The Proper Vehicle and Seatbelt Safety Guide from STC

At STC, we believe that it’s essential to do everything as safely as possible. From driving to work in the morning to driving on the job, safety plays an important role in proper vehicle function. No matter when or where you are going, you need to remember to use a seatbelt. Here’s what you need to know about proper seatbelt safety from the team at STC:

National Seatbelt Day

In honor of National Seatbelt Day being this month, we are making a heavy emphasis on the importance of wearing your seatbelt when a car is operational. No matter where you are or where you’re going, there’s a safe way to get there and that always includes a seatbelt. You never know when something unexpected will happen on the road so always be sure everyone in your car is always wearing a seatbelt. There’s never a safe time to not wear your seatbelt. 

The Dangers of Driving

Commercial safe driving is imperative for maintaining workplace safety. In 2019 alone, distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives while speeding took the lives of ​​9,378 people, more than 26% of those involved in automotive fatalities. Always remember to keep your attention on the road while following posted traffic precautions to potentially save yourself and others from adding to these statistics in the future. You never know when a seatbelt could save your life.

Wearing Seatbelts On the Job

Much like cars, when you are operating heavy equipment, you will need to utilize the safety of a seatbelt as well. Avoiding injuries while on the job is essential to construction equipment safety, and following basic safety training procedures will keep you injury-free. Board the equipment by maintaining three points of contact and never jump into or out of the cab, especially once it’s in operation. Also, always wear seatbelts so you’re not knocked around or flung from the cab in an accident. When working, stay aware of your surroundings. Every safety procedure is important!

No matter how you choose to prepare your employees for seatbelt safety, STC is here to help guide you through every step. We offer a wide variety of managed safety services, from onsite safety staffing to safety consulting to help keep you prepared for any situation. Want to learn more about keeping your employees safe from potential dangers? Check out our blog!

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How Safety Plans and Procedures Can Lower Your Business Insurance Costs

At STC, we are committed to consistently delivering the right information to save our clients time, money and grief. Instilling the right safety plans and procedures in your workplace will not only keep your workers as safe as possible, but also save you money in the long run. Here’s everything you need to know about how safety plans and procedures can lower your insurance:

Lowering Business Insurance Costs

Most industries involve some form of risk to workers, but did you know that you can actually save money by implementing policies to mitigate those risks? When risk is involved in business, so is insurance. By implementing safety policies and adhering to them on a daily basis, there are tons of ways that you can save money. By avoiding the legal fees associated with workplace accidents, you will save money on litigation and worker’s compensation insurance.

How a Good Safety Record Helps

It’s simple, insurance companies are more willing to offer you lower insurance rates if they know you are dedicated to safety. You have to earn their trust by demonstrating years of good safety records before they are willing to offer you lower rates, however. That’s why implementing safety policies and procedurs from day one is always recommended.

Saving Money on Business Insurance

Working closely with your insurance provider or agent is a good way to ensure you are able to realize lower rates. The truth is that insurance companies use a wide variety of tools to calculate costs and safety plays the biggest factor in those costs. The statistics used by insurance providers will save you costs down the road, all while keeping your employees safe.

No matter how you choose to prepare your workplace for lower insurance, STC is here to help guide you through every step. We offer a wide variety of managed safety services, from onsite safety staffing to safety consulting to help keep you prepared for any situation. Want to learn more about keeping your employees safe from potential dangers? Check out our blog!

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Four Fire Safety Tips from the Experts at STC

At STC, we are committed to keeping our clients safe in every situation. Fire safety is certainly no exception. Whether it’s a risk of wildfires or burns on the skin, fire is incredibly dangerous to personal safety in all its forms. Here’s what you need to know to keep yourself and others safe by practicing proper fire safety at all times:

Test Smoke Alarms Regularly

When working with any sort of flammable substances or equipment inside, it’s crucial that you are positive your smoke detection equipment is always functioning properly. No matter what industry you work in, it’s always best practice to regularly check your smoke alarms to ensure the batteries are working, charged, and ready to alert you of potential danger.

Create an Escape Plan

It’s easy to let the ebbs and flows of everyday work distract you from creating proper safety procedures in the workplace. It’s essential to always have a plan in case of emergency, especially dealing with fires in the workplace. If a fire starts, your employees should already know exactly where to go to avoid any potential dangers related to the fire.

