Yearly Archives: 2013

Health Issues

A SMALL REQUEST

Monday is WORLD CANCER DAY…would you be interested in passing on this request?  It is estimated that 93 per cent won’t.   A small request and it’s just one line. Dear God, I pray for a cure for cancer. Amen All you are asked to do is keep this circulating, even if it’s 
only to one more person. In memory of anyone you know 
who has been struck by cancer or in honor of someone who is still living with it.

A Candle Loses Nothing by Lighting Another Candle..

Many of us have has experienced some form of cancer, or has a close relative or friend who has.  As research continues, please take a few seconds to pray for cures to be found for this terrible disease.  Thank you for your time and concern.  Pat

 
Ergonomics, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Head Protection

TOP TEN MOST COMMON WORKPLACE INJURIES (GUEST POST)

1 Comment

 Every day nationwide, 12 people don’t come home from work. Workplace incidents kill over 4000 workers per year, when all they were trying to do was their job. Millions more per year are injured at work and over 3 million of those never recover from their injuries. Here are the top ten work-related injuries in the US, according to insurance statistics, starting with number 10. 

10. On the Job Violence – Nearly 30 years ago, in Edmond, Oklahoma, a disgruntled postal worker shot and killed 15 people, including himself, and wounded 6 others. Congress determined that the US Postal Service could have and should have taken steps to prevent the tragedy. The term “going postal,” was coined shortly thereafter to describe any incident where an individual loses control and causes mayhem and violence. 

The horrific violence of that day became a springboard for other disgruntled employees, who now account for nearly 500 workplace fatalities per year, mostly by shooting. Injuries from violence in the workplace are an astounding 15-16 injuries per 1000 working. The violence ranges from assault to rape. 

To prevent violence in the workplace, employers need to establish protocols in the event of violence or suspicious activities and train employees to be able to recognize potentially dangerous situations or environments. 

9. Repetitive Motion  – The Medieval working conditions of the 19th & early 20th Century didn’t concern itself with a silly injury such as this. Your back pain, sensory problems, or carpal tunnel syndrome were just good reasons to fire you and replace you with another able body willing to be broken. 

We may be a little more enlightened today but employers still need to make sure that procedures and equipment are ergonomically designed for the least amount of repetitive motion. When this isn’t feasible, then a rotation cycle between jobs needs to be in place to prevent this injury. 

8. Machinery – Nothing is quite as frightening than when a machine latches on to hair, clothing, fingers, or limbs and begins to devour the person attached.

 Employers need to have policies, procedures, and dress codes in place that minimize this type of accident. Additionally, emergency shut-off and back-up controls need to be easily accessible. 

7. Vehicles – Other than specific laws, public service announcements, law-enforcement, and backseat drivers, nobody monitors bad drivers. Consequently, accidents or “inevitabilities” occur. 

Employers can monitor the driving habits of their employees who drive for business by establishing certain driving policies, training, and reporting systems that reinforce good driving habits. 

6. Impacts – These are the injuries that may initially invoke a laugh when someone stubs a toe, walks into a wall, bumps into the corner of a table, or backs into a piece of equipment. It actually isn’t funny, especially when the impact causes serious head trauma or contusions.

Employers should play an active role in keeping walkways clear and welcoming feedback on existing hazardous conditions. Any hazardous condition should be rectified immediately. 

5. Falling Objects – Falling objects may be common in construction zones where hard hats are required at all times but one may not think to be wary in the office or in a retail environment. A case of copy paper falling from the storage shelf or a number 10 can falling from the top shelf of a grocery store may not be common enough to require hard hats in the office or grocery store but they do occur. 

Employers in all lines of work need to be wary of any existing condition where objects can potentially fall and injure an employee. Altering conditions and establishing policies can reduce this type of injury. 

4. Slipping and Tripping without Falling – Whew! You almost fell. That might have been less painful however, than the involuntary twisting and wrenching of your muscles, tendons, and other tissues trying to avoid the fall. These events can cause debilitating injuries and conditions that may cause you to lose work or need long-term medical attention. 

3. Falling from Heights – Taking a tumble off a ladder, scaffold, roof, or stairway, can cause severe injury, with head trauma being the most serious. Some jobs that carry the constant threat of falling will usually take extra precautions to alleviate that risk. However, many falls occur while performing simple tasks like changing a light bulb or carrying a box down a flight of stairs. 

