Is There a Threat of Falling Objects at Your Workplace? Ask Your PCBU

Let us say that an empty box falls on your head at your workplace. You are not hurt and people have a laugh.

Tomorrow, a heavy book falls down and really hurts your head. There is nothing funny about that. You are hurt and that could have been prevented. All that is left to do is to reach for your Alsco First Aid Kit and take care of your injury.

Who is responsible for your injury? The person who put it there? You – for not being careful? Somebody else? The responsibility is shared.

Every business needs to comply with Health and Safety at Work Act from 2015. It lists step by step guides on how to prevent injuries from taking place. Falling objects are one of those threats that need to be prevented.

People Responsible for Your Safety

Of course, you need to take care of your safety. However, if you are at your workplace, there are others that share that responsibility with you. Health and Safety at Work Act recognises following people as duty holders:

• PCBU
• Officer
• Worker
• Other persons at the workplace

PCBU is the ‘person conducting business or undertaking’. It can be an organisation or an individual and they have the primary duty of care.

This means that they need to make sure the health and safety of the employees are not put at risk at their workplace. Of course, it is their responsibility to ensure this as long as it is reasonably practicable.

The Officer is usually a company director. It is a person who has control or significant influence over the management. Their duty is to make sure that PCBU enforces all the safety measures.

Workers and other persons at a workplace are not without their responsibilities when it comes to health and safety. They need to do take care of themselves and everyone around them when performing their work.

Prevention Steps a PCBU Needs to Take

The main responsibility for the safety of the employees falls upon the PCBU. There are several steps that he needs to take to prevent accidents, including the injuries by falling objects. The first is to eliminate the risk and if that is not possible, then to minimise it.

For example, let us say that you work in a warehouse and there are many heavy boxes stored. Eliminating the risk from one of those boxes falling on you would be – storing them on the ground.

Minimising the risk, on the other hand, can be done in several ways.

• Substitution – replacing the hazard with something of lesser risk. In the case of warehouse boxes, it could mean packing stuff in smaller boxes or placing them on lower shelves.
• Isolation – preventing people from getting in touch with the hazard. In this example, this would mean limiting the access to the areas below the boxes.
• Engineering control measures – coming up with physical control measures, including processes or mechanical devices. For example, placing strong bars that keep the boxes from falling.
• Administrative control measures – these are all work processes and procedures that are not managed by engineering or wearing PPE. In this example, it could be introducing all warehouse workers with a guide about how to store and handle boxes safely.
• Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – the name says it all. In the case of warehouse boxes, it would mean wearing a protective helmet.

When it comes to threat of falling objects, HSW Act requires from your PCBU to try and do the following:

• Prevent objects from falling
• If that is impossible, arrest the freefall
• If even that is impossible, introduce a ‘no-go’ zone

How To Prevent the Objects from Falling?

Nobody can have full control over every little thing that happens at the workplace. Accidents always happen. Gravity will do its thing and some of those tools will fall down from the scaffolds.

Your PCBU should do everything that is reasonably practicable to keep those falling objects from hurting you.

• All the objects and tools at heights need to be secured, tied down or put away from the edges.
• Ensuring safe ways of raising and lowering the objects
• Arresting the fall by providing safety nets, covering pedestrian walks and providing overhead protection

How to Protect People Around You

Some people work at heights and they need to be trained on safety measures. In that way, they will know how to protect their coworkers and themselves. Safety measures include:

• Keeping everything away from edges
• Securing tools and materials and fixating them
• Keeping the work area clean and tidy
• Using chutes to place debris into the skip area which needs to be below

If you are moving a load from one place to another, make sure that you take care of the following:

• Secure and balance load before lifting it
• Take into account the weight and the external factors like wind
• Make sure that the equipment that you use is fully operational
• Establish a ‘no-go’ zone while you move the objects

Worst Case Scenario: Someone Got Hurt

Even if everybody is being very careful, somebody might get hurt. In that case, you need to have your First Aid Kit ready. Moreover, it needs to be compliant to all the legal requirements.

Your First Aid Kit needs to be positioned near the places where is more likely for accidents to occur. If your workplace includes some potential risks, there should be a trained first aider among your employees.

Having a proper First Aid Kit that is always up to date and fully stocked is somewhat challenging. Replacing the items from it can slip your mind. However, if a falling object hurts somebody, you need to know that your Kit contains all you need for dressing that wound.

Don’t allow yourself to be caught unprepared. Contact Alsco and they will take care of your First Aid needs. They will rent you a Kit that matches your needs. They will check up on it, restock it and replace it when it reaches its expiry date.

It is much better to rent your First Aid Kit for a very low price than to risk being fined up to $3,000,000 for not being First Aid compliant. Moreover, you cannot put a price on the safety of your employees.

Photo Courtesy: Flickr Image by Orsorama

How to Develop a Practical Health and Safety Plan to Perfectly Suit Your Business

A Formula One racing team is the perfect blend of precision, planning, and execution. When that race car pulls into the service bay, everyone knows where they need to be and what they need to do because literally, every second counts.

How would your team, in your workplace respond to an accident or emergency?

Compared to that Formula One team, do your employees or colleagues know where exactly they need to be or what precisely they need to do when something goes wrong and every second is precious?

A health and safety plan is so much more than backside-covering compliance paperwork. Your workplace health and safety plan should outline how your team will respond in an emergency when the pressure is on.

Tailor Your Health and Safety Plan to Suit Your Business’ Unique Hazards

Every business faces unique challenges based on their location, industry, and tools of the trade. That means your health and safety plan must be customised for you, to reflect your business and circumstances.

You can’t copy someone else’s plan and hope it will perfectly work for you, as well. Dedicate some time to discussing the unique hazards you’re likely to face in your business, so you can figure out how your team should respond.

Involve Your Team Members in Your Health and Safety Planning

Image from: Freepik by Katemangostar

In order to be truly effective, your team should be involved in your health and safety planning.

Just as the managers of the Formula One team listen to the crew members on the ground, you should ask your team about what would improve their working environment.

Research shows that businesses who place a heavier emphasis on involving their team in health and safety experience greater staff retention and more positive working environments.

One way you can engage your employees in your operational health and safety plan is holding regular Toolbox Talks.

Have a meeting, discuss a health and safety issue and what they should be looking for. You can find examples of Toolbox Talks and meeting agendas on the Take 5 Health and Safety Stationery website.

