In 1945 Congress dedicated October to advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace. This history declaration has enabled many innovations in the workplace such as easy access doors, ramps, and more.
Beyond the ability to access a workplace, employers have embraced people with disabilities in the workplace. Many hospitals, grocery stores, warehouses have found people with autism and other spectrum disorders make great employees. They are diligent in their tasks and repetitive tasks are easily done and enjoyed by these disabled employees.
We see an opportunity to become a more inclusive economy. I am heartened by Boeing's Diversity Efforts, Microsoft's outreach, and other companies to create a diverse workforce. Perhaps there is a role in your company that can be filled by a disabled person? There are many organizations to help you place the right person. Twitter is filled with valuable links to such non-profits. One such organization is Disability Rights PA, I recently met George Barron at an OCF luncheon and love his drive and vision. Perhaps we can all help give these creative people a job worth working!
https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/YearRound.htm
Ready Willing and Able is a national partnership working together to build a more inclusive workplace.
As we sell into new companies and areas, I hope these companies can embrace hiring a person with a disability. Inclusion is the way to grow!
Linda Richardson
Power Tool and Supply
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Getting Dustless!
The mandatory dust collection and silica dust exposure prevention is now in effect. Contractors are asking for our help in becoming compliant. Are you using your grinder or drill outside or in a confined space? How many hours per day? There are alot of considerations to understand what it will take to be compliant.
How to become compliant? If you do not have a safety engineer on hand that can monitor the particulates in the air, there is some guidance. Osha has a great table and information on particulate exposure. Tool manufacturers like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Michigan Pneumatic have come out with great designs for dustless tool use.
Some of the tools have guards with brush rims, vacuums extraction which includes a vacuum that works with your tool to extract the dust and particulates as they are being created. There are now different vacuum filtered bags for dust disposal and more. Visit Power Tool and Supply to see first hand some of the new and innovative designs our manufacturers have developed for 99% particulate protection. The DeWalt Stingray large hammer dust extractor is a very cool product!
Honeywell's respirators have cartridges that will protect your workers from organic, vapor and dust exposure. These different cartridges fit in a half mask and full mask. How do you know what to use? Well there are guides, testing that can be done and a respirator expert at Honeywell that will help us help you. Honeywell has actively created safety training from in person, online to mobile app.
Other brands like 3M and Moldex have great solutions as well. Power Tool and Supply is trying to bring you the most up to date information from our manufacturers to help you stay safe and healthy. Please visit us in the showroom or call us 330-792-1487.
How to become compliant? If you do not have a safety engineer on hand that can monitor the particulates in the air, there is some guidance. Osha has a great table and information on particulate exposure. Tool manufacturers like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Michigan Pneumatic have come out with great designs for dustless tool use.
Some of the tools have guards with brush rims, vacuums extraction which includes a vacuum that works with your tool to extract the dust and particulates as they are being created. There are now different vacuum filtered bags for dust disposal and more. Visit Power Tool and Supply to see first hand some of the new and innovative designs our manufacturers have developed for 99% particulate protection. The DeWalt Stingray large hammer dust extractor is a very cool product!
Honeywell's respirators have cartridges that will protect your workers from organic, vapor and dust exposure. These different cartridges fit in a half mask and full mask. How do you know what to use? Well there are guides, testing that can be done and a respirator expert at Honeywell that will help us help you. Honeywell has actively created safety training from in person, online to mobile app.
Other brands like 3M and Moldex have great solutions as well. Power Tool and Supply is trying to bring you the most up to date information from our manufacturers to help you stay safe and healthy. Please visit us in the showroom or call us 330-792-1487.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Power Tool and Supply is now certified as a DBE with the PA UCP
Power Tool and Supply announces certification as a DBE for PA UCP!
Power Tool and Supply Co. an industrial tool and supply distribution center and retail store has been certified as a diverse business woman owned and controlled by Lisa Springer by the PA UCP and PennDot. The goal of the certification program is to increase the ability of Power Tool and Supply to compete for contracts on state and public projects for PennDot, The Allegheny County Airport Authority, State Universities, the Port Authority and other organizations within the state of Pennsylvania.
Power Tool and Supply Co. an industrial tool and supply distribution center and retail store has been certified as a diverse business woman owned and controlled by Lisa Springer by the PA UCP and PennDot. The goal of the certification program is to increase the ability of Power Tool and Supply to compete for contracts on state and public projects for PennDot, The Allegheny County Airport Authority, State Universities, the Port Authority and other organizations within the state of Pennsylvania.
