Make work areas safer by keeping floors clean and dry and minimizing clutter.  If maintenance is required, be sure to cordon off the area with caution tape and/or cautionary signage and make sure repairs are made promptly.

Wet Floors
Not only do wet floors increase the chance of slipping, areas that stay wet can grow mold, fungi and bacteria that cause infections.  If you have wet floors, take these simple precautions:

• Provide warning signs for the wet areas.
• If you work with wet processes, maintain drainage, provide dry places for workers to stand, if possible, or provide waterproof footgear.
• Make sure employees report spills and/or clean the up immediately.
• In slippery areas, treat floors with no-skid waxes or coat surfaces with grit to improve traction.

Aisles & Passageways
Walkways should be clear for workers to safely walk through without dodging clutter, cords and other hazards.  Here  are a few things to look out for:

• Make sure electrical equipment can be plugged into wall sockets or floor plugs, so that cords don't run across the floor.
• If temporary electrical cords run across waling areas,  make sure they're taped to the floor or anchored in some way so they are not a tripping hazard.
• Keep exits clear of obstructions
• Aisles and passageways should be wide enough for easy movement, and kept clear of clutter or debris.
• If carpets begin to ripple, have them stretched or re-laid to flatten and prevent tripping.

Ladders
Provide proper ladders or step ladders for workers who need to climb.  Do not use boxes, chairs stools or other makeshift devices to climb.  Ladders need to be of adequate height so that employees are tempted to climb higher than the safety instructions recommend.

Call Twist!  Our safety specialist will do a complimentary walk through of your office to point out any potential hazards that might be lurking.

Do you understand ANSI Compliance? We do!

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), approximately three million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses are reported each year. To help prevent minor injuries from becoming more serious, OSHA requires that first aid supplies be readily available to treat minor injuries that occur in the workplace.

OSHA’s medical service and first aid regulation, 29 CFR 1910.151(b) states: “In the absence of an infirmary, clinic or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.” First aid kits are designed to deal with common workplace injuries including major and minor wounds, minor burns, sprains, strains and eye injuries.

ANSI, the American National Standards Institute has established the minimum requirements for first aid supplies necessary for the workplace and OSHA enforces those requirements. It’s important to note that ensuring that your first aid cabinets meet the standard is the employer’s responsibility. It’s easy to be compliant with this easy 3 step guideline.

1.  Determine the type of ANSI Kit that fits your office needs.
2.  Select the appropriate type of kit.
3.  Maintain and refill your kits as needed.

1.  Determine the type of ANSI Kit that fits your office needs.

Based on the ANSI Z308.1-2015 standard, ANSI has created two different classes of first aid kits. Class A and Class B Kits are classified based on the assortment and quantity of first aid supplies intended to deal with most types of injuries and sudden illnesses that may be encountered in the workplace. These may include major and minor wounds; minor burns; sprains and strains; and eye injuries. The quantity and size specifications given are the minimum necessary to comply with the 2015 standard, the most recent standard available.  As each work environment is unique, it is expected that the contents of each kit will be supplemented as needed. 

Class A - Common workplace injuries like minor cuts, scrapes, abrasions, burns and strains are included. Typically, a smaller size facility that does not have a potential for more high-risk injury type work.  It may look like this example here to the right.  This is a plastic box with a rubber seal to keep moisture out.  The contents are the exact specifications for Class A first aid kits.  See below for list of contents required.

Class B - Workplace injuries that are more high-risk or larger facilities where the chances of injury increases fall into this class. There are more types and quantities of supplies meant to deal with environments where injury risks are more prone.  This example is a metal industrial 2 shelf type box that is designed to be mounted on a wall. ​See below for list of contents required.

​2.  Select the Appropriate Kit

Based on your work environment, the appropriate type of container should be selected. ANSI has addressed the types of containers based on indoor or outdoor use and are classified by portability, ability to be mounted, resistance to water, and corrosion and impact resistance. Four types are identified:
 
Type I: Intended for use in stationary, indoor applications where kit contents have minimal potential for damage due to environmental factors and rough handling. These kits are not intended to be portable and should have a means for mounting in a fixed position. Some applications for Type I first aid kits are general indoor use, office use or use in a manufacturing facility. First aid cabinets would generally fall into this type.
 