Ensure Proper Disposal and Easy Accessibility of All Your Health and Safety Equipment

When every second is invaluable, does your team know where the first aid kits or fire extinguishers are located in your business? Do you even have first aid kits and fire extinguishers? When was the last time they were checked, itemised and refreshed to make sure they are current?

If your business has company vehicles, does each car, truck and van can hold its own fire extinguisher and first aid kit? After all, accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and it pays to be prepared when every second count.

Your health and safety plan should set the standards and expectation across the whole team, so regardless of where an accident takes place, all the health and safety gear you need is easily accessible and readily available.

It’s encouraging to see more defibrillators installed in malls and public places, and that most first aid training these days covers how to use one. When suffering a heart attack or cardiac arrest, you must not waste a second.

The sooner you can get to those people with a defibrillator, the greater chance you have of saving their lives.

Your health and safety plan may also cover keeping your business hygienically clean to prevent the spread of sickness and disease. Proper disposal of sanitary equipment will protect your employees, the environment, and generally reduce the risk of infection.

Find a Reliable Partner and Work Together to Your Mutual Benefits

All ‘Formula One’ racing teams have partners – companies who provide operational assistance to keep you going around the track faster, and better than ever. Think of Alsco and Take 5 Health and Safety Stationery as your health and safety partners.

Alsco can take care of all your first aid needs, from first aid kits to portable defibrillators and all of your sanitation requirements. Involving Alsco in your health and safety plan means they can provide the first aid, safety and sanitation equipment you need, along with a regular maintenance schedule to keep your business health and safety compliant.

If you’re not sure where to start with your health and safety plan, or your business has undergone some changes, and your plan needs to be updated to suit, contact the team at Take 5 Health and Safety Stationery. Most of our health and safety stationery range can be customised to your industry, and we can even provide cloud-based systems tailored for your business.

Take5

Get your workplace Formula One ready! Between Take 5 Health and Safety Stationery and Alsco, we can help your business prepare and execute a health and safety plan that actively involves and protects your team.

As a precision, performance racing crew, everyone will know what to do, when to do it, and have the right tools at hand. After all, from racing pit crews to accidents and injury or matters of life and death, every moment is worth its weight in gold.

Alsco would like to thank Take5 for this article. Take5 are OHS consultants that help small to medium-size businesses maintain workplace safety.

Photo: Voltam

17 Easy Tips For Your Workplace And Employee Safety

Every good businessman knows the importance of workplace safety. We don’t want people to get hurt on their job, right?

To keep employees safe is the top priority when creating a clean and healthy workplace environment for them to enjoy working in.

It is also important to make sure that your workplace is in accordance with local regulations and standards.

They represent an assessment and mitigation of risks that may harm the health, safety or welfare of your employees.

These legal requirements are a must for every good business owner. They ensure a safe workplace for everyone – from employees to customers, contractors, visitors, volunteers and even suppliers.

Apart from complying with legal terms, the safety of the workplace is essential to the long-term success of any business.

A safe workplace helps:

• Retain staff
• Maximise productivity
• Minimise sick leaves and absenteeism
• Reduce the costs of injury and workers’ compensation

You can always do something to make sure that all your employees look and feel good when they go home as if they just started their day.

Here are some tips on workplace safety you’ll probably want to share with your coworkers.

1. Keep everything clean and organized

Scattered objects or spills can often cause people to slip and trip. Be sure that your workspace is always clean and fresh. Turn it into a habit to clean the spills up right away.

To make sure that nothing can get in the way and/or hurt workers, a good businessman will see that aisles are kept clean and organised.

2. Use mats on slippery floors

Alsco’s line of wet area rubber mats is an excellent solution for employee safety. They are industrial quality and are able to absorb up to 80% of water and dirt.

Strategically placed around your workplace, these mats prevent your employees from nasty falls and slips.

Besides that, Alsco provides laundry services for these mat rentals that suit your own schedule. This means we need to know when you want the job done! Call Alsco and arrange the schedule.

3. Store flammable materials the right way

If not stored properly, these flammable materials a real threat from fire hazards. Everyone’s safety is at risk! Be sure to store these materials in areas with proper ventilation.

Again, properly clean right away any spill or splatter made while working with such materials.

4. Train your employees to properly handle equipment or machinery

Every employee that handles the equipment, tools, or machines should be properly trained first.

And if there’s anyone not trained, they should never be assigned to handle heavy machinery. Instead, they should refrain themselves from it except if there’s a trained person present who can supervise.

5. Prominently mark hazardous areas

Clearly label places where dangerous equipment is stored. Also, be sure that the walkways are highlighted with necessary singes.

Mark the hazardous zones with black and white stripes or with tape. This proved to keep employees aware of possible dangers. It also helps them avoid accidents that cause severe injuries.

6. Provide employees with appropriate suits

Employees in charge of power tools have to wear the proper workwear while they operate such machinery.

They have to wear protective equipment and proper shoes for that kind of job. Only gloves that are appropriate for a certain job. They also have to fit right.

7. Everyone should be provided with first aid training

First aid stations provide your employees with a great stepping stone towards their safety and an efficient way in dealing with emergency situations. These wall-mounted stations always have to be fully stocked with a first aid kit with all necessary supplies and meds.

For advanced safety, Alsco also provides a First Aid techniques training program. It will provide your employees with useful knowledge on how to react to the first emergency signs.

This course is very thorough and it covers everything that is essential for these kinds of situations.

8. Set out evacuation procedures

This will increase safety from fires as well as from possible natural disasters such as earthquakes. Employees should be trained and able to use fire safety equipment correctly.

9. Avoid twisting or stooping

Providing your workplace with ergonomically designed furniture can prove to be useful. Also, it would be best to arrange the workspace in such way to make everything within easy reach. This prevents people from falling and other accidents.

10. Use mechanical equipment in lifting

Mechanical aid is mandatory when it comes to heavy lifting. It’s best to use a wheelbarrow, conveyor belt, crane or forklift because they prevent back injuries.

11. Be fully aware of the risks

Particular hazards specific to your job should be discussed when introducing new employees. This raises their awareness and cautiousness when moving around the workspace. It reduces risks of injury during work.

12. Avoid repetition of tasks

Vary employee’s activities so they don’t become dulled from doing one task for a long period of time. Rotating them through tasks allow them to change their activities and their posture.

