U-TECK Provides Summer Workplace Safety Tips for National Safety Month

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - June 18, 2013 - PRLog -- U-TECK (http://www.uteck.com), a developer of specialized products for the telecommunications, utility, municipal and transportation industries, offers its top five summer workplace safety tips in observance of National Safety Month. Held annually in June, National Safety Month (http://www.nsc.org/nsc_events/Nat_Safe_Month) is an initiative set forth by the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org) to educate and influence behaviors around the leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths.

Below are five tips from U-TECK for workplace safety during the summer months – from beating the heat, or protecting oneself from nature’s field hazards.

• Recognize the Most Common Heat Stress Disorders: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,190 workers suffered from heat illness and 40 died from heat stroke and related causes on the in 2010. Therefore, it is vital to be able to recognize the most common effects of heat stress: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, the most serious of the three. To learn more about these conditions and their symptoms, visit www.uteck.com/safety10.html.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink 6 to 12 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes; don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Also, avoid eating heavy or hot meals.  If you are sweating profusely for longer periods of time, replenish your salt reserves by drinking liquids that contain at least 0.1% salt.

• Wear the Right Clothing: Wear lightweight clothing such as cotton or loose weave, and avoid dark colors that absorb the sun’s rays. Wear a hat or hardhat for additional protection, and don’t forget your high-visibility work wear. Hi-vis vests made of polyester mesh are ideal for hot conditions. To learn more about some of U-TECK’s high visibility work wear, visit http://www.uteck.com/Class%202%20vests.html.

• Make Some Shade: When working outside, umbrellas and tents provide an economical method of safeguarding workers from the elements and the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Take frequent breaks in the shade when possible. To learn more about U-TECK’s line of umbrellas, visit http://www.uteck.com/umbrellas_work.html.

• Beware of Nature’s Field Hazards: Ticks, fire ants and toxic plants like poison ivy and poison oak all pose viable health and safety risks, especially when working outdoors. Familiarize yourself with these hazards (What does a deer tick look like? How many leaves does poison ivy have?), symptoms of exposure, and your worksite’s surroundings. Take preventative measures, like keeping grass cut short to help reduce the number of ticks, or installing vegetation control matting (http://www.weedender.com/pedmat.htm) around electrical pedestals to discourage fire ants.

Russ Mason III, U-TECK’s vice president of sales, said, “Working in high temperatures not only leads to medical risks, but also creates a greater potential for jobsite accidents. Therefore, it is especially important for companies to take extra precautions in the summer months to ensure the safety of its workforce. On behalf of U-TECK, I urge companies in any industries to take the time during National Safety Month to reevaluate their current programs and create a true culture of safety.”

To learn more about U-TECK’s line of specialized safety products, visit www.uteck.com or call 1-800-542-7011.

About U-TECK
U-TECK manufactures and supplies specialized products and services for the telecommunication, utility, municipal and transportation industries. Certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise, U-TECK is dedicated to developing high-quality, innovative solutions that simplify everyday jobs in the field, including the unique, 100 percent recycled WeedEnder (http://www.weedender.com)® vegetation control matting for state departments of transportation and municipalities. In business for more than 25 years, U-TECK is headquartered in Fayetteville, N.C., with a nationwide distributor network. For more information on U-TECK and its products, visit www.uteck.com or call 1-800-542-7011.