Practice Proper Fire Safety

Whether it’s heating, electrical, or smoking, fires can start from a wide variety of sources. To keep your workplace safe, you need to know what potential hazards come from each source. There are proper precautions, as outlined by OSHA, for every source so be sure to keep up with updated guidelines to keep your workplace as safe as possible.

Always Check Your Surrounding Area

Things like chemical spills, improper ventilation and improper storage can cause fires to start easily and spread rapidly. You need to examine every inch of your working area before beginning work with something that could potentially cause a fire. If the hazard can be removed, remove it. If it can’t be removed, it’s best to work elsewhere if possible.

No matter how you choose to prepare your workplace for proper fire safety, STC is here to help guide you through every step. We offer a wide variety of managed safety services, from onsite safety staffing to safety consulting to help keep you prepared for any situation. Want to learn more about keeping your employees safe from potential dangers? Check out our blog!

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How to Stay Prepared for Hurricane Season Along the Coast

At STC, we are dedicated to helping our clients stay prepared, no matter the situation. For residents of Southern Texas, Florida and Georgia, you are already aware that hurricane season is approaching quickly. Not only can a single hurricane rearrange your personal life for weeks, but it can also cause some unexpected delays in projects at work. Here’s everything you need to know to stay prepared for the upcoming hurricane season with the experts at STC:

Wet Season on Jobsites

Hurricane season and wet season go hand-in-hand on job sites along the coast. Unexpected water on job sites can cause a ton of problems related to safety and equipment handling. Whether the water is from a hurricane or another storm, it’s essential to clear out any water before beginning work on a particular site, so no one gets hurt in the process.

Hurricane Season on the Job

In many southern states, hurricane season is almost guaranteed to bring some heavy winds, rain and flooding. Have you done all that you can to keep yourself, your family and your job site as safe as possible this hurricane season? Cities will employ the use of fluid-transfer pumps during the wet season, but it’s possible many job sites along the coast may need them as well.

How to Prepare for Hurricanes

Luckily, when a hurricane is approaching a specific area, they have been tracked, monitored and reported for at least 24 hours before it hits land. This gives residents of southern states plenty of time to take action. For businesses and houses alike, it’s essential to board up any and all windows in an effort to minimize damage. Some businesses may employ the use of fluid-transfer pumps to move floodwaters, while others move equipment and merchandise to a higher level. Either way, it’s crucial that you take precautions before a hurricane hits land.

No matter how you choose to prepare your home and business for hurricane season, STC is here to help guide you through every step. We offer a wide variety of managed safety services, from onsite safety staffing to safety consulting to help keep you prepared for any situation. Want to learn more about keeping your employees safe during hurricane season? Check out our blog!

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Substance Abuse in Construction and the Dangers of Overdosing

At STC, we believe that every aspect of safety is crucial to the overall success of a construction project. One issue that often gets overlooked in the overall talk of construction safety is substance abuse. Here’s everything that you need to know about the importance of remaining vigilant for signs of substance abuse and overdosing in the construction industry:

Why Substance Abuse is Common

Anyone who has ever worked a job in construction will tell you the same thing – the job is incredibly draining, both physically and mentally. In industries as taxing as this one, it’s common for workers to turn to substance abuse, whether it’s alcohol or illegal substances, to cope with stress and manage pain. Through the combination of long work days, work stress and sore muscles, it’s easy for a construction worker to think self-medicating is the solution.

Substance Abuse in Construction

Did you know that substance abuse in construction is nearly double the national average for other industries? It is estimated that around 15% of construction workers suffer from substance abuse disorders, meaning there is very likely someone on your crew who suffers from the same ailment. Alcohol abuse is the most common form of substance abuse in construction, but at the same time, nearly 12% of workers have reported using illicit drugs within the last month.

Recovery and Treatment

Substance abuse is not only a major health concern but also a huge hazard on the job site. As an employer, you cannot force someone to get the treatment they need, but you can remove them from your job site until they do so on their own accord. Being under the influence or experiencing withdrawal symptoms will ultimately increase the likelihood of mistakes, injury and even death. If a drug test comes back positive or you notice signs of substance abuse, it’s crucial that you talk with your employee about working with them to get proper treatment.

No matter how you choose to prevent substance abuse, STC is always here to help you make safety simple. We offer a wide variety of managed safety services, instructor-led training and safety consulting services that will help build a safety culture around your business. Need more information on helping employees manage addiction on the job site? Let us help you today!