13. Maintain tools properly

Workers are exempt from using forceful movements if they are using properly maintained tools, which prevents injuries as well.

14. Reduce stress level in your workplace

Long hours, job insecurity, conflicts and heavy workload are the most common causes of stress and work burn-out. They can lead to lack of concentration, sleeping difficulties and even depression.

Create a stress-free environment and promote a healthy lifestyle in your workspace.

15. Stay hydrated all the times

Motivate your employees to evenly drink water every day. Consuming more water, juices and other non-alcoholic drinks in even time periods will help regain all the fluids your employees have lost from working.

16. Make regular breaks

Employees tend to feel more fresh and alert when they have regular breaks, unlike those who don’t. Have your employees rest in a nice place. It will help them avoid injuries and burnouts.

17. Always be ready for a real emergency situation

First aid only covers the basics. But what if a true emergency happens? Cardiac arrest can happen at any time in any place.

To be prepared you’ve got to have an automated external defibrillator ready for situations like this. You and your employees must have an easy, yet effective solution to a dangerous emergency.

The HeartSine Samaritan 500P is a quality, single button operation device, and you can get it for a single annual fee.

Instructions on proper use, regular checks and maintenance are all included. Even the device itself gives easy step-by-step instructions, so everyone can use it at any time.

X has been providing quality commercial services to Australia for over 50 years. We’ve put all our experience into services you can always rely on.

Our Managed Rental Services make sure that you don’t spend too much on workplace safety. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about the functionality of any equipment you got from us. We include their upkeep in our offer.

Moreover, all our services are customizable to fit the needs of your company. Where you need us – we’ll be there. We also guarantee that we are compliant with complex WHS laws, so you can put that out of your mind, too.

Call Alsco today and we can come up with a solution that suits your needs the best.

Photo courtesy of Freepik

How Can You Be Prepared for an Earthquake in the Workplace?

Earthquakes come in suddenly and without a warning. That is why you need to make sure that you are prepared for an earthquake in the workplace.

To be prepared for the earthquake, you need to do the following:

• Educate employees about the actions that need to be taken during earthquakes.
• Provide an earthquake emergency kit for your workplace and business vehicles.
• Make sure you have a business contingency plan.

In February 2011, there was a massive earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. The epicentre was only 10 km away from the business district. The consequences of this earthquake were devastating and over 180 people died that day.

Earthquakes are not uncommon occurrences in New Zealand and that is why New Zealand workplaces need to be prepared in order to avoid the tragic outcomes that happened in Christchurch. When an earthquake of such magnitude happens, somebody will get hurt.

To sanitise those injuries, make sure everybody is comfortable until the rescue team arrives and ensure there are enough supplies to keep everybody safe, you need an earthquake survival kit for NZ workplaces.

Alsco New Zealand offers such an emergency earthquake kit as a part of our rental program.

What Happens Before an Earthquake?

We already said that the only thing you can do to prevent an earthquake disaster is to get prepared. There are several things that any business owner in New Zealand can do to be ready:

• Find out whether your workplace building is structurally strong enough to sustain earthquakes.
  
• Do your best to secure all non-structural elements of your workplace building, to make it safer (windows, doors and similar objects).
• Educate your employees about the right things to do during earthquakes.
• Offer an earthquake preparedness kit for every workplace.
• Inspire your employees to keep their own personal emergency kit for earthquakes.

The New Zealand law requires for every workplace to have an Emergency Plan. It is a health and safety requirement. This plan covers different natural disasters and earthquake is definitely one of them.

You should have an emergency earthquake plan that covers the entire company and your employees should have their own personal emergency plans.

Workplace plan should be in place to secure people working in your company. The next priority is to secure your company’s property and assets. However, the list doesn’t stop there.

It is also important to have a forecast about how to resume your services and how they can help the industry in general, the civil services and then how to maintain your business. In other words, your business continuity plan should be in place when the earthquake stops.

Your workplace emergency plan should include some sort of leadership chain. In the situation of emergency, people need to know whom to seek and listen to for further instructions. Select those among your staff who have proper training and experience in such situations.

All employees should have proper training about what to do in case of emergency situations due to an earthquake. This doesn’t have to be a long and detailed procedure, but it should fit your workplace environment.

It should cover things like where to store heavy boxes or to avoid using the elevators and stairs. They should know where the nearest earthquake preparedness kit is and what is inside it.

This plan should also contain some of the general rules of conduct in case of an earthquake. Your employees should be reminded not to run outside, where to get cover and how to react. The training should be repeated every six months.

Where Is the Safest Place to Take Shelter During an Earthquake?

Contrary to what may seem logical to you, the best place you can be is the place you find yourself during an earthquake. This is another way of saying that you should not try and rush outside or anywhere else once the earthquake starts.

Once an earthquake starts, you only have a couple of seconds to react. The safest places within your workplace should be identified in your emergency plan. Advise your employees to reach them if they are the nearest possible.

The worst thing that you can do is to try to run outside. That is what causes the most injuries during earthquakes. That is why you should instruct your employees to drop down on their knees, curl up in a “turtle” position and cover their neck with a book, bag or hands.

There is a common misconception that inside of doors is the safest place to be. On the contrary – that is where the walls are the weakest, so they can come down on those who attempt to hide in that spot. Usually, the best place to hide is under a desk.

The entire Drop, Cover and Hold routine is recommended to people and businesses of New Zealand by the Civil Defence. Earthquakes will last a couple of minutes, but

What Should You Have in an Earthquake Kit?

Every earthquake survival kit for NZ workplaces should contain:

• First aid supplies
• Basic tools
• Protective gear
• Food and water
• Communication devices such as phones and radios

If your business has vehicles, there should be a smaller version of an earthquake kit in each of them, as well.

This earthquake kit list seems quite logical and all these supplies are something that you would expect in an emergency kit. The only one that can be a bit confusing is the basic tools.

Your workplace earthquake emergency kit should include pliers or wrenches because you may need to use them to prevent further disasters and dangers.

For example, you may need to shut down water valves, so the water doesn’t cover the floors in case a pipe has burst. This can present an even bigger hazard if there are torn electric wires. If they come in contact with water, there is a potential danger of electrical shock.

Putting together an emergency earthquake kit is not overly difficult, but it takes some time. Moreover, it is necessary to check it regularly and make sure nothing expired and everything works well. This is easy to forget, especially when you have a business to run.

