Top 3 Reasons To Partner With A Crane Service Company

Integrity Crane and HoistYour overhead cranes are an important component of your business. They help you complete tasks that otherwise might be impossible for manpower alone. They are also complicated pieces of heavy equipment that deserve special attention. For all of these reasons, it makes sense to put some thought into choosing between overhead crane service companies.

Before you make a decision, you should know why, exactly, it makes sense to outsource crane service and what to look for as you narrow down your selection.

Professionally Trained Staff

When you’re first looking for overhead crane service companies, you may think that all are the same. This simply is not true, and you must confirm that your technicians and trainers are all well versed in each specific piece of equipment and the application you plan to use it for. 

Your crane service technicians and personnel should also have the experience they need to provide hands-on training to your own in-house crane operators. Ask about both beginner and advanced operating strategies and maneuvers as well as any pertinent assessment or safety training and tests they’ll administer. Remember, having trained and informed employees is the best way to reduce accidents and injuries.

The Ability To Offer Comprehensive Inspections

Depending on how often your crane is used, it will need to be thoroughly inspected at least once each year, with many other inspections and services completed more frequently. All overhead crane service companies should have the ability and experience to perform both periodic and frequent inspections and to train your staff on how to handle any required weekly, monthly, or pre-shift inspection needs.

Your crane service company can help you keep your equipment in top shape as well as identify safety hazards. Remember, the sooner issues are found, the less likely you are to experience equipment malfunction or failure.

OEM Or Compatible Parts Availability

Importantly, crane inspection companies that advertise repair and service should have access to OEM or highly compatible parts. Your overhead crane service company may even have the capability to fabricate specialty equipment or to make modifications to ensure your machinery runs more efficiently and safely. At Integrity Crane and Hoist, we keep a full supply of common items from all of the major manufacturers in stock.

Choosing between overhead crane service companies isn’t always easy. While many appear to be the same on the surface, there are subtle nuances, including how staff is trained and what parts they have access to, that might make one a better fit than another.

If you are looking at crane service companies, look no further than Integrity Crane and Hoist, our highly experienced and passionate sales and service staff can help you keep your equipment up and running.

Why Is Community Relations So Important?

McKeeman CommunicationsThere is a lot of confusion about the difference between community relations and public relations. We recently hopped on a Zoom call with McKeeman Communications, one of the leading PR firms in Raleigh, North Carolina, to find out how the two overlapped and where the similarities ended. We also asked a few questions about how to best implement a community relations program.

Q: Is community relations the same as public relations?

McKeeman Communication: There is some crossover between the two, community relations is the work your business does to garner goodwill in the community, for example, choosing to donate lunch to teachers during teacher appreciation week. Public relations – usually done by PR firms – is how you package up and present  your work and goodwill to an audience, such as the media, i.e., writing a social media post about your work so a wide audience can see. 

Q: Why is it important to prioritize community relations?

McKeeman Communication: There are a plethora of benefits of community relations for companies, both large and small. Ask any of the PR firms in Raleigh, and they will tell you that doing good for your neighbors and those that support you not only builds brand awareness and loyalty but also shows that you want to be a trusted and active part in your community. Another, often unexpected, outcome of getting into the community is that it instills a sense of goodwill in your employees and can actually improve teamwork, morale, communication, leadership, and productivity.

Q: What are some ways to invest in my business’ community?

McKeeman Communication: Aside from the obvious of making a donation, you can also participate in local events, such as passing out Christmas gifts or feeding your local junior sports teams. You may also allow employees a certain amount of days each year that they can devote to working for the charity of their choice. If budget is a concern, you can host toy drives, share animal shelter social media posts, and other goodwill opportunities  on your social pages.

McKeeman Communications was founded more than two decades ago by Kim McKeeman. Today, the company stands as one of the most trusted PR firms in Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina. Offering social media, crisis management, and other services, McKeeman Communications has built a reputation of going the extra mile for each client.

