New Year's Eve Safety Tips

New Year's Eve is a night to have fun and celebrate the coming year. However, safety is a must when participating in the festivities. Whether you're staying in and celebrating with friends and family, or you're traveling to a party or city bash, following a few safety tips will ensure that you're safe and sound when the clock strikes midnight, ringing in the New Year!

• Designate a Driver: If you are going to be driving New Year's Eve, don't drink and drive. If you have a friend who does not prefer to drink, make sure they take the wheel. You might even be on the water this New Year's Eve. The person in charge of navigating the boat needs to be cautious, and this still applies to them. It is important to be safe on the water as well, so drink sensibly.

• Be Alert: Be aware of your surroundings and how others are acting. Stay away from those who are out of control and might cause harm. Taking preventive measures is key. If someone is really intoxicated, prevent them from trying to drive or leaving with someone they do not know. It's important to keep an eye out for each other.

• Don't Drive: If you don't have to go behind the wheel, avoid it. More people will be driving under the influence on this particular night, so avoid a potentially dangerous accident by staying off the road. Otherwise, be alert and drive defensively. Most importantly, wear your seat belt. Also, using public transportation is a wise option. If taking a cab is too expensive, crashing at a friend's place nearby is a convenient solution.

• Stick Together: This way we can look out for our friends and family. Going out to parties and nightclubs means a fast-paced, crazy night; so be sure to travel in groups. Having a safety net around you in this environment is imperative.

• Monitor your Alcohol Intake: A majority of people will be drinking on New Year's Eve, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just be sure to pay attention to how much you and others are consuming. Drinking too much alcohol can have lethal affects. Be responsible.

• Don't forget about your pets. They are just as much a part of the family as everyone else. If you are using fireworks, anything with loud noises, or fire, be sure that pets are kept at a distance as well as children. None of these are a good mix.

• Be careful with open flames: If you're burning candles, incense or oil burners, remember to extinguish them before you turn in or before you leave the room they are burning in. Pay extra attention to pets and children around open flames.

• Be extra careful with Fireworks: If you are letting off fireworks in a residential area, be sure to practice proper safety precautions when using them. Let off fireworks in a field or other open area where homes and power lines are out of sight. Have a fire extinguisher nearby and never try to re-light a firework that did not go off when first lit. Also, be sure pets and children are at a safe distance from where fireworks are being ignited. Finally, always have an adult present when using any type of firework.

Everyone wants to have an unforgettable night -- in a good way. By simply using some common sense, we can keep it that way. Ring in the New Year safely.

The Importance of Training

Importance of Training and Development

Training and career development are very vital in any company or organization that aims at progressing. Training simply refers to the process of acquiring the essential skills required for a certain job. It targets specific goals, for instance understanding a process and operating a certain machine or system. Career development, on the other side, puts emphasis on broader skills, which are applicable in a wide range of situations. This includes decision making, thinking creatively and managing people.

So what is the importance of training and development?

I. Help in addressing employee weaknesses:
Most workers have certain weaknesses in their workplace, which hinder them from giving the best services. Training assists in eliminating these weaknesses, by strengthening workers skills. A well organized development program helps employees gain similar skills and knowledge, thus bringing them all to a higher uniform level. This simply means that the whole workforce is reliable, so the company or organization doesn’t have to rely only on specific employees.

II. Improvement in workers performance
A properly trained employee becomes more informed about procedures for various tasks. The worker confidence is also boosted by training and development. This confidence comes from the fact that the employee is fully aware of his/her roles and responsibilities. It helps the worker carry out the duties in better way and even find new ideas to incorporate in the daily execution of duty.

III. Consistency in duty performance
A well organized training and development program gives the workers constant knowledge and experience. Consistency is very vital when it comes to an organization’s or company’s procedures and policies. This mostly includes administrative procedures and ethics during execution of duty.

IV. Ensuring worker satisfaction
Training and development makes the employee also feel satisfied with the role they play in the company or organization. This is driven by the great ability they gain to execute their duties. They feel they belong to the company or the organization that they work for and the only way to reward it is giving the best services they can.

V. Increased productivity
Through training and development the employee acquires all the knowledge and skills needed in their day to day tasks. Workers can perform at a faster rate and with efficiency thus increasing overall productivity of the company. They also gain new tactics of overcoming challenges when they face them.

VI. Improved quality of services and products
Employees gain standard methods to use in their tasks. They are also able to maintain uniformity in the output they give. This results with a company that gives satisfying services or goods.

