Monthly Archives: May 2013

General Safety Issues

HOW TO COMPARE IDENTITY THEFT SERVICES BEFORE CHOOSING (GUEST POST)

It is very crucial to consider various factors before you choose  identity  theft protection services. Identity theft can affect your credit history and your social image. Goons have been known to exploit your personal information for achieving lucrative returns. A number of companies claim to provide Id theft protection services, however, it is very essential to compare id theft protection services before you subscribe to one of them. 

Our company has been providing id theft protection to individuals and corporate industries. They have industry experts, who specialize in security of all forms, to protect you and your personal credentials. Here are a few words from industry experts on how to compare id theft protection services before choosing them. 

1.         Check for the security features

Many companies provide standard security services, which safeguard the personal information of the individual. They provide information about their level of security and the means by which they safeguard information. However, a very few companies like Keepmyid.org provide some additional features, which are useful along with the core ones. These extra features include fraud alerts and account monitoring along with freezing the accounts when a fraud occurs. 

2.         See whether the company provides recovery assistance

Most of the companies claim to offer services to mitigate the mishap. However, a very few company offer recovery support in case of loss of information or at times when the id theft occurs. Keepmyid.org has been known to have concrete protocols and practices that will assist you in recovering the lost information. The company will assist you in blocking your credit cards, alerting the credit bureau and other financial institutions for Identity theft Prevention.  It will also help in identifying those disputed transactions and will help in notifying the creditors with the same.
 

3.         Check if 24×7 support is available

Before you compare id theft protection services, ensure that the company provides round the clock support. Mishaps can occur at any moment of time, and the protecting company should come to your rescue immediately, by placing a phone call. Also, the support staff should be empathetic and handle the situation in a calm way.

Sent to us by Jonas Patrick.  We just can’t be too careful in keeping our personal information private!

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

SAFETY CONCERNS OF WINDOW CLEANERS WORKING ON HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS (GUEST POST)

To some, it might not seem like the most hazardous job in the world, but being a window cleaner does involve a lot of risk. Merely cleaning ground-floor windows is fairly risk-free, however in most cases, workers within this profession have to scale entire buildings to make sure that every window pane looks spotless.

Back in the day, window cleaners very rarely had to clean any building more than three storeys high. However, as skyscrapers, tower blocks and modern glass-fronted offices became more widespread, so did the number of difficult jobs for window cleaners. In extreme cases, some jobs involved scaling heights of over 500 feet, which can be especially challenging if it is your first day on the job.

Material world
Today, height isn’t the only challenge that window cleaners face. Many modern high-rise buildings are covered almost entirely in glass. This means that they have to clean a larger surface, which requires greater mobility.
At the same time, glass-fronted buildings are also more difficult to hold on to, meaning that the safety of cleaners when working on such structures is even more questionable.
The Empire State Building is a prime example of a glass-fronted skyscraper which can be a nightmare to get cleaned. That, coupled with its impressive height, makes it one of the most dangerous buildings on earth that a window cleaner could possibly work on. A lack of friction on the surface means that cleaners have no choice but to use a harness.

Strings attached
In order to scale large buildings, window cleaners tend to use:

  •          (For buildings that are no taller than four storeys); A really long ladder
  •          A harness for really tall buildings that don’t have straight, flat surfaces
  •          A large suspended scaffold for some skyscrapers that’s erected at the top of the building and moved up and down when needed by someone at ground level

All three are, with supervision, safe to use when everything has been checked. Unfortunately, there’s still an inherent risk in this form of work, with the danger of plummeting hundreds of feet to the ground, should the harness or scaffold used be unstable or insecure.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

PAY ATTENTION TO TORNADO WARNINGS!

1 Comment

As residents recover from the damage caused by the recent storms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration urges recovery workers, employers and the public to exercise caution during cleanup efforts. OSHA will be providing on-site compliance assistance to workers and the public about the hazards they may encounter, as well as the steps they should take to stay safe. Hazards involved in cleanup work may include exposure to contaminated water or food; heat exhaustion; downed electrical wires; carbon monoxide poisoning and electrical shock from portable generators, and dangers while tree-trimming or working at heights. 

According to the NOAA Satellite and Information Systems, here are the classifications of wind speeds: 

  •        EF-1 =   86-110 mph
  •        EF-2 =  111-135 mph
  •        EF-3 =  136-165 mph
  •        EF-4 =  166-200 mph
  •        EF-5 =  over 200 mph 

It is hard to imagine how anything remains standing in winds that strong. According to experts, there’s no wind on earth stronger than winds inside a tornado.  It’s amazing that more people escaped injury; they had advance notice that allowed them to be better prepared, due to correct weather warnings.  This serves as a reminder to all of us to do the following: 

  1.       Know the hazards of dangerous weather.
  2.       Pay attention to forecasts.
  3.       Have a plan to stay safe.  Think about what you will do in case of a natural disaster and be prepared. 

