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Winter Safety Tips to Keep Employees Safe in Harsh Weather

As the winter season approaches, it’s important to take steps to ensure the safety of your employees in harsh weather conditions. From snow and ice to freezing temperatures, there are a number of hazards that can arise during the winter months. Here are a few winter safety tips to keep in mind as you work to keep your employees safe during this time of year from STC:

Dress for the Season

Encourage employees to dress appropriately for the weather. This includes wearing layers to stay warm, as well as waterproof and slip-resistant boots or shoes to prevent falls on icy surfaces.

Create a Game Plan

Have a plan in place for employees who need to work outside in cold weather. This might include providing warm shelter, access to hot beverages, and frequent breaks to come inside and warm up.

Clear Any Potential Dangers

Ensure that all outdoor walkways and parking lots are cleared of snow and ice. This will help prevent slips and falls, as well as make it easier for employees to get to and from their vehicles safely.

Always Stay Prepared

Have a supply of rock salt or other ice-melting chemicals on hand to treat slippery surfaces. This will help to make walkways and parking lots safer for employees and customers.

Discourage Dehydration

Encourage employees to stay hydrated, as the cold weather can lead to dehydration. Make sure that there is plenty of water available, and encourage employees to drink frequently throughout the day.

Stay Vigilant of Weather Changes

Keep a close eye on the weather forecast and be prepared for adverse conditions. This might include having a plan in place for employees who may need to leave work early or come in late due to dangerous driving conditions.

By following these winter safety tips, you can help keep your employees safe during the colder months. Remember, it’s always better to be proactive when it comes to safety, so don’t wait until a problem arises to take action.

No matter how you choose to prepare your employees for winter, 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 the new season. Want to learn more about keeping your employees safe from potential dangers? Check out our blog!

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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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STC Employee Highlight: Safety Excellence from Ryan Brence

Anyone who has worked closely with our team knows that Ryan Brence is the driving force behind so many of our safety initiatives. He has been an integral part of our team since his first day on the job. This month, we are highlighting him and everything he has accomplished for our clients and STC. Here’s what you need to know about working with Ryan Brence:

About Ryan Brence & STC

Ryan Brence has been with STC for a little over three and a half years. Each day, he comes to work more committed than the day before to create positive change in our client’s safety procedures. He has risen through the ranks during his time here at STC. Starting as a Business Development Manager, he later transitioned into the role of Account Executive. We are proud to announce that recently, he received another promotion to become the Area Manager for our Dallas office. We are so proud of how far his initiative will continue to take him. 

A Passion for Safety

Ryan is passionate about people and relationships, specifically those that help create safer workplaces. Safety is about engagement, so he loves working with our clients to ensure we are cultivating strong relationships to help build and develop strong safety cultures. If we can support this cause with our clients, the results and outcomes will speak for themselves.

“My greatest achievement at STC is helping establish benchmarks for our clients to achieve overall customer success through our safety services. I am proud of developing STC’s Safety Culture Survey that helps analyze where our clients currently are in their safety journey to determine how STC can most effectively assist them in the road ahead.” – Ryan Brence

No matter how you choose to celebrate Ryan’s achievement and dedication to safety, STC is always here to help you make safety simple with an entire workforce committed to keeping people safe. 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 everything that our employees do to keep you safe? 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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Celebrating National Preparedness Month with Emergency Response Tips from STC

At STC, we are dedicated to helping our clients be as prepared as possible for whatever may come their way. Natural disasters, routine illnesses and workplace fatalities are all emergencies that can completely uproot a job site if you aren’t prepared. Here’s everything you need to know about celebrating National Preparedness Month the right way with STC:

National Preparedness Month

Each year, we observe this month as a chance to spread awareness about the importance of being prepared for natural disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. Depending on which part of the country you are in, you know which natural disasters pose the biggest threat. Spend the month thinking ahead by preparing for those natural disasters you know could strike at any moment. You’ll be glad you did if anything should occur!

Making Plans to Stay Safe

From tornadoes in Texas to hurricanes in Florida, there are plenty of natural disasters that have the ability to completely dismantle our everyday lives. We believe it’s always best to stay prepared for anything that may come your way, no matter the situation.

Do you know where to evacuate in case of an emergency?

Do you have emergency grab-and-go kits prepared?

Do you have a plan for pets in case of emergency?

These are essential questions to ask yourself in honor of National Preparedness Month! Make the most of this month by making sure you are always prepared for anything.

Workplace Safety Programs

No matter what kind of industry you’re in, establishing a workplace safety program can save you time and money down the road. These programs are geared to prevent injuries, illnesses, and even deaths on the job, as well as stopping financial hardships and suffering often experienced by workers and their families, as well as the company. If you’re struggling to develop a workplace safety program that puts employees first, STC is always here to help!

No matter how you choose to prepare your employees for potential dangers, 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 Preparedness Month? Check out our blog today!

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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 Saul Piña, a Prime Example of STC Safety Excellence

At STC, we believe in celebrating those that take safety as seriously as possible. One of our employees working for our Georgia branch, Saul Piña, is a prime example of the kind of safety excellence that we strive to achieve with every job. Here’s everything you need to know about celebrating Saul and all that he does to keep our clients, employees and himself safe on the job:

About Saul Piña & STC

Saul brings a diverse skill set derived from his rapid exposure to our growing portfolio of high-profile clients and the strategic alliances we have formed with them. Saul is an energetic and passionate Spanish-speaking safety professional that always works to achieve more. He is not only an Authorized OSHA instructor, but also an official CERTA Roof Torch instructor.

Saul has been with STC for over a year now, with half of his time spent under the title of Field Manager, and the other half as Relationship Manager. The responsibilities of an employee at STC are often hard to define one by one, but easily quantified by the following: Everything we do must center around preserving the world’s most precious resource – human life.

A Day in the Life of STC Safety

Our responsibilities take many shapes and forms. This could be a site job site visit at 2:30 A.M. to make sure a concrete pour is running safely or training on different equipment such as forklift, boom lift, spyder lift or a torching apparatus. This could be asking an employee to stop work immediately because his life is in danger, and it could also be quickly putting your hand on their back and showing them there is a better way. The responsibilities at STC are many, but they all lead to one goal. Protecting the lives of employees in various industries, no matter what.

“Just like I do, I know there are many workers that leave their house knowing that there are people there who are expecting them to make it back every day. There are children, spouses, families, or partners that are awaiting the return of that employee. Workplace safety transcends beyond the income that the worker brings home. Workplace safety does not equal money or revenue. Workplace safety equals smiles, hugs, fun weekends, trips, vacations, graduations and a myriad of other things. Approximately 4,500 people were involved in an occupational fatality, without workplace safety that number increases exponentially! Meanwhile, all that was listed before, decreases.” – Saul Piña

No matter how you choose to celebrate Sauls’s achievement and dedication to safety, STC is always here to help you make safety simple with an entire workforce committed to keeping people safe. 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 everything that our employees do to keep you safe? Check out our blog!

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