Accuform Signs

This Thursday, June the 20^th, Facebook will hold a media event/product launch. Although the event itself is not so hush-hush, what may be unveiled could be a shocker – or not.

Whatever they unveil, I’m sure Zuck will do it with the usual Facebook largess, and show you how it’s going to change your life. And although Facebook has changed our lives by its mere existence and the way we communicate today, lately their new features have been largely unimpressive.

No one really knows what Facebook has in store for Thursday, but rumor has it:

1. Instagram may go video. In direct response to short video platforms like Vine, Viddy, Socialcam and Cinemagram which seem to be gaining momentum, especially Vine, a 6-second Twitter product, Instagram is purportedly going to have a video ranging in the 5-10 second arena as well. A graph on TechCrunch shows that shares of Vine nearly doubled those of Instagram on Twitter over the past month, but they also report that Twitter no longer shows inline views of Instagram photos – now a Facebook product.
2. A Newsreader for Facebook? After the demise of Google Reader, Facebook may be getting a news reading service of its own. siliconAngle says “Various reports over the weekend suggest that Facebook is now developing its own RSS service, presumably with half an eye on the legions of Google Reader users who’ll suddenly be left without a news feed when that service shuts its doors at the end of this month.”
3. Clickable #hashtags – ABC News reported last week that “Over the next few weeks all Facebook users will be able to include a hashtagged phrase, like #royalbaby or #puppies, in their posts and then watch it become clickable. When a hashtag is included in a post, clicking on it will pop out a feed that aggregates others posts that have been tagged with the same phrase. Sort of like that “other social network you may use.” This is great for B2B, where exposure to as many audiences – even categorically – is great exposure.  

Invites came via snail mail to major news outlets.

I guess we’ll have to stay tuned to find out what’s coming next. What do you think they’re going to unveil?

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

According to OSHA, thousands of workers become sick each year from heat-related illnesses, which, if untreated, can result in death. However, the risk of heat illness is not isolated to those who work in outdoor occupations.

June 21 kicks off the official start of summer. As the sun becomes more intense, both outside workers and recreationists need to pay closer attention to the risk of dehydration.

Dehydration

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends the following, daily water intake for men and women:

• Men: 3.7 liters (125 oz.)
• Women: 2.7 liters (91 oz.)

This recommendation is higher than the “8 oz. 8 times a day” maxim most of us have heard, which translates into approximately 1.9 liters.

Another suggestion is to drink half your body weight in ounces each day. Visit Livestrong.com for step-by-step directions to determine if you are drinking enough according to this formula.

Whichever set of guidelines you decide to follow, keep in mind that a person’s daily activity and outdoor exposure play a factor into how much water intake is needed. A person who is more active and spends more time in the sun should consume more liquids than someone who works a desk job in air conditioning.

The Mayo Clinic recommends that individuals determine their water intake needs based on the following factors:

• Exercise: The duration and intensity of your workouts, including how much you sweat, will determine how much you should drink.
• Environment: Heat, humidity and altitude can all affect the amount of water you need.
• Illness: Health conditions can require you to either increase or reduce your fluid intake.
• Pregnancy: Women who are pregnant or nursing need additional fluids to stay hydrated.

There is no “one size fits all” rule. Everyone’s body is unique, and each of us faces different environments on a daily basis.

Before you head outdoors, fill your Nalgene bottle or a cooler. Whatever you do, be intentional about staying hydrated this summer.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Last month, we talked about the need to guard against sun exposure and the threat of skin cancer as part of National Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Summer safety is also a theme of the NSC’s National Safety Month, so today, we want to look at another health concern that summer presents.

Heat Stress

Heat stress can take several forms, including heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps. The combination of physical exertion and hot environments can be the formula for heat-related illness.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers the following recommendations for protecting yourself:

• When possible, avoid hard exertion and exposure to heat, sun and high humidity.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that is breathable, like cotton.
• Plan your hardest tasks for early in the day.
• Pace yourself.
• Take breaks in shady areas, and take more breaks during strenuous tasks.
• Drink water often. Don’t let yourself feel thirsty.
• Remember that protective clothing can increase your risk of heat stress.

Who’s at risk?

No one is immune to the dangers of overheating, but especially vulnerable are children, the elderly – and pets.

According to NOAA, one of the biggest risks comes to people and animals left unattended in parked vehicles. Important to understand is that cracking the windows does not significantly reduce the danger of leaving someone alone in a car. In just over two minutes, the temperature inside a car can increase to unsafe levels.

NOAA offers these car safety reminders:

• Check that child seats and belt buckles aren’t too hot before using them to secure children.
• Never leave someone alone in a vehicle – even if the windows are down.
• Make sure you lock your vehicle so that children can’t climb inside.
• Warn children not to play in, on or around vehicles.

In 2011, OSHA launched its Heat Illness Prevention Campaign underscoring the need for water, rest and shade in the summer months. OSHA’s web page includes additional links to resources as well as a Heat Index, Heat Fatalities Map and Training section for more information.

