Carbon Monoxide Safety

Keep yourself informed about the dangers of Carbon Monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas which interferes with the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. CO is non-irritating and can overcome persons without warning. Many people die from CO poisoning, usually while using gasoline powered tools and generators in buildings or semi-enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation. Below is a collection of resources that will help you stay informed about the dangers of Carbon Monoxide. Protect Your Family and Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. What to Know: Generators and CO (Carbon Monoxide).

Frazer Completes Stage I of OSHA Challenge

Good news. We’ve completed Stage I of the OSHA VPP Challenge. On May 31st, 2013, Mark Briggs, Area Director of the Houston South Area Office, presented us with a congratulatory letter on behalf of OSHA. He also spoke about the unique nature of our company. “This is a very unique product,” said Briggs. “I never thought that a product like this was made here.” He added: “I’m very proud of you all. I’m proud that you guys have made it through Stage I. I look forward to coming back here in the future.” Cindy Lewis of Gulf Coast Safety Institute and Challenge Administrator also praised our efforts. “I’ve been very impressed with the progress we’ve made,” she said. “I think it’s been interesting, too. It’s fun to see how you guys do this.” She echoed Mr. Briggs’ sentiment that Frazer is a unique company with a unique product. “Now as I’m driving down the road and I see an ambulance go by, what’s the first thing I look for? It’s that little logo on the back of the ambulance,” said Lewis. “Now awareness has gone up — and it’s the same thing with safety.” There are three stages in OSHA Challenge, each bringing us a step closer to the ultimate honor in workplace safety. One down, two more to go. Bring on Stage II.

6S at Frazer

At Frazer, we’re always looking for the most efficient ways to do things safely. So, when we saw an opportunity to adopt a company-wide organizational system, we embraced it. You may know the original 5S methodology. It presents five main organizational procedures: sort, set in order, shine, standardize, and sustain. We added a sixth “S” — safety — to the system. While safety is implied in 5S, it doesn’t hurt to explicitly proclaim it as part of the process. So we did. The pillars of an effective 6S system are as follows: Sort: Determine what is needed for each operation. Set in Order: Return tools not in use to their proper location. Shine: Clean equipment and work area. Dispose of trash properly. Standardize: Make space for every tool. Use color codes to designate items. Sustain: Maintain and sustain the new order. Safety: Promote an attitude of safety. After identifying some improvement opportunities, we began implementing 6S throughout the company. We’re now in the process of installing it in every department, from production to striping & lettering. One key component of 6S is the color coding system. We use general purpose vinyl tape and/or labels to designate different work stations, aisle ways, tag areas, and more. Blue denotes work in progress. Green signifies finished goods. Red is for scraps. You get the idea. The goal is to organize the worksite in a manner that reduces time lost looking for items. Building some of the best vehicles in the EMS industry requires a large amount of attention to detail. It helps to have a system that promotes the safe, smooth, and efficient flow of daily work. Worksite efficiency ensures a finished a product, which makes everyone happy. 6S is a win-win. To learn more about Frazer’s commitment to safety, visit our Safety Page.