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Remember Worker Safety on Labor Day

Posted on September 7, 2010

We hope everyone enjoyed the Labor Day holiday, a symbolic marker to the unofficial end of summer and fashion reminder to pack up those white pants until next season. Most of you probably spent the long weekend grilling with friends or soaking up the last bit of rays on the beach, but did anyone pause to reflect on the true significance of Labor Day?

Observed the first Monday of September, Labor Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. First held in 1885, the holiday has become a national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country; a “working man’s/woman’s holiday.”

The Department of Labor’s website reads “The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living (in the U.S.) and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.”

So, with these powerful words, we think it is only right that we  also pause to reflect on the obligation we have to keep our workers safe and out of harm’s way. While there are many things our company cannot do to protect American workers, we take pride in the areas we have been able to help them. Here are just a few of the ways industrial vacuums have helped keep our workers safe:

– Minimized accumulations of combustible dust, safely.

-According to blood work, a Nilfisk industrial vacuum helped decrease lead levels by 60% in workers at a California foundry.

– Decreased harmful silica exposure in shipyards, construction sites, foundries and more.

-Removed hexavelent chromium at the source during MRO grinding/sanding processes.

– Eliminated mercury exposure via spills at hospitals and manufacturing facilities (light bulbs).

More information on Labor Day and worker safety can be found here:

Labor Day is a memorial day if your loved one went to work, but never came home.

Labor Day Study: Workers rate safety most important workplace issue

Labor Day: Wikipedia