August 23, 2016 - DJ Products

Hotel News: Bed Bugs Flock to Certain Sheet Colors

Bedbugs Infest Hotels Across the Nation

Are you in the hospitality business?

As bed bug infestations have spread to all 50 states in America, scientists have debunked the myth that the presence of bed bugs means a lack of cleanliness. CNN is now reporting studies showing that a seemingly innocent factor of sheet color can be an attraction for these pests.

Do Bed Bugs Have Favorite Colors?

A research team conducted an interesting experiment in which bed bugs were placed in Petri dishes containing tiny bug-sized “tents” made from different colors of paper. Left to their own devices, most of the bed bugs flocked to the red and black tents, ignoring the white, yellow and green ones.

Team member Roberto Pereira, an urban entomology research scientist at the University of Florida, gave the following possible reasons as to why bed bugs prefer the darker colors:

• Colors such as black and red offer greater cover against spiders and other predators.

• Bed bugs tend to stick together, and they may mistake the colors for friendly colonies.

• Bright colors create more light exposure, which puts bed bugs at risk for excessive loss of moisture.

Dawn Gouge, associate professor of urban entomology at the University of Arizona, did not participate in the study but gave additional tips to prevent bugs when traveling:

• Use hard-sided luggage and never place it on a bed or a couch.

• When possible, pack and unpack in a protected outdoor area like a garage.

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Harrison Ford Shares Flying with 2 Millionth Young Eagle Winner

Sharing the Love of Flight

Imagine taking a ride in a private jet piloted by none other than “Star Wars” Han Solo. 16-year-old Jodie Gawthrop of Westchester, IL enjoyed that experience as the two-millionth member of Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) Young Eagles program.

America’s Next Generation of Aviators

Young Eagles, founded in 1992, is a unique program with a mission to provide youths between the ages of 8 and 17 with their first free airplane ride. Members of the EAA network volunteer their services as pilots and ground crew.

Actor Harrison Ford, a noted aviation enthusiast, served as chairman of Young Eagles between 2004 and 2009. The flight departed and landed at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, WI.

Ms. Gawthrop is a high school junior who first became interested in flying in 2013 as a participant in the Civil Air Patrol’s cadet orientation program. She enjoyed it so much that her future plans include a career in aviation.

Onward and Upward

It didn’t take EAA long to surpass the two-million mark. The next flight, with 11-year-old passenger Annalee Wrolsted of Oshkosh, was piloted by Fred Stadler, an EAA member who holds the record for Young Eagles flights at 6,500.

Jack Pelton, chairman and CEO of EAA, is proud of the organization’s commitment to pass a love of flying on to upcoming generations. He now looks forward to the occasion of Young Eagles’ three-millionth flight.

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Railway Freight Trains Take a Back Seat to Amtrak in Priority Change

Amtrak Puts Freight on the Back Burner

As Amtrak continues efforts to promote railway travel as an attractive alternative to flying, it scored a big regulatory victory this past July. The Safety Transportation Board (STB) issued a reversal on its previous stance concerning a policy change from two proposals that would have favored freight trains.

Passenger Travel vs. Freight Transport: Which Has Priority?

The first proposal would have given railways the leeway to prioritize freight trains over passenger trains. While the STB initially supported the policy, saying Federal law did not explicitly state that passenger trains should be given preference, they have since reconsidered.

Amtrak fought the change on the grounds that it would severely impair their ability to operate on time, since 97 percent of their mileage is run over non-Amtrak railroad tracks. Not surprisingly, rail freight companies disagreed, saying that priority would actually be determined on a case-by-case basis.

With the second proposal, STB issued a change in terms rather than rejecting it outright. Instead of defining “on-time performance” as the point when a train reaches its final destination, it will now be calculated by arrivals at intermediate Amtrak stations.

This may sound like a minor alteration, but it makes a significant impact based on a 2008 law stating that Amtrak can petition STB for investigations and remedies for delays if on-time performance runs at an average of less than 80 percent for two consecutive calendar quarters.