Chiropractic For Athletes | Q&A With Overland Park Sports Chiropractor Dr. Justin Grabouski

Grabouski ChiropracticChiropractic care is something that can benefit everyone. However, according to Overland Park, Kansas-based chiropractor Dr. Justin Grabouski, athletes may find even greater benefits with chiropractic care than they might think. This isn’t coming from Grabouski as a care provider but as an athlete who found relief through chiropractic himself.

Q: We understand that chiropractic was not your original career path. What changed?

Dr. Justin Grabouski: I started college on a baseball scholarship with plans to pursue a medical degree. But fate stepped in, and I had a serious injury that kept me off the field. I was young and had an important season ahead, and knew I needed to find a solution to my pain. I saw many orthopedic specialists and physical therapists, but the pain wasn’t going away. Finally, one of my athletic trainers recommended that I visit a sports chiropractor. When I mentioned it to my mom, dad, and siblings, they weren’t really on board. Thankfully, my grandfather was already visiting a chiropractor and encouraged me to make an appointment. By following my chiropractor’s treatment plan, I felt better than I had since the injury. I started shadowing my chiropractor, and the rest really is history.

Q: How does a sports chiropractor make a difference?

Dr. Justin Grabouski: Contrary to popular belief, a chiropractor does not just work on the back. A few of the most common complaints we treat in our Overland Park office include tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, golfer’s elbow, knee injuries, stress fractures, sprains, and, of course, shoulder, back, and neck pain.

Q: Where did you go to chiropractic school?

Dr. Justin Grabouski: I chose the College of Chiropractic at Cleveland University – Kansas City here in Overland Park. I wanted to be close to family, and CUKC wasn’t really that far from where I grew up in Nebraska. I am glad I made that choice as I love the Overland Park and Johnson County community, and having the school nearby our office has provided me a chance to give back to current students by mentoring them, allowing them to shadow, and hosting classes in our office..  

Q: How does your own experience as an injured athlete affect the quality of care you give to your own patients now?

Dr. Justin Grabouski: Like most chiropractors, I like to tell people that chiropractic chose me, not the other way around. Had it not been for my injury, I would’ve gone on to practice medicine, and I might not have been quite as happy. I find that having lived the experience that many of my sports patients are going through now makes it possible to provide more compassionate care. I know what my patients are going through, and, from personal experience, I am passionate about chiropractic care and all the benefits it has for athletes.

Q: If you had one piece of advice to give future sports chiropractors, what would it be?

Dr. Justin Grabouski: I think the best advice you can give anyone entering any profession is to go into it with your whole heart. Help people. Make sure that your patients know they can come to you when they need you. Although chiropractic is a hands-on profession, you have to put your entire heart and soul into it. I think that my experience as an athlete that received chiropractic care helps me do just that.

Dr. Justin Grabouski of Grabouski Chiropractic is a family, personal injury, pediatric, and sports chiropractor in Overland Park, Kansas. He has helped top athletes from all sports compete pain-free and recover from accidents and injuries. Contact the office online or email GrabouskiChiropractic@gmail.com for more information or to schedule a visit.

How To Handle Rodent Droppings

Alder Pest ControlNo matter where you live, no matter how clean your home, and no matter how well-sealed you think your walls are, it’s highly likely that you’ll experience a rodent breach at some point in your life. A rat exterminator can fix the problem, but in the meantime, you’ll need to clean up to keep your family safe. Today, we talk with Bella Vista, Arkansas-based Alder Pest Control to find out how.

Q: What is the first step to cleaning up rodent droppings?

Alder Pest Control: While many people’s first inclination is to panic, that’s not going to help. Start by calling your rat exterminator, and then get ready to clean. You’ll want to get out of the most obvious issues first, and that starts by gathering your materials. You’ll need a plastic garbage bag, rubber gloves, bleach, water, and a spray bottle. If possible, grab a small sweeper that you don’t mind throwing away, and collect the solid material for the trash. Next, spray the area down with a 1:10 solution of bleach and water. 

Q: How do I clean carpet, rugs, and other soft surfaces?

Alder Pest Control: If you have a steam cleaner, reach for this. Any towels, sheets, or clothing that has been contaminated can be thrown into the washing machine. Make sure to use hot water and an appropriate amount of detergent.

Q: Can a rat exterminator prevent rodents from coming into my home again?

