Safety First!

A person doesn’t have to be a klutz to experience or encounter dangerous situations or harm. Accidents, by the nature of the word, do happen, for whatever reasons.

Prevention is the cornerstone of safety. The idea of anticipating anything that can go wrong, then using procedures and products to minimize if not completely reduce risk. All told, safety and health problems cost American companies several billions of dollars annually in lost wages, productivity, as well as in medical, insurance and often legal costs. At worst, according to the Centers for Disease Control, a fatal injury can carry an average cost of nearly $1 million; but the National Safety Council believes that average cost to society is closer to $1.5 million.

You can assist your clients in reducing their expenses by involving employees in a well-designed safety program that includes products for education, motivation, awards and incentives.

Margit Fawbush of BIC Graphic asserts that helping your clients to create and implement a sound healthy and safe workplace “is an investment that benefits both employers and the organization as a whole. The benefits include increased productivity, retention of staff, reduced absenteeism, reduced benefits costs and more.”

She points out that no matter the type of business or organization, there always exists a possibility of an accident or health risk – “all work exposes people to hazards. It could be heavy lifting, dangerous machinery, toxic substances, repetitive motion or even stress – to name a few,” she observes. Take some time to visit your customers, and also your local businesses and think how such hazards may evidence. Restaurants, auto repair services, utility repair, construction, landscape, office environments, all have unique aspects that may affect personnel, vendor and customer safety.

“Once a safety program is put in place, a key component to its success is employee awareness and ongoing reminders,” Fawbush adds. Items such as branded safety gear, eg, safety vests, goggles, ear plugs (such as BIC Graphic’s 15709 Travel Ear Plugs), as well as useful office items with a safety or healthy workplace message will help ensure continued compliance from employees. Further, “departments or business units can create an awards program to celebrate ‘no occurrences’ for the month or by quarter, and an overall award can be given yearly as well,” she offers.

Office/Workplace/Home

More businesses are creating safety and wellness programs, so it’s a good idea to ask your client if one is in place, or if one is being considered. Ask about safety procedures already in place and items they may have – or more important – need to enhance these measures.

For example, Bay State’s Safety Caps Outlet Cover (D412) protects outlets from objects being accidentally inserted into them, provides safety from unintended electrical shocks, reduces air flow for increased energy efficiency, and reduces risk of insect infestation, Josette Bosse points out.

A client that has a sales force that is on the road quite often, or trucking or transport companies may want to give those employees any of a number of safety kits. When employees or teams reach safety milestones, gifts are often in order. From watches, to folding chairs, barbecue sets and beach towels emblazoned with the company name (for pride), to taking safety home. 

If you have clients such as collision repair specialists, cabinet makers, and other similar crafts or repair businesses, logoed eye safety wear and ear safety products will present a unified look to customers and foster pride among employees.

Products that promote safety and wellness at home will make a feel-good impact upon recipients who will look favorably upon the business that gives it to them. Natural Trends, for example provides logoed products include All Terrain® Herbal Armor® Natural Insect Repellent, perfect for the summertime. This product, says company president Paul Christensen, was proven highly effective in repelling Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, providing 100 percent protection for two hours and 95.8 percent protection for three hours post-application in independent lab testing. “Allergy tested and non-irritating, Herbal Armor® repellent is travel-ready, sweat resistant for active lifestyles, and good for those with sensitive skin. It won’t damage clothing or equipment like DEET repellents,” he describes. 

Natural Trends also provides a variety of lip balms and hand sanitizers (spray, gel in bottle, and individual packets).

Josette Bosse of Bay State reminds not to forget moms, who appreciate the FDA-certified Check-up Digital Thermometer (H773) provides accurate digital read in Fahrenheit; it comes with clear plastic case for safe storage and protection of the thermometer. A fertility clinic handed out these thermometers with packets of information they gave out to patients who came in for a consultation, Bosse notes. The clinic name and website were printed on the thermometer case.

There’s also Bay State’s Easy-View Acrylic Medicine Spoon (H9) or Bedtime Medicine Spoon (H7). “A new pharmacy opened up and put these medicine spoons in the prescription bags for the first-time customers,” Bosse says. “They printed their pharmacy name, number and address on each spoon. 

Elderly care is big business, and more healthcare facilities and practices are opening all the time. Bay State’s My Medical History Organizer (M455) provides a concise medical history for emergencies, so technicians will have life-saving information readily available. Its vinyl pouch can be applied to virtually any non-porous surface and it's reusable, describes Bosse. A hospital that holds CPR courses decided to hand out these Medical History Organizers to each participant in the course.

Speaking of healthcare practices – doctors and nurses often are physically stressed after long days of working with patients. Prime Line’s brand new Gel Beads (Doctor, PL-0592; and Nurse, PL-0595) are bead gel therapy packs for temporary relief of sore muscles. They can be stored in the refrigerator prior to application and for heat, simply immersed in hot water for five minutes. They are latex-free and reusable.

Another growing category is related to personal fitness, says Fawbush. BIC Graphic offers its LED Running Wrist Band (#40943), which improves visibility while running or dog walking at night. Available in red, yellow and blue, each strap illuminates the same colors as the face. Says Fawbush, "in addition to workplace fitness programs, items like the LED running wrist band are great giveaways for charity walks, trainers, walking clubs and more."

Fey Industries’ Reflectix offers quite a few promotional reflective products to keep people safe while outdoors in the dusk or darkness. A collection of shoe products such as tags, sneaker stickers, Tag-Stix™ and Safety-Laces™ and zipper pulls and clipsters can deliver any safety message your client wants, and they are useful for the whole family. According to the company, “It’s been proven that regular use of reflectors actually helps reduce accident and death rates. Trends are moving towards prevention of accidents in every arena.”

The big trend now, of course, is “Fitbit,” the wristwatch that tracks your health numbers (such as heart rate, etc.). And Promo Imprint Products offers the FitbitCharge2 Heart Rate & Fitness Wristband that is built with PurePulse heart rate, multi-sport modes, guided breathing sessions & interchangeable bands. These are a natural for health clubs, running clubs, and corporate stores.

No matter the type of client – hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, warehousing, auto repair, corporate – any place of business may gain confidence from its employees, customers and patients when they know that a safety program is followed by staff. Safety reminders are a great way to continue to encourage adherence to the program, as well as a way to protect your workforce. Here, promotional products can help your client ensure the safety message isn’t forgotten after the safety training. Safety reminders can be used on the front end of a safety or wellness initiative to increase employee awareness, or to educate, or to incentivize employees. These items can be simple and inexpensive and used to educate or introduce your safety programs.