Duraclean Journal of Marketing, Management and Technical Topics

• Heart attacks and strokes


• High blood pressure


• Blindness


• Kidney disease


• Amputations


• Nervous system disorders


• Adults who are overweight or obese (especially those over age 45) are at greatest risk.

Other risk factors include:

• Being physically inactive


• Having a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes


• Giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds


• Having high blood pressure—140/90 or above—or being treated for high blood pressure


• Having HDL, or “good,” cholesterol below 35 mg/dL, or a triglyceride level above 250 mg/dL


• Having impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) on previous testing


• Having a history of cardiovascular disease

Prevention Tips
Give workers the good news that they can prevent Type 2 diabetes by following these tips:

• Get more physical activity.


• Physical activity lowers blood sugar and boosts your sensitivity to insulin.


• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise, 5 days a week.


• Brisk walking is an easy, low-cost way to get that physical activity.


• Eat foods that are high in fiber and low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.


• Add more fiber to your diet; eat plenty of fruits and vegetables—especially raw.


• Choose whole-grain cereals and bread.


• Eat brown rice rather than white.


• Practice moderation in consuming alcohol.


• Lose extra weight.
  

In one study, overweight adults who lost a modest amount of weight—5 percent to 10 percent of initial body weight—and exercised regularly reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 58 percent over 3 years. That would be only 10 to 20 pounds for someone weighing 200.

Diabetes doesn’t always have obvious signs, but inform your workers of these possible symptoms:

• Frequent urination


• Excessive thirst


• Extreme hunger


• Unusual weight loss


• Increased fatigue


• Irritability


• Blurry vision
  

Encourage employees to get tested. Diabetes is treatable through diet, exercise, and medication—as long as workers know they have it. A simple blood test can determine if you have diabetes. Everybody should be tested by the time they reach middle age.
If you haven’t been tested, get tested this month.

Why It Matters
More than 2 million Americans have diabetes, and more than one-quarter of those cases are undiagnosed. 7 percent of the American population has diabetes. More than 10 percent of men over age 20 and 9 percent of women over age 20 have diabetes. 90 percent to 95 percent of people who get diabetes are overweight, are physically inactive, or have a family history of diabetes. African Americans are almost twice as likely to have diabetes as whites, and Hispanics, and Native Americans are also at higher risk.

Labels: Diabetes, employees, Training

More States Are Mandating "Green" Cleaning





More states are requiring schools and government buildings to use environmentally friendly cleaning products, raising debate about their costs and benefits. Last year legislation in 10 states including Connecticut, Illinois and New York require or encourage "green" floor waxes, window cleaners and other products in schools, according to Green Seal Inc., a nonprofit that certifies the products. There are similar bills that will be debated in at least 5 states in 2010.



Debates outside the legislature abound. There are critics that laud the measures but feel that states shouldn't mandate the products that schools and agencies must buy. A main consideration centers around any possible increase in costs that governments have to bear which in today's economy and decreased tax revenue situation are problematic. On the other side of the coin are supporters that feel that the laws protect the environment and reduce the use of harsh chemicals that can harm workers' and children's health.



One such example of "green product" debate is the state of Wisconsin. There the plan, like those in other states, would require public buildings in Wisconsin to use cleaning and paper products certified as environmentally sensitive by the federal government or several private groups. But it also would encourage agencies to apply the products in ways that reduce water use and the amount of chemicals released into the air. The Assembly natural resources committee voted 8-6 to approve the bill. The vote sends the measure to the full Assembly for approval.



Green cleaning products are widely available at prices comparable to traditional products. In some cases, manufacturers receive green certifications for products they have long had on the market. After a rocky start years ago, their effectiveness also is now comparable. "There is no reason to pay a penny more to acquire green products. Plain and simple," said John Matthews, senior vice president for JohnsonDiversey, the Sturtevant, Wis.-based manufacturer of cleaning products used around the globe. " And across the board, reputable companies are capable of making green products that perform well."



But New York's Office of General Services said successful programs reduce levels of cleaning chemicals, mold and dust that cause asthma attacks, a top reason students miss school.Linda Chipperfield, a vice president for Green Seal, said its certified products use less packaging and cannot contain chemicals that cause cancer, kill aquatic life or deplete the ozone layer, among other things. The Wisconsin plan would apply to bathroom and floor cleaners, hand soap, toilet paper, paper towels, vacuum cleaners and carpet extractors.