VII. Reduced cost
Training and development results with optimal utilization of resources in a company or organization. There is no wastage of resources, which may cause extra expenses. Accidents are also reduced during working. All the machines and resources are used economically, reducing expenditure.

VIII. Reduction in supervision
The moment they gain the necessary skills and knowledge, employees will become more confident . They will become self reliant and require only little guidance as they perform their tasks. The supervisor can depend on the employee’s decision to give quality output. This relieves supervisors the burden of constantly having to give directives on what should be done.

How to Fireproof Your Christmas Tree

Fire Proof Your Christmas Tree

You will need:

2 c. Karo Syrup
2 oz. Liquid Chlorine Bleach
2 pinches Epsom Salt
1/2 tsp. Borax
1 tsp. Chelated Iron

 Make a fresh cut on the bottom of your Christmas tree with a saw. Try to cut level taking off at least one inch. Immediately after you cut the tree mix your fireproofing ingredients. Fill a two gallon bucket with hot water to within one inch of the top then add ingredients and mix well. Immediately stand the tree in this solution and let it sit for 24 hours.

Place your tree in a stand with a well where liquids can be poured (SAVE REMAINING SOLUTION).

After your tree is in the stand fill solution from the bucket into tree well using a cup or other smaller container.

Every day without exception, the well of the tree stand must be “TOPPED-UP” with the solution from the two gallon bucket.

Follow these simple directions & your tree will be fireproofed. (as Fireproof as possible!) It may save your home and family from those fire tragedies we always hear about around the holidays!

This is how it works: The Karo Syrup provides the sugar necessary to allow the base of the tree to take up water. Up to 1.5 gallons of water can be taken up by the tree over a two week period. Boron in the “Borax” allows the tree to move the water and sugar out to every branch and needles in your tree. Magnesium compounds in the Epsom Salt and Iron form the Chelated Iron provide essential components for the production of chlorophyll which will keep the tree green. The bleach prevents mold from forming in your solution.
Some of the other beneficial side-affects of this procedure are that the needles will not drop and you will notice an increase in natural pine fragrance. 

Holiday Decoration Safety Tips

Trees
Many artificial trees are fire resistant. If you buy one, look for a statement specifying this protection.

A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard than a dry tree. To check for freshness,
remember:

• A fresh tree is green.
• Fresh needles are hard to pull from branches.
• When bent between your fingers, fresh needles do not break.
• The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin.
• When the trunk of a tree is bounced on the ground, a shower of falling needles shows that tree is too dry.

Place tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Heated rooms dry trees out rapidly, creating fire hazards.

Cut off about two inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption. Trim away branches as necessary to set tree trunk in the base of a sturdy, water-holding stand with wide spread feet. Keep the stand filled with water while the tree is indoors.

Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways. Use thin guy-wires to secure a large tree to walls or ceiling. These wires are almost invisible.

“Snow”
Artificial snow sprays can irritate lungs if inhaled. To avoid injury, read container labels; follow directions carefully.

Lights
Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety. Identify these by the label from an independent testing laboratory.

Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets or repair them before using.

Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house, walls or other firm support to protect from wind damage.

Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.

Turn off all lights on trees and other decorations when you go to bed or leave the house. Lights could short and start a fire.

Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.  The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and any person touching a branch could be electrocuted! To avoid this danger, use colored spotlights above or beside a tree, never fastened onto it!

Keep “bubbling” lights away from children. These lights with their bright colors and bubbling movement can tempt curious children to break candle-shaped glass, which can cut, and attempt to drink liquid, which contains a hazardous chemical.

Candles
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens.

Always use non-flammable holders.

Keep candles away from other decorations and wrapping paper.

Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over.

Trimmings
Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials.

Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass “angel hair” to avoid irritation to eyes and skin.

Choose tinsel or artificial icicles or plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if
ingested by children.

In homes with small children, take special care to:

• Avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable.
• Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children. Pieces could be swallowed or inhaled.
• Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food. A child could eat them!

Fires
Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that flue is open.

Keep a screen before the fireplace all the time a fire is burning.

Use care with “fire salts” which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals which can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation or vomiting if eaten. Keep away from children.

Paper
When making paper decorations, look for materials labeled non-combustible or flame resistant.

Never place trimming near open flames or electrical connections.

Remove all wrapping papers from tree and fireplace areas immediately after presents are opened.

Do not burn papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely

General Rules for Holiday Safety
Keep matches, lighters, and candles out of the reach of children.

