challenge at times. Are your workers trained in working in cold weather?

More resources:
https://www.osha.gov/as/opa/cold_weather_prep.html
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/coldstress/recommendations.html

Submitted by: Julie Jelen, Loss Control Consultant

The return of cold weather and frozen pipe blogs

At LMCIT, we get lots of calls on frozen water and sewage lines. We have published many blogs over the years to help get you ready and prepare. Here they are in one accessible place:

• Dealing with Frozen Water Lines? Do not use electric current to thaw the lines!
• Water Line Freeze Ups - Guidance to Residents
• What cities may say to residents who have frozen water lines 
• Frozen Water Lines and City Policies
• Frozen Water Lines...A "golden opportunity" to plan 
• Frozen Water Lines - Educate the Public 
• Link on Waterlines – Minnesota Rural Water

Submitted by: LMCIT Loss Control 

OSHA 300A logs reporting reminder

OSHA 300A Logs need to be posted in your city/utility offices from Feb. 1 through April 30. 

March 2, 2021 is the deadline for electronically reporting your OSHA Form 300A data for calendar year 2020. All high-hazard Minnesota industries with 20 or more employees are required to electronically submit their data to federal OSHA. When counting employees, include total number of employees your establishment paid during the year. Also include those not on your payroll if the establishment supervised these employees on a day-to-day basis. Include all employees: full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal, volunteers, salaried, and hourly. 

Log into the Injury Tracking Application.

Resources:

https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting/
https://www.lmc.org/resources/reporting-injury-illness-data-to-osha/

Submitted by: Julie Jelen, Loss Control Consultant

Winter Driving Training Opportunities in December - Free Training Through MN Safety Council

Photo credit: City of Keewatin

There was no easing into the first severe winter storm this year as heavy snow measuring 6 to 9 inches blanketed most of southern and central Minnesota on Oct. 20. This storm was by far the heaviest recorded snowfall in Minnesota so early in a season.

While your public works department has had a reprieve from winter storms since then, it is inevitable that the white stuff will make a return soon.

It is not too late to take advantage of some upcoming free winter driving training opportunities for your employees. The MN Safety Council has the following two (did I mention free?) seminars coming soon:

Fatigued at Work and Behind the Wheel?

Virtual Session
Dec. 18 | 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Cost: Free
Register here: Registration Link

Course Description: Fatigue is having an impact on portions of every organization's workforce. Worker fatigue can result from prolonged mental or physical work, extended periods of stress, and even increased participation in virtual meetings. This free, one-hour session will review the causes and consequences of worker fatigue and help employers and employees recognize and mitigate fatigue risks at work and on the road.

 
Before the Snow Flies, Are You Ready for the Road?

Virtual Session
Dec. 22 | 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Cost: Free
Register here: Registration Link

Course Description: Driving safely in winter weather can be a challenge, even for the most experienced driver. Safe winter driving requires preparation and special care. This free, one-hour session will review steps to ready your vehicle and simple safe driving reminders so you can face winter roads with confidence.

Hopefully, you and your staff can take advantage of these timely driver safety seminars.

Submitted by: Joe Gehrts, Senior Loss Control Consultant

Avoiding Driver Fatigue

While driving, have you ever experienced a lack of concentration, difficulty making decisions, lane drifting, reduced alertness, or tired and blinking eyes?

These are just some of the warning signs when sleep deprivation is starting to kick in, and most of us will answer yes to at least one at some point.  Sleep deprivation can occur at any time of day but is most common during early morning hours or late nights. How can you avoid sleep deprivation and stay energized during long shifts of vehicle operation?

First, and arguably most important, is getting enough rest prior to the start of a shift. If you know you are going to be working extended shifts the next day or night, try to get a healthy sleep. Consider these tips:

• Have a consistent routine each night with the same bedtime and wake up time and a relax period or nice bath/shower right before.
• Avoid large meals, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and late naps before bed.
• Try to exercise at least 30 minutes a day, but not ideally within 3 hours of your bedtime.

Another important facet of preparation is nutrition, which includes:

• Making sure to keep hydrated with water and sports drinks constantly throughout the day.
• If you are a caffeine drinker (tea/coffee/energy drinks), being aware of your limitations and not to go overboard. Make sure to mix in plenty of water with these types of drinks.
• Large meals will cause drowsiness to follow, but eating smaller portions of healthier meals throughout the shift will help avoid after-meal sleepiness.

As far as resting goes, there are no hard and fast rules or regulations in place here. Emergency vehicles are not subject to Department of Transportation regulations for hours of service. If so, there would be 14 hours on and 11 hours off. Your body will tell you when you need to take a break and if you also need to take a nap, but a rule of thumb approach is to take some type of break every two hours.  Depending on where you are on your own fatigue cycle, this could mean you are functioning normally for six hours or fatigue could set in within an hour of when your shift begins.

Exercise and stretching can also be a way of combating fatigue. When you’re starting to feel fatigue, drowsiness, or stiffness set in, take short walks round your vehicle. Something as simple as basic neck or arm stretches gets the blood flowing and can be done inside the vehicle itself. 

Lastly, keep your vehicle well ventilated. A warm and stuffy vehicle promotes drowsiness.

