Proforma Safety Blog

Button Batteries Are Everywhere…Accessible to Children

Posted by proforma on April 30, 2011  |  No Comments

Batteries are becoming tinier, and more dangerous. A child that swallows a button battery can suffer chemical burns to his/her throat within two hours if the button becomes lodged. But children’s toys are required to have screw locked battery compartments to prevent
access, right? Right. But look around your home…remote controls, game controls, musical greeting cards, bathroom scales, hearing aids and watches have button batteries and are not required to meet those same requirements. Test your knowledge of button battery safety with this simple Consumer Product Safety Commission Quiz.

Safe Loading, Unloading When Using a Forklift

Posted by proforma on April 30, 2011  |  No Comments

forklift safety advisory.

When loading and unloading using a forklift, remember they behave differently when carrying a load!
- Do not overload the forklift
- Approach the load slowly & carefully
- Keep the mast in vertical position
- Space forks to distribute weight evenly
- Approach load & drop-off area at right angles
- After properly loaded, tilt mast back to stabilize the load
- Raise the load only enough to prevent dragging
- Position the mast vertically over the unloading spot
- Lower the load and reverse slowly, watch for rear swing, don’t drag the forks
- When unloading trailers - chock the wheels, set brakes and use jacks

Business Travel Has Health Risks, Says This Study

Posted by proforma on April 30, 2011  |  No Comments

With businesses becoming increasingly global, it seems more of our family and friends are traveling on business, with deleterious effects on their health. Those who travel extensively — 20 days per month — reported high rates of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

A study recently published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine used data on more than 13,000 employees. As the amount of travel increased, so also did the rates of less than good health. Extensive travelers were 92 percent more likely to be obese, and 260 percent more likely to rate their health as fair to poor, compared to light travelers (one to six nights per month).