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OSHA Announces New Rules to Protect Workers From the Hazards of Extreme Heat

At STC, we are committed to keeping our clients informed on the latest news happening in our industry. Recently, OSHA passed a new rule regarding working temperatures in an attempt to limit the number of heat illness cases and fatalities. Here is everything you need to know about the new rules regarding heat illness and how they might affect how your business operates:

Expanded Measures to Protect Workers

The enhanced and expanded measures from OSHA are intended to protect workers from the hazards of extreme heat, both inside and outside. The new regulations specifically target those who work in conditions of 80˚ Fahrenheit or more either inside of their facility or outside on the job. Their new tactics will include an intervention and enforcement initiative to protect workers.

Implementing an Enforcement Initiative

The new enforcement initiative on heat-related hazards will be used to prevent illness and protect workers from heat-related illnesses while they are working in hot environments. In addition, OSHA will also be implementing a National Emphasis Program on heat inspections and launching a more regulated rulemaking process to develop a workplace heating standard.

The Hazards of Extreme Heat

While the new regulations will help regulate working conditions for employees, we see it as a win for workers everywhere who have had to work in hazardous conditions. In 2019 alone, 43 workers died from heat illness and at least 2,410 others suffered serious injuries and illnesses. Since heat illness is a highly preventable injury, the new regulations are a much-needed change.

No matter how you choose to start regulating these rules into your workplace, STC is always here to help you make it 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 the hazards of extreme heat from the experts at STC? Check out our blog today!

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Focusing Our Attention on Transportation Safety in Time for Back to School

As children and teenagers all across the nation start going back to school, it’s important to remember that practicing transportation safety can potentially save their lives. More people are starting to travel on similar schedules, creating traffic and other transportation problems that can be dangerous if not handled appropriately. Here’s everything you need to know about transportation safety in time for back to school from the experts at STC: 

Why Transportation Safety is So Important 

Even with massively reduced traffic due to the pandemic, there were still 400 vehicle crashes in school zones in the state of Texas in 2020. Those accidents resulted in 11 serious injuries and a large number of minor injuries. In 2019, there were 765 vehicle crashes in school zones in Texas, resulting in one death and 15 serious injuries. This is why transportation safety is so important. 

Our Favorite Driving Safety Tips 

As with any other time of the year, it’s important to always understand your surroundings when operating a motor vehicle. During the school year, there is an increase in traffic before and after school, with a large increase in the number of busses transporting students to and from school. It is crucial for drivers to stay vigilant of their surroundings by understanding how school zones may have deviated from years prior, and always understanding where children may be crossing the streets. 

More Back to School Safety Tips 

No matter the situation, a phone call or text message is never more important than the lives of those around you. Put your phone away, or on do not disturb, when operating a motor vehicle to ensure that you are not tempted to look away from the road for even a second, especially in school zones. Since bus stops or parent pick-up lines are usually located next to main roads, it is crucial to keep an eye out for any children that may dart across the road unexpectedly. 

No matter how you choose to remain vigilant of transportation safety for back to school, STC is always here to help keep you informed. We host a wide variety of safety-based content on our website that is designed to keep people safe on the job, at home and on the road. Want to learn more about transportation safety from the experts at STC? Check out our blog today!

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Everything You Need to Know About Celebrating Safe + Sound Week with STC

At STC, we believe that safety is the most important aspect of every job. Last week, we had the opportunity to celebrate safety in the workplace during one of our favorite weeks of the year, Safe + Sound Week! This is such an important week because we get to celebrate the importance of safety in the workplace. Here is everything you need to know about Safe + Sound Week and how we celebrated at STC:

What is Safe + Sound Week

Safe + Sound Week is an event celebrated nationwide over the course of a week in August. This is an event for recognizing the successes of workplace health and safety programs. During this week, companies around the country get their employees together to celebrate their success and provide information and ideas about keeping their workplace safe. 

Why Every Organization Should Participate

By participating in Safe + Sound Week, you are making an effort to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace for your organization. By implementing health and safety programs, and celebrating their success, your organization will be actively preventing injuries and fatalities in the workplace. No job is too safe to skip over safety measures, so it is crucial that each employee understands that each of their actions can make your workplace safer. 

