Safety Notes:

Communication is Key

Communication is the hallmark of keeping people safe.

Even when we “think” people know what’s going on, we must remember that not everyone at our job site is operating with the same levels of training.

The new guy on the construction site has never worked in the summer sun before. The team that just moved into their new building has not had any education on fire, tornado or active shooter emergencies for this facility.

Common sense is not enough. We cannot assume that people know and understand what to do to keep our job site safe. Here are three ways to ensure your team can take the correct actions when a situation arises:

Beat the Heat: Stay Safe While Working and Playing Outside

As we head into summer and extreme temperatures are becoming increasingly common, it’s important to be proactive in protecting ourselves, our families and our employees from the risks of heat-related illnesses.

In the United States, an average of 702 heat-related deaths occur each year and about 67,512 emergency room visits are due to the heat.

When our bodies struggle to cool down through sweating alone heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion can develop and fast action is required to avoid a critical situation.

So keep an eye out for the warning signs and don’t ignore them.

HEAT STROKE

A heat stroke happens when the body can’t regulate the internal temperature because of the environment the person is in.

Warning signs

• High body temperature
• Hot, red, dry or damp skin
• Headache
• Dizziness

Prevent Hot Car Deaths

It’s a shocking story we hear all too often this time of year: A child dies after being left alone in a hot car.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), heat stroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths in children under 15. Heat stroke happens when the body is not able to cool itself quickly enough. Last year, 33 children in the United States died of heat stroke in cars. So far, in 2023, nine children have died.

This is because, in as little as 10 minutes, the temperature in a car can rise by 20 degrees or more. A child’s core temperature can quickly become dangerously high. In fact, studies show a child’s body temperature will rise three to five times faster than an adult’s. A child’s major organs begin to shut down when their body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit and they are at risk of death when it reaches 107 degrees (F).

• Even on mild or cloudy days with slightly open windows, temperatures inside vehicles can reach life-threatening levels in no time. Heat stroke can happen when the outside temperature is as low as 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Experts warn that the risk of heat stroke will likely increase in the coming years with the impact of climate change.

Meet the Collector:

Myron McCord

My name is Myron McCord and I work in the Keokuk, Iowa TSS office.

I started with TSS in February 2022, and I absolutely love working here. The Keokuk office works diligently with local companies, organizations and communities, to help keep the workforce and community drug-free.

Throughout the year, our company also makes contributions to various community causes, sponsors local events and even people, including local race car drivers. This is one of the main reasons I like working for TSS: It’s a company that truly cares about people. 

In prior employment, I was a regional safety specialist for a nationwide company that had branches in more than 300 locations. My area was the Midwest and I covered 19 states with over 6,000 employees. I would travel to these locations and provide safety training and coaching to the workforce, conduct safety audits, handle any O.S.H.A. issues and lead D.O.T compliance training. I very much enjoy continuing to teach and promote workplace safety for TSS.

Coaching Corner: Grant Forgiveness to Heal

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.



When we forgive, we can begin to heal. That’s a powerful statement when you are thinking about people who have been severely wronged. Whether your feelings have been hurt or you have suffered at the hands of a physical abuser, learning how to forgive them can be key to propelling the healing process. Studies show, that finding the path to forgiving allows acknowledgment of the wrongdoing and helps us process the next steps. 

The art of forgiveness is the decision to let go of the desire to be right or hold blame for something or someone else. Forgiving allows us to begin to make peace with the painful things that have occurred or are occurring to us and move forward. Many leading healthcare institutions in the USA (John Hopkins Medical Center, Mayo Clinic and UC-San Francisco) agree that the benefits of forgiving are great.