May 21, 2024 | Accident prevention, Car Accidents
There are plenty of ways to put yourself at risk when you’re driving. You could be drinking, under the influence of drugs, on your phone, or even eating. We know you’re hungry, but there are certain things that should be avoided when you’re driving. When it comes to eating drivers, they are ultimately just as distracted as someone on their cell phone. So, we encourage you to avoid this act all together, or at the very least— limit it to the occasional granola bar…
Eating Drivers: Preventing Accidents
Plan your morning accordingly
The majority of the reason for eating drivers is that you’re running late. Your alarm clock was off, or maybe your morning routines just took a bit longer than usual. No matter the reason, you’re running late and have to eat from behind the wheel. As I mentioned, the occasional granola bar is much less risky. However, you’re still taking your eyes off the road and hands off the wheel to unwrap and eat your meal. So, consider prepping your breakfast the night before, eating at the office, or even just being more strict when it comes to that alarm clock.
A commute is stressful. However, when you’re making perfect time it can be a bit less stressful. So, set yourself up for success the night before and in the morning. That missed alarm might still get you from time to time. But making an effort to reduce that might just make all the difference.
Eat while Parked
Eating drivers can be just as dangerous as texting drivers. Finding ways to avoid it, such as the ones we mentioned above, can be beneficial in making sure you aren’t putting yourself and other drivers at risk. You might not have time to sit down and eat at home before work. But, you might make it to work with a few minutes to spare. So, take that moment in your car or the break room and eat your meal. Eating behind the wheel is a no-go, but that doesn’t mean you should skip eating altogether.
Get what you need when you need it
Ultimately, it all comes down to a little planning and discipline. Those extra ten minutes in bed might feel great, but not better than being fed and full until lunch time. So, take an extra minute in the morning or night to decide how you can avoid becoming one of those eating drivers. While it might be an adjustment right now, it’ll be routine in no time at all.
May 7, 2024 | Accident prevention, Driving
We’ve all heard about some wacky laws. For example, you can only have silly string in a private home in a part of Connecticut, not in public. Little known traffic laws in South Carolina are a little less silly, but still sometimes come as a surprise to some. If you’re a South Carolinian or going to be visiting the state soon, make sure you know about these laws to prepare yourself!
Little Known Traffic Laws: South Carolina
Bumper Stickers
This is one of the extremely helpful little known traffic laws for those crossing the South Carolina border. In the state, it is illegal to have bumper stickers on your car that display “obscene or indecent” words or pictures. If written a citation for this, the fine could be up to $200. Don’t worry, though. This citation is rare.
Emergency Vehicles
You must pull over to the far lane for emergency vehicles. While this is probably the more popular of the little known traffic laws we are discussing, it’s very important. If you cannot pull over, you must slow down. The fine for failing to do so can cost anywhere between $300 and $500.
Motorcycles and Red Lights
If you ride a motorcycle and have found yourself waiting at a red light too long, you’ll be happy to hear about little known traffic laws that let you break the law, kind of. If you are waiting at a red light and it has failed to turn green after 120 seconds, you may proceed with caution and proceed. Keep in mind, if your action causes an accident, you’ll be found at fault. This will come with a $100 and four points on your license.
Slow Traffic
It is illegal to drive slowly in the left lane. Specifically, this is one of the little known traffic laws that actually prohibits you from stayingin the left lane. Slower traffic must stay in the right lane to keep from traffic building up behind both lanes.
Some little known traffic laws are not actually laws. For example, you should pull over for funeral processions as a courtesy, but it’s not a law. Similarly, driving with headphones in is not illegal, but dangerous. These actions will not get you a ticket, but out of respect or safety, it is best to avoid these behaviors.
Mar 31, 2024 | Accident prevention, Work Injuries
Being a business owner comes with a lot of ups and downs. From hiring, to firing, and everything in between— you handle quite a bit on a day to day basis. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that things are running smoothly every day. Every season presents its own challenges. However, when it comes to summer— the risk of workplace dehydration is ever-present. So, what can you do as a business owner to prevent any injury on the job site?
Workplace Dehydration Prevention: Running a Safe Business
Adjust break schedule to the weather
Let’s face it, the number of times you need to take a break during the day varies during the seasons. The hot sun, especially when you’re working outside, can result in workplace dehydration quickly. So, introduce mandatory five minute breaks, in shifts, once every hour or two. You might worry about meeting goals when allowing frequent breaks. However, breaks in shifts will allow your employees to continue working towards your goal while avoiding injury.
Frequent water stations
Along with mandatory breaks, make sure your employees are able to take full advantage of them. While we would certainly hope that our employees would come to work prepared— there’s nothing wrong with having their back. Install water stations throughout the job sight to encourage hydration. All in all, workplace dehydration is a strong possibility in those summer months, especially when working outside. You may be in construction, moving services, electrical, or a different field. However, you must meet heavy sun exposure with hydration, shade, and the like.
Reward periods without incident
Another way to combat workplace dehydration, is to reward intervals without incident. Do breakfast once every two months, or an after work happy hour. Whatever method is best for your team. However, be sure to stick with small impact rewards, such as the ones listed. By offering large prizes, such as cash or vacation time— you might find that some aggression will grow after injury
Workplace dehydration is serious…
Not to mention, it can lead to even more serious conditions, such as seizures, kidney failure, swelling of the brain, and even coma. For these reasons, among many others— keep your job site stocked with cool water in every season. While summer makes it easier to be dehydrated— it’s a possibility no matter the weather.