“Certification provides a marketing opportunity for women and diverse business enterprises to participate in outreach programs,” said Lisa Springer, owner. “In addition, this program will enable us to develop relationships with larger companies and create opportunities for future partnerships with them.
Power Tool & Supply has been operating for more than 50 years. The company serves industrial and construction markets with sales, rental and repair in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Power Tool & Supply provides in-house repair services for all gas, electric, cordless and hydraulic and air tools that they sell. Their customers range from large industrial and automotive plants to electrical and mechanical contractors, plumbers, bridge, and road contractors. Power Tool & Supply is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise with NWBOC and WBENC as well as WOSB (Woman owned small business) with the SBA, a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) with Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia Department of Transportation. Visit Power Tool and Supply’s website at www.powertoolandsupply or call at 330-792-1487.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Wooly Bear Caterpillar predictor of a cold wet winter? Are you ready?
The Wooly Bear Caterpillar
is a predictor many people including my grandmother used to determine how harsh
the upcoming winter might be. Have you noticed the amount of rust or black
bands this year? The prediction is a milder wet winter. Are you ready?
Power Tool and Supply is
gearing up for the cold. We already have a great stock of generators from
Generac to Mi-T-M's and more. We have "big ass" heaters that will
blow you away and keep your shop floor warm and toasty. We have the cold
weather gear including gloves, heated jackets and cold weather hats. If you
need hand warmers, show shovels and blowers – we will be the place to go.
If you are a plumber, work
in natural gas, sell generators, and winter equipment – you can’t wait for an
extreme winter. Predictions are that this will be a cold and wet winter.
There are 4
industries where cold weather makes a difference in revenues. They are: Salt producers, Ice Fishing, Natural
Gas and Plumbers.
We are
looking forward to a prosperous season for our clients – remember Power Tool
and Supply is ready with the supplies you need. In the meantime, enjoy this amazing
fall season!
Linda Richardson
Power Tool and Supply
www.powertoolandsupply.com
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
OSHA SILICA REGULATIONS ARE COMING...ARE YOU READY?
Metabo Power Tools for OSHA SILICA REGULATIONS
|
|
|
- For extraction from the power tool in continuous mode, both on construction sites and in the workshop
- Compact vacuum cleaner for liquids and dry solids with commercial registration
- AutoCleanPlus: saves both costs and time thanks to automatic MPulse filter cleaning during continuous use
- If the optimum suction performance falls below a certain level, the filters are vibrated immediately
- Automatic shut-down when vacuuming liquids once the maximum fill level is reached
- Especially suited for extracting concrete and rock dust
- Suction power control for adapted suction performance
- Power socket for a power tool for using the automaticalstart-up/shut-down of the vacuum cleaner
- Two polyester filter cassettes with large filter area for constantly high suction capacity
- Automatic trailing mechanism for emptying the suction hose completely
- Antistatic basic equipment prevents static charge when using appropriate accessories
- Sturdy thanks to especially large wheels and castors with wheel stop
- Cable winding mechanism
- Practical accessory case and storage area
- Current Control: maximizes the suction power while the machine is connected so that the main fuse is not triggered
Call us or stop by our storefront to discuss the new OSHA Compliance tools we offer from Metabo, Milwaukee, Dewalt and more!
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Saturday, May 13, 2017
MOMS’ WORK May,
2017
Happy Mother’s Day! Today I received a box of my
favorite oatmeal cookies. They were made by my friend Liz in Texas. This was
her amazing way of wishing me a Happy Mother’s Day. These delicious cookies
caused me to pause and reflect on women (more so Moms) who work. You see, I
sell tools to construction companies and manufacturers – typical non-traditional
workplaces for women.
Recently, an engineer for a construction company, Tara
and I talked about how we are seeing an increase of women on the job site. Hold
onto your hat man, less than 10% of workers in trades, safety and engineer
professionals are women on site. Something that is improving but we still need
to work on. I still walk onto a site occasionally devoid of women. I see a
growing acceptance of women in non-traditional roles. Why? Wage equality, job
equality, work force availability it could be one of or all of these reasons.
Following are some interesting statistics I found
while researching this topic. Also I am including some resources if you or your
daughters are looking for a non-traditional career. Now is the time! We are
building, repairing and growing at a pace not seen in decades in places like
Pittsburgh, PA and Cleveland OH. I
salute all working Moms – thank you for paving the way, setting the example and
encouraging a new generation in a new exciting field. To all the men that see the
potential in women and help forge a path to equality – thank you for supporting
us and being a trail blazer!
