The weather is heating up and summer is almost here. Yup, it’s already June folks! And that means it’s time to celebrate National Safety Month.
Proper back support, correct lifting techniques, and eye protection tips can get boring. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth discussing. Since looking at a few short articles can save you from chronic pain or injury, we think it’s worth it.
Here are our top eye safety tips to ensure you enjoy that annual fireworks show in July.
If you’ve never worked around moving equipment before, orientation at your new warehouse job should teach you about the dangers of walking alongside these workplace monsters. Just as with cars or trains, moving equipment can put you at risk of injury or even death.
And mobile equipment isn’t just a problem for new hires. Those of us established in our routines may forget to take proper precautions, which can result in tragedy.
Looking for a safety checklist? The graphic below should help.
Summer is almost here and, depending on where you are, the heat can be fierce. It’s important to understand how heat affects you if you work outside or in facilities that aren’t climate controlled.
Not sure how to spot the symptoms of a heat-related illness? Looking for ways to prevent them? We’ve got you covered.
The first major snowstorm of the season has blown through, and while you may be enjoying the lull between Christmas and New Year’s Day, this week is a great time to prepare to hit the ground running in your job search once the holidays are over.
Job searching around the holidays can be challenging with key players out of the office on vacation, so spend this time strategizing your job search and line up those interviews. Ideally, the weather on the day of your interview will be sunny, about 70 degrees, and no wind to mess up your perfectly styled hair. But Mother Nature often has a mind of her own, and you might find yourself driving to interviews in some slippery conditions.
Before you hit the roads in inclement weather conditions, follow these tips from Volunteer Fireman’s Insurance Services (VFIS) to make sure you get to your interview safely:
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t’s the most wonderful time of the year—unless your holiday is disrupted by a trip to the hospital, a visit from the fire department, or a case of the blues that steals the joy of the season.
How do you keep your holidays as safe as they are festive? Here are five tips to keep in mind.
Talking Turkey
You may be trying out a brand new recipe, roasting your first big turkey, or just so caught up in fun and conversation that you can’t remember how long the roast beast has been sitting out.
To keep food poisoning off your guest list, try these tips from the Food and Drug Administration. In addition, stuffing is a common culprit of food-borne illness, so pay special attention to its temperature, and don’t ever stuff a turkey the night before roasting.
Deep frying a turkey includes different hazards, including fryer related fires, burns, explosions, and even carbon monoxide poisoning. Use these safety tips from the National Safety Council to stay safe.
(Don’t) Keep the Home Fires Burning
According to the National Fire Protection Association, holiday decorations cause 860 home fires each year, and Christmas trees trigger another 210 blazes. Untended candles and fireplaces also increase the risk that your holiday will go up in smoke.
Following these tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International can help your holidays stay delightful, not frightful.
To Grandmother’s House We (Carefully) Go
Today’s parents are experts at child proofing their own homes, but holiday travel takes babies and children into new environments where toilet seat locks and safety latches are not part of the floor plan.
Even the most child-proofed grandparent’s home may pose a real potential safety risk: poisoning. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, grandparents’ medicines are among the most dangerous causes of childhood poisoning.
If you’re traveling with kids or hosting them, these tips from Poisoning.org can be a big help.
Home for the Holidays
In 2015, more than 100 million travelers hit the road for the holidays, according to AAA, and that number is only expected to increase this year. Here are three tips to remember if you will be driving to join in the season’s festivities:
Traveling overseas? Check the alerts and warnings advisory put out by the U.S. Department of State and the Government of Canada.
Not Every Spirit is Bright
Despite the joy of the season, many people experience depression or “the blues.” And for Millennials, holiday gatherings can also bring a different kind of stress.
An article in Fortune reports that 70% of this generation experiences social anxiety around the holidays. Some tips for navigating these stressors:
Above all, remember that no holiday is ever perfect. Don’t get stressed out trying to do too much in too little time. You’ll enjoy friends and family more if you’re relaxed and rested.
What are you doing to stay safe this holiday season? Let us know in the comments section below!
With another school year underway, you may soon notice heavier traffic on your daily commute, along with the enforcement of school zones. Because of this, we thought now would be a good time for a refresher on driver safety to help keep children and other young drivers safe as traffic increases.
Adjust your commute time.
If school has already started in your area, your commute time has likely become longer. Now is the time of year to reevaluate the time it takes you to get to work and make sure you adjust your schedule to reflect any changes. Choosing an appropriate time to leave your home not only gets you out the door before traffic reaches its heaviest point, but it also helps you avoid the pressure to drive faster than you should in order to make it to work on time.
Be aware of school zones.
You should always be aware of school zones and drive under the designated speed limit when you’re traveling through one. But now that school is back in session, your school zone awareness needs to be elevated. When you’re driving through a school zone, make sure you’re especially aware of your surroundings. After coming to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights, accelerate slowly and carefully scan the area while maintaining a slow speed to lessen the chances of an accident involving pedestrians.
Remember to watch for new drivers.
As the school year starts, many new drivers will also be hitting the road on their way to school. Teens typically have less driving experience than other drivers, so use a little extra focus and slower speeds in areas near high schools to avoid driving-related issues. Remember to account for after-school activities that may affect rush hour traffic as well.
Leaving early, being aware of specific areas, and reducing your speed during increased traffic can help all of us on the road get to work and back safely every day.
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
It’s the height of the holiday season, which means many retailers are experiencing a sharp increase in staff, stock, and customers. And while the spike in store traffic is great for job seekers and business alike, it also means an increase in hazards and risks on the job.
To help keep yourself, your co-workers, and the customers safe during busy holiday shopping days, check out these tips!
Know the risks.
Some of the risks associated with the holiday shopping season are ones that exist in the workplace every day, regardless of the time of year. Such risks include ergonomic issues that lead to numbness and pain, like carpel tunnel syndrome or muscle and joint problems. During the holiday season, workers may experience an increased need to reach high places and work at a more frantic pace, increasing the risk of injuries.
Establish safety guidelines.
Your employers should have safety procedures in place to help protect you and other workers from injury. It’s your job to follow those procedures. Retail employers need to be sure the workplace is properly staffed, properly organized, and that employees are not so rushed to complete tasks that they overlook basic safety procedures. All employees should report any unsafe or hazardous conditions to their supervisors so they can respond to reports quickly and safely.
Protect yourself.
To protect yourself on the job, make sure you use proper lifting techniques, avoid twisting and reaching overhead as much as you can, and communicate any difficulties you experience to your supervisor.
Watch out for the customers.
A safety concern that is easily overlooked is the increased hazards to the public while shopping in the aisles of retail stores. Stocking activity can be much higher during hours customers are present, and many employees will be performing stocking tasks in close proximity to customers. Due to the high business volume of the season, customers are often exposed to more equipment and stock on the sales floor and activity above their heads and feet. To deal with this additional liability, employers can move merchandise and equipment through stores using an additional employee to direct traffic on the aisles, stock heavier items on lower shelves, and ensure everyone is trained and aware of the special hazards associated with customer interaction.
Understand the regulations.
Crowd safety has become an important topic during peak holiday hours like Black Friday. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a website dedicated to helping retail employees manage crowds on special shopping days. They encourage employers and their employees to plan, communicate, and have an emergency response procedure in place. Check out OSHA’s website for more information.
As with other days of the year, it’s very important to maintain safe working conditions during the busy season. Making sure you’re following proper procedures can ensure that you go home healthy and happy to enjoy the holidays with friends and family.
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
