Many of our locations use parking garages and one hazard that can occur in all parking garages is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. CO is a clear, odorless gas which is created by inefficient combustion emissions. The most common source of CO that Minuteman Parking Company Team Members encounter is from vehicles that we park for visitors to our facilities.

Carbon Monoxide kills by binding up the hemoglobin in the blood. CO has an affinity for hemoglobin that is several times greater than that of oxygen. This means it only takes small amount of CO to bind up a large amount of oxygen delivered to the tissues.

Without the oxygen you will slowly suffocate to death.

What does this mean to you as a Minuteman Parking Company Team Member?  How does Carbon Monoxide affect you?

Here are some signs of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

• Slight Headache and Dizziness
• Nausea
• Drowsiness and a euphoric feeling
• Unconsciousness
• Death

OSHA has mandated the level of CO that you as employee are allowed to be in for an 8 hour day. The OSHA mandated level is 50 parts per million. This is a very small amount of CO. If you took a million ice cubes and placed them into a room. Then you removed only 50 of those ice cubes. The 50 ice cubes you removed would be the maximum amount of CO OSHA would allow you to be exposed to in an 8 hour day.

Many of our Parking Garages have CO sensors. If you hear the sensors going off in the garage notify your Manager. The sensor alarm means that the CO Levels in the Garage are starting to become unsafe and you will need to take extra precautions in the garage. When the CO sensors start to go off it means that the level of CO in the garage has just hit 50 parts per million. The sensor will get louder and go off more frequently the higher the lever CO gets in the garage.

If the CO sensors start to go off in your garage make sure that you open all stairwells so that air can flow through the garage. This will help push the CO out of the parking garage.  If you need to pull or park a vehicle while the CO Sensors are going off then you need to make sure that you are wearing a mask or have a towel over your mouth and nose so you do not breathe in CO. Make sure you notify all of your fellow team members that the CO sensors are going off and that they need to take extra precaution when parking and pulling vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and take your health and the health and safety of others seriously.

 

Do you know if you are wearing the correct shoes for your job? How can you tell if the shoes you are wearing will keep you safe?  Slips and falls are going too happened and wearing the proper shoes can help prevent them from occurring more often. Minuteman Parking Company has many different job titles and each job has its own function in keeping our operations running smoothly. Having the right footwear for your job can help prevent workplace injuries. Your job functions will dictate the appropriate protection against foot injuries. Here are some things to consider.

An estimated 130,000 disabling foot injuries and 40,000 toe injuries occur on an annual basis according to the National Safety Council.  General hazards you can encounter at work are: Heavy objects that may fall on your feet (luggage), heavy objects that may roll over them (cars) or toes that are stubbed on immovable objects (curbs or stairs).  Wearing the wrong footwear can cause you to slip and fall resulting in multiple injuries. Are your shoes made out of the right material?  Are your shoes slip resistant? We deal with wet surfaces and oil spills from vehicles. Can your shoes protect you from slipping and falling? Your shoes should also fit properly and be comfortable to wear and they should be in good condition. If your shoes start to get worn out it is time to replace them.

For those of you that work in an office you might think I can wear whatever shoes I want, but even in an office your footwear is important for safety. There are injuries reported by office workers involving doors slamming into feet and workers wearing sandals who were required to have a surgical procedure to remove their toe nails. This means that you should not wear opened toed shoes to work.

Managers must monitor what footwear their staff is wearing to work.

Remember, a valet is an occupational athlete and we need the right footwear to perform the job to our maximum potential. You would not wear golf shoes to play basketball!!   Take a good look at your shoes and ask yourself if they are the right shoes for your job.   

We do not want anyone to get injured while at work!

As we approach the summer it’s the time of year that Minuteman Parking Company wants to remind everyone of ways to protect ourselves from heat related illness. We work in a variety of environments and since we work outdoors we have to be prepared for the heat and what can happen if we do not take the proper precautions. What is Heat Stress? What is Heat Exhaustion? What is Heat Stroke?  This month we are going to be discussing what can lead up to these Heat related illness and how we can prevent them.

OSHA states that when your body is unable to cool itself by sweating, several heat-induced illnesses such as heat stress or heat exhaustion and the more severe heat stroke can occur, and can result in death.

