Enterprise Operations: Safety & Loss Control Program

Safety & Loss Control Program

Safety and Loss Control Manager: Katie Bloomquist

Mission

The mission of the Safety & Loss Control Program in the Bureau of State Risk Management is to plan, develop, coordinate and implement statewide loss prevention and control programs. The purpose of these programs is to provide a safe and healthy work environment for state employees and reduce the number, severity and costs of workplace injuries and illnesses. This mission is being accomplished by the following activities:

Developing proactive loss prevention and control programs and techniques that will eliminate or reduce the risk of a workplace injury or illness.
Developing, coordinating and sponsoring responsive health and safety training programs for employees, supervisors and managers.
Providing resources and technical assistance to enable state agencies and institutions to comply with applicable Department of Commerce/OSHA health and safety regulations and the Governor's Executive Order #194.
Developing positive relationships with agency management and safety officers.
Coordinating loss prevention surveys and hazard assessments.
Identifying the risk factors that contribute to losses and the strategies and resources needed to eliminate or control these risk factors.
Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of statewide loss prevention and control programs and activities to insure that those program goals are achieved.

Ladder Safety

Ladders are a commonly used piece of equipment both in the workplace and at home. Working with a ladder may seem straight forward enough, but keep in mind that gravity is a force working tirelessly to bring you back to the ground. Each year there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries in the U.S. relating to ladders and most ladder deaths involve falls from 10 feet or less.

No person ever plans to fall and it happens in an instant. Whether your task is cleaning gutters, hanging structural supports for a roof or changing a light bulb, safe practices should always be utilized in the set up and use your ladder.

Make sure the weight your ladder is supporting does not exceed its maximum load rating (user plus materials). There should only be one person on the ladder at one time.
Always maintain a 3-point (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) contact on the ladder when climbing. Keep your body near the middle of the step and always face the ladder while climbing (see diagram).
Always inspect the ladder prior to using it. If the ladder is damaged, it must be removed from service and tagged until repaired or discarded.
Only use ladders and appropriate accessories (ladder levelers, jacks or hooks) for their designed purposes.
Use a ladder that is the proper length for the job. Proper length is a minimum of 3 feet extending over the roofline or working surface. The three top rungs of a straight, single or extension ladder should not be stood on.
Straight, single or extension ladders should be set up at about a 75-degree angle.
Metal ladders will conduct electricity. Use a wooden or fiberglass ladder in the vicinity of power lines or electrical equipment. Do not let a ladder made from any material contact live electric wires.
Be sure all locks on extension ladders are properly engaged.
Use a ladder only on a stable and level surface, unless it has been secured (top or bottom) to prevent displacement.
Do not place a ladder in front of a door that is not locked, blocked or guarded. A ladder placed in any location where it can be displaced by other work activities must be secured to prevent displacement or a barricade must be erected to keep traffic away from the ladder.
Keep your body centered between the rails of the ladder at all times. Do not lean too far to the side while working.
Do not use a ladder for any purpose other than that for which it was intended.
Do not step on the top step, bucket shelf or attempt to climb or stand on the rear section of a stepladder.
Never leave a raised ladder unattended.
Follow use instruction labels on ladders.