Although some workplace distractions and interruptions are unavoidable, many can be controlled or prevented. No matter what the distraction, your first concern should be to keep your mind and your focus on safety – your safety and that of others. Be aware of any distractions you may be causing and take responsibility for not interrupting others. Let your supervisor know about repeated and/or unsafe distractions. Work interruptions are a distraction that can result in work errors or accidents. Before addressing or responding to another person, shut down or disengage any work tool, equipment, or processes. Your job training should include instructions not to interrupt others during a critical job phase or process. Instruction manuals and procedural guidebooks should be kept on site to answer frequently asked questions and thereby eliminate the need to interrupt or distract other workers. External noise from tools, mobile equipment, and processes can be distracting in industrial and construction work environments. In work situations where loud or constant noise is unavoidable, hearing protection devices can eliminate or decrease unwanted and distracting noise. In other work environments even not-so-loud sounds can be a distracting annoyance. Constantly ringing phones, conversations, and loud faxes, copiers, and printers can distract workers from their job tasks or -- depending on the level or duration of the noise -- can contribute to workplace stress. Electronic devices such as cell phones, IPODS, and PDAs can be the source of serious distractions in some work environments. Check with your supervisor to find out if these electronics are allowed where you work. If these devices are approved in your workplace, as a courtesy to your co-workers, make sure you keep your cell phone on a low volume or silent when you work. To maximize work safety and performance, turn email notifications off and disable instant messaging. Don’t answer the phone or emails when you’re in the middle of a task – let it ring to voicemail then check messages later -- preferably on your break time. In some work environments wearing a headset with low volume music can be relaxing to workers and help them to safely focus on their work. However, wearing headphones on a construction or industrial site can be dangerous if it prevents workers from hearing warning signals, mobile equipment backup alarms, and safety instructions. Walking around … [Read more...]
New Director of ABC
STATE OF CALIFORNIA — BUSINESS, TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AGENCY Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL 3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95834 (916) 419-2500 January 28, 2011 Governor Brown Appoints Jacob Appelsmith as Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (Sacramento) - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the appointment of 47 year old Jacob Appelsmith of Sacramento as Director of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Appelsmith began his career as a lawyer with Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro in San Francisco, where he worked for six years as a commercial litigator. He joined the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, in 1994. He began working in the Employment Law Section. He eventually became the Department of Justice’s general counsel for personnel and equal employment opportunity matters, as well as the statewide head of the employment law section. In 2008, Appelsmith was promoted to Special Assistant to then Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. on matters pertaining to law enforcement and the criminal justice system, and was also appointed Chief of the California Bureau of Gambling Control. As Chief of the Bureau, Appelsmith oversaw regulatory and criminal enforcement relating to California’s 60 tribal casinos and 90 card rooms. Appelsmith graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1985. He was Phi Beta Kappa and was awarded the History Department’s highest honor award. He returned to his native Berkeley to attend law school, graduating from the University of California Boalt Hall School of Law in 1988. While at Boalt, he worked as a student clerk to California Supreme Court Justice Allen Broussard. Appelsmith was an Associate Editor of the Industrial Relations Law Journal, and clerked at law firms in New York and Portland, Maine. In his new capacity at ABC, Appelsmith will oversee a Department that is responsible for the administration, licensing and regulation of businesses that manufacture, distribute and sell alcoholic beverages in California. In addition, Appelsmith will be a Senior Advisor to the Governor. ABC is a Department of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. … [Read more...]
Counterfeit Coupons!