This summer, take the threat of heat stress seriously by putting safeguards in place for yourself, your families and your workforce.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Congratulations to our CEO,  Wayne Johnson, for being nominated for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013 Award in Florida. Award recipients will be announced at a special gala event on Thursday, June 13 at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach.

Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award recognizes the significant contributions of entrepreneurs who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.

“These finalists were selected from nearly 80 nominations by a panel of independent judges,” says Greg Rosica, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Florida program partner. Collectively, these finalists grew their employment by 18 percent and their revenues by nearly 36 percent between 2010 and 2012.”        

Rosica adds that this award program recognizes high-growth entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. 

Following are the West Central Florida finalists: 

• Distribution and Manufacturing category - Crystal Morris, president, Gator Cases, Inc., Lutz
• Distribution and Manufacturing category- R. Charles Murray, chief executive officer, PPi Technologies Group/Redi-2-DrinQ Group, Sarasota
• Emerging category – Michael Kosloske, president and chief executive officer, Health Insurance Innovations, Tampa
• Family Business category – Wayne Johnson, chief executive officer, Accuform Manufacturing, Inc., Brooksville
• Financial Services category – Trevor Burgess, chief executive officer, C1 Bank, Saint Petersburg
• Hospitality category – Enrique Silva, president and chief executive officer, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., Tampa
• Retail and Consumer Products category – Norbert Donelly, chairman, Tervis, North Venice
• Technology category – Crystal Culbertson, chief executive officer, Crystal Clear Technologies, Saint Petersburg
• Technology category – Paul Demirdjian, chief executive officer, Jagged Peak, Tampa
• Technology category – Dan Doyle, Jr., president and chief executive officer, DEX Imaging, Tampa

Now in its 27th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Program has expanded globally to recognize company builders in more than 140 cities and 50 countries throughout the world.

Regional award recipients go on to compete at the national level. Award recipients in several national categories, as well as the National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year overall award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, Calif., on Nov. 16, 2013. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum^®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

June is National Safety Month, and the National Safety Council (NSC) provides a wealth of information to encourage workplaces to participate in raising awareness for safety. This year’s theme is “Safety Starts with Me,” underscoring responsibility at the individual level.

The NSC organizes the month into weekly themes by topic, and a quick glance at this list made me realize we’ve talked about many of these issues at some point in the AccuBlog.

Week 1: Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

In March, we discussed Steps to Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls. The most common culprits to avoid are everyday hazards we might easily overlook – like an electrical cord or clutter in the walkways.

Week 2: Employee Wellness

Our WorkHealthy blogger Samantha talks about employee wellness on a regular basis. Her recent post on Summer fruits and vegetables reminds us to eat healthy, while many of her posts also provide practical advice on exercise and health.

Week 3: Emergency Preparedness

Last month, we looked at Tornado Safety tips. Ashley’s earlier post Don’t Let An Emergency Catch You Without A Plan outlines the elements OSHA requires for a workplace’s emergency action plan.

Week 4: Ergonomics

OSHA defines Ergonomics as “the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population.”

Posture is one factor that contributes to proper or poor ergonomics, and Samantha’s two-part series on Take a Stand Against the Sitting Disease offers one possible solution to combat the posture problem in the workplace.

Bonus Topics

The NSC also includes bonus topics in their list of themes. We’ve started discussing these issues as well and will continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead.

• Driving Safety: During the first week of May, we learned how texting and driving is a symptom of a larger problem. We also provided links to resources so you can stay current on the different distracted driving rules by state.
• Summer Safety: Last month, we started talking about summer safety with a blog on Skin Cancer Awareness and what you can do to help reduce your risk.

Next time, we’ll look at some more issues related to summer safety.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

As the Accuform Social Media Specialist going on five years now, I’ve been tasked with building communities with those in the safety and facility identification industries. I help in finding new customers and keeping in touch with and educating existing customers.

In the marketing department in general, I help Accuform Signs communicate with the outside world through bulk emails, at trade shows, through producing different digital assets including videos, photos, blog and various other technical and web-related activities, and supporting our regional sales managers with various marketing materials.

We touch people from all walks of life including distributor partners and their sales associates, vendors, safety engineers, plant managers, continuous improvement officers, end-users and on and on. And this includes all kinds of different industries like petro-chemical, food processing, energy, automotive, mining and on and on. All have unique facilities geared to what they do specifically, and all need Accuform Signs for their facility identification.

1. With so many different people to communicate with
2. With so many different industries
3. With so many unique facilities
4. With so many different platforms and tools to educate from
5. I’m here to ask for YOUR help!

If you’ve never heard of a “brand advocate” or “brand champion”, this is someone who cheerleads for a specific brand, tells everyone they know how awesome this company is, how great they are to work for, and how cool their products are (in our case, our solutions save lives!)

Today, we have the power of a 300 person workforce to take the world by storm!

With your help in promoting the same company that you work for, it’s a win-win situation for everyone!

Are you social? Do you have a Facebook page? Have you “liked” our page? Have you shared our posts? Do you Twitter? Subscribed to our YouTube Channel? Commented on a blog? Shared a hyperlink?

Social sharing works exponentially. With 300 champions, and 500 within the next five years, we’re unstoppable!!!