Employers should create policy and procedures that take into consideration inherent dangers in the workplace. Employees should not ignore policy, no matter how skilled they feel they may be without safety equipment or procedures.

2. Slipping, Tripping, and Falling – Slippery floors, uneven surfaces, or out of place objects and equipment in walkways can cause slips and falls that can result in serious injury. 

Employers should make sure chronic problems such as uneven surfaces or items left in walk areas are rectified and solved. Policies regarding spills and wet surfaces, including having hazard markers, need to be in place. Employees should be aware of their environment at all times. 

1. Overexertion – And the number one work related injury is overexertion. Any physical activity that hasn’t been replaced by a machine, such as lifting, pushing, carrying, throwing, or pulling has the potential for exertion injury. Overexertion may ultimately be a relative term since it differs from person to person. However, anytime someone pushes himself or herself beyond physical capacity, injury may be imminent. 

Employers should be aware of all exertion regulations and not expect employees to push themselves beyond those guidelines. 

Conclusion 

Workplace injuries and deaths may seem inevitable, but by improving the safety surrounding the inevitable situation or removing that situation altogether could diminish their frequency. Employers and employees need to play an active role in making this happen. 

This piece was written by Kurt Dowdle, a writer for http://naqvilaw.com, a personal injury firm in Las Vegas, NV.

General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products

LIVING ALONE: STEPS WOMEN SHOULD TAKE TO STAY SAFE (GUEST POST)

 With increased financial independence, more and more women prefer to stay alone. The idea of living alone has its own perks that most women find very appealing. You can live on your own terms, feel emancipated and enjoy absolute freedom. However, such a life also comes with its own share of disadvantages in the form of security issues. Increasing crime against women has made it imperative for women to adopt means to ensure their safety. If you are a woman living alone, here are the things that will make sure that you stay safe and enjoy your life.

Choose a neighborhood with care

The safety measures you undertake should start from looking for a safe neighborhood. Check out the crime rate in the neighborhood and talk to the people and local businesses. These people will give you a fair idea about the area and also whether it is safe or not.

Once you move in, establish a rapport with your neighbors. Keep in touch always so that you are aware of the happenings in the area and can take steps accordingly.

You should know the layout of the neighborhood also. Familiarize yourself with the places so that you know the areas that tend to remain dark or deserted at night. If you have an erratic work schedule you will know which areas to avoid and when.

Secure your home           

Burglars look for homes that they can break in easily. Homes with wooden doors and windows are their easy targets. To ensure your security, you should replace old wooden doors with reinforced steel. If possible, install security grilles. Invest in deadbolt locks for the exterior doors. The windows also require special attention. Hire a specialized locksmith service and get your entire house inspected and adopt their suggestions to bolster the security system. But also remain aware of ghost locksmiths as Nashville lock maker 456lock points out. Simple things like door chains and spy holes go a long way in making you feel safe and secured.

Beware of strangers

You can install an intercom at the door to identify people who visit your home. Never open the door if you are not sure about who is on the other side. Use the door chain to slightly open the door while attending to strangers. The incidents where the innocuous pizza delivery boy or a courier guy has tried to break in or molest women staying alone necessitate you to be alert always.

Get canine company

A dog is not only a man’s great friend but can be a protector also. Apart from giving you company and much needed love, your pet dog can keep a watch on your house and also alert you about any suspicious movements. Even when you are away, presence of the dog will deter burglars from trying to encroach in your house. 

Leave your home secured all the time

Always keep the doors and windows shut. When you leave your house, take extra care to check all the entry points. No one should be able to gain entry when you are absent. While going for vacations, inform your neighbors about your plan so that they can keep an eye on your house. Keeping spare key under the doormat is a very bad idea. Keep it with a neighbor or a friend instead.

Sensor floodlights installed on the exteriors like the balconies, porches and doorway will keep away burglars.

Take help of technology to ensure your safety

Technology has made it extremely easy to keep your house under constant surveillance and also make you safe always. Your mobile phone can play a great role in ensuring your security. You should include 911 in the speed dial list. Always keep the mobile near you even when you are inside the house. While traveling alone, inform your friends or your relatives about your whereabouts.

Wireless security systems can be installed at home to keep a constant watch on your home. You can even get CCTV cameras installed at certain locations. Geo-locations software, energy savings security systems are great options to make your house burglar-proof. These systems are not only easy to operate but also make your home safe when you are away. With advancement in technology, they have become affordable also.

