Safety Tips

Management Edition

Motorcycle Safety

As you may have already 1. Over half of all fatal intersection or into or out P.A. Post Agency offers noticed, we are well into the motorcycle crashes of a driveway, predict a unsurpassed resources to season when motorcyclists are involve another vehicle. motorcycle is closer than assist in your commitment out in full force. Fatal There are a lot more cars, it looks. to safety and loss control. crashes with motorcycles are buses and trucks than 4. Motorcyclists often slow on the rise, so we need to motorcycles on the road, If there are any questions by downshifting or merely make sure our drivers are and some drivers don't please contact us. rolling off of the throttle, more aware of motorcyclists in “recognize” or “see” a thus not activating the order to prevent crashes and motorcycle. brake light. Allow more injuries. There were 4,668 2. Because of its narrow following distance behind motorcyclists killed in traffic profile, a motorcycle can a motorcyclist. At Inside this issue: crashes in 2013, which be easily hidden in a intersections, predict a accounted for 14 percent of all vehicles blind spot or motorcyclist may slow highway fatalities that year. masked by objects or down without visual Motorcycle Safety 1 “Motorcycle season” will backgrounds outside of warning. continue well into the Fall, so the vehicle (bushes, remind drivers to remain 5. Motorcyclists often adjust Create a Winning 1 fences, bridges, etc.). vigilent in keeping a close position within a lane to Safety Program Take an extra moment to lookout. be seen more easily and look for motorcycles, to minimize the effects of This article provides some whether you’re changing road debris, passing useful information and lanes or turning at vehicles and wind. strategies that you should intersections. Understand that they are share with your drivers to 3. Because of its small size, adjusting lane position for Quick Tips help do our part in sharing a motorcycle may look a purpose, not to be the road and keeping our farther away than it is. It reckless or show off or roadways safe. Be accessible to may also be difficult to allow you to share the employees. Ten Things to Know About judge a motorcycle’s lane with them. Motorcycles Employees should be speed. When checking Motorcycle (Continued on Page 2) able to ask you traffic to turn at an questions and make informal comments about safety issues Create a Winning Safety Program and concerns. Your willingness to listen A business can respond to safety risks. an unqualified or unrelia- occupational risks in a more ble service provider can Here are five strategies that attentively and respond timely and efficient manner have disastrous results. will help you create a winning appropriately is a when it is proactive and pre- Partner with seasoned safety program. And the major incentive for pared. Just as coaches need first-aid providers, fire catch? It’s not much different employees to put safety to prepare teams for the next extinguisher and fire sys- from coaching a football team. first. opponent, safety directors tem professionals, and must train and equip employ-  Work with seasoned ref- hazardous waste contac- ees with a strong defense erees and coaches. Put- tors. against potential ting safety in the hands of Winning (Continued on Page 2)

Our office also writes Personal Lines, Employee Benefits, and Life Insurance. If you are interested in a quote, please let us know! 2

Management Edition

Motorcycle (Continued from Page 1) SEE: A Strategy for Commercial Additional Keys for Motorcycle 6. Turn signals on a motorcycle Vehicle Operators Safety usually are not self-canceling, thus Operating a commercial vehicle is not a Here are some additional keys for some riders (especially beginners) passive activity. It's a complex task commercial vehicle drivers with an eye sometimes forget to turn them off that involves more than just knowing toward protecting one particular after a turn or lane change. Make how to use the accelerator, brakes and vulnerable party – motorcyclists: sure the motorcycle’s signal is for steering. Commercial vehicle operators real. require visual, cognitive and motor  Look for Motorcyclists – Use your eyes and mirrors to see what’s 7. Maneuverability is one of a skills. These three distinct skills are transformed into three easily around, and check your blind motorcycle’s better characteristics, spots when you’re changing lanes especially at slower speeds and understood terms: Search, Evaluate and Execute (SEE). or turning at intersections. Look, with good road conditions, but and look again. don't expect a motorcyclist to  Search means to actively scan and always be able to dodge out of the identify factors that could create  Focus on Driving – Avoid way. increased risk distractions and drive. When turning, be aware of and look 8. Stopping distance for motorcycles  Evaluate means to consider closely for tough-to-see is nearly the same as a regular car, potential problems arising from the motorcycles. but slippery pavement makes interaction of those factors stopping quickly difficult. Allow  Use Your Turn Signal – Signal your more following distance behind a  Execute refers to the physical intentions early for everyone’s motorcycle because you can’t motor skills used to prevent or safety. always stop “on a dime.” avoid the resulting hazards  Give Motorcycle’s More Room – 9. When a motorcycle is in motion, SEE is an active, thinking strategy that Don't tailgate or pass too closely. see more than the motorcycle – see places responsibility on the the person under the helmet, who commercial vehicle operator to reduce  Take Your Time – Nothing is as could be your friend, neighbor or the risk by creating time and space in important as the safety of your relative. order to control a personal margin of loved ones, yourself, passengers, and others with whom you share 10.If a driver crashes into a safety. All commercial vehicle drivers the road. motorcyclist, bicyclist or should use SEE which, due to its simplicity and effectiveness, can prove pedestrian and causes serious All these principles can be boiled down to be beneficial in reducing traffic injury, the driver would likely to this paraphrase of the golden rule: collisions. never forgive himself/herself. Drive near others as you would have others driver near you

