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OLL R ROLL WITH SAFET SAF ETY Y SAFETY
NEWS JUNE 2021
CELEBRATE Independence Day Sunday July4th @ CACH Feeder /
@ CACH CHSP
DRIVE S AFE , DRIVE SMAR T!
HOW TO CHOOSE A ALTHOUGH HEAD LAMPS HAVE SURGED IN POPULARITY, FLASHLIGHTS REMAIN A GOOD CHOICE WHENEVER A HANDHELD LIGHT IS PREFERRED, SUCH AS: • any time you want the strongest portable beam available. • when dexterity and precision in controlling the light is important. • being able to set down a light to work on a task. • signaling. Advances in LED (light-emitting diode) technology and battery efficiency have resulted in flashlights that are smaller, lighter and brighter than they were just a few years ago. What is the best LED flashlight for you? This article will help you narrow your selection.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FLASHLIGHT CHOICES The key factors to compare when selecting a flashlight: • Light output • Battery type and run time • Size and weight Flashlights range from under $20 to over $200, yet they may be the same size. What are the differences? Brightness is the biggest one. A pricier light is more powerful due to the use of advanced bulb, battery and circuitry technology. A rechargeable battery can add to the cost, as can features such as strong impact- and water-resistance, effective heat dissipation and multiple lighting modes. Shopping in person? Check out the following: • How does the light switch on and off? Could it be inadvertently switched on inside your pack? Or, if you plan to use it in cold conditions, how easily could you switch it on or off wearing gloves? • Does it appear rugged enough (or, conversely, light enough) for your needs? • How does it feel in your hand? • Is a tool required to change batteries?
FLASHLIGHT PERFORMANCE Introduced in 2009, ANSI FL1 standards for flashlights ensure that models are tested and rated in the same way. Compliance with these standards is voluntary and the manufacturers do their own testing, but most major brands now include the following performance data on their packaging.
BATTERY TYPE
The type and availability of replacement batteries is often a factor in selecting a flashlight. DISPOSABLE: The most common battery sizes in use, AAA or AA, are readily available. CR123A is also a common choice, but is more expensive and can be harder to find. Their upside is a higher voltage output for a smaller size and weight, making possible a brighter flashlight in a smaller, lighter package. Flashlights using D cell batteries are still available if you want a baton-sized tool for security or a light that will not get lost in a pocket. RECHARGEABLE: Built-in lithium-ion batteries can be recharged through a USB connection from a computer, AC or DC outlet or solar panel. The higher upfront cost is more than made up for by the low ongoing running cost, no need for disposable batteries and reduced waste. RENEWABLE: Flashlights with a built-in battery energized by a hand crank or solar panel are ideal for emergency kits. Caution: Do not use lithium or lithium-ion batteries with any flashlight unless recommended by the manufacturer. You risk damaging a light by mismatching it with lithium batteries.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS BULB TYPE: Advancements in LED technology have rendered other bulb types almost obsolete. Incandescents such as krypton bulbs still exist in a few flashlight models, but it is hard to beat the energy efficiency, run time, impact resistance and brightness options of an LED flashlight.
BEAM TYPE: The lens reflector that surrounds a bulb influences how the light is dispersed. The 3 common options: Flood (or fixed): A single beam width. Good for general tasks in camp or while walking.
Spot (or focused): A single beam condensed into a spotlight to penetrate a long distance. Adjustable: Beam width ranges from wide to focused, or any point in-between.
FLASHLIGHT LIGHT OUTPUT
Measured in lumens. This is a measure of the intensity of the light coming out of the flashlight, on the highest brightness setting powered by new batteries. It may also be shown for multiple light settings. This is a great comparison tool, but does not tell the whole story about brightness. Beam intensity, distance and type all influence the effectiveness of a light in different applications. Light output can range from a modest 20 lumens (great for reading a book) to a terrain-scorching 3500 lumens.
BEAM DISTANCE Measured in METERS. This is how far the light will shine before the brightness diminishes to the equivalent of the light from a full moon. Full moon illumination is considered adequate for safe and careful travel outdoors. This distance will vary with the brightness setting selected.