What is Heat Stress?

Heat Stress: A variety of problems associated with very warm temperatures and high humidity. Heat stress is a condition marked by weakness, nausea, dizziness, and profuse sweating that results from physical exertion in a hot environment.

Factors Leading to Heat Stress:

«     High Temperatures and humidity

«     Direct sun or heat

«     Limited air movement

«     Physical exertion

«     Poor physical condition

«     Some Medicines

«     Inadequate tolerance for hot workplaces

What is Heat Exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion: A warning that the body is getting too hot. The person may be thirsty, giddy, weak, uncoordinated, nauseous, and sweating profusely. The body temperature is usually normal and the pulse is normal or raised. The skin is cold and clammy. Although heat exhaustion often is caused by the body’s loss of water and salt; salt supplements should only be taken with advice from a doctor.          

Factors Leading to Heat Exhaustion:

«     Headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting

«     Weakness and moist skin

«     Mood changes such as irritability or confusion

«     Upset stomach or vomiting

What is Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke: A severe condition caused by impairment of the body’s temperature-regulating abilities, resulting from prolonged exposure to excessive heat and characterized by cessation of sweating, severe headache, high fever, hot dry skin, and in serious cases collapse and coma.

Factors Leading to Heat Stroke:

«     Dry Hot Skin with no sweating

«     Mental confusion or losing consciousness

«     Seizures or convulsions

How can you prevent heat stress from happening? 

«     Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

«     Monitor yourself and your coworkers.

«     Block out direct sun or other heat sources

«     Use Cooling fans/air-conditioning and rest regularly

«     Drink lots of water

«     Wear lightweight, light colored and loose fitting clothing

«     Avoid drinking Alcohol and caffeinated drinks

What to do you DO for Heat-Related Illness:

«     Call 911

While waiting for help to arrive you should do the following.

«     Move to a cool shaded place

«     Loosen or remove heavy clothing

«     Provide cool water to the person who is showing signs of heat-related illness

«     Fan and mist the person showing signs of heat-related illness with water.

If you have any questions on heat-related illness please ask your manager. As the days get warmer you need to remember to take your breaks and keep yourself hydrated. If at anytime you feel that you starting to show signs of a heat-related illness contact your Manager or Driveway Ambassador for help immediately.

At Minuteman Parking Company we have valets who drive guest vehicles and Shuttle Drivers that transports guests and patients. It is common knowledge that the number one cause of work-related fatalities is vehicle accidents. As a valet or shuttle driver you face the hazards of the roadway day after day.  Sometimes a trip may end tragically.

Now cellular phones threaten to increase the accident potential for all drivers.  As the cellular phones advance with technology we see new threats that come with using your cell phones while working. Minuteman Parking Company’s policy states that valets, shuttle drivers and cashiers must leave their cell phone in their vehicles while they are at work. According to one research study, the use of cellular phones while driving has increased the risk of being involved in an accident by 34%. The US Department of Transportation reports an increased number of complaints about drivers talking on their cellular phones while operating a vehicle. Critics of these studies argue that the research is poor. But in most States you can be fined talking on your cellular phone with a hands free device and in other states you can be fined for texting.  People say that having a cellular phone in a vehicle is an advantage when there is an emergency.

What do you think?

Some hazards that have been associated with cellular phone use include:    

• Passengers in the car often alert drivers to dangerous situations. The person you are talking to does not know what the situations are that you are dealing with.
• People who are on the phone are more likely to have intense conversations which will distract them from driving the vehicle properly.
• Users are said to be distracted and not driving defensively. The driver is less responsive to the traffic situations.
• Drivers who are on the phone are said to have a longer response time to traffic situations.

Here are a few safety reminders

• Leave your cell phone in your vehicle while you are at work.
• If you are on your 30 minute meal break and driving your vehicle keep your phone conversations short and sweet.
• If you are driving to work and you are in tricky traffic situations hang up your phone.
• Safe driving takes precedence over telephone etiquette.
• Try to resist dialing a number while driving in heavy traffic. Wait till you are at a stop light.
• Keep even more distance between you and the vehicle in front of you if your cellular phone.
• Remember in most states like California, you have to use a “hands-free” device. If you do not have one then you should not be using your cellular phone while driving.