Winning (Continued from Page 1) pheres, gloves and safety for TRANSNEWS is a publica- handling chemicals and equipment, and  Practice. Employees must regularly tion of Post Financial Ser- any other PPE identified on your job update their safety skills. This can be vices Group, L. L. C. hazard analyses and PPE assessments. achieved through regular training ses- If you have any questions sions using a combination of web-based  Develop a strong defense. Workplace or comments about this training, safety videos, hands-on train- first-aid cabinets and vehicle first-aid newsletter, or any ideas for ing and many instructor-led formats. kits help reduce the effects of common future issues of SAFETY Training should address specific indus- ailments by providing quick treatment. TIPS, contact Brad Post at: try hazards and should occur when new Stock cabinets and first aid kits with members join the company, as a re- bandages, aspirin, antibiotic ointment [email protected] fresher for veteran employees, as a need and a solution for diabetic reactions. for remedial training or corrective ac- This can limit the need for additional tions and if regulations change. treatment and in some cases lost work- days.  Wear protective gear. Encourage workers to put on PPE before performing Like a football team, to be successful, a potentially dangerous job tasks. This workplace must be equipped with the proper includes safety glasses when potential preventive tools. Training, PPE and emer- eye hazards exist, helmets and gency response equipment must be part of We’re on the Web! flame flame-resistant clothing when every safety manager’s playbook. welding, hearing protection in noisy are- www.papost.com as, respirators in hazardous atmos-

Safety Tips

Driver Edition

Texting and Driving

P.A. Post Agency offers As commercial vehicle country’s top killers. Texting While Driving is: unsurpassed resources to drivers, we understand that Drivers assume they can  About 6 times more assist in your commitment the use of handheld devices handle texting while driving likely to cause an to safety and loss control. while operating our and remain safe, but the If there are any questions accident than driving commercial vehicles is numbers don't lie. please contact us. intoxicated illegal. But we still need to Texting While Driving be aware of the other  The same as driving Causes: drivers on the road and after having four beers their possible/probable use  1,600,000 accidents per TRANSNEWS is a publica-  The number one driving and what we can do to help year tion of Post Financial Ser- distraction by teen bolster safety on the road. vices Group, L. L. C.  330,000 injuries per drivers If you have any questions Frightening Numbers year or comments about this Texting While Driving newsletter, or any ideas for Texting while driving is a  11 teen deaths everyday  Makes you 23 times future issues of SAFETY growing trend, and a TIPS, contact Brad Post at:  Nearly 25% of ALL car more likely to crash national epidemic, quickly accidents [email protected] becoming one of the Texting (Continued on Page 2) Drive Cautiously on Wet Roads

Rainy weather can pose a When pavement is wet, roadways with significant serious hazard to all motor tires may lose contact with rain water runoff. vehicle drivers. According the road and prevent the In wet conditions, the to a Federal Motor Carrier vehicle from braking or Inside this issue: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration steering properly, possibly Safety Administration report, rainfall and wet resulting in a collision. recommends decreasing the Texting and Driving 1 pavement are the two most This situation is worse on vehicles speed by half and common adverse weather wet leaves, during the first doubling the following conditions affecting fleet 10 minutes of rainfall when Drive Cautiously on 1 distance. Drivers should Wet Roads and commercial drivers, the water mixes with keep the reduced speed for accounting for 60 percent pavement oils, creating a Buckle Up 2 30 minutes or longer after of all weather-related slippery roadway, and rain stops to ensure the fatalities. during heavy rainfall or Wet Roads (Continued on Page 2) 2

