The SBCA 2009 Award Program recognizes the top 5 percent of  small businesses across the country. The winners of the award are chosen by the use of consumer feedback and how important the small businesses are to the American economy.  The selection committee chooses the award winners from nominees based off information taken from monthly surveys administered by the SBCA, a review of consumer rankings, and other consumer reports. Award winners are a valuable asset to their community and exemplify what makes small businesses great.

“Being chosen as one of the top 5 percent of small businesses is fantastic and shows the public that we offer a great service,” said Greene. “The need for the best training possible is something that I hope more and more businesses will realize is essential to building a strong business.”

I hope that everyone makes workplace safety their New Year’s resolution and learns from the lessons of 2009 and looks to this company to make safety a priority in their business.

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.

“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 www.safetyskills.com/diversity-in-the-workplace.

1. Do candy checks
2. Wear costumes that are easy to see and move in
3. Know pedestrian safety
4. Only adults should cut jack-o-lanterns
5. Beware of stranger danger
6. Only trick-or-treat in well-lit and safe neighborhoods or trick-or-treat venues
7. Create an route for trick-or-treating and stick to it in case of an emergency
8. Children under 10 should probably NOT trick-or-treat without adult supervision
9. Bring a flashlight
10. Make a specific route for your child to trick-or-treat on if doing so alone. Set a curfew and if your child is late you know where exactly to look.

Tips to follow for your safety:

1. Request all prospective clients to come to your office and leave personal idenitification before going anywhere with them.
2. Always log all of your appointments with detailed information and introduce prospect to a co-worker prior to leaving.
3. Establish an emergency code word or phrase in your office to let someone else know that the police need to be contacted ASAP.
4. ALWAYS use your car!
5. Know the property that you are showing. Check all the possible escape routes in advance.
6. Leave your business card with date and time on the back and place in a kitchen cupboard.
7. If a client meets you at the property, write down their license plate number, car description and physical description.
8. Always walk behind the client, let them take the lead.
9. Have a policy that all realtors on an appointment must call at a specified time, if you don’t call the office is too call the police immediately. 
10. If attacked scream FIRE, this will grab attention faster. 

The bottom line is, if at anytime you feel uncomfortable with a client or at a particular location – leave immediately. Being concerned with a potentially embarassing moment is nothing compared to what would happen if you were right!

“Any disaster, no matter how severe or minor, can result in huge costs to a business,” said Trey Greene, CEO of noodleStream.com. “Making simple preparation strategies can save thousands. Training employees how to respond in the event of a fire, severe weather or a workplace injury will not only protect your business, but save lives.”

The number of preventable accidents reported in the news is escalating at an alarming rate. These incidents are making everyone a little more nervous including government agencies. Despite the new safety legislations being proposed to Congress, some feel that simple changes made by individuals can make a big difference in safety. 

“Our entire emergency management team has a role to play when it comes to preparing for and responding to the next disaster,” said W. Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator. “One of the most important parts of the team is the public. The more prepared the public is now, by getting an emergency response kit, making an emergency plan and getting a skill, like CPR, the stronger our emergency response team will be.”

To learn more about SafetySkills™ or to take SafetySkills™ Emergency Response Series, visit www.safetyskills.com.

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.

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.

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.

1. Hazard Assessment/Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

Hazard assessment or job safety analysis (JSA) helps identify potential safety risks in the workplace and what measures should be taken to avoid these hazards.

2. Implementing controls at work stations

Implementing safety controls and devices to work stations based on the findings of your JSA will reduce the occurrence of workplace accidents. This includes built-in safety devices, such as a chemical eyewash station, or requiring employees to wear hard hats and protective eye wear on the job. This year alone, 78% of eye injuries were due to a lack of protective eye wear.

3. Provide proper safety training to employees.

View training as an investment. The better the training your employees receive, the less likely an incident will occur. Many employers forgo educating their workers on topics that could potential save them thousands in workers’ compensation claims and lawsuits.

Today there are more choices than ever when it comes to safety training. Many employers think the only option is the traditional classroom setting, but thanks to technology – online training is the quickest, easiest, cheapest and most environmentally conscious choice. Many online safety training companies offer their own tracking systems to alleviate the administrative burden from employers and some offer free courses (www.safetyskills.com) or trials. But always make sure that your training provider is IACET certified and has the proper credentials.

Whatever type of training is chosen, setting high standards of training completion on employees is crucial and any incidents of negligence by an employee should be deemed unacceptable. This ensures your financial security as a company, as well as the safety of all of your workers.

4. Staying current.

Keeping up with the latest guidelines and trends in safety is very time consuming, but necessary. OSHA sets the standard in safety. If an employer doesn’t have time for this task, finding a training provider that does is the best route to take.

It is also important to pay attention to any news coverage about emerging workplace safety issues. For instance, incidents of Heat Stress have become more and more common resulting in heat-related illness and death. Providing training on Heat Stress is a new trend that is becoming necessary, especially for those who work outdoors.

Besides training, all gear and equipment should be regularly maintenance and replaced when it becomes outdated or a potential hazard. This is another topic that has been in newsstands across the country due to the recent metro tragedy in Washington, D.C. It was reported that the metro train that crashed needed to be replaced for a newer model, which would have saved the lives of many.

5. Refresher courses.

Like any student who finishes a class, sometimes a refresher course is needed down the road. Issues in safety are constantly changing because our technology keeps advancing. This also means that with new advancements means new problems. Giving refresher courses every year is a great way to reduce the likelihood of workplace accidents.