BEMIDJI, Minn. Brian Sullivan will discuss the importance of proper hand protection on the jobsite during an 11:30 a.m. Northern Minnesota Safety Council presentation July 15 in the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation (CRI), located at 3801 Bemidji Avenue North.
A fee of $25 will be charged to cover the price of materials and the cost of lunch during the 90-minute session, which is open to the public. Advanced registration at least two days prior to the event is required.
A district manager for the Magid Glove and Safety company, Sullivan will discuss ways employers and employees can protect their hands from cuts, abrasions and chemical injuries with the use of proper personal protection equipment.
"With injuries to hands and fingers among the most common - and yet most preventable - in workplace accidents, preventing or reducing occupational injuries and workers' compensation claims should be a priority for all organizations," said Sullivan. "According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one million hospital emergency visits by U.S. workers per year could be avoided if they had worn the proper hand protection."
In the most recent year for which the Bureau of Labor Statistics published data, more than 160,000 workers experienced hand or finger injuries requiring days away from work with the vast majority of those 140,000 caused by contact with equipment or knives. The U.S. Department of Labor reports these injuries ranked second to back and neck injuries for lost workdays while OSHA indicated almost 71% of these injuries could have been avoided.
During the program, Sullivan will explain the options for safe gloves available to businesses and the process needed to select the appropriate equipment. The process would include identifying whether the potential hazards were heat, cuts, punctures, abrasions or chemicals; determining the level of protection needed; understanding the amount of dexterity required for the job; and identifying additional or secondary concerns.
Sullivan, who is based in Hermantown, has been employed by Magid for more than 15 years and has worked with numerous clients in determining the right glove to fit the job and combat injuries as well as lost time. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Magid is America's leading manufacturer, importer, distributer and direct supplier of hand protection, personal protective equipment, and industrial hygiene products.
Sponsored by the CRI and the Northern Minnesota Safety Council, the session is part of a series that features experts from around the state speaking on topics relating to safety. Programs are scheduled on the third Wednesday of each month.
Groups on the Bemidji Area Safety Council helping support and organize the presentations include Bi-County CAP, Beltrami County, North Central Door Company, Potlatch, and Tri-Valley.
Formed in 1997, the Center for Research and Innovation is an off-campus facility operated by Bemidji State University to assist businesses, organizations and individuals in gaining new knowledge, achieving applied experience, and improving successes. The CRI annually serves more than 2500 individuals and 400 businesses by providing corporate and custom training, delivering non-credit online learning, creating multimedia solutions, offering strategic organizational development, and coordinating regular informational programs in such areas as natural resources and work safety.
Individuals who would like to be added to the mailing list for the series or want more information may contact the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation at (218) 755-4900; toll free, (888) 738-3224; email, cri@bemidjistate.edu; or at the Web site www.optivation.org.