IC Safety from Protective Insurance Company
February 2014 An exclusive publication for Protective's independent contractors
Don’t break our heart! Contractor injuries increase around Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a special time for people to recognize their loved ones, often by sending a gift. Your job activities increase around this peak holiday, which can also lead to more opportunities for injuries. In fact, during this time last year, contractors experienced more than a 50% increase in accidents resulting in injuries the day before and the day after Valentine’s Day.
The graph below illustrates the top injury trends:
Graph showing that sprains/strains from lifting or carrying and slips, trips and falls are the most common Valentine's Day injuries
What can you do?
Practice proper lifting techniques
Your job may require manual material handling of packages and cargo, but back and shoulder injuries are typically cumulative, which means they happen over time. It’s important to practice proper lifting techniques every time you handle something, even at home! Stretch and warm up, keep loads between the knees and shoulders when possible and always bend at the knees. Don’t lift too much weight; get help or use mechanical aids.
Walk carefully to avoid slips & falls
Slips and falls might seem like minor incidents at first, but they can escalate into very serious injuries that will keep you off the road and cost a significant amount of money. Check the condition of the area ahead of your walk and look for uneven surfaces, debris, water or ice. Take your time and always use three points of contact when entering and exiting a vehicle. Wear appropriate slip-resistant shoes. When heavy volume and tight time constraints make you want to rush, slow down and do not run. Running severely increases your chances for slips, trips, falls and injuries.
Drive safely and defensively
According to the U.S. Department of Labor there were 1,789 transportation-related fatalities in 2012, making motor vehicle accidents the leading cause of workplace deaths nationwide. Slow down, don’t drive too fast for conditions and increase following distances. Practice defensive driving techniques by looking for hazards and other vehicles when approaching intersections. And always wear your seatbelt!
Click here to download a poster displaying the top types of claims and tips on how to avoid them.
Have a safe and happy Valentine’s Day! You deliver every day. Make sure your most important delivery is getting yourself home safely.
Free download: Top 5 Injuries Poster
Download our free poster to remind yourself of the top five most common injuries and ways to avoid them. Download poster >>

 

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