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March 17, 2020 by Total Fire and Safety
By now, most Americans are aware that you cannot contract the Coronavirus by drinking a Corona beer! We also know that the Coronavirus outbreak, that began in Wuhan, China, has spread across 27 countries including the United States. It is estimated that over 87,000 people are infected with the coronavirus or COVID-19 and numbers continue to climb. Much is unknown about the virus that causes COVID-19, but Doctors and scientists are drawing knowledge from similar coronaviruses and are working on a vaccine. What is the coronavirus and how can you as a business, keep employees healthy?
What is the Coronavirus(COVID-19)?
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in humans and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from human to human and causes with respiratory infections, like the common cold. The infection can become severe when it turns into pneumonia. One of the challenges to this virus is that symptoms may not show for two weeks, making it easy to spread.
What Can Employers do to Keep Employees Healthy?
The following is the CDC’s recommendation for businesses to create a healthy work environment.
1. Encourage sick employees to stay home. Employees should be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. Stay flexible when it comes to sick leave, i.e., not requiring a healthcare provider note to stay off work. Provide job security and/or remote access when/if they need to stay home.
2. Encourage clean hands. Provide touch-free sanitizer dispensers, cleansing wipes, soap and water etc. Place informational posters throughout the workplace that encourage healthy precautions. Instruct employees to use hand sanitizers or wash hands with soap for at minimum 20 seconds.
3. Enforce Coughing Etiquette. Emphasize the need to cover mouths with arm when coughing or sneezing.
4. Quarantine sick employees. If employees come to work sick or become ill while at work, separate them from the rest of the population and send them home.
5. Sanitize touch points daily. Routinely clean doorknobs, buttons, switches, handles etc.(Any area frequently touched). Have readily available disposable wipes near commonly used surfaces.
6. Stress caution to employees traveling in or outside the country. If employees become ill while traveling, advise them to contact a healthcare provider immediately. Employees who show symptoms of illness prior to traveling should stay home.
A first aid kit can help!
A first aid kit should always be on hand for any business, but with a new virus in town, its value is even greater. Basic first aid kits contain items like pain relievers and fever reducers, antacids, and bandages to keep employees comfortable and on the job. Other items in a typical OSHA-required first aid kit can also come in handy to help employees fend off coronavirus:
Wound cleaning agents such as sealed moistened towelettes can be used to disinfect surfaces.
Latex gloves can come in handy to touch necessary items that may be infected
Resuscitation equipment such as resuscitation bag, airway, or pocket mask
Meanwhile, those with symptoms can make good use of other OTC supplies: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen and Decongestants
Total Fire and Safety can assist your business in preparing for the coronavirus or any other emergency that may occur by servicing your first aid kit. Together we can fight this epidemic and keep one another healthy Give Total Fire and Safety a call today! (630)960-0560.
Category: Business Safety, Client Events, First Aid, First Aid Kits, Health and Safety Tags: commercial first aid kit, fire and safety needs, first aid, first aid supplies, lifesafety | Comments Off on Can You Protect Employees from the Coronavirus?
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January 23, 2019 by Total Fire and Safety
Commercial first aid kits don’t have to be costly. Yet, when you start to compare commercial first aid providers, you will see some radical differences in pricing. Many first aid service companies find creative ways to drive up costs for their customers. At Total Fire & Safety, our customers never have to worry about “hidden costs” because there are none! Knowing what your company needs and being sure you are not paying for more can help your overall first aid budget and ensure you have the right first aid provider on your side. Here are some tips on hidden fees so you can avoid any surprise charges from your first aid service company.
- Make sure you know what is going in the box.
It is possible that you don’t need many of the supplies the service stocks in your cabinet. Depending on your workplace, employees can experience minor cuts etc. However, overstuffing a kit with odd size bandages and unnecessary items like hand lotion, lip ointment, dental cream, etc. helps a company justify a higher invoice. At Total Fire and Safety we stock what is required by OSHA and what is directed by the client. No redundant or unnecessary items.
- Make sure you are not getting charged extra for “normal” items.
Some companies charge extra for special items, like disinfectant wipes. Check your invoices! There are no surprises with TFS.
- Make sure you are not getting charged for additional representatives.
Some first aid companies have separate reps for stations, for example, first aid kits and eyewash stations. At TFS, your single representative is knowledgeable about all your first aid needs to streamline costs and deliver consistent quality service.
- Make sure the first aid service meets ANSI requirements.
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) puts together the requirements for first aid supplies in the workplace. They provide a specific list for first aid kits. A service company might overlook this list in order to stock a kit with many unnecessary various types of items. At Total Fire and Safety, we provide supplies required by ANSI as well as OSHA.
