Dump trucks are the one standard heavy equipment for municipal Highway and DPW operations. They are solid, heavy-momentum objects that can cause serious injuries, so their safe operation requires employees to exercise extreme caution. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), 809 workers were killed in incidents involving dump trucks from 2011 to 2020 in the United States. That’s an average of 81 people killed per year while operating or working nearby dump trucks. Fortunately, there are prevention measures to protect employees.

Working near or operating a dump truck can result in struck-by hazards like back-over incidents, tip-overs from loss of vehicle control, crushing hazards including caught between, electrical hazards, and falls from the dump truck cab or dump body if proper precautions aren’t taken. Operators of dump trucks should be aware of the several sources of instability that lead to dump truck tip-overs such as:

• narrow roads,
• unstable ground unable to support the weight of the dump truck,
• longer truck beds and raised truck beds,
• improper tire pressure,
• improper loading of the truck, including loads over the rated load capacity,
• operating on slopes or uneven ground, and
• uneven or incomplete material flow out of the dump bed like clay or frozen soil.

Groundworkers should be informed of the hazards of working near operating dump trucks including:

• blind spots,
• communication difficulties,
• unexpected movement of dump trucks,
• potential lack of visibility when reversing,
• tip-overs,
• crushing hazards,
• and electrical hazards.

First, prepare and plan for safety to protect workers from the related hazards. Develop a safety program that addresses the safety hazards to drivers and groundworkers. Inspect the work area for potential hazards before and during each shift to address changing conditions. This should be done by one or more competent persons, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Provide staging areas to minimize back-up distances. Lastly, eliminate or decrease the need for groundworkers near moving vehicles and provide physical barriers where necessary.

Additionally, provide training. Train drivers to recognize and prevent hazards related to operating dump trucks. Utilize internal traffic control plans and standard operating procedures for entering and exiting the work zone. Determine a safe distance from overhead hazards, particularly electrical lines. Implement emergency procedures if a truck strikes an electrical line, particularly how to safely exit a truck contacting live lines. Instruct on the steps to take when tarping and untarping the truck bed and when getting on and off equipment, including the rule of three points of contact.

Lastly, implement new technology and use proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Consider installing backup, proximity, or worksite cameras, electronic signaling devices, and proximity sensor alarms for groundworkers. High-visibility apparel should always be worn when working around operating dump trucks.

The NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program provides reports on dump truck-related deaths. For a copy of the full NIOSH report, see this link. If you have questions or concerns about dump truck safety, reach out to Robert Blaisdell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Despite a volatile year, the Comp Alliance remained stable throughout 2022. We continue to prioritize the safety of our members' employees through proactive risk management, consistent claims handling, and our continued Loyalty and Safe Workplace Award programs. Read more in our 2022 Annual Membership Report below. We look forward to building upon our strong financial history and exceptional service in 2023 and we thank our members and professional partners for their support.

To view a PDF version of the report, click pdf here (4.10 MB) .

You can also view past annual reports by clicking here and logging into your account.

In This Issue:

• The 2023 Haber Leadership Award
• Safe Workplace & Loyalty Award Distribution
• The Top 10 Workplace Safety Violations & Solutions
• Protecting Members By Preventing Fraud
• Welcoming New Employees
• Upcoming Training Seminars
• Welcoming New Members

The 2023 Haber Leadership Award

In recognition of its commitment to employee safety and creating a safe work environment, the Village of Warwick was presented with the 2023 G. Jeffrey Haber Leadership Award. The award was presented as a testament to the efforts the village has made to minimize workplace injuries and its commitment to the health and well-being of its employees. 

The award was announced to more than 300 city and village officials from across the state who were in attendance at the Annual Meeting and Training School of the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM). The award was accepted by Village of Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard.

“The village’s initiatives to create a safe work environment for its employees, through improvements to its facilities, motor vehicle safety training, and its active safety committee, have yielded results. Its commitment to safety has minimized the amount of time its employees lose due to workplace injury and is truly an example for all of our members,” Comp Alliance Executive Director Michael Kenneally said.

