Did you know????

• According to early Roman calendar, April was the second month but became fourth when they started to use January as the first month. The name originally came from Aprilis, meaning 'to open'. In April, small animals that were hibernating usually come out and the birds fly back northward to settle, bees and butterflies begin to gather nectar. In some parts of the world, April is planting time but in other parts, it's the harvest season. Because of the nice warm weather of April, amateur athletes begin to go outside while the professional baseball begins. People usually do huge spring cleaning and mowing. The first day of April begins with April fool's day.
• It is the second month of spring. It is a time of planting and spring cleaning. In the Southern Hemisphere, April is the same as October in the Northern Hemisphere. The diamond of April symbolizes innoncence. The Boston Marathon is held during April. In Ancient Rome the month of April was sacred to the goddess Venus. The Japanese fiscal year for most businesses starts on April 1st. In England there are many cuckoo festivals. The arrival of the cuckoo bird in April is a signal that spring has arrived. April is the month when the professional baseball season begins in the United States

Getting to know you

Coming in May!!!

All about Safety

Good Day To All,

Currently the 2017 year is progressing well. The number of injuries versus 2016 are down significantly and it’s all due to the efforts of local management and employees. As most know, there is a new Federal Administration and in October, many Federal Departments will be looking at significant budget decreases. What this means for us, is an increased presence in the field and at facilities. Each one of these departments have the ability to make up any lost revenue in the field, warehouses, and fabrication facilities.

In order to avoid random visits, reporting, or scheduled/unscheduled visits, we should be focused on being the best and safest company under the ILG umbrella. Regardless of your title, status, or length of service, everyone has the right and responsibility to step forward and correct any unsafe act, shortcut, or wrongdoing.

Safety is not a concept designed to save companies money, but to protect employees and increase their understanding and quality of life – both at work and home. It’s part of the safety culture we have been striving to create.

ILG and your Business Units are working hard to move to the latest technology, equipment, best business practices, and much more. It will take the effort of every employee, from the top all the way down, in order for us to become the best, safest, and most profitable company on the market.

Below is a brief synopsis of the injuries that are occurring more frequently:

69% of all injuries happen on the Job Site. Most of you are aware of this. My question to you is, what are you going to do about it? Are we going to accept this as part of doing business or are we actually going to take steps that will reduce or irradiate this problem. We can no longer look at this as: “that’s just the way it is. It is part of the job. Accidents happen.” If you find yourself saying one of these sentences, then you are the wrong side of the company goals and strategy. To clarify, we want to be a company that hurts no one, that takes care of our employees, that treats everyone with respect and dignity. Are we there yet? No! But we are working on it. And when it’s all said and done, we will become that company.

44% of injuries are strains and 38% are employees with <1 year experience. Right behind them are employees with 4 years’ experience or more. Why is this happening? The answer is, employees with less than 1 years’ experience don’t have the full ability to identify hazards when they are present. The employees with more than 4 years’ experience, do have the ability, but have grown complacent. This might be hard pill to swallow, but facts are facts and none debatable. The data show this clearly.

We want/need to become the safest company on the market. To do so, will require everyone’s involvement and commitment. Without it, we will find that we are just spinning our wheels, but not really going anywhere. I challenge everyone that takes to the time to read this newsletter, to commit to a workplace, lifestyle, and attitude, which incorporates safety in everything they do. Most of us have family and friends that are counting on us. We have to do the hard right over the easy wrong every day, so that we can make a difference, not only in our lives, but those of others.

Thanks,

Michael Coonce

EHS, Director

315-254-4890

In an effort to promote a more healthy workforce US Granite is pumped to roll out the new EMPLOYEE WELLNESS REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM!

From January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017 you can retain receipts for up to $250 total of qualified wellness expenses. The receipts will need to be submitted by January 12th, 2018 and reimbursements will be issued at the end of January.

Qualified Wellness Expenses

• Sport and Recreation event fees such as 5K’s, 10K’s, mudder competitions and marathons

• Weight management/weight loss program fees

• Sport and Recreation lesson fees such as dance lessons, tennis or swimming lessons

• Group Exercise and Personal Training fees

• Fitness center, health club, studio or aquatic center membership fees

• Ski Lift Tickets

• Exercise Equipment

• National Parks entry or parking fees

Please reach out to me if you have questions about what will be covered. The goal is for us to work towards a more fit and healthy life style, activities, memberships or fees not listed above may be eligible for reimbursement. Please contact Kevin to confirm eligibility