How STC Celebrated Safe + Sound Week

Each of our employees makes a lifelong commitment to safety, and Safe + Sound Week is when we get to look back on our successes. We consider each day that an employee goes home to their family a success, because the safety procedures at their work helped make it happen. Every day, employees all over the world suffer through injuries and fatalities at work that could have been prevented. We make it our mission to ensure that safety is the number one priority. 

No matter how, or when, you choose to celebrate safety successes in the workplace, STC is here to help make safety the top priority in your organization. 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 STC? Check out our blog today!

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Prepare for High Temperatures this Summer with Heat Safety Tips 

Summer in the south means that temperatures are going to average 90º-100º on any given day, creating potentially dangerous situations for those that work outside. At STC, we are dedicated to providing all of the heat safety tips you will need to keep yourself and others safe this summer. Here’s everything you need to know about heat safety from the experts at STC: 

Hydration is Key to Summer Safety 

As you work in the summer heat, you are going to need to hydrate yourself frequently to make up for all of the fluids you are losing in the form of sweat. If you become dehydrated on the job, you can become fatigued, dizzy and prone to falling, creating dangerous situations. Ensure that everyone on your crew is drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep them safe. 

Work Smarter, Not Harder 

One of the best heat safety tips to keep your crew protected from heat stress is creating a strategy for when you will work on the most intensive parts of your job. Generally, it is best to ensure that you work up to the hardest parts of your job throughout the day, completing the easiest tasks during the coolest parts of the day. It is also crucial to ensure that everyone on the crew takes breaks more frequently in the summer, preferably in the shade or air conditioning. 

Provide Heat Safety Tips in Your Training 

As you walk your team through their regular training, it is important to ensure that they are educated on the most essential heat safety tips. Teach them how to spot signs of heat stress for themselves and others so that they are able to prevent dangerous situations before they happen. Every team member needs to understand how to prevent heat stress by staying hydrated, wearing light clothing, eating healthy on the job and taking frequent breaks. 

No matter how you choose to teach your employees heat safety tips, STC is always here to help you make it 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 heat safety tips from the experts at STC? Check out our blog today! 

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Utilizing Safety Management Software to Promote Safety in the Workplace

A frequent client concern of ours is usually something along the following lines: “I want to use a safety software solution or use an “add on” safety application within my project management tool, what’s right for my company culture and where do I start…?”  Here is everything you need to know about finding the right safety management software from the experts at STC:

Using Technology to Promote Safety in the Workplace

Technology is in fact improving safety in the workplace and we strongly advocate for its use. However, if every software company claims to have the best solution ever made and guarantees results (with a binding contract) …. where do you start?

When it comes to safety technology or any technology at that, it is not one size fits all. The “buffet” or “all-you-can-eat” approach to technology can be a disaster and leave you unsatisfied. Many companies commit to these great and robust solutions, yet rarely get back the anticipated return on investment, only use a fraction of its capability, and end up shelving the solution long before they are out of their contract terms.

Finding Safety Management Software That Fits Your Needs

The key to a successful implementation and ROI is knowing what your team is trying to accomplish before you enter a contract with a software company. Second, knowing how to create a “request for proposal” (RFP) highlighting your needs and selecting the software company that is best aligned with your goals, budget and cultural behaviors. Do not get oversold on features and shiny objects your team will not use. Safety isn’t complex, so don’t make it that way. Our best-performing clients have the simplest processes. What they get right is consistency and participation, which trumps the infrequent use of features all day.

If you need an unbiased evaluation or support with finding the right safety management software fit for your company, give us a call today!

We don’t sell software; we help you realize measurable outcomes.

Email:

information@thestcgroup.com

Customer Support:

Toll-Free: 1-855-389-SAFE

Frisco, Texas Office (Corporate): 972-347-3377

Atlanta, Georgia Office: 470-575-6404

Fax: 855-448-2353

 

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Everything You Need to Know About Returning to Work After the Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine

As more people are starting to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, many workplaces are beginning to lift mask restrictions and other COVID-19 restrictions for their business. While we are still a long way from returning to normal, many parts of normal life are starting to return to the workplace. Here is everything you need to know about returning to work after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine from the safety experts at STC:

You Can Still Get COVID-19 While Vaccinated

The first, and likely most important, thing to remember after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is that you can still become infected. While all brands of vaccine in the U.S. have shown promising signs of preventing infections in some people, it’s overall goal is to prevent the user from becoming fatally sick after being infected. Vaccinated people may still contract the virus, but sustain little to no symptoms. This means if you become infected, you may still be able to spread the virus to others that are not vaccinated, so safety measures are necessary. 