Check out these resources to learn more about driver fatigue:

SAFE-D Part 1 of 2: Sleep, Alertness and Fatigue Educationfor Drivers

SAFE-D Part 2 of 2: Sleep, Alertness and Fatigue Education for Drivers

Submitted by: Michael Neff, Loss Control Consultant

Roof Inspection for Winter Damage Prevention

The NOAA released its annual weather outlook for Minnesota and it is showing strong signs for a more cold and snowy winter than usual. Looking at this from a loss control perspective, our first thoughts go to maintaining the property of our cities. Specifically, the snow and ice can do a number on roofs over a long freezing Minnesota winter. This article’s purpose is to remind you of some best practices to take when inspecting and preparing your roof for the upcoming snow and ice.

What to Check
Visible damage and debris – The first step to inspecting a roof is looking for obvious signs of damage, including visible structural deformations, dirt and debris, standing water, and blocked or broken gutters and downspouts. Any obvious damage should be repaired immediately.

Exterior structural components – All external structural components of the roof, including chimneys, vents, fascia, drip edges, and decking should be inspected for damage, missing components, rust, and rot. Leaks tend to form around chimneys, vents, and skylights – and if they're not noticed in a timely manner, damage can occur to the underlayment, sheathing, and joists, leading to potentially expensive repair and replacement costs.

Interior roofing components – When roofs are not inspected regularly, interior structural damage can occur. Often, due to lack of regular maintenance, interior damage is the first to be noticed. On sloped roofs, the location of the damage may not directly point to the location of the leak. Water follows the path of least resistance, which means the source of the leak is often not above the visible damage. If a leak has been left to linger, rafter and roof trusses should be checked for evidence of mold, mildew and rot, which could indicate extensive structural damage.

At a minimum, a comprehensive maintenance program for roofing systems should include these basic steps:

• Keep roofs clean and free of debris.

• Keep drainage systems clear and functional.

• Train maintenance personnel on the requirements of working with the roof system.

• Restrict roof access to authorized personnel.

• Limit penetration of the roof system.

• Use professional roofing contractors who stand behind their work.

When to check
While the spring inspection would reveal potential damage that might have occurred from severe winter weather and necessary repairs, a fall inspection would reveal any preventative action that would be required before winter arrives. An inspection should be conducted after any major storm or construction activity that might cause damage to the roof.

Submitted by: Michael Neff, Loss Control Consultant

FirstNet Will Become NeoGov on Jan. 1, 2021

FirstNet Learning will become NeoGov on Jan. 1. These changes apply to existing FirstNet users and individuals currently accessing training courses through the FirstNet learning system who are not a part of a Regional Safety Group (RSG). RSG members, you have already been migrated over to the new NeoGov learning platform, but read on as there are some significant changes to be aware of with the programs we are offering.

What’s behind the change?                                                 

First, a quick background of the two companies. NeoGov was established back in 1999 and is known for HR software solutions, automated recruiting, hiring, onboarding, performance management, and off-boarding processes specific to the public sector as well as higher education organizations. With that comes a more robust learning system software platform. FirstNet Learning has been in business for 19 years and has been a leader in providing online training to thousands of public agencies that are part of over 35 state-wide insurance pools. NeoGov purchased FirstNet back in 2017 and with the combination of these companies, we are able have some of the best features from both.

The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust is currently at the end of the three-year contract we had established with FirstNet and have renewed the contract with NeoGov for another three years. For RSG users, you have undoubtedly seen several of the new and improved features the new platform can provide if you choose to explore them. For those individuals who are new users or will be converting over to NeoGov on Jan. 1, there will be a series of webinars we strongly encourage you to attend that will help speed you through your implementation process. More to come on this as we proceed closer to the transition date.

What do these changes mean for you?

The most noticeable change will be an increase in per user cost. Under the terms of our expiring contract, the current cost per user/seat was a standard $20 and no minimum fee for non-RSG members. With that, we were able to offer limited functionality and 61 online training courses. The majority of these were focused on OSHA and general safety courses.

Under the terms of the new contract, the per user/seat fee will be increasing to $29 for non-RSG members, but will still be free to any RSG member. In addition, there is a new minimum fee of $261 per non-RSG city, and the fee for more than 10 employees will become $29 per user. The question you must be asking yourself is what am I getting with this price increase? Besides a much more robust training and tracking platform than was previously being offered, we have included an additional 150+ online training courses instead of the 61 courses presently being offered. Several new fleet training programs will be available to everyone, as well as a large offering of additional safety and health programs. 

What we are really excited about is a new series of what is commonly referred to as ‘human capital courses.’ These courses cover a wide range of supervisor training, including providing effective feedback and managing change, and courses intended for a wider audience such as focusing on the customer and listening skills. This is in response to general inquiries in the past asking for such programs.

There will be additional announcements coming throughout the rest of the year and updated information on our website regarding these changes, including upcoming training webinars as well as the complete course catalog listing. Please stay tuned for more information on these.

We do understand that this is an increase that always needs to be a part of any budget planning process.  For that reason, we felt the need to give all existing FirstNet users a heads up of what changes are coming your way. 

Submitted by: Joel Muller, Field Loss Control Manager