Alder Pest Control: For the most part, yes. Your pest control company can evaluate your home to determine possible points of entry. Afterward, they will make a thorough evaluation based on your situation. While no one can 100% guarantee that rats, mice, and other rodents will never come in again, having a plan in place now can greatly reduce your chances of experiencing an infestation later down the road.

Q: How soon should I clean up after I notice rodent droppings in my home?

Alder Pest Control: Immediately. Although it’s very unlikely that you’ll come down with the bubonic plague, this and other diseases are still spread by rats and mice. Feces contain bacteria, which can contaminate hard surfaces and, alarmingly, food. Dried up feces can also become airborne, creating respiratory issues in sensitive people.

Finding a rat exterminator is crucial in the days following a rodent discovery. Your pest control service can help you keep your home infestation-free, so you don’t have to worry about what’s crawling your walls each night.

Contact Alder Pest Control today, and let this professional team of rat exterminators handle your rodent problem for you.

What Are The Different Types of Overhead Cranes?

Integrity Crane and HoistIf you’ve ever walked into a manufacturing facility, you’ve probably seen multiple cranes looking overhead. You might have wondered if all overhead cranes are the same? According to Integrity Crane and Hoist of Columbia, TN, the answer is no.

Q: How many different types of overhead cranes are there?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: There are several, actually. These include overhead bridge cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes, freestanding cranes, monorail cranes, and overhead traveling bridge cranes. Each has a different application, but, ultimately, they are all designed to keep employees safe and streamline labor-intensive operations.

Q: What is a gantry crane?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: A gantry crane is an overhead device that looks much like a standard bridge crane. The primary difference here is that a gantry is supported by a duo of A-frame steel supports, which sit flush to the floor. Sometimes, the crane is equipped with casters, which allows it to be relocated from one part of the building to another.

Q: When would a manufacturing environment utilize a jib crane?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: Of all of the different types of overhead cranes, jibs are one of the most specialized. These are typically part of a specific action and are often installed permanently. There are many types of jib cranes, including motorized and, for light applications, portable. Depending on where the jib crane is mounted, it may offer anywhere from 180° to 360° of work area coverage.

Q: What makes a monorail crane different from other overhead cranes?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: Again, the application is always the same in that cranes lift heavy objects and relocate them from one place to another. However, monorail cranes are a bit different than overhead bridge cranes, and you might find a monorail in an assembly line. A monorail is mounted on an up-and-down axis, and it may be curved to move around tight spaces.

Q: What is the largest type of overhead crane?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: For most manufacturing applications, the largest possible device is an overhead traveling bridge crane. These are usually custom-designed to run the entire length of a building. They are available as a single or double girder and operate on three axes. 

Q: How do manufacturing managers decide which of the overhead cranes is right for their needs?

Integrity Crane and Hoist: For those contacting Integrity Crane and Hoist, we start with a full evaluation of their needs. We find out everything from the maximum capacity needed to how often the crane will be put into service. We may pay a visit to their facility to evaluate crane travel length and headroom distance, indoor or outdoor placement, and whether or not the client needs something that moves at a single speed or can be customized based on load.

When your manufacturing floor needs a new crane system, contact Integrity Crane and Hoist online.

Is Public School Failing Your Child?

Currey IngramThe public school system has done a world of good since nationwide compulsory education laws were enacted in 1918. However, a traditional educational model isn’t ideal for every child. We recently sat down with educators from Currey Ingram Academy, one of the most prominent boarding schools in the South, for insight on how parents can tell if their child’s public school isn’t fully meeting their needs.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of public schools?

Currey Ingram Academy: Public schools are readily available, and there are schools that serve every ZIP code in the U.S. They are also free, and the vast majority of educational systems offer some accommodations for students with needs like learning differences. However, they are not nearly as flexible as private options. If you look at boarding schools in the South, you can see why. Private schools are not dependent on standardized testing for funding. Our educators have a bit more freedom to reach individual students on their level and in a way that makes the most sense for the students. 

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Why Is Preventative Maintenance For Overhead Cranes Important?