Keep your personal life to yourself

Social networking sites often become traps for women. Avoid sharing your personal information in social networking sites. Your working hours, travel plans and whereabouts should be kept to yourself only. Share this information only with friends whom you trust and know personally.

To prevent stalking and strangers knowing your whereabouts, you should alter your daily schedule from time to time. Change the route you usually take to reach home or office and also alter the timing also.

Being alert and responsible will keep you safe. Carrying pepper sprays, being fit and knowing self-defense techniques will instill confidence in you to handle any situation and protect yourself. 

About the Author

Anna is a home security expert in Nashville, Tennessee, who helps home owners and business owners stay safe. She loves writing articles related to home security and women safety. 

General Safety Issues

ABIDING BY THE LAWS OF WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY (GUEST POST)

The federal laws stated by the “Occupational Safety and Health Act” (OSHA), makes it mandatory for the employers to create a safe environment of working for the employees. Several states have their own laws for workplace safety. In order to abide by OSHA, employers are required to learn their obligations and also determine whether they need to abide by the state or federal laws. 

Depending on the state on which your company or business operates, it is determined whether you need to follow the sate or federal laws. This article mentions the state names that are governed by the state laws. The states not falling in that category need to follow the federal laws.

 The State Laws: 

OSHA, when passed, preempted all the state laws for occupational safety and health. At that time, every state had the choice to submit a plan to “Secretary of Labor” to get it approved. If the plan was found to be acceptable by the secretary, then the laws of the state were permitted to stand. In such states, referred to as the “state plan states”, employers must abide by the state’s standards, regulations and laws on workplace health and safety. The states do not require following the federal OSHA. 

The names of states falling in the category of “state plan states” are – Wyoming, Washington, Virginia, Vermont, Utah, Tennessee, South Carolina, Oregon, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, Kentucky, Iowa, Indiana, Hawaii, California, Arizona and Alaska.

New York, New Jersey and Connecticut also own workplace safety laws, but they are applicable to only the local and state government employees. Private employers are bound to follow the federal laws. 

In case your business runs in one of the states falling in the category of “state plan states”, you can gather information and details about the resources and laws of your state of the website of “U.S. department of Labor” at www.osha.gov. In the website, look for “State Occupational Safety and Health Plans”. 

If your business does not operate in one of the states listed above, then you must follow the federal OSHA. 

The Federal Laws: 

OSHA is applicable to everyone in a workplace. 

The rules of OSHA must be followed for each and every employee in your business, irrespective of the employee’s classification, status or title. This implies that the federal law is applicable to stockholders, partners, supervisors, mangers, officers, rank-and-file workers and the family members who are working in your business.

However, the law is not applicable to the family members of an operator of a farm and independent contractors. 

General rules of safety for all types of businesses: 

According to OSHA, the employers are required to maintain the workplace free from hazards, which they know about or should know, and which are likely to lead to or are leading to the occurrence of serious physical injuries or may prove to be fatal. Such hazards are known as “recognized hazards”. 

Hazards can be in the form of unsafe conditions such as broken equipment or toxic fumes. They can also be in the form of unsafe practices like operation of circular saws using one hand rather than using both hands, or push starting tractors. Hazards can be easily detected by walking around the workplace and utilizing the senses. For example, hazards can be detected by sight or smell. 

Your duty is also to ensure safety of employees when they are sent outside the workplace for any work. If the employees are being sent to a demolition or construction site, ensure it is a safe place. The tools and equipment used by the workers should be safe to use. 

Conclusion: 

This information would help you as an employer to determine which laws you are being governed by. Workplace safety is an extremely important factor, and you must abide by the laws, rules and regulations strictly. 

 

Author’s Bio: Alisa Martin, is a regular blogger, and has been authoring articles on various law topics for the past decade. She is a regular contributor to http://abinternationallaw.com/.

 

General Safety Issues

RELOCATING: LOAD SAFETY (GUEST POST)

 Securing each and every load during a relocation may sometimes seem excessive, and even a waste of time, especially if you think the load is too big to move about much or too small to do any damage if it does! But in reality any load can slip and slide, and relying on friction alone can be hugely detrimental, not just to the load and the driver of the transport vehicle, but to all other road users and pedestrians too. 

Any load can be subjected to sudden breaking, a tight corner, or abrupt change of direction which can force the load to move about inside the vehicle. At best, this could cause damage to the load, and at worst cause the vehicle to tip or the driver to lose control. 

