A Life Full of Computers

Computers have become a huge part of our lives. It’s crazy to think that until relatively recently laptops didn’t even exist, people didn’t have a computer at their home, let alone multiple computers. Now nearly everyone walks around with laptops, smart phones, and iPads. But, we must ask ourselves, what good are all these devices if we can’t keep them organized?

 How Much Do You Know?

1.     In what year did computers become mainstream (or more common) in households?

a.     1970’s

b.     1980’s

c.     1990’s

2.     In what years were the PowerBook series of laptops introduced and discontinued?

a.     1982, 1996

b.     1987, 2001

c.     1992, 2006

3.     When will the once popular AIM Instant messenger products be discontinued?

a.     November 2017

b.     December 2017

c.     January 2018

4.      A well-organized computer goes hand and hand with efficiency.

a.     True

b.     False

Get This…

One of the most important things in organizing your computer is to use folders. I know this sounds basic, but people tend to keep throwing junk in the same spot. For me this spot happens to be in my downloads, just because that’s where all my saved items automatically go. I have to make a conscious effort to put certain files, pictures, and other things in separate, properly labeled folders. This can save you a ton of time! Making your computer usage that much more efficient! If you happen to have a file you use a lot you can even put it on your desktop for easy access. Here are four tips for keeping your computer organized:

1.     Make an organization plan and stick to it.

2.     Use properly labeled folders…and even subfolders.

3.     Backup and save all important documents in their proper places.

4.     Clear out and declutter your files, desktop, and e-mail on a regular basis. Trust me, you will feel so much better! 

Can You Answer This Question???

In 2003 what percentage of U.S. citizens used computers at work?

a.     45.8%

b.     32.5%

c.     55.5%

In 2003 it is reported by the U.S. department of labor that 77 million citizens used computers at work. These 77 million people made up 55.5% of the population, making C your correct answer.

Get The Facts!

It’s now easier than ever to save computer files. We no longer need floppy disks! Heck, we don’t even need flash drives! There are now programs like google drive, Evernote, and Skydrive that save directly from your computer to the cloud. Below is some more information on google drive, and the cloud!

Google Drive:

·       15 GB of space

·       Can upload files, folders, and music

·       Comes equipped with Google Docs, Sheets, and Forms

·       Able to upload and sync files like Microsoft Office

·       Ability to share Google Drive files with other people (Makes working on group projects a breeze)

·       Will encrypt important data that is sent to cloud

·       Saves to internet in case of computer crashes

The Cloud:

·       Made up of a network of servers

·       Things are automatically uploaded to the cloud once they are put on social media forums

·       Google Drive, Skydrive, and Evernote automatically updates to the cloud (some of these companies will encrypt important data)

·       By using the cloud companies only pay for what they use, not a whole software package

…So What do you think?

Let us know what you think about online storage, and which programs your company uses in the comments! We love feedback. 

 

OSHA Violations Can Be Spooky, Don't Let Them Scare You!

We’ve mentioned OSHA before in our blog, but as the season changes it’s important for us to bring OSHA’s standards back into the spotlight. New challenges can arise with the new season, but don’t let this catch you off guard!  

How Much Do You Know?

1. What does OSHA stand for?

               a.     Ohio Safety and Health Administration

               b.     Occupational Safety and Health Administration

               c.     Origin of Safety and Health Administration  

2. Changing seasons can highlight different OSHA standards and violations.

               a.     True

               b.     False

3. What is OSHA responsible for?

               a.     To oversee minimal health and safety for workers

               b.     To oversee maximum health and safety for workers

               c.     To oversee health and safety for state workers

4. OSHA oversees a wide range of business types.

               a.     True

               b.     False

Get This…

Recently OSHA revealed their top ten fall violations for 2017! Currently this list is preliminary, and not all violations have been added to OSHA’s official reporting system. Some of these violations may not affect your business directly, but knowing what kinds of things OSHA is keeping an eye out for can be very beneficial for business owners and workers alike. Violations include:

1.     Construction: Unprotected edges, open sides in residential construction, and inadequate or no fall protection on low-slope roofs.

2.     Scaffolding: Lack of proper access to surfaces, and guard rails.

3.     Hazard Communication: Lack of data safety sheets and absence of a hazard communication program (this is the most common violation).

4.     Fall Training Requirements: Failure to educate workers on fall protection equipment and how to locate and identify fall hazards.  

5.     Respiratory Protection: Not establishing respiratory protection programs, along with failure to provide medical screenings and evaluations.

6.     Construction Ladders: Use of damaged ladders, and improper use of ladders, like using the top step.

7.     Guarding Machines: Access to points of operation.

8.     Electrical Wiring Maintenance and Methods: These violations are usually seen in basic industries, like food and retail.

