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Losing control of a vehicle is undoubtedly one of the most terrifying experiences that anyone can go through. Unfortunately, it is common when the temperatures turn cold and the roads get slick.
To prevent an unnecessary skid, slip or accident, consider the following safe driving techniques:
- Slow down ahead of turns and curves.
- Plan ahead for lane changes.
- Look out for ice patches, piles of wet leaves and shady areas, which are likely skidding hazards.
- Anticipate stops near intersections.
- Drive at reduced speeds.
- Avoid over accelerating your vehicle in deep snow.
If you start to skid, do not panic. Steer in the direction that the vehicle is sliding until you can feel your vehicle regain traction. Then, slowly straighten your wheels and keep rolling.
The most effective course of understanding Harassment and Diversity training is through Awareness and Prevention.
In the workplace, when we hear the word “harassment” many of us think only of sexual harassment. However, illegal harassment also occurs based on an employee’s:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- National origin
- Disability
- Genetic information
- Military membership or veteran status?
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, nearly 15,000 sexual harassment cases are reported in any given year. Some studies have found that anywhere from 40 to 70% of female employees and 10 to 20% of male employees have experienced sexual harassment on the job.
Rather than reacting to after the fact events and having to deal with emotional, physical and financial effects; employers would fair well by learning what their rights, responsibilities are in taking proactive steps to foster a harassment-free work environment. Come join us in this popular hot topic. Learn more on how to keep your company compliant.
Come Join us for a Complimentary webinar on Sexual Harrasment & Diversity Training
On Wednesday February 8th at 10:00am MST
Click Link below to register:
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Effective Jan. 3, 2012, the Department of Transportation prohibits commercial motor vehicle operators with interstate authority from using hand-held mobile phones.
This restriction is designed to curb distractions for commercial truck and bus drivers: Driver distractions represented 16 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2009.
Hands-Free Devices
Drivers may continue to use hands-free devices, but only if they do not cause a distraction. Points to remember:
- It is illegal to dial calls, provided dialing requires the driver to push more than one button.
- In order to answer the call, the cellular phone must be within a driver’s reach, easily accessible.
- Citizens’ Band (CB) radios, two-way radios and walkie-talkies are permitted.
- Drivers are allowed to use a hand-held mobile device in cases of emergency, so long as they are notifying law enforcement or other emergency services.
- Certain states do have outright bans on the use of mobile telephones; be aware of the laws in your area of operations.
Avoid Fines
Drivers who violate the restriction will face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense, and disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for multiple offenses. Additionally, states will suspend a driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) after two or more serious traffic violations.
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Preventing Falls
- Wear and use fall arrest equipment.
- Install and maintain perimeter protection.
- Cover and secure all floor openings and label floor opening covers.
- Use ladders and scaffolds safely.
Preventing Struck-Bys
- Never position yourself between moving and fixed objects.
- Wear high-visibility clothes near equipment and vehicles so that others can see you clearly.
Preventing Caught-In/Between
- Never enter an unprotected trench or excavation that is five feet or deeper without an adequate protective system in place. (Note: some trenches that are less than five feet may need a similar system as well.)
- Make sure that a trench or excavation is protected either by sloping, shoring, benching or a trench shield systems
Preventing Electrocutions
- Locate and identify utilities before starting work for the day.
- Look for overhead power lines when operating any equipment.
- Maintain a safe distance away from power lines and learn your area’s distance requirements.
- Do not operate portable electric tools unless they are grounded or double-insulated.
- Use ground-fault circuit interrupters for protection.
The Presidio Group is taking part in the annual AGC of Utah Convention. We will have a booth in the front of the ballroom. The convention is taking place on January 27th at Little America Hotel. Stop by and drop your business card at our booth for a chance to win an iPad 2. We hope to see all of you there.
Choices and Communication You Can Count On
¨ Having to make a choice between offering an attractive, robust benefits package, which digs into profits, or cutting back on total offerings (and risk losing employees to the competition) leaves many businesses caught between a rock and a hard place. As health care costs continue to escalate, business owners can simply no longer absorb additional costs. Colonial Life is committed to helping working Americans understand and appreciate the benefits available to them through their employer and select the benefits they need to protect their families and lifestyles.
Total Compensation Benefit Statements
¨ This statement provides a detailed overview of the benefits you contribute to or provide, so employees can see the true value of their benefits package. It’s their “hidden paycheck” so to speak. They’ll also see the dollar amounts that count toward additional benefits such as vacation days, parking passes or a paid uniform program.
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR
http://www.presidio-group.com/join-us-for-a-complimentary-webinar-on-voluntary-benefits
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Careful facility planning and design can be helpful as the first line of defense to prevent hazardous material leaks or spills, or to mitigate the effects if a leak or spill does happen.
When using ammonia refrigeration equipment, facilities should be designed so the system’s machinery is in a detached building, or at least a separate room, from the rest of the facility. As well, vapor tight separations and mechanical gasket-sealed doors should be used in as many areas of the facility as possible to reduce the risk of an ammonia leak spreading inside the facility.
Considering these and other building design plans can significantly reduce the negative effects of a leak or spill before they occur.
Most companies understand that a non-exempt (Hourly) employee receives over time pay of actual hours worked within a work-week and as such time and a half is paid. Can employee or employer comp these hours? Defining the difference between Exempt and Non-Exempt employees is not as simple as wearing a tie or the title held. Employers frequently make mistakes in calculating the overtime owed – sometimes resulting in the employer paying too much but often resulting in the employer not paying enough. The Department of Labor has been focused on employers’ violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. And, lawsuits have significantly increased. Employers are still finding it difficult to calculate whether they owe overtime and how to pay overtime correctly. Failure to understand what hours count as work hours often leads to unintended violations of the FLSA minimum wage and overtime requirements.
Employers need to review their current internal practices and guidelines to determine whether their current policies are in alliance with State and Federal regulations. In joining our Webinar, we have created an extra added value service; an FLSA Toolkit that values over $100.00. This popular service has been exclusively provided to The Presidio Group clients.
Come join us in this complex hot topic. Learn more about what laws apply currently to your company and keep your company compliant.
Join us for a complimentary webinar on
FLSA Training (Exempt Versus Non-Exempt) Wednesday January 25th at 10:00 am MST
Click the link below to register
http://www.presidio-group.com/flsa-training-exempt-versus-non-exempt-overview/
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When your operations involve any kind of hazardous materials, you know that there is the risk and potential for those materials to be exposed to workers and the surrounding public in the event of a fire, leak or explosion. To account and prepare for these hazards, your risk management planning should include thorough consideration of potential scenarios and decisions that you may have to make.
Software programs are now available to assist in the emergency decision making process. These programs are meant for use as an analysis and decision support tool. The software should be able to make recommendations based on information you can provide the program on the unique situation.
When considering an investment in technology like this, be sure to research your options thoroughly. Get recommendations, find out what other companies have used and in what applications, examine the accuracy rate of their solutions, get a demo of the program to make sure it’s easy to use, and be sure that the vendor provides adequate support for bug fixes and new releases.