Friday, September 19, 2014

How to Properly Lift a Heavy Object


  1. Prepare: The best heavy box lifters are ones that are in shape and maintain good health practices. If this description does not fit you as a person, consider finding a helper for heavy lifting. If not, proceed to step two.
  2. Analyze: Before attempting to lift something potentially heavy, first observe the object. Are there good places to grip? Will the weight shift when moved around? Try moving the object with your foot to gauge how heavy it actually is and how much strength will be required to lift it.
  3. Stand: Please feet shoulder width apart and squat down at the knees like a frog, don’t bend over with your back.
  4. Grip: Place hands flat against object on appropriate handling location and hug the load to our body as if embracing an old friend.
  5. LIFT: Finally, the time has come to lift the object, assuming all other steps were executed successfully, of course. Lift straight up with your knees while maintaining a straight back into a fully erect position and move slowly in the desired direction. To put the object down, apply the same steps but in reverse.

Friday, September 12, 2014

Fire Safety Tips for the Everyday Citizen

  • Have a functional smoke alarm- Smoke alarms are often the easiest way to stay safe in case of a fire. All you need to do is set it and forget it and it will do its job as long as you have one handy at all times and juiced up with fresh batteries. Best case scenario, you’ll only use it when you overcook the cookies you forgot about in the oven.
  • Don’t overload electrical sockets- Don’t abuse the right to use multi-plug adapters by plugging in too many devices at a time. It could cause the outlet to short out or worse, start an electrical fire which, by the way, can NOT be extinguished with water. Instead, stop being lazy and move your phone charger to another outlet, even if that means it’s out of arms’ reach.
  • Have an escape plan- They’re not just for Indiana Jones! In the event of a fire emergency, it is pertinent to have a practiced exit strategy in place to ensure everyone can get out of the building safely. Identify the quickest and safest path to leave the building and learn it well before you need to use it, just in case.
  • Use appliances wisely-Read all instruction manuals carefully and only use electronics for their intended use. For example, don’t stick a metal fork in a toaster in the hopes of fishing out a piece of bread that slipped down too far.
  • Keep an eye on children- For some reason, a lot of children are fascinated by fire and tend to err on the side of pyromania by setting things aflame just to see what happens. With this in mind, it is important to keep matches, lighters, and other flaming objects out of reach or accompanied by serious adult supervision.
  • When necessary, use fire responsibly-When having a bonfire or other controlled source of flame, make sure you keep an eye on it and don’t get too crazy with the lighter fluid in order to show off to your friends. Also make sure it is extinguished completely and properly when you are done. 

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Top 6 Tips to Keep You Safe at Work

1. Be Aware of Your Surroundings- Be present at work and pay attention to not only the work in front of you, but also others working around you for potentially dangerous situations. For example, if a large machine is moving around in your vicinity, maybe don’t stand in front of it.

2. Keep Correct Posture to Protect Your Back- Don’t try to look like a big shot in front of all your work friends by lifting things heavier than you can handle in an improper way. Once you’re sure you can safely lift an item, bend at the knees and lift with your legs. Don’t bend at the waist and use your back to lift, which may get the job done for now but has painful repercussions in the long run.

3. Take Regular Breaks- Use that government mandated time to the fullest! Keep up your best work effort and avoid exhaustion by resting when you need to.

4. Use Tools and Machines Properly- Make sure to read all instruction manuals for tools and only operate machinery that you are qualified to do so for only the task for which they are meant. Failure to comply with this tip could lead to serious injury or death.

5. Wear the Correct Safety Equipment- Some think protective eyewear may look uncool while on the job, but an eye patch looks even more uncool in every situation. Luckily, Industrial Instruments and Supplies offers plenty of safety goggles and many other items to perform the specific use of keeping you and all your body parts intact.

6. Use Mechanical Aids Whenever Possible- Why do all the work yourself when there’s equipment available to help? Save your energy by employing the use of forklifts, cranes, conveyor belts, and/or wheelbarrows when necessary and you won’t need to worry about hurting your back, either.


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