9.     Lockout/Tagout: Lack of adequate worker training, and incomplete inspections.

10.  Powered Industrial Trucks: Inadequate worker training and re-certification. WE CAN HELP YOU WITH THIS!!!

As you can see, most of these violations are preventable with a little bit of education and maintenance! 

Can You Answer This Question???

Willful or repeated violations can cause companies anywhere from $_______ to $ _______.

A.    20,000 to 50,000 total

B.    20,000 to 50,000 per violation

C.    70,000 to 124,709 total

D.    70,000 to 124,709 per violation

The answer may be surprising, but D is correct. Obviously, this cost is astronomical. It is much more cost effective to stay up on OSHA rules and regulations. Not to mention, it’s just a lot less hassle!

Get The Facts!

OSHA violations and regulations sound like a scary thing, and they can be! So don’t procrastinate, prepare. All of these issues are very preventable. If you want to know more about how the OSHA inspection process works, check out the link below! 

https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy10/sh-20853-10/osha_inspections.pdf

…So Call!!!

Give us a call about our driver training and re-certification program. There’s no better time than the present! Dave will be happy to answer any of your questions at: (513) 842-2012.

Breakfast is Better than Ever

                   

We’re all so busy, and it’s easy to rush out of the house without eating breakfast. I myself tend to do this all the time. With this said there are many healthy benefits to eating breakfast that never fail to go unnoticed! All of these benefits will make you think twice about not making time for breakfast!

How Much Do You Know?

1.     Breakfast is the most important meal of the day?

a.      True

b.     False

c.      Debatable

2.     How many calories are in one large egg?

a.      74

b.     64

c.      54

3.     Granola is a good choice for a low fat breakfast?

a.      True

b.     False

 

Get This…

There is some debate on whether or not breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Regardless of this debate there are some benefits to eating breakfast. Below we will list 10 of the main reasons people should partake in eating a healthy breakfast.

     1.     Body Fuel- Breakfast gives you enough nutrients to energize your body for hours.

     2.     Healthy Habits- People who eat breakfast eat less fat and cholesterol, but ingest more vitamins,           minerals, and fiber.

     3.     Cutting Calories- When someone eats breakfast they are less likely to ingest as many calories as      those who do not. In addition, eating breakfast and skipping lunch is more efficient in cutting             calories than the reverse.

     4.     Reduced Risk of Diabetes- Those who eat breakfast are less likely to be diabetic   .

     5.     Weight Control- Breakfast can help keep your weight down.

     6.     Increase in Focus- People who eat breakfast are able to focus better than those who don’t.

     7.     Memory Enhancement- Experts say that eating breakfast improves memory and encourages learning.

     8.     Increased Fitness- Because people who eat breakfast have more energy they are more likely to spend time on fitness.

     9.     Better Moods- When you skip breakfast you are tired and irritable, by eating something you are less likely to feel this way, thus, putting you in a better mood.

     10.  Reduced Stress- Taking time to eat breakfast can be relaxing and enjoyable, it can also give you extra time to plan and prioritize your day.  

Can You Answer This Question???

Is granola a healthy go-to breakfast?

     A.    Yes!

     B.    No!

Neither of these answers are actually correct. Granola has many healthy qualities, like a high fiber content. However, granola is high in fat due to the things that are in it, like nuts. Often times these are healthy fats but their intake still needs to be monitored. Another problem with eating granola is that much of it has added sugars; to prevent this issue making your own granola is always a good choice! At the bottom of this page we will include a simple granola recipe you can try at home!

Here Are The Facts!

Although there has been recent debate over whether or not breakfast is the most important meal of the day it is still associated with a lot of great benefits. One of which is that people who eat a healthy breakfast are less likely to be overweight. A lot of this stems from the fact that they have ended their nightly fast, they’ve gotten their metabolism going, and their bodies are not starving all day. Because of this, by the time lunch rolls around they are more likely to make healthier decisions and better portion control decisions. Eating breakfast also gives people more energy. This makes them more likely to work out, even if they don’t work out until later in the day. Maybe you’re like me, and you aren’t much a breakfast person, but with benefits like this I just might give it a shot!

…Recipes

Granola:

Ingredients:

 2 cups raw, whole rolled oats (aka old fashion oats), preferably organic

 ½ cup raw nuts, chopped

¼ cup raw seeds (sunflower or pumpkin seeds are great)

 ½ cup unsweetened dried fruit, chopped (optional)

2-3 tablespoons grade-b maple syrup or raw honey (or a combo of both)

2 tbsp virgin coconut oil or other healthy cooking oil

 ½ tsp vanilla extract or almond extract

1 large pinch fine sea salt

 Preheat the oven to 300º F. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and use your clean hands to mix well and toss to coat; it will be sticky and messy but that’s the fun part. The coconut oil might be liquid or solid depending on the temperature of the room you are in (it has a melting point of about 75ºF.) Your hands will warm it up and melt it into the mixture if it’s solid, just be sure to mix it all through the other ingredients so there aren’t any chunks of oil left. Spread the mixture in a thin layer on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, until very lightly toasted. (To make this recipe completely raw-friendly, dehydrate the mixture 5-6 hours at 115ºF in a food dehydrator instead.) Cool before serving or storing. This granola can be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.

