tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37518164220376464232024-03-12T22:26:19.855-07:00Safely Moving ForwardPower Pusher is a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of material handling solutions. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Power Pusher has a competitive edge in providing reliable and cost-effective load-moving solutions that deliver tangible productivity and safety benefits in a wide variety of applications.Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-49494409246223348872015-01-06T08:27:00.001-08:002015-01-06T08:27:50.978-08:00Protecting hearing and preventing hearing loss<em>According to <a href="http://www.ishn.com/">ISHN</a>, hearing loss is the most common work-related illness. It's estimated that each year, 22 million United States workers are exposed to hazardous levels of noise. By developing a hearing loss prevention program, companies can reduce this risk.</em><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ishn.com</td></tr>
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Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common work-related <a href="http://www.ishn.com/keywords/health">illness</a> in the United States. Each year, an estimated 22 million U.S. workers encounter noise <a href="http://www.ishn.com/keywords/exposures">exposures</a> loud enough to be potentially hazardous. In addition to damaging workers' quality of life, occupational hearing loss can carry a high economic price to society.<br />
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What are the Risk Factors?</h2>
Occupational hearing loss occurs as a result of workers' exposure to loud noise. In fact, the <a href="http://www.ishn.com/keywords/niosh">National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health</a> (NIOSH) recommends that workers should not be exposed to noise at a level that amounts to more than <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/noisemeter.html">85 decibels (dBA)</a> for 8 hours. The level of risk is influenced by several factors:<br />
<ul>
<li> Noise level – as noise level increases, the risk also increases</li>
<li> Duration of exposure – the longer the noise lasts, the more hazardous it becomes</li>
<li> Impulsiveness – noises that have very abrupt starts and stops (such as hammering, gunfire, or fireworks) are more dangerous than constant noise of the same overall level</li>
<li> Intermittency – periods of relative quiet between exposures allow the ear to "rest" and reduce the risk</li>
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To read more click <a href="http://www.ishn.com/articles/100233-protecting-hearing-and-preventing-hearing-loss"><em>here</em></a>.Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-25061693257903138602014-12-30T08:54:00.000-08:002014-12-30T08:54:41.488-08:00Guest Post: How to create respectful tension for results<em>According to <a href="http://landscapemanagement.net/">Landscape Management</a>, there is a certain type of constructive tension that can be healthy for a business. This "respectful tension" stretches people to perform at levels they never thought were possible.</em><em><br /></em><br />
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<a href="http://landscapemanagement.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/RubberBand_web.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="RubberBand_web" class="alignright size-full wp-image-43906" height="225" src="http://landscapemanagement.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/RubberBand_web.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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How do words like, conflict, confrontation, accountability, debate and tension make you feel?<br />
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Uncomfortable? Sure! I don’t blame you. Nobody enjoys confrontation. If there’s someone who does, I would avoid him at all costs. On the other hand, I’d like to suggest there’s is a certain type of constructive tension that’s healthy in business. I call this “respectful tension.”<br />
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One of the definitions of tension is, “To apply a force to something that tends to stretch it.” Think about a rubber band between your thumb and finger. The harder you stretch it the further you can shoot it.<br />
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I must confess that I’m not afraid of the word tension. I’ve earnestly worked and preached the benefits of this type of constructive tension for the growth of a business. I’ve learned through the years that for any individual, team or organization to reach its full potential, it has to be stretched and challenged continuously to set and achieve lofty goals. I’ve also learned that leaders must understand and accept this responsibility or it won’t happen.<br />
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<em>To read more click </em><a href="http://landscapemanagement.net/guest-post-how-to-create-respectful-tension-for-results/"><em>here</em></a><em>.</em>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-42469994758029606372014-12-17T09:31:00.000-08:002014-12-17T09:31:37.342-08:00Brain Drain: More Management Oversight Required for Shiftwork Safety<em>According to this </em><a href="http://ehstoday.com/"><em>EHS</em></a><em> article, recent studies suggest that irregular or longer-than-normal shift hours have a negative impact on cognitive abilities and can cause the brain to age an extra 6.5 years!</em> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EHS</td></tr>
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Can working longer shifts or rotating shifts age your brain? A recent study published in <em>Occupational and Environmental Medicine</em>, <a href="http://oem.bmj.com/content/early/2014/10/08/oemed-2013-101993" target="_blank">"Chronic Effects of Shift Work on Cognition:Findings from the VISAT Longitudinal Study,"</a> examined the “chronicity and reversibility” of the effects of shiftwork on cognition. Researchers found that irregular shiftwork can result in cognitive impairment equal to 6.5 years of aging for a worker’s brain.<br />
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While cognitive loss is a focal point of the study, as a safety professional, I see the research as an opportunity to discuss and highlight the immediate safety issues related to workers and society associated with shiftwork. On an industry-wide level, managers need to take steps to understand the effects of shiftwork on their employees and actively oversee their scheduling and culture in order to recognize the unique safety issues that could disrupt a company’s efficiency, safety and overall health.<br />
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<strong>Sleep Patterns and Safety</strong><br />
Work hours generally are separated into first, second and third shift, with the third shift spanning the late night through early morning times. Some shiftwork takes place in an industrial environment, where employees are working with equipment<br />
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<em>To view the full article and read more, click </em><a href="http://ehstoday.com/safety/brain-drain-more-management-oversight-required-shiftwork-safety"><em>here</em></a><em>.</em> Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-86419647006919301472014-12-09T09:50:00.001-08:002014-12-09T09:50:58.901-08:002014 State of the Industry Report: All’s Well That Ends Well<em>Though the spring of 2014 was basically nonexistent and many feared the worst for retailers in the landscaping business, this State of the Industry Survey, located in this </em><a href="http://www.gardencentermag.com/"><em>GardenCenter</em></a><em> article, reported that 72 percent of stores experiencing increased sales in 2014. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden Center Magazine, 2014</td></tr>
