Market Trouble-WDOS

Ok, things are looking bleak out there for everyone. The market is nose diving, investors are weary and are pulling out, the global economy is stumbling, GM is lower than it was in 1929 before the big crash, holy cow!, it is wild out there. In all of this, I of course have to take the safety side of things. We still need to identify and eliminate hazards, we still need to educate our employees about unsafe practices and situations, and as a matter of fact, maybe now it is even more important due to the costs associated with accidents. For the sake of your employees, don't let up now. Let's refocus our efforts, and put safety first. If safety really hasn't been on the forefront of you company culture, why not put it there now. With the average accident potentially costing upwards of $18 - 20,000, it behooves us all to restrict unsafe behaviors and unsafe situations. A small effort now can pay off with huge dividends later. My new montra, What Does OSHA Say (WDOS), will be pushed for the time being. I will challenge each of you with regualtion hunts (that's what I call them) during class this month, to find and read the regs on your own, and answer questions about what you found. If you hadn't guessed I took that from the WWJD. I hope it's not sacreligious, I am using it anyway. So remember, WDOS. See you in safety training!

A Big Day for The Smaller Wage Earners

That's right. Today, July 24th 2008, is the day the minimum wage increases to $6.55. That should do the trick, everyone take a breath of relief. I remember making about $320.00 on my first check I got in Basic Training. Considering we worked 24/7 (about 336 hours) that amounts to, what, about $0.95 an hour. Times are a changin'. Be safe out there, remember, someone else is relying on you.

In Him,
Craig

Man, It's Hot

Watch yourself this summer. It is very hot where I am, 102 today. I know I keep stressing fluids, but I am doing it again. Drink fluids all day. Don't risk it with this heat. If you don't need to be outside, then don't go. If you can do your shopping in the evening then do so. If you are going to exercise, do it early or late in the day. Take breaks often. If you feel the effects of the heat, stop what you are doing and assess yourself for symptoms. Be mindful.
Craig

June Had Ups and Downs

Work wise, June was great! NTCA, TELCOM and Utilicom Safety all had a great OSHA conference on the 18-19th. We have had a lot of positive feedback on the session and I am excited about taking it around the state. If you attended the OSHA Rapp Session in June be on the look out for your cards and Regulation Manuals. I wanted to express my thanks to all that attended and to say how much I appreciate the candor, the courtesy, and participation that all provided. It was a great time for all I believe.
Personal wise, June sucked. With the diabetes and the weight fluctuation (it seems to be steadying off) I had some rough days. But after seeing the dietitian I feel much better and have learned what I can and cannot eat. Have been exercising more and feel alot better. July and August are starting to look really busy. I will be all over the place and eating will be a challenge.
Remember, keep yourself hydrated, cut out the high fats at lunch, and limit you carb intake.
In Him

Big News for Me

Well, for those that care, I got some big news last Thursday. It seems my busy schedule, excessive traveling and poor eating habits have caught up with me. Although I have been working out and have cut out soda (diet and regular), and have dropped 28 lbs., I seem to have acquired Diabetes. So even more drastic changes will have to be made to my lifestyle. I though it might be interesting to post my progress, some of you may not care, but I think it may be therapeutic for me. So I will post a list of my blood sugar and times. My goal is to get under 130 in the mornings. Today I was 187. That is better, however, then the 314 I had when I found out I had Diabetes. So I may discuss diet, good grilling recipes and preventative measures also in the new Health Section of this blog. I just want to stress to anyone that even reads this blog who cares about their health, we all need to do better in our eating habits and how we maintain our fitness. So, come on and take a diabetic ride with me, who knows, maybe we might do some good for someone. If you are diabetic also and feel that this might be a good place to vent, discuss, share or whatever, then feel free, that is the purpose of a blog. Take care, eat right, exercise, and keep reading this blog.

In Him,

Time to think of the Heat

It is that time of year again. Summer Time. If you are part of the Utilicom Safety Family then you live in a hot climate. Fluids, fluids, fluids. Drink water or sports drinks as often as you can. But don't rely only on the sports drinks. Water is really that best thing for you. Your urine should be clear with a slight yellow hue to it at the end of the day. I say it every year, because it is true. It your urine is dark (a little smelly too) then your getting dehydrated. Drink more fluids. Watch your high calorie and fatty foods in the summer also (well really all the time). If you partake of alcohol, make sure you drink the equal amount of water the next day on top of what you should already be drinking. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are not laughing matters, they are serious medical conditions. Don't forget your sun block and hat either. Long sleeved shirts and bug repellent should also be worn. And if you have any money left over after all that, buy some gas and try to get to work. Side Note-Get ready for some opinion: If you haven't gone to see the movie by Ben Stein called EXPELLED, No Intelligence Allowed, then you really owe it to yourself to go. If you are a lover of free speech, if you agree with the scientific approach to questioning the known and the accepted, if you agree with freedom and the unhindered exchange of ideas (especially in our colleges and universities), then you must see this movie. It is upsetting, scary, enlightening, and a necessary that you see this film. If you see it, write me back in the comments portion and let me know what you think.
In Him,

OSHA Training

If you haven't already seen the announcement for the OSHA 10 Hr. Outreach Training put on by NTCA in June, go to their website and check it out (I'll be doing the training). If you can't make it to Dallas in June, then don't worry, because Telcom Ins. Group and I (Utilicom Safety) are going to bring the class to a location near you. So be on the look out for our OSHA 10 Hr. "Rapp Session" Texas Tour (Arizona too). We are going to create clusters in Texas, i.e. North West Texas, West Texas, South Texas, Central Texas, South East and East. We are also going to have an Arizona Cluster near Phoenix. I am still waiting for some slogans, so y'all get busy.
In Him,