Drivers of commercial vehicles are considered to have one of the riskiest occupations in the UK, and this applies to removals drivers. But it’s important to remember that nearly all accidents involving unbalanced loads and overturned transport vehicles can be avoided with correct and safe loading.

That’s why the incorrect or unsafe loading of a vehicle has been deemed a serious offence under the Road Traffic Act 1991, in order to protect everyone involved, from the people that load and unload the vehicle and the driver to other road users and pedestrians. This has resulted in about 4000 prosecutions every year for unsafe loads. 

The Health and Safety executive have recommended the Department of Transport’s Code of Practice as guidance to safe loading. The ‘Safety of Loads on Vehicles’ (3rd Edition) covers a wide variety of goods transportation issues, such as dangerous good, palletised goods and ferry operations, which are unlikely to be relevant to a simple home removals company, but many aspects are still applicable to the moving industry. 

Risk Assessments 

The Code of Practice emphasises the importance of a risk assessment, or a basic safety checklist to ensure that every risk is considered and guarded against. A basic safety checklist should be completed before every move and should be carried out by fully trained staff to ensure it is done legally and sufficiently. 

Principles of Load Safety 

The principles of load safety are fairly simple. The load should be: 

Restrained – tied firmly down to the bed of the vehicle

Contained – so it can’t shift about inside the vehicle 

A vehicle changing direction, such as at a roundabout or corner, or breaking, will cause any load to shift if it is not properly secured. As such, all loads should be restrained to hold sufficient weight in any direction. 

It’s also essential that the vehicle used to transport the load has adequate strength to carry the required weight. 

The arrangement of the load is vital to its safety and there are a few guidelines that will always be relevant to loading:

  • The load should always be evenly spread in the vehicle
  • Larger, heavier items should be at the bottom, with lighter, smaller items at the top
  • Heavier items should also be nearer the middle, to spread the weight evenly
  • Adequate load securing equipment should be used at all time, including clamps, steel wire, chains, webbing harnesses, sheets and ropes

Clockwork Removals

The team at Clockwork Removals London take load safety very seriously, so you can be sure that all of your belongings will be transported securely and arrive at your new home or commercial property in perfect condition. For any more information about how we secure your belongings during transit, contact us today!

Our thanks to Ian Humphries for these transportation tips!

Ergonomics, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

AVOIDING UNNECESSARY INJURIES IN THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

Workplace injuries have been greatly reduced in the past few decades. According to OSHA, since 1972, worker injuries and illnesses have dropped from 11 incidents per 100 workers to fewer than 4 per 100 in 2010. This is a tremendous increase in workplace safety, but there is still room for improvement. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics this still equates to nearly 3 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses. In 2012, over 4,300 individuals were killed on the job.

The burden for keeping the workplace safe rests with the employer. They are responsible for meeting or exceeding the guidelines set out by OSHA. Even though a business may not be involved in an inherently dangerous industry, every job comes with its own set of particular hazards. Some common workplace hazards include:

  •          Transportation accidents
  •          Workplace violence
  •          Slipping and falling
  •          Repetitive motion and ergonomic injuries

This is hardly an exhaustive list. What matters is that each business should take into account which hazards are most likely to pose a threat to its employees and take actions to mitigate them. Not all accidents are avoidable, but with planning even many of these risks can be forestalled.

One of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities isn’t even tied directly to the jobsite. It involves the commute getting there. Driving accidents are a major source of injury and death. Fortunately, their causes can be abated. The culprits behind workplace driving accidents are often over work, cell phone usage, and sleep deprivation. A solution for this is to make employee’s work hours regular and predictable. Instituting safe cell phone usage policies will also help reduce accidents and fatalities.

Another cause of workplace injury is violence. We often hear of disgruntled employees with guns shooting their co-workers, but this is a statistically small percentage of workplace related violence. The vast majority of workplace violence, nearly three quarters, is attributed to robbery. Employers should take this into consideration, especially where employees are transporting money for the company.

Factors employees should look into include where employees are handling money, where they are interacting with the public, or when they are working alone or late at night. Making sure the area around the workplace is well lit and monitored by security cameras is a good deterrent.

Slips and falls are another major cause of workplace injury and death, especially in the fields of construction and landscaping. However, slips and falls are also attributed to cluttered or unkempt workplaces. Keeping floors clear of cords, paper, etc. and cleaning up spills immediately will greatly reduce the chance employees will be injured from slips and falls.