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

I happen to be one of those people who seem to keep learning valuable life lessons regarding patience. I really don’t think I am ever going to ask for patience out loud again, as it seems that once I say it out loud, another lesson comes along to test it all over again. After all, I asked for it.

Were you raised hearing the saying, “If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself?” I was! 

And…let’s face it, in life, people will let you down from time to time, which only makes it seem evident that this mantra is true. As a result, you might expect delays, disappointment and lack-luster involvement from others in the future. So… you might as well just go ahead and get it done – YOURSELF!

Hey, this makes for a great leader, right? Well, yes and no. We need leaders in all walks of life, but the best way to lead is by example. Teaching others how to work together for the greater good of the group, be it our family at home or our work family, will help to strengthen the team and create an atmosphere where people are willing and welcome to step up and pitch in.

If you tend to be quick to say, “I’ll do it,” the best advice I can give is to, “take a breath.” Are you in such a hurry (impatient?) that you end up taking on more than you can handle because you sometimes feel you just can’t ‘depend on someone else’ to do their part of the project? Is that “someone else” perfectly capable and willing, but you aren’t giving them their chance?    

If so, you could actually be preventing others from achieving and also gaining a sense of personal satisfaction and gratification. Additionally, others might have a great idea you hadn’t even thought of!  Yes, it’s true!!!

Today, I’d like to mention another method to include others in some processes and projects that you might otherwise take on yourself. This year at Accuform Signs, I have really tried to improve upon setting deadline goals for group projects. We are blessed to work for a company that is SUPER busy, and… in a setting where everyone is caught up in the whirlwind of work, it is likely that tasks will get set aside for other important assignments, duties and projects. Prioritization is a challenge.

This year, I am gaining success in handling group project assignments by setting goals for completion and getting ‘buy-in’ from the others involved on that timeframe. I hope that I will soon be able to communicate that some of these projects have been completed by letting others get involved and relying on their expertise and strengths for an amazing outcome.

So, I would like to change the old saying, “If you want something done right, do it YOURSELF,” to, “If you want something done right, engage OTHERS and set reasonable deadlines.” By taking too much onto yourself, you may be taking away from others, as well as over-burdening what is probably already a very full plate. Why not share the sense of personal satisfaction with others? Then, remember to thank them and sincerely praise for a job well done!

They say there’s no “i” in team…. So here’s to working on self-improvement for the greater good of ourselves and those around us!

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Accuform has been known for giving back to its employees through events like the Anniversary Luncheon and to the community through company-wide volunteer projects each December. 

Now, Accuform is inspiring its employees to give back during all seasons.

The new program encourages employees to spend a paid day volunteering for an organization of their choice. The eight-hour day can be completed all at once or split up as seen fit.

This program not only benefits the local community but also helps Accuform employees to feel like they are an integral force within that community. Volunteering has shown to increase self-confidence and provide more meaning to your life. Finding an organization that you have a personal connection to can help ensure that both parties gain the most out of the experience, transforming not just our own lives but those we are helping. Volunteering not only enables you to learn more about the inner workings of a cause you are interested in but to develop a lasting relationship with other like-minded individuals. 

People volunteer for a number of reasons. No matter what these are, skills learned by volunteers can be brought back to the workplace. Some of these include teamwork, dependability, and time management.

Interested in volunteering?

There are most likely a number of local options to choose from. Good places to contact include community centers, libraries, non-profits, after-school programs, local parks/preserves, and animal shelters. Try visiting Volunteer Match to search for opportunities in your area.

Some organizations simply require showing up whereas others may require a training period. This information can usually be found on the organization’s website and it’s up to the individual to decide what level of commitment they are looking to make. 

Many Accuform employees have already taken part in the new program and we are looking forward to watching it grow.

Have you ever volunteered before? Where? What experiences did you gain from giving back?

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

The footage and aftermath of the tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla. on May 20 has stunned and saddened the nation. The E5 tornado with winds over 200 mph devastated more than 17 miles of community, according to The Weather Channel.  

Although tornadoes of this magnitude are rare, this tragedy has left many people asking what steps they can take to prepare for a tornado situation.

Have a communications plan

Depending on when disaster strikes, family members may not be together. FEMA recommends having a communications plan so that each family member knows how to reach the other.

• Identify a friend or relative who lives out-of-state that all family members can contact to notify they are safe.
• Ensure everyone knows the emergency contact's phone number and has a phone, pre-paid card or coins available to make the call.
• Program the ICE (In Case of Emergency) number in your phone. If you are unable to make the call yourself, emergency personnel often check ICE listings in your phone.
• Teach all family members how to text. During network disruptions, texts have a better chance of getting through than a phone call.

To get started, use the FEMA Family Emergency Plan template, a free tool to help you organize your information.

Secure your home

Whether you live in tornado alley or simply want to know how to prepare in case of an extreme weather situation in your area, the American Red Cross offers several suggestions for preparing your residence for a tornado. These include:

• During storms, stay tuned into local news or radio for tornado watches and warnings.
• Have a safe room or gathering area. If there is not a basement or storm cellar, choose an interior room free of windows on the lowest floor.
• Practice tornado drills periodically.
• Trim back branches and remove damaged tree limbs.
• Secure any lawn furniture or objects – such as trash cans or potted plants – that could become projectiles.

