CAT | safety
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Safety Features for Trucks Create Savings on Truck Insurance
0 Comments | Posted by Guest Author in safety
There are numerous elements that go into the determination of the premium rates set by insurance companies for truck insurance. One of these elements is the safety measures that are put into place. These safety measures will lower the premiums and many of them are even required by law.
Law requires that all lights are visible and not covered by parts of the trailer, dirt or cargo. Tail-lights must be red and trucks must have two turn signals on the back. Two reflex reflectors must also be on the back of the trailer to show the width.
The compartment where the battery is found must be sealed, and any corrosive lead surfaces has to be painted with an acid resistant paint. All wiring on the truck and trailer must have insulation and appropriate grounding.
All trucks are required to have a breaking system that is in good condition and adequate to handle the weight of the truck and trailer combined. This breaking system must be effective on all wheels of the truck and trailer. Anti-lock and parking brakes are necessitated by law regulations.
The belt of the tire should not be exposed through the tread to be considered in working condition and safe to use. The weight and distribution of the load being carried determines what tires are appropriate.
Before issuing a policy some commercial truck insurance companies will come to your lot and inspect the truck and trailer for adherence to safety requirements. If they find that all these requirements are not met then they may refuse coverage.
Insurance brokers are able to help drivers and fleet owners know what the requirements in regards to safety and other measures must be in place for coverage. Brokers are also able to find the most affordable insurance policies because they work with numerous insurance providers.
In the summer months the parks and lakes can be filled with families and friends. We love the summer so much that we plan a year in advance for all the family gatherings and outings.
Dehydration is a big hazard in the summer months. We need to drink extra water to keep our bodies hydrated in the heat. We use more of our water supply and it is important to compensate.
When we are involved in many activities outside in the summer we sweat more and we need more water to regulate our body temperature. Therefore we need to keep our bodies well hydrated through out the day.
Heat exhaustion is a major concern in the hot summer days. We need to especially watch over the elderly. The elderly often times have a medical condition or take medications that effect body temperatures.
You can be so involved in summer activity that you do not notice the signs of heat exhaustion until it is too late. We could collapse without even noticing we had become overheated.
Sunburns are a hazard in the summer months as well. Who has not had one? They can be very painful and uncomfortable. Studies show that one in every 5 people will have skin cancer in their lifetime.
These factors make it very important to use a good sunscreen and reapply through out the day, especially if swimming or sweating a lot. Wear protective clothing as needed. A hat to shade the face and cover ups to go over swim wear when not swimming.
Last, but not least we love the water in the summer. It is cool and refreshing. Be sure to use good water safety. It is never a good idea to swim alone. Always use a floatation device if you are not a good swimmer or will be on watercraft.
Summer is coming and we all love the summer months. We tend to plan family gatherings and outings during the hot summer months. Many more hours are spent outdoors then any other month.
Dehydration is a big hazard in the summer months. We need to drink extra water to keep our bodies hydrated in the heat. We use more of our water supply and it is important to compensate.
If we are doing outside activities such as family volley ball games, mowing the lawn and even swimming we can easily become dehydrated before our bodies even show a sign. This is why it is important to keep hydrated.
Another safety hazard in the summer is heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is even known to claim some lives in the summer months. When it is possible during the hottest parts of the days we should keep our activities to a minimum.
Heat exhaustion can happen before your body has time to give you the warning signals in the hot summer days. Many people are so busy with activity that the subtle warning signs are ignored.
Skin cancer is one of the most deadliest hazards of summer sun. One in 5 adults will have skin cancer in their life. Sunburns can be severe as well. Almost everyone has had a sunburn in their lifetime.
We need to take measure to protect our skin from the sun. Be sure to wear a sunscreen through out the day, reapplying as needed. It is also a good idea to protect the face with a hat and wear a cover up when not swimming.
This all brings us to water safety. Water safety is very important in the summer, we love the cool refreshing break water activity gives us. We should always use the buddy system when swimming, avoid swimming alone. And use life jackets on watercrafts.
10
Choices Available When Purchasing Trucking Insurance
0 Comments | Posted by Guest Author in safety
Researching the options available in trucking insurance coverage is crucial no matter how long you have been in the industry. Drivers or fleet owners can obtain trucking insurance from a variety of different type of providers. To make sure that the appropriate amount and type of coverage is obtained research should be done.
