christopher Harper, Author at DJ Products

Tips to Improve Hospital Staff Productivity

As the healthcare industry moved to value-based payments, hospitals and other healthcare systems began searching for innovative ways to reduce costs and improve productivity. Powered carts for hospitals are a valuable solution to increase staff efficiency.

Here are five more tips to save time and money while maintaining high-quality job performance from your hospital staff.

1. Secure Commitment from Leadership

Buy-in of workplace initiatives starts at the top. Make sure your leadership team has the tools needed to monitor operations and uses the data to reduce costs while improving outcomes.

2. Establish a Data Governance Team

Your managers are dependent on timely and accurate data in order to make informed decisions that will achieve positive results. A data governance team ensures a high quality of reporting that is consistent and accurate.

3. Create Clearly-Defined Financial Targets

Without measurable goals, directions to improve productivity or reduce costs are meaningless. Once departments know their specific goals and have the appropriate resources, they can develop sound plans to accomplish them.

4. Foster Transparency

When team members don’t know how or where they fit into a system, they have a difficult time staying motivated. Encourage an atmosphere where everyone understands how they contribute and they feel comfortable asking questions.

5. Maintain Balance Between Productivity and Quality

Lowering costs without regard for maintaining quality standards is counterproductive. Find the sweet spot where both measures are at optimum levels.

DJ Products: The Top Source of Powered Carts for Hospitals

Visit our website to learn why electric powered carts for hospitals from DJ Products are your solution for safely increasing productivity while effectively reducing costs.

In-Room Gaming Focus Caters to Vacationing Online Gaming Couples

Picture a dream vacation. Do you imagine yourself playing video games in the hotel room? For dedicated fans and competitive professional gamers, it’s difficult to enjoy the same experience on the road because you can’t travel with your desktop computer and all the high-tech gaming accessories. A Taiwan hotel has the answer.

From ergonomic DXRacer gaming chairs to premium 32” monitors, the i hotel has everything that an online gaming couple or tournament group would want. Rooms feature dual setups and the lobby boasts an enormous room dedicated to gaming.

To squeeze more cash flow out of the investment, the i hotel even rents rooms hourly to gamers.

Tailored Services Boost Hospitality

At DJ Products, we follow the latest hotel trends to see what works to increase bookings, improve the guest experience, and stay profitable. Right now, it’s all about personalizing the hotel experience.

If you own or manage a hotel, you may or may not be interested in online gaming amenities, but you can certainly improve your operations with technology that benefits your staff and guests.

Our powered carts for the hospitality industry can be used to speed up housekeeping and streamline the response to maintenance requests. Along the way, your staff can get more done with less clutter involved.

Most importantly, battery powered carts for the hospitality industry reduce worker strain from pushing and pulling linens and equipment.

Looking to stay competitive while many hotels are gambling on highly niche services? Prevent injury to your best employees with the right tools. Contact DJ Products about powered carts for the hospitality industry such as our Powered Housekeeping Cart.

Stock-Taking by Drone Emerges in Futuristic Warehouses

Amazon made waves a few years ago when they announced ongoing development of Prime Air, their drone-based package delivery system. Also, their supply chain took another step toward full automation with the roll-out of the first autonomous inventory scanning and stock-taking system.

Drone-Based Inventory Management

Infinium Robotics is an award-winning start-up specializing in Unmanned Aerial Systems (AES) that incorporate drones. The company has spent three years working on Infinium Scan, a system specifically designed to address slow stock-checking turnover in warehouses.

After staging a series of progressive demonstrations for major warehouse operators, Infinium Robotics held the official debut of Infinium Scan at Bolloré Logistics, an international transport leader. Invited guests witnessed a live demonstration of the system in action.

Benefits of Infinium Scan

Due to its autonomous nature, Infinium Scan reduces the risk of theft while improving safety and accuracy. According to Infinium Robotics CEO Junyang Woon, the system increases productivity through precise indoor navigation and automated scanning, even to the highest reaches of the warehouse.

Global logistics giant DHL Group in Singapore hosted DHL Innovation Day to recognize current breakthroughs in warehouse technology. Infinium Scan received the award of “Most Valued Future Idea” out of a field of more than 140 entries, including some from DHL clients.

Boost Safety and Productivity with Warehouse Tugs and Pullers from DJ Products

Are workplace injuries affecting your company’s productivity? Electric warehouse tugs and pullers such as our popular CartCaddyShorty allow a single employee to easily maneuver loads weighing thousands of pounds.

Visit our website and let our friendly sales engineers help you find the best material handling equipment solutions for your applications.

Garbage – Collection and Moving is Dangerous!

Garbage collectors get a lot of respect for doing other people’s dirty work, but few envy the job. Filth and odors make trash collection unpleasant, while physical safety hazards pose a much bigger problem. In fact, garbagemen die on the job more often than police officers.

Workers who run behind waste collection trucks face perhaps the greatest risks. Dig deeper, and we find a plethora of injury risks affecting every aspect of trash collection.

This eye-opening infographic about garbage collection dangers lays out the facts. Consider these stats:

– Waste collector is the 5th most dangerous job in the US.

