Captcha AntiSpam Security

Please type in the code shown in the image.

CAPTCHAs are used to prevent automated software from performing actions which degrade the quality of service of a given system, whether due to abuse or resource expenditure.

783 Rio Del Mar Blvd, Suite 7, Aptos, CA, 95003

831-661-5697 Website

Tips To Protect Your Eyesight And Vision At Work

Thousands of workers suffer eye injuries each year. To promote safety during Workplace Eye Wellness Month and year-round, follow tips that protect your eyes.

Identify Potential Eye Hazards

Every workplace features hazards such as chemicals, dust or flying metal that can affect eye safety. Identify the specific hazards in your workplace and create a plan to address them adequately.

Review the Eye Safety Checklist

A constant reminder of eye safety protocols can help you and your co-workers take precautions every day. Depending on your job, your department’s eye safety checklist could include:

Identify potential hazards before and during your shift.
Select and wear the appropriate eye protection.
Regularly shake or brush debris from your hard hat, goggles and hair.
Stay alert.

Include other checkpoints as needed to promote eye safety.

Take Safety Courses

Many workplaces review safety protocols once or twice a year. Attend these trainings and participate in discussions. The information your company’s safety officer shares could prevent serious damage and save your eyesight.

Wear the Proper Personal Protective Eyewear

Safety glasses with side shields, protective goggles and full or partial face shields can reduce your risk of eye damage. Every day, inspect your personal protective eyewear to ensure it’s in good condition, fits properly and will remain firmly in place.

Prevent Eye Strain and Screen Fatigue

If your job requirements include looking at a screen, take specific precautions to avoid eye strain and fatigue.

Reduce glare.
Increase the font.
Sit at least 20 inches away from the screen.
Look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
Blink often.
Stay hydrated to prevent dry eye.
Wear computer eyeglasses.

Know the Emergency Plan

Every workplace should have a first aid kit, eyewash station or another emergency plan for workers to follow if they get an object in their eye. Know the plan and be prepared to implement it before you need it.

Seek Immediate Help After an Injury

If you experience any type of eye injury, get help right away. Even a small piece of dust can irritate your eye and cause a cut or tear. In particular, seek assistance if you notice vision changes, eye pain or loss of sight at work.

Visit your Eye Doctor Regularly

Regular check-ups can promote eye health. At these annual visits, your eye doctor will assess any changes to your eye health or vision, identify any damage and prescribe the right prescription eyewear or protective eyewear.

While you can file a Workers’ Compensation claim after a work-related eye injury, follow these tips to protect your eyes. Precautions could save your vision as you maintain safety and commemorate Workplace Eye Wellness Month.

Scurich Insurance Services 831-661-5697 Website

Best Ways To Protect Your Vision When Your Work At A Computer

Up to ninety percent of people who use a computer at work for even as little as two hours experience eye strain or computer vision syndrome (CVS). That strain can range from minor irritations and red eyes to decreased vision.

Computer use can also cause physical fatigue, work errors and decreased productivity, so take these steps and reduce eye strain.

Cut the Glare

Bright light can increase eye strain, so close curtains and dim interior lights or use low-intensity bulbs. You can also install an anti-glare lens on your monitor or eyeglasses.

Improve Your Display

Select at least a 19-inch high-resolution monitor that features a liquid crystal display rather than a cathode ray tube. This display technology reduces glare and image flicker, two factors that can cause eye strain.

Adjust the Display Settings

The settings on your monitor can affect your vision, so make several adjustments.

Match the brightness to your surroundings.
Increase the text size and contrast.
Use black print and a white background.
Reduce the color temperature to lower the blue light.

Change your Workstation

Several ergonomic adjustments at your workstation can reduce eye strain. When looking from paper to the monitor, place the paper on a raised stand so it’s even with the monitor. Then set the chair and monitor to the correct height. The computer screen should sit 10 to 15 degrees below and 20 to 24 inches or an arm's length away from your eyes. You should also clean your screen regularly to remove fingerprints and dust that affects your view.

Take Breaks

Set your timer and look away from your computer screen every 20 minutes. Focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a break.

Also, remember to blink. When using a computer, you’re one-third less likely to blink, but your eyes need the moisture.

You can step away from your workstation and stretch, too. These breaks reduce muscle fatigue and tension, and you will return to work ready to focus on your screen and work again.

Purchase Computer Glasses

Modified eyeglasses with lightly tinted or photochromic lenses reduce blue light exposure. Ask your optometrist about silicone hydrogel contact lenses, too, the most comfortable contact lenses for many computer users.

Get an Eye Exam

Use your vision insurance coverage to check your eye health. Tell your doctor how often you use the computer and get tips for reducing future eye strain. You may also need artificial tears to correct dry eye and reduce irritation.

As you work at your computer, take these steps to reduce eye strain. They protect your vision and improve your work productivity.