Avoid smoking near flammable decorations.

Make an emergency plan to use if a fire breaks out anywhere in the home. See that each family member knows what to do. PRACTICE THE PLAN!

Avoid wearing loose flowing clothes-particularly long, open sleeves-near open flames - such as those of a fireplace, stove, or candlelit table.

Never burn candles near evergreens. Burning evergreens in the fireplace can also be hazardous. When dry, greens burn like tinder. Flames can flare out of control, and send sparks flying into a room, or up the chimney to ignite creosote deposits.

Plan for safety. Remember, there is no substitute for common sense. Look for and eliminate potential danger spots near candles, fireplaces, trees, and/or electrical connections.

How to Deep Fry a Turkey

One does not simply deep-fry a turkey. It's an intricate process that requires careful preparation, intense focus, and just a bit of luck lest your holiday feast become a Turkey Day tragedy. Here's how to cook that bird without getting the fire department involved.

You will need:

First off, gather your supplies and ensure that the equipment is in proper working order.

• one turkey
• one 30 - 60 quart pot
• a fry basket or turkey fryer hook
• a propane gas tank and burner
• a deep fry thermometer
• a standard meat thermometer
• protective clothing—long-sleeve everything, heavy-duty oven mitts, and eye protection
• a fire extinguisher
• marinade syringe
• enough vegetable oil to fill the pot (approximately 3 - 5 gallons). It's important that you only use oils with a smoke point above 350 degrees F—corn, peanut, or canola oil are good options.

Smaller birds weighing 8-12 pounds are ideal for deep frying, both fresh and frozen varieties. They're not only easier to handle than bigger birds, they cook faster and more evenly as well. Turkeys that weigh 15 pounds or more will still work but you'll need to remove the dark meat and cook it separately, otherwise the extra fry time needed to cook all that meat will end up burning the skin (which is the best part).

Once you've settled on a suitably-sized gobbler, you'll need to prep it. Remove the wrapper, note the listed weight, extricate any included giblets from the body cavity, and thaw the bird completely. This is essential as dunking even a mostly thawed turkey into boiling hot oil will result in an explosive boil-over and could start a fire.

To be safe in case the flames do flare up, locate your cooking station on a sturdy, level surface safely away from structures, children, pets, and flammable ground (ie wooden decks)—preferably on concrete. If you're worried about staining the driveway with overflowing oil, you can always place an aluminum trap pan under the burner as a grease catcher.

Once the turkey has been thoroughly de-iced, do a test run to check the vessel. Trim off any extraneous fat, and lower the bird into the unheated pot using the fry basket. Add enough tap water to cover the carcass. The water line should be three inches from the lip—if you don't have at least that much room to spare, you'll need to find a bigger cooking vessel. But if it's big enough, remove the turkey and mark the water line on the fryer. Pour out the water and dry the pot thoroughly.

You're ready for the oil, now. Fill the fryer to the line and pre-heat it to 350 degrees F. Check the oil as it heats up using the deep fryer thermometer. While you wait, use your marinade syringe to inject the flavorful fluid at least an inch into turkey's breast, wings, and thighs. Make sure you pump it deep into the muscle mass, because if the injection is too shallow, the marinade will leak out under the skin and cause a boil over when it reacts with the oil. Finally, pat the carcass dry, both inside and out, with paper towels to remove any lingering surface moisture.

When the oil holds steady at 350, we're finally ready to start cooking. Don your safety gear, set the turkey in its fry basket and prepare to lower the crucible into the hot oil bath. The safest way to do this is to run a bit of light gauge wire between the drumsticks, connect a fryer hook to a suitably long pole, and use that to put the bird in its pot. Set it in the oil this slowly. The oil will immediately begin roiling heavily when it comes in contact with the meat. If it boils over into the burner, it will combust. You don't want that to happen.

Whole turkeys only need about 3.5 minutes per pound to fully cook (and 4.5 minutes for the separated dark meat). Use the listed weight from the turkey wrapper to estimate the cooking time. Don't go wandering off—in fact, don't take your eyes off the pot while the bird is cooking—and keep that fire extinguisher within arm's reach. The oil temperature should be kept as close to 350 degrees as weather conditions allow. But if you notice it beginning to smoke, immediately reduce the heat to avoid it flaring up or scorching.