Safe Workplace & Loyalty Award Distribution

The Comp Alliance recently distributed Safe Workplace Awards to eligible members on our June and July cycles. Eligible members on our January cycle will receive a Safe Workplace Award this fall. This monetary award recognizes our members’ efforts to maintain a healthy and safe workplace, as evidenced by a positive loss experience, 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. Loyalty Awards for our members on June and July are expected to be distributed later this summer. We are proud to continue giving back through our award programs, putting money back into the pockets of our members.

The Top 10 Workplace Safety Violations & Solutions

Every year, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) publishes details on the ten most frequently reported safety violations at various employers across the country. These violations are recorded through safety inspections and post-accident investigations.

From 2022, OSHA’s top violations include:

Safety Tip #1: Safe Lifting

The lower back is subject to injury when lifting a heavy load, twisting, moving suddenly, or even bending over awkwardly. Any of these motions can cause muscles and ligaments to stretch or develop microscopic tears. Over time, poor posture or repetitive stress can lead to muscle strain or other soft tissue problems. More than one million workplace injuries are sustained in the U.S. each year. Back injuries account for around 20,000, or 1 in 5, and are the single leading cause of disability worldwide. National Safety Month is an important time to review how to avoid these frequent workplace injuries.

The back is one of the most complicated regions of the body. It consists of three major muscle groups, a series of bones called vertebrae, and intervertebral discs that separate and cushion the vertebrae. Poor movement techniques can cause issues in this area of the body including:

• Muscle Strains
• Disc Displacements
• Ligament Sprains

Strains and sprains may seem minor, but they can contribute to severe lower back pain. There is no such thing as a “simple” lift, so anytime an object must be moved, it requires proper technique. Every time you lift, do so deliberately and focus on the task at hand. Establish a secure grip on the object and avoid reaching, bending, and twisting motions whenever possible. If you must bend down to grasp an item from the floor or a low shelf, bend at the knees rather than the waist and keep your back straight.

1. Avoid picking up heavy objects placed below your knees or above your shoulders, instead consider a mechanical aide.

When storing, place heavy objects above knee level but below shoulder level to avoid squatting down or reaching. This is a protective measure to reduce any overhead or floor lifting and lessen the strain on your back. Additionally, if you suspect the load is too heavy to be lifted comfortably, be sure to ask for assistance, use a mechanical aid such as a hand truck, cart, or hoist, or break the load down into lighter parts when possible.

2. Keep the load as close as possible.

The further a heavy object is from the center line of your body, the greater the strain that is placed on your back. The amount of pressure on your lower back can be seven to ten times that of the weight you are lifting. Get as close to the load as you can. If necessary, squat down to lift and pull the item between your legs. This gets it closer to the center of your body and prevents bending at the waist. Repeated squatting can be very tiring. In addition to lifting the load, you are also lifting most of your body weight. Consider using mechanical aids for repetitive lifting tasks.

3. Keep your back straight and maintain the natural arch in your lower back.

Don’t bend at the waist when reaching down to lift an object. Keep the natural arch in your lower back when lifting. This helps to distribute the load evenly over the surface of spinal discs and is less likely to cause the discs to be pinched, potentially resulting in an injury. To keep your back straight, move your shoulders back, push your chest out, and tuck in your chin. Bending from the hips is also acceptable if you maintain the arch in your back, rather than bending at the waist.

4. Squat down with your back straight.

Squat down close to the load. If possible, squat until you’re “below parallel” meaning the hip joint is at or below the level of the knee joint. Many individuals only squat until their hip is parallel with their knees, creating a 90-degree angle or an L-shape. However, research suggests that dropping below parallel activates the larger muscles in the lower body. When the body can rely on these muscles, less stress is placed on the other areas.

5. Stretch and loosen up before work.

It is important to take a few minutes to stretch and warm up in the morning before beginning manual handling tasks. Research has demonstrated that trunk flexibility and mobility are significantly lower in the morning than later in the day. Cold, stiff muscles can increase the number and severity of back injuries during the morning hours. Just as athletes warm up before a game or event, take time to warm up when you start your workday.