For more information, visit OSHA’s Tornado Preparedness and Response page. Listed there are resources ranging from basic supply kit lists and safety checklists to additional links for more reading.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Moore, Okla. residents as they begin the difficult task of picking up the pieces and rebuilding their community.

About Accuform Signs

 Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

When you're in the business of selling products and services, it's all about the level of service customers have come to deserve and expect. It matters not what you sell. Taking care of the customers is #1 priority. This keeps them coming back for more.

Do you sell computers, tablets, cell phones, printers, planes, trains, automobiles or Facility Identification safety signs?

Your customer will come back to buy additional services if they're treated right and your customer service employees exceed their expectations. What I mean by exceeding expectations is to provide them something they would want and be useful for them without asking you. That is going above and beyond and at that point the customer can feel how much you care about their business. It is only at that point the relationship between service provider and customer begins to change.

Exceeding the customer’s expectations is a game changer and helps cement the trust and confidence relationship that your customers have in your people and your products. When this happens your customers will always return for additional future business. We also want to offer the very best price on all of our products and services at every single transaction. We don’t want to give the customer any excuse to have to go to a competitor for their products or services.

The Accuform Account Managers strive daily to exceed the customer expectations with the products and services that we offer. We may even go far overboard to satisfy the customer which will leave them with an impression of how hard we will work to regain their trust and confidence in Accuform products.

Is it important to exceed customer’s expectations for repeat business? I would be curious about your thoughts.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

On April 23, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued the final rule requiring demolition and underground construction to follow the same requirements established by the final rule for Cranes and Derricks in Construction, published in August 2010.

Previously, OSHA had separate standards for underground and demolition work involving cranes and derricks.

Now, those standards have been eliminated, and the same rules applying to other crane and derrick construction sectors are now the same for underground construction and demolition.

Common Hazards and Signage Solutions

The hazards associated with cranes and derricks in construction can range from tipping caused by unstable loads to encountering buried electrical cables. Both the operators as well as the ground workers nearby can be affected by these risks.

• For ground workers, Crane Overhead and Swing Radius signs can help remind them to stay clear and be alert that cranes and derricks are operating nearby.
• For operators, High Voltage signs and markings alerting them to stay at least 20 feet away from power lines can help them adhere to regulations and operate at a safe working distance.
• For both ground workers and operators, Crane Hand Signal wallet cards can provide immediate reminders for standard communication signals.

For More Information

If you want to learn more about cranes and derricks, associated hazards and solutions, and OSHA regulations, please visit the following:

• OSHA's web page on Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety
• The OSHA Construction eTool on Cranes and Derricks
• The August 2010 Final Rule for Cranes and Derricks in Construction
• The OSHA news release announcing the latest ruling
• The final rule for Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Underground Construction and Demolition

The final rule takes effect May 23, 2013.

About Accuform Signs

 Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

It’s important to eat healthy and exercise regularly, but some people find it hard to do so while on a tight budget. Finding the right item in the produce aisle for your grocery list can be difficult if you are looking for things like ripeness, flavor and affordability. But, it can be done.

When making out your grocery list, be sure to include produce that are currently “IN SEASON”. Every produce aisle contains products that may or may not be in season so the prices can vary considerably if they aren’t.  

So, here is a guide to help you find the healthiest produce for you and your family this summer at the right price.

Apricots – harvested in late Spring, this sweet fruit contains carotenes to help prevent cancer and also contains hefty amounts of Vitamin A & C.

Blueberries – low in saturated fat, these berries are a great topping for waffles, cheesecakes and also used for jellies and jams.

Cantaloupes – very low in calories and contains Vitamins A & C. Slice up this melon and include it in a fruit salad for your summer get together.

Corn – popular in the summer, this yellow veggie contains B Vitamins, folate, beta-carotene and fiber. Try it out as a topping for a homemade pizza or grill out with corn on the cob for the 4^th of July.

Mangoes – this super fruit contains a large amount of Vitamin C. Cut up a fresh mango and sprinkle it over a nice chicken salad.

Peaches – rich in anti-oxidants, this delicious fruit has large amounts of Vitamin A, which is vital to our vision. It’s available all year round, but is freshest from May until October.

Tomatoes – raw or cooked, this delicious citrus fruit helps prevent DNA damage, reduces the risk for heart disease and also helps to reduce inflammation in the body. Be sure to check out your local farmers market for some fresh tomatoes this summer.

Watermelon – rich in electrolytes and low in calories, indulge in this tasty melon to keep cool on a hot summer day.

Zucchini – no fats or cholesterol, this veggie is also low in calories. Zucchini is great on the grill or steamed. Zucchini is also a great source of fiber and folate.

Exercise and diet are a huge part of our lives, and Accuform Signs is here to help make it easier with our WorkHealthy™ line of products. And make sure to update your Digi-Day™ with a new face this summer to keep things fresh in your facility.

