SHADES OF GREEN

Member Since 2014

Join Today And Save On Safety Classes!

The Florida Safety Council 's 2022-23 membership structure allows for individual, small business and corporate memberships.

If you thought you couldn't afford to join and take advantage of the great discounts and services offered to members, think again! Our Corporate rate is $399, a Small Business rate is $199 and our INDIVIDUAL rate is only $50! The individual rate gives you the same great discounts and services, but just for one person (not transferrable to other employees.) Whatever level you join at, the discounts received from just one training class will likely completely offset the cost of membership -- and, the more training you need, the more savings you get! You can also join with no fuss and no muss on-line, just by clicking this LINK. If you have questions about memberships, training or other Safety Council benefits, contact the Director of Marketing & Business Development, Tara Dixon Engel, at [email protected].

OSHA Offers Workplace Stress Relief

Stressors are a constant in life. Properly channeled and managed, our stress response can galvanize us to action, motivate positive change, or help us identify those troubling situations that require immediate attention. But, unchecked, the physical and emotional impact of stress can rob us of our joy, our motivation and even our health.

OSHA reports that more than 80% of American workers have reported experiencing workplace stress, and more than 50% believe that stress related to work impacts their life at home, as well. 

The Florida Safety Council (FSC) wants to encourage all workers to find purpose and meaning in their daily tasks and to eliminate stress whenever possible. You can begin that journey to well-being by seeking answers through OSHA's workplace stress web page at Workplace Stress - Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov).

Challenging Times

The past two years have generated enough stress and uncertainty to rattle even the most stalwart soul, and Safety Council officials advise that senior managers can improve workplace harmony and productivity for everyone by being alert to signs that an employee is feeling overwhelmed or isolated. These symptoms can seem especially acute during the holiday season.

OSHA and the FSC suggest that senior managers can support their workers by:

• Being aware and acknowledging that your employees may be experiencing heightened levels of loneliness, isolation, uncertainty, grief, and stress, and that some workers face extra demands such as those who are working parents; those who must care for elderly or disabled family members; those who are medically vulnerable or those grappling with existing mental health or substance abuse challenges.
• Identifying what factors are making it harder for employees to get their jobs done and determining if adjustments can be made to lessen the burden.
• Showing empathy and communicating to workers that: 1) they are not alone, 2) we recognize the stress they are under, 3) there is no shame in feeling anxious, and 4) asking for help is important.
• reassuring workers that you are open and receptive to discussions about workplace stress and solutions for alleviating it.
• Providing access to helpful coping and resilience resources or other supportive networks and services if needed.

Staying positive about the challenges in your workplace can help to create a less stressful environment for your staff. OSHA recommends that managers periodically make employees aware of the resources available through your company's health program or HR department. Individual chats with your subordinates on how they are handling the workload and their work-life balance can also help you identify any brewing issues before they become problematic.

Leaders Set the Tone

OSHA notes that leaders set the tone for the organization when communicating with workers on topics related to stress.

"Your own sense of calm, focus, and self-assurance will play a significant role in easing the stress of those around you," OSHA explains, stressing the importance of getting ahead of internal challenges by communicating clearly and frequently.

In the event of a crisis or stress-inducing event, OSHA recommends:

• As soon as you can, compose and send a message to your staff acknowledging workplace stress and mental health issues and explaining that you want to be open about them and find ways to reduce stressors and support your staff.
• Communication should take place regularly to help alleviate the stress of uncertainty and defuse misinformation and rumors that might be circulating.
• Tell staff it is natural to feel stressed, encourage them to seek help if needed, and explain how they can get help. • If your organization has an employee assistance program, regularly remind workers what benefits are included and encourage them to use them.
• Emphasize the importance of addressing workplace stress and supporting worker mental health and well-being.

For the workers themselves, pay attention to those around you and how they are responding to the challenges of the job. If you are the one feeling overwhelmed, consider speaking to a professional or seek the guidance of your manager on ways to manage challenges and workload.

