christopher Harper, Author at DJ Products

Fun Facts: Forbes’ Amazing Facts About Private Jets

The United States Comprises 49.7 Percent of the World’s Private Jet Market

The mention of private jets usually conjures up images of celebrities, wealth and glamour. While those qualities are certainly part of it, the business aviation industry makes a valuable contribution to the country’s economy, employing 1.2 million people and generating a whopping $150 billion each year.

Here are some other fascinating and little-known facts about private jets as revealed by Forbes:

• The United States comprises 49.7 percent of the world’s private jet market, more than double the number of Europe at 20.8 percent.

• Average hourly charter rates range from $1,674 for a Citation Mustang to $8,640 for a Gulfstream 550.

• Van Nuys (CA) Airport, the busiest general aviation airport in the world, is the site of more than 259,000 takeoffs and landings each year. Teterboro in New Jersey is the top domestic airport for international travel, while Vnukovo in Russia is number one in Europe.

• Not surprisingly, the Super Bowl generates the most single-event private jet travel.

• Nearly all private jets pale in comparison to the most expensive model in the world, the Airbus A380 owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud. Splashy features such as a two-car garage, a stable for horses and camels, and a rotating prayer room drove the estimated cost to more than $500 million.

Maneuver Through Hangars with Ease Using a Small Airplane Mover from DJ Product

Whether you need a small airplane mover or a dumpster tugger, DJ Products has a battery-powered material handler to fulfill your needs. Use our convenient online chat feature to get assistance from our expert sales engineers.

Eco Friendly Semi Trucks May Be the Future if This Startup Gets Its Way

Could an Eco Friendly Semi Be on the Way?

An eco-friendly semi truck might sound as realistic as a unicorn, but it may be closer than you think. A startup in Utah is banking on being the first company to roll out this game-changing vehicle.

The New Face of Trucking?

Nikola Motor Company, the namesake of legendary engineer Nikola Tesla, has an experimental truck called One on its virtual drawing board. One’s aerodynamic design and hybrid drivetrain show promise as a major step toward a greener trucking industry.

The sophisticated drivetrain consists of electric motors, lithium-ion batteries and an on-board turbine, which kicks in when the batteries run low. Unlike electric cars, these trucks won’t need to be periodically plugged in.

Take Advantage of Multiple Fuel Sources

While the turbine is intended to run primarily on compressed natural gas (CNG), it can also burn diesel fuel or gasoline. Nikola’s initial plan is to build a nationwide network of 50 CNG stations drawing on the company’s own natural gas wells, with more stations to be added if the program takes off.

Currently the One exists only as a computer-generated concept, with no word as to when an actual prototype will debut. However, Nikola has been accepting fully refundable $1,500 deposits, with the first 5,000 orders to include one million miles worth of free fuel.

DJ Products Bridges the Present and the Future

Our battery-powered semi truck trailer caddy will provide an eco-friendly companion to Nikola’s One, just as it does to the trucks in your fleet today. Visit our website to learn more about our semi truck trailer caddy and all the other material handling solutions from DJ Products.

Army Starts Testing Self-Driving Trucks in Michigan

Military Interest in Self-Driving Cars

Practically all automobile manufacturers, technology companies, ride-share companies, and insurance companies feel that autonomous vehicles will be safer and more efficient. The general public is not yet convinced.

A lot of people say they’re not ready to trust riding in a self-driving car. Despite the negative perceptions of many, the US military is interested in embracing this still-developing technology and has begun testing it on a 21-mile stretch of Interstate 69 in Michigan.

Improving vehicle communications in military convoys

According to Digital Trends, The system currently being tested by the military doesn’t actually drive the trucks. It uses sensors developed by the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) in Warren, Michigan. The road testing is being done in nearby St. Clair and Lapeer Counties. The TARDEC sensors notify all vehicles in the convoy of road conditions, bridges, vehicle slowdowns, and other possible obstacles.

Michigan moves forward with connected cars

The state of Michigan is ahead of most other states when it comes to connected car technology. It passed a bill in May of 2016 authorizing the sale and use of self-driving cars. By passing legislation that allows autonomous car tests and convoys of driverless trucks on public roads, the lawmakers show they want Michigan to stay the US auto capital.

At DJ Products, we understand how technology can improve safety. Our military truck pushers and remote-controlled BombCaddies can maneuver heavy loads and vehicles while keeping the operator safe.

To see our full line of military truck pushers and other equipment for military and DOD applications, visit djproducts.com or call one of our friendly sales associates at 1-800-686-2651.

OH&S’ Top Tips for Workplace Safety for Healthcare Employees

Manage Your Workplace Risks

Caring for the sick unfortunately puts healthcare workers at a high risk of getting ill or injured themselves. It’s a stressful line of work with plenty of hazards, ranging from exposure to pathogens to the hazards of working with heavy equipment.

Everyone in a medical facility should be aware of proper safety practices. They include orderlies, nursing aides, and maintenance staff — who face the greatest risk of physical injury from musculoskeletal disorders.