Integrity Crane and HoistAt the end of a long day of installing your overhead cranes, you might think that your job is done. However, according to Tennessee-based Integrity Crane and Hoist, OSHA standards mandate routine maintenance on your equipment. Keep reading for a bit of insight on why the standards are so stringent and what types of inspections are needed to keep you compliant.

Q: How often do my overhead cranes need inspection and maintenance?

Integrity Crane And Hoist: Overhead equipment requires both quarterly and annual inspections and service. To fulfill Cal-OSHA requirements, your crane and hoist system must have preventative maintenance performed four times each year. These quarterly inspections offer an opportunity for your machines to undergo a “tuneup,” which can reduce downtime and prevent costly damage down the road. Your annual inspection also reduces liability and helps to ensure that your entire staff is aware of potential maintenance issues.

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What is Malvertisement? Nashville Cybersecurity Service ImageQuest Answers

ImageQuestIn today’s Q&A session, we talked with cybersecurity service provider ImageQuest about one of the newest security threats to face businesses and individuals alike: Malvertisement. So, what is it? And how do we keep our computers safe?

Q: What is Malvertisement?

ImageQuest: Malvertisement is a form of internet threat similar to a phishing scheme. These are designed to look like an ad from a reputable company. However, when an internet user clicks the banner or other ad, malicious code is sent to their computer. These are especially dangerous since they are specifically designed to leak into legitimate web pages and trusted advertising avenues.

Q: Who is targeted by this type of attack?

ImageQuest: The quick answer: everyone. However, while some attacks can be broad-based to cast a wide net, others may target an individual or one specific company. These targeted attacks are often aimed at people with high-value access credentials.

Q: How can I keep my company safe?

ImageQuest: The US Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends several cybersecurity service options for both public and private organizations. These are to utilize a single web browser (such as Google Chrome or Internet Explorer) throughout an entire organization, utilize ad-blocking software, and implement other safeguards, such as Protective Domain Name System technology. However, one of the most valuable pieces of advice from CISA is to isolate all computer operating systems from browsers utilizing a SaaS designed to filter and remove malicious code.

Q: Should I invest in cybersecurity services for my business?

ImageQuest: The vast majority of businesses will benefit greatly from cybersecurity services. As it relates to malware and other threats, having a managed IT partnership or a dedicated technology team is a great way to keep your systems and information safe. Your IT professionals can even help you implement cloud domain technology to prevent infected advertisements from ever showing up on your company’s computer screens.

Hackers continue to get smarter, and so must businesses who wish to keep themselves safe. Malvertisement is just one of the newer threats. ImageQuest recommends that business owners take a close look at their digital security as it is easier to prevent an attack than recover from one.

ImageQuest is a Nashville-based technology services company that offers clients in the insurance, legal, healthcare, banking, and other industries a host of IT products, including cybersecurity service, IT compliance, and virtual CISO.

Overhead Crane Service Basics: Gantry Crane Inspection and Maintenance

Integrity Crane and Hoist

Regular gantry crane inspection and maintenance benefit your organization in different ways. You can spot wear and tear early on, which reduces the risk of equipment failures and accidents. Ensuring that your gantry cranes are working fine saves you time and maintains your productivity; you don’t have to decommission any equipment and put operations on hold. Gantry cranes will, in turn, last longer; this helps you save money on major repairs and equipment replacement.

Types of gantry crane inspections

The type and frequency of gantry crane inspections will depend on the manufacturer’s recommendations and the working environment. It will also depend on the frequency of the usage of the gantry crane. The types of inspections include:

Routine inspections. Regular checking encompasses both visual inspections and maintenance work to meet the manufacturer’s maintenance requirements. Regular checks should be carried out at intervals not exceeding three months apart unless the crane is not engaged in work.

Check speed controls, operational smoothness, emergency and safety switches, and interlocks. Make sure all moving parts are lubricated, filter elements are cleaned and replaced, and required fluids are at their correct levels. Routine inspections help reduce wear and tear and instances of unplanned work stoppage while maintaining equipment availability.

