Make It a Core 6 SummerCore 6 strategies are key in managing risk and staying safe, and while many full-time employees at PDRMA member agencies are familiar with them, the challenge is instilling that same awareness among part-time and seasonal staff that isn’t exposed to Core 6 as consistently.
If you’re looking for a way to keep Core 6 strategies front and center for your staff, consider doing what Frankfort Square Park District did — turn your maintenance garage door into a reminder with a vinyl wrap! |
According to Becky Cooper, Safety Manager at the Naperville Park District, her agency has developed ways to expose its roughly 1,100 seasonal and part-time employees to Core 6 strategies regularly. “All seasonal and part-time employees watch the Core 6 video during their orientation, and they each get a hard-copy guide on proper stretching. We post that same handout in break rooms at each of our facilities, too. Once they begin working, full-time staff reviews the Core 6 concepts and demonstrates recommended stretching techniques to them periodically.”
Stretching is particularly important since the agency’s hundreds of park maintenance employees mostly have repetitive tasks — picking up trash, weeding, planting, mowing, sports field maintenance, cleaning — that require bending and lifting, not to mention hundreds more recreation staff who are equally active throughout the day. Cooper singles out Ergonomics Specialist Dr. Jim Clapper’s classes as a great PDRMA resource. “Our employees really enjoy his classes because they include live demonstrations along with time to practice correct stretching techniques.” All full-time employees attend, and the agency encourages them to bring their knowledge back to their part-time and seasonal peers by leading their work group in stretching exercises each day.
 Cooper uses creative programs to drive the message home — for example, a Safety Grant Program that requires a Core 6 component and a Safety Hazard Awareness Picture Contest. “Each month, one of our departments stages a safety hazard scene,” she explains, “This scene contains several hazards that always include violations of Core 6 best practices.” The employee who identifies the most hazards and identifies the corrective action wins a prize.
The most creative approach is an obstacle course for mowers. “We create an obstacle course, and our park maintenance staff forms teams to drive one of our mowers through the course. Staff earns points by following the criteria in the contest rules, which include Core 6 best practices.”
Whenever there’s a work-related accident or incident, the supervisor reviews the incident and notes in his report whether the employee was following all safety policies — including Core 6 strategies. He also uses the report to review the incident with the employee.
Cooper takes full advantage of PDRMA’s resources in her efforts, using education and training opportunities throughout the year as well as the annual Risk Management Institute. “Additionally, our PDRMA Risk Management Consultants review the Core 6 best practices with us during their site visits as well as during our Loss Control Review.”
It’s all worth it, Cooper says, when she sees the message getting through. “It’s great to see employees incorporating Core 6 strategies into their daily routines — especially when they don’t even know you’re looking. It’s a great feeling to watch from a distance as employees stop and stretch before, during or after a strenuous task.”
At the Park District of Oak Park, which employs 55 full-time, 150 part-time and 300 seasonal employees, sharing Core 6 strategies is an ongoing educational effort. "Our district employs part timers and seasonal employees as camp counselors, life guards, building supervisors and general maintenance workers as well as at concessions and other locations,” says Gabriele Romanucci, HR Safety and Risk Manager.
"All staff must go through new hire orientation before starting work at the park district, and we’ve incorporated Core 6 into that process,” Romanucci says. “We also remind employees about — and demonstrate — proven ‘fixes’ to common staff mistakes, especially proper lifting techniques, at our regular staff meetings.
“Actually,” he continues, “our Information Technology Department has some of the biggest challenges, because they often have to access hard-to-reach hardware that puts them in unusual ergonomic positions.
“Just as safety is everyone’s responsibility, we promote Core 6 as everyone’s responsibility, too. It’s not just for full-time employees,” he notes. “We developed a Core 6 Field Inspection form for supervisors to provide staff with positive or constructive feedback when they observe work behaviors.”
Romanucci’s analysis of internally gathered data shows the focus on Core 6 is paying off. “We’ve noticed a significant drop in minor injuries such as repetitive motion and back-related incidents. PDRMA’s support in creating and updating parks-industry trends has been invaluable, giving us insight on preventive measures we can implement.”
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