Articles in this issue:
Collins Thanksgiving Celebration
Safety First
The Germiest Location of Them All
GERD Awareness Week
Happy Thanksgiving
In this time of Thanksgiving, we would like to express our sincerest appreciation for each and every one of you for all that you do for the company – whether in the field or in the office. Have a wonderful, long weekend filled with good things! Happy Thanksgiving!
Collins Thanksgiving Celebration
The Collins Electrical Company, Inc. Metro/Corporate Thanksgiving potluck was held last Friday, November 18th ! There was an abundance of delicious food, games and November birthday celebrants from our Metro Branch were recognized. It was a great way to get together and recognize everyone’s hard work and an excuse to play a round of Giant Jenga!
Safety First
“Safety First”
Fresno Branch’s Service Department Electrician, Steve Forestiere showing “safety first” at the Borrego Solar Energy, Nicolas/Tropico site. He is providing maintenance work on batteries (19 units with a total of 58 cells). Due to the acid filled units, Steve came prepared along with an inspection by our Safety Team member, Joe Murillo. Good job!
The Germiest Location of them All
Lets face it, no matter how hard we try it is impossible to avoid every single germ. Whether you sanitize and wash your hands every 10 minutes or clean the surfaces of your desk every day, you will always be subjected to some sort of germ. Although we can’t avoid these pesky microorganisms, it is always helpful to learn a couple interesting facts. We all know germs are invisible, however do we actually know the most germ-filled locations and practices? Learn more to find out!
Be honest, when you think of the grossest and most germ-filled place in your work setting your mind goes straight to the bathroom, correct? Well, think again. According to a study conducted by Dr. Charles Gerba PhD, professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona, office break rooms and kitchens actually contain the most germs. Due to the fact that our minds automatically go to bathrooms as being the dirtiest, they end up getting cleaned the most regularly. Dr. Gerba found the innocent office kitchen to be crawling with germs. Surprisingly enough, 75% of break room sink faucet handles, 48% of microwave door handles, 27% of keyboards, 26% of refrigerator door handles, 23% of water fountain buttons, and 21% of vending machine buttons. So next time you eat your tasty meal at break, remember to wash your hands!
GERD Awareness Week
GERD – is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esopheal sphincter, the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach. Many people suffer from heartburn or acid indigestion caused by GERD. GERD Awareness Week is November 23-29. This National Health Observance takes place during the week of Thanksgiving, a time when GERD suffers are likely to experience an increase in symptoms such as heartburn, coughing and nausea. There are plenty of ways you can get involved and spread awareness during this annual campaign, but first, let’s test your GERD awareness with a few true or false questions.
- True or False: GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Answer: True
- True or False: GERD is a somewhat rare condition. Answer: False. Approximately 60 percent of adults will experience some type of GERD this year, and 20 to 30 percent will have weekly symptoms.
- True or False: GERD can be safely left untreated and presents no significant health risks. Answer: False. Untreated GERD can lead to several health complications including ulcers, inflammation, esophageal strictures and Barrett’s esophagus a precursor to esophageal cancer. Routine evaluation and further testing may be necessary.
- True or False: GERD can be treated with dietary and lifestyle changes, medication, upper endoscopy and surgery. Answer: True.
The purpose of GERD Awareness Week is to increase understanding of this treatable condition and draw attention to research needs. Approximately 21 million Americans currently suffer from GERD, and many of them need to hear the message that chronic heartburn should not be ignored. You could be the one to inspire a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family member to see a doctor about their GERD symptoms. To learn more about GERD and GERD awareness campaign visit, https://www.aboutgerd.org/