You can leave that worry to us. Alsco New Zealand offers emergency kits that can be rented and paid through flat monthly fees. They have all you may need, labeled, packed in order and stuffed into a sturdy and resilient cabinet.

Moreover, we check, stock and restock these kits regularly – all included in your fee. Call Alsco New Zealand right now and learn all about this amazing offer.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

What Do I Need for a Workplace Earthquake Kit?

In New Zealand, the Health and Safety in Employment Act states that every workplace should have a plan in case of emergency.

The safety of employees is one of the primary obligations of a business owner.

Given that the people of New Zealand can feel around 100 – 150 earthquakes a year, it is obvious that every workplace should be prepared for this emergency situation.

One of the most important things a workplace should have to be prepared for is an emergency earthquake survival kit.

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Some of the items it should contain are:

• Items for warmth and protection
• Items for first aid and sanitation
• Items for rescue and entry
• Items for communication
• Items needed to contain fire and spills
• Food and water

Alsco provides emergency kits that are classified into modules that contain such items. All those modules are clearly marked and they are packed in a logical order in a cabinet, so you can find your way around them even in dark.

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FREE “Workplace Civil Defense Kit in PDF” – DOWNLOAD HERE

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What Is Needed in an Earthquake Kit?

These modules from your workplace earthquake emergency kit are described in general. Now, let’s go into a bit more detail and explain what really is in an emergency earthquake kit.

Warmth and protection – This should include foldable blankets, dust masks, gloves, and similar items that can help you stay warm and protect you. You need protection from the dust, debris and similar negative influences for your health and safety that are frequently found in a damaged building.

First aid kit– Your standard workplace first aid kit will do. However, it may not be reachable to you in case the building you are in is compromised. That is why a version of your first aid kit should be a part of your emergency kit contents, as well.

Sanitation supplies – First aid kits will always include some basic sanitation items, but they are enough only in case a wound needs to be sanitised. In case somebody is trapped in their workplace during an earthquake, or they need to remain there for a prolonged period of time, additional sanitation items are necessary. These include moist towels, garbage bags, plastic ties, water supplies and similar items.

Communication, rescue and entry items – It is possible that an earthquake will compromise the electric grid in your workplace. It is necessary to turn off utilities and prevent further disaster. That is why you need wrench or pliers, but also protective gloves and even helmet. You will need a flashlight, battery-powered radio, phone and extra batteries to be able to communicate. It is also useful to have a whistle available.

Food and drink – In the worst case scenario, you will have to remain in the workplace for longer than a day. That is why a lot of workplace emergency kits are created to help you survive a period of 3 days. In this case, you need some non-perishable food and at least 3l of water per day, to help you with sanitation and of course, to keep you hydrated.

These are all items that need to be available in your workplace emergency kit. If an earthquake hits, it is best to stay inside. Given that you spend a lot of your time at your workplace, there is a good chance that you will be forced to stay there for a while.

What Should You Do During Earthquake at Work?

In case you are inside your workplace when an earthquake happens you need to stay inside. Moreover, you should follow the Drop, Cover and Hold protocol. There are many people who rush outside in case of an earthquake, but that is a bit mistake. That is something you should be doing in case of fire.

When an earthquake strikes, the authorities in New Zealand recommend you take the following three steps:

1. Drop –  get on the ground as soon as you realise that the earthquake is happening. If you are unable to drop to the ground, head to the walls, away from the glass windows and try holding onto a piece of sturdy furniture.
2. Cover – Seek cover under the sturdiest piece of furniture in your vicinity. In case that mortar, light fixtures and other items start falling off the ceiling, you need to be covered.
3. Hold – Grab the sturdiest and the nearest piece of furniture and hold on to it. Don’t let go until the shaking stops and even for a while after that.

By analysing the injuries and outcomes of different actions taken during New Zealand earthquakes, it has been concluded that the most of the injuries were sustained by people trying to exit and those who managed to get outside.

Severe earthquakes cause parts of buildings, trees and even street lights to fall off and such objects can cause injuries. The same goes for the glass windows and even electric cords that can get torn. Inside your workplace is safer, even if the building has been compromised to a lesser degree.

How to Prepare a Workplace Earthquake Emergency Plan?

When an earthquake happens, it is a bit too late for planning. Everything will be happening too fast and you need to plan ahead. As a business owner, you need to make sure that you have a workplace emergency plan already set and that all your employees are aware of it.

You need to make sure that:

• Your employees know about the drop, cover and hold procedure
• Your employees know where the earthquake kits are
• Your employees have their go bags ready in case evacuation is necessary
• Your employees know about your established after earthquake procedure

All of New Zealand is at risk of earthquakes, and lots of us travel to parts of the country where earthquakes are more common. pic.twitter.com/at2NYI4d9P

— Get Ready Get Thru (@NZGetThru) December 5, 2016

The after earthquake procedure should be clearly understood and your employees should have their personal workplace emergency plans. Also, there should be an agreement about the correct course of actions and the leadership chain in case of earthquake.

These emergency plans will include the same idea, but they should also take into account the specifics of your workplace. For example, it should include the fact that nobody should use the elevators in case you run your business in a multi-storey building.

However, getting a well-supplied and regularly stocked earthquake kit is something every workplace needs. Contact Alsco New Zealand and rent all the earthquake kits you need.

For an affordable annual price, you will always be prepared for an emergency and you’ll never have to worry about the state of your kits, as we will check them, repair them, and replenish them regularly.

Are Workplace First Aid Kits Required?

According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment of New Zealand (MBIE), it is required that you have at least one workplace first aid kit in every location.

The recommendations for the workplace first aid have been given in their Guide.

The number of needed first aid kits rises with the number of employees and the size of the workplace. For every 50 employees, an additional workplace first aid kit should be added. If the workplace has more than one floor, a first aid kit should be on each of the floors.

The first aid kits should be positioned in a way that makes them clearly visible. There should be signs in place that point to them and there should never be anything that blocks the first aid kit. Ideally, right next to the first aid kit should be a wash basin with both hot and cold running water and a supply of clean towels and soap.

Based on this, a perfect place for positioning first aid kits are washrooms or anywhere near them, especially in crowded multi-storey places such as schools or restaurants.

If a school is your workplace, don’t miss out on learning all the positive effects washrooms that meet the legal requirements have on the staff and students’ safety.