RUN TIME
Measured in HOURS. How long does it take the light output to drop to 10% of the rated output on new batteries, rounded to the nearest quarter hour. Light output may gradually decrease over time, or remain largely constant and then suddenly decrease. Run time is commonly given for each light setting. A Runtime graph, if available, provides the best illustration of the performance of a light over time.
IMPACT RESISTANCE Measured in METERS. Lights are tested by dropping them 6 times onto concrete at the rated distance. This test is primarily to ensure the light remains functional after occasional accidental drops. It is not a test of resistance for a light being run over, being struck with a heavy object or being used to strike other objects.
WATER RESISTANCE
Rated using the IPX system. Water resistance is important if using your light in the rain or around bodies of water. Three ratings are used: Indicates an IPX4 rating, which is splash resistant from all angles, after the impact test has been applied. Indicates a water submersion rating, also after the impact test. IPX7 - temporary immersion: up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1m. IPX8 - submersion: up to 4 hours at the specified depth.
CONTROLS The type of on/off and lighting mode switches is important for some users. Push buttons and sliders are typically thumb operated. A rotating bezel can also serve as a switch, requiring 2 hands to operate. A safety lock feature prevents the light from being accidentally turned on, helping prevent unexpected flat battery exasperation and inconvenience. Some lights feature a silent (non-clicking) insta-beam function in which slightly depressing the switch activates the light until either a full click leaves it on, or releasing the switch turns it off, without having to cycle through all modes. This is a desirable feature in law enforcement operations.
PROTECT YOUR
CDL
Way back in truck school one of our instructors used to say, “protect your CDL”. Everyone said yea, sure, whatever.... But it wasn’t until later I began to understand what he was really talking about. INSURANCE costs are skyrocketing. Even self-insured trucking companies are paying larger settlements and losing bigger court cases as the industry’s experience level declines with increasing turnover. Their recourse is more aggressive discrimination against risky drivers those with problem driving records. Drivers with better-than-average driving records (fewer moving violations) get the better JOBS. Wal-Mart, for example, still offers one of the best wage/benefit packages in the industry. And they won’t even look at you if you’re driving record isn’t way above average. This is typical with most “second-tier” carriers that pay better than average. And of course, a clean CDL record is also a good determiner of other professional characteristics. So far, this seems like obviously good advice, and you’ve heard it before. But Newbies, here’s what you probably haven’t heard: Striving for “perfect” isn’t stressed with newbie companies like Swift, Werner and Schneider (etc). They’re basically happy if you only get a moving violation every year or so, and will suggest that’s fine with a wink and a nod and “nobody’s perfect” or a “shit happens” attitude. And here’s why: 1. They’ve got an endless supply of cheap trainees, and if you get too many tickets to remain employable, replacing you with another newbie’s virgin CDL is not a problem -- it’s their specialty. Speeding tickets go on your record, not theirs. If you sacrifice your record a bit to make on-time deliver, at least the freight got there as soon as possible. 2. As long as you’re carrying one or two speeding tickets on your last five years, there’s less chance you’ll be able to quit them for a better job. Indeed - there are many drivers with Werner, Swift (etc) who wouldn’t even qualify for re-employment if they quit, let alone get a job with Wal-Mart or Crete or Interstate. They are trapped in their current job due to their poor driving record -- and have less recourse for the way they are treated, the loads they’re assigned, etc. It’s a horrible position for someone who has good reason to quit, but can’t get another company to even look at them due to their driving record. And the sad part is -- most of the chances you take by speeding, tailgating and pushing traffic, weaving in and out or not following posted lane restrictions (etc) only have a small effect on service anyway. Running 4mph over the speed limit for four hours only moves you 16 minutes closer to your destination. If 16 minutes is really that important, you may be able to extract it from time spent at a sit-down meal, or bs’ing with another driver in the parking lot...etc. If you can’t make the delivery on-time, document your progress and keep dispatch informed of your updated eta. If you’ve done everything legally possible to arrive on-time and still miss the appointment, so be it. Breaking the law is not worth the risk it poses to your future job choices (and a host of other potential problems.) And lastly, there’s little paycheck advantage by squeezing a few more miles into your line-3 time, when you end-up paying a huge fine, lose better job opportunities, or possibly lose your legal right to drive at all. So when your first newbie company explains how important your driving record is, but also suggests one or two tickets isn’t a problem.... everybody does it.... it comes with the territory... and that’s just the way trucking is.... Don’t buy it. You’ve got a virgin CDL. Keep it clean. Leave room for an unintentional mistake. Never voluntarily drive a speed that makes you fair game for a ticket, or knowingly break other laws that could damage your future job options for years to come. One unintended violation on top of a stupid decision can cost you the opportunity to make $20,000 more a year in a better job down the road. In short: “Everybody” does not get tickets, and they are a big deal.