The storms that produced several tornadoes Sunday in Oklahoma and Kansas prompted an unusually blunt warning from the central region of the National Weather Service, which covers 14 states: 

“You could be killed if not underground or in a tornado shelter,” it said. “Complete destruction of neighborhoods, businesses and vehicles will occur. Flying debris will be deadly to people and animals.”   

Pat Slattery, National Weather Service spokesman for the U.S. Central region, said the advisory was part of a new warning system being tested after a violent tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011, killing 158 people and injuring hundreds. 

Slattery said the new advisory was reserved for severe tornadoes with the potential to form into “supercell” storms, which produce powerful winds and flash flooding. Supercells are considered to be the most dangerous of four categories of storms because of the extreme weather they generate. 

A recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration assessment of the Joplin storm found that “when people heard the first tornado warning, they did not immediately seek shelter. They looked for a secondary source to confirm the tornado,” Slattery said. “That got some people killed.” 

For those emergency response workers and volunteers, be sure that you are wearing the appropriate safety equipment, for the hazards involved.  Have a good supply of fresh drinking water, hand sanitizer, and first aid supplies in case of cuts or scratches.  May Mother Nature slow down a little bit on introducing us to spring tornadoes.  We would prefer that they stay away completely.  It is doubtful that this will happen, so be prepared, and pay attention to warnings from your weather system.  They know what they are talking about!

Please note: I prepared this article yesterday, probably during the same time that the horrible tornado was rumbling toward Moore, Oklahoma.  Search and rescue workers and volunteers were scrambling to try to locate school children, as the tornado devastated two elementary schools.  Work continued through the night. The County Medical Examiner has released the number of dead, and then revised it, so through the day, we will have more accurate figures.  My article was  intended to help us pay attention to weather warnings.  Our county was in a tornado warning for several hours last night, but we escaped any damage in our small town. I don’t know about the other part of the county.

This is a very frightening season for those who live in areas prone to develop tornadoes.  Please pray for the parents, grandparents, children and all citizens of Moore, Oklahoma, many who have lost loved ones, and their possessions.  pb

 

Department of Labor; Reuters News Service

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Health Issues, Weather Protection

THINGS ARE HEATING UP, AND IT’S ONLY MAY!

During the summer months, workers who are exposed to extreme heat should recognize symptoms of heat stress, and how it can be prevented.  The month of May is more than half-gone, and things are heating up already.  May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection Month, and May 25th is Heat Safety Awareness Day.  So we hope you will take heed: 

Things that can lead to heat stress are: inadequate water intake, physical exertion, direct sun, high temperature or humidity, and some medicines.  Workers should stay hydrated and maintain a safe core body temperature, which should never exceed 100°F.  Ingesting fluids on a regular basis also puts less strain on the cardiovascular system. 

Signs of heat disorders are:

  • Heat Exhaustion – This is the result of a combination of dehydration and excessive heat.  Headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, giddiness, and thirst are symptoms.  Workers with heat exhaustion should be given fluids, and encouraged to rest.  Workers can stay hydrated by keeping containers of fluids handy at all times.
  • Heat Cramps – Caused by an electrolyte imbalance caused by sweating and lack of water replenishment.  Workers in hot environments should drink water every 15 to 20 minutes and drink carbohydrate-electrolyte replacement liquids (e.g., sports drinks).
  • Heat Stroke – This is the most serious heat related disorder.  Confusion, irrational behavior, loss of consciousness, lack of sweating (usually), an abnormally high temperature are primary signs of heat stroke, resulting in a medical emergency.  The worker should be doused with cool water and given fluids.  Drinks that contain alcohol, caffeine or large amounts of sugar can cause workers to lose body fluid, and very cold drinks can cause stomach cramps.  Cool fluids are easier to drink and more easily absorbed into the body.
  • Heat Rashes – Most common problem where skin is persistently wetted by sweat.  Creams or ointments should not be used as they keep the skin warm and moist, and may worsen the condition.  Powders may be applied. 

A reminder to workers: be sure to drink fluids before becoming thirsty; if you wait, your body is already dehydrated.  Wear a wide brimmed hat if your work doesn’t require a hardhat, use sunscreen, and wear polarized safety eyewearthat have the proper UV protection.  Be sure to protect your body with a sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rate.  Protect your children from sunburn, because many times skin cancer shows up at a later age, waiting all that time from childhood to adulthood to become a serious problem.  Children’s eyes should also be protected from the UV rays of the sun; it is important that they wear sunglasses , just as their parents do.