Driver Edition August 2015

Texting (Continued from Page 1) road. It’s our job to provide the  Vehicles that are not keeping  Is the same as driving blind for safest transportation to our consistent speeds – slowing and 5 seconds at a time customers and to be the expert on speeding erratically the road when driving with other   Vehicles with quick acceleration Takes place by 800,000 drivers vehicles. As the professionals on or deceleration at any given time across the the road, we need to be aware of country signs and symptoms that other  Vehicles driving slowly in the  Slows your brake reaction speed vehicles may be using handheld left lane devices while operating their by 18%  Vehicles that turn abruptly or vehicles so that we can take proper  Leads to a 400% increase with illegally precautions. Here are some eyes off the road common signs and symptoms to be  Vehicles with slow responses to Signs of Handheld Devices Being on the lookout for: traffic signals Used While Driving  Vehicles that are weaving,  Vehicles with drivers whose As professional drivers we spend a drifting or speeding head is nodding up and down significant portion of our day on the

Wet Roads (Continued from Page 1) Buckle Up pavement has had time to dry.

NHTSA recommends taking the Statistics indicate that 48 percent No one can tell that I’m not following actions if your vehicle of commercial vehicle drivers wearing my safety belt. Why begins to hydroplane or buckle up. That number is way to bother? low. Do something about it. experience control issues in rainy  Safety belts – the most effective weather: Is it really necessary? safety devices in vehicles – are estimated to save over 13,000  Do not use the brakes to slow Someone dies in a crash every lives each year. down – release the accelerator hour in North America just to naturally slow down and because they didn’t buckle their  50 percent of commercial allow the wheels to turn freely. safety belt. If that’s not reason drivers killed in crashes were  With an automatic enough to wear your safety belt, not wearing safety belts. then consider this: failure to transmission, down-shift one  One in four drivers killed in buckle up contributes to more gear to slow down. crashes were ejected from the fatalities than any other single vehicle.  With standard transmission, traffic safety-related behavior. shift to neutral or depress the And, in many states, it’s the law.  Staying belted helps you clutch to allow the wheels to maintain control of the vehicle turn freely and maneuver out My safety belt is not very when it is most needed. of a skid. comfortable. Millions of people have grown  The emotional and financial accustomed to wearing safety costs of unecessary injury or belts. If your safety belt causes death to your family and severe discomfort, do something employer are devastating. about it. There are ways to make a belt more comfortable.

Safety Tips

Workplace Safety Edition

Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety

P.A. Post Agency offers Mishandling compressed gas with a chain or strap in a dangerous gas buildup. unsurpassed resources to cylinders – which can have proper cylinder cart.  Use proper warning signs assist in your commitment internal pressure of up to  Store cylinders at least in areas where cylinders to safety and loss control. 2,500 pounds per square 20 feet from combustible are stored. If there are any questions inch – can be disastrous. materials in a dry, please contact us. Dropping, tipping over, or  Keep cylinders in a ventilated place. exposing a cylinder to heat location free from vehicle can cause weaknesses or  Keep oxygen cylinders at traffic, excessive heat and cracks in the cylinder’s shell, least 20 feet from fuel gas electrical circuits. which can result in a cylinders. TRANSNEWS is a publica- shrapnel-laden explosion,  Keep empty cylinders tion of Post Financial Ser-  Ensure valves are away from full ones. vices Group, L. L. C. according to the American completely closed and Welding Society. Moving If you have any questions any protection devices or comments about this Storing are secured. The majority of incidents and newsletter, or any ideas for injuries involving gas When storing compressed future issues of SAFETY  Avoid storing cylinders in cylinders occur during TIPS, contact Brad Post at: cylinders, AWS recommends: enclosed lockers – a leak handling or transportation. [email protected]  Secure cylinders upright could result in a CGC Safety (Continued on Page 2)