– About 100 garbage workers die each year.

– The job ranks 3rd most dangerous for falling injuries.

– Heavy lifting causes countless non-fatal injuries (ankle, back, and shoulder strains, cut hands, and more).

Making Waste Collection Safer

Bad things can happen once you have items like broken glass, chemicals, animal waste, and other hazardous materials being gathered in one place. Facilities managers and janitorial workers who deal with dumpsters and waste containers face similar dangers as city trash workers.

Stop overlooking the daily stress associated with filling and moving dumpsters from collection areas to pickup sites. Pushing or pulling wheeled containers results in musculoskeletal problems like shoulder and back injuries.

Motorized waste container movers like DJ Products’ WasteCaddy alleviate the greatest risk factor for your employees who handle dumpsters. Instead of putting two or three workers in harm’s way, one employee can transport heavy containers with a battery-powered tow.

Read more about dumpster safety and consider the WasteCaddy lineup of dumpster movers to protect your workers’ health and safety.

Secretary of Defense Mattis States Congress’ Continuing Resolutions Hurt Contracting

In early September, Congress avoided a government shutdown by passing a continuing resolution that stays in effect through December 8. While the action may have temporarily solved one problem, it spells uncertainty for the Department of Defense.

Hard Times Ahead for DoD?

On the same day that President Trump signed the bill, Defense Secretary James Mattis sent a letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee explaining the impact of the CR on DoD operations.

– The CR effectively imposes a freeze on hiring actions, leaving important positions vacant. In addition, training and professional development for existing personnel is delayed.

– DoD is unable to begin new programs or increase production on existing ones. This affects 18 new programs and eight production rate increases planned by the Army for the period of the CR.

– Funds cannot be reallocated to accommodate changing needs.

– Non-critical maintenance is on hold, hurting DoD’s efforts to upgrade military readiness after a loss over the past several years.

CRs Becoming the Rule Rather than the Exception

Over the last eight years, Congress has passed only one budget on time, causing it to rely heavily on CRs. According to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, this has caused a snowball effect that’s taking a toll on the military.

On the other hand, critics are concerned that, without full accountability the DoD budget is becoming bloated and wasteful.

Industrial Tugs for DoD Contractors from DJ Products

Are you looking for a material handling solution that will handle a broad range of equipment? Contact us to learn more about our full line of industrial tugs for DoD contractors.

Gobbled Up by the Conglomerates – Decline of the Owner/Operator Model

Our Semi Trailer Mover Makes Fast Work Out of Moving Trailers in your Terminal — Once the Truck Hits the Terminal, Our Semi Trailer Mover Will Make Fast Work Out of Moving Trailers in your Shunting Terminal

For years, independent owner-operators formed the proud backbone of the trucking industry. In the face of growing regulations and shrinking margins, the traditional owner-operator model is on a slow but steady path toward extinction.

Pressure from All Sides

In order to stay competitive, independent truckers are forced to offer increasingly low rates that result in unsustainable margins. Any remaining profit is being eroded by additional expenses for eco-friendly equipment, electronic logging devices and other mandated requirements.

The plight of the independent owner-operator has a trickle-down effect on carriers, whose profitability relies on the model. Hiring drivers as independent contractors lets carriers avoid tax withholding, heath insurance and other expenses attached to direct employees.

What Separates an Owner-Operator from an Employee?

Most owner-operators fiercely value their independent status, but the line is becoming blurred. Over the last year, FedEx has spent nearly $500 million settling lawsuits charging misclassification of company drivers as independent contractors.

Large shippers are not exempt from these questions. Retail giant Macy’s hired drivers as independent contractors through their logistics management company, although the drivers were required to follow a dress code and other company standards. Macy’s ultimately settled a resulting class action suit charging that drivers were deprived of overtime due to misclassification.

Save Time and Money with an Electric Semi Trailer Mover

Time is a valuable commodity in the transportation industry. Maneuver trailers quickly and safely with an electric semi trailer mover from DJ Products. Visit our website and use the convenient online chat feature for immediate assistance from one of our friendly and knowledgeable sales engineers.

Introducing the New ToolCaddy Tool Cart Mover

You can only do the job with the tools at hand if you actually have the tools at hand. With our new ToolCaddy, DJ Products has launched a new tool cart mover to make it easier than ever to transport tool chests and equipment with an ergonomic and battery-powered system.

If your maintenance staff needs to get around the property with a variety of tools and parts, that’s a lot of weight to push around all day. It’s also annoying to suddenly stop or turn a tool cart and wind up with small parts flying around.

The ToolCaddy helps you get around smoothly and comfortably. Instead of manually pushing and putting strain on your shoulders to maneuver the cart in tight spaces or onto an elevator, you can let this tool cart mover do the heavy labor itself.

