"Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. When spotted early, skin cancer is highly treatable. Early detection starts with you!" May is National Skin Cancer awareness month. DEFEND! CATCH! TAKE ACTION! Knowing early signs of detection can be the difference between life and death. Here is where to begin: Perform Regular Skin Cancer Exams on yourself and loved one's by checking your partner's skin and taking note of all the spots on the body, from moles to freckles to age spots. Catch Suspicious Spots by using the ABCDEs of Melanoma.4 A - Asymmetry - one half is unlike the other. B - Border - Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border. C - Color - Varied from one area to another; has shades of tan, brown or black; sometimes white, red or blue. D - Diameter - While melanomas are typically greater than 6mm ( the [...]

"Just" Is All It Takes. Put Your Phone Down And "Just" Drive. "Distracted driving is a public health issue that affects us all. The latest statistics show motor vehicle fatalities are up 6% from 2015." Distracted driving doesn't mean just texting, it includes anything that takes your eyes and attention off the road including eating, grooming, reading, taking pictures/videos, talking on the phone and checking email or social media apps. All of these fall under three main types of distractions; visual, manual and cognitive. A visual distraction draws the driver’s eyes off the road while a manual distraction causes the driver’s hands to leave the steering wheel. A cognitive diversion veers the driver’s attention from driving. All of these can endanger drivers and passengers alike! According to the National Safety Council (NSC) - "the ability to multitask while driving is a myth, especially when it comes to using a cell [...]

Celebrating Women in Construction Week 2018  After many years of creating a movement in which to recognize Nationally recognize Women in History's Achievements Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month in perpetuity in 1987. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women. Consequently and thanks to this movement and declaration we also have the opportunity to recognize and celebrate Women in Construction (WIC) week every year in March! The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) was founded in Fort Worth, Texas in 1955, it is an international association serving 125 chapters in the United States. NAWIC also has affiliates in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Rutkoski Fencing is proud to acknowledge and celebrate all the women in the construction work force!  NAWIC’s mission is to enhance the success of women in the construction industry. “The [...]

Every year over 300 people die in ladder-related accidents and thousands suffer disabling injuries which is why every step matters! From step stools to extension ladders, make sure you are putting the right foot forward.  Ladder accidents are preventable and the goal of National Ladder Safety Month is to raise awareness of ladder safety and decrease the number of ladder-related injuries and fatalities. Ladder Safety Tips: Read and follow all labels/markings on the ladder. Avoid electrical hazards! - Look for overhead power lines before handling a ladder. Avoid using a metal ladder near power lines or exposed energized electrical equipment. Always inspect ladder prior to using it. If the ladder is damaged, it must be removed from serviced and tagged until repaired or discarded. Always maintain a 3-point (two feet and a hand) contact on a ladder when climbing. Keep your body near the middle of the step and [...]

What does safety actually mean? “Safety is both being physically safe from harm as well as actively avoiding situations with recognized hazards to keep yourself safe.” No matter where you are safety should never be overlooked and it starts in the home. Here are some helpful safety tips to begin practicing while at home and during your daily routine: Be careful when walking to your car at night. Stay in well-lit areas, walk with others, and always be aware of your surroundings. Utilize your phone as a safety tool; make sure you have all your emergency contact info programmed into your phone so it’s quick and easy to access. Be cautious and trust your gut when dealing with people through online services; always agree to meet in public places and only exchange goods, services, or money in person. Check your fire and carbon monoxide detectors regularly to make sure [...]

As a New Year begins, SAFETY+HEALTH offers data to help paint a picture of the current SAFETY LANDSCAPE. Fall Protection - General Requirements (1926, 501) was OSHA'S most cited standard in FY 2017, with 6,887 violations. The largest penalty OSHA issued to an employer in FY 2017 was $2.6 Million. More than 9  out of 10 worker deaths occur off the job. The regulatory agenda published by the Trump Administration in August 2017 lists 14 OSHA regulations in three different stages: Pre-Rule Proposed Rule Final Rule The Fall 2016 agenda had 30. The National Safety Council estimates that work-related injuries and deaths cost society about $142.5 million every year. The three industries with the most work-related deaths are: Construction Transportation and Warehousing Agriculture According to the results of Safety+Health's Training Survey, the top 3 reasons for conducting workers safety training are: To reduce injuries and illnesses. To prevent complacency [...]

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 860 home fires caused by holiday decorations occur each year. An additional 210 home fires are caused by Christmas trees per year. Follow these steps to ensure you decorate your home safely during the winter holidays. Make sure all extension cords and electrical decorations are marked for proper use. Outdoor electrical lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). Inspect all lights, decorations, and extension cords for damage before using. Exercise caution when decorating near power lines. Keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet from power lines. Turn off all indoor and outdoor electrical decorations before leaving home or going to sleep. Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many decorations or electrical devices. They can overheat and cause a fire. Never connect more than three strings of incandescent lights together. Water your Christmas [...]

It is estimated that 37% of the U.S. workforce does not get enough sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, in the U.S. alone, there are 64,000 deaths and 50,000 injuries a year as a result of drowsy driving. We need proper sleep to recharge our stamina, face the day and avoid injuries at home and at work. It is important to know the risk factors and how to avoid them.  To be alert, well-rested and at your best, follow these tips: Get 7-9 hours of sleep every day. Create and follow a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day –even on weekends. Eliminate unnecessary light. Keep your bedroom temperate – neither hot nor cold. Make sure your bed and pillows are comfortable and support restful sleep. Avoid eating right before bed. Remember that bedtime is for sleeping, not reading or watching [...]

In a work setting, whether an office or highly-combustible industrial workplace like a factory, warehouse or manufacturing plant, housekeeping is crucial to fire prevention. Areas with hazardous materials, combustible dust, arc welders or flammable liquids require special attention. Below are some basic tips every employee should know: Keep combustible materials in the work area only in amounts needed for the job; store the rest in a safe area. Store quick-burning materials in designated locations away from ignition sources. Change clothes if they become contaminated with flammable liquids. Keep passageways and fire doors free from obstructions. Stairwell doors should be kept closed - Never store items in stairwells. Keep materials at least 18 inches (24 to 36 inches is recommended) away from automatic sprinklers, fire extinguishers and sprinkler controls. Clearance of 3 feet is required between materials and the ceiling; if stock is piled more than 15 feet high, clearance should [...]

The International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE - The Demo Expo) is the premiere event for utility industry professionals to gain comprehensive insight into the latest technologies, innovations, and trends affecting their industry. ICUEE features: Hands-on demonstrations of a broad range of construction and utility equipment. An education program inspired by the industry’s hottest topics and led by industry professionals. Opportunities to explore the newest industry products and innovations. A chance for attendees to network with thousands of industry peers. The iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo offered nearly 90 hours of educational sessions to choose from, covering everything from new NFPA 70E changes and OSHA rules, to safety leadership and innovative management approaches. These courses will help prepare Ed and Rebecca to pursue a Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP) certification.  The CUSP has been coined the “Defining Benchmark in Utility Safety” and is the only program that [...]