Health Disclaimer

The information contained in this blog is presented in summary form only and intended to provide a basic understanding and knowledge of healthcare topics. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation, or advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. WorkHealthy does not recommend the self-management of health problems. Should you have any healthcare-related questions, please call or see your physician or other healthcare provider promptly.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Although the beginning of May brought historic amounts of snow to the Midwest, it also ushered in more warm weather for the south – especially Florida – reminding residents that summer is just around the corner.

Hotter temperatures and more intense rays should also signal the start of sunscreen season. Has the memory of sunburns and peeling skin from last summer faded?

Maybe this reminder will help: May is National Melanoma Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common cancer in the United States is skin cancer. So what can you do to protect yourself?

Some common-sense tips include:

• Cover up when you’re in the sun
• Stay in the shade if you can
• Use broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher
• Remember your hat before you walk out the door
• Slip on your sunglasses
• Avoid tanning beds

Beyond that, be aware of your personal risk. The CDC states that people with these characteristics are more prone to skin cancer and need to be extra cautious in the sun.

• A lighter natural skin color
• A personal history of skin cancer
• A family history of melanoma
• Exposure to the sun through work and play
• A history of sunburns early in life
• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun
• Blue or green eyes
• Naturally blond or red hair

UV rays are most intense in the late spring and early summer in the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. But don’t forget that you can also get sunburned on a cloudy day.

What precautions will you take this summer – that maybe you haven’t taken in the past?

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Are we addicted to information?

Back in January, I wrote a post called The Downside to the “Instant Everything” Culture of Our Day. Yesterday, I was out shopping and pulled out my phone only to discover that my email connection had stopped working. I found myself frustrated by the inconvenience.

Really?

Mobile devices not only go everywhere with us, but they also let us take everything with us. In doing so, they blur the boundaries between work and leisure, business and family time, common sense and safety.

Yes, common sense and safety. The words texting and driving do not belong in the same sentence, and yet, texting at the wheel is becoming a problem perhaps more pervasive than drinking and driving.

Clifford Nass is a communication professor at Stanford, and he made this observation. “We’ve got a large and growing group of people who think the slightest hint that something interesting might be going on is like catnip. They can’t ignore it.”

We have to retrain our thinking.

Some campaigns are trying to help.

AT&T encourages drivers to take their pledge to never text and drive. The company launched its “It Can Wait” campaign in 2009 and encourages customers to download their free DriveMode® app. When you are driving faster than 25 mph, this app will send an automatic reply to incoming texts to notify your friends that you are driving and won’t reply until you can safely do so. Check out the “It Can Wait” YouTube video on this campaign.

Allstate launched their X the TXT program as a national movement to stop texting and driving. The program encourages drivers to take the pledge to X the TXT and like the campaign on Facebook.

Perhaps the most recent campaign is one launched by CBS Radio’s AMP 97.1 on April 23. It’s a zombie-themed campaign called DriveAlive which asks drivers to sign an online Facebook pledge in exchange for contest giveaways.  

We have to take ownership.

Campaigns are fine, but ultimately, each of us has to make the decision …

… to leave our phone alone or turn it off when driving

… to ignore the simple notification that teases our curiosity

… to keep our eyes on the road and off our screens

Self-restraint is all that's required. But if you don’t trust yourself, try locking your phone in your trunk or glove compartment where it’s out of sight and out of mind.

We certainly can’t blame the bad choice to text and drive on a lack of information. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) keeps an updated list of Distracted Driving Laws by state on their website.  

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers a wealth of information, including a Distracted Driving Information Clearinghouse webpage that lists firms and organizations that are committed to consumer education and outreach.

Texting and driving... It can wait. This shouldn't just be an AT&T slogan. It should be something we tell ourselves every time we are tempted to take our eyes off the road.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Well, this is my 2^nd year attending Social Fresh East at the Tampa Doubletree Hotel. I live just an hour north of Tampa, and I’m blessed to have been a part of this conference both times.

I mention the Doubletree because they had us attendees promote their world-famous cookies; we tweeted a picture of their cookies, and we as a conference caused a temporary power failure which just added to the content being tweeted.   

This two-day occasion brings us some of the biggest names in social media and yep, you guessed it, freshest faces, too. Why our MC’s were none other than Sebastian Rusk of Social Buzz TV and Stephanie Wonderlin (now Wonderlin-Carls) of Tweetheart TV. Watch their intro of Jason Keath and Social Fresh East 2013.

But what’s most impressed me both years is the practical application information provided.

We, as social media specialists, marketing managers, brand managers, lobbyists, tech and Twitter nerds (in general) have been deluged over the past 5 years with theory – with terms like humanization, content, conversation and high-level ideas of what we’re supposed to be doing to help our brand succeed in social. We’ve been overrun with platforms that purport to help us produce results; tools that we can use to manage our time better and courses and consulting that we can purchase to get the job accomplished.

But in all of the webinars I’ve sat in on, all of the blog posts written by self-proclaimed gurus and rockstars, I was never really able to put together the answers to these $64,000 questions:

• How do I get in front of my audience?
• How can I get this all accomplished as efficiently as possible?
• What gives my offer value?

Well, I think Jason Keath, the founder of Social Fresh and the speakers that have graced us in Tampa have really finally answered those questions. Or maybe I’m just finally getting it.