However, it is not enough to just install the first aid kits and to hope that there will be no emergencies. As an employer, you need to make sure that the first aid kits are regularly checked, so that the items are replaced before their expiration dates and that used items are regularly replenished.

What Should Be in a Basic First Aid Kit?

WorkSafe recommends that first-aid kits contain the basic equipment for attending to injuries, along with equipment based on the risks of your workplace. This is best estimated after conducting a thorough first-aid workplace assessment.

First aid requirements are different for low-risk workplaces, such as offices, single person companies, retail stores without major warehouses and similar.

On the other hand, there is an entirely different situation in the mining industry, automotive workshops, businesses that require heavy machinery, and the like. The hospitality business is not without its challenges, either, although it cannot be compared to mining.

These are the basic items that should find their place in your workplace first aid kits:

• First aid guide
• Contact information of workplace first aiders
• Moist wipes
• Adhesive dressings
• Triangle and stretch bandages
• Eye pads
• Saline solutions
• Safety pins and clasps
• Tools such as gloves, scissors and tweezers
• Resuscitation mask

Wipes, dressings and bandages should be unmedicated and entirely sterile. They need to be packed individually so that when you take out one piece, the others stay uncompromised. Stock them in different sizes, so they can match different requirements.

The adhesives should be in different sizes and you should have at least 20 of them. As for the stretch and triangle bondages, make sure that you have at least 2 of each. The same goes for the eye pads.

It is not legally regulated whether the pain medication should be stocked in the first aid kits. There is an ongoing discussion about whether this is justified or not.

One side claims that they are over-the-counter medications that people can freely use at any moment. The other side says that any kind of medication should be administered by a medical professional, especially in the case of an emergency.

This is a judgement call for the employer. However, if you choose to stock the pain relief medication, its use must be closely monitored.

How Many Aiders Are Needed in the Workplace?

First aiders are employees who hold the First Aid Certification and are qualified to offer first aid in the case of emergency. However, there is no law that says if you have to have a first aider in your company or how many of them should be present.

The need for the first aiders is regulated by the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, but it doesn’t go into details. It only says that you need to come up with procedures for dealing with the emergencies. This leaves a lot of room for interpretation from the employer. In other words – it is up to you.

MBIE also advises that the employers are the to make the call about the number of first aiders, based on the workplace assessment. First Aid workplace assessment involves examining the characteristics and the specifics of the workplace in the aim to tailor the best possible solution for the first aid distribution.

The factors that need to be considered when making such an assessment include:

• The number of employees
• Specifics and hazards of the industry
• The size, the location and the work organisation (e.g. shift work)
• The proximity of the medical assistance centre

If you opt for first aiders in your workplace, you need to keep in mind that some of those people need to be present at all times. For example, if you don’t have a lot of employees, but they work in three shifts, you need to make sure that there is one first aider in each of these shifts.

The holidays, sick days and other absences of the first aiders should also be covered. That is why you will need a couple of people trained to administer first aid in the most efficient way.

First aid certification is valid for two years. After those two years, a refresher course is needed for a person to keep their certificate. If there are more than three months from the moment the certificate expired, the first aider needs to take the course all over again to get a new certificate.

Besides the first aiders and the first aid kits, your workplace can also have a first aid room. However, even in that case, you will need the appropriately stocked first aid kits. Purchasing them is not the end of your worries. They need to be checked and rechecked regularly.

Some of the supplies will expire while others will be used. The first aid box itself can be compromised in some way, or the doors can simply get stuck. Running a good business and thinking about these issues at the same time is challenging.

Delegate all your first aid efforts to Alsco New Zealand. We offer rental first aid kits that we can stock in any way you like. For a flat rate, you can forget about the stocking and restocking, as well as about the regular checkups. That’s all included in your annual price. To get started with workplace first aid, get in contact with Alsco today!

What Should You Do During Earthquake at Work?

If you are working indoors, you should Drop, Cover and Hold in case of an earthquake at work.

This is the recommended course of action for anybody who finds themselves indoors at the time of an earthquake. Your workplace is not an exception.

Moreover, every workplace in New Zealand should have an emergency plan and at least one earthquake preparedness kit available.

Your earthquake emergency plan should identify strong and weak spots in a workplace building and it should also include employee training.

Employee training will teach your employees what to do in case of an earthquake. It should point out:

• where to hide
• how long to wait and
• where the nearest earthquake survival kit is

Emergency training of this sort should contain the general information that is applicable to every workplace, but also specific information for your workplace.

For example, what parts of a building to avoid, where to seek cover and similar. Such training should be repeated at least twice a year.

As an employer, you are responsible for dealing with earthquake-related health and safety risks. This is all part of workplace earthquake preparedness.

What Is the Workplace Earthquake Preparedness?

Workplace earthquake preparedness involves all the measures, plans and actions taken to minimise the effects of a possible earthquake. These measures are put into place to prevent employee injuries, damages to the workplace and even business contingency (frequently mistaken for continuity).

Obviously, safety of your staff comes first, so you need to try and prevent as many injuries as possible in case an earthquake strikes.

This means that you should make a plan to:

• Eliminate the possibility for the structural components to fall down
• Adequately secure supplies, materials and heavy objects
• Safely secure dangerous chemicals and prevent their spilling
• Always keep electrical wires and gas pipelines in check to prevent fires

Besides making such plans, you should also make sure your employees get proper emergency training and also that you have your emergency kit for earthquake in several places in your workplace.

Some guidelines also recommend that your employees keep their own personal earthquake kit that they can grab in case they need to evacuate immediately.

What Should Be in an Earthquake Preparedness Kit?

Earthquake preparedness kit in NZ workplace needs to be equipped with first aid supplies, some tools, sanitation supplies, food and water.

Earthquake kit lists should also include tools such as radio, protective equipment, torch and the like.

• First aid kit is needed to minimise the injuries employees might have suffered during earthquake.
• Tools can be used to manage cut electrical wires, turn off water and gas and much more.
• Food and water should be enough to sustain a person for 72 hours.
• Sanitation supplies are also needed in case there are people trapped inside their workplace for prolonged periods of time.
• The need to mobile phones, spare batteries, radio and other communication devices is obvious. People should be instructed not to call emergency services if they are not injured. Check radio stations for further instructions.

Where Do You Hide During an Earthquake?

Usually, when the earthquake starts, you should drop down on the floor and find shelter below a desk or similar sturdy and resilient piece of furniture.

You should assume the “turtle” position and protect your neck.