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</em><br />
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Record cold temperatures. Severe snow and rainstorms. A delayed start to the season for much of the country. Things weren’t shaping up for many retailers quite as they would’ve liked them to earlier this year. However, by the time summer was through, our research painted a different picture. More than 540 retailers weighed in on our State of the Industry Survey, and the season ended well for most, with 72 percent of stores experiencing increased sales in 2014.<br />
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When it came to what was selling and what wasn’t, there were a few notable departures from last year’s results. Tree and shrub sales showed marginal increases despite a flat housing market, a phenomenon we can attribute at least in part to the harsh winter weather that destroyed many well-established trees and shrubs, even in southern locales. Perennials also made a strong showing this year, with 68 percent of retailers reporting an increase in sales, in contrast to 51 percent in 2013.<br />
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As we attended trade shows, visited garden centers and chatted with others in the industry, the vibe has been more positive than in year’s past, with hope for the future. Over the following pages, you can take a look at how your peers did this year, compare that with how your business fared and keep it in mind as you plan for next year. Managing editor Michelle Simakis and I share our commentary throughout the section.<br />
<span><br />Survey says...</span><br />
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<em>To read the full article and view survey results, follow </em><a href="http://www.gardencentermag.com/garden1014-state-industry-report-2014.aspx"><em>this link</em></a><em>.</em> Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-27632173494834362892014-12-02T13:55:00.000-08:002014-12-02T13:55:16.847-08:00Using Collaboration to Shore Up the Sustainable Supply Chain <em>According to this </em><a href="http://mhlnews.com/"><em>MH&L</em></a><em> article, attitudes are changing and more end-use byers are willing to pay more for a sustainable product. How can you get on board? <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Potter, Flickr.</td></tr>
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While manufacturers were early adopters of a sustainable supply chain due to their desire to switch from plastics to biodegradables, reduce packaging and pursue recycling, the end user was not always aware of these efforts.<br />
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The “relationships” between manufacturers and their supply chain were not important to the end user, writes Kate Ancell, in <a href="http://www.grantthornton.com/issues/library/articles/manufacturing/2014/11-how-manufacturers-can-drive-a-sustainable-supply-chain.aspx#sthash.ImSs0AVV.dpuf" target="_blank">an article on granthorton.com.</a><br />
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<div class="rteindent1">
<em>“The customer didn’t care,” said Robert Schwartz, National Performance Improvement Leader at Grant Thornton. “It was about being on time, with good quality, and coming in on budget.” </em></div>
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However that attitude is changing as more end-use buyers are willing to pay more for a sustainable product, according to Schwartz. This leads to a need for a closer collaboration between suppliers and manufacturers.<br />
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<div class="rteindent1">
<em>“Collaboration between manufacturers and their suppliers is imperative for competition,” says Schwartz. With better, more sophisticated technology,..."</em></div>
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<em>To read the full article, click </em><a href="http://mhlnews.com/global-supply-chain/using-collaboration-shore-sustainable-supply-chain"><em>here</em></a><em>.</em> Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-59695536435277082472014-11-24T10:34:00.000-08:002014-11-24T10:34:36.310-08:00AEM, Future Farmers Promote Safe Use of Agricultural Equipment<em>The proper use of agricultural equipment is a vital factor in keeping employees safe. The AEM and the FFA have joined forces to bring about a new awareness program to help in these efforts. This </em><a href="http://www.ishn.com/"><em>ISHN</em></a><em> article details the process.</em> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ISHN, Farmers Promoting Safety </td></tr>
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The <a href="http://www.aem.org/">Association of Equipment Manufacturers</a> (AEM) is partnering with the Future Farmers of America (National FFA) to promote the safe use of <a href="http://www.ishn.com/keywords/industry-specific">agricultural </a>equipment through a new awareness program – <a href="http://www.aem.org/SRT/Safety/TuneIntoSafety/">“Tune into Safety.”</a><br />
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A large majority of FFA members, many of whom are directly involved in using agricultural equipment, are enrolled in safety <a href="http://www.ishn.com/keywords/training">training</a> as part of their education.<br />
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The program will award points and shared sales revenue to FFA chapters for including AEM safety manuals in their members’ safety training. It will also provide individual members the opportunity to increase their annual fund-raising efforts by selling the manuals in their communities while communicating the importance of farm equipment safety to their peers.<br />
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<strong>Program Encourages ROPS, Seatbelt Use</strong><br />
Jaime Vos, AEM safety materials manager, stated: “We’re hoping FFA members take the opportunity to share their personal experiences through social media, express their views about safety when using farm equipment, and communicate the importance of using best safety practices to their peers and community.”<br />
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<em>Click </em><a href="http://www.ishn.com/articles/100054-aem-future-farmers-promote-safe-use-of-agricultural-equipment"><em>here</em></a><em> to read the full article.</em> Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-28597991038062935612014-11-11T08:31:00.001-08:002014-11-11T08:32:26.937-08:0010 Steps to Reduce On-the-Job Hand Injuries Today<em>“Safety culture” is a popular buzz phrase going around. But developing a safety culture takes time. </em><em>This </em><a href="http://zero-excuses-protection.com/"><em>Zero Excuses</em></a><em> article details</em><em> 10 quick-win safety strategies to start reducing on-the-job injuries today. </em><br />
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If you’ve read a lot about workplace safety culture lately, you’re not alone. It’s a popular topic and a critical component of any workplace safety program.<br />
Creating a culture of workplace safety is a long-term strategy to reduce workplace injuries. And I’d most certainly encourage you to work toward one at your company. But there are also ways to get “quick wins” in safety. In this article we’ll cover 10 quick wins for hand safety in the workplace.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vN2va7QIdnVxojPWZPc5_x3X3zQLV2zsTzOIFbd14oAMY_WOBL-jNPKmOM9OUt2P5jlbAJHKKHhbXq9jk6nfjQI5DzvxjmyoWgDfR8z-lszmgX9yNOjl1B_4Tx5oSFV-jGArTViVz2tN/s1600/8202400437_728728b145_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vN2va7QIdnVxojPWZPc5_x3X3zQLV2zsTzOIFbd14oAMY_WOBL-jNPKmOM9OUt2P5jlbAJHKKHhbXq9jk6nfjQI5DzvxjmyoWgDfR8z-lszmgX9yNOjl1B_4Tx5oSFV-jGArTViVz2tN/s320/8202400437_728728b145_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>1. Create policies.</strong><br />