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Benefits of Having STC Led Safety Courses for Your Employees

At STC, we believe that proper workplace safety goes so much further than just meeting OSHA’s guidelines. We are dedicated to implementing workplace safety in various industries to help us achieve our number one goal – preserving human life in the workplace. Here’s everything you need to know about the benefits of STC-led safety courses in your workplace:

Our Instructor-Led Training

STC offers thousands of safety courses on various topics as well as customized training programs that are form fitted for your business. We bring industry knowledge and years of lessons learned across all industries to each of our instructor-led training courses. We help you make the most of your safety training because our instructors are so passionate about each of the topics. We offer traditional safety courses and thousands of other courses, including:

  • Fall Protection
  • Fleet Safety
  • Silica
  • Machine Guarding
  • Equipment Safety
  • Fire Prevention
  • Confined Space
  • Trenching and Excavations
  • Scaffolding
  • Ergonomics
  • CPR/ First Aid
  • Many, Many More

A Strong Safety Culture

We work hard to ensure that you’re business is not only able to pass unexpected OSHA visits, but also work to implement a strong safety culture within your business. We look at every detail of your operations to ensure that we are able to help where it matters most. Your crew will learn everything they need to know to stay safe, all while helping each other stay safe.

Getting Safety Courses Right the First Time

STC understands the true cost of training. We know that it is expensive, time-consuming and mentally draining for anyone participating, so we implement a wide variety of experience-proven tactics to increase engagement. We want to help you make the most of your safety courses. STC builds and delivers interactive Spanish and English training resources that can be tailored to support your company and industry needs.

No matter how you choose to implement safety courses in your business, STC is here to help guide you through every step. We offer a wide variety of managed safety services, from onsite safety staffing to safety consulting to help prepare your employees for every situation. Want to learn more about how STC can help improve safety in your business? Get started today!

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Celebrating Ultraviolet Safety Month with Our UV Protection Guide

At STC, we believe in keeping employees safe in every situation. July is Ultraviolet Safety Month, so we will focus on highlighting the importance of UV and heat protection, especially in the harsh summer temperatures we have been experiencing the last few months. Here’s everything you need to know about protecting yourself from UV Rays during Ultraviolet Safety Month!

The Importance of UV Protection 

As the summer heat continues to rise, the importance of UV protection cannot be overstated. To celebrate Ultraviolet Safety Month, we are working to create awareness about the importance of protecting our eyes and skin from the side effects of UV rays. Follow these crucial steps to protect yourself and others on your crew from UV light exposure:

  • Wear at least 15 SPF sunscreen or higher during the day
  • Cover exposed skin with sleeves, pants, hats and sunglasses
  • Try staying in the shade when the sun is the most intense

The Effects of Prolonged Exposure

Whether the UV light is coming from a natural source or an artificial source, the effects are the same. Prolonged exposure to UV light can lead to multiple forms of cancer, premature aging of the skin and a weakened immune system. It can also affect vision, cause sunburns and cause cataracts to form. It’s crucial to keep yourself, your family and your crew safe from UV rays. 

Heat Continues to Be An Issue

While we continue to work through record-breaking heat, it’s important to remember that the hottest month of the year is yet to come. August is known to be particularly hot with some of the hottest days ever recorded in the United States. Keep your crew safe by making an even bigger effort to protect them from UV light, heat illness and even death. We are working through this heat together and our biggest goal is to ensure the safety of everyone on our team and yours. 

No matter how you choose to protect yourself from UV rays, STC is always here to help you make safety simple. We offer a wide variety of managed safety services, instructor-led training and safety consulting services that will help build a safety culture around your business. Want to learn more about protecting workers from extreme heat with STC? Check out our blog!

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The Importance of Distracted Driving Awareness Month with STC

At STC, we are not only committed to keeping you safe on the job site, but also on the road. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which has quickly become one of the deadliest epidemics on our roads. In the age of technology, there are countless distractions that could lead to potentially fatal accidents. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping safe on the road during Distracted Driving Awareness Month from the safety experts at STC:

Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Each year, we celebrate Distracted Driving Awareness Month to bring attention to the importance of driving safely. In 2019 alone, 3,142 people died behind the wheel due to distracted driving. This is a problem that not only affects the driver, but also passengers, other drivers and pedestrians who have no way to defend themselves from an oncoming vehicle. 