All drivers are at risk of having a vehicle accident before, during or after work, and the use of a cell phone may increase this risk. Concentrate on the above reminders! Don’t become a statistic!

Drinking and Driving is a serious problem that plaques the United States. 23,000 deaths a year are caused by drunk drivers. When we drink, alcohol goes into our stomach where it is absorbed by the blood stream. The alcohol is then carried to the brain. When it reaches the brain, alcohol can affect our driving in three ways.

1. Alcohol impairs our judgment and decision making ability

2. Alcohol affects our coordination and our ability to handle a vehicle

3. Alcohol affects our vision—we can not always see things clearly

Minuteman Parking Company would like to remind everyone of our Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Substance Abuse

Illegal drugs in the workplace are a danger to everyone. Minuteman Parking Company is considered a Drug-Free Workplace. That means any employee who works for the Company is prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use or being under the influence of a controlled substance.  Controlled substances are generally considered to be, but not limited to, heroin, morphine, marijuana, hashish, cocaine, amphetamines, tranquilizers, PCP, LSD, “designer drugs,” etc., or any divertive thereof.  For the purposes of this policy being under the influence meant having any detectable level of alcohol or controlled substances in one’s system.

The consumption use or possession of any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance, or the illegal use of drug(s), by anyone while acting in any employment capacity for the Company or on Company property, is strictly prohibited. Anyone found in violation of this standard will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination of employment without prior notice or warning.

Unusual Behavior: If, in the opinion of management, your behavior is considered to be unusual and is or could be injurious to the Company or its employees, you may be subject to a drug/alcohol test as a condition of continued employment.

On-the-Job Injury: If you are involved in any on-the-job injury, the medical facility where you are sent will be asked to conduct a test to determine if drugs, alcohol, or any illegal substance was present that could have contributed to the cause of the injury. This test is mandatory and considered to be a condition of continued employment. Failure to comply with the directions from the medical facility or to take this test will result in immediate termination of employment without further notice or warning.

Test Results: A test result that reveals illegal substance use or substance abuse or alcohol influence will normally result in immediate termination of employment of the employee.

Prescribed and Over-the-Counter Drugs: The use of prescribed or over-the-counter drugs, or possession incident to such use, is not prohibited if:

·         The drug has been legally obtained and is being used for the purpose for which it was prescribed or manufactured; and

·         The drug is being used at the dosage prescribed or authorized; and

·         The use of the drug is not inconsistent with the safe and efficient performance of the employee’s duties.

If you have any questions on the above policy please contact your locations Direct Manager or the Training and Safety Manager.

The Right Way to Lift

Back injuries cost American industries 10 to 14 billion dollars a year in worker compensations and about 100 million lost work days annually according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH.) If you have a healthy lifestyle that includes the following you can help maintain a healthy back.

«     Attention to posture

«     Conditioning and body mechanics

«     Avoiding obesity

«     Smoking

«     Minimizing emotional stress

Diane W. Braza MD. Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Medical College of Wisconsin says that if you have proper posture, conditioning and body mechanics will help lead to healthier back and limit back injuries. She also states that up to 80% of Americans suffer back pain at some point in their lives. The cause of 90% of back pain is caused by strains or sprains of back muscles, ligaments or soft tissues. The remaining 10% of back pain is caused by more serious conditions like degenerative disk disease or herniated disks in the spine. All the cases mentions above can be prevented or treated by using her three key components in preventing back injuries.

Posture

Proper posture is very important whether you are standing, sitting or sleeping. A good technique to help with proper posture is holding in the belly to keep it from protruding and putting excess stress on the spine. Over time poor posture can lead to a weakened spine and abdominal muscles that can contribute to back pain and injuries.

Conditioning

Conditioning of the body and cardiovascular system with aerobic exercise as well as strengthening and stretching out the muscles. Some studies have shown that smoking can contribute to back injuries. Swimming, walking, and short distance running is a great way to help condition your body. These exercises can also help increase the blood flow to your spine which will help reduce the risk of back injuries.