You may think this sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many safety leaders overlook this critical step. You want your employees to be safe? Be clear about the steps they need to take every day in order to do so. For hand safety, policies should include when gloves are to be worn, how to perform certain high-risk tasks, how to care for personal protective equipment (PPE) at the end of the day, etc.<br />
And don’t just tell employees about procedures: write them down; demonstrate them; test your employees’ knowledge of them. Before you can implement any of the other nine quick wins in this article, you must first have established safety policies and procedures, and your employees must be aware of them.<br />
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<strong>2. Offer safety training.</strong><br />
Safety training is the ultimate quick win. It brings safety back into focus for your employees and demonstrates your commitment to employee safety, as a leader and as a company.<br />
A recent article I read discussed tips for making safety training more engaging—and therefore more memorable—with some unexpected techniques including humor, self-disclosure, and storytelling. Read more on how to make your safety training more engaging <a href="http://ehstoday.com/training/vpppa-2014-where-does-humor-fit-your-safety-training?NL=OH-05&Issue=OH-05_20140828_OH-05_858&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_2_b&YM_RID=CPG03000001599161&YM_MID=573" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<strong>3. Keep safety top-of-mind.</strong><br />
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<em>Click </em><a href="http://zero-excuses-protection.com/information/10-steps-to-reduce-on-the-job-hand-injuries-today/"><em>here</em></a><em> to read the full article.</em> Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-89581205622378776692014-10-29T08:28:00.002-07:002014-10-29T08:29:25.141-07:00Don’t Fear The Winter Season<i>While warmer months bring prosperity to outdoor work, the colder months are generally slower. This article by <a href="http://www.totallandscapecare.com/">Total Landscape Care</a> provides a few tips for companies to bring employee's spirits out of their winter slumps. </i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Total Landscape Care</td></tr>
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Winter can be a tough time for many landscapers. Your entire season could depend on how much snow falls or if rain will wash out a day of productivity.<br />
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Winter is seen as a necessary evil for many landscaping businesses.<br />
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Between balancing seasonal employees, making sure you land in the black and basing your entire business around the weather is extremely difficult.<br />
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During the summer and spring, the grass will always grow and flowers will always need to be planted. However, winter means three, four, five or even six months of uncertainty.<br />
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<b>Add Holiday Lighting</b><br />
Adding extra services to your offerings can be a great way to get your company through some slow times. If the snow is not cooperating, or if you live in an area that doesn’t receive snow, adding a service like holiday lighting can be a great way to add some extra cash. However, don’t take holiday lighting lightly. It’s a hefty service, and you should be sure that you have the manpower and availability to offer extra services.<br />
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<i>Continue reading this article <a href="http://www.totallandscapecare.com/dont-fear-the-winter-season/">here</a>.</i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-3891696278228210732014-10-21T08:49:00.000-07:002014-10-21T08:49:06.823-07:00Got Leaves? Put 'Em to Work<i>Getting your garden ready for the spring starts in the fall. This <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/">Mother Earth News</a> article teaches you everything you need to know about the uses of leaves and how to winterize your plants.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/~/media/Images/MEN/Editorial/Blogs/Organic%20Gardening/Got%20Leaves%20Put%20Em%20to%20Work/AutumnLeavesBP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="autumn leaves bp" border="0" src="http://www.motherearthnews.com/~/media/Images/MEN/Editorial/Blogs/Organic%20Gardening/Got%20Leaves%20Put%20Em%20to%20Work/AutumnLeavesBP.JPG" height="261" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother Earth News</td></tr>
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'Tis the season for harvesting leaves, the most abundant free source of organic matter available to most gardeners. Microorganisms in soil and compost transform leaves into bits of organic matter, which helps the soil retain nutrients and moisture. By themselves, leaves contain small amounts of 16 plant nutrients.<br />
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You can stockpile leaves in a bin or pen to use later as compost or mulch, but you don't have to wait until leaves decompose to put them to work. With some shredding assistance from your lawn mower, you can give your leaves useful jobs right now.<br />
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1. Turn lawn into garden. Prepare sections of lawn you want to develop into garden beds by smothering them with leaves. First scalp the grass by mowing as close to the surface as possible. Then cover the space with several thicknesses of newspaper or cardboard, and cover the base layer with two inches (or more) or compost or manure. Top with 3 to 4 inches of shredded leaves. <br />
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2. Winterize hardy vegetables. Use shredded leaves to limit winter injury to kale, leeks, carrots and other hardy vegetables. Surround the planting with a low fence or burlap enclosure and fill it with up to 12 inches of shredded leaves. Mulch garlic and perennial onions with up to 6 inches of shredded leaves mixed with the season's last grass clippings.<br />
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<i>Continue reading this article <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/harvesting-leaves-for-mulch-and-compost.aspx#axzz3GnJkg5Oj">here</a>.</i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-50814543846165058582014-10-14T07:47:00.000-07:002014-10-14T07:47:52.518-07:00Electric Wheelbarrow: Move More With Less Effort <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemG94s9tXTFnP-8fwptGDKlA5-hC5JTFGKUNUhD2q710upbh1QNILYdGy-_dpBbzAl_eRAq-9IvlKENd1sOmkyDv5SOO94vF7M8_V0qpBEZabaaWuVGeKIT1jb3cm-XD7SeOaep585Vq_/s1600/x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemG94s9tXTFnP-8fwptGDKlA5-hC5JTFGKUNUhD2q710upbh1QNILYdGy-_dpBbzAl_eRAq-9IvlKENd1sOmkyDv5SOO94vF7M8_V0qpBEZabaaWuVGeKIT1jb3cm-XD7SeOaep585Vq_/s1600/x.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power Pusher E-750 electric wheelbarrow</td></tr>
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In order to safely maximize profits, you need the right tools. Made in the U.S.A., the Power Pusher E-750 electric wheelbarrow is a commercial-grade solution for safely moving and dumping loads up to 750 pounds with its 5 cubic foot bed capacity. It doesn't only offer drive assistance but also power-assisted dumping at the push of a button.<br />