Understanding the Signs of COVID-19

If you have just received your first or second dose of the vaccine within the last few days, there will be symptoms associated with the vaccination. Symptoms like headaches, fever, fatigue and nausea are common, but others can certainly still occur. If you experience these symptoms after vaccination, this is a very normal response and there is no reason to fear that you are infected. 

However, symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell are not consistent with post-vaccination side effects. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it may be necessary for you to get tested for COVID-19. These symptoms are likely to be milder than in those who are not vaccinated, but it is still important to get tested. 

Lifting Restrictions After the COVID-19 Vaccine

The good news about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is that if a majority of people in your workplace are vaccinated, certain restrictions may no longer be necessary. The CDC has announced that mask restrictions and social distancing are no longer necessary for those who are fully-vaccinated and past the two-week waiting period. For those who are waiting to receive the vaccine or are choosing not to receive it, these restrictions should still be required of them. 

No matter how you choose to prepare your employees for life post-vaccination, 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 the COVID-19 vaccine in the workplace? Check out our blog today!

 

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Celebrating National Safety Month with Five Quick Tips for Workplace Safety

At STC, we believe that safety is the most important part of every job, no matter how big or small it may be. That’s why we are so excited to celebrate National Safety Month this June, and continue our dedication to preserving human life every day of the year. To celebrate National Safety Month, we are gearing up with five quick tips for workplace safety from STC: 

 

  1. Be Aware of Your Surroundings 

Whether you are working in an office or at a job site, there are always potentially dangerous situations that may arise. It is crucial to stay vigilant of your surroundings at all times so that you don’t hurt yourself or others while completing your necessary tasks for that day. 

 

  1. Stay Up To Date On All Things Safety 

The COVID-19 pandemic is a great example of how workplace safety can change regularly. Keeping people safe means that OSHA updates its guidelines as they learn new information. Stay up to date on everything safety-related in your industry to keep yourself and others safe. 

 

  1. Don’t Take Shortcuts on Essential Procedures

When it comes to safety, sometimes the smarter way of working is always the harder way of working. Safety procedures and precautions are set in place for a reason, and most of the time when someone gets hurt, it is because they have neglected to follow all safety precautions. 

 

  1. Always Wear Personal Protective Equipment 

If your employer, or OSHA, requires you to wear specific personal protective equipment (PPE) on the job, it is crucial that it gets worn. You never know when a mistake will happen, and you want to be prepared for those instances beforehand by wearing all essential safety equipment. 

 

  1. Training is Key for Celebrating National Safety Month 

The most effective way to ensure that your employees are staying safe is having them complete comprehensive safety training regularly. You can’t protect yourself from something you know nothing about, so we recommend that all employees are trained on safety in the workplace. 

 

No matter how you choose to prepare your employees for National Safety Month, 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 celebrating National Safety Month? Check out our blog today! 

 

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Prepare Your Employees for Warmer Weather with These Construction Safety Tips

At STC, we believe that the right education and training can help preserve human life in the workplace. Warmer weather is finally here but with the new season comes a new set of safety guidelines employees should follow for their own protection. Here are all of the construction safety tips you need to prepare your employees for warmer weather and summer safety:

Stay Prepared for Summer Safety

Summer is one of the best seasons for construction, but one of the hardest seasons for construction workers. Staying prepared for summer weather can protect your employees from severe injuries, illnesses and even death. Help your employees protect themselves from extreme heat by ensuring they are staying hydrated and wearing light, breathable clothing.

Choose Work Assignments Carefully

As a responsible employer of construction workers, there are quite a few things you can do to help prevent serious heat exhaustion in your employees. One of the best ways to ensure employees are protected is assigning the hardest work for the coolest parts of the day. This way, workers will be able to cool down after heavy work while it is still cold enough for them to do so.