When your healthcare organization discusses safety and injury prevention, be sure to include ergonomic concerns and repetitive task injuries. These issues rank up there with the top healthcare injuries according to OH&S Online:

1. Bloodborne pathogens can be controlled with proper handwashing and wearing safety equipment, along with proper equipment cleaning.

2. Sharps injuries usually occur when storing or transferring the instrument. Use locked safety boxes for storage and pass them in basins.

3. Musculoskeletal injuries are caused by high-effort and repetitive tasks. Common factors include lifting patients from beds and pushing equipment carts. Use powered hospital carts to move equipment and maintenance supplies, and use slings and hoists to move patients whenever possible.

4. Chemical risks require constant vigilance — have safety sheets handy and make sure workers are using protective equipment and safe practices.

5. Fire risks are higher in hospitals than many other workplaces because of the chemicals present. Regularly review your fire response protocol with all workers.

Injury risks for healthcare employees cannot be eliminated, but they can be managed. Automated equipment is a big part of the solution, including powered hospital carts to help move equipment and maintenance supplies. Contact DJ Products for more info about our cart movers.

Properties with an Auger Style Compactor Need a Dumpster Caddy

The Need For A Dumpster Caddy

Trash disposal is a cumbersome process for any industry, ranging from manufacturing to hospitality. Today, auger-style compactors paired with dumpster movers result in significant savings of space, money and labor.

A Revolutionary Change in Trash Disposal

Traditional compactors use a hydraulic-powered ram to push trash into a container. There is little actual compacting action until the container is nearly full, leaving much to be desired in terms of effective use of space.

In contrast, augur-style compactors are equipped with a spiral bit that operates electronically. The boring motion breaks down trash before it enters the container for denser, more efficient payloads.

Benefits of Augur-Style Compactors

Contents of payloads are increased by up to 50 percent.

Fewer trash hauls are required, reducing labor and expenses.

Denser payloads mean lighter impact on the environment.

Electrical power is more eco-friendly than hydraulics.

Since the auger is continually moving forward, there is no litter around the container entrance like there is from the drag-back action of a hydraulic ram.

The forward motion of the auger also eliminates costly and frustrating chute jamming.

Unlike hydraulic ram compactors, there is no danger of auger-style compactors freezing up in cold weather.

Increase Efficiency with Dumpster Movers

Denser payloads equal a minor drawback of heavier weight, but the WasteCaddy dumpster mover from DJ Products provides a convenient solution. Our electric dumpster movers let a single employee transport containers up to 10,000 pounds over inclines as well as flat surfaces. Call 800-686.2651 or use our online chat feature for friendly assistance from our knowledgeable sales engineers.

Use Our Ergonomic Load Calculator to Get Tips on the Right Equipment for the Right Job

A Different Kind of Calculator

When you need to move materials in your warehouse, hotel, hospital or other workplace, do you follow a trial-and-error method to determine the most efficient way? Our DJ Products Ergonomic Load Calculator helps you find the right equipment based on load and available labor.

The Role of Industrial Ergonomics

On-the-job injuries are the biggest drain on labor and expenses, resulting in significant reductions of efficiency and major increases in medical claims. Industrial ergonomics is the practice of adapting job tasks and conditions to maximize natural abilities and movements of your employees.

There is a precise way to figure out the elements needed to push or pull a particular load, but you don’t have to be a scientist to use it. Our Ergonomic Load Calculator takes your input, determines the necessary amount of force and compares it to available manpower.

How to Use the Ergonomic Load Calculator

The calculator first estimates the amount of horizontal force needed to move a load on wheels. Information used includes weight of the load, condition of the wheeled vehicle, and surface covered.
Next, the calculator computes the “Human Performance Capability” based on variables involving the employee and proposed application.
Finally, the calculator generates a table comparing the estimated amount of force with the corresponding Human Performance Capability. If the former amount is greater than the latter, a list of recommended ergonomic methods is included.

DJ Products: Your Source for Industrial Ergonomics Solutions

We offer a full line of electric tugs, caddies and movers to solve your material handling needs, ranging from shopping carts to Humvees and military trucks. Visit our website to learn more.

Bending, Pushing, Pulling, the Costs of Doing It Wrong May Ring Up a Steep Bill

Be Mindful, Don’t Let Your Employees Overexert Themselves… It Could Lead to Serious Injury!

Overexertion from lifting, pulling, pushing, carrying or throwing objects in the workplace ranks as the number one cause of disabling injury, according to the 2016 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index. This type of injury cost employers more than $15.08 billion in direct costs. That is approximately 25 percent of the total direct cost burden relating to workplace injuries for U.S. companies .

Use smart lifting and moving methods

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 36 percent of injuries that required missed workdays were shoulder and back injuries caused by overexertion and cumulative trauma from lifting heavy objects on a regular basis in the course of work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says employees can greatly reduce their likelihood of suffering from spinal injuries, pulled muscles, and back sprains by using smart lifting practices and utilizing mechanical methods like material handling tugs when moving heavy loads or objects.

