Pumpkin Spice and Safety Advice: It’s OJI October!
The scent of pumpkin spice is in the air, and leaves crunch underfoot. While fall brings cooler temperatures and cozy comforts, it also introduces new safety challenges. And while the leaves may fall, we certainly shouldn't!
As the season changes, it’s the perfect time to refresh our awareness of workplace safety. This October, commit to being mindful of your surroundings and take small steps to avoid big accidents.
On-the-Job Injury (OJI) Program
Whether you work indoors or outdoors, staying alert and practicing safe habits is essential to preventing injuries and protecting your team.
Watch Your Step - Wet leaves, rain, or frost can create slippery surfaces. Slips, trips, and falls are among the leading causes of workplace injuries, and most of these incidents are preventable.
- Stay alert and take a few extra seconds to assess your environment before moving through it.
- Wear footwear with non-slip soles suited to the weather.
- Report or clean up any spills, debris, or hazards right away.
- With shorter days, ensure that walkways, parking lots, and entryways are well-lit. Report any lighting issues you encounter.
Dress Smart - Cooler weather calls for layers, but your clothing choices should support safety, not compromise it. Dressing for both the job and the season can help prevent injuries.
- Dress in layers that allow flexibility while keeping you warm.
- Choose clothing specific to the task.
- Hats and gloves are great for warmth, but make sure they don’t compromise dexterity, vision, or hearing.
- Loose clothing, scarves, or drawstrings can get caught in machinery or create trip hazards.
- Use high-visibility outerwear when working outdoors or in low-light conditions as daylight grows shorter throughout the winter months.
- Take warm-up breaks, drink warm fluids, and rotate tasks when working outdoors.
Stay Healthy - As temperatures drop, cold and flu viruses tend to rise. While we can't avoid every germ, we can take steps to reduce the spread and protect ourselves and each other.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is helpful, but not a substitute for regular handwashing.
- Check with your healthcare provider about flu shots and other recommended vaccinations. (UAH Health Services has flu and COVID vaccines available. They are free with the UAH-sponsored health insurance plan, other BCBS plans, or most other insurance plans.)
- Regularly disinfect shared surfaces: phones, keyboards, door handles, and equipment.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands.
Practice Safe Ergonomics - Think of your body like a machine — it needs a warm-up to perform safely in cold conditions. When temperatures drop, muscles become tighter, blood flow slows, and flexibility decreases, all of which raise your risk for strains, sprains, and overuse injuries.
- Warm up your body before starting physically demanding tasks, especially your shoulders, lower back, legs, and hands.
- Keep proper posture at desks and workstations. With colder mornings, it’s tempting to hunch up or stay stiff.
- Pay attention to any stiffness or discomfort. Small adjustments can prevent long-term injury
- Take regular breaks to stand, stretch, and move around.
What to Do if You’re Injured at Work:
All UAH employees and supervisors should notify the Office of Risk Management and Compliance (ORMC) anytime an accident or incident occurs on the job, regardless of whether medical attention is needed for an injury. Timely reporting ensures the University can respond quickly, care for its employees properly, and comply with workplace safety regulations.
- Notify Your Supervisor As Soon as Possible
Report the injury to your supervisor as soon as it happens, even if it seems minor. Minor injuries can become more serious if left untreated.
- Notify the OJI Coordinator Promptly
Submit the Employee Occupational Accident Report signed by your supervisor to the OJI Coordinator by emailing riskmanagement@uah.edu as soon as possible, but no later than two (2) business days after the date the injury occurred. The OJI Coordinator will arrange an appointment for you to see a University-approved physician or medical clinic if medical care is needed.
Securing Medical Attention
Call 911 or UAHPD at 256-824-6911 if the incident or injury is life-threatening or otherwise requires emergency medical attention. Supervisors should notify the ORMC immediately. It is very important to notify your supervisor and the ORMC of the injury before setting an appointment for non-emergency OJI-related medical care. The OJI Coordinator can be reached via phone 256.824.6899 or by email at riskmanagement@uah.edu.
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