Right now in our area there are huge problems with ice forming on the eaves of buildings. These ice monstrosities are formed when the roof warms up from the sun or from heat loss inside the living space. Then water runs down and cools at the overhangs, or eaves. The water freezes and forms an ice dam. This backs up water that may be running down the roof, thus providing potential water leakage and damage to the interior of the building. It can be very dangerous to remove these hanging ice sickles or even walk underneath them. They can be extremely heavy and falling from the height of a building can injure or even kill people below.
Author: Randy
Injured and Addicted
Worksites can present many types of hazards. Although some people may believe an injury occurring from those hazards is the worst-case situation, a worker recovering from that injury could be in just as much danger – if not more. From 1999 to 2008, the number of drug poisoning deaths involving opioid analgesics, or painkillers, more than tripled – to about 148,000 from 4,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, for every unintentional opioid analgesics overdose death, there are nine people admitted for substance abuse treatment, 35 emergency department visits and 161 reports of drug abuse or dependence, CDC said. Although it is unclear how many involve employees who were injured on the job and are in the workers’ compensation system, experts contend that the national trend of painkiller abuse extends to recovering workers.
via Injured and addicted.
American Football: Fears Over Player Safety
Some 100 million Americans will sit down to watch what they call the “greatest show on earth” this weekend – with the very future of a beloved sport apparently in doubt.
The Super Bowl is the showpiece of American Football – last year’s game was the most watched television programme in American history – but a dark shadow looms over the sport.
There is growing evidence that head injuries suffered on the field could be contributing to long-term damage among former players.
Researchers say head trauma from concussions can lead to a degenerative disease called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), resulting in depression and other psychological effects.
The Importance of Job Descriptions
While there is no federal or Michigan statute that requires them, a good job description is an important tool in the effective and legal management of any organization. A well-written job description provides many essential benefits to human resource administration. On the other hand, a poorly written or out-dated job description can be a barrier to effective personnel management.
What Do Job Descriptions Do?
- Set clear job expectations.
- Give managers guidelines to hire, promote and supervise employees.
- Help support hiring, disciplinary, promotion, compensation and termination decisions.
- Help an employer comply with numerous legal requirements.
via The Importance of Job Descriptions | The National Law Review.
New Year Resolutions – How Are You Doing?
The Truth About New Year Resolutions:
About 40 to 45% of adults make one or more New Year’s resolutions each year.
Most popular resolutions include promises of weight loss, exercise and quitting smoking.
Also common are resolutions dealing with better money management / debt reduction.
The following statistics reveal how many of these resolutions are maintained as time goes on:
- Past the first week: 75%
- Past the first week: 75%
- Past 2 weeks: 71%
- After one month: 64%
- After 6 months: 46%
- About 67% of people make three or more resolutions.
Expert’s Advice on New Year’s Resolution
Though many people make New Year’s Resolution with enthusiasm and zeal, yet it has been noticed that most of these resolution fail shortly after. Experts feel that the reason for the failure of these resolutions is that most people do not back their resolution with proper planning. It is recommended that one should plan how to effectively deal with the temptation of giving up the resolution in the mid-way. Besides, it is recommended that one should take help of friends and dear ones to keep their motivation level high.
An Emergency Exit Strategy is Critical
What is an Exit Strategy?
An Exit Strategy is a plan for exiting a building or structure in an emergency. When entering a building, it is critical that you locate at least two ways out, keeping in mind that the way you came in (usually the front door) may not be the best way out.
Tips to Prevent Identity Theft
Tips:
- To guard against identity theft, never give out your Social Security number. Treat it as confidential information.
- Commit all passwords to memory. Never write them down or carry them with you.
- When using an ATM machine, make sure no one is hovering over you and can see you enter your password.
- When participating in an online auction, try to pay the seller directly with a credit card so you can dispute the charges if the merchandise does not arrive or was misrepresented. If possible, avoid paying by check or money order.
- Adopt an attitude of healthy skepticism toward websites that offer prizes or giveaways. Chances are, all that’s been “won” is the opportunity to buy something you didn’t want in the first place.
- Choose a commercial online service that offers parental control features.