There is no time to make big decisions once an earthquake starts. That is why it is highly recommended that workplaces pre-determine the best spots for cover and that all employees know about them.

Usually, in offices, the best place for cover is under a strong desk. If all the desks are of low quality, the best option is to curl up next to the interior wall, away from the windows.

In big warehouses that have a lot of shelves, it is best to crawl under the bottom shelves. While the items from the top shelves may start to fall down, the bottom of the shelves will move the least and the shelve itself will serve as a cover.

Running through the aisles increases the chances of getting hit by falling objects.

How Long Does an Earthquake Last?

The earthquake itself can last for several seconds or up to one minute. However, that is only what happens in the epicentre.

As earthquake shocks spread like waves, the shaking may last longer as the earthquake spreads. However, it will also be weaker. An earthquake is usually felt for a couple of minutes only.

How long and how much an earthquake is felt depends on the distance from the epicentre and the strength of the earthquake itself.

You will feel less shaking in the building lobby than you will on the 10th storey.

Aftershocks are smaller quakes that usually happen after the main quake. They are more likely to happen if the earthquake was shallow and closer to the surface.

Aftershocks can happen within a matter of hours, days, but also weeks.

What Should We Not Do During an Earthquake?

When it comes to workplace behaviour there are several things you should NOT do during an earthquake:

• Use elevators
• Try to leave the building
• Do not use matches, lighters and similar items that can cause fire due to possible gas leaks
• Do not try to phone emergency services if nobody is injured

Remember your training and follow the usual steps of drop, cover and hold until the earthquake is over. Once the shaking stops, be prepared that some of the items and objects will still be falling down.

If somebody in your vicinity is hurt, reach for the earthquake kit and get the first aid supplies from it. There should be a torch inside, as well, in case there is not enough light.

To make sure your earthquake kit for NZ workplaces is well stocked and always up to date – you need to check it and replenish it regularly. This can be a tedious job and it is easy to forget it. Now, you can freely forget about your earthquake emergency kit and get Alsco New Zealand to worry about them.

Alsco New Zealand has decades of experience in assembling and maintaining any earthquake survival kit a NZ workplace may need. We rent the earthquake kits for an annual fee and we maintain them, check them and replenish them for the same price.

Call Alsco representatives and get your best quote for emergency kit for earthquakes that match your workplace needs and specifics.

7 Safety Measures All Healthcare Workers Should Consider

The injury rate among healthcare and social assistance workers is higher than any other sector. They are exposed to various health risks and hazards including back injuries, needle-stick injuries, allergies, blood-borne pathogens, potential chemical and drug exposures, to name just a few.

With all the good they are doing for their patients, it is important for them to take extra safety precautions in order to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses.

Although it is impossible to eliminate all the risks associated with the healthcare industry, here are 7 safety tips that can help workers avoid extreme situations and minimise the risks.

1. Take Extra Measures When Lifting

From time to time, healthcare workers are required to do heavy lifting. Some patients need help getting up or need to be lifted entirely. Heavy equipment needs to be moved around the healthcare centre.

Mechanical aids should be the first option when it comes to heavy lifting. They are guaranteed to help distribute the load and strain rather evenly. Examples of these are lifts, pivot disks, and slide boards which make patient transport so much easier.

If these are not available, make sure to master and implement proper lifting techniques for medical staff. There are some specifics in this industry which require special care.

2. Pair Work Is Always Better

Another alternative to consider when mechanical aids are not available is working in pairs. More often than not, this option is overlooked. Unfairly though, as it helps distribute the load between two people. However, here are some things that you need to have in mind.

First, you need to work with someone of the similar height and build. This will help distribute the load more evenly. Second, make sure your movements are fully coordinated with your partner’s to avoid dropping and damaging the load, especially when lifting a patient.

3. Regular Maintenance Is A Must

As the quality of your services heavily depends on how effective and functional this equipment is, you just cannot afford to have any malfunctions.

When it comes to health care center and hospital equipment, nothing is of minor importance: from bed cranks and wheelchair casters to patient monitors and sterilisers, all must be checked and tested on a regular basis.

Make sure to constantly check the quality of work of employees responsible for maintenance. It is of critical importance that their job is done properly. There’s no room for poor performance given the seriousness of those affected.

4. All Hazards Should Be Reported Immediately

Spills and leaks aren’t considered a serious danger in most workplaces. It usually requires a simple mopping of the floor to get things all cleaned up. However, this is not the case in the medical industry.

The biological matter like blood and other bodily fluids that might potentially contain infectious bacteria/strains require special handling and care.

But simple hazards should not be ignored either. Small pieces of broken glass on the floor are potentially harmful to both your patients and yourself. This is why these incidents need to be reported immediately.

5. Prioritise Safe Needle Handling

All healthcare employees need to be aware of safety measures of needle handling and disposal. Used needles are a genuine potential medical hazard. The risk of infection and transference of diseases is far higher with improper needle handling.

To make sure that all of your staff is familiar with the procedures, schedule a training session. Put up posters and reminders about the centre so that the staff is constantly reminded of safe handling procedures.

Although they are a bit more expensive, it is worth investing in safe needles as they’re guaranteed to provide proper protection for workers at all times.

6. Use Protective Equipment At All Times

From masks and gloves to safety goggles and scrubs – all these items are mandatory to every healthcare worker and should never be left out. Wearing protective equipment creates a barrier between your and germs. This barrier reduces the chance of touching, being exposed to, and spreading germs.

Each department in your medical centre is connected to specific dangers it is exposed to. This is why you need to be aware of them in order to properly distribute protective equipment. By working in different conditions, each of your employees has different protective needs. Also, they might need to use different types of protective equipment for specific patients.

For instance, employees who handle laundry need sturdier gloves because they are at risk from stray needles. Medical professionals who work with patients that suffer from highly infectious diseases need high-quality masks.

7. Keep In Mind That Physical Assault Is A Possibility

Finally, physical violence against medical staff is a reality you should we aware of. Certain patients are prone to violence and you might be in real danger.

While much rarer than other risks, it’s still something to bear in mind. It is important to identify potentially problematic patients who have a history of psychiatric disorders that involve violence. If there are any that are probable problem cases, make sure that handlers of such patients are working with a partner.

There are a lot of important things to consider when it comes to occupational health and safety in the healthcare industry. For many years, Alsco has been a reliable provider of services and products for a wide range of industries, including healthcare. From uniforms to safety mats, first aid kits, defibrillators, and other relevant equipment, Alsco can cater to all your needs.

