Studies on ergonomic injuries in police departments report they occur most frequently to the back, hands and fingers, the knees, and the
legs (Mayhew, 2001). Back pain is the most significant ergonomic risk requiring attention. Siting and standing for long periods of time, in a car, at a desk, or standing at a function all put stressors on the lumbar and cervical spine, head and shoulders. Sudden movements when restraining offenders and sitting in uncomfortable positions for long periods, also contribute to ergonomic injuries.
At the individual level, police officers can take steps to improve ergonomics and reduce risk of injury by doing a few mindful practices each day:
- Come to work prepared: know how to do the job with the proper body dynamics.
- Stretch slowly: 3 to 5 seconds of light stretching every hour can help reduce injury
- Good Posture: Keeping your head over your shoulders and chin up. Sit up straight and keep your legs uncrossed, feet on the floor.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
- Eat healthy, small meals and snacks
- Drink plenty of water/fluids
- Use personal protective equipment such as back brace, wrist straps, and gloves
At an organizational level, departments can promote physical fitness programs with the purpose of improving muscular performance that may have a beneficial impact on back and knee injuries. Improving physical fitness may also have a positive effect on reducing stress and musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome and shoulder rotation and even cardiovascular risks. Allow officers time to work away from the patrol vehicle and desk to stretch and move around.
Physical ergonomic risks also include noise and temperature extremes. For example, US regulations state that workers should not be exposed to more than 90 decibels in an 8-hour day to protect their hearing. Even though a police car siren can reach maximum levels of 110 decibels, the everyday time-weighted exposure rarely exceeds 85 decibels. Extreme body temperatures experienced by police officers may negatively impact physical abilities. Cold weather can restrict blood circulation and tightens muscles, while hot weather can cause muscle cramping and soreness. Long hours of driving also resulted in a higher prevalence and severity of hand and wrist pain, for many police officers.
A solution for combating ergonomic stressors is to carry out a comprehensive ergonomic study with the object of redesigning the patrol car (ergonomically designed seats, dashboard, and equipment installation), improving office workspace and addressing police belts. Police belts contain vital equipment but creates added weight that effects an officer’s body, leading to potential musculoskeletal damage, and the negative impact it has on their ability to run, change direction, carry a victim, or deal with a noncompliant offender. Some hazards, when put together, create additional injury potential. In a recent study that evaluated the effects of duty belt and driver seat design on posture and discomfort, officers reported a high prevalence of problems in the lower back from prolonged driving.
A workspace redesign should look at aesthetics, internal space enclosures, accessibility, adaptability, management of air quality and temperature, control of noise, suitability and maintainability of materials. Consider vehicle seating, computer locations, lightweight belt configuration, lighting improvements and noise reduction when evaluating officer workspaces. Administrative improvements could be considered for shift development, health and wellness programs, less frequent shift rotations, and mental health awareness programs.
Reach out to a doctor (orthopedists and chiropractors are well educated in ergonomic distress disorders) when you first begin to experience pain. Waiting to evaluate pain can increase the severity of an injury and ultimately lead to harmful outcomes. A doctor can also give you suggestions on improving your work dynamics to prevent future injury. Officers should work with their police department administrators on implementing these improvements.
When police officers are safe and healthy, the community will be safer and better protected. The Comp Alliance is proud to provide these week-long safety tips during National Police Week, and provide safety programs for our member police departments. Contact the Director of Risk Management, Robert Blaisdell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., for additional assistance on police officer safety.
Safety pays!
The Comp Alliance is pleased to announce its Safe Workplace Awards for its June and July 2020-21 membership period. More than $500,000 will be distributed to 110 members who qualified by minimizing their loss experience throughout the year. As we conclude the second year of the Safe Workplace Award program, we are honored to have distributed more than $2.3 million to more than 500 municipal and school recipients.
As the Comp Alliance builds on its foundation of predictable rates and financial stability, we have been able to give back to our members. The Safe Workplace Award provides a monetary award to members who meet specific loss experience criteria during their membership period, while incentivizing all members to improve workplace conditions and minimize workplace injuries. Together with our Loyalty Award program, every member of the Comp Alliance shares in our success as we continue to improve safety for municipal and school employees throughout New York State.
