christopher Harper, Author at DJ Products

Waste Caddy Purchases Increase Due to OSHA’s New Reporting Requirements

Trash Container Mover - Transparent — WasteCaddy Lite, Available from DJ Products

To many businesses, the new OSHA electronic record keeping rules sound like airing dirty laundry. The policies have been a subject of considerable controversy, but ultimately the message is clear: more than ever before, it’s time to step up efforts to prevent workplace injuries.

Leaders of business groups and labor have chimed in with reactions, rounded up by industrial news group EHS Today. Industry execs from ASSE and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce think that OSHA will be exposing confidential data and shifting the focus from preventive efforts. The AFL-CIO and COSH agree that the rules will protect workers and whistle blowers.

Reactions to New OSHA Electronic Record Keeping Rules

The tougher environment definitely has businesses placing greater emphasis on safety practices and ergonomic equipment.

Sales of automated tools like battery-powered waste caddys have risen as property managers and waste haulers seek to reduce the risk of severe injury incidents and long-term health problems.

Waste caddys and dumpster movers address a common cause of worker injury — the manual pushing of dumpsters that weigh thousands of pounds and take several workers to move. One worker can easily move any waste bin with an electric waste caddy.

With worker injury and illness data getting published to the public, businesses face intense scrutiny. Compliance is demanding. The data might dissuade job applicants from companies that appear to be dangerous. Some fear that the OSHA records could be used to justify lawsuits and claims more often.

Waste caddys are a smart investment to promote safety and reduce worker injuries, at any business where dumpsters must be moved. For more info, consider the WasteCaddy dumpster tow and other motorized equipment from DJProducts.com.

Is There Such a Thing as Ergonomics for Waste Disposal?

You bet there is! Ergonomics is all around us, from keyboards that protect our wrists repetitive task injury, to workplace trainers showing staff how to lift heavy items with proper technique. Ergonomics in the workplace is especially important because workers tend to repeat the same actions countless times, day after day.

Waste disposal ergonomics can be tricky, and we’re not talking about throwing crumpled paper like a basketball. Workers who handle heavy dumpsters face injury risks from lifting and throwing heavy objects and when pushing or pulling the dumpster to collection points. They must deal with literally tons of weight, on wheels, while traversing slopes, inclines, and gravel. Ask your maintenance and janitorial staff if they are comfortable with moving dumpsters, and you might be surprised to hear about their sore lower backs, shoulder strains, and hamstring pain.

How to Prevent Waste Disposal Injuries

If you’re not using a dumpster mover to move waste containers, chances are good that one of your employees will experience a painful injury that costs the company a fortune in productivity and workers comp. Brian Piñon of ICW Risk Management recently told MySafetyNews about how he analyzes and prevents workplace ergonomics problems:

• Be proactive by asking employees about injury risks and observe their process of looking for physically dangerous practices.

• Talk to your management team and employees about reporting pain or discomfort before injuries occur.

• Train some trusted employees to watch for and correct ergonomic problems.

• Purchase automated equipment like dumpster caddies to ease frequent, demanding tasks.

Examine the ergonomics safety process for waste disposal at your business, and consider a dumpster mover and other ergonomic equipment from DJ Products to protect your staff.

Hot Weather Safety Laws May Significantly Impact the Warehouse Industry

In an effort to keep you informed about legislation that impacts warehouse safety and performance, we wanted you to know about new legislation in California that may be embraced by other states. A proposed bill in California could impact the warehouse industry, including companies such as Inland. Supporters state that this bill is necessary in order to provide employees with protection from heat inside warehouses, while opponents claim that the bill could negatively affect growth in the warehousing industry.

Heat Safety Bill

SB 1167, authored by Senator Connie Levya, would require Cal-OSHA to propose health and safety standards to protect warehouse workers from the effects of high indoor temperatures, such as heat-related illnesses and injuries.

No standards are currently in place for indoor workers, although outdoor workers are protected by a bill that became law in 2005. In a report from 2011, 74 out of 101 Inland warehouse workers stated that temperatures inside these buildings reached up to 125 degrees, causing dangerous working conditions.

Those who oppose SB 1167 include John Husing, an economist in the Inland area. Opponents cite costs as the main reason for fighting the bill. This includes concerns over how much it will cost to develop and implement standards and how that cost could inhibit growth in the industry.

Levya states that the proposed measures would not have to include installing climate control systems in all warehouses. Instead, the focus is more likely to be on ensuring that workers have access to cold water at all times and giving workers an area to cool off. The bill is currently being reviewed by the Appropriations Committee.

If you need a cart puller or other industrial tugs to help employees lower strain to stay cool, please visit DJ Products. We offer a wide range of industrial tugs, including motorized and electric cart tug solutions.

Dumpster Moving – Push or Pull, the Wrong Choice May Put You in the Hospital

Many workers have a preference for either pushing or pulling heavy equipment, but the truth is manually pushing or pulling are both dangerous. The motion and exertion requirements can cause a repetitive stress injury while also risking losing control of the heavy equipment that’s in motion.