The most non-fatal cause of workplace injury is repetitive motion or ergonomic injury. These injuries affect employees across a wide range of industries from office environments to manufacturing. These injuries often cause chronic conditions which don’t easily heal, therefore they result in more lost work time.

Not all workplace injuries can be avoided. However, they can be greatly reduced through employee education and awareness. If you or someone you know has been injured at work and believe the employer is at fault, you may want to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer that can help determine if the accident was preventable.

Emilee Atteberry is in her last year of law school and enjoys writing on a variety of law topics. She is particularly interested in personal injury law and currently writes for http://www.peachweathers.com/.

Back Safety, Ergonomics, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety

EASY HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS FOR THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

Regardless of the type of industry you work in, whether it is construction, manufacturing or energy, it is extremely important that you adhere to any health and safety rules in the workplace. If you fail to follow the health and safety guidelines  in operation, you may find that you inadvertently put yourself, and those around you, at risk. To ensure  you are taking  safety seriously, and protecting those around you,  we recommend you follow these five simple tips:

Slips, Trips and Falls

Regardless of the environment you work in, you need to be conscious of any potential slips and trips that can occur. To avoid a fall at work, you should ensure that all employees have had relevant training, explaining how best to avoid any accidents in the workplace. For example, ensuring all equipment is returned after use, can prevent anyone from tripping over it. It is also important that all employees know not to ignore a spillage or hazard.

Heavy Goods and Lifting

If you work in an industry which requires you to constantly move products from one place from another, you should always ensure you are comfortable with the weight you are carrying. Currently there are restrictions in place, as to what a single person should legally be carrying, these regulations aim to protect employees from being expected to carry something that is too heavy for them. If you believe that an item is too heavy to be carried safely, you should use the appropriate lifting gear available, helping to prevent a heavy lifting injury.

Personal Protective Clothing

If you work in a hazardous environment, or you are operating dangerous machinery, you should always ensure that you are wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Clothing (PPE). Even if you are only going to be working for a short period of time, it is essential that you, and your fellow employees, are always protected.

Wiring

Most work places will have a high volume of wires to contend  with. It is extremely important that all wires are maintained, and organized, in a manner that will prevent employees and visitors from tripping over them. If  a little time is regularly dedicated to tidying and maintaining wires, you will find that any issues are quickly resolved. When setting up new equipment, or machinery, you should make certain that all wires are kept to the edge of a room, and that they are firmly fixed in place.  Such measures will ensure they cannot move, avoiding the potential for a hazard to develop.

Fire Hazards

In any workplace fires are extremely dangerous, and can be devastating. With this in mind, you should prioritise  protecting your workplace; making sure all employees are vigilant. It is crucial that you clearly explain and display fire procedures, making sure they are understood, in case of an emergency.  You should also test and service all fire alarms and fire extinguishers on regular basis, so you know they will work correctly if they are ever required. 

Asons Solicitors suggest that if someone would like to learn more about health and safety claims process, such information is available at www.asons.co.uk, or via an expert helpline on 01204 521 133 

About Asons Solicitors:

Asons Solicitors is a Bolton-based law practice that specialises in personal injury and industrial disease claims. Founded by brothers Imran Akram and Kamran Akram, Asons Solicitors has developed to become a young and dynamic law firm that delivers practical solutions to clients in times of difficulty. Their continued focus on their staff has seen them awarded with the Investors in People “Gold Award”; which is reflected in the professional and personable approach they take in working with clients. They strive to grow and to develop, and their supportiveness and attention to detail ensures that their clients use them time and again. 

For further information contact:

Email: info@asons.co.uk; Website: www.asons.co.uk

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

PREVENTING ILLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

Employee absenteeism is one of the major drains on organizational performance, with the flu costing U.S. businesses over $10.4b a year alone. In Britain, it is estimated that workers take almost double the number of sick days than the U.S., according to research by professional services firm, PwC.

Richard Phelps, HR consulting partner at PwC said, “With sickness accounting for the lion’s share of absence, the question for employers is what can be done to improve health, morale and motivation.”

While some of this can be attributed to employees taking “sickies” – days off taken despite being well and able to come to work – it can also be attributed to greater rates of illness. Sickness generally accounts for around 80% of absence, which also includes jury service and compassionate leave:

“You need clear policies in place to make it less appealing for people to take unwarranted leave, while protecting those people with genuine illness,” added Phelps.