Source: OSHA, CDC

General Safety Issues

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY (GUEST POST)

1 Comment
 Jack Payton is an experienced freelance writer that uses his years of experience working on and driving anything with wheels in order to provide informative articles for individuals less savvy in automobile knowledge. He currently writes on behalf of Tires-Easy, an online tire.

If cars are dangerous, motorcycles are even more dangerous. Motorcycles do not have the seat belts, nor do they have metal, glass, and air bags between themselves and another vehicle during an auto accident. One accident can send a motorcyclists flying from the motor cycle onto the graveled road. These accidents can be fatal for the motorcyclist. Due to the decreased safety of the vehicles, it is vital that all motorcycle riders and car drivers engage in safe driving practices while they are sharing the road.

Car Drivers: Be Aware of the Road

The bulk of car-motorcycle accidents are due to car drivers being unaware of a motorcycle until the accident is occurring. As a car driver you should keep an eye out for motorcyclists. Scan the road for oncoming motorcycles. Once they enter your field of vision, you should keep an eye on them. Keep track where they are on the road.

Car Drivers: Eliminate Blind Spots

Due to the fact that there is some overlap in what your rearview mirror and the side mirrors show you, there are usually gaping blind spots to the side of your car. This can be dangerous, especially if you are not in the habit of checking over your shoulder before changing lanes. You can increase your own safety and motorcyclist safety by always checking blind spots or maneuvering the mirror to eliminate blind spots. After the change is made, drive carefully while you become used to the new mirror positions.

Motorcyclist: Maneuver Blind Spots Carefully

Even though drivers can set their mirrors to show their blind spots, motorcyclists should approach every car as if the car driver has blind spots. Pass every car with caution. Do not linger in the blind spots. If a car is being erratic, do not pass to the side of the vehicle until the driver of the car has seen you. Once you have the driver’s attention make the pass.

Motorcyclists: Give Visual Cues

The majority of motorcycles do not have blinkers to broadcast when they are planning to turn or change lanes. When driving near or around cars, motorcyclists should broad cast their plans with visual cues. Use gestures traditionally meant for bicycles to broadcast intentions: arm straight out= left turn and arm turned up= right turn. Motorcyclists can also point to the lane that they plan to merge into in order to broadcast their intention.

Car Drivers: Look For Visual Cues

Motorcyclists giving visual cues won’t do much good if the car drivers do not see them. When driving near motorcyclists, look out for anything that could be considered a visual cue. Aid them in changing lanes by slowing down once the change has been started. This will decrease the amount of time they will be in your blind spot or the amount of time that they will be in the passing lane.

Car Drivers and Motorcyclists: Gradual Changes

Both car drivers and motorcyclists should make gradual changes. Broadcast your intentions for a few seconds before making any changes to your driving. Whether it is a speed change or a lane change, give more time for the motorcyclist or driver to react.

By driving carefully both motorcyclist and car drivers can share the road without any fatal accidents. It is both the motorcyclists and car drivers responsibility to utilize the tips provided above and any other suggested safety tips found on various other motorcycle sites.

TIP FROM T.A.S.C.O.: although many motorcyclists prefer to wear black gear, it is recommended to add some neon stickers to your helmet or wear a high-visibility vest over your jacket in order to be more visible to other drivers.  Never ride without a helmet! pb

General Safety Issues

WORKPLACE SAFETY IN THE OFFICE: WHAT NOT TO DO (GUEST POST)

1 Comment

Over the years, The Office has given us plenty of chaotic, but of course, laugh-out-loud hilarious  safety situations, among other hysterical moments .  We can laugh at these situations on TV, but in our real lives and workplaces, we should do everything possible to prevent these things from happening. If you’ve seen the show, you know you shouldn’t take your safety cues from Michael or Dwight, because they aren’t always the most competent coworkers.

As The Office comes to a close this month at the end of its 9th season, let’s take a look back at some memorable workplace safety moments from the show  and learn the proper ways these situations should be handled should similar things happen when you’re at work.

General Workplace Safety

We know that TV shows don’t always show us the correct way to do things in real life. The Office is a great example of how not to run your office, especially when it comes to workplace safety. In the episode titled “Safety Training” from season 3, the workers in the office get a lesson on being safe in their warehouse. Michael makes jokes throughout warehouse worker Darryl’s whole presentation instead of being attentive.
 
In episode, “Boys and Girls,” also from season three, Michael drives the forklift, even though he doesn’t have a license to operate it, and knocks over entire shelves in the warehouse. This clip is a prime example of what not to do if you’re not qualified.

