christopher Harper, Author at DJ Products

Are There Ways to Better Manage Department of Defense Spending?

While President Donald Trump’s proposed budget includes a significant increase in defense spending, many feel that it’s still not enough to make up for what was viewed as years of underspending. Center for American Progress, an independent bipartisan think tank, suggests the following ways for the Pentagon to manage funds more efficiently.

1. Downsize Administrative Staff

The Pentagon staff has grown by 38% since 2001. A recent report found that personnel cuts would produce $125 billion in savings over the next five years.

2. Reduce Cost Overruns

In 2015, multinational consulting firm Deloitte issued a report stating that overruns for major acquisition programs amounted to a staggering total of $468 billion.

3. Re-Examine Aircraft and Ship Spending

Senator John McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has recommended maintaining a more fiscally responsible number and mix of military vehicles, including aircraft carriers and combat ships.

4. Prioritize Nuclear Spending

Former Defense Secretary William Perry and Gen. James Cartwright, former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have proposed that the government cancel the land-based missile and air-launched cruise missile parts of the ongoing multibillion-dollar nuclear modernization program.

5. Authorize a Round of Base Closings

No Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commissions have been held since 2005; some sources suggest there’s up to 30% excess base capacity.

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Tips for Safe Trash Removal in the Workplace

Working in the trash room may not sound like hazardous duty, but did you know the average cost of a claim for an injury incurred there is more than $40,000? Most of these injuries are caused by excessive twisting, pushing and pulling of heavy loads.

Control expenses and reduce risk of injury with these valuable tips for safe trash removal.

Best Practices for Trash Room Safety

Always test the weight of a load before actually lifting it. Ask for help if necessary.
Multitasking may save time with some jobs, but not in the trash room. Never try to hold the dumpster lid open while tossing trash inside. Open the lid first, then use both hands to deposit trash.
Lifting above the shoulders puts undue strain on the upper body and torso. Empty garbage cans by placing them on their side and sliding the trash bag out.
Wear gloves to prevent injury from dangerous materials inside trash bags and dumpsters. Provide separate containers for glass and other sharp objects.
Don’t let trash pile up. Empty garbage cans regularly. If you find that the loads are frequently too heavy for one person to handle, consider changing to smaller cans and bags.

Dumpster Mover from DJ Products: “Like Having Another Employee on Staff”

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Hotel Industry Gripes About Airbnb and Illegal Hotels

Short-term rental company Airbnb has become a major player in the hospitality business, but is it on the level? A recent industry report shows that the home-sharing service may actually be giving some commercial business operators an unfair and illegal advantage.

Home-Sharing or De Facto Hotels?

Airbnb has widely publicized its concept of matching travelers with people renting out space in their homes. According to a recent report sponsored by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and conducted by CBRE Hotels America, true home-sharing accounts for less than 20 percent of Airbnb’s business.

So what makes up the rest of Airbnb’s multi-billion-dollar revenue? The report states that it comes from “whole-unit rentals where the owner is not present,” which skate dangerously close to being commercial properties like hotels yet are not subject to the same regulations and taxes.

Findings are based on data from Airbnb’s bookings over a two-year period from October 2014 through September 2016. More than 50 percent of the company’s revenues in Miami and Oahu, two major travel destinations, came from hosts with multiple units as opposed to individual residences.

Airbnb Answers Back

Not surprisingly, Airbnb is refuting the report’s findings. Company spokesperson Ben Breit claims that many of their commercial listings actually come from AHLA member properties.

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Trump’s Historic Defense Budget Increases Will Boost Defense Contracting

With his recent budget proposal, President Donald Trump is requesting a “historic” defense spending boost to make good on his promise to strengthen the U.S. military. Still, some lawmakers are questioning whether the amount is truly enough to maintain our country’s position as the world’s strongest military power.

“Making America Great”

Trump’s plan calls for the Pentagon to receive a total budget of $603 billion, which is 10 percent over Congressional caps instituted in 2011 but just three percent more than defense spending during the last fiscal year. Three percent is also only slightly higher than the country’s rate of inflation, which currently sits at 2.5 percent.

Much of the increase is intended for shipbuilding and military aircraft, which would provide a major influx of defense contracting. Trump believes the new budget will strengthen the reputation of “American strength, security and resolve” among the rest of the world.

What Happens Next?

The President’s budget now requires approval from Congress, which could involve several months of negotiations. Lawmakers such as Sen. John McCain, Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, object to what they feel is an insufficient increase. On the other hand, Democrats are taking issue with the cuts in domestic programs that are being requested to fund the increase in military spending.

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The Data’s In, Here Are the Top Defense Contractors for 2016

When President Dwight Eisenhower, a legendary leader of the armed forces, coined the phrase “military industrial complex,” even he couldn’t have anticipated their stunning accomplishments of military research and development. Here are today’s top defense contractors based on data compiled by the US General Services Administration.

1. Lockheed Martin

A staggering $30 billion has been committed to contracts with Lockheed Martin. The company is currently fulfilling a $528 million project to build interceptors for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), which is designed to provide protection from ballistic missile attacks.

2. Boeing

More than 12,000 contracts have been awarded to Boeing, including one for nearly $900 million for airborne electronic attack kits such as the “Growler,” which creates tactical jamming and electronic protection for the military.

3. Raytheon

The principal project among Raytheon’s 10,000 contracts is production of 464 Excaliburs, which are the longest-range and most accurate cannon-fired projectiles in the world.

4. General Dynamics

General Dynamics is hard at work building the DDG 51 Class Destroyers for the Navy. This state-of-the-art ship includes advanced systems to defend against submarines as well as against missiles launched via land, air or water.

5. Northrop Grumman

Controversy has surrounded Northrop Grumman’s $55 billion contract to produce the Long-Range Strike Bomber, replacing the Air Force’s dated fleet.

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What Are the Benefits of a Focus on Ergonomics When It Comes to Trash Moving?

Have you looked at your trash room from your employees’ point of view? What looks like an efficient layout may actually be subjecting workers to undue physical stress, putting them at risk for injuries and reduced productivity.

An ergonomically designed workplace takes into account employees’ capabilities and limitations to ensure maximum performance with minimum strain. Here are some valuable benefits ergonomics can have for your company.

How Ergonomics Improves Your Workplace

Injury insurance claims have an impact on the bottom line that goes beyond the obvious. Roughly 33 percent of workers compensation costs are expended on musculoskeletal injuries, while lost productivity and other indirect costs multiply that by up to 20 times.
In addition to physical injuries, poor ergonomics can cause general fatigue and frustration. While employees might be healthy enough to work, they may be too tired and demoralized to put forth full effort.
Concern for your employees’ health and welfare promotes an overall culture of safety, which in turn improves morale. When employees feel appreciated, they’re more engaged in their work and less likely to leave.

Improve Worker Safety with a Dumpster Pusher from DJ Products

Our customers have discovered that a high number of injuries such as back and shoulder strains and pinched fingers were a result of moving bulky dumpsters up and down inclines and around tight corners. Bringing in temporary replacements unfamiliar with the job only made matters worse.

As one customer put it, using our WasteCaddyLite dumpster pusher is “like having another employee on staff.” Visit our website to learn more about how our ergonomically designed dumpster pusher can improve safety at your workplace.

What Are the Top Challenges for Hospital Administrators?

The new century has brought more changes in healthcare than any other period in history. Competition is also fiercer than ever, making it imperative that hospital administrators keep pace with the latest trends and developments.

What are the top challenges you’ll face over the next 12 months and beyond?

1. Incorporating Advanced Technology

Technology has changed the landscape for all businesses, but none more so than healthcare. Some of today’s urgent issues are:

Adapting wearable tracking devices for patient care
Using social media to engage patients and nurture relationships outside the hospital
Continuing meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs)
Complying with HIPAA requirements for effective security of patient records

2. Population Health Management

Although population health management is a hot topic, there’s no standardized definition at the moment. In its broadest sense, PHM refers to aggregating data and creating policies and programs to affect the health outcomes of a group of people. “Group” can be defined by any shared characteristics such as geography, demographics, or even place of employment.