Highlighting the ToolCaddy tool cart mover specs and features:

Long-lasting battery power
Easy to recharge in any standard 120v outlet
Up to 3 mph in forward or reverse
Dual-tray cart holds up to 300 pounds
Ergonomic design to prevent carpal tunnel, shoulder strain, backache, etc.
Walk beside or behind, or use a ride-along platform step

Perfect for apartment complexes and multi-tenant buildings, the ToolCaddy was designed for all kinds of maintenance staff needs. It runs quietly, makes turns carefully, and virtually stops on a dime.

Use the ToolCaddy to:

Prevent maintenance staff injury
Make one trip to deliver parts, tools, and equipment
Reduce fatigue and get more done every day

Find out how DJ Products, leaders in ergonomic automated equipment, can revolutionize your maintenance services with the battery-powered ToolCaddy tool cart mover.

Trump Hotels May be Banned from Federal Contracts and Events

President Trump’s extensive business holdings have been a source of controversy as a possible conflict of interest. A bill recently introduced by Democratic lawmakers would prevent federal officials from incurring any expenses at Trump-owned hotels and properties.

Separating Business from Politics

Sen. Gary Peters, top Democrat on the Senate federal spending oversight subcommittee, is lead sponsor of the Heightened Oversight of Travel, Eating and Lodging (HOTEL) Act. A statement issued by Peters said the bill would prevent top-level officials from exerting “undue pressure” on employees to patronize their businesses.

The HOTEL Act would forbid official business stays by executive branch officials at any properties owned by the president, vice-president and Cabinet secretaries. Family members are included, which would also exclude properties owned or operated by Trump’s children.

A Constitutional Challenge?

Questions had arisen regarding a March meeting of high-level government officials at Mar-a-Lago, a Palm Beach, FL club in which Trump has 99 percent ownership. According to an invoice obtained by the Washington Post, one attendee was charged $1,092 for a two-night stay.

Legal and ethical experts have suggested that the Mar-a-Lago incident could be a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s domestic emoluments clause banning federal or state payments to the president other than his salary. As majority owner of Mar-a-Lago, Trump is free to withdraw funds from the business at any time.

Powered Carts for the Hospitality Industry from DJ Products

In today’s competitive hospitality industry, excellent customer service is key. Visit our website and learn how powered carts for the hospitality industry allow employees to complete housekeeping duties quickly and efficiently.

Training Prevents Overexertion-type Push and Pull Injuries

With So Many Options, You Have to be Sure You Make the Right Choice. We Can Help.

The CDC has estimated that 30% of worker injuries stem from overexertion. Pushing and pulling causes at least 1 in 5 of those injuries. All are preventable if workers have the right tools and training.

The occupational health consultants at Ergonomics Plus stress the importance of a two-pronged approach to preventing overexertion injuries: training employees about proper habits and motions, and empowering them with powered equipment such as our WasteCaddy dumpster mover.

When it’s not an option to use motorized assistive tools, workers should practice the best mechanics for pushing and pulling. Top safety tips to give your team include:

> When possible, push rather than pull

> Ask a coworker to help with heavy loads

> Keeps floors clear and safe

> Avoid sudden, jerking motions

> Stand with feet shoulder-width apart

> Push with hands at chest height

Prevent Workplace Injuries When Moving Dumpsters & Carts

Anywhere that workers need to push or pull heavy carts, they need proper training and tools. This goes for distribution centers and warehouses as well as retail, apartment complexes, and office buildings.

If your staff must move heavy dumpsters, such as transferring from the parking garage to an outside pickup location, a battery-powered trash bin mover can help.

DJ Products makes the revolutionary WasteCaddy dumpster mover and the WasteCaddyLite to partially automate the task of moving dumpsters and waste bins. Workers simply steer, while the 3-mph powered dumpster mover safely maneuvers even on icy, rocky, or inclined ground.

Are you losing maintenance staff or paying workers’ compensation claims related to overexertion? Take a look at the WasteCaddy dumpster mover lineup from DJ Products.

Are You Ready for the December 18th ELD Mandate?

It’s been a long time coming, but after a process that began in 2012, the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate is about to take effect on December 18. Are you prepared to implement this rule that will significantly affect your business along with the entire trucking industry?

Why a Mandate?

The primary moving force behind passage of the ELD law is driver safety. Estimates from the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) indicate that ELD use can prevent 1,500 accidents, 475 injuries and 22 deaths per year.

In addition to safety benefits, ELD use can provide an unprecedented amount of accurate data, allowing for more efficient operations.

How to Prepare for the ELD Mandate

There are also potential drawbacks to ELD use, including increased shipping costs, smaller truckload capacities and greater need for team drivers. Preparation can help reduce the risk of negative effects.

Maintain open communication about the approaching deadline with your regular carriers and providers. Use the information you gain to adjust plans where necessary.
Notify carriers and providers of your expectations regarding the mandate. Include specific details, such as what date you expect compliance and what documents you’ll accept as proof of ELDs.
Offering support to key carriers and providers can pave the way to stronger relationships and greater levels of trust.

The Trailer Caddy Semi Trailer Mover from DJ Products

How much time and labor is taken up by moving semi trailers around the yard? Visit our website to learn more about our Trailer Caddy, a battery-powered semi trailer mover that lets a single employee move trailers weighing up to 100,000 pounds.