- Tell your children never to give out their address telephone number password school name or any other personal information.
- Make sure your children know to never agree to meet face-to-face with someone they’ve met online without discussing it with you. Only if you decide that it’s okay to meet their “cyber-friend” should they arrange to meet this person, and then the meeting should be in a familiar public place in the presence of a trusted adult.
- Tell your children never to respond to messages that have bad words, are scary, or just seem weird.
- Tell your children never to enter an area that charges for services without asking you first.
- Tell children never send a picture of themselves to anyone without your permission.
- Make sure that access to the Internet at your children’s school is monitored by adults.
via Tips to Prevent Identity Theft — National Crime Prevention Council.
Drugs and The Workplace, Not Good Friends
Being under the influence of anything while at work can affect reaction time and reflexes, which can be disastrous. People who work under the influence cause accidents are often the ones who are injured. In fact, industries with the highest rates of drug use are the same as those that are the highest risk for injury in the first place. This includes construction, mining, manufacturing and wholesale.
According to OSHA, there are five separate elements that ensure a drug free workplace. These five elements are: 1) A policy that does not tolerate it. 2) Supervisor training. 3) Employee education. 4) Employee assistance. 5) Drug testing. OSHA concludes with the fact that there must be consideration for employee rights to privacy and that many workers with substance abuse problems can be returned safely to the workplace provided they have access to appropriate treatment. With the right addiction treatment program anyone can fully recover, with that drugs and the workplace can be taken care of and have no more problems.
via Drugs and the Workplace | Addiction Treatment Programs | Arizona Rehab.
Tips to Control High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure Risk Factors
It is important to keep your blood pressure under 140/90 mm Hg. Blood pressure higher than that is considered dangerous. Below is a list of high blood pressure risk factors. People with any of these risk factors should have their blood pressure checked every time they visit their doctor. For those who fall into several risk categories, experts recommend purchasing a blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope and taking your own pressure reading every week.
- Cigarette smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke on a daily basis
- Diabetes (a fasting glucose higher than 125 mg/dL)
- Kidney disease
- Family history of hypertension
- Being obese or overweight
- Leading a physically inactive, sedentary lifestyle
- Men over the age of 45
- Women over the age of 55
- Taking oral contraceptives
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- Frequently consuming alcoholic beverages
- Being African American
The Generation Gap – How To Motivate Generation Y
Generation Y
- Roughly born between the 1980’s and 2000’s
- General Attitude: Let’s make the world a better place
- Characteristics: Tolerant, Caring, Honest, Balanced, Independent, Optimistic and Clean Cut
- Likes: Shopping, Labels, Friends, Family, The environment, Technology
- Dislikes: Dishonesty, Unbalanced lifestyles.
Famous people from generation Y include Prince William, Venus and Serena Williams and David Beckham.
These kids are just entering the working environment. They are growing up in a time when the world is more baby and children focused than ever before. The “Baby on Board” stickers arrived in the early 1990’s. Fashion models were pregnant on the front cover of magazines…something that was unheard of in the 1960’s. You see winning sport stars after a tournament with trophy in the one hand and baby in the other.
This generation is the most protected generation ever. However, at the same time they are also the most exposed.
They grow up with technology, so it comes natural to them. Every time I get a new mobile phone, I give it to my 14 year old son. He usually have it sorted out within 10 minutes…and he is not the exception.
Because of all the attention and protection, they mirror the GI generation to some extend. At the same time, the generation gap between them and the Xers is not big.
Just like the GI’s, they grew up in a community that was very children focused.
And, like the GI’s, they don’t mind doing community work. Unlike the Xers who have a general attitude of “minding my own business”, these kids want to get involved.
Tips for Motivating Generation Y
- Lead. This generation has grown up structured and supervised by parents who believed in boundaries and are active role models. They respond to leadership with integrity.
- Provide mentors. They enjoy interacting with older generations, and learning in a hands on manner. It will also help you to close the generation gap.
- They like to be challenged. Assign them to projects where they can truly learn.
- They like to try new things. Boredom is your, and their, greatest enemy.
- Let them work with their friends, as they are sociable and sharing.
via The Generation Gap. How To Motivate Different Generations.