Welcome to what looks like warm weather that is here to stay! Schwarz & Schwarz is looking forward to a fun and productive summer. Last week, I spoke in front of approximately 100 delegates at the Pennsylvania State Machinist Conference about implementing our Safety System and the benefits of supporting a safe work environment. It was an honor to stand up at the York, PA meeting and align our group with theirs on important issues like keeping membership safe. Having the opportunity to be part of the process is something I value deeply, and is also at the heart of what we do at Schwarz & Schwarz. We strive, always, to be part of making people's lives better.
As always, Schwarz & Schwarz is available for all of our clients. Please reach out to us if there is something we can help you with. We are there for you and your families. Meanwhile, here are some summer safety tips to help you and your family enjoy the best of what summer has to offer.
Sincerely,
Danny and Stan
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CHANGING OF THE GUARD:
Welcoming
Tony Armideo, New
Directing Business Representative District 1-
The Machinists Union
If you are in Chicago on September 4th for the
39th Grand Lodge Convention, don't get in the way of Tony Armideo while he's making his way to the microphone! All 6'4", 265 pounds of the new Directing Business Representative of District 1-the Machinists Union-is on a mission to get his voice heard on the mic. He's on a mission to be a part of amending the Machinists Union's constitution and bylaws to ensure that the organization remains stable, strong and vibrant. Armideo has a message: "A collective approach is always better and more successful than the single approach."
Armideo not only believes the message, he has lived it since childhood. The son of a first generation Italian American, he saw the opportunities the union could bring. Armideo's father, a heavy equipment operator who could not read or write the English language, became a master mechanic and devoted 53 years of his life to the Operating Engineers in Local 542. "The union took care of my parents and our family with 10 children," Armideo states proudly.
He wears his pride on his sleeve, and he'll carry that emotion and dedication into his new role. Armideo began with the Machinists Union in 1994, moving up in ranks during the past 22 years. He served as a Business Representative from 2007-2012. This led to his role as Assistant Directing Business Representative from 2012 through 2016. On May 1, 2016 Armideo took over for former Directing Business Representative, Danny Chmelko.
Tony Armideo (far right) on the night he took over as District-1, Directing Business Representative. Pictured with (from left): Andy Powell, District-1 Organizer; Billy McIntosh, District-1 Asst. Dir. Bus. Mngr.; Lynn D. Tucker, Jr., Gen. V.P.-Eastern Territory; Brian Bryant, Chief of Staff-Eastern Territory.
On May 1, when Armideo was formerly named as DBR, he stepped into the role with ease and excitement. His membership includes employees from military bases, The Inquirer, Quaker Oats, and South Jersey Gas, to name a few. In all, Armideo will be overseeing and enforcing the rights of more than 5500 District 1 members-a job he is passionate about. While 5500 members may seem like a huge undertaking, Armideo is excited and professes that the key to his and their success is communication. He states emphatically, "There's no excuse for not keeping in touch with membership!"
He believes that the respect he shows for his group leads to the respect that they have for him. "When it comes time to fight for a strong contract, I think my group has a great deal of respect for me and knows that I won't let them down."
While he is dedicated to his new role and devoted to his membership, he knows that family is a priority. Tony and his wife, Crystal, have three sons and five grandchildren that they cherish spending time with.
Schwarz & Schwarz, P.C. commends Tony Armideo on his lifetime dedication to unionism and especially on his new role as Directing Business Representative of District 1-the Machinists Union.
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Did Someone Say S'Mores?
When the warm weather hits, so does the aroma of roasting marshmallows. That means one thing...S'MORES! Who doesn't love the irresistible combination of crunchy graham crackers, gooey toasted marshmallows and molten chocolate?
The taste is mouth-watering. But why limit yourself to the traditional 3-ingredient combo, when there is a multitude of mixtures that can be had.
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Summer Camp: Keepin' it Safe!
Summer camps are a
$
15
-billio
n industry, according to the American Camp Association (ACA). With swimming, horseback riding, rockwalls, obstacle courses and other fun physical and arts-related activities, it is easy to see why more than 11 million people attend either a day or overnight camp each year. But
along with different types of physical activities and fun, there are many opportunities for campers to get hurt if proper procedures and safeguards are not in place and followed correctly. Many different types of injuries can occur, including brain or spinal cord injuries, transportation accidents, food poisoning, food allergy reactions, drowning and near-drowning, burn
s,
broken bones, insect stings and more.
Summer camp accidents
can also present a number of complex legal issues. Most summer camps require that you sign some type of waiver when you register. These waivers can be enforceable and prevent you from pursuing legal action should you or your child become injured. It is wise to keep a copy of everything you sign, and contact an attorney if you or your child is injured. The attorneys at
Schwarz & Schwarz, P.C. can help you navigate through what can be a very stressful time, and can answer your questions regarding liability and your rights.
Important things to consider when choosing a summer camp:
- Make sure the camp is ACA-accredited and has no history of problems.
- Make sure the camp has appropriate safety policies and procedures in place, training for staff (CPR, First Aid, AED), and access to emergency medical assistance.
- Find out how the staff is screened and if the camp notifies camp families of known issues with any of their staff.
- Find out how the camp screens visitors.
- Visually inspect the camp, especially bunks and buildings.
Things to remember to help keep your campers safe:
- Make sure emergency contact numbers are valid and updated.
- Make sure both the camp nurse and your camper's counselor are aware of activity restriction, allergy information, and emergency medications.
- Make sure your camper is aware of the camp's rules, safety policies and procedures.
- Make sure your camper dresses appropriately for the weather and activities.
- Make sure your camper knows to stay hydrated throughout the day and has access to water.
- Make sure your camper wears and brings sunscreen, and can self-apply it.
- Make sure your camper understands what kind of touching and behavior is appropriate and what kind is not.
- Follow-up with your camper each day (or when they return home). Ask questions!
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Now that summer is here, it's not uncommon to hear the hum of a lawnmower or smell freshly cut grass. Human error is most often the cause of the approximately 75,000 lawnmower injuries per year that require a visit to the emergency room. But there is a lot you can do to avoid having to make that trip. Here are a number of important safety issues to keep in mind when using a lawn mower.
- Children younger than 16 years should not operate ride-on mowers.
- Children younger than 12 years should not operate walk-behind mowers.
- Spend time showing your child how to operate a lawn mower properly. Supervise until you are sure they can perform the task on their own.
- Read the operator's manual. Understand your mower before you use it.
- Only use a mower with a control that stops operating when the handle is released.
- Keep guards, shields, switches,and safety devices in proper working order at all times.
- Let mower cool before refueling.
- Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes. Steel toed shoes are best.
- Check ground for objects that may be thrown by the mower. Wear pants to protect legs from objects thrown from the mower.
- Do not mow in reverse.
- Do not unclog a jammed mower while engine is running. Only touch bottom of mower when spark plug wire is disconnected.
- With a ride-on mower, drive up and down slopes to prevent rollover.
- With a walk-behind mower, travel across the slope to prevent rollback onto your feet.
- Do not mow wet grass
- For electric mowers, use a ground fault circuit interrupter to prevent electric shock.
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Schwarz & Schwarz, P.C. |
1650 Market Street, 51st Floor | Philadelphia, PA 19103
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