- Make sure you understand the fees on the invoice.
Do you see service or delivery charges, overstocking or restocking fees? First aid service companies pile these costs into an unreadable invoice. TFS does not charge service fees, fuel, or delivery charges. We only charge for items that employees have used. Have a question about the bill? TFS is there to answer any concerns.
There are many services companies in business to make a buck at the expense and well-being of your company. You should not have to choose between a safe work environment and a cheaper bill. TFS recognizes the importance of a healthy workplace combined with the affordability of superior service. TFS never overcharges, overstuffs, or places hidden fees with in a first aid kit. We provide the right supplies to keep employees safe at work while always keeping costs down. For more than 30 years, Total Fire and Safety has been providing OSHA approved first aid kits and replenishment to businesses. If we can help with your first aid needs, contact us today at 630-960-5060.
Category: Business Safety, First Aid, First Aid Kits, Total Fire and Safety Tags: fire and safety needs, fire safety, first aid, first aid supplies, Total Fire & Safety | Comments Off on Avoiding the Hidden Costs of Commercial First Aid Kits
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November 5, 2018 by Total Fire and Safety
Next to the everyday hustle and bustle of the average office, office kitchen fire safety is a secondary concern. However, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) reports that just over one-fifth of office fires begin in the kitchen or cooking area. Twenty-nine percent are started by cooking equipment, the leading cause of fires in the office. Although these fires started small, they caused major structure damage.
With the holidays on the way and more employee parties sure to take place, the office kitchen will be used more than ever. How can you prevent a fire from happening? How do you keep your employees safe and well fed at the same time? Here are four important safety tips to help you get started:
1. Replace worn or frayed power cords.
Inspect power cords on the kitchen appliances. Are the wires exposed? If so, the cord can short out and cause a fire. Encourage your employees to keep an eye out for damaged cords. Be sure to replace them as soon as they are found. This one simple act will keep the office safe.
2. Watch food as it cooks.
It easy to become distracted in the office, whether its fellow coworkers gossiping or doing too many things at once. You wouldn’t leave food unattended at home and the office should not be any different. To ensure food cooks properly, emphasize that employees must stay near appliances as they cook or heat food/beverage. Employees using the kitchen also need to watch for signs of smoke or burning. Doing so will ensure the safety of the entire building.
3. Regularly clean appliances.
We’ve all been there. We stick a (insert food item) in the microwave, oven, toaster, etc., and it explodes or leaves spillage behind. However, we avoid cleaning, commonly thinking someone else will do it. Spills and baked-in foods left behind can cause a fire. Cleaning kitchen equipment after use will prevent grease from accumulating which prevents combustion. These hazards can be avoided easily so remind employees to wipe up spills, food particles left behind, etc.
4. Have employees trained to use a fire extinguisher.
No matter how proactive you and your employees are, accidents still happen. Having staff trained to use fire fighting equipment could mean the difference between a catastrophe or a minor incident. Total Fire and Safety can train you and your employees to use a fire extinguisher, first aid equipment, and other lifesaving safety measures.
With most office fires starting in the kitchen, it is important to educate employees on office kitchen fire safety. Total Fire and Safety (TFS) offers a complete fire training program to educate employees on the proper techniques of fighting a fire. Not only can your employees use these practices in the office, they can also apply them in their home. Keep you, your staff, and your workplace fire safe. Give TFS a call today at 630-960-5060.
Category: Business Safety, Fire Extinguishers, Fire Safety, First Aid, First Aid Kits Tags: commercial fire safety, fire and safety equipment, fire and safety needs, fire and safety solutions, Fire Extinguisher, fire safety, fire safety solution, fireextinguisher, firesafetytraining, first aid | Comments Off on Danger on the Job: Keeping the Office Kitchen Safe
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July 23, 2018 by Total Fire and Safety
 If you’re like most companies, you are mandated by OSHA to have a first aid kit in the workplace in case of injuries, which is how a first aid kit service company can really be helpful to you.
It is the job of these companies to make sure that your first aid kits are regularly stocked and replenished with supplies. That way when emergency strikes, your employees have everything they need to help themselves or their fellow employees. And when OSHA inspectors come by, if you are in compliance, you will have everything in the kit that is required. No fines incurred!
Are all first aid kit service companies alike? Not really.
For Total Fire & Safety, we are well known for our commercial fire protection but we have also offered first aid services for the past 25 years!
We know you have a choice when it comes to your first aid services provider and we encourage you to look at the following qualities before making a decision.
Commitment. Some service companies will expect a lengthy contract from you even before service begins and they will charge a hefty fee to switch your service over from your current provider. Total Fire First Aid Services can get you started with no contract and there is no fee to switch from your current first aid provider.