When product or equipment must be lifted manually, employees should place the object in the “power zone” area of the body, which is mid-thigh to mid-chest. They should keep their spine straight whenever possible and bend with their knees instead of their waist. Mechanical lifts and material handling tugs should be used for anything weight more than 50 pounds. The work floor should be designed and laid out in such a way to allow clear passage of forklifts and other equipment essential to safely moving heavy loads.

Improve efficiency for your business and reduce the risk of overexertion injuries to your valuable team members by contacting one of our courteous and knowledgeable sales professionals at DJ Products.

Push, Pull, Crush: Car Dealerships Deal with Safety Issues

Let Our CarCaddy Help You Move Your Car so You Don’t Have To!

When you own a car dealership, it may seem as though you shouldn’t have any real concerns about safety. When your employees aren’t in the office, they’re probably working with customers on the floor, taking them on test drives, discussing service, etc.

Even so, here at DJ Products we believe there are safety concerns in every business, and the dealership is no exception. In some ways, because the risk of safety problems seems so low, we remind all business owners to remain diligent. An insurance company by the name of The Zenith recently came out with several forms that are available online for you to use in your dealership’s safety program.

Moving Cars Safely

At some point, your employees will have to move cars for one reason or another, and it may not always be feasible or even possible for them to get behind the wheel. In these instances, a dealer caddy (car pusher) is a perfect solution that was developed for car dealerships. It’s a great resource because it saves employees’ backs and keeps you from having to compensate them for potential injuries.

Moving Parts Safely

Don’t forget your employees in the warehouse and the service department. They often take delivery of large bulky items when your parts are received, and carrying those heavy pieces back and forth to the shelves can take a real toll on their bodies. Instead, a parts caddy can help them stay safe and do their jobs much more efficiently.

Whether you’re in need of a car pusher for car dealerships, or just about any related business, contact us at DJ Products to help.

Industrial Ergonomics – Adapt Your Workplace to Your Employees to Save Costs

Proper Ergonomics Keep Your Employees Healthy and Happy

Not so long ago, companies used standard “one size fits all” equipment that did not allow for personalization to employees. Today, ergonomics are used in most workplaces to identify injury risks and make appropriate adjustments.

Everyday Risk Factors in the Workplace

Muscle strain and fatigue are two common health issues arising from repetitive tasks in both offices and industrial settings. According to Richard Haas, a chiropractor in Mason City, IA, approximately 40 percent of work-related health problems involve neuromuscular skeletal injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Integration of automation and technology is the primary reason for the increasingly repetitive nature of workplace activities. With many employees spending most of the day sitting at a desk, the resulting muscle stiffness and tension makes them more vulnerable to injury.

Creating Better Working Conditions with Ergonomics

Ergonomic equipment ranges from lumbar cushions for back support to dumpster movers or dumpster pushers that lighten heavy loads. Employees are also being trained in the proper body mechanics of sitting in a desk chair or lifting boxes.

Making the workplace more responsive to the physical needs of your employees generates a number of financial benefits:

• Production levels are higher due to more efficient working conditions and less time off from injuries.

• High costs of insurance, medical claims, time off and other expenses associated with injuries are reduced significantly.

• Positive employee morale creates greater job satisfaction, which in turn can prevent high turnover rates.

Let our battery-powered WasteCaddy dumpster movers from DJ Products provide an ergonomic solution for your employees’ well-being. Visit our website for a live chat with one of our friendly and knowledgeable sales engineers.

Minnesota Gives Employers Up to $10,000 for Waste Safety Improvement Projects

Could You Use $10k to Improve Waste Safety?

Minnesota employers eligible to apply for OSHA’s Safety Grant Program are able to be awarded up to $10,000 to be used by employers to implement internal safety programs that aid in reducing the number of employee injuries on the job and illnesses that can arise.

The Safety Grant Program was established to help employers with the costs associated with implementing a safety program within the organization.

Projects eligible for a grant can range from addressing general internal safety factors within the organization to impacting a specific location’s safety management practices by adding special equipment like WasteCaddy dumpster movers, which are perfect for employers who strive to help employees avoid accidents on the job and reduce workers compensation claims. We’ve had customers get most of or a portion of the expense of a dumpster mover/waste caddy paid for by a grant from OSHA.

Consider that WasteCaddy dumpster pushers cut down on the number of injuries that happen when maintenance workers move dumpsters, whether it’s from the trash room to the curb or up a long incline outdoors. Using a WasteCaddy dumpster mover, employees will find the work easier, which will result in less injuries, as well as save valuable time. In many cases, a safety audit brought to light the need for ergonomic improvements to moving heavy waste bins and trash carts to prevent injury to staff. It may be time for you to take a careful look at how your staff is handling these heavy loads.

Our dumpster moving equipment can solve your company’s ergonomic needs, please contact us today for information on how DJ Products help in eliminating the on-the-job injuries associated with manual pulling and pushing of heavy dumpsters.

Author: christopher Harper