Call us today and we can customise packages and programs for rental or purchase specific to your company’s needs.

Photo courtesy of Freepik Images by Nensuria

6 Ways To Minimise Wet Floor Problems At Work

Every year, companies all over the world lose millions of dollars in lost production and other expenses caused by a seemingly insignificant type of accidents – slipping and falling in the company’s premises.

If you are an owner of a company, you probably know how problematic and time consuming dealing with injuries at work can be.

Depending on who suffers this type of incident, losing an employer for some time can be anything from a big to a downright devastating problem.

This all means that finding a functional way to deal with wet surfaces in your business premises has to be among the priorities of any serious company.

For decades, Alsco has been part of the solution worldwide, with its rich offer of floor mats which absorb water. These mats are resistant to slipping and enable safe movement across potentially dangerous areas.

The mats produced by Alsco are designed to fit into any environment, be it a building hall, a lobby or a toilet.

How Big Is The Problem?

In truth, it’s difficult to find statistics relating specifically to washroom incidents, but there is plenty of information highlighting the significance of the broader ‘wet floor’ accident category. According to figures in Key Work Health and Safety Statistics 2014, published by Safe Work Australia, injuries caused by falls, trips and slips represented 21.4% of all serious workers compensation claims in 2011-2012.

Its prominent share of workplace injuries continues, with the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reporting that between July 2013 and June 2014, Australian workplaces registered 68,200 ‘falls on the same level’ (which includes slips and trips), or 13% of the total number of work-related injuries and illnesses over the 12-month period.

In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that the vast majority of about 1,300 registered incidents of slips and trips in the food and drinks industry (pubs and restaurants etc) are accounted for by slips (80%), and of them 90% were caused by wet floors.

Meanwhile, the US reports 540,000 serious slip and fall injuries in the workplace on average each year, with as many as 460 workplace fatalities directly related to slips on wet floors.

The indictment of the ‘wet floor’ problem at work is pretty clear, but there is little reason for the threat to remain so high. Adequately managing wet floors in your workplace is not a very complex undertaking, and there are several steps that can be taken to greatly reduce the risk of falling on a wet floor, in washrooms, kitchens, lobbies or anywhere else.

Areas Which Can Get Slippery

Whatever the nature of your business, slips and trips are always a risk – even in carpeted offices, staff can trip over a dog-eared carpet corner and get injured in the fall. Wet areas are usually confined to specific locations, however, and while statistics fail to identify the precise location of incidents involving wet surfaces, common knowledge tells us they are confined to 6 main areas. These are the

• front and rear entrances, where rainwater is carried in on wet shoes, clothes and umbrellas,
• canteens, where spills can occur during break and lunchtime. Also, cisterns dispensing hot or cold drinks, and refrigerated display units may leak.
• kitchens, where water, grease, oil and moist ingredients can fall to the ground. Also refrigerators and other temperature-controlled food storage units might leak.
• warehouses and workshops where machinery oils, detergents and other liquid chemicals might spill.
• lobbies and waiting rooms, again where water from outdoors can be allowed to drip
• washrooms, where splashing around sinks, overflowing toilets and leaking pipes can lead to wet areas

Of course, any areas where there is a normally smooth surface – like marble floors or ceramic tiled floors – are aesthetically impressive and easy to clean, but they become hazardous surfaces should there be spillage at all.

Tips To Prevent Accidents

As with all health and safety issues, there are several steps you can take to counter the likelihood of there being an accident. In fact, managing wet floors in washrooms, entrance lobbies and general walkways, is perhaps the most straightforward of all the safety-related tasks in any working environment.

We have put together a shortlist of the top 6 tips for managing wet floors in washrooms at work, and in that way protecting staff and visitors from the threat of slipping and suffering an injury – or worse.

Tip 1 – Place the signs

First you need to consider clearly marking wet floors whenever and wherever they appear. For this purpose you can use one of the standard signs which are available everywhere, with a “Caution! The floor is wet!” message written on them. You need to place the signs strategically well – placing them on the wet floor is a mistake, since by the time people see them they may have already stepped on the wet surface and risk falling.

It is also very important that the signs aren’t covered by something, and that it is impossible to pass the sign without actually reading it.

There are two types of signs you need to consider getting. The first type is the removable sign, portable enough that you can carry it in your hands and deliver it where necessary as soon as a situation arises.

The second type is the one which gets fastened on the wall and is usually placed in washrooms, around sinks, but also around windows on which the water can condensate and drip on the floor.

Consider also introducing “spillage reporting” and train employees to report on wet floors in the building whenever and immediately after they see one.

Tip 2 – Don’t let people discover wet surface by accident

Either by using the signs themself, or anything else sufficiently bulky, you need to block entrance to the area which is wet. People generally don’t pay much attention to what they walk into, especially when they have a lot of other things on their minds, which is usually the case at work.

This is important not just for workers in the company, but also for clients, in case your company receives them in the premises.

Tip 3 – Let everybody know

Letting people know that the floor is wet is only step one in the process of maximising awareness of the risk of slipping and falling. Vigilance is one of the key tools in keeping people safe and establishing high safety standards.

Putting up posters and other visual materials on the walls in corridors is a really good idea. Even if people don’t think much about what they see on those posters, it is likely that they will subconsciously understand the risks of slipping.

These posters are very easy to find on the internet and are usually available to download for free. Do make sure you print them on large formats because they need to be clearly visible from the distance.

Tip 4 – Keep Cleaning Equipment Handy

Acting on all of the previous tips will definitely result in more safety for everyone working in or visiting your business. There is, however, something that undoubtedly wins as the most efficient method for eliminating slipping risk and that is quick action.

If spillage is removed before anyone manages to even reach the place where it occurred, there will be absolutely no chance an incident would happen.

In order to enable quick reaction times, you need to consider your cleaning closet distribution across the building and plan employing the sufficient number of cleaning staff to be able to react as soon as possible.

These closets need to be placed at strategic places and they always need to be adequately stocked with all the necessary equipment, such as buckets and mops, liquid absorbing materials, etc. Cleaning closets don’t have to be big, but in that case you need to organize them well enough to fit everything. Also, consider appointing a member of your staff to ensure closets are always kept well stocked.