Read more at elizabethrider.com

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

1 large banana, peeled

1 cup ice cubes

1/2 cup almond milk

1/4 cup Greek yogurt

1 heaping Tbsp. peanut butter

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

In a blender, combine all ingredients.  Blend until smooth, and serve immediately
To give this some extra chill, try using frozen bananas! Often if I bring home more than I can use (before they ripen), I’ll go ahead and peel them, cut them into somewhat small pieces, and pop them in a bag and into the freezer.

Read more at gimmesomeoven.com

Avocado Toast

1-2 pieces of whole grain bread

1 large avacado

1-2 eggs, poached, fried or scrambled

¼ of a lemon

Salt and pepper to taste

Get your bread toasting. While your bread is toasting cook your eggs however you most enjoy them. Slice your avocado in half and then long ways. Once bread and eggs are cooked put your avocado on top of your toast, then lay your eggs on top of the avocado. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper, and apply some lemon juice. To add a little kick you can add a bit of hot sauce.

If you have breakfast recipes that you’d like to share, we’d love to hear them! Post them in the comments below!

Thanks for tuning into our blog! Have grrrreeeeaaaatttt day!

Wait... Forklifts have Forks???

When most of us refer to forks we’re talking about the kitchen utensil. However, there are a select few of us who are referring to forklift forks. In the industry, you’re always hearing about the potential dangers of forks, or about some of the hysteria they’ve caused. What people don’t talk about enough is how forklift forks vary in size, shape, capacity, and the fact that they need to be maintained. Although this isn’t as fun as talking about someone spearing open a huge drum of bacon, or a water pipe, it is important and needs to be touched upon.

 

How Much Do You Know?

1.     Palleted and non-palleted items require different kinds of forks.

a.     True

b.     False

2.     The best way to ensure you are changing your forklift’s forks properly is by referring to…

a.     Wikipedia

b.     The manual

c.     By watching someone else do it

3.     When parking a forklift, it is always a good idea to make sure the forks are…

a.     Close to the ground and pointed in a downward direction

b.     Lifted a couple feet off the ground, but pointed downward

c.     Close to the ground and pointed upwards

4.     When a forklift’s fork is damaged it is important to check the fork mount for damage as well.

a.     True

b.     False

Get This…

There are three main mount types for forklift forks.

Standard Hook: Top and Bottom locking mechanism.

Pin: Rod, shaft, or pin that fits into the “eye” of the fork. 

Non-Standard Hook: Combination of the standard hook and pin mounts. 

Can You Answer This Question???

All forklift forks are created to lift the same weight capacity?

a.     True

b.     False

If you chose A then you better do a little more research! Not all forks are created equal. Different types of forklifts require different types of forks; all of which perform different tasks, and have different weight limits associated with them. Often times the types of forks and the weight limit of your forklift’s forks are listed in the truck’s manual. 

Get The Facts!

Having bent or damaged forks on your forklift can cause a lot of issues. First of all using forks that are not in good shape can create a major safety issue. Bent and damaged forks can also cause the operator to puncture packaging, and can make it harder for them to lift materials. There are many people who are not comfortable or qualified to change their truck’s forks, but for a better understanding here is a quick overview!

Step 1: It might seem fairly basic, but is arguably the most important part of this process… check out the manual! This ensures that you know exactly what kind of forklift you have, what type of mount you are working with, and the types of forks you need.

Step 2: Make sure you have plenty of space!

Step 3: Turn off your forklift, unless otherwise noted in the manual.

Step 4: Study the forks and the mount. It isn’t a bad idea to make a sketch of the placement of your mount, forks, and screws to aide in putting them back together.

Step 5: Now it’s time to release the forks. Some newer forklifts have quick change forks, while older models do not. For older forklifts you will first have to release the top mechanism, once the forks are rested on the ground, the bottom mechanism can be released. For forklifts with a pin lock release the mount, and remove the pin from the “eye” of the fork. MAKE SURE OLD FORKS ARE LABELLED AND DISPOSED OF PROPERLY!

Step 6: Place your new forks in front of the forklift, reverse your actions from the previous step, and make sure that everything is secured tightly!

Watch this video for another look at changing forks!

…So Call

If you’re one of those people who isn’t quite sure about changing forks on your own feel free to shoot us an E-mail at omega.rockett@yahoo.com, or give us a call at (513) 842-2012.