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​Twisted Pencil Blog

Home Eye Safety

6/2/2019

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Most people do not think about wearing eye protection while cleaning, cooking, doing yard work or working in the garage. However, half of all eye injuries occur when doing these everyday chores, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Although 90 percent of all eye injuries are preventable by wearing the proper eye protection, the AAO reports that 78 percent of those injured were not wearing any protective eyewear.   

"All too often, when we’re working around the house and doing chores that we've done a thousand times before without incident, we forget about the risks we take by not protecting our eyes," said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. "But all it takes is one split-second accident that could damage your vision for a lifetime."

Almost 40 percent of home eye injuries are in the yard or garden.  Debris from lawn mowers or power trimmers can unexpectedly enter the eye at a high rate of speed.  Prevent Blindness America offers these tips on how to protect your eyes while doing work in the yard:
  • When mowing, wear safety glasses with side protection or goggles. Check your yard and remove debris before mowing.
  • When using a weed eater, wear safety glasses or goggles under a face shield.
  • Wear goggles when working with power saws or trimmers.
  • Turn off power tools when near an unprotected bystander, especially when young children approach. Bystanders and helpers need eye protection when around tools that are in use.
  • Wear goggles to protect your eyes from fertilizers, pesticides and other yard chemicals, including lime dust.
  • Read and follow all product instructions. Obey warnings on yard chemicals and equipment.

​In addition, using household chemicals, including bleach or other cleaners, cause 125,000 eye injuries every year.  Eye protection should be worn when using any chemical.  Also, after any project, make sure hands are washed thoroughly before touching the eyes or face.  
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6 Tips To Prevent Workplace Injuries

6/14/2018

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A single workplace accident can leave a big impact on your business. Between the medical bills, the lost productivity, all the workers' compensation paperwork, and the low morale, the costs are high.
The best way to avoid these costs is by avoiding an injury. Follow these 6 tips to prevent an injury and protect your workforce.
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LOOK OUT & BE SAFE!

6/4/2018

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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.
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5 Reasons To Fire Your First Aid Service

5/16/2018

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When OSHA was established April 28, 1971 a new industry was born. By 1974, Federal regulations for health & safety standards were established, paving the way for mobile first aid companies to market their services with the support of OSHA’s 1910.151 medical services and first aid standard.  The mobile first service industry flourished during the 70’s and 80’s while helping manufacturers stay compliant with these new regulations from the federal government.

Much has changed since 1974.  Health & safety practices have developed over time, include more employee feedback and participation.  Unfortunately, many of the mobile first aid service processes are still very much the same as they were 45 years ago and they come with a significant cost.  With the new ANSI standards and updated First Aid Kits that offer smart compliance, it is easy and cost effective to bring the maintenance of these kits inhouse.

Here are our 5 reasons to fire your first aid service.

1.  A sales person is making the spending decisions.
Most mobile first aid representative is a salesperson who is paid on commission.  The more they sell, the more they earn.  Quotas and incentives to sell are standard practice in this industry.  Do you really need the items they are selling you?


2.  Save 50 - 75% of the cost.
Paying hundreds of dollars every month adds up significantly. The cost for a service includes the drivers salary plus commission, vehicle costs, insurance, plus the cost of the product.  You can easily reduce your costs by 50-75% when you maintain the cabinets yourself.  Check your invoices, you are charged a monthly service charge even if nothing needs to be replaced.

3.  Your paying them to do the job right - but are they?
Have you looked inside the cabinets and confirmed that the appropriate supplies are there?  Have you given them a list of items you want them to maintain and are they following your wishes?  Is what is there more than what you really need?

4.  Invoice & billing practices.
Take a close look at your invoice and you will discover that specific quantities are usually not included for medicines, bandages and ointments.  Vague product descriptions and quantities are common in this industry.  Descriptions like "small box" are done intentionally to allow services to reap profits and make it difficult to do a product comparison or know how much your are really paying for the products.

5.  Be a part of the process.
When a service maintains your first aid supplies you are distanced from the process.  It is important to know what injuries are taking place so that training and awareness can be improved.  Did you know, that companies where an employee monitors and maintains the supplies lower the number of accidents? Less accidents mean even greater savings!

Twist OP has several options to help you maintain your supplies. With only a few minutes a mont you can reap the savings and benefits of maintaining first aid supplies yourself.  If you are interested in learning more about maintaining your own supplies, call your sales rep and set up an appointment to have our Facilities Specialist help set up a program and get you started today.


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In Case of Emergency.  Is your First Aid Kit Compliant?

5/2/2018

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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. 
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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.

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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.
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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" ​
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Power Up and Be Prepared

9/7/2017

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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.
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WHO ARE YOU ONLINE?

8/24/2017

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Tips for cleaning up your public profile

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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.
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VISIBILITY MATTERS

6/19/2017

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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

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3 Quick Tips for a Safe Workplace

6/4/2017

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Back To School Safety Tips For Motorists

8/29/2016

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For twenty three million students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on a school bus. The greatest risk is not riding the bus, but approaching or leaving the bus. Most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related crashes are pedestrians, 4 to 7 years old, who are hit by the bus or by motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus. And the dangers aren't just in the morning going to school.  In fact, NHTSA points out that more school-age pedestrians have been killed between 3PM - 4PM than any other time of day.  

As a driver, it is crucial for the community to be extra cautious during the school pick-up and drop-off hours, and to treat school buses as something best seen from a distance, rather than up close.
Here are some rules to make sharing the road with buses safe for everyone:
  • Never pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. It is illegal in all 50 states. Also, never pass a school bus on the right -- it is illegal and dangerous.
  • If you are traveling in the same direction as a stopped school bus, you must stop as well.
  • Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to pickup or drop off children. If you are driving, slow down and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicate that the bus is stopped, and that children are getting on or off. This, of course, means that you have to stop as well.
  • When waiting with your own child, teach them to wait until the stop arm is fully extended and the bus door opens before moving toward the bus.
  • The area ten feet around a school bus is at the highest risk for child being hit, so stop your car further than that to allow space for children to enter or exit. Most states have distance requirements, and they may be much further away than you may think.
  • When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school. Better yet, walk around your car or out to the sidewalk to check for any children walking in your path before you get in.
  • Be aware that roads that pass close schools may have slower speed limits during arrival and dismissal times than during non-school hours and that those limits are often more strictly enforced.
  • Drive slowly and watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks. Also be aware of children playing or waiting around bus stops.
  • Be alert and aware on the road. While children are typically taught about looking both ways, they could dart into the street without looking if they are late or distracted.
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Contact Information

Minnesota Offices:
1981 W. County Rd. C2
Roseville, MN 55113
Local Ph: 612.379.2832
Fax: 612.379.9446

New Prague
Local Ph: 952.758.5040
Fax: 952.641.3502

Wisconsin Office:
1351 Planeview Drive
Suite 1
Oshkosh, WI 54904
Local Ph: 920-236-3420

Welcome to Twist!
Please contact us at 
800.62.TWIST, browse our website to view specials, or search for a service below.

​
​Illinois Office:
945 North Edgewood Ave
Suite A
Wood Dale, IL 60191
Local Ph: 630.766.3700
Fax: 630.766.4513 

Indiana Office:
Local Ph: 219.932.0500
Fax:  219.932.2216

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