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No workday is too long for the E-750. Its rechargeable battery works all day - up to 5 miles of travel on a single charge, noise free! Because it is battery-powered, the E-750 uses no fuel and runs emission free, making it easy to use in enclosed and indoor spaces without the dangers of exhaust.<br />
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Eliminate pulling, pushing and straining while reducing dangerous falls, slips hazards and injuries. Power Pusher's E-750 is ideal for unstable and time-sensitive loads and is ideal for commercial and construction contractors, concrete demolition, base prep and pours, masonry block and brick work, landscaping rock, retaining wall and pavers, sod and soil work, industrial material hauling and factory floor material or scrap building. It offers greater productivity with less manpower, faster and more efficient projects and solutions to your toughest and heaviest challenges.</div>
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<i>Click <a href="http://electricdumper.com/video.html">here</a> to watch the E-750 electric wheelbarrow in motion!</i></div>
<o:p></o:p>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-11967114329212249412014-10-07T06:23:00.002-07:002014-10-21T08:29:20.546-07:00The Skills Gap And Why We Need A Modern Rosie<i>Why aren't there more women in manufacturing careers? This <a href="http://www.impomag.com/">IMPO </a>article talks about how the manufacturing industry could fill in its gaps by hiring and training women in this field.</i><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.impomag.com/sites/impomag.com/files/legacyimages/We_Can_Do_It%21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The original iconic image of Rosie the Riveter, created in 1942 by J Howard Miller" border="0" src="http://www.impomag.com/sites/impomag.com/files/legacyimages/We_Can_Do_It%21.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IMPO</td></tr>
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Women make up half of the U.S. population and almost half of the workforce, but only 24% in the manufacturing sector.<br />
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The manufacturing field is full of opportunities on the cutting edge of technology and innovation. Manufacturers in the United States perform two-thirds of all private-sector R&D. Manufacturing is the backbone of the American economy—according to the National Association of Manufacturers, the industry supports an estimated 17.4 million jobs and has the highest multiplier effect of any economic sector, adding $1.32 to the economy for every $1 spent.<br />
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Manufacturing offers good compensation in salary and benefits, with the average manufacturing worker in the U.S. earning an average of $14,960 more than the average worker in all other industries in 2013. Manufacturing is an extremely diverse field offering careers at practically every socioeconomic level and dealing with practically every product you can imagine.<br />
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<i>Continue reading this article <a href="http://www.impomag.com/blogs/2014/10/skills-gap-and-why-we-need-modern-rosie?et_cid=4192611&et_rid=734899630&type=headline">here</a>. </i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-79910325221783586802014-09-30T07:13:00.000-07:002014-10-21T08:29:11.309-07:008 Ways To Hire, Nurture The Best People<i>The best companies are made up of the best employees, and sometimes, the most qualified person on paper isn't right for the job. This <a href="http://www.totallandscapecare.com/">Total Landscape Care</a> article discusses how to find - and keep - the right employees for your company.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogsdir.cms.rrcdn.com/5/files/2014/09/shutterstock_86696884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blogsdir.cms.rrcdn.com/5/files/2014/09/shutterstock_86696884.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Total Landscape Care</td></tr>
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<i><br />
</i> Any smart business-person knows people are the heart of an operation. Employees can make or break you, bring in business or drive it away, and cause your company to thrive and grow or wither and die.<br />
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But finding the right employees – and keeping the good ones – isn’t the easiest task.<br />
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“Unquestionably, employees are our greatest blessing and our greatest challenge all wrapped into one,” says Mark Halla, owner of The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center in Chaska, Minnesota, and a TLC Landscaper of the Year finalist.<br />
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Finding employees that are a good fit for your company is key. Sometimes the person who seems the most qualified for the job isn’t necessarily right for the position.<br />
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“Like any relationship, it takes a long time to get to know each other,” Halla says. “We used to hire based on skill sets, but we learned that was the wrong approach for our company. It’s really more about personality and character for us. If they’re willing to learn, we can teach them anything.”<br />
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Whether you are looking to hire seasonal workers or full-time staff, here are eight ways to find, nurture and invest in long-term relationships with your employees.<br />
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</i> <i>Continue reading this article <a href="http://www.totallandscapecare.com/8-ways-to-hire-the-best-people/">here</a>.</i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-8312922460317279412014-09-23T09:58:00.002-07:002014-09-23T09:58:29.958-07:00Normal Sleep A 'Privilege' For Night Workers<i>It is hard enough to get a full night's rest while working 9am-5pm. What about the people that work 9pm-5am? This <a href="http://www.cnn.com/">CNN</a> article discusses night workers and their sleep patterns and the tole not getting enough sleep takes on your health. </i><br />
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<a href="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/HEALTH/03/25/night.shift.workers/t1larg.man.working.night.shift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="With biology beckoning their bodies to sleep during the night, shift workers say staying awake is always a struggle." border="0" height="180" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/HEALTH/03/25/night.shift.workers/t1larg.man.working.night.shift.jpg" width="320" /></a>Gregory Jones begins his day when his family and the rest of the world winds down and gets ready for bed.<br />
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The New Jersey truck driver reports to work at 8 p.m. He loads, stacks and transports vegetables and fruits until 4 a.m.<br />
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"I don't get eight hours," Jones said about his workday sleeping habits. "Sleep for me is a privilege. It's a blessing if I can get it."<br />
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Night workers like Jones are at higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions. With biology beckoning their bodies to sleep during the night, shift workers say they struggle to stay awake no matter how many years they've done it.<br />
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When sleep prevails, there can be major consequences for others as well.<br />