Making sure you have liability insurance is the first step. All truck drivers need this coverage due to federal requirements. If a driver is in an accident, this type of coverage enables them to not be responsible for the damage resulting.
Additional security can be obtained by having insurance coverage above just the minimal requirements. There is a wide assortment of choices when considering what kinds of circumstances are wanted to be covered for loss. Personal losses can also be factored into the level of trucking insurance coverage purchased.
Choosing the insurance provider can be made once you have determined what you and your employer require. Getting multiple quotes before deciding on a provider is important, regardless of limited funding or even if coverage is needed quickly. By comparing multiple policies with coverage points that are important to you, it will be seen that cost is not the only factor.
Getting a referral from a friend or family member can be helpful when different providers are being considered. Legal counsel can also be consulted.
Other insured individuals can also be a source of information when evaluating an insurance provider. At times it can be exasperating dealing with large corporations. By finding out how the corporation deals with its customers, you can know what to expect if you purchase from that company.
An insurance broker can aid in the process of determining which type of trucking insurance to purchase. Because of the knowledge and training that they have, brokers can easily compare policies and providers.
The design of steel body armor and ballistics mesh well when speaking about self protection. The history books have shown that bullets and firearms are parallel and the means of preventing death when one is punctured with bullets. Around the Middle-ages, and Italian blacksmith that was know for his skills creating body armor, was commissioned by the Duke to create the first bullet or projectile proof clothing. However as time went on it became clear that body armor was reducing the effectiveness of troops. It work soldiers out because it was too heavy and slowed soldiers nearly to a stand still. As weapons became more effective, more types of bulletproof clothing were tested but none worked and the evolution of bulletproof clothing slowed way down.
Around 1860, when France was at war with Korea, Heungseon Daewongun demanded the development of soft bulletproof vests to counter the higher threat of invasion from armies from the west. They were manufactured out of thirty plus layers of cotton and were very effective. As years passed, Korea started wars with the US which brought on a battle. The United States managed to steal a bulletproof jacket and tried to reverse engineer it. This enabled the US to looking into new technologies for bullet protection and help improve the current ballistic cotton.
It was only in the 1880s when an Arizonian named George Emery Goodfellow started experimenting on silk, that his investigations of woven jackets sewn with thirty layers of silk, which resembled Gambesons, proved more effective in stopping a bullet than the cotton design.
Using Goodfellow’s research, Casimir Zeglen from Chicago, developed and marketed bulletproof vests that cost around 800 dollars in the year 1914. These became an instant hit all over the world and proved to be successful in saving lives. As few years passed, and firearms became increasingly powerful, more research was needed and new technologies were sought to combat the ever growing possibility of the vests becoming obsolete.
As WW2 started, armies developed body armor for resistance against shrapnel and mines. These products were actually developed for the Air Force and not the Army so they did little to stop high speed bullets. A few items, based on flak jackets, were tested and improved by the Japenese but were rarely used in battle. The Russians also manufactured steel plates to be sewn on top of vests and proved to be moderately effective.
When WW2 was coming to an end the USA created a new style of body armor with fiber glass laminate plates. This was used with some success at the Okinawa Battle. A couple years later, when the Korean war was fired up, the bulletproof jacket was redesigned once more to reduce weight on the soldiers. This comprise actually lowered the protection level. However, as time went on, these plates were renewed and used my some local police forces. This provided cops and riot troops the necessary bulletproof and trauma proof clothing for their job.
The 70’s was a time of awakening, both for citizens and law-enforcers alike, in terms of personal safety. Kevlar, developed by Stephanie Kwolek, was realized as a potential ingredient to making highly effective body armor. It was originally intended for commercial use but the military saw its true potency. This synthetic fiber was immediately introduced and ultimately integrated into the National Institute of Justice program evaluation of lightweight concealed body armor. It was then determined that it should be used to manufacture bulletproof jackets (or concealed vests) so that law enforcers or military troops would be able to wear it everyday and still feel comfortable with it.
Over the years, new designs and new technology have been introduced and all have improved over its failings. The recent rise of modern urban conflicts and the growing threat of subterfuge activities have taken precedence on the subject of personal protection. One is tempted to choose the option of hiding in the mountains or face all of it with indomitable courage. Freedom is the right to live without the threat of oppression or any other form of subjugation. These bulletproof jackets offer the kind of confidence and security that one can feel comfortable with whether taking a walk outside the streets or strolling through a valley of darkness.