Periodic inspections.  The basis of routine checks should be on-site conditions. Another one is the frequency of the usage of gantry cranes. Note that the inspection interval should not exceed 12 months. Apart from inspecting parts recommended by the manufacturer, check critical components such as brakes, gears, fasteners, pins, shafts, wire ropes, sheaves, locking devices, couplings, torque arms, and buffers.

Periodic third-party inspections. A trained and qualified independent inspector should always perform third-party checks. Each overhead crane should undergo a third-party assessment to ensure that the maintenance and repairs comply with industry standards and the crane is safe to use. 

Inspectors should review all maintenance records of the crane before the inspection, and they should document the results. There should also be a confirmation that the usage of the crane is according to its design classification. The assessment should cover electrical, mechanical, and structural components. If the crane has an existing condition, cover plates should be left open and guards removed. They shall pay particular attention to any element with any history of malfunction.

Major inspections. Major inspections are required to assess gantry crane safety and usability. Major assessments should include all manufacturer-specific items and structural, mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation components. It should cover the gantry crane’s operational history, outlier events (e.g., overloads, duty changes, collisions), emergency functions, braking systems, and the disassembly and removal of paint, grease, and corrosion from critical components of the crane. Expect the inspector to check for any evidence of cracking, fatigue, and excessive stress.

Covering the southeastern United States, Integrity Crane and Hoist, LLC (ICH) is committed to overhead crane service excellence and workplace safety, striving for zero incidents at all times. Call (615) 302-3431 for more information.

Here’s Why You Should Not Consider Paying To Recover From Ransomware

ImageQuestPaying to recover stolen data from ransomware groups will only get your organization caught up in a vicious cycle. Paying ransom and resuming operations is not a guarantee that these groups will stop attacking your system. They can do so at any time and will continue to threaten to leak your data should you refuse to pay up.

Here’s the newest plot twist: Ransomware hackers will encrypt a victim’s data twice at the same time. They will notify some ransomware victims about the double encryption threat at once. In contrast, others will only see one ransom note and only find out about the second layer of encryption after they’ve paid to eliminate the first.

Ransomware groups usually operate on a revenue-sharing model. One group builds and maintains a strain of ransomware and then leases out its attack infrastructure to “affiliates” who carry out specific attacks. These cybercriminals have one goal: to get the most profit with the least amount of effort. 

Should your company be a victim of a ransomware attack, know that there’s a possibility that ransomware groups won’t supply a decryption key at all. The rise of the double encryption strategy raises the additional risk that if you do pay, you can decrypt the files once but then discover that you need to pay again for the second key. Moreover, decryption keys are likely to corrupt data. These keys are known to crash, requiring data recovery to start over or manual inputs to continue the process. Either way, it adds to both recovery cost and downtime.

Don’t pay up; just back up. Here are five ways to strengthen your data backup strategy:

  1. Review and update backup policies

Complete a thorough audit of all your data locations. Keep in mind the 3-2-1 rule: make three copies of your data, store these across two different forms of media and keep one copy off-site. Isolate off-site data from the business network to prevent ransomware from encrypting it.

  1. Air gap data

Keep a copy of your critical data offline, disconnected, and inaccessible from the internet.

  1. Back up data regularly

How often does your IT team back up data? Review backup frequency policies, especially in off-site locations (including the cloud). IT teams should also assess how long they keep the backups, especially air-gapped data. 

Keep separate backups for critical business systems to make data recovery easier.

  1. Ensure backups are clean and robust

Businesses should do what they can to make sure their backups are not infected with malware. Up-to-date malware detection tools are essential, as is system patching.

Limiting user access to critical data enhances security and can stop the spread of ransomware from the beginning.

  1. Test all plans and recalibrate if necessary

Testing all backup and recovery plans is critical to calculating recovery times and establishing whether data recovery is possible.

ImageQuest works with Bowling Green, KY businesses to fight ransomware attacks by developing state-of-the-art protection against these malicious threats. ImageQuest’s solutions protect rapid-growth, high-target organizations, and their assets with risk and vulnerability assessment capabilities. Get in touch today to learn more.

ImageQuest is the top cybersecurity service provider in Bowling Green, KY, and supports more than 5,000 technology users in 29 states. Visit their website or call 502-400-3300 to learn more.