Practice these good lifting techniques and your staff will experience fewer back injuries from lifting, twisting, sudden movements, and bending. For more information on back injury prevention, please consult with your Comp Alliance Risk Control Specialist. Look for the second National Safety Month tip on reducing slip, trip, and fall injuries next Monday.

Safety Tip #2: Slips, Trips & Falls

Slips, trips, and falls occur frequently across many areas of the workplace and are often preventable. Workplace injuries suffered from this cause-of-loss source have always been a loss leader for workers’ compensation claims, but incorporating some simple measures can reduce the frequency of these injuries.

One can prevent injuries by:

• Practicing situational awareness,
• Using caution,
• Being alert and thoughtful,
• Improving footwear, and
• Maintaining good housekeeping.

Employees should observe the work environment and clean up floor-level obstructions near walkways daily, remove snow and ice from parking lots and sidewalks in the winter, clear wet leaves in the spring and fall, and repair broken pavement in the summer. Remove hoses, cords, boxes, and debris around walking areas and close drawers on cabinets so they cannot be tripped over. Store equipment in safe locations and never leave them strewn about to be in the way unexpectedly.

Most slips, trips, and falls result from unsure footing and they can occur on any surface covered in a slippery substance including mud, snow, ice, water, oil, or grease. Ensure that spilled liquids are cleaned up immediately and the area is appropriately marked while waiting to have the spill cleaned up. Remind employees to report unsafe walking areas and ensure that leaks from water fountains, roofs, and similar situations are reported for correction as soon as possible. Grease and oils in garage settings can have absorbent sand, which must also be cleaned up.

Uneven or defective surfaces, floors littered with trash or other items, electrical cords and computer wires, open drawers, or anything else that protrudes onto the walking surface may cause a fall. Stairways present another tripping problem, being poorly illuminated. Treads can be worn or broken, handrails might be missing or loose, and outdoor stairs can be covered with ice, snow, or rain, making them very slick. Cartons, boxes, materials, or other items should not be stored on stairs. Proper lighting, without glare, shadows, or violent contrasts between floor areas is very important.Darkened areas can cause people to trip over objects they may not know exist or fall over uneven surface areas or door thresholds.

The condition and type of a person’s shoes can also cause a fall. Shoes with smooth or worn soles or laces that are too long can contribute to a trip and fall. All workers should be encouraged to wear shoes that have a nonslip or grip-type sole. Work boots should be replaced when the soles no longer provide grip and slip easily on walking surfaces. Footwear is a necessary PPE (personal protective equipment) for a variety of job functions.

Most causes of slip, trip, and fall injuries are easily preventable. Emphasize situational awareness for all, from office staff to highway and DPW to parks and recreation. All have exposure to these types of injuries, and everyone can positively contribute to reducing their frequency in the workplace. Share this safety tip this month, National Safety Month, with your staff and reduce the hazards that contribute to this leading cause of workplace injuries.

Safety Tip #3: Falling & Flying Objects

You are at risk of falling objects when near or beneath elevated work equipment. This can include cranes, lifts, hoists, boom trucks, bucket trucks, forklifts, stackers, pickers, and scaffolds. There is a danger of flying objects when power tools are used and when pushing, pulling, or prying occurs. Injuries can range from minor abrasions to serious ones such as concussions, fractures, blindness, or fatalities.

Avoiding Hazards:

General

• Wear hard hats to protect from potential falling objects.
• Never walk under a suspended load.
• Do not exceed load/weight limit capacities for hoists, lifts, and storage lofts.
• Do not overstack materials above recommended height.
• Stack materials to prevent sliding, falling, or collapsing. Secure with wrapping as appropriate.
• Use protective measures such as toe boards and debris nets when working on elevated areas such as walkways, platforms, storage lofts, and scaffolding.
• Maintain good housekeeping and organization practices.

Power Tools, Machines, etc.

• Use safety glasses, goggles, face shields, and other protective equipment where machines and tools may cause flying particles.
• Inspect tools and equipment, such as saws, grinders, drills, lathes, and brush and limb chippers to ensure that protective guards are in place and in good condition.
• Make sure you are trained in the proper operation of equipment and power of pneumatic actuated tools.

