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New Safety Policy Requires Employees to Report Unsafe Conditions

New Safety Policy

Carl Ward knows that what lies behind some doors can turn your life upside down.

A plumber at Duke, Ward opened a fourth-floor door in Duke Clinic and stepped into an open shaft that was once a room. The 4-foot fall was interrupted by duct work, leaving him with a shoulder injury. But he was grateful to be alive.

"I honestly thought I was gone," said Ward, 52, who has worked at Duke for 16 years. "If that equipment hadn't been in the way and caught me, I wouldn't be here now."

Ward's accident in 2001 highlights the significance of a recently revised safety policy for Duke. The policy focuses on eliminating or reducing conditions and behaviors that could result in injury or illness.

Dr. Wayne Thomann, director of occupational and environmental safety, said Duke is working to create a culture within the university and health system in which everyone feels a responsibility to ensure a safe environment for students, patients, faculty, staff and visitors.

Under the revised policy, everyone who works at Duke is required to identify and report safety issues in a timely manner. "Safety is not just the responsibility of the safety office. It is the responsibility of each and every person who works here. We all need to be aware of our environment, identify potential problems and help seek remedies before an accident happens," Thomann said.

More than 1,300 workplace accidents were reported at Duke between July and December 2005. In addition to the personal toll, these accidents disrupt productivity and result in high medical expenses for Duke -- money that could be applied to other programs, benefits and services.

Falls, lifting and being hit by an object or person are the most frequent causes of injuries at Duke. There have been 118 more injuries reported this year in these categories compared to last year.
In Ward's accident, which Thomann said is uncommon, a metal grate had not been placed over the open shaft to prevent someone from falling through. Soon after the incident, a grate was installed.

While most accidents are not as severe as Ward's, the majority are preventable. Thomann, who helped coordinate revisions to the safety policy, is now working to raise awareness about the role each person plays in creating a safe environment.

"Some of the things people can do are simple, but significant," Thomann said. "If you see a spill on a floor, take the time to find something or someone to help clean it up before someone gets hurt. Or if we have icy conditions, use designated parking decks and walkways to get to and from work safely. We want to eliminate accidents entirely, especially those caused by unnecessary risks or people not paying closer attention to their surroundings."

Ward said he can certainly appreciate the value of creating a safety culture at Duke. "Anything that can be done to help with safety in the work place is good," he said.

On the day of his accident, Ward was following a ceiling water sprinkler line in an area being renovated in Duke Clinic. As he looked up, he unlocked the door, stepped out and immediately fell into the dark, open shaft.

Still clutching his keys in the door lock, Ward hung by his right arm briefly, before falling about 4-feet on heating and air equipment. He was able to crawl out and call for help.

In May 2002, nearly five months later - after shoulder surgery and rehabilitation - Ward returned to work with a healthy perspective on the importance of safety and being aware of his surroundings.

"Today, I don't open doors without glancing down before I walk in," said Ward, "especially in the dark."