Tips for general safety in the workplace: At your job, you likely have regular safety meetings. If you don’t have meetings and guidelines to follow, take matters into your own hands and learn how you can start implementing better workplace safety to keep yourself and your coworkers free from harm. Always pay attention during safety session because workplace safety is not something to take lightly.

Fire Safety

In the hilariously ridiculous cold open clip  for “Stress Relief” in season 5, Dwight actually sets a fire and locks everyone inside the office on purpose to stress the importance of fire safety at work. The motive behind Dwight’s fire, to make everyone pay attention to safety lessons, is pure, but obviously setting a fire on purpose is something we should never do. The fire situation ends up with Oscar falling through the ceiling, Angela throwing her cat into the ceiling, Dwight setting off firecrackers and with Stanley having a real heart attack;  funny for TV, but not something you want to happen where you work.

In another episode about fires at work, the season 3 episode, “The Fire,” viewers learn more ways that these situations should not be handled. You know the saying, “The captain goes down with the ship,” meaning that the captain or leader should make sure everyone else is okay before being the last one out in a dangerous situation. In The Office, this is not the case. A small fire is started in the break room, and the workers begin to calmly exit but branch manager Michael pushes everyone else aside so he can run down the stairs first.

Tips to prevent fire situations at work: This situation could have clearly been avoided by Dwight not setting the fire. Instead, have a simple fire safety class and run a practice drill every few months with no real fire, Dwight! In case of a fire at your office, be sure to act quickly and calmly and exit the building according to your planned fire procedures.

Since the very beginning of The Office in 2005, viewers have been treated to countless memorable moments and scenes we’ll never forget. Even after the finale, the beloved show and workers of the Dunder Mifflin Scranton branch will live on in our hearts. Just remember not to take any safety tips from The Office!

Bio: Eddie D. Shackleford is a writer who loves to write and research about parenting, children, safety and more. You can follow Eddie on Twitter at @Eddie20Ford.

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF SAFETY VESTS?

From time to time, I like to stroll (actually drive) over to headquarters in Brownwood, Texas, to check out the latest safety gear, so I can mention it in case you haven’t spotted it on our http://www.tasco-safety.com/ website!

For the many workers who must wear safety vests all day long, there is an abundance of hi-visibility ones with logos already on them, such as “Think Safety”,  (which happens to be on sale right now).  Check out the new black vests – many law enforcement officers prefer to wear black, and these can have any logos or names imprinted right in our own facility!

There are “cool” hot pink vests for the girls, and even white, with hot pink stripes.  The white appear to be a cool choice.  For girls with an attitude, we offer a black vest with hot pink stripes!

For more info, this comes straight from our website:

We carry inexpensive vests such as the plain soft mesh version, surveyor’s safety vests, ANSI Traffic Safety Vests, and also company imprinted safety vests. We are offering from SM to 5X sizing, both solid materials and mesh materials; as well as, many different reflective stripe combinations. We also carry the standard Orange and Lime colors in most designs, and we recently introduced special color identification vests including Pink, Royal Blue, ANSI Red, Black, Green, White and more. Whether on the jobsite, in a traffic area, or on a busy roadside we have the perfect safety vest for you.

For those who work in extremely hot weather, we carry a body cooling vest that will help you keep your cool.  Golfers, yard workers, and others who are out in the heat would probably love them, too! 

While you are browsing, don’t forget to take a look at our similar high visibility safety product pages. This section offers high visibility clothing from head to toe.  If you purchase an item, please remember to mention that you read about it on the blog so you can receive a 5% discount!  Thanks for reading my little commercial.  We want you to be safe, seen, and cool this summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

WHAT A TEENAGER SHOULD KNOW BEFORE GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL (GUEST POST)

Please note: This article is dedicated to all those moms and dads who have lived through this, or will in the future! 

It is a very exciting time for a teenager when they approach the legal age to drive a car. In many states, this can be as young as 15 and a half. Parents, shuddering at the thought of their teen driving, should take into consideration if their teen is actually ready for this next step.

While each person develops at their own pace, reaching the legal driving age does not necessarily mean being mentally and emotionally ready for this task. A quick review with your teen over some key points will help you determine if they are ready to drive.

• Review Basic Traffic Laws

While they will cover this in driver’s education, it is important for you, as a parent to determine if they actually grasp what the laws mean. Talk to them about things like turn signal use, tailgating, and what to do at a four-way stop. These simple questions can go a long way in keeping your teen safe.