Type II: Intended for use in portable indoor applications where the potential for damage due to environmental factors and rough handling is minimal. These kits should be equipped with a carrying handle. Some applications for Type II first aid kits are general indoor use, or use in office or manufacturing environments.
 
Type III: Intended for portable use in mobile indoor and/or outdoor settings where the potential for damage due to environmental factors is not probable. Kits should have the means to be mounted and have a water resistant seal. Typical applications include general indoor use and sheltered outdoor use.
 
Type IV: Intended for portable use in mobile industries and/or outdoor applications where the potential for damage due to environmental factors and rough handling is significant. Typical applications include the transportation industry, utility industry, construction industry and the armed forces.

It isn't complicated. In most cases your facility will use a wall mounted first aid kit. It does not need to be water-resistant or proof unless there is a risk of water exposure. If you are placing kits in a vehicle or construction site gang box, a portable kit that is water resistant would be required. Again, if you know water will be present, a water resistant or waterproof container is required. Marine or pool activities are ideal for this type of kit and a class A list is almost always used for these types of environments. 

3.  Maintain & Refill Your Kit

This too is very simple and something that can be done yourself.   Overhead for a first aid service includes drivers salary & commission, vehicle costs, insurance, cost of the product and several other factors. These services are the most expensive option for maintaining your first aid kit. You can easily reduce your cost by 50-75% when you maintain the first aid cabinets yourself. If your monthly invoice from your service is 150 dollars, you can expect to pay about 70 dollars when you do it yourself. 
We offer Smart Compliance kits by FirstAid Only brand designed to make it easy to see when a supply needs to be refilled.  Ask your Twist Rep today for more information.
​

Class A                                                                                                Class B
16 Adhesive Bandages, 1" x 3"                                                           50 Adhesive Bandages, 1" x 3"
1 Adhesive Tape 2.5 yards                                                                  2 Adhesive Tape 2.5 yards
10 Antiseptic, 0.14 fl. oz (0.5g) applications                                       50 Antiseptic, 0.14 fl. oz (0.5g) applications
10 Antibiotic Treatment Application 1/57                                           25 Antibiotic Treatment Application,1/57 oz.
1 Breathing Barrier                                                                              1 Breathing Barrier
1 Burn Dressing, Gel Soaked, 4" x 4"                                                  2 Burn Dressing, Gel Soaked, 4" x 4"
10 Burn Treatment, 1/32 oz.                                                               25 Burn Treatment, 1/32 oz.
1 Cold Pack                                                                                        2 Cold Pack
2 Eye Covering                                                                                    2 Eye Covering
1 Eye Wash, 1 oz.                                                                               1 Eye Wash, 4 oz.
1 First Aid Guide                                                                                 1 First Aid Guide
6 Hand Sanitizer, 0.9g                                                                        10 Hand Sanitizer, 0.9g
2 Pair Exam Gloves                                                                             4 Pair Exam Gloves
1 Roller Bandage, 2" x 4 yards                                                            2 Roller Bandage, 2" x 4 yards
1 Scissors                                                                                           1 Scissors
2 Sterile Pads, 5" x 9"                                                                         1 Splint, minimum 4" x 24"
2 Trauma Pad, 5" x 9"                                                                           Sterile Pad, 3" x 3"
1 Triangular Bandage, 40" x 40" x 56"                                                 1 Tourniquet
                                                                                                            4 Trauma Pad, 5" x 9"
                                                                                                            2 Triangular Bandage, 40" x 40" ​

If Girl Scouts prepped me for anything, it was to be prepared! So today is a perfect opportunity to make sure your office is prepared for any emergency and a perfect time to stock up on Energizer MAX® Batteries. 
Whether it’s keeping flashlights powered for emergencies, or for any other battery gobbling gizmos like wireless mice, keyboards, or label makers, they’ll keep your office prepped for almost any power need!
• Power on Tap – 10-yr shelf life for MAX power when you need it…plus, they’re date-coded.
• Principled Power – The world’s 1st mercury-free AA means tossing ’em when tapped won’t trash the environment.
• Protective Power – Save devices from spent battery leakage for up to 2 years.

