Brothers Workplace Safety Solutions LLC

09/03/2020

04/06/2020

Brothers Workplace Safety Solutions would like to express our sincere appreciation for your continued efforts in slowing the spread of coronavirus by social distancing, sheltering in place, and personal hygiene. For a complete, up to date, list of recommendations on mitigation steps, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. Please know that as more is learned about this virus, these recommendations are subject to change. It is in everyone’s best interest to routinely visit the CDC’s website for updates on keeping this virus at bay.

In an effort to comply with federal, state, and local recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19, we are suspending all of our CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogen training until May 1, 2020. We will monitor recommendations from the CDC and will adjust this date, if necessary, to protect our community from the spread of the virus.

The uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 virus is, at best, unsettling. Remember, you are not alone. We are all in this together. We are here for you if you have questions or concerns regarding your training needs. Many of you have certifications that have or will soon expire. As of March 13, 2020, the American Heart Association has recommended that employers and regulatory bodies consider extending recognition of an AHA Provider Card beyond its renewal date, for up to 60 days. However, please know that it is ultimately up to the discretion of employers and regulatory bodies who require current AHA Provider Cards to consider allowing extensions during this time.

We will continue to provide fire extinguisher service and inspections as necessary. However, we have implemented several changes to minimize our technician’s and your employee’s exposure potential. For example, we will verify that on-site precautions are in place, practice social distancing, and will be scheduling appointments for times when the fewest number of employees are present.

We look forward to returning to normal operations as soon as safely possible. In the meantime, please protect yourself and our community. We wish you the very best. Our hearts and prayers are with you and our nation as we navigate these unprecedented times.

For additional information or questions, visit www.brotherssafetysolutions.com or call 574-229-3640.

01/03/2019

https://www.brotherssafetysolutions.com/

Fire Extinguisher Sales, Service, & Training. CPR/AED, First Aid, & Emergency Training.

01/03/2019

This is the perfect time of the year to schedule CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogen training for your workforce. Very few students enjoy being cooped up in a classroom when the sun is shining. It is much less traumatic sitting in class when your crew sees gloomy weather out the windows.

03/23/2018

Amazing progress is being made concerning out of hospital cardiac arrest survival. This is truly exciting stuff! Yet we need more bystanders trained to step up and make the difference when lives hang in the balance.
Contact Brothers to set up your CPR training. We can help you make that difference!

A newly published study on cardiac arrest in large metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada shows how a bystander’s immediate use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) has a significant impact on survival rates.

05/26/2017

According to OSHA, fire is the most common emergency small businesses must plan for. Fire extinguishers can be invaluable tools to help fight smaller fires in the workplace or to protect evacuation routes in the event of a larger one.

OSHA requires employees be thoroughly trained on not only how to use an extinguisher properly, but also how to accurately assess a situation and determine when evacuation is the safest course of action. OSHA requires, at a minimum, employees to be trained in fire extinguisher use on an annual basis.

A simple fire extinguisher training technique to use with employees is the PASS method:

• Pull the pin on the extinguisher.
• Aim the hose nozzle low toward the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
• Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the
flames until extinguished.

Knowing how to operate the extinguisher is not the end of training. Employee responders to a fire also should be trained to adhere to the following protocol:

• If appropriate, sound the fire alarm or call the fire
department immediately.
• Before approaching the fire, determine an evacuation route
safe of flames, excessive heat and smoke. Do not allow this
evacuation route to become blocked.
• Use the PASS technique for discharging an extinguisher
and back away from the area if the fire flares up again.
• If the extinguisher is empty and the fire is not out, evacuate
immediately.
• If the fire grows beyond what can be safely handled,
evacuate immediately.

Fire extinguishers are meant to handle only small fires. If a fire becomes too large or the environment becomes too dangerous, employees should know when and how to evacuate the area. If any of the following conditions are present, workers should follow evacuation procedures immediately and should not attempt to fight the fire with an extinguisher:

• The fire is partially hidden behind a wall or ceiling, cannot
be reached from a standing position, or covers more than
60 square feet in area.
• Levels of smoke make the fire impossible to fight without
some form of respiratory protection.
• Radiant heat is easily felt, making it hard to approach a fire
within adequate range of using the extinguisher (about 10-
15 feet). It is necessary to crawl on the floor to avoid heat or
smoke. Visibility is poor.
• The fire is not contained and heat, smoke or flames block
potential evacuation routes.

If there is any doubt as to whether you can safely extinguish a fire, immediately evacuate the building and call 911. Our nature is to want to help, but we must first recognize and respect the potential risks associated in doing so and weigh them against the reward. Never become part of the problem, be part of the solution.

