• The importance of safety and security signs at a workplace

    Workplace mishaps can be hazardous, and employees’ safety is an employer’s responsibility as per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) norms. Safety and security signs are an easy but effective way of keeping employees aware of the various hazards that can occur at the workplace and how to avoid them. Here are three primary reasons why a workplace should have safety signs.

    Educational purposes
    When an employee is aware of a potential hazard, they will take conscious steps to keep away. Safety and security signs act as the first point of interaction through which new employees get acquainted with the workplace and areas that can be potentially dangerous. If your workplace has new employees joining every now and then, safety signs can also act as an on-boarding element.

    Adherence to legalities
    The law requires every workplace to have safety and security signs at places that pose a risk to employees’ safety. These signs should be clear, legible, strategically placed so that they are easily visible, and well-maintained. OSHA violations can lead to regulatory and legal repercussions, including the following:

    • Notice
      OSHA inspectors may send notices to warn companies that are not compliant with mandatory signage and environmental control regulations
    • Fines
      Heavy fines can be imposed on companies that are found to be seriously violating the laws
    • Revoked license
      A company can have its license revoked and its business shut down if found to be repeatedly and willfully violate OSHA, ANSI, and other regulatory agents’ mandates
    • Criminal prosecution
      This is the most extreme OSHA penalty and is charged when an employer is considered to have willfully neglected safety standards, leading to a worker’s death

    Preventive measure
    Safety and security signs can act as a preventive measure at workplaces with hazardous areas and dangerous chemicals’ usage. These signs advise workers to take action to avoid a particular risk. For example, a sign can advise workers to wear safety goggles to dodge flying chips or wear gloves to prevent the skin from coming in contact with harmful chemicals. Some signs are used to convey that a particular area has restricted access (only for employees). Such signs are meant to keep customers from entering areas with equipment or machinery.

    The importance of safety and security signs cannot be understated, and they should be considered an important part of an organization’s safety program. Complying with OSHA and ANSI signage standards also helps your business communicate its value for the employees, supporting safe and secure jobs.

  • 5 tips to use safety and security signs effectively

    Safety and security signs are a simple yet effective method of warning people about a mandate, danger, or risk. They are essential parts of a safety program at a workplace, but incorrect usage can make them ineffective. So, you need to design and install them correctly to ensure that the intended message is conveyed at the very first glance. Keep these tips in mind to use safety and security signs effectively:

    • Take an overview of your setting
      Whether you’re getting a safety or security sign constructed for your workplace or home, account for all the potential risks and hazards. You can also consult other members or colleagues to help identify hazards that are unexpected or not obvious.
    • Place the signs at the right place
      Safety and security signs should be placed at the appropriate places so that they are clearly visible and easily draw attention. For instance, a sign should be kept at a safe distance from the hazard where everyone can see it. You should also ensure that the sign is not obstructed in any way and use reflective tape to ensure that it can be seen in low-light conditions.
    • Use easily recognizable graphics
      A safety or security sign should be represented in such a manner that it is recognizable and understood at a glance. The language and diagrams used on a sign should also be easily interpreted by everyone. Pictographs that graphically warn people of dangers should be used on these signs, and you can also take steps to ensure that all workers understand their meaning.
    • Ensure that the messages are clear
      A safety or security sign should put forth the intended message clearly. A sign should state the action that needs to be taken, like “Keep Clear” or “Do Not Operate.” Additionally, it should use precise language and a vivid image to communicate the message.
    • Conduct a mock drill
      While a well-designed and strategically placed sign is enough to communicate the message, it is advisable to assemble the workplace staff and conduct a brief mock drill to explain what each safety or security sign intends to convey. You can also guide them on what precautions they should take to avoid any hazards.

    These tips can be used as a ready reference while getting and installing safety and security signs. While these signs do not remove the risk, they help minimize it and provide advice on the steps to be taken.

