Environmental Health and Safety Update

For most people, thoughts of lasers go to the cool special effects of hollywood blockbusters. Honestly, how many little boys wanted to be Luke Skywalker fighting with his light saber? More than I could possibly count. But on a serious point, lasers are used in many different ways in the real world. Medical procedures, manufacturing and mechanical production are just a few. When you think about the fact that tumors are being removed and people are getting 20/20 vision all because of a laser is pretty incredible. But if a laser can do all of that, the potential dangers in the event of a mistake should get your attention. Lasers are used more and more and learning proper laser safety training is a must for any business to avoid accidents. Knowing this, SafetySkills Laser Safety course, http://safetyskills.com/laser-safety-training, is the best way for any employer and employee to stay safe on the job using this type of technology.

This course teaches learners the basic principles of laser operations and three essential laser components, how to identify major types of lasers, beam-related and non-beam-related hazards associated with laser operation and the controls used to eliminate or minimize laser related hazards. It also allows grown adults to shoot lasers at UFOs during the competency sections of the course, which is pretty cool if you ask me.

It is easy to say that diversity awareness is a hot topic for 2009 and employers should take this October, Diversity Awareness Month, as an opportunity to share this with employees. With the appointment of Sonya Sotomayor to the Supreme Court and the recent Crowley/Gates controversy, the entire nation has become aware of how important it is to understand each others’ differences. No place needs to be knowledgeable of this more than the workplace. SafetySkills™ Diversity in the Workplace course provides employers and employees with an education on the advantages of diversity and how to respect each others’ difference to create a positive work environment.

“Diversity is extremely important to any business,” Trey Greene, CEO of noodleStream.com. “Getting as many different perspectives as possible can only benefit your company. Understanding various markets by employing individuals who fits that demographic really helps you realize what makes them tick.”

Besides the professional benefits diversity can lead to, having the proper training on the matter can help avoid misunderstandings and potentially offensive situations that could have been otherwise prevented.

“I believe very few people intentionally say something discriminatory towards another person, but that doesn’t make it any less hurtful to the injured party. Sometimes co-workers need to be taught how to work together. This is not only good for your staff, but also for your business’ protection,” said Greene.

To learn more about diversity in the workplace, visit safetyskills.com/diversity-in-the-workplace.

Everywhere you go all you see and hear is the need to go green. Green cars, green houses, green foods and clothing (aka organic), green cleaning products, if it exists there is probably a way to make it green. So it only seems logical that education and training courses would jump on the bandwagon. Online education and training courses are becoming extremely popular and cheaper than the traditional classroom method.

Perks of online education and training:

• Can be done anywhere at anytime
• Saves thousands of trees with online testing and record keeping
• Lessens gas consumption which is better for the environment and your wallet
• No building or utility costs
• No trainer costs
• Takes less time to complete

Companies worldwide have realized the benefits of using green training. This method allows employers to train their employees at anywhere and anytime with the most current content. On top of the fact that less time is spent by employees in training and more time working, it saves businesses by financially by the cost cuts that go with this change. Companies like Dell, Yahoo, Goldman Sachs and even the country of Norway have committed to going carbon neutral and are reaping the benefits, not only through the PR that it brings in but with the money saved.

Watch this online  How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint demo to learn more about how it can save the environment and your company.

Summer is coming to a close and parents are busy getting their children prepared for going back to school. This is usually the time of year where young children are experiencing a mix of emotions ranging between excitement and nervousness, but now it’s their parents that have something to worry about. Experts say that the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, could make a comeback when kids head back to school.

Here are a list of things that you can do to reduce risk of infection.

1. Do your research.

Learn about the H1N1 virus and what precautions you should be taking yourself. The Center for Disease Control (CDC.gov) is a great resource on the latest information about health threats. You can also take SafetySkills free Flu Symptoms and Prevention Strategies course. This free online course includes vital information about swine flu and how to protect yourself from infection. After taking this course, recommend it to other parents and your children’s daycare or school staff members.

2. Be clean.

It sounds like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many people do not perform simple cleansing chores that could save them and their family members from getting sick.

• Use proper cleaning supplies in your kitchen and bathrooms, but don’t over do it with the bleach. That will cause a whole new health problem.
• Take out the trash in a timely fashion. This will prevent insect infestation and mold, plus it’s not the best smell to have in your home.
• Always use anti-bacterial soap and carry anti-bacterial gel (such as Purell) in your purse, car, etc.
• Keep tissues available in every room of your home.
• Make washing hands fun for kids – have them sing their ABC’s while washing to ensure that they have done it long enough, they’ll love it!
• Use anti-bacterial sprays around the house, like Febreeze. It really does help.