ACTION ALERT January 27, 2010 For Immediate Release Contact:Christine Cunnick 703-516-0700 National Grocers Association N.G.A. has received an alert from the Coupon Information Corporation (CIC) about fraudulent coupons currently in circulation. A number of new counterfeit coupons have been identified and can be viewed below. CIC is offering rewards of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of creators of several of these counterfeits. You can also view all counterfeit coupon notices and download an excel spreadsheet of the counterfeit coupon notices by visiting the CIC's website at www.cents-off.com or by clicking this link: Counterfeit Notices Manufacturer Brand Item Value Bar Code Link Post Date Beiersdorf Nivea Body Product $5.00 572140100747 81010126360611 http://www.cents-off.com/doc/Reward Beiersdof Nivea January 20, 2011.pdf 1/20/11 Coca-Cola Company Simply Lemonade Any $2.25 525000000831 0025000384756 http://www.cents-off.com/doc/Coca-Cola January 13, 2011.pdf 1/13/11 Coca-Cola Company Coke 24 Pack $5.00 549000000745 0049000545991 http://www.cents-off.com/doc/Reward Nestle January 5, 2011.pdf 1/19/11 General Mills Yoplait Fridge Pack $3.50 570470000911 0070470071818 http://www.cents-off.com/doc/Reward General Mills January 6, 2010.pdf 1/6/11 Hasbro Hasbro Any Tou $5.00 553569544749 8100601389 http://www.cents-off.com/doc/Reward Hasbro January 3, 2010.pdf 1/4/11 Hasbro Tonka Strong Arm Garbage Truck $10.00 521664000613 81010188201210 http://www.cents-off.com/doc/Reward Hasbro January 10, 2010.pdf 1/10/11 Hasbro Hasbro at Target $10.00 553569000610 http://www.cents-off.com/doc/Reward Hasbro January 19, 2011.pdf 1/19/11 Hasbro Magic The Gathering Fat Pack bogo 553569000016 0043695067931 http://www.cents-off.com/doc/Reward Hasbro January 19, 2011.pdf 1/19/11 Hormel Hormel Bacon Any $5.00 537600000937 0037600882865 http://www.cents-off.com/doc/Reward Hormel January 10, 2011.pdf 1/10/11 Lorillard Newport Any cigarettes $4.00 526100000936 0026100013432 http://www.cents-off.com/doc/Reward Lorillard Newport January 3, 2011.pdf 1/3/11 Lorillard Newport 1 Pack $7.00 526100000684 … [Read more...]
Sabor Farms Recalls Cilantro
FOOD RECALL ACTION ALERT January 31, 2011 For Immediate Release Contact:Christine Cunnick National Grocers Association Sabor Farms Recalls Cilantro Sold Between Jan. 14 And Jan. 28 Under The Labels Nature's Reward, Ocean Mist, Tanimura & Antle And Queen Victoria Recall Reason: Because the cilantro may be contaminated with Salmonella. Products/Codes: The recalled cilantro was sold between Jan. 14 and Jan. 28 under the labels Nature's Reward, Ocean Mist, Tanimura & Antle and Queen Victoria. The company says the contamination was detected in a routine surveillance sample at its Salinas facility. Distribution: [Multi-State]: Sabor Farms says the products were on store shelves in California and several other states. N.G.A. is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. Most independent operators are serviced by wholesale distributors, while others may be partially or fully self-distributing. Some are publicly traded but with controlling shares held by the family and others are employee owned. Independents are the true "entrepreneurs" of the grocery industry and dedicated to their customers, associates, and communities. N.G.A. members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about N.G.A. and the independent sector of the industry, see the N.G.A. website: www.nationalgrocers.org. … [Read more...]
ABC Announces New Liquor License Authorizations
ABC ANNOUNCES NEW LIQUOR LICENSE AUTHORIZATIONS Sacramento – Steve Hardy, Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, today announced authorization for the issuance of new on-sale general and off-sale general licenses and the inter-county transfer of on-sale general and off-sale general licenses. This year, due to population increases, the following counties will be eligible for additional on-sale general and off-sale general licenses. Please click here for a list of licenses per county From September 20th, 2010, through October 1st, 2010, Department offices will accept applications for new original on-sale general licenses for bona fide eating places and new original off-sale general licenses in those counties where such licenses are available. During the same period of time, priority applications will be accepted for intercounty transfer of on-sale general licenses for bona fide public eating places and off-sale general licenses into those counties where such licenses may be transferred. Only one priority application will be accepted from any one applicant for each type license in counties where original licenses are available. In counties where both original licenses and intercounty transfer of such licenses are available, an applicant may file one application for each drawing if specifically separate premises are designated for each license application. Legislation which became effective January 1, 1995, established a fee of $12,000 to be paid when filing a priority application for a new original general license. A fee of $6,000 must be paid when filing a priority application for an intercounty transfer of a general license. Only certified checks, cashier’s checks or money orders will be accepted in payment of the application fee. These should be made payable to Alcoholic Beverage Control. If, at the conclusion of the period for filing applications in any county, the Department finds there are more applications than there are licenses available for issuance, a public drawing will be held. To participate in such a drawing, an applicant must have been a resident of California for at least 90 days prior to the date scheduled for the priority drawing. When there are fewer applications than licenses, the Department will proceed with a thorough investigation of each application. By accepting only certified checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders in payment of priority application fees, the … [Read more...]