Contact Brothers Workplace Safety Solutions @ 574-229-3640. We can help with your fire extinguisher training/program needs.

Stay safe my friends!

Properly using a fire extinguisher in the workplace. (February 1, 2010). Retrieved from http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine. com/articles/properly-using-a-fire-extinguisher-in-the-workplace-2

04/19/2017

Fire extinguishers sit quietly, in their brilliant red armor, patiently awaiting the opportunity to spring into action. Today’s fire extinguishers have proven to be very reliable and effective tools in defense of the property we hold so dear. Unfortunately, the bright color and conspicuous placement of an extinguisher might as well be camouflage in the hectic world in which we live. Often overlooked and taken for granted that they will perform as expected, it is important to remember that even the most reliable device is susceptible to damage, vandalism, mechanical failure, and even theft. It is imperative that routine inspections look for, identify, and address these potential kinks in the armor of your defense.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires that portable fire extinguishers be inspected monthly. The monthly inspection can be done in house, requires no technical certification, takes very little time, and provides piece of mind knowing your equipment will function as expected. Included below is the section within the NFPA standard which will assist your organization in performing the monthly inspection of your extinguishers.

Monthly Inspections
NFPA 10- 2013 Edition- Chapter 7.1 General

7.1.1 Responsibility. The owner or designated agent or occupant of a property in which fire extinguishers are located shall be responsible for inspection, maintenance, and recharging.

NFPA 10 – Chapter 7 Inspection, Maintenance and Recharging

7.2.1.1 -2* Inspection Frequency

Monthly Inspections & Record Keeping

7.2.1.1 “Monthly Inspection” - Fire extinguishers shall be manually inspected when initially placed in service.

7.2.1.2 “Monthly Inspection” - Fire extinguishers and Class D extinguishing agents shall be inspected either manually or by means of an electronic monitoring device / system, at intervals not exceeding 31 days

7.2.4.1.2 “Record Keeping” - Where manual Inspections are conducted, the month and the year the manual inspection was performed and initials of the person performing the inspection shall be recorded.

Inspection Procedures 7.2.2.1

(1) Location in designated place

(2) No obstruction to access or visibility

(3) Pressure gauge reading or indicator in the operable range or position

(4) Fullness determined by weighing or “hefting”

(5) Condition of tire, wheels, carriage, hose, and nozzle checked (for wheeled units)

(6) Indicator for non-rechargeable extinguishers using push to-test pressure indicators

Inspection Procedures 7.2.2.2

(1) Verify that operating instructions on nameplates are legible and face outward

(2) Check for broken or missing safety seals and tamper indicators
Examine for obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle

The NFPA also requires that portable fire extinguishers undergo a more in depth, annual inspection. This inspection needs to be conducted by a certified technician with the tools and resources necessary to identify and correct potential shortcomings which could affect the performance of your extinguisher.

Inspections, whether monthly or annual, not only keep you compliant with federal, state, and local regulations, they help ensure that you are adequately prepared in the event of a fire emergency in the workplace. Should you have any questions about what is required during your monthly inspection, or to schedule your annual inspection, don’t hesitate to call Brothers Workplace Safety Solutions at (574)-229-3640.

04/04/2017

Brothers Workplace Safety Solutions is up and running! Founded in January of this year, we excitedly began providing service on March 1st.

What is “Brothers Workplace Safety Solutions”?

Brothers is a service oriented, family owned and operated company which was created with intention of redefining safety in your place of business. With over 30 years of experience in fire and emergency services, we understand and appreciate the importance of an effective first response. Our mission is to provide you with the tools and training necessary to safely implement the critical “first response” phase of any workplace emergency.

What can Brothers bring to your workplace?

Brothers currently provides a complete array of portable fire extinguisher services. From consultation, installation, training, and sales, to inspections and recharging, we’ve got you covered. -All extinguisher service is conducted in accordance with latest edition of the National Fire Protection Association Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers (NFPA 10)
Brothers also provides on-site CPR/AED, First-Aid, Bloodborne Pathogen, and Emergency Oxygen Administration training. Be prepared for a dynamic learning experience. Our unique training style will keep your staff entertained and engaged, but most importantly, it will leave them equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to confidently mitigate the unfortunate reality of life threatening medical emergencies and workplace injuries.
-CPR/AED and First-Aid training is conducted by American Heart Association instructors and provide 2-year certification credentialing. Bloodborne Pathogen, Emergency Oxygen Administration, and other OSHA related training is conducted by Health and Safety Institute instructors and provide 2-year certification credentialing.