Scurich Insurance Services 831-661-5697 Website

Why And How To Avoid Traumatic Brain Injuries On The Job

After hitting your head at work, you may or may not experience slight discomfort and figure it’s no big deal. March is National Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month, the perfect time to take brain injuries seriously. Consider why and how you can avoid traumatic brain injuries at work.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Any blow to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This serious injury occurs when the brain and skull collide and cause torn nerve fibers or bleeding in one location of the brain or across a widespread area. After suffering from a traumatic brain injury, you could lose important physical and mental abilities, which in cases you can regain through treatment or potentially never recover from completely.

Causes of TBI

A TBI can occur in any work environment after several events.

Falls on slippery surfaces, down steps or off ladders.
Blows from stationary or moving objects.
Collisions as a pedestrian, bicycle rider or motor vehicle driver or passenger.

Symptoms and Signs of a TBI

Hours, days or weeks after an injury, you could experience mild to severe signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, such as:

Nausea or vomiting.
Dizziness or loss of balance.
Fatigue or drowsiness.
Headache.
Mental confusion, memory loss or lack of concentration.
Blurred vision.
Sensitivity to sound or light.
Ear ringing.
Sleep difficulties.
Changes in taste or sense of smell.
Mood changes or swings.
Loss of consciousness.

How to Prevent TBI

Traumatic brain injuries are most common for construction workers, factory and warehouse employees, transportation and delivery drivers, and emergency responders. However, anyone in any industry could suffer a TBI, so take every possible precaution.

Follow recommended safety protocols for your job and industry.
Wear sturdy shoes.
Clean spills immediately and avoid walking or working in wet areas.
Wear a seatbelt when driving.
Avoid distractions and stay focused.
Remove clutter and other obstacles in walkways.
Utilize the proper fall protection, including a harness, guardrails and gear.
Do not work under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol or certain medications.

Report all Injuries

Whether you or a co-worker crash onto a slippery floor or slightly bump your head on an overhead beam, report the injury. Traumatic brain injury symptoms often don’t show up immediately, and you’ll need the injury documentation to file a Workers’ Compensation claim and receive medical treatment and other compensation later.

A traumatic brain injury can affect you for the rest of your life. Prevent these injuries when you take the appropriate precautions at work. For more safety tips and details about filing a Workers’ Compensation claim if you do suffer a TBI, talk to your insurance agent.

Scurich Insurance Services 831-661-5697 Website

Reduce Mold And Protect Health In Your Commercial Building This Spring

Mold growth in your commercial building can cause health concerns and compromise your building’s integrity. Because mold grows quickly in damp conditions and thrives on wood, insulation, carpet, paper, and other organic surfaces where moisture and oxygen are present, it’s especially problematic during the spring season.

Prevent health concerns like asthma, respiratory infections, breathing difficulties, itchy eyes, nasal congestion, and skin irritations when you reduce mold in several ways.

Inspect your Building for Mold Growth

Mold thrives in damp, dark and humid areas, including basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, carpeted areas, and storage spaces. Inspect your entire building, including secluded areas, at least once a week. Look for visible mold growth that may be green, black or brown, and note any spotty or fuzzy stains, another sign of mold.

Repair Leaks

If you notice damp areas in your commercial space, look for leaks that could cause and encourage mold growth. Repair broken pipes, wall cracks or unsealed windows so that the area remains dry and mold-free.

Install Dehumidifiers

Damp areas and condensation could cause mold to grow, so install dehumidifiers where necessary. These appliances reduce moisture and keep the area dry and free of dangerous mold.

Clean the HVAC System

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system could spread mold spores throughout your building and increase health risks. Clean the system thoroughly and maintain it as you protect your employees, customers and vendors.

Treat Mold Properly

Small areas of mold growth can be cleaned and treated with bleach or another mold cleanser. Remember to wear a respirator and protective clothing as you perform this task to protect yourself from an allergic reaction.

If your building requires more extensive remediation methods, hire a professional to access the mold, determine the extent of the damage and create a removal plan. Depending on the growth, treatment could require renovations like drywall or sub-flooring replacement. In this case, hire a reliable professional to remove the mold and treat the area properly.

File an Insurance Claim

Your commercial property insurance policy may cover mold removal, especially if it stems from a covered peril, such as a storm or act of vandalism. Check the policy or talk to your agent as you determine if you can file a claim and cover the mold removal and treatment.

Implement an Ongoing Inspection Program

After removing and treating the mold, schedule regular inspections of the area. Look for evidence of mold growth and excessive moisture as you prevent hazardous mold growth.

Mold damages your commercial building and affects the health of your employees. This spring, reduce mold and protect your assets with these tips. For more tips, talk to your commercial property insurance agent.

Scurich Insurance Services 831-661-5697 Website