Now more than ever, employers use the internet to research candidates for hiring or admission.  Do what you can to make the most of your public image.

1.  Search Yourself!
See what others see about you online by running your own search.  Before running your search, log out of your browser and clear you cache and search history, so search engines pick up the same information a new searcher will see.  Search fo your name on major web browser and social networks.  View  your social media profile as "public" to see what people who are not friends or followers would see.

2.  Clean up what you can.
If you find photos, posts and personal information in your social media accounts that you'd prefer not to share with the world, delete them or check your privacy settings to ensure they're not visible to anyone outside your social network.  If you find photos or other content on websites where you don't have any control, contact the website's administrator and ask them to remove the content.

3.  Make the most of your online presence with new content.
New content ranks higher on search engines, plus it gives you the opportunity to update your social media with things you want prospective employers to see.  Update your profile on career sites, build a personal resume site or start a new blog to show off your professional smarts!

4.  Ditch the data brokers!
There are companies who scan the internet for personal information and offer the data they find to the public for free or for a fee.  If there "people search" sites come up when you search for your name, visit their sites and opt out to keep your information private.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ranks safety vests in classes based on the need for visibility.  

Using the chart below, determine what class is best for your job, then choose from our assortment of vests.  Each one is labeled with it's ANSI safety classification so you'll know you're getting the right vest for the job.

​Staying visible helps keep you safe in hazardous situations, so gear up and be seen! Shop Safety Vests

​Worker safety is always the highest priority on the job site and nothing protects on the job like hard hats.  They’re essential to providing workers with protection from falling debris, low landing objects, and electrical hazards.

According to OSHA, a hard hat must be worn when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects or when there is the risk of exposure to electrical conductors that can potentially contact the head.

Hard Hats are divided into two categories: 
Type I and Type II

Type I Hard Hats are intended to reduce the force of impact resulting from a blow to the top of the head, such as from a hammer or nail gun falling from above.
 
Type II Hard Hats are intended to reduce the force of lateral impact resulting from a blow which may be received off-center from the side, or to the top of the head.  This form of impact may result from contact with the sharp corner of a side beam for example.  Type II hard hats are lined on the inside with a thick, high                                                                                                                          density foam and suspension.

To see our compete line of hard hats and the rest of our safety products click here.

​October is National Fire Safety Month and National Fire Prevention week is October 4-10, so let’s take a hot second to review these common sense tips to keep your workplaces safe.
 
To Keep a Fire from Happening…

• Keep your work area free of waste paper, trash and other items that can easily catch fire.
  
• Check on your electrical cords. If a cord is damaged in any way, replace it. Try not to lay cords in places where they can be stepped on, as this will contribute to deterioration of the protective outside coating.
  
• Don't overload your circuits.
  
• Turn off electrical appliances at the end of each day.
  
• Only allow smoking in designated areas that have fire proof ashtrays. This will prevent a stray cigarette from starting a fire.
  
• Never leave flammable liquids out on the floors or counters. Always use and store flammables correctly.
  
• Check the batteries in all smoke detectors at least once a month.

If a Fire Does Happen…

• Call 911 immediately and don't hand up with the emergency responder until told to do so.
  
• Close doors when exiting to help limit the spread of smoke and fire throughout the building.
  
• Never use elevators during an evacuation.
• If you are in a building that is on fire check the door before you open it. If you can feel the heat then it is not safe to open the door. Find another exit if possible.
  
• Use sweater, shirt, or towel to help reduce smoke inhalation. If you can wet the cloth with water it will be even better at stopping the smoke from hurting your lungs.
  
• If you are stuck in an office high off the ground break a window and hang a sweater or shirt out of it to let allow the firemen to find your position faster.

Remember, a fire can lead to job losses. Rebuilding a workplace after a fire is very expensive and many companies can’t afford to do it. Stay safe, friends! 

Read more about fire safety in the workplace: 

http://blog.safetysmart.com/2014/01/12-fire-prevention-tips-workers/
www.osha.gov/SLTC/firesafety/index.htm
www.bullex.com/workplace-fire-prevention-tips    
www.workplacesafetyexperts.com/office-safety/fire-safety 
http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week/about-fire-prevention-week