Do As I Say, Not As I Do

I always preach, "safety first". I talk about it and remind people about safety so much so that I get tired of hearing myself talk about the importance of safety.

As I write, I wonder how I ever could have made the stupid mistake that caused me to break three toes on my left foot and I am pouting about it. In my haste to put something away, I took a sharp turn and bashed my foot into a piece of furniture. It didn't move and I am seriously pouting about not being able to do the things that I would normally do during the holiday season.

Fortunately, I was able to hobble to a few Black Friday sales. This year was somewhat different, though. There was not a crowd at the store. Actually, it took me a while to greet all of the associates and get into the store! This was probably a good thing for me because my foot was so swollen I was wearing a heavy sock. I do not suggest that you shop in socks. It's not safe. Foot protection is important.

After reading OSHA's foot protection regulations I'm wondering why they allowed me in the store and I may require steel toe shoes be worn while performing housework.

Do as I say, not as I do. I never want an accident to happen to you.

SAFETY FIRST! 

November Update

Who would have guessed that OSHA would have been included in our final update to our November Notables page?  Yesterday's blog was entitled, December 15th Brings New Regulations for Residential Builders.  The more research we did the more we found that this is not something to be ignored.  Though we didn't find that there were additional OSHA inspectors we did find that citations and fines for lack of fall protection had been issued within the last three months.  Some of these fines were substantial.  Please visit our November 2012  to confirm that you are prepared for the newest OSHA regulations.  

Georgianna Hardware Corporation

December 15th Brings New Regulations for Residential Builders

December 15, 2012 brings new directives that require all residential builders to comply with 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1926.501(b)(13).   This date was issued as a temporary extension that was issued  August 30, 2012. 

Under 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13) workers performing residential construction six (6) feet or more above lower levels are to be protected by conventional fall protection.  Note that regulations for roofers has changed too.  For roofers, the 25 foot, ground-to-eave height threshold no longer applies, nor do slide guards as an acceptable form of fall protection, regardless of the roof pitch or height of the roof eave.

These new directives from OSHA have been supported through various governmental web sites and local offices.  Free and confidential advice is available from OSHA through their on site consultation page.  Detailed regulations can be found through the United States Department of Labor.  Plan, provide, and train are three simple steps to prevent falls.

Georgianna Hardware Corporation 

Being Tested

It seems that we are always being tested.   Once again, it happened to me today.

As I was having some problems updating the GHC website I accidently clicked on a window that brought me to an article that reported the terrible working conditions at an Amazon warehouse in Allanetown, Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania is my home state.  I was born there.  I have family and friends there. The story took the wind right out of my sails. 

Georgianna Hardware Corp. was started because I wanted to call attention to the fact that so many Americans are without work because we American citizens don't buy American made products.  I didn't want to avoid paying taxes so I made it legal, gave the company a name, and started to do something.  Anything.   

Well, I sure didn't expect this test!  I'm not going to defend Amazon.  It is a problem that they will have to fix.      

Something that I have never gotten around to blogging about is how I feel about OSHA and how it actually increases the cost of the products that are produced in America.  My teenager is not allowed to work in the local bakery because she is too young to use the sharp knives.  Apparently, my kitchen knives are fine for the kid to use to accidently cut herself with.  On the other hand, many of the teenagers at my local grocery store have told me about their experience of being hit by a car while they gathered carts from the store parking lot.  I don't know.  You decide for yourself.  Accidental serrated knife injury or impact from an SUV.  (Don't forget to consider variables!)   For myself, either would give me reason to go home.

Visit OSHA's web site and you'll see the rules that keep our eight year olds off of the production line and you will also see that some hair smoothing products contain formaldehyde.  Talk about a broad spectrum of knowlege.  You thought that salon smelled funny when you walked by! 
 
Let's all agree that we will not run with scissors nor knives and we will keep them pointed toward the floor as we walk.  Let's agree that we will look both ways before we proceed to our destination whether we are walking or driving a vehicle.  It's a "pay it forward" thing to OSHA and MSHA.  We can let them know that we cared enough to invest in ourselves, and our family and friends.

I just went to get the link of the page I was working on when I stopped to write this.  I was searching out windshield wipers because I had seen a great deal that was available through Amazon.  Now it's 4:25AM and I must tell you that the little poem on the page is in no way meant to be hurtful.  I'm just being tested again.  
            http://georgiannahardwarecorporation.com/DiscountedAutomotive.aspx