Once enough time has elapsed for your bird's weight, gently lift the fry basket to remove the turkey from the oil. Allow it to drip over the grease-catching pan. Before undoing the frying rig, Have a helper stick the meat thermometer into the thighs and breast, which should register 180 degrees F and 170 degrees F, respectively, if its properly cooked. Let the cooked turkey cool a bit, then soak up the excess oil with some paper towels. Finally, allow the bird to rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.

CDC says take 3 actions to fight the flu

Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. 

CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu): 

Take time to get a flu vaccine.

• CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
• While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common. (See upcoming season’s Vaccine Virus Selection for this season’s vaccine composition.)
• Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as the current season's vaccines are available.
• Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
• People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children,pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
• Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people.
• Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should be vaccinated instead.

Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
• See Everyday Preventive Actions  [257 KB, 2 pages] andNonpharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) for more information about actions – apart from getting vaccinated and taking medicine – that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of illnesses like influenza (flu).

Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.

• If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can treat your illness.
• Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) and are not available over-the-counter.
• Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For people with high risk factors  [702 KB, 2 pages], treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness versus a very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay.
• Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high-risk health or is very sick from the flu. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking this drug.
• Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

Keep Violence Out with Effective Prevention Strategies

With so much talk about guns and violence, it natural that employers are giving more thought than usual to workplace violence. Here are some prevention tips from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which has had to deal with its share of workplace violence over the years.

OSHA defines workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, customers, visitors, and others.

Assessing possible risks is an important early step in violence prevention. One way to do this is to look at possible sources of violence: strangers, customers, and employees or their associates.

Violence from Strangers

Violence from strangers is the most deadly form of workplace violence. It usually accompanies robbery. People planning robberies usually select their targets carefully and bring their weapons with them. Employees who work into the evening are particularly vulnerable to this type of workplace violence and can face some of the same risks on leaving the workplace or on their way home.

Preventive strategies may include:

• Good lighting of various types
• Perimeter security such as badging, visitor screening, and controlled access to buildings
• Employee training so that everyone can support the security staff by following procedures and being alert for suspicious people or behaviors

  Violence from Customers

  Violence from customers is usually spontaneous and therefore less likely to be lethal. Preventive strategies include workplace design, carefully developed safety and security procedures, and employee awareness and prevention training.

  Violence from Employees

  Violence from employees or their close associates and violence from former employees is the most varied form of workplace violence. It can range from shoving or punching to homicide. It can grow out of workplace disputes or out of personal or emotional issues such as the end of a romantic relationship.
  Preventive measures may include good leadership principles such as fairness, open communication, and respect for employees. It's also important to have an environment in which employees feel safe to approach supervisors, security staff, or HR if they feel afraid for any reason.

  Warning Signs

  Unfortunately, the best prevention strategies cannot always prevent violence, which means supervisors and employees throughout the workplace must be able to recognize warning signs. For example:
  • An employee says or hints that he or she might harm someone. People contemplating violence sometimes broadcast their intentions. Even if statements seem to be made in jest, employees need to understand that such jokes are not appropriate.
  • A worker appears to be frightened of someone else. That person feeling fear could be an employee or a supervisor. For example, a supervisor could be anxious about counseling or disciplining an employee.
  • An employee might seem afraid after talking with an irate ex-spouse over the phone.
  • An employee might frighten another employee with inappropriate talk about weapons.
  • A normally dependable employee may make excuses to avoid seeing a particular customer.
  These situations should make alarm bells go off in your mind. You can follow up on your initial response by observing the situation more closely, gathering additional information, and seeking professional advice, if necessary.

  Response

  OPM explains that response to threats or violent incidents must vary to fit the situation, but essentially there are three major tasks:
  • Evaluate the situation more extensively.
  • Develop and execute a plan for responding to it.
  • Address safety issues at every stage in the process.
  As soon as possible, you and your advisors need to stabilize the situation in a way that preserves safety. This might involve barring a customer or employee from the building temporarily or moving a threatened employee temporarily to a safer place.
  Once the immediate danger has passed, you need to move on to investigate the situation, collect statements and other documentation, and develop a long-term plan. The long-term plan may involve personnel actions, legal measures, or involvement of law enforcement organizations.

8 Elements of a Chemical Hygiene Plan

OSHA's Laboratory Standard requires a written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP). And that plan must contain these eight elements.