You feel extremely safe in your home, right? But, the truth is that you and your family are more likely to be injured on your own property than anywhere else. Unfortunately, home accidents happen all of the time.
Here are some steps you can take to avoid them.
1. Be sure the inside and outside of your home are well lit. Lighting near stairs, sharp table edges, and the areas you may walk to and from in the middle of the night (kitchen, bathrooms, etc.) is especially critical.
2. Call an electrician immediately if you see any evidence of electrical problems. And, never leave an electrical heater on when you leave a room or are about to go to sleep. Doing so can be a fatal mistake.
3. Buy high quality smoke alarms, install them in every room, and test them often. Also, have an emergency exit plan in place and practice it with your whole family.
4. If there are children in your home, use portable gates in front of your stairways, plug unused electrical outlets, place scissors, knives and other sharp objects out of reach, and hide or lock away weapons, matches, and potentially dangerous chemical products.
5. Lock windows and doors at all times, and never invite strangers into your home.
6. Instruct everyone in your family to avoid telling a stranger they are home alone, and to never mention being away from home in voicemails or autoresponse emails to which strangers may have access. Similarly, never refuse an appointment by saying you will be away. Instead, simply say that the proposed time is inconvenient for you.
7. Homeowners are most at risk when doing maintenance and repair work, so always consider safety when working in your home or yard. Falls and power tools account for the bulk of in-home injuries.
8. Protect your hands by balling up your non-dominant hand when using a knife to chop or slice food. And, always use a tool…not your hand…if it is necessary to reach into any area where there are blades (lawn mower, disposal, etc.).
9. Never back in or out of your driveway unless you can fully see that there are no children, pets, or others in your path.
10. Keep all stairways clear of objects which can cause someone to trip. And, shovel, use salt, and employ ice chipping tools in all walking areas in winter weather.
These ten simple tips can help make your home and yard safer for you, your family, and those who visit you at home. Employ them all.
Is it necessary to keep a workshop clean? Yes, especially if you are keeping a woodworking shop. Having a woodworking shop means that you are handling sharp equipment and tools that could cause accidents, and harm people. Actually, you just do not have to keep a woodworking shop clean but also organized. How? Here are some tips and guidelines on how you can maintain a clean, organized, and safe woodworking shop.
Keep the work area clean and tidy. This means that you must put all tools and equipment back to where they are usually kept; throw garbage, debris, and sawdust properly on a daily basis; clean the workbenches at the end of each day; put back flammable materials in the lockers; sweep the floor at the end of the day; and make sure that the shop is well lit with everything in its proper place. Why is this important? If you just leave the things wherever you want, an onlooker or outsider can just grab things, which can end up in misplaced tools or a bleeding hand.
Maintain all working tools in good condition. Tools and equipment that need maintenance should always be kept in proper working condition; otherwise, terrible accidents might happen. If you can fix broken tools, have them fixed at once; but if they couldn’t be fixed anymore, dispose of them quickly. This ensures that everything you have in the shop can be used and no storage spaces are wasted because broken unfixable tools occupy them.
Add as many safety features to your woodworking shop as possible. This ensures that the shop is safe and secure to work in. For instance, you use push sticks in moving materials through the saw instead of your fingers; you place guards on appropriate areas for protection; and using jigs as well to make a perilous process safer. You can even put up safety signs and reminders just to make the entire work area safe and worker friendly.
Keep yourself as fit as a fiddle. Keeping yourself in tiptop shape helps maintain a safe work environment. How? If you are fit, you can handle all tools and equipment with ease and in a proper manner. You will have enough strength required to operate a particular woodworking tool, like a jigsaw. In addition, you must also practice safety measures while working, like wearing of goggles and working gloves. If wearing of safety gear becomes a habit, working in a woodworking shop becomes safe.
Always be prepared for emergencies. You can never tell when accidents can happen. It can happen even if you were doing all possible means to keep the workshop clean. So, to make sure that something can be done during emergencies, it is advised that you install a phone line, preferably a lined and cordless phone, which you can easily grab to call for help. Also, a list of emergency numbers should be written on or near the phone. This makes recall easier so you can immediately call for help.
All these tips and guides are basic shop safety measures that you must observe to make certain that everything is in order and working in a woodworking shop is as safe as it can possibly be.
