A Message from the CEO

Welcome to another newsletter.

Thanks for reading and thanks to those who responded with feedback. We love hearing from you. The idea about upgrading to the 40 hour HAZWOPER, mentioned below, was one of your suggestions — so keep them coming.

Speaking of feedback, we are considering opening new Training Centers in more cities across the US and want to hear where you would like to see us set up shop. These would be locations where we would primarily conduct more classroom training. If you have a city in mind, please let us know.

There is some good reading below, so don't hesitate to forward this on to a friend or colleague.

Take care and happy reading.

Sincerely,

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

Course Spotlight

16 Hour HAZWOPER Upgrade (to the 40 Hour)-Online

Those who have already taken the 24 Hour HAZWOPER training and are coming due for their 8 Hour Refresher may want to consider a new option. This is because there are those, in the same situation, who instead are taking the 16 Hour HAZWOPER Upgrade (either online or classroom combo) and upgrading to the 40 Hour HAZWOPER level. As a result, the next time they take the 8 Hour Refresher the following year, they will be refreshing their 40 Hour HAZWOPER, instead of the 24 Hour HAZWOPER.

For a limited time, Safety Unlimited will offer $50 off the 16 Hour HAZWOPER upgrade – regularly priced at $175 – to anyone wanting to take this option. Also, for those who've already taken the 24 Hour HAZWOPER course with us, we will offer an additional $25 off of their 16 Hour Upgrade – giving them the opportunity to upgrade to the 40 Hour HAZWOPER for as little as $100. Once again, this is a limited time offer. So if you are due to take your refresher for your 24 Hour HAZWOPER, consider taking the 16 Hour HAZWOPER instead and upgrading to the 40 Hour HAZWOPER.

[back to top]

Safety Matters

Storm and Flood Response Hazards

In the aftermath of hurricane Irene, many were called upon to help clean up the damage left in its wake. Yet while the storm may have passed, numerous hazards remain.

Damage to electrical systems may have created electrical hazards; damage to gas pipes could create hazardous materials or carbon monoxide hazards; fires, confined spaces, heat stress, and fall hazards are all hazards that can be created following a hurricane. It’s important to be aware of these potential hazards, the signs of their presence, and how you can protect yourself from them.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have compiled an array of emergency response resources that will allow you to prepare for, and respond to, severe storms, hurricanes, and floods in a manner that will speed the recovery process without endangering more lives.

In addition to addressing the hazards listed above, the site provides links to guides and informational pages for cleanup safety, the safe operation of motor vehicles and machines, tree removal/chain saws, protective equipment and clothing, air quality, and more. The site also provides assessment tools for hurricane response and medical recommendations for relief workers and emergency responders.

Remember, just because the storm is over doesn’t mean the danger is gone. Being prepared for the hazards of cleanup will help prevent additional weather-related casualties.

[back to top]

Did You Know?

Worker Fatalities Drop—Still Room to Improve

Prior to the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) in 1970, it is estimated that 14,000 workers died on the job every year, or 38 every day. According to the Population Reference Bureau the work force has nearly doubled from 83 million to 158 million workers in the 40 years since the passage of the OSH Act.

Despite the increase in the workforce, the most recent numbers show fatalities are down in 2010 to 4,547 and 4,551 in 2009. That’s 1 in every 35,000 workers over the past two years compared to 1 in every 6,000 in 1970.

OSHA’s effect has been significant over the past 40 years, but there remains room for improvement.

[back to top]

Support Sanctuary

Corporate Accounts

Would you wait for an IRS audit before having your financial documents in order? Would you do the same with OSHA?

Many companies, upon learning OSHA is coming to audit them, scramble to get their training records together, to update all their files, and to bring everyone up to speed. Unfortunately, doing these activities at the last minute is often too late. As many companies belatedly learn, they should have been done in advance, long before an OSHA inspector comes knocking at their door, clipboard in hand.

The good news is that this can be done, and – what is more – done easily and efficiently through our corporate accounts. By establishing a corporate account with us, companies will have a free and easy way to keep their employee files in order for just such a situation. Therefore, the next time OSHA comes calling, an employer can be confident that they will be ready. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our corporate accounts and how to set one up. Being proactive now can save time, money, and effort later.

[back to top]