It's unclear whether budget-focused legislators will find time to pass green cleaning laws in 2010 but the trend is definitely moving in this direction.



For green cleaning products from Duraclean go to: http://www.duracleanfranchise.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe

Labels: Green Products, Green; Indoor Air Quality

Safety in a Changing Work Environment










The following article is a condensation from the "Safety News Alert" newsletter from BLR (http://www.blr.com). It provides suggestions regarding changes in your work environment. When new equipment, substances, or procedures are introduced, your employees might also be exposed to new hazards.


Considerations

To protect your workers in a changing work environment, you need to:

• Identify new hazards.
• Train employees to take new precautions.
• Select PPE for changing conditions.
• Pinpoint New Hazards
  

Although new equipment is often safer because it has new or enhanced safeguards, there will almost certainly still be hazards. And those hazards may be different from the ones employees were used to with the old equipment. New risks might involve:

• Electrical shock
• Burns
• Eye injuries
• Cuts
• Amputations
• Fire
• Noise

With hazardous substances, risks might include:

• Acute and chronic health effects
• Safety hazards such as fire, explosion, or chemical reactions
• Chemical burns
• Sensitization to irritants
• Consequences of spills and other unexpected releases
  

If new procedures involve different materials, substances, or equipment, employees could be exposed to new hazards. And if the new procedures involve new or different steps, the consequences of forgetting steps or performing steps in the wrong order could lead to unanticipated results, including accidents and injuries.

Meet New Training Requirements
Before operators are allowed to use new equipment, they must be trained to do so safely. Even if new equipment is similar to what operators are used to, there may be significant changes that must be clearly identified so employees make no mistakes. Other employees who work around the equipment may also need training.

Employees who are authorized to maintain and repair new equipment need intensive training to provide them with the knowledge of how to service and repair the new equipment safely according to the manufacturer's instructions.

According to OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, whenever a new hazardous substance is introduced into your workplace, you must:

• Identify the substance and explain how it can be hazardous.
• Tell workers where to find safety and health information about the substance and how to interpret what they read.
• Give detailed instructions on how to work safely with the substance.
• Explain how to avoid exposure.
• Train employees to respond in emergencies involving the substance.
  

When training employees on new procedures, use demonstrations, step-by-step explanations, and hands-on experience. Make sure workers know the:

• Purpose of the procedure
• Benefits (how it will help do the job better)
• Potential hazards (safety and health hazards)
• Steps and the order in which to perform them
• Required personal protective equipment (PPE)
  

Verify that trainees understand how to use the new equipment, handle the new substance, or perform the new procedure. Monitor performance until you're sure training has been effective and workers have adapted to the change.

Match PPE to New Hazards
Changes in equipment, substances, and procedures may involve changes in PPE. The PPE employees have been using may no longer be sufficient to protect against new hazards.
For example, even though new equipment may have built-in safety features, manufacturers may not always be able to engineer out all hazards. PPE may be required to protect against remaining hazards. The type of PPE required may include some or all of the following:

• Eye protection
• Hearing protection
• Head protection
• Face shields
• Safety shoes
  

New substances might also require new PPE. For example, different types of gloves or eye protection might be required to protect against new hazards. Different respiratory protection might also be necessary. New procedures could mean changes in PPE if, for example, the new procedure involved the use of a new substance or different equipment.

Keep Up, Keep Safe
As technologies continue to evolve, the introduction of new equipment, substances, or procedures has become common in most workplaces. To make a smooth and safe transition from old to new, prepare employees by teaching them to recognize new hazards and take new or additional precautions to prevent injuries and illnesses.
In a changing work environment, you need to be ready with new strategies for protecting your workers from the next hazard.

Labels: employees, Safety Compliance, t

Labels: employees, management

The Clock is Ticking on Lead Paint Removal Compliance!






The EPA has a new requirement for all employees of contractors who may be working in structures built before 1978, that may disturb Lead Based Paint (LBP) to have training, certification, and accreditation. The penalty to comply can be up to $ 37,500 per violation per day! Training must be completed and certified by April 22, 2010. In addition, those who perform this work must inform the occupants and owners of the property of the rule.


Duraclean Website Link Information

You can see information regarding the rule by clicking on the following link: http://www.duracleanfranchise.com/downloads/lead.htm


There you will find two items that y0u can download and save/or print out. The first is the "Renovate Right" brochure.