The CHP must:

• Describe standard operating procedures.
• Define criteria for implementation of control measures (i.e. engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE).
• Define (and document) procedures to maintain proper functioning of chemical fume hoods and protective equipment. This includes procedures such as checking the flow rate of hoods and verifying that equipment is working properly.
• Provide employee information and training.
• Provide criteria for "prior approval." Where you have processes or procedures where employees have to get prior approval (e.g., working alone) criteria allow you to make arrangements for protection.
• Provide criteria for medical consultation and examination.
• Designate personnel responsible for implementation of the CHP. Employers must designate responsibilities to a variety of people both in and out of lab, including the Chemical Hygiene Officer and others. The highest up person should sign the plan, saying that he/she has authorized the plan.
• Provide employee protection from particularly hazardous substances. Inventory chemicals and decide which fall into this category—for example, carcinogens and extremely reactive materials.
The Chemical Hygiene Plan must be easily accessible and designed to protect employees from health hazards associated with the specific hazardous chemicals in their laboratories. The plan can be maintained and available electronically as long as employees know how to access it.

Make Sure You're in Compliance

Since 1990, OSHA has required facilities engaged in the use of chemicals in a laboratory to develop and implement a written chemical hygiene plan (CHP).
This standard mandates that companies set forth procedures, equipment, PPE, work practices, training, and policies to help protect employees from the health hazards presented by hazardous chemicals used in their workplace.

Halloween Safety Tips

Safety Tips for Motorists
All motorists need to be especially alert and cautious when driving on Halloween because of
the high number of pedestrians walking the streets.

• Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
• Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
• At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
• Never use your cell phone while driving.
• Discourage teens from driving on Halloween. There are too many hazards and distractions for inexperienced drivers.

Trick-or-Treating
Most importantly, all children under the age of 12 should be accompanied by a parent or
responsible adult, but before trick-or-treating, parents should:

• Instruct your children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and avoid trick-or-treating alone.
• Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home.
• Teach your children to never enter a stranger’s home.
• Agree on a specific time for your children to come home.
• Give your children flashlights with fresh batteries to help them see and for others to see them.
• Make sure your child or a responsible adult with them carries a cell phone for quick communication.
• Review all appropriate pedestrian and traffic safety rules with your children.
• Look both ways before crossing the street and use established crosswalks whenever possible.
• Walk, do not run, from house to house. 
• Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards and never walk near lit candles or luminaries.
• Walk on sidewalks, not in the street. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
• Children will be anxious to stuff themselves with treats, but parents need to take these necessary precautions first:
• Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten, then examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before your children eat them.
• Give children an early meal before going out to prevent them from filling up on 
• Halloween treats or eating anything before you can inspect it.
• Only let your children eat factory-wrapped treats. Avoid homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
• When in doubt, throw it out.

Safety Slogans for the Workplace

Safety slogans for the workplace help to reduce work related accidents and injuries by reinforcing safety rules.

Slogans in the Workplace

Workplace safety is a major concern in all types of industry. One method used by companies to bring the issue of safety to employees is the use of safety slogans. In just a few words most safety slogans:

• Identify a specific negative workplace behavior
• Point out the dangers of the negative behavior
• Explain how to change the negative behavior to a positive one

Workplace safety slogans are written to make a point. They are posted to remind everyone of the importance of safe work practices and the dangers that exist when safety rules and procedures are not followed.

Types of Safety Slogans for the Workplace

Many workplace safety slogans are catchy phrases that are easy to remember. Others are written as a simple statement or use an acronym to make their point. Some slogans rhyme, while others do not.

Often safety slogans use humor to draw the attention of those in the workplace. If humorous slogans are used, it is important to make sure they are appropriate. There are some people that perceive many of the humorous safety slogans as being sarcastic or cynical.

There are a number of websites that offer free safety slogans that you can download and print. Other websites offer safety slogans for sale on posters and signs.

Where to Find Free Workplace Safety Slogans

The following are several of the websites offering free workplace safety slogans.

• OSHAX: The Unofficial Guide to the OSHA provides a large list of free slogans to use in the workplace. In addition to listing the top 10 safety slogans, OSHAX also provides listings of slogans in the following categories:
• • Workplace Safety Slogans
  • Free safety slogans
  • Catchy safety slogans
  • Funny safety slogans
  • Safety slogans in the workplace
  • Hand safety slogans
  • Eye safety slogans
  • Hearing protection slogans
  • Forklift safety slogans
  • Lifting safety slogans
  • Electrical safety slogans
  • Fire safety slogans
• Safety Slogans.org provides work related safety slogans by job category. The following are a sampling of the more than 30 work related categories.
• • Computer programers
  • Accountant
  • Appliance repairman
  • Mailman
  • Day care provider
  • Sewer inspector
  • Surgical technologist
  • Math teacher
  • Policeman
• quotations.me provides 99 free, catchy, workplace safety slogans. Accompanying each slogan is a detailed explanation of its meaning.
• Dozens of work related safety slogans are provided by Consultnet.
• A nice collection of safety slogans are provided at Safety Slogans. If you have a safety slogan that is not included on this website, you can submit it to them for inclusion.

