Safety Net(work)
Produced by Department of Administration Bureau of State Risk Management
October 2015
Volume 2, Number 10
In This Issue:
Produced by Department of Administration Bureau of State Risk Management
Sprains and Strains
Extension Cord Safety Tips
Safety Spotlight:
Fire Prevention Week
Five Minutes for
Safety:
Drive Safely Work
Week
Quote of the
Month:
“We can change our lives. We
can do, have, and be exactly
what we wish.”
-Tony Robbins
Workers Comp
Claims
Claims
FY15 YTD
YTD
735
FY16 YTD
Lost Time
Lost Time
FY15 YTD
FY16 YTD
148
674
137
`
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are common injuries that share similar signs and symptoms, but
involve different parts of your body.
The Mayo Clinic defines a sprain as stretching or tearing of ligaments — the tough bands
of fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in your joints. The most common
location for a sprain is in your ankle.
The Mayo Clinic defines a strain as stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon. A tendon is
a fibrous cord of tissue that connects muscles to bones. Strains often occur in the lower
back and in the hamstring muscle in the back of your thigh.
WebMD provides initial first aid guidance on sprains and strains treatment:
1. Control Swelling with “R.I.C.E” Therapy
 Rest the sprained area. If necessary, use a sling for an arm injury or
crutches for a leg or foot injury. Splint an injured finger or toe by taping
it to an adjacent finger or toe.
 Ice for 20 minutes every hour. Never put ice directly against the skin or it
may damage the skin. Use a thin cloth for protection.
 Compress by wrapping an elastic (Ace) bandage or sleeve lightly (not
tightly) around the joint or limb. Specialized braces, such as for the
ankle, can work better than an elastic bandage for removing the swelling.
 Elevate the area above heart level.
2. Manage Pain and Inflammation
 Over-the-counter NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or aspirin. Do not
give to anyone with medical conditions or under the age of 18.
3. When to See a Doctor
 If more than a minor strain or sprain
 Symptoms of a possible broken bone including:
i. “Popping” sound with injury.
ii. Injured joint or limb cannot be moved.
iii. Limb buckles when injured joint is used.
iv. Numbness.
v. Significant swelling, pain, fever, or open cuts.
4. Follow Up
 Continue “R.I.C.E.” for 24-48 hours or until evaluated by doctor.
Extension Cord Safety Tips
Consumer Safety
United States Consumer Product
Safety Commission
Contact Us
http://www.doa.state.wi.us
E-Mail
Jake.Lowell@Wisconsin.gov
`
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 4,000 people
are treated in emergency rooms each year due to injury working with extension cords.
Half of the injuries involve fractures, lacerations, contusions, or sprains from people
tripping over extension cords. Approximately 3,300 residential fires start with extension
cords each year, fatally injuring 50 people and injuring 270 others. The most frequent
causes are short-circuits, overloading, damage, and/or misuse of extension cords.
In a recent Public Entity Publication, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. provides several Do’s and
Don’ts to help prevent extension cord accidents:

If an extension cord is not marked for outdoor use, only use it indoors. The
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label will tell you if it is okay for outdoor use.

Inspect the cord before you use it. Look for areas that are cracked or frayed. If
you find any, dispose of the cord.

Don’t run extension cords through doorways, or through holes in ceilings, walls
or floors.

The appliance or tool that you are using the cord with will have a wattage rating
on it. Match this up with your extension cord. Don’t use a cord that has a lower
rating.

Make sure the appliance or tool is off before you plug it into the cord.

Make sure the plug is fully inserted in the outlet.

Don’t remove, bend or modify any of the metal parts of the cord’s plug.

Don’t plug a three-prong plug into a two-hole cord.

You shouldn’t have to force a plug into an outlet.

If the plug is too loose in the outlet, the outlet may be too old and need to be
replaced.

Some cords are polarized; one prong on the plug is larger than the other. Match
up the outlet and the cord.

Keep the extension cord away from water; don’t use it when it is wet.

Keep it away from children and pets.

Don’t plug one extension cord into another.

Don’t overheat the cord. Uncoil it, and don’t cover it with anything.

Don’t drive over the cord. Don’t drag it or lay anything on it.

Don’t walk on it.

After use, remove it from the outlet by pulling on the plug, not the cord.

Store it indoors.