3. Ask your child’s teacher and daycare center administrator what they are doing to prevent the spread of infection.

As a parent, I know that I feel guilty enough about leaving my child at her pre-school everyday without needing to worry about if she is going to come home with a dangerous case of the flu. Having a good relationship with your child’s teachers and caregivers is extremely important for many reasons, but especially when it comes to being aware of how they are protecting your child. If you do not feel satisfied with their approach, give them a recommendation of what you would like for them to use or consider moving your child to another daycare or school that fits your criteria.

4. Use common sense.

Obviously if your child is sick, do not send your child to school. This spreads illness and it turns into an endless cycle of misery. If your child appears to have more than just a case of the sniffles, make an appointment with your pediatrician. Remember to keep your house as clean as possible when anyone in the household is sick to reduce the chances of others in the home coming down with it.

If anyone has any helpful tips to give other parents or child caregivers, please leave a comment below. Thanks.

Now I remember learning about fire safety as a child in school, but for some reason those lessons are not always retained. Luckily, Candace Quinn’s new book I Survived a House Fire…I Wish My Stuff Had is a great reminder of a luxury we all take for granted.  Here is a quick and simple recap of fire safety from her book, fireSafety.gov and SafetySkills Basic Fire Safety course.

1. Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are the simpliest, easiest and most effective way to save lives in a fire. Unfortunately, 2/3 of deaths in a home fire are because the home did not have a working smoke alarm or a smoke alarm at all. In order to reduce your risk during a fire do as follows:

• Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home or business and near all sleeping areas.
• Replace batteries at least once a year and your smoke alarm every 10 years.
• Perform a monthly smoke alarm test.
• Avoid placing smoke alarms near bathrooms, heating appliances, windows or ceiling fans.

2. Escape Plans

The next most vital part of fire safety is having an escape plan. All you need to do is think of every possible way to exit your home or business. Think of every alternative because the most likely exit may be blocked. Think of every door and window as a potential exit.

• Practice an escape plan from every room twice a year.
• Try to create 2 escape routes from each room.
• Practice your plan during both daylight and evening hours.
• Designate a specific meeting place away from the home.
• Designate one person to go to the nearby telephone to call the fire department.

3. Practice Fire Safety

Practicing fire safety is the best way to avoid a fire occurring in the first place. Fires can start anywhere and at anytime, so safe habits are always a good idea.

• Check all appliances and electrical equipment for frayed cords
• Never leave food unattended while cooking
• Have professionals regularly check heating and electrical equipment
• Never smoke a cigarette in bed or without an ashtray
• Never leave burning candles unattended.

4. Prepare

• Install and routinely check smoke alarms
• Install fire escape ladders to rooms on upper levels
• Place fire extinguishers in kitchens and other locations with potential fire sources
• Install fire blankets
• Use electrical outlet covers on unused outlets
• Purchase home owners or rental insurance to protect valuables
• Keep documentation of all valuables – important paperwork, pictures, receipts – in a fireproof safe
• Install indoor fire sprinklers – commercial and residential

5. What to do After a Fire

• Contact your local American Red Cross, Salvation Army or other local disaster relief service to get temporary food, shelter and other necessities.
• Contact your insurance company and locate important documentation. Insurance usually covers all necessities during this difficult time, so know your coverage.
• Replace documentation and records if unable to recover.
• Find a support system to vent your feelings about your experience – friends, family, support groups, therapists, online forums, etc.

Each day approximately 1,000 eye injuries occur in the U.S. and 90 percent of these are preventable. During the month of July, people throughout the country are encouraged to become aware of the protective measures they should take in order to keep their eyes safe and SafetySkills™ wants to help spread this message to employers.

“It is much easier to prevent an eye injury rather than healing from one,” said Trey Greene, CEO of noodleStream.com. “Our SafetySkills™ Personal Protective Equipment course is a quick and informative way to ensure the safety of your workers.”

The eye is the one of the most easily damaged parts of the body, yet 78 percent of eye injuries are due to a lack of protective eye wear. To show how strongly SafetySkills™ feels about this specific type of injury, the company is providing their Personal Protective Equipment course at discounted price all month long.

“Employee safety training is very important for businesses of any size and we want to help make it as affordable as possible for them. For National Eye Injury Prevention Month, SafetySkills™ will offer 20 percent off to those who purchase and complete our Personal Protective Equipment course and send them a free Personal Protection Against Industrial Hazards Quick Series Guidebook” said Greene.

For more information about noodleStream.com or our SafetySkills™ products, contact us at safetyskills.com.