To everything turn turn. There is a time to plant, a time to reap. There is a time to laugh, a time to weep. There is a time to build up, a time to break down. And there is a time to resign from your job (we aren't sure why the Byrds didn't include that last one in their lyrics). When this time comes - the time for you to resign from your job, a resignation letter is usually written.

Writing a resignation letter seems simple enough: if you don't do it correctly, what are they going to do, fire you? Even so, a resignation letter needs to include - and exclude - certain things. You might be quitting your job, but you don't really want to burn any professional bridges in the process.

Be Certain You're Ready to Move on: Before composing a resignation letter, you have to be absolutely certain that you really do intend to resign from your job. A resignation letter is a tangible proof of evidence: once it's in circulation, there is no going back. Sure, you could claim that you didn't actually write the letter or that - Hi, OJ - the black glove didn't really fit, but employers won't be fooled by this. Once you've submitted a resignation letter, whether you want to or not, you are resigning.

Be Polite: On the level of likeability, your boss may be up their with Joseph Stalin, but a resignation letter does not serve as your podium to tell him that. Though you may be washing your hands of your boss and his unfair, harsh ways, sometime down the line you might need to borrow his paper towel, so to speak. Former bosses are often used as references, even when you don't intend them to be. Jobs, apartment rentals, background checks can all call on former employers to attest to your character. If you write a letter of resignation that tells your boss where to stick his hard drive, you might find yourself being referenced as a villain.

Be Brief, But Not Too Brief: While a resignation letter should be to the point, it doesn't need to be drowning in brevity: simply writing "Peace, I'm outta here!" on a sheet of notebook paper doesn't exactly suffice. Instead, type up a letter that officially announces your departure and thanks your employer for the years - or perhaps days - you've spent working at his company. Adhere to business format and include all your contact (and future contact) information. Your employer may need to contact you at a later date.

Don't Give Reasons for Your Leaving: Whenever we leave a job, there are probably a million and one reasons why. We hate our coworkers, we think our job is boring, the coffee in the break room tastes like motor oil. Whatever the reason for your departure, don't announce it to your supervisor. Doing so will only place your supervisor on the defensive: no one wants to hear bad things about the company they oversee.

Be Prepared for a Follow Up: Most employers, upon receiving a letter of resignation, will call whomever is quitting into their office for a quick follow up. This typically involves formalities: what your employer wants you to get in order before you leave, where you are on your work load, and a general debriefing. Though the irate employee within you may be screaming to let your boss have it, hold your tongue. There's no sense in opening a can of worms you won't be around to put back in.

Whether you are a student just beginning an electrical technology, refrigeration, or HVAC training and certification school program, or are a seasoned heating, cooling, or electrical career professional, you must learn the proper safety precautions to take when working in extreme weather conditions.

HVAC, refrigeration, and electrical workers are sometimes considered to be "heroes" in their fields, because they perform work that is so essential to every-day living. Consider:

• Electricians and electrical maintenance technicians for major hospitals keep temperature-regulation equipment in good repair, which can literally save patient lives.

   

   

• Air conditioning installers and maintenance workers in hot cities like Dallas, TX, Phoenix, AZ, or Atlanta, GA are responsible for keeping homes cool, so elderly people and infants don't fall victim to heatstroke.

   

   

• In cooler climates, heating and HVAC professionals ensure that people don't freeze to death in their homes.

   

   

• Refrigeration maintenance workers keep big freezers running at full capacity, so supermarket or restaurant customers don't succumb to food poisoning.

However, it is essential that you, the refrigeration, HVAC or electrical professional, do not fall victim to temperature extremes while on the job. Safety precautions are commonly taught at school; and class time is often devoted to discussing these important self-care tips. However, it is important to frequently review and practice on-the-job safety precautions so that your career after technical school can be a long and productive one.

Contrary to popular assumption, shorts and short sleeves are very poor choices for working outdoors or in hot temperatures. Besides exposing your skin to cancer-causing ultraviolet rays, these kinds of clothes do not protect you from burns or spills that may ensue when working with malfunctioning HVAC, electrical, or refrigeration equipment. It is best to wear relaxed-fit cotton pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Always wear sunscreen and tinted, UV-protective safety eye wear when working outdoors.

One of the most important ways you can stay safe while performing electrical or HVAC work in a warm environment is to keep yourself well-fed and hydrated. The physical nature of heating, cooling, and air conditioner repair, for example, often gives a worker a large appetite. He or she might feel tempted to indulge in large, calorie-rich fast-food meals, including giant sodas or coffee drinks. These are poor choices. Their high-caffeine, fat, and sodium contents will cause the worker to become dehydrated faster.

Dried fruits, nuts, cheeses, and pretzels are better choices. They are nutrient-dense and lower in salt than prepared foods are. HVAC, refrigeration, and electrical workers should also take care to stay well hydrated on the job. Fluids containing electrolytes will replace fluids and body salts lost through perspiration. Non-caffeinated sports drinks are an excellent choice. A worker should cut them with water to ensure that he or she is drinking an adequate volume of fluids. Workers should not choose sports drinks that are artificially sweetened. Some of these sweeteners produce loose stools in many individuals, which will further dehydrate an HVAC worker or electrical technician.

Taking breaks throughout the work day to rest and re-hydrate is also imperative in hot working conditions. Excess heat can cause exhaustion or stroke in heat-affected technical workers. If a worker is feeling cramps or discomfort, he or she should stop work immediately, drink fluids, and rest until recovery.

In extreme cold working conditions, such as the interiors of large industrial refrigerators, chill tanks, or a house that has been without heat, different safety precautions must be taken. The first step is to be aware of the air temperature throughout the duration of the refrigeration, HVAC, or electrical professional's work shift. An industrial thermometer that takes accurate air temperature readings will be an invaluable resource.

Dressing in layers is also imperative. Workers should wear thermal underwear, several layers of cotton clothing (cotton allows the skin to breathe, rather than become clammy), and a good, insulation-filled work jacket. Two pairs of socks should be worn with work shoes or boots. A hat and insulated work gloves will protect the worker's extremities from the cold.

Proper fluid intake and diet are also essential. Workers should drink lukewarm or warm fluids that do not contain caffeine. Soup, tea, and cocoa are excellent choices. A refrigeration, HVAC, or electrical professional's meal in cold working conditions should be nutritionally dense, without high sodium levels. The worker should take frequent breaks to rehydrate, too - dehydration is as dangerous in cold as in heat.

It is essential that technicians working in the cold have an area where they can take a break and warm up. This might be a nearby cafe, a work van (the van should be driven, not left to run with the windows up, as this can cause carbon monoxide poisoning), or a specially designed "warming room." If a worker feels his fingers or toes growing numb, he or she should stop work immediately and immerse the affected area in lukewarm water without rubbing or touching the skin. If the skin tissue is white rather than red, he or she should skip immersion and seek medical attention immediately.

A proper diet when not at work, adequate nightly sleep, and a regular exercise program will keep an HVAC, refrigeration, or electrical technician in top physical shape at all times. This will help him or her to avoid succumbing to the effects of a hot or cold work environment.