Recall of Shell Eggs
Re: RECALL OF SHELL EGGS Dear Retail Food Facility Owner/Permittee: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in shell eggs from Wright County Egg, which is packaged under the following brand names: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps. Please see the reverse side of this letter for the CDPH’s official recall notice. Consumers who believe they may have purchased these shell eggs should not eat them but should return them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund or destroy them. This recall is of shell eggs only. Other egg products produced by Wright County Eggs are not affected. Consumers with questions should visit www.eggsafety.org. Additionally, please take the following actions to ensure recalled products are not sold for consumption: Contact your suppliers and wholesalers to determine if the products for sale at your retail market are safe or subject to being recalled by their manufacturers Remove from sale the recalled food products immediately. Recalled food products must not be offered for consumption to your customers or employees. Coordinate with your distributor on the return or disposal of recalled products. Discard products in a safe and secure manner Sign up for FDA recall updates at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html. Monitor the website for updated information. Document the disposition of products that are recalled within your facilities and maintain proper recordkeeping. Advise persons who think they may have become ill from the shell eggs to consult with their health care providers. If used, raw shell eggs should be fully cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. If shell eggs are served undercooked, a consumer advisory should be posted in accordance with the California Retail Food Code (Cal Code) Eggs should be purchased or received from a distributor refrigerated and stored refrigerated at ≤ 45 ̊ F (≤7 ̊ C) at all times. Wash hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces with soap and water after contact with raw eggs. Please refer to FDA guidance at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm222501.htm for further information and updates on the shell egg recall. Thank you for your food safety efforts. "Environmental and … [Read more...]
Hellman Recalls Avocado Pulp
Food Recall Action Alert July 9, 2010 For Immediate Release Contact:Christine Cunnick 703-516-0700 National Grocers Association J. Hellman Frozen Foods, Inc. Recalls 992 Cases Señor Mexicano Avocado Pulp Recall Reason: Because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall notification is being issued out of an abundance of caution based on a confirmed positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test conducted by the FDA. Packs/Codes: Señor Mexicano™ Avocado Pulp, 2lbs bags (UPC Code 7 503012 650001) with the following Lot number: A 21 04 10 / A 21 04 12. Photos: Product Labels The company has said they have notified all their customers who have received the product in question and have directed them to remove it from their shelves and return to them as soon as possible. Because it is possible that products bearing the Lot number A 21 04 10 / A 21 04 12 were further distributed and could be on store shelves and in consumer homes, this recall is being extended to the general public. Instructions for Retailers/Distributors: Immediately examine your inventory and quarantine product subject to recall. If you have product purchased between these dates, please with the affected Lot number contact J. Hellman Frozen Foods, Inc. immediately and return this product as soon as possible in order to credit your account accordingly. Distribution: [Multi-State]: Distributed in California and Hawaii. Contact: Retailers with questions regarding the recall should contact Greg Abadjian, Director of Food Safety at 213 - 243-9105 betweem the hours of 4 A.M. and 9:30 A.M. N.G.A. is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. Most independent operators are serviced by wholesale distributors, while others may be partially or fully self-distributing. Some are publicly traded but with controlling shares held by the family and others are employee owned. Independents are the true "entrepreneurs" of the grocery industry and dedicated to their customers, associates, and communities. N.G.A. members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about N.G.A. and the independent sector of the industry, see … [Read more...]
California’s Budget Woes Continue
Last year, while facing a staggering budget deficit, the Governor and the Legislature increased taxes by nearly $12 billion, cut state spending by a similar amount, and were forced to furlough state workers, freeze spending on infrastructure projects, and issue IOUs to state contractors. Unfortunately, little has changed in Sacramento this year. Lawmakers have already begun budget meetings in an attempt to rein in the latest structural deficit. However, even if significant mid-year progress is made during the emergency budget session, it will not tackle the entire $20 billion deficit that is projected over the next year and a half. These actions will simply deal with the short term cash flow issues associated with last year’s budget. The longer-term funding for core services such as public safety, education and health services will remain in a state of uncertainty, and will inevitably be dealt with later in the budget cycle. Over the past two years, Governor Schwarzenegger and legislators have cut more than $18 billion (nearly 18 percent) from the state’s general fund spending. These cuts have had significant effects on public schools, higher education, and health care, and support services for the state’s disabled population. Complicating the state’s long term ability to deal with the ongoing deficits is the fact that the temporary tax increases enacted by last year’s budget will begin to expire at the end of the year. Additionally, avenues for Sacramento to extract money from local government entities have largely been exhausted. Both of these factors are threatening to widen the state’s budget deficits in the coming years. The Democratic leadership of both houses of the Legislature, have already criticized Governor Schwarzenegger's January budget proposal, and have promised to fight what they consider to be draconian cuts to education and state social services. Conversely, Republicans have pledged to hold the line against any and all new tax proposals, stating that the $12 billion in tax increases implemented by last year’s budget have had a detrimental effect on taxpayers and the state’s struggling economy. In reaction to the Republicans’ stance on tax increases, Democrats – as they have during the last two budget cycles – are searching for ways to sidestep the rule that requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature for tax increases and to pass state budgets. The dynamics that have led to the … [Read more...]