Cranes, Hoists, and Lifts

• All cranes, hoists, and lifts must be inspected and certified, as appropriate.
• Avoid working underneath moving loads.
• Barricade hazard areas and post warning signs in lifting zones.
• Inspect rigging to ensure that all components such as wire rope, lifting hooks, and chains are in good condition and have proper capacities.
• Do not exceed the lifting capacity of the equipment.
• Only use proper rigging.
• Never work under a suspended load without secondary containment.

Overhead Work

• Secure tools and materials to prevent them from falling on people below.
• Barricade hazard areas and post warning signs.
• Use toe boards, screens, or guardrails on scaffolds to prevent falling objects.
• Use debris nets, catch platforms, or canopies to catch or deflect falling objects.
• Keep safe distances away from fall zones when tree cutting or trimming is completed.

Compressed Gas Cylinders and Compressed Air

• Secure spare cylinders, as appropriate, to prevent them from falling or being struck by vehicles.
• Keep valve caps in place when not in use.
• Keep cylinders away from heat.
• Reduce compressed air used for cleaning to 30 psi, and only use with appropriate guarding and protective equipment.
• Never clean clothing with compressed air.

Injuries from falling or flying debris continue to be a leading cause of workplace injuries. These high-hazard work operations expose municipal employees to a range of injuries. Share this information with applicable staff and work with them to reduce these hazards and improve safety in the workplace.

Safety Tip #4: Pushing & Pulling

Throughout this June, the Comp Alliance Risk Management Department has provided our members with important safety tips on how to avoid injuries that account for the workplace injury claims we see most frequently. As the final safety tip during National Safety Month 2023, we’re covering an often-overlooked movement that causes numerous workplace injuries, pushing and pulling. This motion is used to move pushcarts, use hand trucks, pull parts off equipment, stock shelves, and do overhead work. Today, we’ll look at the effects of these repetitive and taxing actions on the body and ways to prevent the dangers they pose.

Pushing and pulling-type injuries tend to occur when physically overexerting oneself. Whether it be pulling heavy objects out of the bed of a truck, pushing boxes from one location to another, or moving chairs in a meeting room, the act of pushing and pulling puts great stress on the back, shoulders, legs, and arms, particularly the biceps and triceps. Many injuries from this activity happen to soft tissue like muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Common soft tissue injuries are sprains, strains, and contusions. Using the following common controls along with situational awareness, these injuries can be prevented.

• Whenever possible, push instead of pulling, as it is easier on the body and safer. Pushing uses stronger muscles and improves visibility.
• Reaching while pulling can overload the muscles and result in injuries to the arms, shoulders, back, and legs. Be aware of the potential for overload while completing even simple tasks. When reaching to pull an item, use devices, like a rope to wrap around the item, to assist with the pull.
• Pushing from an awkward position stresses soft tissues and joints. Proper body mechanics should be always used to prevent serious injuries.
• Reduce stress on the body by always using two hands while pulling or pushing and utilizing your core muscles. When initiating a push or a pull, squeeze the muscles in your abdomen. When pushing an object, make sure to always use your legs and body weight. This helps prevent overexertion by using the forces of nature to help you achieve your goal. Do this most efficiently by bracing yourself with a wide or long stance and taking long steps when traveling, using the power of your legs.
• Always face the load when pulling. Facing forward and pulling an object behind you can lead to poor body mechanics, increasing the risk of injury. Facing the load while pulling leverages body weight to pull the object safely.
• Move slowly and with purpose. Be situationally aware and identify potential hazards in the path while pulling or pushing a load. Correct the hazard and utilize mechanical means like a hand truck or pushcart when available.

Pushing and pulling are common actions in the workplace that can lead to serious injuries. Be sure employees take time to assess the situation and apply common sense techniques to get the job done in the safest manner. Practicing good lifting techniques will result in fewer back injuries from lifting, twisting, sudden movements, and bending. For more information on back injury prevention, please consult with your Comp Alliance Risk Control Specialist. We appreciate our members’ attention to safety throughout the year, and especially during National Safety Month.