Silly for Safety’s Sake
Crowley County Correctional Facility proves safety isn’t for the birds
What does Crowley’s safety program have to do with penguins?
Ask any staff member who attended the November 4 staff recall and they’ll tell you the two are like birds of a feather when it comes to avoiding accidents in the snow and ice this winter.
Tony Ragozzine, Crowley’s fire/life safety manager, demonstrated how best to avoid slips, trips and falls - the number one cause of injuries in CCA facilities. Ragozzine advised employees to do what he calls the “penguin shuffle” and in order to drive home the message, he donned a head-to-toe penguin suit and showed the staff exactly how it’s done.
“In freezing temperatures, it’s important to approach all pavement and walkways with caution,” Ragozzine says. “Assume that all wet, dark areas are slippery and icy. It may be necessary to travel along a pathway’s grassy edge.”
Ragozzine adds that employees should stay on designated walkways as much as possible and avoid taking shortcuts over piles of snow or ice, especially on a hill.
Here’s how the penguin shuffle is done:
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Point your feet out slightly like a penguin. Spreading your feet out slightly while walking on ice increases your center of gravity.
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Bend slightly and walk flat-footed with your center of gravity directly over the feet as much as possible.
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Extend your arms out to the side to maintain balance.
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Keep your hands out of your pockets, as having them in your pockets decreases your center of gravity and balance. Also, with your hands free, you can help break your fall if you do start to slip.
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Take short steps, or “shuffle” for stability.
“I think the message and the messenger had maximum impact with the staff,” says Ragozzine.
“Everyone talked about it quite a bit,” says Roger Wilson, assistant warden, Programs at Crowley. “They really appreciated Tony dressing up in a penguin suit all for the purpose of educating them about safety.”
As a result of this and other initiatives, facility slips and falls have been drastically reduced from 22 in 2008 to only three in 2009.
But one can never be too careful so as a continual reminder to employees, Ragozzine also posted flyers around the facility that read, “Do the Crowley Penguin Shuffle.”
What’s your facility doing to promote winter and year-round safety? Have you been able to personally put those safety tips to work? Tell us about it by sounding out (share your comments via the comments box on the left).
By Sharon Griffing and DeAndra Mack
Sound Out
Daniel Mendoza at Eloy Detention Center:
Don't laugh yall!! I walked that compound as a Correctional Officer during some of that Colorado Snow and Ice...this is actually very good advice. Great way to put it out there guys!