Tag Archives: no distractions

Back Safety, Ergonomics, General Safety Issues

HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS FOR MOVERS (GUEST POST)

Movers help people relocate from point A to point B. They are called on to carry large and heavy furniture and appliances safely. Movers oversee the process and make sure all items are hauled to the new location in the fastest and safest way possible, using packaging tools and trucks for prep and transport. 

The Life of a Mover

The responsibilities of movers are more on strength of body instead of mind. In each project they manage, movers carry heavy boxes and push and pull cargo multiple times. With this nature of work, movers are exposed to health and safety hazards that should be identified and prevented. If one fails to do so, he/she may end up injured and out of the job for good. 

Peruse the Workplace

For starters, make your work environment safe by checking for anything unsafe or unhealthy within the area. A box full of sharp nails may be ready to collapse at any moment while a furniture piece may have some splinters waiting for the precise time to strike. Determine what is the highest risk and priority and how to deal with it. Prior planning and preparation for every project should be adopted into the workplace. 

Repair the Identified Problems

Take action to repair any issues that you’ve identified within the workplace. Pick up loose nuts and bolts that you could trip on or wrap exposed cables and wires with tape to avoid getting electrocuted or starting a fire. Check the issues you just addressed and make sure it won’t happen again. 

A professional mover must also plan and prepare individual health and safety measures for every project they undertake. Completing some training courses are also imperative to work safely. This not only helps you work proficiently and safely but also adds to your credentials as a professional mover. 

Familiarize Yourself With the Law

Know the laws relevant to moving and update yourself. There are laws for the transport of potentially dangerous goods, mass and dimension restrictions, load limit requirements, fatigue management, etc. Involve and inform your coworkers so that they too can exercise these health and safety protocols. 

Keep Your Vehicle in Perfect Condition

The other half of the moving process is transport. This means you should also be sure your vehicle is functioning properly. A flat tire can delay the move and even jeopardize the items carried by the vehicle. Your moving vehicle should be fit for the job. Have it checked and maintained regularly. This includes tire alignment, oil change, and engine diagnosis. Call a mechanic or learn the safety procedures of changing tires and other vehicle maintenance procedures if you are going to do it yourself. 

When in the driver’s seat, avoid multitasking like texting on your phone. Avoid distractions while loading and unloading as well. Bring a valid driver’s license along just in case you get in trouble with authorities. To avoid any problems, abide by all road regulations and laws. Be prepared for unprecedented circumstances like vehicle inspections and heavy traffic incidents. Install alert warning systems to avoid speeding and getting pulled over.

Handling Electrical Systems

Movers may also be required to perform some electrical work. If you are untrained and inexperienced in electrical work, call licensed electricians to do it for you. Do not attempt anything on the system if you are unsure as this may lead to injuries. Use exclusion zones when closely working with overhead power lines. Take note that the requirements for exclusion zones differ with voltage. The higher the voltage, the larger the exclusion zone. 

Avoid Stress

Avoid stressful situations and defuse them immediately before it worsens. A clear and focused mind is necessary to perform your responsibilities as a mover. Stress can cloud your judgment and disable you from thinking straight. This could lead to workplace accidents. Physical and mental fatigue should also be avoided by getting adequate rest and eating a well-balanced diet. Never leave for work on an empty stomach. Eat nutritious meals like cereals and whole grain breads that give you carbohydrates for energy. Get at least 6 hours of sleep per day to allow your mind to replenish. 

Protect Yourself From Extreme Temperatures

When at work, avoid extreme temperatures. Avoid the scorching summer heat by staying in the shade. Wear multiple layers of clothing during the cold winter season. Exposing your body to physical work plus the harsh climates can take its toll on both mind and body.  

This guest post was written by Victor Daily, passionate blogger with extensive experience from Brisbane, Australia. Important information for this article have been provided by http://www.yourlocalmovers.com.au.

We appreciate the great advice from Victor and hope he sends more!  Persons who do much lifting might want to consider wearing a lifting belt, and using the correct lifting methods to avoid back injury.  pb

General Safety Issues

FIVE IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS FOR HOLIDAY ROAD TRIPS (GUEST POST)

1 Comment

By Sam Banai – Some great suggestions for everyone planning to travel next week for Thanksgiving, or later on, Christmas.

Everyone loves to travel on the holidays, but not everyone is willing to deal with the stress and hustle of flying on a major airline.  Choosing to drive to your holiday vacation spot can cut down on the bothers of airports and even create a little adventure in your life, especially if you have someone to keep you company and a good mix to drive to.  There are some added safety issues though that you must deal with if you’re driving long distances.  Keeping these precautions in mind before and  during your trip can make the difference between a festive vacation or one that spells disaster.