Work isn't always fun, but most employees hope that it will be meaningful and rewarding. OSHA and The Florida Safety Council believe that, if we all work together and support each other, it can be!

Improved Pension: Little-Known Safety

Net for Elderly and Disabled Veterans

In this month of Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving, I find myself deeply grateful for the safety and security that veterans have obtained on my behalf.

Like our First Responders at the regional level, America's GIs agree to protect and defend our constitution and this great nation “against all enemies foreign and domestic,” at the national and global level, too often sacrificing their own physical health and well-being…and, sometimes, their very lives, in the process.

If a GI remains active-duty for long enough, he or she is rewarded with a retirement pension and lifetime medical care through the Tricare system. This is appropriate, given that military service involves a certain loss of time, opportunity, and individual autonomy, as GIs and their families contend with periodic moves, overseas deployments, and salaries that often fall far short of what the private sector would pay for similar skill sets. Likewise, soldiers who sustain a service-connected injury are usually compensated long-term, based on their level or percentage of disability.

Safety Net for Vets

What might surprise many is that America has also made accommodations for elderly and infirm veterans who are not retirees and were not injured during their service, but who served our nation (either stateside or overseas) during a designated period of war.

This safety net, known as “The Improved Pension,” or sometimes as “Aid & Attendance,” can be a game changer for vets, or their surviving spouses, with limited resources due to age or infirmity. So, in gratitude for the safety our military secures on a daily basis, I thought I would devote this month’s column to a benefit that is not as well-known as it could or maybe should be, one that can, in its own way, secure safety for a veteran or surviving spouse in need.

The Improved Pension consists of three levels: 1). Basic Pension, 2). Housebound and 3). Aid & Attendance. This benefit is available to veterans who served at least 90 days active duty prior to 1980, with an “other than dishonorable” discharge, with at least one day of service during any of the following designated periods of war: Dec. 7, 1941-Dec. 31, 1946; June 27, 1950-Jan 31, 1955; Nov 1, 1955-May 7, 1975; and, Aug. 2 1990 to the present. It is also available to any qualifying veterans who served 24 months active duty after 1980.

To qualify for this benefit, the veteran must be over 65 or “permanently and totally” disabled (requiring the assistance of others for certain tasks.) These benefits extend to the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran who met the aforementioned service criteria.

There are income limits and net worth limits, but net worth does not include your primary residence, car or most home furnishings, and income can be offset by ongoing medical expenses.

Each level of the improved pension has more stringent criteria but a greater monthly benefit. For the Basic Pension, if a veteran has no dependents, meets the income and net worth criteria but is too mobile to receive Housebound or Aid & Attendance benefits, he/she can receive up to $14, 753 per year. The maximum housebound benefit for single vet is $18,029 and the max Aid & Attendance benefit is $24,610.

Surviving Spouses Can Benefit, Too

A veteran with one dependent can receive up to $19,320 annually in Basic Pension, $22,596 in Housebound compensation or $29,175 at the Aid & Attendance level. Two veterans who are married to each other can receive a minimum of $19,320 or a maximum of $34,036, depending on which pension level each qualifies for.

A surviving spouse is also eligible for up to $12,951 per year at the Basic level, $15,144 at Housebound and $18,867 for Aid & Attendance.

I could fill this entire newsletter – and then some – with more specifics on the Improved Pension and the requirements for each of its levels (both Housebound and Aid & Attendance, for instance, will require that your doctor provide paperwork attesting to your level of infirmity).

But my recommendation, if you know of a potentially eligible veteran, is to first visit the VA page that outlines pension details: VA Pension Benefits | Veterans Affairs. Then I strongly suggest securing the assistance of a knowledgeable Veterans Services Officer (who typically don't charge for their services) or an Elderlaw Attorney who specializes in veterans’ claims (and will charge). As with all government paperwork, the Improved Pension process can be tricky and may even require that you reapply after first being denied. But the process has improved from a decade or so ago, and there is hope for vets or their surviving spouses who are struggling financially, physically, or both.