Danger of Pulling Heavy Equipment

Pulling a heavy load puts high stress on the body. Also, a moving dumpster can itself be dangerous. As one manager recently explained to MySafetyNews, the momentum might make the rolling equipment smash into the feet of the worker.

Injuries from pulling heavy equipment include:

• Back injuries from twisting and straining

• Neck and shoulder muscle strains and tears

• Hamstring and hip injuries

• Collisions and out-of-control carts endangering others

Danger of Pushing Heavy Equipment

Pushing a cart can be safer than pulling, but also has numerous injury risks:

• Wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries

• Lower back injuries

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Cart blocks view of path, endangering other people and property

Avoid Workplace Injuries with Dumpster Tugs

The best solution for pushing or pulling a heavy cart like a waste dumpster? A motorized caddy that propels itself and stops on command. Dumpster tugs use a battery-powered motor to move thousands of pounds of weight with a simple steering control.

Dumpster tugs prevent many causes of worker injury:

• Eliminate physical strain of pushing and pulling

• Control the dumpster up and down inclines and across rocky surfaces

• Safely stop without sending a shock through the arms and back

• Maneuver around turns without straining the wrists and legs

Prevent the injury risks of manual pushing and pulling with motorized dumpster tugs from DJ Products.

Hospitals Struggle to Find the Right Match for Management Staffing

We’ve all heard inspiring tales of a CEO who began his or her career at the lowest levels of the company — as a dishwasher, night stocker, or hospital orderly. Today’s employment makes such bottom-to-top ascension more of a rarity. However, businesses can still receive great value by empowering employees to move up the chain of command.

In the health care industry, management personnel must understand every facet of workflow. In order to deliver great patient care, management teams and executives benefit from an understanding of how every part works together.

As the magazine Hospitals & Health Networks recently explained, the complex and constantly evolving nature of health care makes it vital for management to take a comprehensive approach:

Maximum efficiency: hospitals need managers who understand operational procedures on a deep level, including logistical concerns such as hospital cart movement.

Holistic overview: employees who have served in various capacities within a hospital can spot areas in need of improvement and emerging trends.

Leadership: promoting from within strengthens the effectiveness of hospital management.

One good place to start: make hiring decisions at every level with potential leadership skills in mind. Modern tools and technology like our motorized caddies for hospital cart movement allow hospitals to fill physically demanding positions, such as orderly or nurse assistant, with the applicant who has the best mind and personality for the job. By empowering that employee with ergonomic solutions that let them perform tasks under less physical stress, the employee can blossom other talents including management and leadership skills.

Visit DJProducts.com for more hospital cart movement solutions that improve operations and benefit your human resources efforts.

US Navy Signs on the Dotted Line on $4.3 Billion Aircraft Carrier Deal

To the shock of some financial observers, the U.S. Navy has agreed to terms for a second Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier from Huntington Ingalls. The contractor is the Navy’s only source for nuclear-powered carriers.

The construction of the first ship (in a planned four-ship series) has ballooned in costs beyond congressional expectations. Total price tags have been estimated at around $14 billion. This second ship, to be named the USS John F. Kennedy, has been commissioned with contracts totaling $4.3 billion. The price tag will grow, but Navy leadership stands by a current estimate of $11.5 billion or less.

High Costs to Keep Navy’s Aircraft Carriers Afloat

The Department of Defense has already spent nearly $5 billion on R&D for the Ford class. With the design and planning largely taken care of, the Navy decided to forge ahead with the additional carriers.

The Navy has been operating with fewer than the congressionally mandated 11 aircraft carriers it must employ. Despite calls for smaller or fewer carriers, military leadership has decided to go the current route — enormous, nuclear-powered carriers with a variety of advanced features. Following the retirement of a carrier in 2014, the two new Ford-class ships will bring the Navy’s total number of carriers back to 11.

The Navy can employ GSA-approved equipment to help streamline operations on aircraft carriers. Military and DoD truck and trailer moving vehicles can help move and relocate aircraft, transport maintenance carts, and haul heavy tanks of jet fuel around an aircraft carrier.

For more info on military and DoD truck and trailer moving and other GSA equipment solutions, visit DJProducts.com.

Oshkosh Shakes Up Military Contracting by Winning Humvee Replacement Contract

As the U.S. Army looks to replace a well-traveled fleet of Humvees, the DOD has awarded a $6.75 billion contract to Oshkosh Corp. The agreement calls for the Wisconsin-based manufacturer to produce 16,901 light trucks.

Losing out on the bid were Lockheed Martin and AM General, the latter of which makes Humvees. Lockheed Martin has filed an official protest of the bid, requiring the government to review the selection process. Oshkosh will most likely prevail as the winner, but production will wait until after the protest has been resolved.

The Future of Army Light Trucks

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicles to be produced by Oshkosh will generally fit the mold of the familiar Humvee — light enough for aircraft transport, strong enough to resist explosions.

