Don’t Zone Out campaign puts brakes on distracted driving Nearly 50 CSEA members have lost their lives in highway work zones since the union began keeping records in 1983, and numerous more workers are injured each year. There are 40,000 injuries and 600 fatalities in work zones every year in the U.S. That’s a work zone injury every 14 minutes — 96 per day — and one fatality every 15 hours. They are all preventable. Distracted driving and excessive speed have been the biggest threat to our members working in work zones. That’s why CSEA continues to urge motorists to “Don’t Zone Out.” In 2010, CSEA launched the Don’t Zone Out campaign to raise public awareness of distracted driving after several work zone incidents killed or seriously injured CSEA members employed in one. Since then, CSEA has also fought to extend the state’s “Move Over Law” from emergency vehicles to vehicles with amber lights. Thousands of CSEA members work on or near roadways every day, and are at risk for serious injury or death by drivers who ignore the law or drive while distracted. “Distracted driving is a serious and personal issue for CSEA,” CSEA President Danny Donohue said. “Too many road workers lose their lives or are seriously injured every year, and these incidents are preventable.” In addition to media promotion and visibility at professional sporting events, the Don’t Zone Out Facebook community regularly shares news, tips and other important information to urge the public to drive safely. Visit www. facebook.com/ DontZoneOut to learn more. There are also numerous resources on CSEA’s website at www.cseany.org to learn more about distracted driving and the Don’t Zone Out campaign. To urge members and the public to slow down and use caution around snowplows, CSEA recently integrated the Don’t Zone Out program with the winter message “Get the Edge on Ice,” which also received promotion this winter Narrow streets and distracted driving are a deadly combination, which is why CSEA’s Don’t Zone Out campaign urges safe driving in work zones. through media outlets and at minor league and college hockey stadium across the state. Ergonomics: A big word to reduce injuries When your job requires constant repetitive movements such as working at a computer, it’s important to have your workstation properly set up to avoid musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, back injuries and repetitive strain injuries. Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of lost work time and workers’ compensation awards, but they are preventable through proper workplace design and appropriate work procedures. CSEA’s Occupational Safety and Health Department can help you identify risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders, so your employer can set up a workstation that allows you to work comfortably and safely. Learn more and find resources at https:// cseany.org/osh/computer-ergonomics. Safe patient handling In 2014, CSEA helped secure passage of the Safe Patient Handling Act, which will cover all hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic treatment centers and clinics licensed under Article 28 of the Public Health Law, and includes state operated group homes as well as health care units in prisons and OCFS facilities. Safe patient handling is defined as the use of engineering controls, lifting and transfer aids, or assistive devices by staff to perform the acts of lifting, transferring and repositioning health care patients and residents. The legislation requires the state Commissioner of Health to form a safe patient handling workgroup to identify best practices and equipment. Batavia Veterans Home has had a safe patient handling pilot program for several years that has greatly reduced worker injuries and in turn, greatly reduced workers compensation insurance costs for the employer. CSEA represents workers at the home. 12 The Work Force April 2015
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