The second is the file document "Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right."

Online Journal Notification

We first notified the franchise system by posting "Lead Paint Regulations - Parts I & II" in this Online Journal on August 18, 2009. Your can go back to the archives to read them. Click on the following link to get you to the August, 2009 posts: http://www.duracleanfranchise.com/blog/2009_08_01_archive.html


Employees that will be required to have this training include:

• General Contractors, Remodelers, Renovation
• Subcontractors (Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Carpentry, Stucco, Painters, etc.)
• Restoration Contractors (Water Damage, Fire Damage, Mold, etc.)
• Environmental Contractors (Asbestos, Lead, Hazardous Response)
• Custodians (Janitors, Housekeeping Repair)
• Facilities Engineering & Maintenance
• Demolition Contractors
• Specialty Trade Services

EPA-related Links

To find related training materials you can do so through EPA's website at: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/epahudrrmodel.htm

For more about regulations go to:
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=f07a90b05d8e4481e1f462a217a2b789&rgn=div5&view=text&node=40:30.0.1.1.13&idno=40#40:30.0.1.1.13.3


Training Providers Listed by State

Click on: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/trainingproviders.htm

Labels: Lead Regulations, Safety Compliance, Safety Management

You Can't Breathe Easy Until Your Workers Can





The following article is a condensation from the "Safety News Alert" newsletter from BLR (http://www.blr.com). It addresses the potentially serious health effects of airborne contaminants and other hazards. OSHA's respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) establishes rigorous requirements for the safe use of respirators.



Respirators protect workers from a host of workplace hazards, including insufficient oxygen, and harmful dust, fog, smoke, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. Without this essential PPE, many workers would develop cancer, lung damage, and other debilitating diseases, some of which would prove fatal.



Selecting the Right Respirator
Safe use of respirators under the OSHA standard begins with selecting appropriate respirators based on the hazards employees face on the job. To choose the right respirators, OSHA says your organization must:

• Conduct exposure assessments to determine the type and amount of hazardous exposure.
  Take into account the factors that can influence respirator selection, such as a worker's medical condition.



• Understand the assigned protection factor (APF), which reflects the level of protection that a properly functioning respirator would be expected to provide. For example, an APF of 10 for a respirator means that a user could expect to inhale no more than one-tenth of the airborne contaminant present. You can find the APF for various types of respirators in Table 1, Paragraph (d)(3)(i)(A) of the standard.



• Identify characteristics of different types of respirators and the level of protection they provide.
  

Good Fit
Once you've selected the best respirators to protect against hazards, the next step is assuring a good fit. Faces are different, so one size doesn't fit all.

To check the fit, have employees don their respirators and stand in front of a mirror as you point out the criteria for proper fit:

• The chin should fit properly into the respirator.



• Strap tension should be adequate but not overly tight.



• The respirator should fit comfortably across the bridge of the nose. Some masks fit better on protruding noses and others fit better on flat noses.



• The respirator should be big enough so that it completely and comfortably spans the distance from the nose to the chin.



• There has to be room for eye protection for half-mask respirators.



• Users should be able to talk comfortably and easily.



• Respirators should be snug but not uncomfortably tight against the face and cheeks.
  
  

Seal Checks
Go a step beyond fit and you come to seal checks. To assure a safe seal, OSHA requires employees to perform both a positive and a negative pressure seal check. Seal checks must be performed each time a respirator is put on and before fit testing. The process is fully explained in Appendix B, but here’s a preview.

To perform a positive pressure seal check, have employees close off or cover the exhalation valve. Some respirators might require the user to remove the exhalation valve cover in order to adequately close or cover the valve. Next, tell workers to gently exhale into the respirator. The respirator seal is considered adequate if a slight positive pressure can be built up, the face piece slightly inflates, and there is no evidence of outward leakage.

To perform a negative pressure seal check, have employees close off or cover the inlet opening of the canister or cartridges by covering it with the palm of the hands or by replacing the filter seals. Some respirators might require removing the cartridges in order to adequately close up or cover the inlet. Next, tell workers to gently inhale so that the respirator collapses slightly. Employees should hold their breath for 10 seconds. The respirator seal is considered adequate if the face piece remains slightly deflated and there is no evidence of inward leakage.

To get download a copy of the OSHA respiratory protection standard you can go the following link: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=12716&p_table=standards

Labels: OSHA Compliance, Safety Compliance, Safety Management, Training