From the CEO
April showers bring May flowers, right? It’s time to plant the garden, prep your flowerpots and get out the deck furniture! Summer is coming and everyone is excited about that.
Get Ready for the Heat
One of the things you want to pay attention to during this season is your body temperature. Summer heat can sneak up on you quickly, at work and at home. All of us are susceptible to a heat related illness when we are outdoors and active in the warmer weather.
Below is a quick rundown of precautions to take when you are working, playing or exercising:
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Stay hydrated. Plenty of water and/or electrolyte replacement is critical.
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Keep cool. Spend time in the shade when possible. Wear a hat and use sunscreen!
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If you begin to feel weak or experience dizziness or confusion, seek help immediately.
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Then, hydrate and place cool compress on the back of the neck. Loosen clothing and circulate air if possible. Heat stroke can be deadly!
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Saliva Covid Screening
As the weather gets better, more people are going out and coming in closer contact with others. Do you need to monitor your employees for COVID-19? Our saliva screening eliminates the nasal swab screening. Simple collection with an online reporting platform allows you to get the results you need in 72 hours. This lab-based test is great for ongoing surveillance screening of large groups of people. It can also be self-collected by employees in remote locations, with virtual observation.
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Second Quarter Random Drug Testing
Our second quarter random selections have been available for the past four weeks. It's important to complete your random testing as quickly as possible. If you are a seasonal business, you are probably just beginning to open and may be busy performing pre-employment testing. But don’t overlook your current workforce and their random tests. If you need assistance with finding a collection site or any other issue regarding your drug screening program, please call TSS Operations Manager Ginny Clay
at (907) 247.1431.
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Keep Your Drug Testing Program in Order
TSS has created the Audit Ready Management System (ARMS) to assist you in ensuring that your drug screening program is in order. ARMS helps you organize and document everything you will need to be ready for a federal audit. While we work hard to help you keep your program in top shape, the federal regulation is clear that the company is responsible for making sure that records are kept in accordance with federal law. ARMS gives you a step-by-step process to achieve that. To learn more or purchase the Audit Ready Management System, contact your local TSS office or visit the website at tss-safety.com.
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Serenity Health and Wellness Partnership
Serenity Health and Wellness is located within the TSS Ketchikan office. This relationship allows our clients to utilize services in a one stop shop. Get your physicals, audiometric testing, and drug screening all in the same visit. Have an employee who needs to see a healthcare provider on short notice? Call us, we’ll make it work. Serenity has same day appointments availability as does TSS. You can reach Serenity Health and Wellness at (907) 247-9355. Tell them we sent you!
Enjoy the warmer weather and the busy season of work and play ahead.
Best,
Renee Schofield
P.S. TSS offices will be closed on Monday, May 31 in observance of Memorial Day.
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The Cost of Substance Use |
Did you know that the average worker misses about 15 days of work per year for accidents, illnesses or other reasons, not related to vacation or holidays? A person with a substance use disorder (SUD) misses about 24.6 days of work per year – close to double. Why? Because of the toll substance use takes on their general health and because they tend to be more prone to accidents and injuries at home and in the workplace. Now, guess what? An employee in recovery misses less work than both groups, approximately 10.6 days annually.
That all boils down to dollars. When folks are not at work, productivity is lost. Furthermore, there is a much higher rate of turnover among employees with an SUD.The National Safety Council (NSC) found that workers with an SUD are over 40% more likely to report having more than one employer in a year than those who don’t have substance issues. Often, they just quit and sometimes employers must separate from them for the good of the business, resulting in additional time and money spent on interviewing, hiring and training new employees. On average, employers spend about 21% of an employee salary on the hiring process.
So, how can the employer protect the safety of their business and the bottom line?
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After more than a year of pandemic living and a cold winter spent at home, Americans are ready to hit the open road again – including motorcyclists. But without care and preparation motorbiking can be a dangerous and even deadly activity.
According to traffic specialists, approximately 5,000 motorcyclists lose their lives on the roads every year. In 2019, per vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists were about 29 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor crash and four times more likely to be injured. This is due to a combination of factors including the different functionality of being on two wheels rather than four, direct exposure to the elements and traffic, without seatbelts or a protective cab, and the actions of others on the road. Certainly, the human body is not designed to withstand the trauma that comes with a collision at speeds of 40 MPH or greater.
The good news is that with proper precautions, the more than 8 million motorcycle riders in the United States can take to the open road with confidence.
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Support Employee Wellness |
The research is clear: Employees who feel well, work well. Healthy employees are happier, more productive and more likely to motivate those around them. A fit workforce also means a reduction in absenteeism and healthcare costs for the employer.
In recent years, employers have learned that supporting their workers’ wellness is good for business. And, if the pandemic taught us anything, it should have been that the more fitness we have in our lives, the better our bodies respond to illness.
Many large and midsize companies have made an investment in health and wellness programing for their staff and are reporting significant ROI due to increases in productivity. But owners of small businesses need to know there is no need to break the bank on gym memberships or workplace nutritionists.
Studies show that through support, education and encouragement, employers can have a positive impact on promoting healthier behaviors in their employees.
Some simple, inexpensive steps employers can take include:
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Who doesn’t enjoy spending time on the water during the summer months?
In 2021, more people than ever are reporting that this summer they plan to avoid crowds and minimize contact with others by vacationing in their personal RV and bringing their boat.
Our safety specialists recommend signing up for a boating safety class before you take off for the open seas or lakes.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary offers these courses in-person across the nation. Or, join the class virtually, with the whole family, in the comfort of your home. Not only will it help you to avoid problems later on, completing the course may also allow you to receive a reduction on your boat insurance, depending on your policy and location. Learn more about the USCG Auxiliary's educational offerings and find one that works for you at uscg.org.
So why take a course?
Good training makes for responsible boating and reduces risky behaviors on board. Both beginning and experienced boaters need to be familiar with the boating safety rules of operation.
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TSS TRAINING
Webinar, online, blended
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These include DOT and OSHA-related safety trainings as well as courses about home safety or those geared to keeping you secure behind the wheel.
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All webinars are
10 a.m. AK Time
1 p.m. CS Time
TSS Town Hall
Tuesday, May 18
Join CEO Renee Schofield and the TSS team for a FREE and open discussion about the safety industry, drug and alcohol screening trends and bringing your business back to life during difficult economic times. We are here to answer our clients' questions and assist you on any issue within TSS' areas of expertise.
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View our featured online courses on TSS's revamped website homepage. Make sure to keep checking back for new content!
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Blended Learning First Aid & CPR
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COST: $85
2-Year Certification
During COVID-19 , TSS will not be offering standard CPR & First Aid courses. Instead, consider taking our Blended Learning course.
- Take the classroom portion of the course online.
- Then, schedule a hands-on evaluation at your convenience.
Same skills. Same certification. In the safest way.
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Schedule Your Drug
Screen at
(877) 225-1431
or
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