In many circumstances, illness is picked up from the workplace, with members of staff passing on germs as a result of being in close proximity to their colleagues. 

To reduce the likelihood of contamination, your workplace can take a number of steps to prevent illness from spreading:

Step One: Identify sources of germs

Most cold and flu symptoms are passed directly from person-to-person through coughs and sneezes, which become air borne and inhaled. They can also be passed from hands to objects like telephones, computer mice, equipment and machinery handles, photocopy machines, door handles or desks.

Step Two: Reduce the spread of germs

You can stop germs from spreading by making staff more responsible for their daily behaviour. As a general rule, ask staff to wash their hands after using the toilet, smoking or eating, using an antibacterial soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Staff with colds should avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, as this will increase the spread of germs. They should also cough or sneeze into tissue paper, covering their nose and mouth, before cleaning their hands.

Encourage your employees to clean their desks and personal items with disinfection wipes, particularly if they have recently been unwell.

Step Three: Clean areas which house bacteria

Kitchen

Workplace kitchens are a hive for bacteria so ensure that staff clean up after themselves when preparing food. Ensure that chopping boards, surfaces and utensils are washed with hot water and washing up liquid, particularly if they have been used for raw meats or fish.

Leftover food should be covered and put in the fridge, which should be monitored and cleaned out regularly; any leading brand of general purpose cleaner can be effective here – sites like Amazon.com stock a broad range of high-quality equipment.

Toilet

Toilets are another hive for bacteria and staff should be encouraged to keep them clean and tidy. Your cleaner should wash the floor and bowl with a disinfectant or general purpose cleaner, but also encourage staff to clean up their drips and spills and wash their hands after each visit.

You can visit clickcleaning.co.uk for a full range of high-quality cleaning products.

Step Four: Encourage sick staff to go home

Encourage staff with viruses to go home; having one member of staff off sick for two days is better than three members of staff being away for a total of six days.

If staff insist on working, let them work from home; otherwise encourage them to think carefully about how they interact with other team members, so to avoid cross-contamination.

Step Five: Encourage staff to practise healthy habits

Staff can avoid picking up viruses by leading healthy lifestyles, which means:

  • Getting plenty of sleep
  • Keeping physically active
  • Eating a balanced diet with a multivitamin
  • Drinking plenty of fluids, particularly water
  • Doing meditation or yoga
  • Drinking minimal alcohol or caffeine

Workplaces are shared environments, which mean responsibility for your wellbeing is collective too; encourage staff to keep your environment clean and germ-free and you will benefit from lower absenteeism and higher organizational productivity.

Author: Kate Southgate

 

General Safety Issues

WEARING YOUR INTERNET SEATBELT: HOW TO SURF SAFE IN THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

1 Comment

Safety has occupied a continually increasing spot in the almost all aspects of our lives. We now have cars with a dozen air bags and sensors on all sides that indicate when an accident is imminent. It’s become so important to us in our driving lives, but why not in our digital lives? Why don’t more people nowadays know how to keep their computer and identity safe on the internet? 

The Internet Is a Dangerous Place 

Most internet surfers have no idea what potential dangers await them in the depths of the online world. It’s a large expanse full of all types of menacing creatures: spammers, hackers, and identity thieves. Being caught off guard online can cause you some serious harm. The least of your worries is that a virus or adware infects your system, but the greatest threats come from spyware.

 If spyware makes it onto your computer, it could easily scrape your credit card numbers from web forms that you fill out. After this, your card’s information will be sold on a black market chatroom. Once it’s in the hands of your new friend, they will try to rack up as much of a bill on it as they can before you or your bank notices. In even more extreme cases, hackers can use spyware to steal your identity and open new lines of credit in your name. While malware can ruin your computer system, spyware has the potential to cost you much more. Many lives have been ruined by it. 

Safe Technology You Must Have 

You need to have a firewall, and it needs to be enabled. Most users already have one, but sometimes, they disable it in order to allow certain programs to function. Don’t ever do this. Instead, go into your firewall settings and give a program special approval to bypass the firewall. Always keep your firewall active. 

You must have a good antivirus program as well. This will regularly scan your computer for trojans, viruses, and other kinds of malware and spyware. It’s an incredibly important tool in the war on the dangers of the digital world, and you don’t have to spend big bucks for it either. Many people are surprised to learn that there are several free antiviruses available. Don’t let their lack of a price tag discourage you. They are robust, and if you can’t afford a more premium version, one of those free programs will be more than enough for you. 

