On January 30th, 2017, RFI staff participated in a company safety day with a US Training Consultant. Sessions included OSHA training overview/review of complacency, good-housekeeping practices, trenching, excavation, excavator basics, skid steer basics, general equipment safety. The afternoon included rigging, signaling and crane programs and the day closed off with lesson’s learned from the previous year. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Please be extremely careful when using concrete, grout, sealants, etc. with bare hands. Please use gloves. I understand that sometimes it’s more difficult with gloves on, but I think a lot of you don’t realize what’s actually being absorbed into your skin. It is estimated that more than 13 million workers in the United States are potentially exposed to chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin. Dermal exposure to hazardous agents can result in a variety of occupational diseases and disorders, including occupational skin diseases (OSD) and systemic toxicity. Historically, efforts to control workplace exposures to hazardous agents have focused on inhalation rather than skin exposures. As a result, assessment strategies and methods are well developed for evaluating inhalation exposures in the workplace; standardized methods are currently lacking for measuring and assessing skin exposures. OSD are the second most common type of occupational disease and can occur in several [...]

One Thanks-a-Giving. Practicing gratitude is one of the simplest and easiest ways to access happiness. Think about an individual for whom you're grateful, then call that special someone. Two Legs Walking. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of daily exercise to kick-start a healthier heart, but finding time to fit it in can be a challenge. Make movement a priority by beginning with just 15 to 20 minutes of walking per day. Then, map out your days and weeks to dig up a half-hour or so of free time, wherever you can, gradually working your way up to five days a week. Three Guilt-Free “No's". If the only reason you're attending a party, making a dish or giving a gift is because you feel you should, think again. Aim to say at least three guilt-free no's this holiday season. Four Friends-a-Calling. Don't forget everyday buddies can [...]

If you’re not prepared, getting caught in cold weather can have a chilling effect. But by wearing the right protective clothing, and working smart, you can stay safe when on the job in cold weather. What to Wear Keep the following recommendations in mind when working in cold environments: Wear at least three layers of clothing. An inner layer of wool, silk or synthetic to wick moisture away from the body. A middle layer of wool or synthetic to provide insulation even when wet. An outer layer that protects against wind and rain and allows some ventilation, to prevent overheating. Wear a hat or hood. Up to 40% of body heat can be lost when the head is left exposed. Wear insulated boots to keep your feet warm. Keep a change of dry clothing available in case your work clothes become wet. With the exception of the [...]

Frostbite and Hypothermia (NSC) Cold weather can be dangerous for anyone who enjoys outdoor winter sports and people who work outdoors. Before venturing outside in winter: Check the temperature and limit your time outdoors if it's very cold, wet or windy Bundle up in several layers of loose clothing Wear mittens rather than gloves Cover your ears with a warm hat Wear socks that will keep your feet warm and dry Frostbite Frostbite is the most common injury resulting from exposure to cold, and it usually occurs on fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin. If caught early, it is possible to prevent permanent damage, but frostbite can lead to amputation. Superficial frostbite affects the skin surface, while deep frostbite affects all layers. The skin will become numb, blisters may form and eventually the skin tissue dies and turns black. If you suspect frostbite: Move [...]

In an effort to support Breast Cancer Awareness, RFI supplied its employees with pink company shirts. Members of RFI Management lost an aunt to breast cancer, so this cause is particularly important to us. Wearing the pink shirts on jobsites was a way for our employees to show their support for all women who have lost their lives to breast cancer, those who have survived it and the hopeful prevention of it in the future.

An employee may recount a story of a “close call” at work. He or she also may describe the incident as a “near collision” or “narrow escape.” All these terms refer to a near miss. A near-miss incident is an event that, although not resulting in an injury, illness or damage, had the potential to do so.

Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9-15, serves to remind us that fire-safety precautions in the workplace can prevent significant injuries and deaths. According to Injury Facts 2016, businesses lose billions of dollars to fire each year.

The statistics surrounding workplace slips, trips and falls are striking. Whether climbing scaffolding or drifting between meetings all day, you can be killed or seriously injured in a slip, trip or fall at work.