PROTECT YOUR CDL.
YOU CAN DO IT!
3 Tips On How To Protect Your CDL If you make a living by driving a commercial vehicle, you value your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and want to protect it at all costs. Whether you are applying for regional truck driving jobs or want to move up with your current company, losing your CDL is a disaster you can easily prevent by following these three tips.
Never Drive While Under the Influence While drivers of passenger vehicles who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs typically receive a fine, points on their license, and a short trip to jail, commercial drivers who are charged with a DUI or a DWI are subject to even harsher penalties. If you are caught driving under the influence, you will receive the same penalties as drivers of passenger vehicles, but you will also have your CDL revoked immediately. The simple solution is to abstain from any type of drug and alcohol while you are on duty.
Avoid Getting Points on Your License Most types of traffic violations assign points to your license, and after you reach a certain amount, your license will be suspended. Incidents such as speeding, lane violations, and accidents can accumulate points quickly and cause you to lose your license. Even if the violations occur while you are off duty in your personal vehicle, the points will also be assigned to your CDL. For this reason, it is important to do everything in your power to avoid receiving points for violations. The amount of points assigned for different violations varies from state to state. Approximately 15 points within a three-year time frame will cause your license to be suspended, which means you will not be allowed to operate a motor vehicle for up to 120 days. A license suspension may also cause you to lose your job and make it difficult to find a new one. If you are charged with a traffic violation, it is a good idea to hire an attorney. In many cases, a traffic lawyer can help you avoid receiving points on your license in addition to paying a fine. If you rely on your CDL to make a living, the last thing you want is to accumulate too many points and have it suspended, so it is worth the lawyer fee to only have to pay a traffic fine for violations that happen occasionally.
Follow Commercial Driving Regulations According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 1,300 commercials truck drivers were killed in vehicle accidents in 2018. One of the top reasons for truck accidents is fatigue, so the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces strict Hours-of-Service limits to prevents truck drivers from becoming overly tired. Violating these guidelines will result in your CDL being suspended. According to the guidelines, commercial drivers have a 14-hour workday in which they can spend up to 11 hours operating the vehicle. Drivers are not allowed to drive more than eight hours at a time without taking a break for at least 30 minutes, and after the 14-hour workday is over, the driver may not operate the vehicle for at least 10 hours. To keep drivers from being overworked, they each must maintain a strict log of driving hours and breaks. Depending on how the company works, each driver may log up to 60 hours in seven days or 70 hours in eight days, but once the maximum hour limit has been reached, the driver must refrain from operating the vehicle for at least 34 hours. Following these guidelines is an easy way to stay safe on the road and protect your CDL.
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HYDRATION FACTS & YOUR BODY Water is your Body’s Principal Chemical Component and makes up about 60 percent of your body weight. Protects your Spinal Cord
Can fill you up before meals and aid in weight loss
Lubricates and Cushions your Joints, helps keep Muscles elastic.
5 THINGS TO DO DAILY FOR YOUR LONG TERM HEALTH
The Human Brain is comprised of 77% Water. It can also Blunt Skin disorders and the formation of Wrinkles
Blocks the development of kidney stones
Helps keep you regular by ushering waste through your Intestines
SIMPLIFY: The world is always looking for the next exciting and revolutionary way to do things. However when it comes to exercise and nutrition, over complicating things can backfire. Don’t dismiss the simple and basic plans. Reprogram your approach to health by understanding that a consistent emphasis on the basics that will do the trick.