3. A Focus on Collaboration

As the industry shifts to value-based healthcare, providers will find increasing benefits in partnering with other companies both inside and outside the healthcare industry.

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Equipment Investment May Save You on Workers’ Comp Insurance Claims

Can you put a price on the safety of your employees? A one-time investment in equipment such as movers and tugs can mean a dramatic savings over the never-ending costs of ongoing workers’ compensation insurance claims.

What Constitutes a Workplace Injury?

Most companies are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to help limit an employee’s financial loss in case of injury. A work-related injury is defined as one incurred during the course of employment, which actually includes a wide range of cases.

While most workplace injuries happen on company grounds, they can also occur off-site, such as while driving a company-owned vehicle, if the corresponding activity is part of job responsibilities.

An injury that occurs during lunch or break time can be considered work-related if it happens on company property or off-site, such as during a meeting with a client.

Workplace injuries don’t even have to occur during work hours. They can happen during holiday parties or other after-hour events sponsored by an employer.

Injuries sometimes occur when employees fail to observe proper safety rules. As of today there is no consistency regarding legal interpretation of such incidents, so you shouldn’t assume the employer is free of responsibility.

Depression and other mental illnesses caused by workplace conditions may be covered, as well as pre-existing conditions that are aggravated by performing a job.

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What’s Shaping the Trucking Industry’s Future?

The trucking industry in the United States is more than a century old, yet it continues to change along with the times. Here are some of the major trends that will impact the future of transportation in 2017.

1. More Productive Vendor Relationships

As trucking companies continue to deal with labor shortages and other obstacles, they will rely increasingly on trusted vendors for advice and solutions. Thanks to a varied customer base, vendors get a broad view of the industry and you can benefit from their greater perspective.

2. Greater Integration of Technology

Improving efficiency and profitability is a permanent goal of all trucking companies. GPS and other sophisticated technology provide a valuable advantage in cost-effective measures such as mapping the best routes and planning optimum truckloads.

3. Self-Driving Vehicles

Automation took a huge step forward last year as a San Francisco startup owned by Uber made a delivery of beer to Colorado using a self-driving truck. Odds are slim that the trucking industry will become completely automated, but it’s another new technology that you should evaluate for possible benefits to your company.

4. Changing Regulations

The government is also adapting to the ever-shifting landscape of the transportation industry. Regulations are created, changed and discarded in order to cover worker safety, environmental issues and other pressing concerns, and you can’t afford to fall behind.

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Can You Avoid Workplace Injuries? What You Need to Know.

Perfection is an admirable goal but an unattainable standard. While you can’t completely eliminate workplace injuries, you can effectively reduce risk by following these safety tips that apply to any business or industry.

1. Maintain a Clean Workplace

Cleanliness is more than just a matter of eye appeal. Untidy workplaces can force employees to operate in a constricted space that doesn’t allow for free movement. In addition, clutter can cause obstacles that result in tripping, twisting and other accidents.

2. Conduct Ongoing Training

Training should include instruction in proper safety procedures as well as job duties. Periodic refresher courses reinforce good habits and keep employees up-to-date on the latest safety methods.

3. Avoid Shortcuts

Saving a bit of time here and there is not worth the risk of incurring serious injuries. Make sure your employees are not sacrificing safety in pursuit of greater efficiency.

4. Encourage Accurate Reporting

Employees may be reluctant to report accidents and injuries for fear of losing work time or being blamed for the problem. Emphasize the importance of accurate reporting so that injuries can receive medical attention and safety hazards can be corrected.

5. Provide Proper Equipment

Many workplace injuries are caused by poor body mechanics due to improper equipment. It’s well worth the investment to supply your employees with quality equipment that relieves stress on muscles and joints.

Create a Safer Workplace with the WasteCaddy from DJ Products

The trash room is one of the more dangerous places in any workplace. Our WasteCaddy allows a single employee to safely move the heaviest dumpsters. Visit our website to learn more from our knowledgeable sales engineers.

Author: christopher Harper