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On March 23, two airplanes landed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport shortly after midnight without an air traffic controller.<br />
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The controller, a 20-year veteran who was suspended, told investigators that he had fallen asleep, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. "He had been working his fourth consecutive overnight shift (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.)" according to a statement from the agency.<br />
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<i>Read more <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/03/25/night.shift.workers/">here</a>.</i><br />
Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-76918639047516372972014-09-16T07:09:00.001-07:002014-09-16T07:09:19.224-07:00Expect To See More Women Managers On Construction Jobs<i>According to this <a href="http://www.ctpost.com/">CT Post</a> article, the future is bright for women in the construction industry. Although a traditionally male-dominated industry, construction businesses are not only seeing an increase of women working on job sites but women in management roles, as well.</i><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Sophomore Zamarie Rivera adjusts the table saw Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, during carpentry class at Bullard-Havens technical school in Bridgeport, Conn. Photo: Autumn Driscoll / Connecticut Post" src="http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/26/54/25/5948795/3/628x471.jpg" height="305" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CT Post</td></tr>
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As women are being urged to "lean in" to corporate jobs, there's another challenge for management-minded ladies: breaking the proverbial glass ceiling -- with a hammer.<br />
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Working out in the field as a construction manager, Dianna Barrella likes to be the first one on the job site every morning. She likes the ever-changing nature of the work, the variety of people she meets on each project, the opportunity to work with different teams of consultants, architects or engineers. Over the past 16 years she's spent at Turner Construction in Shelton -- almost her entire career -- Barrella has relished her roles, which have included overseeing jobs like in-house building projects at UBS in Stamford. But it took time to get there.<br />
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"When I started at Turner, I think I may have been a little intimidated, being the only girl out in the field," Barrella said. "But in the industry, that has changed. There's many more women now. The challenges are pretty much the same for men and women."<br />
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Construction has traditionally been a male-dominated business, with the small percentage of women who do join -- just 8.9 percent of the industry nationwide, according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor -- often relegated to doing clerical or support jobs. In Connecticut, based on the state's demographics, it's likely the numbers are even lower, said Jacob Kovel, associate professor and chair of the department of construction management at Central Connecticut State University.<br />
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<i>Click <a href="http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Expect-to-see-more-women-managers-on-construction-5278808.php">here</a> to continue reading this article. </i><br />
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Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-58963281744631430382014-09-09T08:38:00.001-07:002014-09-09T08:38:42.570-07:00How To Protect Crewmembers from Hearing Loss<i>Workers exposed to noise levels of 85 decibels or higher for longer than a period of 8 hours could be at risk of hearing loss. This <a href="http://www.totallandscapecare.com/">Total Landscape Care</a> article provides information on hearing loss and ways to prevent it at your worksite. </i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Total Landscape Care</td></tr>
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Different levels of noise are all around crewmembers every day on jobsites.<br />
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However, whenever workers are exposed to some of those sounds for hours on end every day, hearing loss can become a serious problem.<br />
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In fact, 4 million workers go to work each day with damaging noise, and 10 million people in the U.S. have a noise-related hearing loss.<br />
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“In 2008, approximately 2 million U.S. workers were exposed to noise levels at work that put them at risk of hearing loss,” NIOSH says. “In 2007, approximately 23,000 cases were reported of occupational hearing loss that was great enough to cause hearing impairment. Reported cases of hearing loss accounted for 14 percent of occupational illness in 2007.</div>
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<i>Click <a href="http://www.totallandscapecare.com/how-to-protect-crewmembers-from-hearing-loss/">here </a>to continue reading.</i></div>
Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-32519522075446262112014-09-02T07:06:00.001-07:002014-09-02T07:06:17.842-07:00The Power Of Salt For Renewable Energy<i>According to this <a href="http://www.plantengineering.com/">Plant Engineering</a> article, potential for a new form of renewable energy lies where salt water and fresh water meet. A team of mechanical engineers at MIT are currently studying this process.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixepMjnCxGT8TrfKMDgsSOk0u7nY0zb_yQGhQeXDnt6yB5YMqAtalu7_wRRMPvAXlPNEsvCtoUrXwI5xtHGVolicw04yr1gkiD6aSJM3Cn46gKXNSRF5O4B7Pch2w5nCjqwaGNlysDEgGv/s1600/RTEmagicC_CTL1408_WEB_IMG_MIT_Seawater_PowerResearchFig1.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixepMjnCxGT8TrfKMDgsSOk0u7nY0zb_yQGhQeXDnt6yB5YMqAtalu7_wRRMPvAXlPNEsvCtoUrXwI5xtHGVolicw04yr1gkiD6aSJM3Cn46gKXNSRF5O4B7Pch2w5nCjqwaGNlysDEgGv/s1600/RTEmagicC_CTL1408_WEB_IMG_MIT_Seawater_PowerResearchFig1.jpg.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plant Engineering</td></tr>
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Where the river meets the sea, there is the potential to harness a significant amount of renewable energy, according to a team of mechanical engineers at MIT.<br />
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The researchers evaluated an emerging method of power generation called pressure retarded osmosis (PRO), in which two streams of different salinity are mixed to produce energy. In principle, a PRO system would take in river water and seawater on either side of a semi-permeable membrane. Through osmosis, water from the less-salty stream would cross the membrane to a pre-pressurized saltier side, creating a flow that can be sent through a turbine to recover power.<br />
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The MIT team has now developed a model to evaluate the performance and optimal dimensions of large PRO systems. In general, the researchers found that the larger a system's membrane, the more power can be produced - but only up to a point. Interestingly, 95 percent of a system's maximum power output can be generated using only half or less of the maximum membrane area.<br />