SLOW TIME DOWN: While things to slow down in s world, an emphasis on qu is one of the common mis make. Cutting corners ca the long run. Why should to health be any differen
HYDRATION
on the
Go!
Portable Fruits & Vegetables high in water content are an excellent way of staying Hydrated on the Go! For Example: Carrots Apples
Blueberries Cranberries
Celery
e we don’t want uch an efficient uick results stakes people an cost us in d our approach nt?
Watermelon
Pears
Plums
Raspberries
Radishes
Pineapple
WAKE UP 15 MINUTES EARLY: For many adding 15 minutes to their day will seem difficult and daunting. Use that time for exercise and selfcare. We get lost in our days, and at the end of them, we have forgotten, to take care of ourselves.
Cucumber
REPLACE HIGH INGREDIENT FOODS WITH WHOLE FOODS AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE: Increased consumption of processed foods by the majority of people has led to a surge in calorie intake. Calorie intake if far different than nutrition intake. Increasing Nutrition intake, reducing sugar and calorie intake will enhance our day to day well being.
Tomatoes CARRY AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER: Our jobs require a balancing act bet ween staying hydrated and having to stop for bathroom breaks. Proper hydration not only maintains our out ward appearance (skin tone and condition) it keeps all our organs in proper order.
Avoiding Deer and Other Animal Collisions in a Big Truck STATISTICS: Deer Collisions: Statistics show that 2.4 million collisions between deer and vehicles occurred in the U.S.. during the two-year period between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2019, 18.3 percent more than five years earlier. One deer collision occurs every 26 seconds, although they are much more likely during the last three months of the year and in the early evening. Among the 35 states where at least 7,000 deer-vehicle collisions occur per year, New Jersey and Nebraska have posted the largest increases, 54 percent each, followed by Kansas, up 41 percent, and Florida, Mississippi and Arkansas, up 38 percent. For the third year in a row, West Virginia tops the list of those states where a collision with a deer is most likely. Using its claims data in conjunction with state motor vehicle registration counts from the Federal Highway Administration, State Farm calculates the chances of a West Virginia vehicle striking a deer over the next 12 months at 1 in 39. Michigan remains second on the list, where the likelihood is 1 in 78. The average property damage cost of these incidents was $3,050, up 3.4 percent from a year ago.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP AVOID COLLIDING WITH ANIMALS ON THE ROAD? BE ALERT FOR ANIMALS: • Whenever you see a deer or moose sign, which may be where collisions have happened the most in the past; • In states where there are heavy populations of animals; • During the animals’ active times, especially early morning and early evening; • During mating season; and • Wherever you have seen animals in the past. FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, WE HAVE RESEARCHED THE MATING SEASONS OF A NUMBER OF LARGER ANIMALS WITH WHICH LARGE TRUCKS MAY COLLIDE: • Elk: September and October(3) • Horse: spring and summer(4) • Moose: September and October(5) • Deer: beginning in the fall.(6) FURTHER TIPS TO HELP YOU AVOID A DEER COLLISION ARE:- DO NOT OVERDRIVE YOUR HEADLIGHTS. • Do not flash your headlights. • Sound your horn. • Be prepared to stop. • If you have to stop, brake smoothly. • DON’T SWERVE. • DON’T RELY ON “DEER ALERTS” TO WARN ANIMALS OF YOUR APPROACH.
DEER STRIKE?
HERE’S WHAT
YOU DO!
1. Move your vehicle to a safe place. If possible, pull over to the side of the road, and turn on your hazard lights. 2. Call the police. Alert authorities if the deer is blocking traffic and creating a threat for other drivers. 3. Document the incident. Take photographs of the roadway, your surroundings, damage to your vehicle. 4. Stay away from the animal. A frightened, wounded deer could use its powerful legs and sharp hooves to harm you. 5. Contact your UPS supervisor or manager 6. Don’t assume your vehicle is safe to drive. Double-check that your truck is drivable after colliding with a deer. Look for leaking fluid, loose parts....etc. If your vehicle seems unsafe in any way, call for a tow.
INDEPENDENCE DAY QUOTE: “Never give in. Never give in.
Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
–– Winston S. Churchill.