Body Mechanics

Body mechanics refer to the way we use our body. These mechanics include lifting, bending and stretching. Anytime that we are lifting we need to think of how we are lifting an item before we lift it. Remember to always to lift with your knees and keep that item close to you as you lift it up. If the item is too heavy ask for help. Make sure that you pace yourself while you are at work. Make sure that you take your breaks. This will help your back relax so that you do not strain it. When standing you want to vary the position of your body.

Here are some key techniques to remember to help prevent back injuries.

«     Keep you back as straight as possible and maintain proper posture when lifting an object

«     Bend with your knees and hips not at the back or waist

«     Pivot the hips and not the back

«     If possible lift from an area that is waist high

«     Never reach above your head to lift an object use a step ladder.

What Do We Do? Chris Just Stopped Breathing!

Fast action is critical when someone stops breathing. Minutes after someone stops breathing they can suffer brain damage or die. If someone stops breathing at your location do you know who to contact? Can you make the call quickly for help? Make sure the help comes to the victim. Moving a victim can cause more injuries if you are not properly trained on how to move someone.  So remember never move the victim.

When a guests, patient or fellow team member stops breathing we want to react quickly. These situations can be stressful but we want you to be prepared on what can happen while you are at work. Here are some steps to help you in case someone stops breathing while at work. Here are some helpful steps for you in case someone at your location stops breathing.

• You want to make sure that it is safe to approach the victim.
• Knell beside the person, tap him/her and shout “Are you Okay?”
• Shake the person gently to determine consciousness
• Check to see if there is possibility of neck or back injury
• Call for help or have someone in the area call for medical aid and to bring a pocket mouth-to-mouth resuscitation device if there is one available in your first aid kit.
• After calling to the victim and shaking the victim and they still do not respond. You want to check for breathing by:
  • Looking to see if his/her chest is rising and falling without assistance
  • Putting your ear to the person’s mouth and nose to listen and feel for breathing.

If the victim is not breathing and there is no one trained in CPR around. You should:

• Lay the victim on his/her back.
• Loosen the clothing around the victim’s neck.
• Check that nothing is blocking the mouth or throat.
• Tilt the victim’s mouth open with your thumb.
• Pinch the victim’s nose and cover his/her mouth with yours. Try to make a leak proof seal.
• Use a disposable pocket mouth-to-mouth resuscitation device, if available.
• Blow into the victim’s mouth once every 5 seconds (every 3 second for a child.)
• Repeat until you see the victim’s chest rise and fall, and see or feel breathing form his/her mouth.
• Remover your mouth and let the victim exhale.
• Blow into the victim’s mouth several more times until he/she is able to breathe unaided.

You never know when a situation like this might happen and Minuteman Parking Company wants you to be prepared. If you have taken a CPR class please inform your manager that you can assist in an emergency situation if one arises. If you have not been trained in CPR the Red Cross and other similar agencies regularly offer CPR course. But remember your safety comes first. So make sure that you are protected before you enter any emergency situation.

Trip Signs

Workplace Injuries: Slip-and-Falls

Slip-and-Falls are the leading causes for workplace injuries. In are line of business we have many near misses with slips and falls. And it is our goal at Minuteman Parking Company to eliminate these near misses from ever happening. Make sure that you are aware of your surroundings when you are work. Take note when your designated path of travel changes. Know where all of the stairs and ramps are at your location. These areas can be dangerous when they are wet. Also be aware of all chains, guard rails and tire spikes. All of these hazards can cause you to trip, fall and seriously injure yourself. You should always report any unsafe work conditions that may cause any injury while you are work to your manager.

Tips on Preventing Slip-and-Falls

• Wear Sturdy Shoes
• Do not wear open toed shoes or shoes with leather soles.
• Shoes should be laced and tightly tied.
• Clean up spills immediately.
• Place caution signs when you notice any spills that can not be cleaned up immediately.
• Place caution when wet signs out on raining days and the ground are going to stay wet for a long period of time.
• Pay close attention to what is going on around you.
• Move cautiously near corners and when carry things.
• Always use the handrail when walking down stairs.
• Never skip a step when using the stairs.
• Never run or jump down stairs.
• Do not use short cuts to get to the parking areas.
• Go around chains, guard rails and tire spikes and not over them.
• Report to your Manager or Driveway Ambassador any hazardous areas.