  • Types of safety and security signs

    A safety or security sign is a graphical representation of hazards and mandatory behavior/actions to avoid them. You would have come across several types of these signs at your workplace, restaurant, shopping mall, or any other public place. Not all signs are made the same; each one has a particular purpose and conveys a specific message. This article lists some of the common types of safety and security signs.

    • Prohibition signs
      As the name suggests, these signs are used to prohibit people from doing something or entering a particular area. In most cases, these signs constitute a red circle with a diagonal line through it. The “No Smoking” sign is one of the most common examples of a prohibition sign.
    • Emergency signs
      These safety and security signs come in handy during an emergency as they indicate emergency exits, escape routes, first aid equipment, or other safety equipment. Under a situation like a fire in a building, residents can find their way to emergency-related facilities or evacuate the area using fire exits and fire doors with the help of these signs.
    • Danger signs
      In certain industrial areas, not taking proper precautions can lead to life-threatening repercussions. Danger signs are used to represent potentially hazardous areas or conditions. The “RESTRICTED AREA” and “HIGH VOLTAGE” signs are some of the most commonly used danger signs that keep people away from potential hazards and prevent mishaps.
    • Notice signs
      These safety and security signs mandate a particular behavior and are generally blue in color, with the text/symbol mentioned in a white foreground. They can be used to deter theft and inform workers of the policies at a construction site, communicate product safety information, or inform people that they are subject to a security check before entering the premises, among other things.
    • Warning signs
      Warning signs are used in cases where a hazardous condition can be dangerous but not life-threatening. They are represented mostly with yellow color and a hazard symbol, or they may come with an orange rectangle and black letters on it. They can be used to warn people of high voltage areas, electrical hazards, or risks at construction sites. These safety signs are also used to indicate hazards that can lead to health complications.

    You can also get customized safety and security signs designed for your workplace, but ensure that the message is concise and clear, install it correctly for effective communication, and ensure that the employees understand what a symbol means.

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  • Pamper yourself with best luxury face scrubs

    You deserve the best and pampering yourself now and then will keep you feeling great. Everyone has their version of a beauty routine, one that involves keeping your face and hair in the best condition. A face scrub is a must in any beauty routine.

    Today, you can find all sorts of facial products that are simple to use and very effective too. Find the best exfoliating face scrub that suits your skin time, and use it to avail the many benefits of using the scrub on a regular basis.

    Below are some reasons to use a face scrub:

    The pollution and the dust in the surroundings affect the skin and even gets deposited. Washing your face with a normal face wash just won’t do. Our skin constantly rejuvenates, and so there is a lot of dead skin that needs to be removed.

    This is where the best exfoliating face scrub comes in. The scrub removes all the ingrained dirt and the dead skin. This will improve the overall look of the face and will get you feeling fresh. Scrubbing off the old flaky version will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.

    Benefits of using a face scrub:

    There are numerous benefits of using an exfoliating face scrub. Apart from making your face feel fresh, it is suggested by all beauty experts for various other reasons too:

    • A good face scrub improves the texture of your skin in the long run. It will remove all the dirt and keep your skin fresh.
    • Using a face scrub on a daily basis is also known to slow down the aging of the skin.
    • Scrubbing 2 to 3 times a week can have a healing effect on the skin.
    • It keeps the pores open and breathing. This will make you feel active and fresh all through the week.
    • The clogging of pores is the main reason behind acne. Using a face scrub opens up the pores and leaves the skin looking healthy.
    • Moisturizers are better absorbed by the exfoliated skin as the pores are open. You can use the sunscreen you want and reap its benefits when your skin is free of all the dirt.

    Tips on using a face scrub:

    It is important to get a face scrub that will suit your skin type. There are different ones for each skin type available in the market. Once you find the best exfoliating face scrub, you can use it few times a week to benefit from it.

    First, wash your face and then apply the scrub in a circular motion. The areas that you should focus on are the nose and the forehead. Once you are done scrubbing, be sure to wash your face thoroughly. You can then apply a smooth moisturizer to your face to prevent parched skin.

    While one of the best exfoliating face scrubs is essential, overusing it can harm your skin. It is best not to use it on a daily basis. It is best to give a break of a day or two before using it again.

