CEO Notes
I'm just back from the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association Conference & Trade Show in Indianapolis. As a founding member, I am proud of the work the organization does to improve drug and alcohol screening programs around the globe. Over my 23 years in this industry, I have seen many changes and most of them start with getting the industry experts in a room to talk about what is really happening in the field. As always, it was exciting to visit with the presenters and attendees, to hear what they think and to learn how I can support others in new and innovative ways to grow their businesses. Of course, it's always good to see old friends, and we had a lot of fun!
This year’s keynote speaker was General Barry McCaffrey, USA (RET). His presentation was just amazing! General McCaffrey served in the United States Army for 32 years and retired as a four-star general. At retirement, he was the most highly decorated serving general, having been awarded three Purple Heart medals (wounded in combat three times), two Distinguished Service Crosses (the nation’s second highest award for valor) and two Silver Stars for valor.
After leaving the military, General McCaffrey led the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), for five years and then taught at the United States Military Academy in We Point for several years. He is currently a consultant on national security issues.
General McCaffrey's presentation was incredibly inspirational. He is a true American hero, and I felt honored to meet him.
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I look forward to sharing more about what I experienced and learned in Indy. soon. For right now, I just want to make you aware of this special gathering of professionals. This conference is not just for those who are industry business owners. It’s awesome for HR managers, business leaders, safety managers, attorneys, counselors and most importantly, any organization that functions as a collection site for the drug screening industry.
The opportunity to learn how to improve your collection site is invaluable. The collector is the most important link in the process and often the person who gets the least amount of training. At TSS, we’re working hard to support collection sites in gaining solid training for their employees. So is NDASA and our conference is a great place to get the training that is needed. For those of you located in Alaska or on the West Coast, I encourage you to consider sending staff to next year’s conference in Bellevue, WA (May 24-26, 2003). Let me know if you have questions about attending this or a future NDASA conference. I am happy to help you get to this awesome event, complete with vendors. You can learn more about at NDASA.COM.
Best regards,
Renee Schofield
P.S. TSS offices will close at NOON on Friday, May 27 and reopen on Tuesday, May 31 for the Memorial Day weekend.
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This week, TSS joined organizations nationwide to support the first-ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day to educate the public about the danger of this drug.
“Fentanyl is killing Americans at unprecedented rates,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram in a statement issued on mark the day.“On this first-ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day, please help save lives by making sure you talk with your friends and family about the dangers of this deadly drug.”
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is approximately 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. It is inexpensive, widely available, and highly addictive. According to the DEA statement, Drug traffickers are increasingly mixing fentanyl with other illicit drugs—in powder and pill form—to drive addiction and create repeat customers. Many people who are overdosing and dying don’t even know that they are taking fentanyl.
Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any other cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, and all other accidents.
So, help us spread the word and save lives.
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Yes, we are all tired of it. And, yes, most of us have relaxed COVID routines in our personal lives as we’ve gotten vaccinated and boosted. But as employers, we still have a responsibility to protect our workforce and customers. And, with COVID numbers increasing again in parts of the country and the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendations evolving, employers should continue to take precautions and make sure their workplace COVID policies are up to date. Your employees are your most important asset and it is worthwhile to remain vigilant in support of their wellbeing.
Safety Check List
Below are some reminders and refreshers to bring up with your team during a safety meeting:
- Clearly communicate the CDC definition of “fully vaccinated.” According to the CDC, you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have received all doses in the primary series and one booster.
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Tips for Avoiding Electrical Hazards |
Are you as safe as you can be around electricity in your home and workplace?
This is a question worth considering as we recognize National Electrical Safety Month in May. Most people would answer, “Yes.” But people can become complacent as they handle everyday electrical tools and appliances, not appreciating that there are risks involved.
Every year, people are injured or even killed because of contact or exposure to electricity. In the United States, there are more than 1,000 deaths annually, as a result of electrical injuries. Of these, approximately 400 are due to high-voltage electrical injuries. Lightning causes another 50 to 300 deadly electrocutions. In addition, there are at least 30,000 shock incidents per year that are non-fatal.
About 20% of all electrical injuries occur in children in the home. In adults, these injuries occur mostly in occupational settings and are the fourth-leading cause of workplace-related traumatic death. In 2020, there were 126 fatal workplace electrocutions (the lowest number on record) and about 2, 200 electrical injuries, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).
Prevention
Like most accidents, electrical incidents can be avoided by understanding how electricity works and recognizing potential hazards when we see them.
Here are 10 steps to protect yourself from electric shock or electrocution:
- Inspect all tools and power cords prior to use.
- Never mix water and electricity. Always keep electrical appliances away from water and moisture.
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Spring has finally arrived! While we all enjoy getting outside more, being out in nature during the warmer months brings with it the potential for tick bites.
Every time we venture outdoors, we need to be vigilant in examining ourselves, our kids and our pets for those tiny disease carriers.
Did you know that ticks are programmed to move toward your head or ears, seeking blood in the areas where your skin is the thinnest?
Each year, 30,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease, which is transmitted to humans through tick bites and left untreated can damage joints, the heart and nervous system. The CDC estimates that because so many cases are undiagnosed, the number is probably closer to 300,000! Yet, many people are still unaware of the potential risk or even know that they should be taking precautions to avoid a tick bite.
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TSS is a distributor for the Cutter ™ Lyme Disease Test Kits, which easily test ticks, removed from a human or pet, for the Lyme Disease-causing bacterium. Kits may be purchased online at the TSS, Inc. website or at any TSS. office.
The process is simple: Kits contain an easy-to-use tick removal tool and specimen bag. Remove the tick, use the tool to place the tick in a bag, complete the submission form, apply labels to the specimen bag as instructed, place the specimen bag in a standard envelope, attach the mailing label, add postage, and drop it in the mail.
The tick is tested in a lab to determine if it is a Lyme disease carrier. If the result is positive. you should contact your physician.
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Warm temperatures are just around the corner and so is the start of boating season. With a 35% increase in boat ownership and 415, 000 new boaters, the waterways will likely be busier than ever in 2022, according to the Water Sports Foundation.
That means, practicing safe boating will also be more critical. In recent years, as recreational boating has become increasingly popular the number of boating accidents has been on the rise. In 2020, there were 767 boating fatalities in the United States, an increase of more than 25% increase from 2019, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Total accidents increased by 26%, and the number of nonfatally injured victims increased by 25%.
According to the National Safe Boating Council, 75% of boating fatalities are from drowning. Approximately 86% of those victims were not wearing a life jacket, and 2/3 were strong swimmers.
Safe Boating Week was a campaign started by NSBC to encourage responsible boating. Through proper operation of the vessel and use of equipment, common sense and awareness, lives can be saved this summer.
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TSS TRAINING
Webinar, online, blended
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If you don't see a course you need on our website, our team of safety specialists are more than happy to customize a training, or series of trainings, for you. Just let us know how we can help.
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View our featured online courses on TSS's revamped website homepage. Make sure to keep checking back for new content!
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In-Person Instruction
COST: $85
2-Year Certification.
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Blended Learning
COST: $85
2-Year Certification
- Take the classroom portion of the course online.
- Then, schedule a hands-on evaluation at your convenience.
Same skills. Same certification.
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Schedule Your Drug
Screen at
(877) 225-1431
or
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