Tip 5 – Make the right choice of floor mats

We have already identified toilets as the critical areas in any building where spillage can occur at any time. While keeping them spillage free with timely actions should be a priority, there are still ways to alleviate risks of dangerous falls before cleaning crew arrives.

Floor mats are an ideal solution for areas which get slippery all the time. The new technologies make floor mat materials able to soak up a lot of liquid while still providing a safe surface.

However, material is not everything. Floor mat design is also important, as it prevents the mat from sliding on the wet floor.

Consider placing a mat on every permanently or frequently wet surface. These are found not only in washrooms, but also at building entrances and other places, depending on the building in question.

Successfully managing wet areas in washrooms means finding a way to negate the risk of injury. At Alsco, we provide a variety of floor mats specifically designed to handle wet areas and reduce the risk of slipping. Depending on the nature of your work, there may be certain wet area mats needed for certain sections of the workplace. For example, there are thick mats that let liquid and debris to fall through while keeping workers above the spillage and allowing them to work on. They are popular in kitchens and workshops, but equally effective around those sink areas in workplace washrooms.

Entrance mats normally suitable for lobby areas are highly absorbent too, which can be useful if placed at the doorway into the washroom, but they can also be used around the sinks too. For more on Alsco Mats, check out our online brochure.

Tip 6 – Choose The Right Cleaning Schedule

Aside from timely reactions when a spillage occurs, it is important to impose a fix cleaning schedule which will at the same time keep the building clean and safe for workers.

General cleanings are best performed in the morning before employees come to work or after everybody has left. While the first scenario is more desireable (cleaning staff will not like it if they have to stay at work for such a long time), it requires some careful planning. If employees arrive at nine in the morning, it would be wise to perform cleaning one or even two hours earlier.

Timely cleaning will ensure that there are no wet areas left when workers arrive, which helps with general safety at work and makes cleaning itself more efficient, since dirty shoes can make quite a mess on a wet floor.

Solve The Problem With Alsco Mats

Over the years, Alsco has become a trusted name in the textile rental industry, serving a variety of industrial sectors. Through Alsco Mats, we provide floorcare solutions for every situation, making us the perfect option when it comes to managing wet areas in washrooms, kitchens, lobbies, and corridors.

And because we provide a complete mat rental service, our clients avoid the often high costs associated with purchases, maintaining and replacing floor mats in the workplace, with weekly rates starting from less than $1 a day.

Some of the key benefits of mat rental and you’ll see it makes good business sense:

• Keeps floors clean and prevents floor damage
• Presents a clean image to your staff and customers
• No capital outlay
• Complete managed service
• Tax-deductible advantages

For more on how Alsco Mats can contribute to a safer workplace in an affordable and reliable way, simply visit the website. You can also check out our range of floor mats on our brochure. And if you want to speak to one of our experienced team, you can fill our online enquiry form, or call us at 0800 4 25726 (0800 4 ALSCO).

No-Nonsense Guide To Prevention Of Tripping And Slipping

There is something about tripping and slipping that makes other people laugh. Even those who consider themselves sympathetic can’t deny they laughed when they saw it in a movie or their favorite cartoon.

Whether it’s just because the sudden loss of control makes people act in a funny way or it also has something to do with irrational feeling of relief we weren’t the ones that slipped, most people will agree that it is wrong to laugh in these cases.

Tripping and slipping can be a serious thing. As a matter of fact, they are counted among the most common reasons of injuries at work.

At Alsco, experts in the field of work safety work hard to find the best way to prevent this type of incidents.

Numbers say that every year millions of people suffer injury or get sick at work, and the three groups which are at exposed to biggest risk are manual workers, drivers and operators of machinery and service workers.

Fifteen percent of those injuries happen by falling on the same level, which includes incidents caused by tripping and slipping.

In order to minimise those incidents, or even completely eliminate them from a workplace, there is a number of steps which can be made.

We assembled two lists which can be really helpful starting points for dealing with tripping and slipping in your company.

5 Steps To Minimise Tripping

• Where flooring type changes suddenly (like concrete to carpeting), ensure the levels are evenly matched. With carpets or tiling, make sure the edges are secured to prevent dog-earing or warping.Keep working areas, aisles and corridors clear of items so there is nothing to trip over. Provide separate storage areas for boxes, tools and equipment. Ensure cabling is neatly tucked way. Carry out clean-ups regularly.
• Keep your workers aware. Many people trip when they are not paying attention or are distracted. So, use visual aids in high risk areas (storeroom), on stairs and remind your staff to do their part.
• Reduce the need for cabling by installing extra power sockets in more convenient places. Where cabling must cross traffic routes, place them overhead rather than across the floor.
• Keep the floor surface as consistent as possible, so cover floor power sockets, remove ridges and flatten inclines (if possible).

5 Steps To Minimise Slipping

• Invest in special work area matting. These are designed to resist oils and water so workers standing on them won’t slip while working.
• Be sure to regularly service any machinery to reduce the chances of leakage. You could also add containers to capture any condensation and spills.
• Use water absorbent floor mats at all entrance areas to soak up any dripping rainwater from clothing and umbrellas. These are designed to handle large volumes of traffic and can be easily laundered and replaced by your supply company.
• Make sure there is easy access to cleaning-up equipment. These include mops, cloths, absorbent paper for oil substances, and portable ‘Caution’ signs.
• Designate areas for wet umbrellas and overcoats to be kept, but ensure they’re away from busy traffic routes. Keeping them close to the entrance minimises the potential wet area created.

More To Do

It goes without saying that even if you manage to act on each of the above steps, you won’t manage to entirely remove the risk of tripping and slipping. There are so many factors that come into play every day that it is impossible to take them all into consideration.

However, there is more that you can do if you are really committed to solving this problem. If you adopt new, safer working procedures, the result will definitely be a significant improvement in overall safety of your employees.

This is not an easy undertaking. It takes a lot of time to complete and you will likely need to appoint more than one person to deal with it over time, control the execution and oversee the progress.

Alsco offers a number of products which are designed to help with this issue. One of the most useful products in Alsco’s portfolio is the safety mat, which can be placed in the most dangerous areas and help avert incidents. Alsco’s mats are also extremely efficient in preserving flooring and eliminating the need for frequent floor maintenance.

The best thing about Alsco’s mats is that they are completely free to try for two-weeks which lets you test their efficiency at no cost. We are sure you will want to keep them!

Photo courtesy of Flickr Images by SmartSign