Risk Alert for Senior Living Communities

Preventing Injuries to Administrative Employees

Every year, Church Mutual senior living customers report more than 500 injuries to their employees. One occupation needing specific risk management attention is administrative employees.

Employees in this category include directors,executive directors, coordinators and bookkeepers. Past claims provide insight into key safety issues to help prevent similar injuries. Use the following guidelines to help evaluate, develop and implement good risk management practices and procedures for administrative employees:

Lifting Strains

Instruct employees on proper body mechanics and lifting techniques.
Arrange work areas so materials are within convenient reaching or lifting distances.
Eliminate high and low lifting exposures.
Provide material-handling equipment, such as carts, to limit lifting and carrying objects.

Repetitive Motion Strains

Rotate staff on jobs that are highly repetitive.
Conduct ergonomic evaluations of employee workstations.
Provide chairs, workstations and other office equipment with adjustable options and controls.
Limit the height of stacked material that leads to awkward lifting and handling postures.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Maintain clean working areas and walking surfaces to help eliminate slip-and-fall exposures.
Make housekeeping a top priority. Do not allow boxes to accumulate on floors.
Require all employees to wear slip-resistant footwear.
Arrange office furniture, telephone and electrical cords and office supplies to minimize hazards.

Caught-by Accidents

Secure loose rings or jewelry before operating office equipment.
Do not operate office equipment without proper covers or guards in place.
Do not leave file cabinet drawers open. Close them immediately after use.
Mark or pad obstructions that cannot be removed to help reduce the possibility of direct contact or injury if contact occurs.

For a complete collection of the Risk Alert for Senior Living Communities series, click here.