The Extent of Distracted Driving 

Distracted driving is more than just using your cell phone while driving. Whether it’s eating at the wheel, managing a navigation app or trying to store loose items in your vehicle, there are a large number of distractions that many people do not even consider. Basically, if you are doing anything in your vehicle that takes your attention away from the road, you are distracted. 

Driving Safety Tips from STC

As always, it’s crucial that you keep your eyes on the road at all times. This means saving that text for later, picking music before entering the vehicle and storing loose items before hitting the road. You never know when someone in front of you may hit their brakes or an animal may run into the middle of the road. It’s best practice to keep your attention on the road, always. 

No matter how you choose to protect yourself and others from traffic accidents caused by distracted driving, STC is always here to help your employees understand what it takes to stay safe. We offer a wide variety of managed safety services, from onsite safety staffing to safety consulting to help prepare your employees for every situation, on the road and on the job site. Want to learn more about how STC can benefit your business? Check out our blog today!

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Keeping Your Workplace Safe from the Omicron Covid-19 Variant

As the pandemic progresses into its third year, employers now have to deal with the development of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. Employers must strive to keep their workplaces safe from the Omicron Covid-19 variant, while also keeping their businesses afloat. Here STC offers some tips for preventing the spread of Covid-19.

Encourage Vaccinations to Prevent Omicron Covid-19 Variant

Vaccination is still the best way to prevent the spread of the disease, and employers should really encourage their employees to get vaccinated. Vaccinated employees are less likely to get infected, or should they contract the illness, are less likely to be hospitalized or suffer severe effects of the virus. While OSHA vaccine mandates are still being debated, employers, according to reports, don’t seem to be losing employees over vaccination requirements.

Masks Are Also Good Option

Recommending employees wear face masks is another option workplaces might consider as a way to prevent the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, in particular, and the virus in general. Masks have proven effective in preventing transmission of the virus. Some employers make masks optional, especially for those who have been vaccinated. Others require masks inside or in certain circumstances, especially when community transmission rates are high.

Follow Social Distancing Guidelines and Recommend Testing

As more employees are returning to offices, Covid-19 safety protocols should also include social distancing measures. Social distancing has also proven effective in preventing the transmission of the virus.

Regular testing can also improve safety in the workplace. If you plan on regular testing, you can get help from STC’s onsite medical services. We offer a full range of testing services that comply with state and federal guidelines. Onsite medical services are just a few of the services you can rely on from our team to improve safety in the workplace. Contact us for more information or check out our blog to learn more.

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Tips to Avoid Holiday Season Drunk Driving from STC

Holiday season is in full swing now and that means plenty of holiday gatherings are underway. At many of these gatherings, alcohol will be served. Inside and outside of the workplace, safety is always a concern at STC. To stay safe at holiday gatherings, here are some tips to avoid holiday season drunk driving from STC.

Safe Driving Tips for Avoiding Holiday Season Drunk Driving

From about mid-December through January 1, this festive season can be ruined by drunk driving. In 2018 during the holiday season, for instance, as many as 285 road deaths were the result of drunk driving, all of which were preventable if precautions had been taken. Here are some tips to avoid holiday season drunk driving:

  • Plan ahead about how to get home safely.
  • Use ridesharing, ride-hailing, or taxis as options to get home safely.
  • Make certain you have a safe spot for pick-up.
  • Pick a designated driver.
  • Make sure as designated driver you are 100% committed to sobriety.
  • Call law enforcement if you see an impaired driver on the road.
  • Take keys away from anyone wanting to drive drunk and ensure they have a safe way home.
  • Wear seatbelts while in your vehicle.

Driving While Intoxicated Will Land You in Jail

Remember, too, holiday season drunk driving is against the law. If you don’t stay sober when driving, and you’re pulled over by law enforcement, you’re very likely to be charged with a DWI. You’ll also likely find yourself in jail and facing serious legal consequences from fines to losing your license.

Drug-Impaired Driving is Also Dangerous

Alcohol isn’t the only intoxicant that can land you in trouble—if you’re getting high on illegal or even legal drugs and getting behind the wheel, you’re a danger on the road and you can get a DUI or DWI. Be cautious also if you’re taking any medication, prescription or over-the-counter. If you feel drowsy or unusual after taking the medicine, avoid getting behind the wheel.

At STC, we’re always concerned about safety, whether in the workplace or out. That’s why we want to make sure you’re aware of what to do about holiday season drunk driving. Contact us to learn more about our managed safety consulting services and safety consulting or check out our blog.

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