When it is too hot outside, you should take the time to ensure that employees are taking regular breaks to rehydrate and cool down their bodies. If employees are not guaranteed regular breaks during peak heat hours in the summer, they could potentially overheat their bodies. Illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke can lead to serious injuries, illnesses and even cause fatalities.

Teach Employees Construction Safety Tips

All of your employees should be trained regularly with seasonal weather safety tips. Whether it’s rain, snow, heat or cold, employees should understand how to protect themselves against the elements in which they will be working. We recommend a quarterly instructor-led training session from professionals to help employees keep themselves and others safe on the job. 

No matter how you choose to teach your employees construction safety tips, STC is always here to help you make it 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 construction safety tips? Check out our blog today!

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Our Guide to Fall Protection Training in Honor of National Ladder Safety Month

At STC, we are committed to preserving human life by keeping people educated on all of the safety precautions they need to protect themselves. Since it is National Ladder Safety Month, there is no better time to share some information on fall protection training from our safety experts. Here is everything you need to know about fall protection training from STC:

Fall Protection and Ladder Safety are Essential

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of death at worksites? The truth is that these kinds of fatalities and injuries are highly preventable when all of your employees are well trained in fall protection. In 2010 alone, there were 226 fatalities caused by falls in the construction industry. These deaths account for more than one-third of the fatalities for the entire year. That’s why it is so crucial to educate your employees on the importance of fall protection and prevention.

Fall Protection Starts with the Right Equipment

As with any job, keeping yourself safe on ladders will require you to plan ahead. When in the planning phase of your project, it is crucial to determine what parts of the job will require workers to stand on ladders or scaffolding. When you know how far your employees will need to climb, you can ensure that you have the appropriate ladders for them to stay safe on the job.

Provide Fall Protection Training to All Employees

Whether your employees are life-long veterans of the industry or just starting out, they will all need to have completed fall protection training before climbing the ladder. You never know when things will start to go wrong on the job site, so you should prepare every employee to handle those situations professionally. When they have the right information and equipment, there is a much higher chance that they will come out of those situations unharmed.

No matter how you choose to keep your employees safe, STC is here to help you make safety simple. We are dedicated to providing Managed Safety Services, Safety Consulting Services and Instructor-Led Training to keep all of your employees safe on the job. Want to learn more about the importance of creating a strong safety culture? Check out our blog today!

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STC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Guide for Your Workplace

As the COVID-19 vaccine slowly rolls out across the country, many people have the opportunity to make their work lives and personal lives much safer. We have worked hard to gather all of the details you need to ensure that you are able to keep your family, coworkers and clients safe through this time. Here’s everything you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine from STC:

Who Can Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

The vaccine is in short supply and only being given to those in the 1A or 1B groups. As of right now, the only people eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine are healthcare workers, people over the age of 65 and people 16+ with underlying health conditions. As more vaccines become available, many other groups will become eligible to receive their covid vaccine as well.

How Does the Vaccine Work?

Currently, there are two different vaccines available, both being reported to be 95% effective. These vaccines are not meant to prevent you, or those around you, from getting the virus. Essentially, the vaccine is meant to provoke an immune response, so that your body is better able to fend off the virus if you come into contact with someone who has already been infected.

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe?

Yes, the vaccine has gone through all of the phases of testing and regulatory approvals it needed before entering the market. While this process was sped up due to the severity of the virus, this does not mean that important steps were missed along the way. The vaccines do not contain the live virus, meaning that you cannot contract or spread COVID-19 from the vaccine.

Where Can I Get the Vaccine?

It is expected that people will be able to receive vaccinations for free from their doctors, local pharmacies, hospitals and other medical professionals soon. If you are in groups 1A or 1B, you can go ahead and register for your first dose of the vaccine now, but your wait time will depend on local availability. Depending on which vaccine you receive, there may be a 21-28 day waiting period before you can receive your second, and final, dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

No matter how you choose to keep your workplace safe from COVID-19, it is crucial that every employee understands when and where they can receive their vaccine. STC is always here to help keep your workplace safe. Our managed safety services, onsite cna services and safety consulting services are designed to make safety simple. Want to learn more about STC? Check out our blog today!

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