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Rich Old Buildings Become Hotspots for the Hospitality Industry

Old Becomes New Quaint

Broadway composer Peter Allen once wrote that “Everything old is new again.” That has certainly turned out to be true in cities like Adelaide in Australia, where historic buildings are getting a second chapter as up-to-the-moment restaurants and bars.

Hibernia

Owners Zoi Kokoti and Stephen Lowery have transformed the venerable 113-year-old Magill Institute into a minimalist Scandinavian-style cafe. The large windows provide an abundance of natural light, adding an element of warmth that’s not usually found in this type of decor.

Kokoti presided over the transformation, which occurred over a mere 10 days. In keeping with the low-key vibe, the dining tables were recycled from another restaurant and much of the shelving was purchased from Kmart. Modern conveniences such as USB ports and WiFi access were added.

The Henry Austin

Iconic Adelaide restaurant Chesser Cellars closed four years ago, but has now reopened as The Henry Austin. Max Mason and Tess Footner, a duo with extensive hospitality experience, took advantage of a rent-free lease awarded by Renew Adelaide, a program created to stimulate development in unused local spaces.

The pair honored the classic ambiance of the original design with an old-school decor style that incorporates existing elements, such as a polished wooden staircase and a dumbwaiter. Mason paid respect to former owner Primo Caon by asking for his blessing prior to the reopening.

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Warehouse Ergonomics Are Less About OSHA Than Productivity and Staff Retention

Warehouse Ergonomics and Productivity

The practice of warehouse ergonomics began as a way to safeguard employees from injuries due to overexertion or repetitive motions. As the industry faces an increasing labor shortage, implementing ergonomics has become crucial in terms of retaining workers while also maintaining high service levels.

Current State of Ergonomic Practices in the United States

Unlike countries such as Canada and Australia, ergonomics are not covered by federal law in the United States. OSHA’s General Duty Clause is so broadly written that companies are cited only when extremely poor conditions exist. Jim Galante, chairman of MHI’s Ergonomic Assist Systems and Equipment (EASE) Council, says that despite loose regulations, awareness of ergonomic practices has grown.

According to Galante, efforts to solve production problems and improve efficiency often result in ergonomic solutions. Issues such as improper motions and wasted energy are almost always at the root of bottlenecks and slowdowns.

In addition, a changing workforce has become a serious concern for the warehouse industry. Galante cites statistics showing that the average workforce age has doubled over the past 22 years, while a third of its members are now classified as obese.

What are the Best Methods to Implement Ergonomics?

When choosing equipment such as warehouse tugs and movers, consider the impact on overall productivity as well as individual workers.

Regularly solicit feedback from employees who are actually using the equipment. Take the information into consideration when evaluating processes and make necessary modifications.

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RV Industry News: RV Fifth Wheels Add Luxury and Top-Level Lounging

RVing

Regardless of features and options, fifth wheels have followed a traditional pattern over the years. Today’s models are flip-flopping the classic layout in favor of more privacy and flexibility in accommodating owner preferences.

In the past, most fifth wheels were designed with the master bedroom in the raised front area, leaving the rear for the living space. RV manufacturers are now switching it up by placing the bedroom in the rear, with living/lounge areas up front.

Advantages of “Top Level” Lounging

The updated layout provides more privacy for both those in the master bedroom as well as overnight guests sleeping in the lounge area.

Placing the master bedroom and bathroom in the back means a more comfortable amount of headroom.

Living space up front allows for more of a den-like setting that can be customized with a wide variety of entertainment options.

Upper-level lounges/living rooms create more differentiation of spaces. People can visit in the dining/kitchen area without interruption from those who are engaged in watching sports or movies.

Fifth wheels have also been incorporating more sophisticated entertainment options. Current models are outfitted with features such as WiFi-enabled big-screen TVs, theater-style seats with built-in heaters and massagers, and surround-sound stereo.

Motorized Trailer Pullers from DJ Products

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Forklift Safety Tips Your Warehouse Staff Needs to Know

Forklift Safety

Does your material handling equipment include forklifts? While they’re helpful in lifting and transporting heavy loads, forklifts present the same safety risks as other motorized vehicles.