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<i>Click <a href="http://www.plantengineering.com/single-article/the-power-of-salt-for-renewable-energy/035fe7f192baffb3a601ed9ae8e95b83.html">here</a> to continue reading.</i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-7869600989197842592014-08-26T08:07:00.002-07:002014-08-26T08:07:39.502-07:003 Ways To Extinguish Burnout<i>A burnout happens gradually but is usually realized suddenly. Once you are aware of the issue, you need to take charge of the situation and fix it. This <a href="http://www.totallandscapecare.com/">Total Landscape Care</a> article lays out three helpful steps to extinguish your burnout.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTtei3pZJvkhBb95giJXPARFOp_YOiT7lIR-dWDPnR7peB8-n-cQHzZPPbWdv3r0fEMin1DSw7xHpZ-4RP0yptgNhip3sIv_6arfKJClBQpgiEv6CBWSoomZ0X2P96GFx3kQoP4xRB0Fk/s1600/Burnout-TLC+(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTtei3pZJvkhBb95giJXPARFOp_YOiT7lIR-dWDPnR7peB8-n-cQHzZPPbWdv3r0fEMin1DSw7xHpZ-4RP0yptgNhip3sIv_6arfKJClBQpgiEv6CBWSoomZ0X2P96GFx3kQoP4xRB0Fk/s1600/Burnout-TLC+(1).png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Total Landscape Care</td></tr>
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Are you thinking about work 24/7? Do you look forward to the weekend because you’ll have uninterrupted time to work? Has your stress level gotten so high that you don’t even remember what it feels like to be relaxed?<br />
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If so, you’re probably burned.<br />
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The more you work, the more successful you can become. You enjoy hearing you’re doing well and making clients and employees happy. But, your “To Do” list soon becomes unachievable, and you start to hate the thing that once brought you happiness.<br />
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And if you think about it, there’s no one else to blame (speaking from experience): You’re the only one looking out for you. No one else cares if you do too much, and the better you do, the more people are going to want from you.<br />
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</i> <i>Continue reading the article <a href="http://www.totallandscapecare.com/3-ways-to-extinguish-burnout/">here</a>.</i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-75425670794588919332014-08-19T07:27:00.002-07:002014-08-19T07:28:34.385-07:00First 2014 Human Cases of West Nile Virus Confirmed<i>Landscapers and any outdoor workers alike need to be taking the proper precautions to prevent West Nile Virus. This <a href="http://www.totallandscapecare.com/">Total Landscape Care</a> article discusses the first 2014 case of West Nile Virus, as well as ways to protect yourself from it while working outside.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogsdir.cms.rrcdn.com/5/files/2014/08/shutterstock_196730963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blogsdir.cms.rrcdn.com/5/files/2014/08/shutterstock_196730963.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Total Landscape Care</td></tr>
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The West Nile Virus is spreading as the first signs for 2014 appear.<br />
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The first 2014 case was confirmed when a Pennsylvania man was hospitalized due to the virus and has since recovered. The second case took the life a 75-year-old Louisiana resident.<br />
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The Dallas County Health and Human Services confirmed a third human case of West Nile Virus for the season on Monday.<br />
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Landscapers need to be on the look out and be using proper protection while working outdoors, especially as more West Nile Virus cases are confirmed.<br />
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Landscapers should be using DEET-containing insect repellents and covering exposed skin with lightweight clothing.<br />
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<i>Continue reading this article <a href="http://www.totallandscapecare.com/first-2014-human-cases-of-west-nile-virus-confirmed/">here</a>.</i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-31454136776968930912014-08-12T07:16:00.003-07:002014-08-12T07:16:59.866-07:00Just Not Buying It: Purchase of 'Green' Products Slows Down<i>Today, about a quarter of Americans purchase products based on their green reputation, but this number is declining. This <a href="http://ehstoday.com/">EHS Today</a> article discusses the projected future for consumers and green product consumption. </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x4OVxqUetnOomD7UHx0mo5KKLUzBSUyBxdVOTff1S59xzmjFVXs8PY9P8f49LeaMoeAwdCyvEIwk0rl_VzP4p5hT0i-VvK19eNCMbAwnPMkJ6LO-wgIPP8eywycxicjwKthooivCcivW/s1600/earth-hands.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x4OVxqUetnOomD7UHx0mo5KKLUzBSUyBxdVOTff1S59xzmjFVXs8PY9P8f49LeaMoeAwdCyvEIwk0rl_VzP4p5hT0i-VvK19eNCMbAwnPMkJ6LO-wgIPP8eywycxicjwKthooivCcivW/s1600/earth-hands.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EHS Today</td></tr>
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A new study finds that “green” certification and brand reputation are playing a larger role for <br />
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Further, when making a product selection, about 30 percent of American consumers select products based on a company’s “green” reputation, and 25 percent look to see if the product has been certified by a leading certification organization.<br />
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The study also pointed out that while overall interests in green and sustainable issues are gaining ground, many green purchases and behaviors – including selecting green cleaning products and personal care and food products, and energy and water conservation – either are stagnant or in decline.<br />
consumers when choosing products. The Shelton Group, a marketing and communications firm focusing on the sustainability and energy sector, conducted the study and found that 70 percent of consumers want “greener” products and corporate commitments to sustainability.<br />
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<i>Click <a href="http://ehstoday.com/environment/just-not-buying-it-purchase-green-products-slows-down">here</a> to continue reading.</i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-56186783310669102442014-08-05T07:04:00.000-07:002014-08-05T07:06:00.433-07:00New Resource Helps Practitioners Enhance Posture Assessment Practices in the Workplace<i><i>According to this <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/">CDC</a> article, injuries to muscles, bones and joints from overexertion cost businesses billions of dollars per year. Reports have shown that conducting posture assessments at your workplace can prevent and control these injuries, making it a safer environment. </i></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Cover page for publication 2014-131" src="http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/images/cover2014-131.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CDC</td></tr>
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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in partnership with the Canadian Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders, has released a new report that can help occupational health and safety practitioners more accurately and efficiently assess postural stress of workers performing their duties at work. The ability to conduct posture assessments in the workplace can assist with the prevention and control of musculoskeletal disorders.<br />
