Safety Guidance for the Season

Spring has SPRUNG! I am always reminded of my first job when spring arrives. I worked for Sears in Keokuk, Iowa. That store was a catalog store that also carried appliances and lawnmowers on the floor. Every spring we had a sign that read, “Spring has sprung, the grass has riz, I wonder where my mower is.” It still makes me smile with wonderful memories of the folks I worked with there. I learned a lot from them that has lasted my entire career. A couple of thoughts SPRING from that….

We are all busy in the spring months. Our kids are on the baseball field, gardens are being prepared, farmers are planting and construction work that can only be done in good weather cranks up. Everybody is hustling to make something happen. Even if your workplace cadence doesn’t change, the folks who work for you are going through changes at home. Keeping everyone safe is the goal, so it is a great time to talk to your team about spring safety.

TSS’s Seasonal Tips



• Don’t miss our article on Distracted Driving Month below. As we head into busier months on the roads, all drivers should take care to pay strict attention to driving!
• Farm safety is crucial. If you or a family member are working on a farm, review safety policies for equipment, to ensure it’s well maintained with all safety guards in place. This article on farm safety provides a good guide.
• Changes in weather and daylight hours, affect us more than we tend to realize. The fatigue that many workers may be feeling can put safety at risk. Read our tips for avoiding on-the-job accidents.
• See our article on avoiding common spring-time injuries that often come with the business of the season.
• One last thing on SPRING – hydration. Warmer temperatures increase the risk of dehydration. No matter how healthy you are, you will need more water to keep your body operating at its best. Learn more here.

8 Tips for Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In 2021, more than 3500 people died in accidents directly related to drivers experiencing distractions. Most of the distractions are created by cell phone use via texting or talking on the phone. However, many other distractions occur. We’ve heard of movie watching, playing video games, putting on make-up or maybe it is a back seat passenger having a tough day. Regardless of the distraction, anyone operating a moving vehicle has an obligation to ensure that they are doing so in an effective and safe manner.

During the week of April 3-10, you might see a heightened law enforcement presence working on distracted driving awareness. The theme is U DRIVE. U TEXT. U Pay. Officers will focus on reminding drivers to put their cell phones down, eliminate other potential hazards, and how to improve safety during travel on the roadways.  

Distracted driving comes in four types: visual, auditory, manual, and cognitive. Eating, drinking, listening to loud music, pets, even kids can cause us to lose focus. Some basic recommendations for drivers include:

A clean workplace is a safe workplace

Spring cleaning may call to mind scrubbing, picking up and organizing around the home. But now is also a good time to carve out time for a big clean-up at work.

Every workplace should have a regular housekeeping schedule to avoid common safety hazards. Here are some issues you will want to pay close attention to both during regular housekeeping and as you set aside time for a spring clean:

• Eliminate slipping, tripping and falling hazards. Substances like oil, grease, and water must be cleaned up immediately. Aisles and walkways need to be clear of debris. Mirrors and warning signs should be installed in “blind spot areas.” Damaged flooring should be replaced. Anti-slip flooring or mats should be used in areas that cannot always be kept clean.

• Remove fire hazards. OSHA states that combustible waste should be stored in covered metal receptacles and disposed of daily.” Keep combustible materials in the work area only in necessary amounts. Store quick-burning, flammable materials in designated locations, away from ignition sources. Avoid contaminating clothes with flammable liquids. Keep materials 18 inches away from fire extinguishers, sprinklers, and sprinkler controls.

Workplace violence prevention

Workplace violence has been on the rise for more than a decade, and in some industries, it has become so common that employees feel unsafe and choose to leave the workplace.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, since 2014 the American workforce has experienced more than 1 million violent crimes every year. Fatal occupational injuries due to violence have increased by 11.6% since 2022. Meanwhile, almost one in four employees has witnessed workplace violence happening to another employee in the last five years, and 12% reported having been the target of workplace violence themselves.

But physical violence isn’t the only threat. Workplace psychological violence, such as bullying, has also been on the increase. Almost 50 million Americans have reported being bullied at work. Bullying can take on many forms, including cruel, vindictive and humiliating behaviors, undermining individuals in group settings, shouting and throwing things, constant criticism and harassment.

Both physical and psychological violence takes a toll on its victims, families and coworkers, often impacting long-term health and inflicting long-lasting emotional trauma. It also results in significant losses in productivity, especially due to missed workdays. 

Workplace Violence Prevention

April is Workplace Violence Prevention Month and as we all strive to make our businesses safer for our most valuable assets, our employees, it is important to consider how we can ensure that our work environments are not hostile or intimidating for our workforce.

Coaching Corner: Understand bullying to stop it

By Renee Schofield, NO SPEED LIMIT

As a certified health and wellness coach, I am always gathering resources to help people live their best life.



No one likes a bully. If you ask anyone, they will tell you that bullying is bad, and we should all work to prevent it. But if you go on to ask what should be done to stop bullying, you may not get a ready answer.

I would argue, that prevention starts with asking yourself the tough question: “Am I a bully?” Consider your own actions, attitudes and behaviors toward others. Are you the person that makes life hell for another person? Mental and physical abuse, character defamation, and psychological terrorism manifested via your actions or online are all considered bullying. Sometimes, we aren’t even aware of how what we say and do affects others. So, think about it and make changes if you need to. Endeavor to lead with kindness.

Awareness & Education

Second, awareness is key. Did you know that in 2018, 22% of our students reported being a victim of bullying? Signs that a young person may be being bullied include:

• Unexplainable injuries
• Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry
• Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness
• Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch.