Editor’s Note

by Michael Hamline, Editor / Published June 2016

By the time you receive the June issue of Cleaner Times, we will be approaching the dog days of summer. What does this mean, and what does a dog have to do with summer? According to an article published July 10, 2015, in National Geographic entitled “Why Do We Call Them the ‘Dog Days’ of Summer?” the phrase has nothing to do with our furry friends. Rather it has to do with the “dog star,” or Sirius, and its position in the sky. The article states, “To the Greeks and Romans, the ‘dog days’ occurred around the day when Sirius appeared to rise just before the sun, in late July. They referred to these days as the hottest time of the year, a period that could bring fever, or even catastrophe.”

Of course, the Greeks and Romans were in the Mediterranean region, but it applies fairly consistently to Northern climates as well, and traditionally July and August are some of the warmest months on record. Regardless, it is important to be aware that hot weather will soon arrive, and those who work out in the heat, such as contract cleaners, should take appropriate measures to be safe. OSHA has some helpful resources in English and Spanish that can be used to establish safety guidelines while working in hot conditions. To see what helpful tips OSHA provides, visit www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.athruz?pType=Industry&pID=104.

Cleaner Times wants everyone to stay safe this summer. As always, if you have a pressure washing story that others can learn from, please don’t hesitate to contact me at michael@adpub.com or call (800) 525-7038.

Michael Hamline
michael@adpub.com
(800) 525-7038