The mission of the Comp Alliance has always been to ensure our members are able to meet their long-term workers’ compensation liabilities while maintaining stable funding contributions, which has been made possible through the dedication of our trustees, and partnership with the Association of Towns of the State of New York and the New York State Conference of Mayors. The Comp Alliance has more than 325 members, $44 million in annual funding contributions and surplus of more than $66 million.
The Loyalty Award and Safe Workplace Award programs are not guaranteed. The Comp Alliance Board of Trustees evaluates these programs annually to determine continuation and eligibility. For more information on the Member Safe Workplace Award Program, please contact a Comp Alliance Marketing Manager or your insurance broker.
LIVE – Virtual Video Conference TRAINING Conducted on 3 PESH-mandated topics:
Workplace Violence, Right-To-Know – Chemical Safety, and Blood-Borne Pathogens
The Risk Management Department of the Comp Alliance has scheduled virtual video conference training programs for our school and municipal members, covering three mandatory PESH-required training topics listed above. Attendance is limited.
A seminar including the NY State Mandated Safety Training topics that are required for ALL municipal employees, administrators, board members, volunteers, and seasonal hires on an annual basis.
Remaining April Dates 4/5 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon4/11 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon4/13 - 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.4/14 - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.4/18 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon4/20 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon4/25 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon4/28 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon May Dates5/2 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon5/5 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon5/9 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon5/12 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon5/16 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon5/18 - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.5/19 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon5/23 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon5/26 - 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. June Dates6/6 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon6/7 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon6/13 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon6/15 - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 6/16 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon6/20 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon6/23 - 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.6/27 - 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.6/29 - 10:00 a.m. - Noon Contact to register for the training: Robert Blaisdell, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We are excited to participate in this years Association of Towns (AOT) Annual Meeting and Training School from February 20 - 23, 2022. Please join presenters Michael Kenneally (Comp Alliance, Executive Director) and Robert Blaisdell (Comp Alliance, Director of Loss Control) for a presentation on, "Navigating A Hostile Work Environment." The presentation will be held on Monday February 21st from 1:00 - 2:00 PM.
ABOUT
When employees feel safe and valued in the workplace, they perform better. Nevertheless, harassment, discrimination and workplace violence continue to permeate workplaces. A hostile workplace can be personally and professionally damaging, even when it does not rise to level of discrimination or workplace harassment. The key to navigating a hostile work environment is to identify the warning signs and understand the strategies necessary to mitigate it.
Popular Loyalty Award Program will Return in 2023
The Comp Alliance is telling its members to check their mailboxes and bank accounts, as it distributes more than $400,000 in member loyalty awards to 175 of its members this month. The individual award amounts are based on length of membership with the Comp Alliance and annual funding contributions. The Loyalty Award Program has generated more than $850,000 in awards this year, and more than $2.5 million total has been returned to Comp Alliance members since the program began in 2019.
While this round represents the final disbursement for FY2022, the Board of Trustees is happy to announce the continuation of the program through FY2023. Members with June and July effective dates who continue their membership with the Comp Alliance in FY2023 will receive their loyalty awards in late summer 2022, while January cycle members that continue their membership will receive their checks in February 2023.
The Loyalty Award Program symbolizes the tangible benefits that municipal cooperation can bring – because of the continued, reliable participation of our members, the Comp Alliance, with a solid financial position under the guidance of our Board of Trustees, is able to return savings directly to members’ budgets.
The mission of the Comp Alliance has always been to ensure our members are able to meet their long-term workers’ compensation liabilities while maintaining stable funding contributions, which has been made possible through the dedication of our trustees, and partnership with the Association of Towns of the State of New York and the New York State Conference of Mayors. The Comp Alliance has more than 325 members, nearly $42 million in contributions and more than a $66 million surplus.
For more information on the Member Loyalty Award Program, please contact a Comp Alliance Marketing Manager or your insurance broker.
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