World

‘Essential’ Employees Hesitate To Work Due To Lack Of Protection

Published

6 years ago

April 28, 2020

There are approximately 880,000 positive cases of COVID-19 in the United States alone, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. As the pandemic has put most of the country on lockdown, essential workers must still show up to their jobs. Some companies have taken a proactive action to help employees thrive in this crisis.

Amazon, for example, said that it has ramped cleaning efforts and social distancing. In addition, the company has changed its policy to allow unlimited unpaid sick leave. However, there is more that needs to be done to protect essential workers during this pandemic.

Calls For Aggressive Action

In the beginning of April, The National Safety Council has already called upon companies for an aggressive action regarding the safety of their workers. It’s not just because they are at high risk of being exposed to COVID-19, but many essential workers are paid the minimum wage. This reduces their chances of gaining access to healthcare services when they get sick. According to FVF Law, OSHA requirements will vary depending on the industry that the business is in. Understanding such rules and regulations in this time of a pandemic requires attention from a workplace injury lawyer.

Raising The Alarm

According to the NSC, around 70% of their member companies cannot work remotely since most of them are considered as essential workers. They further stated that the responsibility of the safety of their workers rests solely on the shoulders of the employers. Essential workers, including those who work in markets, delivery, and garbage collecting are feeling the impact of the pandemic. Since the lockdown has changed the workplace environment, it is up to NSC and their partner employers to come up with additional safety measures that will address the potential threat of the ongoing lockdown to their workers and customers alike.

Safety Recommendations For Essential Workers

As leaders, shifting schedules may help lessen the impact on the workforce while ensuring that they are still catering to their customers. Employees still working during the pandemic claim that proper safety measures are not being addressed. And some are even complaining about wrongful dismissal due to these situations during these tough times. A report by the Boston Globe says that GameStop employees were reportedly told to cover their hands and arms with plastic bags.

Hygiene practices, such as providing workers with hand sanitizers, should be implemented at all costs, including maintaining physical distancing as recommended by the CDC. Disinfection and cleaning must be done on high-traffic areas and equipment that are handled by several people.

These are trying times and it is only fair that many will feel frustrated about their current situation. The Shelter-in-Place order may grate on the public’s patience, but those who fall under the essential workers category do not have the luxury to remain at home. Their work is critical to keep the country functioning. With that being said, NSC has seen it fit to call upon business leaders to help their workers remain safe in the midst of the pandemic, while providing essential care to others.

World

More Named Storms — Is Your Luxury Pergola Ready?

Published

2 weeks ago

December 11, 2025

Jenny Jackson

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a 60% chance that the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season would be above normal. The administration said to watch for between 13 and 19 total named storms — those with winds of 39 mph or higher.

For homeowners in hurricane-prone regions, this raises an urgent question: are your outdoor spaces ready to weather the storm?

PERGOLUX, a leader in durable outdoor structures, designs powder-coated aluminum pergolas with adjustable louvers to withstand the harshest environments.

“Today’s outdoor living spaces face the wrath of nature’s extremes,” says Tim Heneveld, Country Director of PERGOLUX North America. “Hurricanes, tropical storms, and flash floods bring powerful winds exceeding 100 mph. Their relentless rain and rising floodwaters can quickly devastate unprepared structures. If you want to protect your investments, resilient design is essential.”

Is your aluminum pergola and louvered roof ready to take on intense storms?

The open-air elegance of patio pergolas with slat roofs is perfect for a gentle breeze, but can make them vulnerable to the violent forces of hurricane winds. These storm winds pack powerful uplift and lateral forces.

Wind uplift occurs when gusts of wind flow beneath the roof, generating upward pressure that can lift the entire structure off its base. Lateral forces push a pergola horizontally, causing it to lean or even collapse.

The key defense against these powerful forces? A reinforced frame.

“Strong, well-engineered frames act as the backbone of your pergola,” notes Heneveld. “Aluminum is the ideal material for a pergola’s frame. It combines the strength needed to resist bending or breaking with a lighter weight that reduces strain on the foundation.”

PERGOLUX’s pergolas feature reinforced frames engineered to withstand intense storms with confidence. In fact, their latest model, the Skydance Series 3 Pergola, is specially crafted to endure winds up to 165 mph, which means that even when fierce hurricanes like Milton sweep through, these pergolas remain intact.

Reinforced aluminum frames designed with thickened beams and precision connections stand up to wind uplift and lateral pressure. Hurricane-rated bolts, brackets, and screws hold everything tightly together to prevent ‌weak points that storms so often exploit. When each joint is reinforced and well-anchored, your pergola can remain a steadfast retreat despite the wildest weather. Thicker beams and columns combined with robust engineering techniques give these pergolas superior strength. Extra support brackets, hidden fasteners, and precise assembly methods ensure the frame endures.

Elevated bases can protect your luxury pergola from floods

Along with high winds, storms bring torrential rain. Rising water can undermine structural footings and rot wooden materials, which can destabilize the entire installation.

An elevated base is a strategic line of defense. “By constructing your pergola on raised concrete footings or piers, you create a gap between the ground and the structure,” notes Heneveld. “During a flood, it keeps the water at bay. The elevation also prevents erosion caused by pooling rainwater.”

The best-quality outdoor pergolas offer high-grade materials and cutting-edge engineering

The key element of any storm-ready outdoor structure is its materials. PERGOLUX chooses 6063-T5 aluminum, a marine-grade alloy renowned for its incredible strength and exceptional resistance to corrosion, even when exposed to salty sea air and humid conditions.

“A wooden or vinyl pergola may look great at first,” says Heneveld, “but they often require costly upkeep or replacement after just a few seasons of storm damage. Our reinforced aluminum pergolas will give you years of worry-free durability. It will remain strong and look fantastic, no matter the weather.”

PERGOLUX’s advanced engineering solutions also protect what is inside the structure. Their patented RainLUX™ integrated gutter system channels rainwater away, preventing leaks that can damage furniture and floors.

“We offer a 10-year warranty to back up all of our claims,” Heneveld says. “It’s our commitment that these structures will protect your home’s exterior environment for years to come. We want you to focus on enjoying the moments that matter in your pergola, not on the coming storms.”

Practical outdoor living tips to prepare your louvered pergola kit before storm season

Even the strongest pergola will fare better when prepped for a coming storm. “Make sure to secure your loose items,” Heneveld warns. “Before a storm, remove furniture, planters, and décor. All of these can become hazardous projectiles.”

When homeowners hear that a storm is on the way, they will want to fully secure any screens or panels. Removing detachable panels before severe weather will help protect the pergola by reducing wind resistance.

Homeowners will want to take the time to routinely inspect and maintain their pergolas. A quick check for loose fasteners or other small signs of wear goes a long way in preserving the pergola’s strength.

“Combine simple preparation with a reinforced, elevated, and expertly engineered structure, and you’ll have an outdoor space built to last,” Heneveld concludes. “Investing in a storm-ready pergola is about so much more than just avoiding damage. You’re preserving a lifestyle. A long-lasting pergola will bring you years of shaded summer barbecues and fresh-air morning coffees.”