1. How do I get in front of my audience? Well, first I have to define my audience and decide what it means to get in front of them. Is a blog the way to go? What channels do they congregate in? Who do they listen to? What are they following? When I can safely answer these questions, I can decide which content to post where and when. How can I serve them?
2. How can I get this all accomplished as efficiently as possible? We’ve learned over time where our audience congregates, but I’ve learned over time that it’s not about finding my audience and chucking up my junk for all to see. One by one, we have to establish relationships. If one marketer pushes their stuff on another marketer, and the other marketer responds likewise, they can friend, like or follow each other until the end of the age and never have accomplished a thing. So I think this question needs to be changed to a statement. Engage, one-by-one, with your audience and;
3. Offer them value. Jay Baer of Convince and Convert is calling it “Youtility” in his new book coming out in June. Chris Brogan calls it simply “Be Nice.” Don’t tell them about your product offering, but see what you can do for them – how you can serve your fellow man.

These ideas are timeless; they are biblical; they are karmic; they’re in every great piece of wisdom literature, including “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”

Read my Social Fresh East Wrap-Up from February 2012.

Bummed I missed Chris Penn this year. He's always good for an overwhelming presentation and topic.

So what does it mean to be social? What do and don’t we teach our children? Be nice. Don’t push. But do talk to strangers when it comes to social media. And add a smiley face. :)

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

What is the leading cause of stress in your life? April is National Stress Awareness Month and a good time for each of us to take a step back from our hectic schedules to examine the stress factors in our lives and how we can best respond to them.

According to the American Institute of Stress (AIS), stress is not something scientific or easily measurable, because it is changes from person to person. What stresses one person may not even cause someone else to flinch.

However, perhaps the most common cause for stress is change. Hans Selye understood this concept when he defined stress as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change.”

Common sources of stress

So what are the leading factors that contribute to stress? Livestrong.com identifies the top 10 causes of stress as follows:  

1. Childhood trauma
2. Death of a loved one
3. Divorce
4. Finances
5. Job
6. Health
7. Personal relationships
8. Chronically ill child
9. Pregnancy
10. Danger

Take time this month to honestly examine what causes you anxiety and what you can do to live a less stressful life.

Combat stress with humor

Maybe a little levity will help. April is also National Humor Month. If you’re in need of some humor or a good laugh, look no further than this list of bizarre April daily holidays. The list includes:

• April 2 – National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
• April 4 – Tell-A-Lie Day (Why would anyone encourage this?)
• April 15 – Rubber Eraser Day (Is there any relationship here to Tax Day?)
• April 24 – National Pigs-In-A-Blanket Day (Don't forget your condiments.)
• April 27 – Tell a Story Day (Eh-hem, a truthful story preferably)
• April 30 – National Honesty Day (Is this day designed to counteract Tell-A-Lie Day?)

No joke! Humor and laughter have positive, physical effects as well. The Mayo Clinic suggests laughter has short-term, as well as long-term benefits, that include an improved immune system, pain relief, and increased personal satisfaction.

Attitude really is everything

The lens through which we view life colors our outlooks. Charles Swindoll offered this definition of Attitude.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

How can a change of attitude change your day?

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Have you heard about Google’s augmented reality glasses, the Google Glass? Google has finally invented the future – the future we’ve been ready and waiting for.   

At the Glass homepage, click into either:

How it Feels With a virtual screen in front of you, and operating on voice activation, Glass can show you the time and temperature, record a video (as you’ll see in the video), pull-up images, take pictures and send messages. There’s even a Face-Time player (for lack of a better term) where people can see what you see when they’re not even there. Watch the cool action video.

What it Does Click into this portion to see what I wrote under “How it Feels” in a PDF slide-show presentation. Here, they also promote a GPS-type function and really harp on the “ask whatever’s on your mind” in a very Google-type fashion. How about a translator and arrival/departure schedule “…without having to ask.”

How to Get One Glass comes in 5 different colors - Charcoal, Tangerine, Shale, Cotton, Sky, but as you’ll see when you click the link, applications are now closed. If you decide to register for information, Google wants to know what you’ll be using it for; personal use, as a developer, industrial/business, research or other.

At Google’s Glass FAQ page, you’ll learn that:

• Glass is not indestructible – and you should try to keep it/them dry.
• Noise, bright days and sensitive areas or people may affect use-ability (and video monitoring).
• Glass could be distracting while driving a car or bike.
• “Glass isn’t for everyone.” Consult your doctor first.
• Glass isn’t PPE. It’s not made to protect your eyes.

Tech specs include:

• Adjustable nosepad and frame
• 5MP camera and 720p video
• Wifi enabled
• Bluetooth enabled
• 12 GB of storage and battery for a day

Want to know more, like how much they’re expected to cost? Gotta Be Mobile says that Google Glass cost $1,500 to new developers. An article in the Washington Post states “from around $250 to $600” for consumers - but that was prior to the end of 2012. If it’s true, I’ll be receiving mine once they start shipping.

Check out this article (and videos) from The Verge for documentation for the Mirror API for developers.