• Review Accident Safety

Accident safety is extremely important. Teach your teen to be thorough. In the event of a crisis situation they should be able to note the details, check for injured parties then contact and wait on the police. A prominent West Palm Beach car accident lawyer states this warning, “If you can’t move your vehicle, do not get out of your car and stand in the middle of the highway, wait until help arrives,” which is extremely important for your teen to know. This action will lessen the risk of a compound accident occurring.  There are roadside emergency kits that can be placed by the car to help it be more visible, if one is able to pull the car to the side.

• Review Passenger Safety

Make sure your teen knows all about passenger safety. Let them know that if they are going to have passengers in the vehicle that every passenger must abide by safety rules. This includes but is not limited to, using seat belts and refraining from overcrowding the car.

• Talk About Anger

Some of the worst accidents occur because the person behind the wheel is angry or upset. Their emotions overtake them, and their driving becomes erratic and dangerous. Stress how important it is to avoid driving while emotional.

• Talk About Drinking

While no one wants to think of their teens taking part in underage drinking, the risk remains. Confront your teen about this issue and let them know where you stand and what you expect. Being open with your teen is the best prevention.

• Discuss Cell Phone Use

Depending on the state in which you live, using a cell phone without a hands-free set may be illegal. Regardless if it is illegal or not, stress how important it is to only use the cell phone when parked. It takes four seconds to answer a phone, seven if you must look for it first. It only takes 2.5 seconds to cause an accident on the road. Stress even more that texting is absolutely forbidden in the car. 

Parents should also remember that their teens will mimic their driving habits. If you do not wear your seat belt, if you use the phone while driving, or if you are an aggressive driver, they will most likely drive that way on the road as well. 

Parents should also consider having extended periods of supervised driving. Have your teen run local errands with you and allow them to drive. The more experience they get behind the wheel before driving on their own, the better. Encourage them for all the right driving decisions they make. Support and encouragement will make them more confident and apt to continue making the right decisions on the road.

Nickey Williams contributes this article for those parents of teenagers who are in need of pre-driving tips. The West Palm Beach car accident lawyer firm of Steinger, Iscoe & Greene values the livelihood and welfare of their clients and shows this by lending guidance and whatever professional resources afforded to them. This legal team’s first goal is to get South Florida injury victims the compensation deserved when involved in an accident.

 
General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

AIR QUALITY AWARENESS WEEK

 

April 29 – May 3 was Air Quality Awareness Week.  Sorry that we are two weeks late, but this is a very important subject that affects all of us – any age.  This information is from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:Two of the most common pollutants in the U.S. — ozone, sometimes called smog, and particle pollution —  pose health risks for hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. Are you one of them?
Many of us are. If you’re very young, if you’re a senior citizen — or if you’re somewhere in between – you may be at increased risk from ozone or particle pollution exposure.
That’s bad news. The good news? You can do something about it.

  • Children (including teenagers)are at greater risk from air pollution because their lungs are still developing, they are more likely to be active outdoors, and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. Both ozone and particle pollution can prevent children’s lungs from working and developing like they should.  Children are also more likely than adults to have asthma which also increase their risk.
  • People with asthma or another lung disease are risk from both ozone and particle pollution, which can increase symptoms like coughing and wheezing– and can lead to a trip to the doctor or hospital.
  • Healthy adults who are active outdoors are at risk from ozone, which can make it more difficult to breathe deeply, cause symptoms such as coughing or scratchy throat, and inflame and damage the lining of the lungs – damage that can continue even after symptoms are gone.
  • People with cardiovascular disease (that’s your heart and blood vessels) are at risk from particle pollution, which can contribute to heart attacks, strokes, cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure – and premature death. Ozone can also harm the heart.  And both pollutants can increase the risk for premature death.
  • People in middle age and older. As we hit middle age, our risk for heart and lung diseases generally increases – and so does our risk from ozone and particle pollution. Factors that increase your risk for heart disease and stroke – like being overweight, having diabetes, or having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, also may increase your risk from particle pollution. 

Now for the good news: You can take steps to reduce your pollution exposure. Use the Air Quality Index (AQI) to adjust your outdoor activities so you can and reduce the amount of pollution you breathe in while still getting exercise. It’s not difficult – and your health is worth it.

Your local weather team can forecast the amount of allergens and pollutants in the air, so you can be prepared.  If you work in an atmosphere where there are particles floating around, be sure your company has the proper respiratory protection for you.  As suggested, don’t go outside to play sports if the Air Quality Index is high.  While working in the yard, wear a face mask and safety glasses. 

Car pooling is a way of reducing emissions that are released into the air by vehicles.  Let’s do all we can to keep our atmosphere clean in order to breathe and enjoy fresh air.