Oshkosh stock had fallen 20% since the start of the year, but has rebounded aggressively following news of the massive contract, which could ultimately grow to $30 billion. The DOD retains the right to switch suppliers for future production runs.

The new JLTVs are designed to keep costs down by using common parts including GM engines and Allison transmissions. The Army, which will acquire the vast majority of the JLTVs, had set a price-slashing goal to help offset recent overspending.

We keep an eye on major government spending to observe trends in equipment purchases. At DJ Products, our approved GSA industrial tuggers can be purchased by all military and DOD outfits to haul equipment and transport vehicles around bases and hangars.

For more information on GSA industrial tuggers including motorized carts, dollies, and vehicle pushers, visit DJProducts.com or contact us today.

Department of Defense Opens Combat Jobs to Women

In a historic decision last month, the Department of Defense announced that woman will no longer be excluded from any combat operations. The move applies to all branches of the U.S. military.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced the decision, calling it an important and necessary step to staff the armed forces with the best talent available.

The Debate Surrounding Women in Combat Roles

Some observers and military leaders have held to the view that women should not serve in combat, for various reasons. A Marine corps report from September 2015 had bolstered this stance with the findings that, in simulated tests, females performing combat tasks were injured more frequently and fared less well at shooting accuracy. The study observed male-only and mixed-gender teams.

However, supporters of women in combat have pointed out that the male-only teams may have fared better partially because those participants were more experienced. With less training and experience, the teams that included females may have naturally produced less positive results.

Finding Ways to Strengthen the Military

Ultimately, the announcement simply means that women pass all requirements for combat roles are allowed assignment to those positions. The move should hopefully strengthen the armed forces with talent better allocated to every role.

The armed forces continue to seek ways to operate more efficiently and optimally. Tools and technology including DOD contractor material handling equipment can help in this regard. Battery-powered equipment to move vehicles and heavy items can be easily used by any service member, allowing units to accomplish tasks with fewer resources.

Contact DJ Products for more information about approved DOD contractor material handling equipment.

Defense Contractors Get Extension on Cyber Security Standards

An eleventh-hour reprieve has given Department of Defense contractors a reprieve until the end of 2017 before complying with new cyber security standards. For many firms, this defense contracting news comes as a welcome assurance that ample time will be allowed to implement new protocols.

Deadline extended: DOD contractors still face stricter security rules

The DOD heard concerns in December that the January 1, 2015 deadline would be causing undue difficulties for contractors and subcontractors. The reprieve finds a middle ground for increasing protection for sensitive, non-classified data.

Before the latest cybersecurity standards become mandatory, contractors will be required to report non-compliant elements that may affect a contract. The amended rules also stipulate that the toughest security standards will apply only to those subcontractors who are handling certain important data or whose contracts affect critical operations.

More information about the DOD cyber security rules is available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The 2015 NDAA called for tougher security practices for the military and its contractors due to a growing frequency of threats and incidents involving sensitive military data. The goal is to reduce cyber attacks and also mandate reporting of potential breaches.

At DJ Products, we watch out for important defense contracting news that affects our clients. As a DOD contractor you know that staying on top of regulations is critical to maintaining DOD relationships.

As a manufacturer of GSA-approved equipment moving and material handling equipment for military applications, we report on major defense contracting news to help keep you informed. Follow our blog for regular updates on DOD news and solutions for defense contractors.

DoD Contractors In Hot Water for Poor Accounting and Invoicing

After the Department of Defense found that some transportation contractors had falsified weight tickets, Maersk Line has settled the allegations with $3.66 million in civil penalties.

Maersk’s Farrell Lines and its logistics branch, Damco, appeared to be at fault due to a poor invoicing system. It is unclear whether there was any attempt to falsify the shipment weights, as the matter was settled before going to court.

The large fines indicate the stringent standards placed on DoD contractor equipment and practices — with strict scrutiny expected even for large and established contractors.

Why the DoD Fined Two Maersk Subsidiaries

The transportation companies had been subcontracted to move DoD cargo out of Scott AFB in Illinois. As per the terms of the contract, billing was weight-based. However, the companies did not create authentic weight tickets when shipping the loads — employees had apparently written up 563 tickets after shipment.

With the DoD contractor equipment available today, automated record keeping and material handling should prevent these sorts of invoicing issues.

Maersk had previously paid a $32 million settlement for overcharges to the DoD in 2012, but has been awarded billions in contracts since.

About GSA-Approved DoD Contractor Equipment

Firms with government contracts should take advantage of modern material handling equipment to automate many processes. At DJ Products, we offer GSA-approved truck pushers, trailer caddies, the BombCaddy remote explosive trailer, and other military contractor equipment.

These devices not only make it easier to push and pull heavy equipment and vehicles, but doing so can also make it easier to streamline operations and staffing needs.

Find out more about DoD contractor equipment at DJProducts.com.