And yes, they will be available with prescriptions as well.

So, will you go Google Glass?

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Vitamins and minerals are similar to carbohydrates, protein and fats; they're all essential for your body to function properly. They help repair and grow cells in the body which allow you to perform daily tasks efficiently. Since the body doesn’t produce vitamins or minerals naturally, you need to acquire them from food, liquids and the other things in the environment.

There are two types of vitamins; fat soluble and water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins are absorbed into the tissues of the body and stored until they are needed. Water soluble vitamins can dissolve in water and help with metabolization. They are absorbed directly into the bloodstream and then excreted in the urine.  

Minerals are inorganic substances that compose about 4% of the human body. They help in cellular function which allows your body to move and grow.

In this blog, I am going to give you a general guide to some of the vitamins & minerals your body needs, what each of them do for you and where you can find them.

Vitamins & Minerals recommended from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (USFDA)

Calcium: a mineral that helps develop and maintain healthy bones and teeth. Also helps reduce blood pressure, and aids in hormone secretion. Found in milk and other dairy products like cheese and yogurt.

Folic Acid: a water soluble vitamin that helps aid in proper development during pregnancy and reduces the risk of heart disease. Found in fortified grains, asparagus, spinach, orange juice and lentils.

Iodine: this mineral is a crucial component of thyroid hormones and helps regulate body temperature, nerve and muscle function. Iodine is found in table salt, baked potatoes and canned tuna. Too much iodine can cause hyperthyroidism, goiters and GI complications.

Iron: you should only take iron supplements if you have been diagnosed with an iron deficiency. Iron is a mineral that carries oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our body. It can be found in papaya, oysters, kale, and cashews. See more on Iron.

Potassium: a macro-mineral and electrolyte that assists in heartbeat stabilization, and muscle function. It also helps to lower blood pressure, and helps with hydration. You can find potassium in bananas,  carrot juice, and yogurt.

Vitamin A: this vitamin is known to help with good vision. It encourages white & red blood cell activity and helps rebuild bones as well. This vitamin can be found in kale, eggs, raw carrots, and vanilla ice cream. Yes, that rights – ICE CREAM.

Vitamin B: there are two major B vitamins; B6 & B12. Show your employees how easy it is to get your B vitamins with our WorkHealthy banner.

• Vitamin B6 is a water soluble vitamin that aids in the sleeping process. It helps produce serotonin and also enhances cognitive and immune functions. This can be found in salmon, hazelnuts, cottage cheese and onions and apples.
• Vitamin B12 is also a water soluble vitamin that plays a role in metabolizing fatty and amino acids. As you get older, Vitamin B12 will become more important to you as it helps reduce memory loss, dementia, and anemia. You can find this vitamin in mussels, salmon, apples, skim milk, and poached eggs.

Vitamin C: This cancer reducing vitamin helps make collagen. It has lots of antioxidants and other immune boosting agents that help your body perform properly. This helpful vitamin can be found in citrus products like orange juice and red peppers. Accuform offers a WorkHealthy poster that stresses the importance of Orange Juice in your daily diet.

Vitamin D: Do you like fun in the sun? Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is activated by sunlight but be sure to wear your sunscreen. You can also find Vitamin D in salmon and egg yolks.

Vitamin E: is a fat soluble vitamin that helps with cell signaling, gene expression and metabolic processes. It’s found in sunflower seeds, almonds, broccoli, and tomato.

Vitamin K: this fat soluble vitamin helps with wound repair and bone development. It helps with blood clotting and can be found in parsley, kale, and collards.

Zinc: is an essential mineral that is involved with numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. It plays a role in protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, cell division and also helps with your taste buds and sense of smell.

I hope you've gained some helpful information. For more information on daily intake of vitamins and minerals, please feel free to visit CDC or consult your doctor.

Health Disclaimer

The information contained in this blog is presented in summary form only and intended to provide a basic understanding and knowledge of healthcare topics. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation, or advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. WorkHealthy does not recommend the self-management of health problems. Should you have any healthcare-related questions, please call or see your physician or other healthcare provider promptly.

References:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/271425-why-are-vitamins-important-to-your-body/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/70232-vitamins-apple/

http://greatist.com/health/ultimate-guide-vitamins-and-minerals

http://www.fda.gov/

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) celebrated the 35-year anniversary of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. This act came in response to tragic mining accidents and demanded more protection for mining workers.

Thirty-five years later, a decrease in mining-related deaths speaks to the impact this legislation has made. MSHA statistics show that 273 mining deaths occurred in 1977. Last year, there were 35.

How can signage contribute to mine safety?

Mines present numerous hazards, especially from smoking and open flames. Related hazards include spillage, combustible materials and flammable liquids.

MSHA’s web page on warning signs identifies the types of signs that should be posted in mining areas and what provisions they must meet. The web page offers the following checklist to determine sign placement and help ensure compliance.