    Best exfoliating face scrubs you can find:

    Many brands are competing to bring you the best exfoliating face scrub. You can find it in all forms and flavors. Caudalie deep cleansing exfoliator, Earth Science apricot facial scrub, and Fresh Sugar face polish are few of the popular ones you can find.

    Once you get into the habit of using a face scrub, you cannot go a week without it. The freshness and the glow it gives is unparalleled. You can experiment with face scrubs of your favorite flavor till you find one that suits you best.

  • What is Spinal Stenosis and How Can One Prevent it

    Spinal stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal column, which compresses the spinal cord or nerve roots. The condition often results in local pain in the back or neck and piercing pain in the connected extremities.

    The most common cause of spinal stenosis is the natural deterioration of the spine due to aging. Since the reason is natural, there are some tips that you can observe to prevent the occurrence of the condition.

    How to Prevent Spinal Stenosis
    There is no way to stop aging and, thus, prevent the development of spinal stenosis. However, researchers have found out that certain lifestyle choices and tasks can largely defer the progression of the condition and reduce its impact on people’s lives. Here are a few tips that can promote your overall spine health and prevent the condition.

    • Stay Active
      Performing exercise regularly is crucial to fortify the muscles which support the spine. Furthermore, it helps in increasing spinal flexibility and keeping body weight under control. All these factors decrease the amount of pressure exerted on the spine, thus delaying the onset of spinal stenosis.
    • Do Not Sit for Protracted Hours
      When you stand, your legs act as shock absorbers for your spine. On the other hand, when you sit, these shock absorbers relax and all your body weight is shifted to the spine. Therefore, it is important to not sit for long durations. Make sure to take a small walk after every 30 minutes.
    • Take Driving Precautions
      Wrong driving postures can also lead to the quick progression of spinal stenosis. Therefore, make sure when you are driving, your seat is angled at 100 degrees so that it properly supports your back.
    • Sleep Smart
      Sleeping on the right mattress is vital if you want to prevent all kinds of back problems. If you regularly wake up with a stiff back or neck, it may be a sign that your mattress is worn out and needs replacement. You can use a mattress that is firm and properly supports your spine as a solution to this.
    • Use Accurate Lifting Techniques
      Lifting heavy objects can often result in a back pain. However, sometimes you can also hurt your back by lifting small and light objects if you try to bend or reach them improperly. It is advisable to perform squat lifting for heavy objects.

    All these general healthy lifestyle habits will help in preventing the condition of spinal stenosis. Follow these steps to live a healthy life.

  • Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus – what makes them similar?

    Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are both autoimmune conditions that are often confused to be the same. The fact that these – rheumatoid arthritis, lupus are autoimmune diseases makes their symptoms similar too. Auto immune diseases are typically those conditions where the immune system of the body attacks healthy cells, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain in the affected areas. There can be various triggers for the immune system of the body to react in both these diseases, but there is no single related cause for these auto-immune disorders.

    Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus – similarities
    The most shared and evident similarity that rheumatoid arthritis and lupus share is joint pain. However, the levels of inflammation and swelling of joints may vary between these conditions. Joint pain is also a common symptom of patients diagnosed with either rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Also, the joints can become warmer and tender, though this is a more prominent symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.

    Fatigue and weakness is another symptom that is common with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Periodic bouts of fever and drop in energy levels is experienced by people who have both rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Another similarity is that both these conditions – rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are more common in women than in men.

    It is these similarities that cause a lot of confusion with the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. There are several times when patients are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when they actually have lupus. This usually happens in the early stages of the disorder. As the condition progresses, the difference becomes evident; rheumatoid arthritis causes bone deformity and erosion while lupus rarely leads to bone erosion.

    Long term treatment plan for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus
    As mentioned before, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are both chronic conditions that need a long term treatment plan. This will help in minimizing the complications associated with the conditions. While lupus, without the right treatment plan, can lead to heart or kidney damage, rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, may cause joint deformities; both of which are damaging conditions.