 Wage and Benefit Survey
It's that time of year again! Participate in the Wage and Benefit Survey and you'll receive a free copy of the results. What better resource to have than to know whether your compensation numbers are in line with industry averages?
You should have received an email with participation instructions from Ed Gleeson from Printing Industries of America. If you would like this information re-sent, simply drop Ed a line at egleeson@printing.org.
The 2013 Compensation and Benefits Survey report is available to purchase from PIA at www.printing.org (check out the online store) or by calling 1-800-910-4283, ext. 770.
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 Maintaining a safe storage rack system
Although easily overlooked, improperly stored materials and damaged racking systems can lead to serious injuries and catastrophic damages. OSHA does not have a specific standard which applies to storage and racking, but if a possible hazard is observed by an inspector, a facility can receive a citation. Hazards related to storage racks are most commonly cited under the General Duty Clause (29 USC 654 5 (a)) - which requires that employers maintain a workplace free from recognized hazards causing or likely to cause death or serious injury to employees. This clause acts as a catch-all for hazards that don't fall under a specific standard.
The following are a few ways to prevent hazards and citations related to storage racks. Remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
- Post the weight limit of racks, keeping in mind that weight limits are based on the manufacturer's design, and if a rack is damaged or modified, capacity will change.
- Regularly inspect racking to check that loads are within the allowable limits and for accidental damage or dislodgement of materials or structural components.
- Anchor racks to the floor and bolt the frames and racks together to decrease the chance of collapsing or tipping.
- Instruct material handlers and powered industrial truck operators on procedures to properly place and remove loads in order to prevent damages to material or racking caused by impact.
- Where loose materials are stored, or there is a chance for items to fall, install netting or other guarding to prevent head injuries, such as an overhead guard on a forklift truck. Consider requiring hard hats in the storage area for employees who would not otherwise be protected.
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 Print Fits Well in the Marketing Mix
Many of today's most successful marketers use cross-channel multimedia campaigns to get their messages out. In fact, a recent Experian survey showed that 88% of respondents plan to integrate three or more channels in their 2014 marketing campaigns. Not surprisingly, the best results often come when these multiple channels are used synergistically, with one message integrated across various media. But what might come as a surprise to some is that print is still a valuable part of the marketing mix. For example, as recently reported in Adweek and the Wall Street Journal a growing number of e-commerce sites are now adding printed catalogs to a marketing mix that typically includes email, display ads, social media and more. These retailers have apparently discovered what other companies already knew: Print catalogs help boost online sales!
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 Why Aren't They At Work?
Absenteeism is a serious problem in any organization, so start your prevention efforts early on - in the hiring process itself.
Discover the applicant's attitude toward absenteeism by asking how many unexcused absences during a six-month period the applicant is used to or believes to be acceptable. If the answer is way out of line with your policies, explain your rules and ask the applicant if he or she would be comfortable with them.
You may lose an applicant or two, but then these folks might not have shown up for work regularly anyway!
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Golf Tournaments to Return in 2015!
Once again, many of you have asked about the status of the Association's golf tournaments this summer. As a result of the change in staff executive directors this year, there will NOT be summer golf tournaments in either Phoenix or Denver. We are happy to report that both tournaments will return again next year. Gary Matchinsky has graciously agreed to spearhead our tournament in Phoenix for next spring and we are working on the details for the Denver event. We will keep you posted on dates!
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 What, you don't call?! We appreciate your continued support as a member. Members like you make doing business a real pleasure. Please note that the Western States Printing Alliance (WSPA), formerly PIAZ/NM and PIAMS, has a new telephone number. NO matter where you are in the US, local or out of state, please call us at our toll free number 1-844-237-1550. We are here to serve!
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