Here is a link to Mom inspired buildings. https://buildingradar.com/construction-blog/mothers-day/
Resources:
Visit
the trades to learn more about career options:
http://www.buildersguild.org/careers.html
Free apprenticeship programs in 17 different trades.
http://www.nawic.org/nawic/default.asp
National Association of Women in Construction
http://www.ubcsisters.org/ United
Sisterhood of the Brotherhood of Carpenters
http://pittsburgh.swe.org/ Society of Women Engineers
Statistics:
https://www.dol.gov/wb/stats/Nontraditional%20Occupations.pdf
I selected some of the stats to view.
Occupations
|
#
of workers (thousands)
|
Women
as a % of total employed
|
Architects
|
178
|
25.3%
|
Industrial
Engineers
|
194
|
16%
|
Cabinetmakers
and bench carpenters
|
51
|
9.9%
|
First
-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers
|
696
|
2.4%
|
Electricians
|
796
|
2.4%
|
Author:
Linda
Richardson, Director of Business Development
Working
for a trail blazing woman owned business
Want
to share your experience in non-traditional roles?
Contact
me at linda@powertoolandsupply.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION
The Deloitte Analysis article (women in manufacturing)very informative. Working in a male dominated industry for a woman owned company makes me realize how many areas women should be growing and succeeding in. Manufacturing seems to be an area ripe for women workers. The technological advances with computers and robotics means the dirty back breaking, repetitious manufacturing of by-gone eras are no more.
Manufacturing requires training, education and is looking for a skilled workforce. Initiatives in Eastern Ohio and Western PA by government and corporate collaborations to educate is based on getting the word out to the right people. No longer does everyone's path to success mean a 4 year degree. There are technical schools that will enable a student after 1 to 2 years to be employed in manufacturing or construction. These collaborations have it right, get to the students and educators. Show them what manufacturing is today and help them make a decision that is based on knowledge.
I was involved with Oh-Penn for business - a wonderful bi-state collaboration between Ohio and PA. Their value was in educating the upcoming workforce through tours, videos and classroom visits. Check them out!
http://www.ohpenn.org/
The nation's workforce is shrinking, many in manufacturing are retiring. This industry is welcoming diverse workforce solutions. Many universities are teaming with manufacturers adding curriculum that advances interest in these fields. I applaud these efforts and am proud to work for a woman in a male dominated industry. She is making strides and working hard to build a reliable business regardless of gender.
Celebrating NAWIC's (National Association of Women in Construction) National Rebuilding Day with the Pittsburgh Chapter on Saturday April 29, 2017. We will be rebuilding a local home and adding much needed repairs. I will post more about this event afterwards. Let's hope I paint straight lines, hammer straight nails and show some skills as I work side-by-side with lady carpenters, builders, construction workers and engineers.
NAWIC Chapter information
Let's hope we can all women and men make this country great by including diversity in our workforce!
Linda Richardson
Business Development Director
Power Tool and Supply ( a woman owned business)
www.powertoolandsupply.com
linda@powertoolandsupply.com
Manufacturing requires training, education and is looking for a skilled workforce. Initiatives in Eastern Ohio and Western PA by government and corporate collaborations to educate is based on getting the word out to the right people. No longer does everyone's path to success mean a 4 year degree. There are technical schools that will enable a student after 1 to 2 years to be employed in manufacturing or construction. These collaborations have it right, get to the students and educators. Show them what manufacturing is today and help them make a decision that is based on knowledge.
I was involved with Oh-Penn for business - a wonderful bi-state collaboration between Ohio and PA. Their value was in educating the upcoming workforce through tours, videos and classroom visits. Check them out!
http://www.ohpenn.org/
The nation's workforce is shrinking, many in manufacturing are retiring. This industry is welcoming diverse workforce solutions. Many universities are teaming with manufacturers adding curriculum that advances interest in these fields. I applaud these efforts and am proud to work for a woman in a male dominated industry. She is making strides and working hard to build a reliable business regardless of gender.
Celebrating NAWIC's (National Association of Women in Construction) National Rebuilding Day with the Pittsburgh Chapter on Saturday April 29, 2017. We will be rebuilding a local home and adding much needed repairs. I will post more about this event afterwards. Let's hope I paint straight lines, hammer straight nails and show some skills as I work side-by-side with lady carpenters, builders, construction workers and engineers.
NAWIC Chapter information
Let's hope we can all women and men make this country great by including diversity in our workforce!
Linda Richardson
Business Development Director
Power Tool and Supply ( a woman owned business)
www.powertoolandsupply.com
linda@powertoolandsupply.com
Thursday, January 26, 2017
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