A safe workplace minimizes loss of efficiency due to on-the-job injuries. Make sure your employees know and practice these helpful safety tips from OSHA:

Before Starting

Do a pre-check for any obstacles in your path.

Be sure your hands and the soles of your shoes are dry to prevent slipping as you mount the forklift.

Watch your footing as you mount and dismount.

Driving and Steering

Sound the horn at aisle crossings, blind spots and anywhere your vision is obstructed, such as operating in reverse.

Always come to a complete stop before changing directions.

When turning, slow down to a manageable speed. Start the turn as close to the inside corner as possible to allow for the wide swing of the forklift’s rear end.

The lift should be lowered before turning.

Stopping and Parking

Stop the forklift in a clear spot that doesn’t obstruct foot or vehicle traffic.

Place the direction lever in neutral, lock the mechanism and set the emergency break. The tips of the lift should be touching the floor.

Once the forklift is completely stopped with all safety measures engaged, dismount carefully, without jumping.

Efficient, Cost-Effective Material Handling Solutions from DJ Products

Overexertion and repetitive motions are two of the primary causes of work-related accidents and injuries. Protect your employees with durable, eco-friendly material handling equipment from DJ Products. Call 800.686.2651 for prompt and friendly assistance from our experienced sales engineers.

Safety Tips for Property Managers

Dumpster Safety

Property managers often deal with a wide variety of people in both public and private settings. In many cases, such as during property showings, robberies (and worse) have taken place due to the relative absence of other people. These tips can help keep you and your co-workers safe while handling the day-to-day chores of running a rental office.

Be Careful When Doing Physical Labor

There are times when property managers who don’t normally do maintenance work may need to be out and about on their properties. During those times, it’s important to take every precaution to not injure yourself. Using the right tools such as a dumpster caddy can make the job of moving heavy objects easier, leading to fewer accidents.

Always Copy Identification

When showing units, make a copy of everyone’s ID before taking them into a space for lease and only do so if someone else is around. If staffing is tight, send a quick text/email to your office with an ID scan so at least someone else knows who is viewing the property.

Schedule Unit Tours in Advance

By having potential tenants schedule their showing in advance, you can limit tours only to periods of time when there will be more than one person in the office or on the property. If that does not work for the tenant, you can at least have another person accompany you for the showing.

If you’re interested in learning more about keeping yourself safe as a property manager, or making your workload easier with tools like a dumpster caddy, give our staff at DJ Products a call at 1800-686-2651.

Pearl Harbor Navy Official Faces Contract Rigging Charges

Contract Rigging

Taxpayer watchdogs are quick to pounce when military contracts appear to be handed out as sweetheart deals. Case in point: when a Navy procurement official directed $15 million of contracts to his own wife, federal prosecutors were not far behind with conflict of interest charges.

The case involved oil containment booms at Pearl Harbor. William Nesmith, a civilian logistics manager at the naval station, reportedly sent two hefty contracts to his wife’s construction firm.

In their defense, attorneys argued that the conflict of interest did not cost the American taxpayer any extra money. Nesmith is said to have designed the plans on his own.

Ethics of DOD Contract Awards

Regardless of whether contracts are awarded over lower bids, a conflict of interest charge looks bad for contractors and the government. Taxpayers expect that their government solicits bids on a competitive basis, whether it’s a billion-dollar aircraft investment or a run-of-the-mill DOD material handling equipment purchase.

Contract rigging can lead to steep fines and even prison time. In this case, Nesmith faced up to 5 years in jail and a quarter-million dollar fine. Federal prosecutors may choose to settle, but the fallout could include civilian firings and contractors being suspended from bidding.

While it’s hard to say how often DOD contracts are awarded amidst such conflicts, what is clear is that taxpayer groups fight hard against these cases if they ever come to light.

At DJ Products, we are proud to offer GSA-approved solutions including trailers, vehicle pushers, equipment carts, and other DOD material handling equipment. Contact us for more information about our military and DOD applications.

Day: August 23, 2016