I hope this column reaches someone in need. As a veteran myself, I have a deep and abiding compassion for all who serve and for the families who sacrifice more than many of us will ever understand. I thank you all for your service and for your devotion to freedom. 

FLHSMV Says

Stay 'Street

Smart' For

2022 Holidays

With the holiday driving season bearing down on us, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and its division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) today launched the Safe Holiday Travel campaign to ensure the safety of all drivers and travelers this holiday season.

In a statewide press release, the FLHSMV noted that "millions of Floridians and visitors are expected to travel on Florida’s roadways over the next two months, the busiest long-distance travel period of the year, and FLHSMV will be educating Floridians and visitors throughout the holiday season on all aspects of safe driving."

The multi-phased safety messaging will be staggered throughout November and December, starting first with a focus on having a road-ready vehicle. If you're not sure what kind of maintenance will keep your car safe -- and avoid costly repairs -- in the state of Florida, just click HERE.

The FLHSMV advises that tires are a vehicle’s first line of defense on the road, "so it’s critical to check your tires before hitting the road."

Almost 3K Tire-related Crashes

The safety agency reports that, in 2021, there were 2,811 tire-related crashes in Florida, resulting in 176 serious bodily injuries and 32 fatalities.

“Florida continues to be a top holiday destination for visitors and residents, making our roads some of the busiest during the upcoming months,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “As you prepare to hit the road this Thanksgiving, or at any point this holiday season, make sure you and your vehicle are ready for the trip, always buckle up, and remember that safety is always in season.”

Last year, during the five-day Thanksgiving travel period (Wednesday to Sunday), there were 4,585 crashes on Florida roads. The most crashes occurred on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day, while the fewest crashes happened on Thanksgiving Day.

“Florida Highway Patrol troopers will be out in force this holiday season to keep our roadways safe,” said Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Please make good decisions and Arrive Alive this holiday season. Never drive impaired.”

Be Smart in Parking Lots

If you still savor the "non-digital" holiday shopping experience, remember that parking lots are likely to be more crowded this time of year, forcing you to park farther from the mall or store. With less daylight during the winter months, it is important for you to be aware of the inherent danger in after-dark shopping trips:

• Park as close to entrances and exits as you possibly can.
• Always try to walk to and from your vehicle with another person. If you are shopping alone, consider walking near other shoppers in the parking lot.
• If shopping alone and leaving at night — particularly if you’re carrying several bundles — ask a security officer to accompany you to your car. Most malls will provide this service.
• If forced to the far reaches of a lot – or even beyond the lot – seek a spot that’s well-lit or near a well-traveled roadway.
• Stow your purchases in the trunk, away from plain view to prevent theft. Save your most expensive purchases for last, so you can head straight home.
• Have your keys ready when you approach your vehicle. Before entering, always check that no one is hiding in the back seat.
• If you think you are being followed:
• Don’t drive home. You would only be telling your follower where you live.
• Stay Calm. As long as you think clearly, you’ll be in control of the situation.
• Flash your lights and sound your horn long enough to attract attention to you, and consequently the person following you.
• Drive to a safe location, like a law enforcement station. Do not leave this safe location until you’re sure your follower is gone.
• If you are going to be transporting a tree or other large cargo on your vehicle, make sure you have all the necessary equipment to tie it down properly and securely to your vehicle to prevent dangerous situations on the roadways. Any packages or other cargo inside your vehicle should not block the driver’s view from any angle.

Whether you are holiday shopping or just headed "over the river and through the woods," be aware and alert as you travel the Florida roadways during this 2022 holiday season.

The Florida Safety Council,

it's board and staff, wish you and yours a safe and joyful Thanksgiving.

Among those things we are

thankful for this 2022 Holiday Season are each and every one of

our members, customers and students. Thank you for putting safety first

and thank you for trusting us

with your safety training.

Happy Thanksgiving!