Funds For the Road

When embarking on a long journey through the country, make sure you have enough money.  Imagine driving down the highway and narrowly running out of gas about two miles from a station.  You walk the two miles in the cold — it is winter after all — and you arrive at the gas station with no cash and all your money in savings and not checking.  This might seem rare, but the vacation frenzied and excited mind will do silly things sometimes.  Just make sure you have emergency funds for those times that you run out of something that you will need in the middle of nowhere: gas, food, oil, payphone calls — when reception is elusive.   

Proper Rest is Best

Driving on slick roads is dangerous; driving on slick roads when you’ve been driving for 10 hours, or through the night, is suicide.  Pick out spots along the way where you can rest or even sleep.  If you’re really driving through nowhere, or if you just want to save some much needed cash, switch off driving with your road trip buddy.  You would be amazed how even a 30 minute nap can revitalize your awareness.  

Have a Clear Mind and Few Distractions

Music is great, but make sure it’s not distracting you from signs, lights, and noises of the road: horns, sirens, and railroad gates.  If you take medication, make sure it’s non-drowsy.  If it is, have someone else drive when you feel the effects, or don’t take it at all.  Nothing ruins a vacation like driving through Florida on the holidays and getting a DWI Charlotte officer pulling you over for swerving.  Just be responsible; don’t drive if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol.      

Have a Backup Plan

It might be worth investing in a service like AAA to give you peace of mind and security during the holidays.  If you can’t afford a service like that, or if you are Mr. or Mrs. Self Sufficient, make sure you have a spare of all major car elements.  The main ones include tires, windshield wiper fluid, and oil.  Also, make sure you have the tools and knowledge to use these things.  You need to have a car jack for changing tires and a working understanding of your engine in case something goes wrong.  And, please bring a windshield scrapper; it’s winter, and it tends to snow or get icy.

Keeping all of these things in mind will dramatically increase the chances that your holiday road trip goes well.  Be aware of the weather, supplies, your state of mind, and the route that you’re taking.  It may seem like a lot of work, but it can be a lot less stressful, more fun, and more rewarding to take a road trip with a loved one than fly to your holiday spot.

Saam Banai is a freelance writer and editor.  He contributes this article for Powers & McCartan PLLC, a firm with experience in DWI Charlotte based crimes.  If you have been taken in for a DWI in the State of North Carolina, you should quickly contact a defense attorney who knows this area of law.

 Thanks, Saam, for another great article! Travelers may also want to pack supplies, as you mentioned, such as blankets, water, snacks, fully-charged cell phone, and always carry a first aid kit.  Pat

General Safety Issues

NETS KICKS OFF DRIVE SAFELY WORK WEEK

October 1 – 5 is designated as Drive Safely Work Week.  This years’ campaign is “Back to Basics – Your Keys to Safe Driving” and is sponsored by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety.  (NETS) This is the perfect time for employers to look at their policies, especially those that cover issues such as mobile device and safety belt usage, and update them in order to bring more attention to their employees exhibiting safe driving behavior. 

This is the 16th year of Drive Safely Work Week – a reminder that 16 is also the age that most teenagers get to try their “wings” behind the wheel.  There is so much emphasis on distracted driving that we sometimes forget that responsible driving enforces the wide range of skills needed to be a safe, dependable driver. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 40,000 Americans die on our highways every year.  Every twelve minutes someone dies in a vehicular accident on U.S. Roads.  Every 10 seconds someone is injured and has to be taken to an Emergency Room.  It is also estimated that in addition to the 40,000 Americans who die annually, another 270,000 are hospitalized, resulting in costs to states and our nation exceeding ninety-nine billion dollars.  Even though the NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) says vehicle fatalities have declined in recent years due to newer vehicles having better safety features, and seat belt use has improved, the number of traffic deaths caused by distracted driving has increased. 

The agency reports that distracted drivers cause 4 out of 5 motor vehicle crashes in the U.S.  The main causes are cell phones and gadgets. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that more than 150,000 persons are injured in accidents caused by drivers either texting or talking on their cell phones each year.  

The DSWW campaign focuses on the following issues:

  •          Driving distraction-free;
  •          Safe parking and backing;
  •          Fine-tuning the fundamentals to avoid some of the most common types of crashes;
  •          Buckling up all the time and encouraging others to do the same;
  •          Recognizing and preventing fatigue-impaired driving. 

NETS furnishes a toolkit that is packed with tips and information to refresh some of the skills for drivers that may have become a bit rusty, and possibly teach some new ones.  It also has some good information for those who have a new driver in the family, which could help the driving coach.  This toolkit can be downloaded on the NETS website. 

U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, says, “Employers are able to reach up to half of the American people and their support in promoting safe driving habits both on and off the job is critical.  I applaud NETS for making this toolkit available to companies and organizations across the country, and I hope it serves as a reminder for drivers to keep their eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and focus on driving.”

 

 

 

`