• Where to Purchase Workplace Safety Slogans

  If you are looking for a different way to display workplace safety slogans, there are websites that offer a variety of options from giant posters to carpet mats.
  • A company that provides health and safety products, Seton offers safety slogan carpet mats. The red and black mats are available with four different safety slogans each complete with an illustration:
  • • Safety starts here
    • Stop think safety
    • Watch your step
    • No smoking
  • For more than sixty years the Harkins Safety company has been providing products to keep people safe in their workplace. Their product line includes a giant banner that measures 10 feet by 4.2 feet. The banner can be printed with a choice of many different workplace safety slogans along with a choice of backgrounds, pictures or graphics. Harkins Safety also offers safety slogans on many of their other products such as:
  • • Posters
    • Stickers
    • Junior banners measuring 5 feet by 2.1 feet
    • Vertical banners measuring 3 feet by 6 feet
  • My Safety Sign offers a line of safety slogan signs in bright bold colors that stand out and reinforce safety policies.

  ---

  Safety slogans for the workplace are excellent ways to remind people to follow safe work practices and procedures.

Back Safety at Work

Chronic back pain affects eight out of ten people, and practicing back safety at work prevents issues from becoming worse. Planning ahead, getting help, and working "smart" prevent back injuries from occurring on the job. Workers' Compensation and health insurance claims add expenses to the company budget.

Practicing Back Safety at Work

Plan Ahead

Your body is most vulnerable when you have not moved for extended periods of time, such as when you get to your work site. Plan ahead for your workday by sleeping for eight hours and waking up refreshed. Take frequent breaks throughout the day, moving around the office to prevent fatigue. Your body is vulnerable when your system is malnourished, which includes lack of sleep. Practice a healthy lifestyle by eating healthful foods regularly; drinking lots of water, and getting one hour of moderate exercise per day.

Consider stretching and exercising before you go to work to reduce the strain on your back muscles. Minimize the amount of time you are on the floor carrying items, have the items delivered to your workspace or utilize a handcart or dolly, even for seemingly lightweight items. While the weight of the object is a factor, bending over excessively can cause back problems.

Consider adjusting your office so that everything is waist level, including your desk and computer. These are the items you use most, reducing the amount of time your back extends in either direction. Practice good posture and ensure your chair adjusts properly when using computer equipment or sitting in a meeting. Ergonomic equipment is desirable, but few employers are able to spend the extra money. Consider buying your own back-friendly chair at work if you sit for hours at a time. Prevent work-related back injuries by ensuring your working conditions are free of debris and slippery spots. Slips and fall injuries cause most back pain problems in America.

se Assistive Equipment

Chances are your workplace has assistive equipment available for you to use, such as forklifts, handcarts, dollies, hoists, furniture pads, shoulder straps, and wheelbarrows. Use the equipment you have to reduce the strain on your back and hip muscles. If you do not have assistive equipment available and you perform the job often, ask your employer to buy the equipment for your office. Ask a colleague, coworker, or someone from the warehouse to help you move heavy office appliances or equipment. Get help move the materials if they weigh over 50 pounds.

Work Intelligently

When you are, lifting or moving objects, keep them as close to your body as possible, creating a low center of gravity. Do not twist your extremities when you lift or put down materials, turn your entire body at once. Improve back safety at work by lifting materials smoothly and using your legs rather than back muscles for strength. Rough jerking motions irritate your upper and lower disks, causing soreness the next day. If you need support when lifting, lean on a sturdy object and do not bend over. If the item is too heavy, kneel down and support the object on your knee before you lift it. Ask someone to help you if the item is too heavy.

Get Help

There is a difference between being lazy and working smart. Everyone is afraid of appearing weak in front of their employers, but practicing proper back prevention techniques is an intelligent move. If you miss work for one or two days, your employer may incur additional costs, such as hiring a temp worker or paying sick leave. If you have existed back conditions, abide by the restrictions posted by your doctor. An employer cannot legally require you to perform labor you are incapable of doing. By law, they must adjust your regimen or reassign your duties until you receive clearance.