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The report, Observation-Based Posture Assessment: Review of Current Practice and Recommendations for Improvement, describes a research-based approach to classifying the severity of torso and arm posture. This approach has been demonstrated to improve the accuracy and efficiency of workplace posture analysis. Authors address enhancements such as the benefits of digital video, computer software, training and use of visual cues. Additionally, the report provides practitioners with useful tips for digitally recording and analyzing workers’ posture.</div>
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<i>Click <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-07-31-2014.html">here </a>to read more!</i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-58092421725254861832014-07-29T08:08:00.001-07:002014-07-29T08:08:48.252-07:00The Battle Over “Green” Plastics Continues In The Building & Construction Industry<i>Those who were once resistant to alternative plastic building materials are now taking a second look! Consumers</i><i> are realizing the benefits of many plastic building products for both interior and exterior uses. According to this </i><i><a href="http://www.plasticstoday.com/">Plastics Today</a> article, b</i><i>uilders are embracing these new products as well. </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOGIC8K3vpgyOOL3E3PGM57MLZvqDu9ePsPi-hC6mqQavvTBTKoZrXDzU8mrEbxkRRFvIyw9dQfPw3yeng7gx_hV3h7iEdUCyoOKFKB9JwJ0gHdA8shKeX9OqAPv3Prs4XLuKlABCQ5v3/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOGIC8K3vpgyOOL3E3PGM57MLZvqDu9ePsPi-hC6mqQavvTBTKoZrXDzU8mrEbxkRRFvIyw9dQfPw3yeng7gx_hV3h7iEdUCyoOKFKB9JwJ0gHdA8shKeX9OqAPv3Prs4XLuKlABCQ5v3/s1600/house.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plastics Today</td></tr>
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This week, David Levine, CEO of the American Sustainable Business Council, took the opportunity to rake the plastics industry over the coals while SPI and other plastics industry groups held their "fly-in" in Washington, D.C. In Levine's commentary, Plastic Industry's Faulty Lobbying Agenda that appeared in this week's issue of The Hill, he chided the industry for what he called "a brazen attempt to block progress."<br />
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Levine refers to the plastics industry's opposition to the LEED v4 (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) building standards, and believes that the industry's time would be better spent on an agenda to "move away from toxic chemicals and toward safer chemicals and products using safer plastics."<br />
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This is an argument that is almost as old as the LEED standard itself. I can remember when I first began covering the International Builders Show (IBS) a number of years ago, there were a number of presentations from builders over whether or not to even certify any buildings that contained plastics construction materials.<br />
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Many would like to disallow a LEED certification to any building containing plastic materials, primarily because in the minds of many, anything "plastic" is a horrible material. The LEED competitor, Green Globes, has its detractors as well, who accuse it of pandering to not only the plastics industry, but to 'big wood' (the lumber industry) as well. We certainly can't have both - the plastics and lumber industries in cahoots in the "green" building industry!<br />
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<i>To read more about this article, click <a href="http://www.plasticstoday.com/blogs/the-battle-over-green-plastics-continues-in-the-building-construction%20industry-140724">here</a>. </i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-57318640806866084042014-07-22T09:01:00.000-07:002014-07-22T09:01:40.549-07:00A Guide for Driving Sustainable Innovation Throughout a Construction Organization <i>There are two major types of innovation: Sustaining - smaller, incremental changes and Disruptive - game changing moves. Both types of innovation are discussed in this <a href="http://www.constructionbusinessowner.com/">Construction Business Owner</a> article. Learn what inhibits and inspires innovation in the construction field. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv3uhmAGao-PclpW5QVT-TBpMViAamCgKnheLA9TgIjZpxgoJZHb9m_GG3ihxdJWwhgLFlCw0DCX1H8S7f9-Etul0q6odiOV6ga89eZg673zs_kBnzJJfHxDMCTgC5weGjP2bOigiN3Sq/s1600/6085347780_1a6eba300c_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv3uhmAGao-PclpW5QVT-TBpMViAamCgKnheLA9TgIjZpxgoJZHb9m_GG3ihxdJWwhgLFlCw0DCX1H8S7f9-Etul0q6odiOV6ga89eZg673zs_kBnzJJfHxDMCTgC5weGjP2bOigiN3Sq/s1600/6085347780_1a6eba300c_m.jpg" height="170" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boegh, Flickr.com</td></tr>
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The world is witnessing a new Renaissance. Just as Michelangelo, Dante, Galileo and Titian defined a generation of classical painting, sculpting, mathematics and literature, a new revolution surges in the world of business. For the last few decades, innovative business leaders have dramatically altered the landscape with groundbreaking ideas that have forever changed how the world lives.<br />
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Inventors and entrepreneurs toil tirelessly to invent the next big thing, while the iPhone, Facebook, Google, Instagram and Zynga dominate the headlines and inspire savvy businesspeople to create. Some of these creations, such as the iPhone and Facebook, have morphed from simple conveniences to necessity. What may sound frivolous—a platform people use to share every detail of their lives with their friends, for example—has managed to reshape the business world we see today. Imagine that 20 years ago someone told you that a firm such as Kodak would no longer be around.<br />
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Today’s innovative businesses managed to supplant many legacy giants that most likely had the same impact when they themselves began as fledgling start-ups. This phenomenon shows us that innovation and evolution are in some way linked.<br />
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<b>Innovation in Construction</b><br />
On the continuum of innovation, few construction firms would be confused for the likes of Apple or Google—comparing a construction firm to Apple is, well, apples and oranges.<br />
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However, the flawed thinking is not in comparing Apple and ABC Construction Inc., but rather, in failing to recognize that—regardless of the industry—every contractor can take a page out of the Google handbook. Consider the following questions.<br />
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<i>To read the full article, follow this <a href="http://www.constructionbusinessowner.com/strategy/july-2014-idea-engine">link</a>.</i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-36324327786741647842014-07-15T11:05:00.000-07:002014-07-15T11:06:11.355-07:00Optrel Weldcap Reinvents the Welding Helmet with Radical, Casual New Design<i>A new take on the traditional welding cap has been featured in this <a href="http://www.ishn.com/">ISHN</a> article. With its </i><i>revolutionary wear comfort, extensive field of view and lightweight design, it's no wonder why the Optrel Weldcap<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(R)</span> is achieving high marks in comfort and design. </i><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rcUMBTGC8Km076rgyByOxTESdFxnwZ4K4m9Jy3aS9BZqEPVvjTHPBaZuQO-QWHgLZZSooDNvSD34NdV3tvc1vBtI16PiFPdkvrFtCHJYtelvu1IFyKd5rQeeYbCIxDeBCelLNaDnSeGY/s1600/Optrel-Weldcap.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rcUMBTGC8Km076rgyByOxTESdFxnwZ4K4m9Jy3aS9BZqEPVvjTHPBaZuQO-QWHgLZZSooDNvSD34NdV3tvc1vBtI16PiFPdkvrFtCHJYtelvu1IFyKd5rQeeYbCIxDeBCelLNaDnSeGY/s1600/Optrel-Weldcap.png" height="200" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ISHN.com</td></tr>