• Are warning signs posted near storage and dispensing areas for flammable or combustible liquids?
• Are warning signs posted near storage and dispensing areas for grease?  Although greases may be more difficult to ignite than flammable liquids, once ignited they burn intensely and are difficult to extinguish.
• Are warning signs posted near storage areas for flammable gases?
• Are warning signs posted near areas where flammable or combustible liquids or flammable gases are used or transported in a manner that could create a fire hazard?
• Are signs posted in vehicles transporting flammable liquids, for persons who smoke, that such transport could create a fire or explosion hazard? 
• Are the signs readily visible to all persons in the area and adequate to warn persons of the hazardous area?

Accuform Signs offers flammable warning signs, as well as no smoking signs, to assist with compliance. For more information, visit our website at accuform.com.

Thanks to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, the number of mine-related deaths has decreased dramatically. However, one death is one too many. Choose safety signage to help identify mine safety hazards and help prevent unnecessary injuries.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Innovation: the act or process of inventing or introducing something new

We Are ALL Innovators!

Accuform has 300 employees. So, we have 300 innovators. Yes, YOU are an innovator. Sure, your job description may be “Purchasing Agent” or “Finisher”, or “Shipping Clerk”… but that doesn’t change the fact that you are a force of innovation, change, and progress.

As human beings, we have been created to be creative. Everyone, and again, I stress - EVERYONE is creative. Some of us are more creative than others, just as some of us are better with numbers, machines, or people.

Nevertheless, human beings are natural problem solvers. Throughout our history we have designed tools and systems that have made our lives more productive, safer, and more enriched.

When we are talking about New Product Innovation, what we’re talking about is the art of being human.

As you go about your day, think about ways in which a process can be made smoother. Can this save money? Will this make my job easier? Also, you can think of ways our products can be improved. Could we make this product in a less costly way? Is there something we could do to enrich the customer’s job, or even make their life easier? If you figure that out, then you’ve got a golden goose!

It’s not JUST about making money, though – it’s about making the world a better, safer place.

The Economics of Innovation

While our mission is to Inform, Protect, and Motivate the global workforce, we recognize that if we are going to accomplish that mission – particularly the “global” aspect – we must be about the business of making new products, selling those products, manufacturing those products, and ultimately turning a profit!

A profit is like a dirty word, isn’t it? Nobody likes to talk about it. We tend to associate it with corporate power and uncharitable shareholders who like to hoard their vast wealth. 

I can assure that’s not the case with Accuform. In fact, profit should be our FAVORITE word, because the owners of Accuform have consistently (and often extravagantly) invested their profits BACK INTO the company.

This means two things that are AWESOME for us… (1) More Jobs for our local community, and (2) Better jobs, better benefits, and a better place to work!

Profits are what keep this ship afloat, and they continue to fund our journey to becoming to the world’s greatest safety identification supplier.

Profits from increased sales and increased production have allowed us to be generous in our community. They have also afforded us the opportunity to build a state-of-the-art, 280,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and world headquarters – scheduled to break ground this year!

It’s very exciting to think about how ALL of our jobs and lives will be enriched by the formation of this new building. New products (created by you) will help fund this venture. The profits gained are invested back into the company. That’s why it’s OUR responsibility to keep the engine of innovation turning.

The Temptation to Stall

The mission is clear – make new products that Inform, Protect, and Motivate the global workforce – and in turn, make the world a better, safer place. However, there is a very real temptation that awaits us.

You see, we’ve had a little success. We’ve won some awards. We’ve grown a lot. At this point, we might begin to think that we’ve pretty much got this whole “safety sign thing” down.

I would encourage us to never lose the competitive spirit. Every sign we ship put of this building with Accuform’s trademark customer service and attention-to-detail production quality, is a sign of our own job security. It means that nobody else is going to do it like us. But there are other company’s out there waiting for us to slip (some are ankle biters and some are real threats)… waiting for our shipping time to sink… waiting for our quality to become rushed and flawed… waiting for our customer service to become impatient and rude.

Those are obvious temptations and I’m sure we think about them every day. However, less obvious temptations would be to assume that every new idea has been explored… every new product has been tried… every new process has been examined. We must not hesitate to speak-up when inspiration strikes. We must press-on and continue to be the leaders in innovation that our customers have expected from us for more than 30 years.

In closing, I just want to remind that you that many of our most-popular products were at one time just ideas scribbled on a piece of paper, by people just like you. In fact, sometimes the ones who are closest to the products have the best ideas.

Maybe you’ve seen a special order that you think could be sold in the catalog. Maybe you were asked to quote a special material or custom project that could be turned into a new product. Maybe a customer has asked you for something, but you had to say, “sorry, we do not make/sell those”.

There are new product ideas all around us. Often though, we get so wrapped up in our day-to-day tasks that we forget to make a note or pass along this information to the people who can run with it. If you are unsure how to share your idea, here are a couple of tips:

1. Write it down. Post-It note. Email to someone. Describe your new idea in a few words.
2. Draw it, sketch it, photograph it, whatever… as they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words”
3. Drop your idea into the Accuform “feedback” box.
4. I promise that these boxes are checked frequently. Your recommendations are taken seriously and get sent to the right people. If the idea is for a new product, that person will be me. You can also call, email, or visit me in person and we can sketch your idea on the white board in my office.

Thanks for reading. Remember, when it comes to innovation… YES WE CAN!

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.