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Safety Unlimited Newsletter: The Monthly SUN
May 2010 - Volume 1, Issue 5
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May, 2010 • Volume 1, Issue 5

 

A Message from the CEO

Welcome to another newsletter. I would first like to thank you for your continued loyalty. Please continue to communicate your wants and needs.

As many of you may be aware, a great effort is now being undertaken in order to clean up the Gulf. We would like you to know that we want to help in this cleanup by doing whatever we can. Therefore, for a limited time, in order to get folks certified and trained quickly, initiate the cleanup process, and, at the same time, allow many workers to get back to work, we are offering a $100 discount on our online OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER course.

Additionally, we are posting information on companies looking for HAZWOPER workers. If you are one of these, send us your contact information and we will put it on our site.

For more information, go to:
Oil-Spill-Cleanup Training Discount Program

Again, thank you for allowing Safety Unlimited to earn your business.

Sincerely,


Julius P. Griggs
President and CEO
Safety Unlimited, Inc.

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Course Spotlight

Hearing Conservation Training

Permanent and irreversible hearing damage is a distinct possibility for any worker who is exposed to loud noises for prolonged periods of time. Hearing loss can result in diminished productivity due to an inability to hear verbal instructions, or increased medical bills if a worker’s hearing needs to be augmented by electronic aids.

In an effort to avoid these issues, employers are required to provide Hearing Conservation Training as part of a Hearing Conservation Program for any employee exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels—that’s the equivalent of sitting in your car listening to city traffic or a train whistle from 500 feet away.

A Hearing Conservation course should explain the effects of noise on hearing, the purpose of hearing protectors, and the advantages and disadvantages of various types. It should provide instructions for selection, fitting, use, and care of hearing protection.  The course should also explain the purpose of audiometric testing and the test procedures.  These tests determine your ability to hear and (when taken regularly) can determine whether you have suffered hearing loss.

Hearing Conservation Training should be taken yearly for those who remain exposed to loud noise. 

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Safety $ense

Training Creates Efficiency

One of the many corollary effects of safety training is improved efficiency on the worksite.  A well-trained worker is a more effective worker.

Workers without training are more susceptible to injury, and absenteeism to recover from those injuries. On the other hand, workers who are aware of the hazards of their occupation are better able to avoid those hazards and understand how to use protective systems or equipment in order to protect themselves.

With increased efficiency (due to a lower injury rate and absenteeism), productivity is increased, and more work is completed on an hourly basis, shortening the amount of time required to complete a project, which reduces costs.

According to research, there is a direct correlation between the amount of safety training and the profitability of construction projects.  While an effective safety and health program can account for 2.5% of total project costs, workplace injuries account for 6-9% of total project costs. As the training expenses are increased, workplace injuries decrease, and total profit increases.

This doesn’t mean throwing money at a problem will solve it.  Selecting an appropriate, effective, and thorough training program is just as important as it is to train employees to work safely and efficiently. 

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Training Tips

Updating Personal Information

As an online student, it’s important to remember to keep your personal information up-to-date. This includes email and mailing addresses, phone numbers, and employer information.  Doing so allows you to receive reminder emails about certifications that are about to expire and news from Safety Unlimited about new courses, discounts, and training tips.

This will also prevent minor mishaps that occur when information is outdated, such as when wallet IDs are mailed to the incorrect address.  Correct information allows you to get your ID for an interview or begin work that requires certification on time.  It also saves you and administrators the time it takes to make phone calls to correct personal information after material is sent to the wrong address.

If you can’t update your information because you’ve forgotten your username and password, feel free to contact a customer service representative rather than create a new profile.  Doing so will allow us to keep better track of your records and help us send you timely reminders.

Our goal is to provide you with the best training possible when you need it.  Making sure to update your personal information is an important step in allowing us to do this.

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In This Issue


Did You Know?

Re-entering the Workforce

Some people have been unemployed for over a year. Still others have gone jobless even longer. Yet, with the sudden improvement in the economy, people are now finding jobs and reentering the workforce. However, did you know that by entering the workforce after such a long period of time these people are finding a whole new set of challenges?

The first challenge confronting newly hired workers is learning new technologies and protocols. This can be especially difficult for those who have been without a job for a long time, as they may have lost touch with the current systems and technologies. This difficulty can best be overcome by undertaking training to help the worker reenter the workforce. One option is to take this training online.

Another major difficulty for workers reentering the workplace is adjusting to new routines and schedules. Being out of work for a long period of time may have caused many to adopt irregular schedules.  To avoid the shock that may come when transitioning to a new work schedule, workers should be sure to keep regular hours even while they are still out of work.

These are just a few of the difficulties that workers will face by returning to work, and some tips to follow to avoid them.  With a little preparation and planning now, the transition back into the workforce can be a smooth process.

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Safety Tip of the Month

Motorcycle Safety

May is Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, a time when motorcycle riders focus on keeping safe while on the road.  This is needed now more than ever.  In 2008, 5,290 motorcyclists were killed and 96,000 were injured.  Furthermore, the number of motorcycle fatalities has increased every year for the past 10 years.

So what can a motorcyclist do to be safe?  The first is to always wear a helmet and other protective gear.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that helmets saved 1,829 motorcyclists in 2008.  Additionally, the protective gear should be designed to increase rider visibility to other motorists.

Besides wearing the proper gear, motorcyclists should make sure to ride sober.  30 percent of all fatally injured riders had blood alcohol levels of .08g/dL and above.

Finally, trained riders are safer riders.  Motorcyclists should try to take a rider training class.  Having more knowledge helps riders to be better aware of their surrounding and less likely to be injured. 

By following these tips, motorcyclists can make this a safe riding month and year. 

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Support Sanctuary

Antivirus Software

As a student of safety training, you understand the need to protect yourself from harm on the worksite.  Similarly, it is important to guard your computer against malicious software you may come across on the internet.

As more and more features become available on the internet—such as online banking, shopping, and training—it is more important than ever to have safeguards in place to prevent your computer from being infected and rendered useless, or having your personal information stolen.

Fortunately there are a number of antivirus software packages available to protect your computer from harm and prevent your important information from being lost—many of which are free. In fact, Windows’ latest operating system, Windows 7, comes equipped with free virus protection. When using Windows 7 for the first time, the software will search your computer for an antivirus program. If it doesn’t find one it will help you find free software online.

If you aren’t using Windows 7 (the computer will tell you what operating system you’re using when you turn it on), there is still plenty of antivirus software available and can be found by doing a simple search on Google for “antivirus software” or “Free antivirus software.”  Just be sure you get an antivirus program that is compatible with your operating system, be it Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000, or something else, and look for reviews to make sure the antivirus software you’re researching isn’t a virus itself.

We’ve provided some links below to free antivirus software for Windows users to get you started:

AVG
Avira
Defender

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