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Optrel Inc., the global innovator of auto-darkening filter technology for welding helmets, has reinvented the welding helmet with a radical, casual new design: weldcap®. The new optrel weldcap combines the lightweight wear comfort of a baseball cap with the full protection of an autodarkening welding helmet. weldcap is soft where it needs to be comfortable, rigid where it needs to be tough — combined with an extensive field of view that expands a welder's line of sight by 2.7 times.<br />
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“We know that welders rank field of view and comfort as essential features in a welding helmet. The more comfortable the helmet, the more productive a welder can be. The wider the viewing area, the safer the welder can be,” said Renee S. Bessette, Vice President of Marketing and Operations. “weldcap raises the bar for the ultimate in wear comfort and protection. In our conversations with weldcap users, they are continually amazed by the field of vison they get in such a lightweight helmet.”<br />
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Weldcap takes an innovative approach in its design to achieve this revolution in comfort and vision. <br />
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Revolutionary Wear Comfort – weldcap’s lightweight, flame-retardant textile is soft where it must be comfortable and its robust plastic is rigid where it must be tough, while meeting the ANSI Z87.1+ standard for impact resistance. Its sleek, flexible design enables users to access confined spaces without hindrance.<br />
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<i>To read more on this new welding cap, click <a href="http://www.ishn.com/articles/99066-optrel-weldcap-reinvents-the-welding-helmet-with-radical-casual-new-design">here</a>. </i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-86401945378076191372014-07-08T14:13:00.002-07:002014-07-08T14:13:34.849-07:003D Printer Constructs 10 Buildings In One Day From Recycled Materials<i>Would you believe it if someone said, "3D printers could someday be used to build skyscrapers from the recycled materials of other building?" Well that day is near! With the capabilities to build the shell of a 2,000 sq. ft. house in under 20 hours, this new technology could provide a tremendous breakthrough in the future. </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ou0iXAtOkXP7seE9X2J_hdjfBqeOzDqSD0jRYDmKXQ-b2E3j9wysnu3iYdCEOoeLbnmq_TMipRoBgzyyZIgW1-enAKkXNKJFxm8swkHWuRKDwP3ZseG7ZqcAe-UY-RIHgfPM1wxqOWEb/s1600/Contour+Crafting+home+example.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ou0iXAtOkXP7seE9X2J_hdjfBqeOzDqSD0jRYDmKXQ-b2E3j9wysnu3iYdCEOoeLbnmq_TMipRoBgzyyZIgW1-enAKkXNKJFxm8swkHWuRKDwP3ZseG7ZqcAe-UY-RIHgfPM1wxqOWEb/s1600/Contour+Crafting+home+example.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Computerworld.com</td></tr>
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A Chinese company has become the first to construct multiple buildings using 3D printers that extrude recycled building materials at breakneck speed.<br />
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Using four huge 3D printers, Yingchuang New Materials Inc. was able to print the shells of 10 one-room structures in 24 hours and at a cost of only about $5,000 per building. The buildings had to harden at the factory and then be transported and assembled on site.<br />
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The 3D printed buildings will be used as offices at a Shanghai industrial park.<br />
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The printers, supplied by WinSun Decoration Design Engineering, are 20 feet tall, 33 feet wide and 132 feet long.<br />
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Like their desktop counterparts, the construction-grade WinSun 3D printers use a fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology to deposit materials one layer at a time in a process that's similar to squeezing frosting from a pastry bag.<br />
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<i>To view the full article and brief video, click <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9249532/3D_printer_constructs_10_buildings_in_one_day_from_recycled_materials">here</a>. </i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3751816422037646423.post-66741385548726758172014-07-01T14:34:00.001-07:002014-07-01T14:34:10.558-07:00LM150 Lessons Learned: Carol King<i>When it comes to business growth, would you do it all over again if you had the chance? Would you know where you went wrong the first time and what needed to change? With information from those who have gone before, it's easier to plan your steps for the future. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqCs_1sSuz8FlmED6XIyazBglh3YzHTUBQMEVwJ88Xo33FuHbuFtJ-MSd8PUKokMfnBoNTVaq30CRF_Uu0SHSRXk_Qfbr8v6ZT9ZqIo6EearhuU_f6PEyJsmv_vxuEnxRaYUzjNW0eavS/s1600/CarolKing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqCs_1sSuz8FlmED6XIyazBglh3YzHTUBQMEVwJ88Xo33FuHbuFtJ-MSd8PUKokMfnBoNTVaq30CRF_Uu0SHSRXk_Qfbr8v6ZT9ZqIo6EearhuU_f6PEyJsmv_vxuEnxRaYUzjNW0eavS/s1600/CarolKing.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscape Management Magazine</td></tr>
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Hindsight is 20/20, and I’m always brighter after the fact.<br />
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As we’ve morphed into a $9 million to $10 million company, we compete on the commercial maintenance side against large, national and regional companies who sell contracts to hotel chains, restaurant chains and large property management groups. It’s dawned on me we can’t work in certain areas because they’re tied up with negotiated relationships. It takes a certain market segment away from you.<br />
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CarolKingConsequently, if we had it to do over again, we might have developed a more niche-related company to have a smaller footprint and closer control. It would have been years ago, probably in the late 1970s or early 1980s. <br />
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Companies that accomplish this increase their margins and retain their customers better because of the relationship factor. The one thing the national companies may not be able to do, versus a family business or one-market business, is be close to customers, react quicker to their needs and maintain a relationship-based business.<br />
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For instance, homeowner associations (HOAs), condominiums and multi-housing sites for the residential side are not prone to being rolled up by national companies because they’re all locally controlled. <br />
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There are opportunities to target a specific market. Spend your marketing dollars in that one area and become a preferred provider or a boutique company. You’ve just got to find the one you’re comfortable with. It always has to come back to who and what you want to be and where you want to head. You need to make these decisions when you’re in the $1 million to $2 million revenue point. <br />
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<i>Follow this <a href="http://landscapemanagement.net/2014/06/12/lm150-lessons-learned-think-smaller-focus-on-specific-client-segments/">link</a> to read the full article.</i>Power Pusherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893819525606388466noreply@blogger.com0