Eye Safety

According to the Center for critical that workers protect concrete, metal, wood Disease Control and their eyes on-the-job and and other particles) Prevention (CDC), more than recognize hazards so that  Chemicals (splashes and 100 of the 2,000 workplace necessary precautions can be fumes) eye injuries that occur each taken to reduce the risk of day, results in one or more injury.  Radiation (especially Inside this issue: days of lost work time. The Jobs and activities that visible light, CDC also reports that in pose a danger to your eyes radiation, heat or addition to more common eye infrared radiation) Compressed Gas 1 Cylinder Safety injuries caused by projectiles Many job activities have the or burns, workers are at risk potential to cause eye  Bloodborne pathogens (hepatitis or HIV) from Eye Safety 1 of acquiring infections and injuries; common causes of diseases through touching eye injuries include: bodily fluids including the eyes with contaminated blood  Projectiles (dust, hands or other objects. It is Eye Safety (Continued on Page 2) 2

Workplace Safety Edition

CGC Safety (Continued from Page 1)  Follow proper procedures and use  Use a cart or hand truck instead To help prevent incidents when the right equipment, including of dragging or rolling cylinders. moving cylinders, AWS offers the safety glasses, heavy-duty gloves  Use proper cradles, nets or following tips: and protective footwear. platforms if using a crane.  Handle cylinders with care and  Ensure safety measures, such as  Avoid lifting cylinders by their avoid dropping or hitting them caps or guards, are securely caps or guards or with magnets or against anything. installed. slings, which can damage the valves.

Eye Safety (Continued from Page 1) and . professional as soon as possible since an injury may not be immediately Activities with elevated eye injury Janitorial Work and Cleaning: obvious. Until a medical professional risks and recommended protective Infectious diseases can be transmitted can be seen, heed the advice below. eye through the mucous membranes of Vehicle Repair: Mechanics are more the eyes as a result of direct exposure Do: or from touching the eyes with likely than the average worker to be  Protect the eye from further contaminated fingers or objects. The injured on the job; contact with damage by holding a folded cloth infections can range from relatively objects and equipment, such as parts over the eye, having it act as a minor to more serious diseases such and materials, represent a significant shield. hazard. Eye injuries can occur as a as HIV, Hepatitis B or possibly result of sparks from cutting torches influenza. Protective  Seek eye care immediately. and airborne pieces of metal launched includes: , safety glasses with  Bandage any cuts around the eye from bench grinders. Protective side shields and face shields. to prevent contamination or eyewear includes: goggles and safety Prevention infection. glasses with side shields. The use of proper eye protection, such  Flush the eye with water in case Metal Work, Carpentry and as safety glasses, goggles, face shields of a chemical burn or if there is Fabrication: Eye injuries are most and helmets can prevent countless small debris in the eye. likely to result from work that eye injuries. The right eye protection generates flying particles, fragments, for each work situation depends upon  Use a cold compress to treat a sparks, dust, hazardous substances the type of hazard, the circumstances blunt trauma injury such as a or radiation. Tasks with the highest of exposure, other protective black eye, but be careful not to risk of eye injuries are grinding, equipment used and individual vision apply any additional pressure. welding and hammering. Other high- needs. Safety eyewear protection Don’t: risk activities including: cutting, includes: drilling, spraying, sanding, chipping  Do not remove any objects that  Non-prescription and prescription and chiseling. Protective eyewear are stuck in the eye as this could safety glasses includes: goggles, safety glasses with worsen the injury. side shields and face shields.  Goggles  Do not wash eye out when dealing Welding: Chemical burns to one or  Face Shields with cuts or punctures to eye. both eyes from splashes of chemicals and cleaning products are common.  Welding helmets  Do not attempt to self-medicate, Thermal burns to the eye occur as apply ointments or take any  Full-face respirators well. Among welders, their assistants medications, including over-the- and nearby workers, UV radiation Do’s and Don’ts of Emergency Eye counter drugs. burns (welder’s flash) routinely Care  Do not rub the eye or apply damage workers’ eyes and If an eye accident occurs, see a pressure. Doing so may cause surrounding tissue. Protective medical doctor or eye care more damage. eyewear includes: Welding goggles Distracted Driving What’s the Whole Picture

What aren’t you seeing?

See the whole picture

Distraction involves a diversion of attention from driving, because the driver is temporarily focused on an object, person, task, or event not related to driving, which reduces the driver’s awareness, decision- making, and/or performance, leading to an increased risk of corrective actions, near- crashes or crashes.

One International Blvd. Suite 405 Mahwah, NJ 07495

Insuring the industry that moves America