If you encounter back problems on the job seek immediate medical attention and follow your company's policy on work-related injuries. When joining an employer, file a form with the company's Workers' Compensation Liaison requesting to see your private physician in case of work injuries. If you must see a "company approved" medical practitioner, seek a second opinion if the ruling is on the company's behalf.

Follow the signs to a safer workplace

Workplace safety signs and tags prevent accidents. Select and place them with care.

Your employees should be familiar with the hazards associated with their own work areas. But as they go about the facility, they may come into casual contact with risks they don't know about.

Outsiders who come into your facility may also be unaware of the hazards they face.

This is why safety signs and tags are so important. Another important reason is to remind workers daily of the hazards in their own work areas so that they don't become complacent about hazards.

Yet another reason for safety signs and tags is to warn of hazards that are out of the ordinary, unexpected, or not readily apparent.

Selecting the appropriate safety signs and tags and placing them carefully around your facility to attract the most attention are important elements of your safety program.

Key Issues

In order to use safety signs and tags effectively in your facility and remain in compliance with the OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.145), you need to:

• Identify all hazards. The first step, of course, is to identify all the potential hazards in all parts of your facility. This includes office and industrial areas as well as public areas and locations outside the facility. And, in addition to the more obvious hazards, you must identify those that are out of the ordinary, unexpected, or not readily apparent.
• Select or design appropriate safety signs and tags. Once you have identified the hazards, you can select appropriate ready-made safety signs and tags or design your own. Whichever option you choose, make sure all signs and tags conform to the requirements of the OSHA regulations. Your signs and tags should also be consistent in format throughout your facility. The regulations also note that all signs should have "rounded or blunt corners and shall be free from sharp edges, burrs, splinters, or other sharp projections."
• Use proper wording. According to the regulations, "the wording of any sign should be easily read and concise. The sign should contain sufficient information to be easily understood. The wording should make a positive, rather than negative, suggestion and should be accurate in fact."
• Position signs carefully. Signs should be positioned so that they are easily visible and legible from a distance. They must be placed to draw maximum attention to the existing hazards. This means you need to give careful thought to where you locate signs around your facility, and you may need to relocate signs from time to time when you make changes or alterations that affect the visibility or usefulness of existing signs or when the equipment or materials that pose the hazard are moved. In addition, the regulations require that "the ends or heads of bolts or other fastening devices must be located in such a way that they do not constitute a hazard."
• Identify safety equipment and fire protection equipment. Make sure that safety equipment such as eyewash stations and safety showers are clearly identified with appropriate signs. Also be sure that all fire equipment is identified with proper signs.
• Use tags properly and effectively. The regulations also say that "tags shall be used as a means to prevent accidental injury or illness to employees who are exposed to hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions, equipment, or operations which are out of the ordinary, unexpected, or not readily apparent. Tags shall be used until such time as the identified hazard is eliminated or the hazardous operation is completed. Tags need not be used where signs, guarding, or other positive means of protection are being used." The regulations also require that the signal word on a tag (DANGER, CAUTION, etc.) is legible at a minimum distance of 5 feet or “such greater distance as warranted by the hazard."
• Review your sign and tag program whenever new hazards are introduced.Your facility will likely not be in compliance with the regulations if you just put up signs and forget about them. You must review your sign and tag program frequently to make sure it is still performing the task it was designed to do. For example, whenever new hazards are introduced into the workplace, new signs need to be put up right away. And when temporary hazards arise, tags need to be attached to warn employees until the hazard no longer exists.

Yard Work Safety

Yard work safety is important to know or a day working outside could result in sore aching muscles or a trip to the hospital Emergency Room.

Yard Work

Every year the changing of the seasons brings millions of Americans outside to do seasonal yard work. As winter turns into spring, homeowners head outdoors to clean up their yards and remove debris from their gutters as they get ready to spend more time outdoors during the warm summer months.

As summer comes to an end and the weather turns crisp and cold as autumn begins. Many of the same homeowners find themselves raking piles of leaves, clearing away dead plants and foliage and once again cleaning their gutters.

The hot summer months in between spring and fall are a time of outdoor fun and relaxation but they are also is a time of more outdoor yard work. Gardens need to be planted and cared for, lawns need mowing and weeds need to be wacked.

For many people yard work is a form of fun and enjoyment. Sadly, it is also a time of aches, pains and injuries. Know how to keep yourself safe while you are working outside by taking safety precautions and being aware of safety tips for working in the yard.