Causes of Slip-and-Falls

• 50% of Slip-and-Falls are caused by Unsafe, Unclean Floor Surfaces
• 24% of Slip-and-Falls are caused by Inappropriate Footwear
• 10% of Slip-and-Falls are caused by Fraudulent Claims
• 9% of Slip-and-Falls are caused by Inadequate Hazard Identification
• 7% of Slip-and-Falls are caused by Insufficient Training

At times we do get busy and we get into high stress situations. And we understand that guests and patients want their vehicles as quickly as possible. But there is no excuse for short cuts that can cause you or your team member’s harm.

DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON! That is what you do during an earthquake. Teach yourself these three steps and you will be more prepared in case of an earthquake at your location or at home.

DROP:Drop on the Floor

COVER:Take cover under something that is sturdy like a desk. It should be something that is not going to tip over during an earthquake. If there is not anything to cover yourself under find something like a door way and cover your head with your hands. Make sure to avoid hazardous areas like near windows and mirrors.

HOLD ON:Make sure you hold onto what ever you cover yourself with. You are going to need to HOLD ON until the shaking stops. You may be in for a bumpy ride. Once the shaking as stopped then you may get out from under whatever you were covering yourself with.

Other things to remember during an Earthquake:If you are DRIVING - Pull to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses, power lines, and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over.If you are OUTDOORS - Move to a clear area away from trees, signs, power lines, buildings, and poles.

Also remember after an earthquake there will be aftershocks. So be prepared to DROP, COVER and HOLD ON even after the first earthquake.

At Minuteman Parking, we are passionate about our service and professionalism. Wherever I go, I am always on the lookout to see how other valet parking companies operate – and it always amazes me what I find.

Here are just a few telltale signs illustrated by some pictures we took recently while conducting some competitor research:

Are your valets inattentive and do they look uninterested in customer services? You only get one chance at making a great first impression for your property. To provide a jumpstart on this first impression, Minuteman Parking requires all attendants to remain posted and standing at all times to create a positive and friendly atmosphere. We also create a personalized script to greet guests and visitors so that everyone is greeted courteously and consistently. All of our associates are always in a proper and professional uniform and they do not wear sunglasses unless medically necessary.

Inattentive Valets Provide Poor Customer Service

Minuteman Associates Are Always Attentive and Professional

Are your valets using cell phones while on duty? If your valet attendants are using cell phones while on duty, they are not providing their full attention to making a favorable impression for your property. At Minuteman Parking, our associates are instructed to never use cellphones while on duty.

Minuteman Associates Never Use Phones On Duty

Are your valets eating on duty? How can associates provide exceptional customer service when their mouths are full or their fingers are greasy? Minuteman Parking has a strict “no food on duty, period� policy. We enforce a policy of eating only while on assigned breaks and only in designated areas.

Minuteman Associates Never Eat On Duty

Do your valets follow valet parking best practices? Minuteman Parking sets strict parking procedures that include parking only in designated valet parking areas and backing cars into spaces to make them easily identifiable and to reduce the risk of accidents. On on-site manager or shift leader periodically patrols our parking areas to ensure compliance and reinforce procedures on a daily basis.

Minuteman Follows Valet Parking Best Practices

Minuteman Parking takes pride in providing exceptional customer service. In fact, we have established our 10 Commitments to Excellence that is ingrained in everything we do:

1. Enthusiasm is the fuel of great service.
2. Honesty & Integrity: Each individual is responsible for his/her own actions.
3. Greet every guest with a warm welcome and bid them a fond farewell.
4. Teamwork builds trust, support and forms us into a cohesive unit.
5. Workplace knowledge of your job and area enhances the guest experience.
6. A positive attitude reflects well on you, your department and your location.
7. Common courtesy is expected everywhere; in the hospitality business it is essential.
8. Respect of our guests, yourself and your teammates reflects in your job performance.
9. Professional behavior ensures our guests that they are in good hands.
10. EXCEEDING PATIENTS AND VISITORS EXPECTATIONS IS OUR MAIN GOAL