Thursday, October 19, 2017

National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2017

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

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.


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.

“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