LUCKY OR GOOD?
Our president, Ric
Neubert, recently shared
a safety message at our
monthly P&L Review/
Administrative Meeting
regarding light bulbs.
Wait…light bulbs?
Yes, light bulbs. Mr.
Neubert explained how well
he knows his garage layout: he knows where
the lawn mower resides; he knows where the
trash cans sit; he knows where the shelving
is and how far it protrudes into the room;
he even knows the path from the house
door to the cabinet he needs to access. He
knows all of this because he has made the
trip hundreds, if not thousands, of times.
However, the electricity to the garage
had been temporarily disconnected,
thereby causing the garage to have no
lighting. Mr. Neubert needed something
from the garage and, of course, it was
after dark. Mr. Neubert’s thoughts prior to
entering the garage were, “I’ve done this a
thousand times before in the dark without
incident. Tonight will be no different.” Then
he remembered that he is responsible
for his own safety, and only he can make
the choice to be safe or take a risk. So
he retrieved a flashlight, and only then
BY: DON ROSENBARGER
did he proceed into the dark garage and
accomplished his task without incident.
No incident? What’s the
point of this story?
The point of Mr. Neubert’s story is: we
are responsible for our own safety, whether
it be as individuals or as a company. The
choice to commit safe (or unsafe) acts is our
own choice to make, so make sure you are
always choosing the right one: the safe one.
While I was visiting my father over the
Labor Day weekend, I was driving north on
I-65 in southern Indiana to visit my sister
(and enjoy some of her delicious chocolate
chip cookies). Dad, who was in the front
passenger seat, made the comment, “You’re
driving with your wrist, aren’t you, Son?”
He was correct – I often drive with
my left wrist over the steering wheel. In
fact, I have been driving that way for
so long that I have callouses on my left
wrist from doing so. I have done it that
way for years and years without incident.
Why would today be any different?
Dad then posed a question: “What if
you have a blow out or hit something in
the road – do you think you will be able
to control the wheel and the vehicle?”
Wow. My father (who will be ninety years
young in November) continues to teach me!
I am not going to say I have conquered this
habit, but I have recognized it as a possible
safety hazard and am working to correct it.
Mr. Neubert and I have been fortunate
these habits haven’t caused any harm
yet. Let’s face it, we have been lucky.
As individuals and a company, we must
constantly strive to bet our future (perhaps,
our very lives) on being good – knowing,
understanding, and following the proper
procedures – NOT on being lucky!
The continuous improvement of our
existing processes and creation of new
processes to ensure a safe environment,
whether at work or at home, is a part
of the Zero-Incident Performance
program we are in the process of
rolling out across the company.
READY MIX MISSION COMPLETE:
ORGILL EXPANSION
The Sikeston Ready Mix Plant has
completed its final pour, finishing a
secondary entrance to the Orgill Warehouse
expansion and the 11,000+ cubic yards
of ready mix project in its entirety. There
were many who put in the hard work and
long hours to bring this project to success.
From the plant manager, batch man, drivers
(from all of Delta’s plants), and QC, the
amount of cooperation and communication
was greatly appreciated. To complete a job
of this size (at night!) with absolutely zero
incidents speaks volumes to the quality
and dedication of Delta’s employees. A
thank you also goes to everyone that has
worked so well with while this project was
underway.
DEXTER SAND
& GRAVEL
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DEXTER SAND
& GRAVEL CREW FOR GOING THE ENTIRE
YEAR WITH ZERO MSHA CITATIONS!
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