Safe Practices To Follow 

Some of the best practices for internet safety should come as common sense. If anyone emails you claiming to be the prince of Nigeria and asking for any kind of financial transaction, send it straight to the trash bin. This might seem so obvious that it doesn’t even merit mentioning, but there’s a reason these spammers continue to do this. It’s because it, surprisingly, works on some people. Sometimes scammers are a bit more clever though. They might try to disguise themselves as a bank or other official institution. Always be careful about giving out your information through email, even you are corresponding with what seems like a legitimate organization. 

You always have to exercise extreme caution with the sites you visit, especially when you’re at work. Don’t give your information to any site that you don’t trust, but beware of phishing as well. That’s when an illegitimate site is disguised as an official one. This is often used with social networking sites like Facebook in an effort to get your profile’s password and spam your friends with advertising links. 

The digital world is full of dangers, and most of its citizens don’t even know it. Their computer can be ruined as a result, or their identity and money could be stolen. At any given moment, you are only a few clicks away from the digital equivalent of being in a dark alley surrounded by thugs. Take the proper precautions and follow best practices. Don’t be the next victim to fall prey to armchair hackers and internet thieves. 

Author bio

This is a guest post by Marianne Ross, a freelance writer mostly blogging about tech&gadgets. Marianne is currently working on behalf of 1&1 Internet, complex tech company where you can find more information about how to make a website safely on your own.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection

SAFETY COMPLIANCE IN THE WORKPLACE: KNOWING THE RULES WHEN WORKING WITH DANGEROUS MACHINERY (GUEST POST)

2 Comments

 


Compliance with health and safety regulations will not only help protect you, the employer, from liability concerns but will also help keep your workers safe and machines in good working order.

The Workplace Regulations 1992 cover the majority of health and safety issues that can occur in the workplace.  These regulations are split up into three different sections: health, safety and welfare. Each of these sections is especially relevant to a workplace where dangerous machinery is used on a daily basis. 

Health 

This section relates to ensuring that your workplace isn’t set up in a way that will give your employees health issues in the short or long term.  Referring to specific key areas, here is a rundown of how the regulations apply to working with dangerous machinery:

Ventilation:

When materials are cut noxious gases or fine dust particles are often given off. This can lead to lung problems if your workers are exposed to this without adequate ventilation.   Installing mechanical ventilation will ensure that there is a supply of fresh air. Windows may provide enough ventilation, but well maintained mechanical ventilation will always be more efficient. 

Temperature:

Ambient temperature can be affected by machinery running in the workplace. If your workplace doesn’t have air conditioning then temperatures can become too uncomfortable to work in.  Temperature also refers to humidity in the workplace.  Having your workplace at an uncomfortable temperature can lead to stress and loss of concentration. This is especially relevant if your employees are working with machinery as any mistakes can lead to accidents. 

Lighting:

Your workspace should be contain adequate lighting. This is especially important for workspaces using machinery. safety precautions should also be in place incase of sudden loss of light. this means that backup systems are a must if sudden loss of light could lead to accidents.

Cleanliness:

Workspaces should be kept clear of rubbish that could pose a tripping hazard or fire risk. Provide an appropriate means of waste disposal and ensure it is removed regularly. 

Safety 

This second section deals with day to day measures that must be put into place in order to protect the wellbeing of employees. The headings that safety regulations deal with are: 

Equipment Maintenance:

Keeping your machinery well maintained will help prevent accidents that arise from faults and breakages. Likewise, keeping your devices such ventilation systems in good order will help prevent complications from arising further down the line. 

Floor Traffic:

Keeping the areas of your workplace which encounter high foot traffic clear of tripping hazards is very important. This is especially important for workers who are using machinery as a trip or fall can result in serious accidents. 

Windows:

When windows in the workplace are open, they shouldn’t pose as risk to anyone.



Welfare

The welfare aspect of health and safety compliance in the workplace relates directly to the conditions experienced by employees and maintaining their mental and physical health.  Your workplace is only as efficient as the people who are running it, and ensuring your employees are in good health will enable them to focus more and work more efficiently.   This is done by providing suitable sanitation facilities, access to clean water and regular breaks. 

By following these guidelines, your workplace will be a safer and more efficient place. 

This piece was written by Mark Enright, a writer for http://www.yorkshireprofiles.co.uk/, Yorkshire Profiles, a laser cutting, water cutting and fabrication provider.