Mar 24, 2024 | Accident prevention, Driving
We all try and take steps to be a good friend to the people we love. Whether that means being there when our friends need us, answering calls, or delivering food when sick. Everyone’s love language is a little bit different. But, there will come a time in every friendship where we will have a choice to make: who is going to be the DD this evening? We’re all going out, we all want to have fun, but someone has to get us home safe. Your friend Sara did it last time, so it’s your turn. Being a designated driver is difficult for a number of reasons, but there are a lot of unsung benefits to taking this route, versus taking an Uber or risking the drive home…
Designated Driver: The Benefits
1: You save money
Going out for a night of drinking with friends can be a ton of fun. You drink, you dance, laugh, and have a great time with friends. While nights like these are always fun, they can also be quite expensive. Between buying drinks, ordering Ubers, and the inevitable drunken snack— the cost adds up quickly. While you likely have fun money set aside in your budget, you don’t want to spend it all in one place. This is where being the designated driver can really be useful to your finances.
2. Avoid Hangover
One of the worst things about drinking, is your body taking revenge the day after. You wake up with a headache, stomach ache, and not wanting to drink ever again. However, when you decide to be the designated driver, you aren’t drinking. And I shouldn’t have to tell you how not drinking can prevent even the nastiest of hangovers…
3. Keep friends safe
One of the best things about being the designated driver, is you know for a fact that your friends are going to make it home safe. Because, well, you’re the one ensuring their safety. While you don’t want to be the responsible one on your weekend, there are some pretty inevitable upsides. Not to mention, your friends will be eternally grateful.
4. You won’t have to do it next time
Lastly, and most importantly, by taking on the DD responsibilities, you know that you won’t be the one stuck with the duty next time around. Plus, if you have a large group of friends, you might not have to do it for quite a while.
Being a designated driver can seem like all downsides, but when you think about it— there are a lot of good things about taking your turn behind the wheel on a Friday night.
Jan 21, 2024 | Accident prevention, Work Injuries
Nearly half a million workers work a job which involves welding. As a result, they’re also exposed to many different types of welding hazards. Knowing what the most common hazards are can help you better know what to watch for and how to stay safe…
Welding Hazards: Helpful Precautions
Physical risks
Many of the welding hazards can result in physical injuries. For instance, the intense light and heat created by the welding process can hurt your eyes and cause burns. You may also have to get into awkward positions to perform your welds properly. Doing this for an extended period can result in muscle fatigue and even permanent injuries.
Therefore, you need to make sure you both wear the right gear and give your body a break. Things such as welding helmets, gloves, aprons, and boots can help properly protect you as you weld. You should also make sure you stop welding should you begin to feel any pain. Take a break to stretch before going back to work in order to help keep your body nice and loose.
Fumes and gases
Toxic fumes and gases are also some common welding hazards. The welding process itself does release these types of fumes and gases. Constant exposure to high levels can result in respiratory issues, problems with movement, and even cancer. As such, you need to make sure you properly limit your exposure when working.
Having proper ventilation goes a long way in helping keep these fumes and gases under control. This will ensure that there’s plenty of airflow which will keep the fumes under acceptable levels. If you are working somewhere with poor ventilation, then wearing a respirator can also work.
Electric shock
Many people don’t realize that electric shock is perhaps the most serious of the welding hazards. A sudden discharge of electricity into the body can be fatal. With how suddenly this kind of injury can occur, it’s important that they take steps to prevent this sort of situation.
In general, it’s always key to inspect any equipment before using it. This will ensure that everything is working properly and won’t give off any electricity. Any parts of the electrode holder should also be kept away from the skin and anything wet.
Dec 3, 2023 | Accident prevention, Motorcycle
Most motorcycles are good to go out of the box. However, there are a lot of different options out there to customize your ride with. Some of the more popular motorcycle accessories can help you add some personal flare. Not to mention, additional safety features that could become essential in unexpected situations.
Motorcycle Accessories: Keep Your Bike in Order
Audio systems
Audio systems are some of the most common motorcycle accessories riders choose. A good radio and speakers can help you better listen to your favorite music while riding. Furthermore, this means you won’t have to wear headphones to listen to your music, which can be quite risky while riding.
It’s important to know how your new system will mount to your bike. Some will easily allow you to swap the existing system for a new one. Others might need to be mounted elsewhere, like on your handlebars. Make sure to look for a system that won’t be in your way while riding.
Additional lighting
Extra lights are another example of motorcycle accessories with an additional safety benefit. For example, driving lights and light bars help add a bit of extra light reach to your bike. These can be mounted on your handlebars or near your headlight depending on the type.
There’s also cosmetic lighting, which can be mounted just about anywhere on your bike. These lights come in a wide variety of colors, and can be individual or full strips of lights. Some come with the ability to cycle through different colors, or flash and blink. Not only do you get some added flare, but you also improve your ability for other drivers to see you.
Security systems
Motorcycles are often a large investment. Like any investment, you’d want to make sure you keep it protected. That’s why security systems are some of the most recommended motorcycle accessories. Security systems help ensure that your bike stays with you where it belongs.
Additionally, you have a good amount of options here as well. Motion detectors, for example, will sound an alarm if someone is tapering or moving your bike. However, there are also more advanced options, like RFID keyless ignitions and GPS trackers. These give you some added control over your bike, but come at a higher price point.