Yard Work Safety

The following safety precautions and tips will help keep you safe and injury free while you are working in your yard.

• Take 5 to 10 minutes to warm up your muscles by doing light exercises or stretching before starting your yard work.
• Dress properly for working outside in the yard by wearing long pants, a long sleeved shirt and sturdy comfortable shoes.
• Keep children and pets away from the area when you are doing yard work.
• Have the right tools for the job you are doing.
• Rakes should be comfortable and the right size for your height and strength.
• Wear gloves while you are doing any type of yard work to help prevent your hands from blistering.
• Yard work such as raking involves repetitive motions. Changing your position often helps to prevent muscle pains and cramps from occurring.
• Always watch for low branches, large rocks and tree stumps.
• Be aware of uneven ground surfaces and slopes.
• When you pick up leaves, do not bend over from the waist. Bend from the knees.
• Do not overfill leaf bags.
• Do not carry full bags of leaves over your shoulder.
• When you are weeding, a half kneeling position is safer than bending forward.
• Wet leaves are very slippery. Make sure to wear boots or shoes with soles that are slip resistant
• When you are using a ladder make certain it is firmly on the ground. Never climb to the top of a ladder.
• When you are pruning hedges, hold the pruning shears close to your body.

Fall Driving Safety Tips

As weather and road conditions change with the season, following fall driving safety tips will help keep you safe as you enjoy the cool crisp air and the beautiful colors of the autumn leaves.

The Dangers of Leaves on the Roads

When leaves accumulate on the roadway and become wet, they can get extremely slippery, making the driving conditions similar to driving on ice. If the temperature drops below freezing, the wet leaves will freeze and turn into dangerous icy leaves on the roadway. Besides reducing the car's traction, causing skidding and the possibility of losing control of the vehicle, leaves often cover the painted road markings, making it difficult to know the locations of the lanes.

• Slow down if you are driving on a road covered with leaves, especially when driving around turns.
• Allow yourself plenty of room to stop in an emergency. Keep a greater distance between you and the car in front of you.
• Leaves make it difficult to see potholes and bumps in the road.
• A pile of leaves raked to the side of the road is an inviting place to a child. Children enjoy jumping into the leaf piles or burrowing down into them and hiding. Never drive through a leaf pile. Use caution going around turns and where children are playing.
• Keep your windshield leaf free to avoid wet leaves getting stuck under the windshield wiper blades.
• In order to avoid the possibility of a fire hazard from the exhaust system or catalytic converter, never park your vehicle over a pile of leaves .

Changing Weather Conditions

In many areas, autumn is a damp, wet season. There are many rainy or foggy days and nights. As the temperatures drop, frost often coats the ground at night.

• When driving in fog, set your headlight to low beam. This setting aims the beam of light down toward the roadway.
• In the fall as temperatures drop, frost often forms on the roadway, causing hazardous driving conditions. Drive slowly and break gently at overpasses and bridges as these areas frost over more quickly than other roadway surfaces.
• Be aware of areas where black ice forms on the roadway.

Adjust for Fewer Hours of Daylight

In the fall there are fewer hours of daylight. In the earlier darkness it is common to see children outside playing or riding their bicycles. People are walking their dogs, jogging or taking late afternoon or evening walks. In the fading light of dusk it is more difficult to see the children and pedestrians.

• Watch out for children at their bus stops in the morning and as they return home in the afternoon.
• Halloween is a fun fall holiday. Take special care where children are out trick or treating. They may be wearing masks or costumes that limit their visibility.
• Always drive defensively.

Vehicle Maintenance

• Keep your headlights cleaned and in proper working order, making sure they are aligned.
• Replace your windshield wiper blades if they show any signs of wear.
• Keep an emergency car safety kit in your vehicle.

Additional Fall Safety Driving Tips

• Always keep a pair of sunglasses in your vehicle. Fall sunrises and sunsets can be very brilliant. The bright sun often creates a large amount of glare, making it difficult to see other vehicles, the roadway or the road's shoulder. Wearing sunglasses during these times reduces the danger.
• If you live in an area where there are deer, they are more apt to run into the roadway especially at dawn and dusk since the fall is an active breeding time. If you see a deer cross the roadway, proceed very slowly as they often travel in groups.

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Naturally safe driving practices are essential all through the year. However, being aware of the unique autumn driving hazards and following the fall driving safety tips here will make you a safer driver.