Product Quality. Have you ever applied a band-aid that doesn’t stick? Or taken an over-the-counter pain reliever that doesn’t work? Not all first aid supplies are alike. A competent, well-established first aid kit service company will sell you products that will unfailingly do the job when they are called into service.
Experience. Believe it or not, there are many decisions to be made when it comes to purchasing first aid kits for your company. Depending on the number of employees you have, the type of facility you are covering and the likelihood of accidents, you may stock different supplies in your kits.
There are different first aid kits too, ranging from general indoor use to those used for rugged, outdoor applications. Your kits may be portable with a carrying handle or reside within a wall-mounted cabinet.
Choosing an experienced first aid service kit company that caters to your specific needs will ensure that you purchase only what you need for your business. And, they will make sure it is stocked in compliance with all necessary industry standards. For example, did you know that OSHA sets forth the minimal acceptable number and type of first-aid supplies for first-aid kits required under paragraph (d)(2) of the logging standard? This includes:
1. Gauze pads (at least 4 x 4 inches)
2. Two large gauze pads (at least 8 x 10 inches)
3. Box adhesive bandages (band-aids)
4. One package gauze roller bandage at least 2 inches wide
5. Two triangular bandages
6. Wound cleaning agent such as sealed moistened towelettes
7. Scissors
8. At least one blanket
9. Tweezers
10. Adhesive tape
11. Latex gloves
12. Resuscitation equipment such as resuscitation bag, airway, or pocket mask
13. Two elastic wraps
14. Splint
15. Directions for requesting emergency assistance
Total Fire & Safety technicians are trained and qualified to recommend the best first aid kit supplies for your workplace and possess the experience, knowledge and commitment needed in any good first aid services provider. Summer is a great time to consider switching to Total Fire & Safety. If we can help you make the switch, contact us at 630.960.5060.
Category: First Aid, First Aid Kits Tags: commercial first aid kit, first aid kit for business, first aid kits, office first aid kit, osha compliance, osha first aid, osha rules, workplace first aid kit | Comments Off on Recognizing the Right First Aid Kit Service Company for YOUR Business
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December 19, 2017 by Total Fire and Safety
 If you have hazardous chemicals onsite, you likely need an emergency eyewash station. One of the many vital services we provide at Total Fire and Safety is performing inspections on emergency showers and eye wash stations. Like any fire or safety equipment, routine inspections are a must to ensure your equipment will perform perfectly at a moment’s notice. In an emergency situation, nobody has the time troubleshoot an underperforming piece of equipment, let alone attempt to repair it. We’ve outlined the steps we take to ensure your eye wash station or emergency shower is ready in an emergency:
1. Ensure everything about the station’s location is correct. We first make sure the station is in an area it is needed. A working emergency eye wash station is of no use if it is not accessible to those who may need it. While showers tend to be fixed structures, eye wash stations can be either fixed or mobile. We also make sure the station is unobstructed and away from any source of debris or hazardous spray, which could compromise its usefulness.
2. Next, we inspect the exterior. We visually check every part of the station for any signs of damage, such as leaks, cracks, or other signs. Then, we check that all the hardware is intact and correctly in place, such as the caps, valves, and pull rods for showers. We then verify everything is at the correct height and that all signage is in its proper place before moving on to the next step.
3. After the visual inspection, we test the operation. For every eye wash station, we check the flow of water by gauging its height, volume, and response time from the moment of activation. For showers, we verify the water flows properly and onto the correct area.
4. For portable units, we empty and replace the water. This is to ensure the water in the reservoir is not only full, but clean and fresh. This step is also taken so that we can rinse out the inside as well as check for foreign debris or contaminants which could compromise the integrity of the eye wash station.
5. Finally, we clean everything and document the inspection. This entails wiping everything down with a rag and cleaning solution. Once this is done, we apply the inspection tag to the station to communicate to others when the inspection took place and what was performed. We also keep our own records of the inspection by filling out detailed information in an eyewash report.
In any facility that may contain hazardous substances, you may find an emergency shower or eye wash station idly waiting until needed. These units are not given much thought, but anyone who has ever used one in an emergency situation will vouch for its importance to stay in proper working order. If you have any questions or concerns about your emergency eye wash station or shower, or about the readiness of any of your fire safety equipment, please contact us.
Category: First Aid, Health and Safety, NFPA Compliance, Total Fire and Safety, Uncategorized Tags: fire and safety equipment, first aid, first aid supplies, Health and Safety, Total Fire & Safety | Comments Off on Are Your Emergency Eye Wash Stations Ready for Action?
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