Career Profile, Project Highlight & Heat Alert

INDUSTRY LEADING IN ALL WE DO

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Career Profile

Project Highlight

VELCO 340 Line

Photos by submitted by Tim Frasier

We are working at 38 structures on the VELCO 340 Line, stretching over 6 miles and 3 towns (Andover, Chester and Windham), prepping the right-of-way for VELCO's line crews to replace the old structures.

Work consists of access road construction, crane pad construction, placing timber mats, removing old poles, staging new poles and arms, installing pole cans, staging backfill, installing log anchors and grounding, installing gates, and erosion control.

Once the line work is complete, our crews will also restore the site.

FUN FACT: They had 25 days of rain in July...17 inches! This didn't slow them down at all, they just kept on going!

Shout-out to everyone involved in this project. Thank you for all of your hard work and effort!

Tips to Stay Cool

Temperatures are heating up again

The National Weather Service is expecting dangerously hot and humid conditions for the remainder of this week for most of the state. High humidity could make it feel like 100°F or hotter in some locations.

Vermont data indicates that emergency department visits for heat-related illnesses begin to increase when temperatures reach the mid- to upper-80s, with impacts getting progressively worse as temperatures rise into the 90s. During the 6-day heat wave in 2018, there were at least 4 heat-related deaths and 15 times more heat-related EMS calls and emergency department visits than typical for summer.

Tips to prevent heat illness at work

Drink cool water, even if you are not thirsty
Take breaks in cool or shady areas
Rest long enough to recover from the heat

For more information on preventing heat illnesses, please click here.

Please keep an eye out for signs of heat illness in yourself and your co-workers, and stay safe!

Fishing Pro Update

Major League Fishing Toyota Series

July 15-17, Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, New York

Fishing Pro Chris Adams finished 19th out of 190 professionals. He weighed 19 lbs., 4 ounces on Day 1 - good for 10th place. He had a tougher Day 2, weighing 16 lbs., 3 ounces; for a two-day total of 35 lbs., 6 ounces.

The wind and waves were pretty bad both days, but Chris fished a good tournament in a really tough field of the best local anglers, as well as a ton of national touring professionals.

Chris felt he made a few poor decisions in terms of managing his time on Day 2, but overall he was happy with the finish and gave himself a shot at a Top 10 in an ultra competitive field, where mere ounces separated top finishers.

Stay tuned for more updates, and some fishing tips from the pro!

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Finding a vaccine site has been simplified!

To find a vaccination site near you, just click here, enter your zip code and mileage radius, and the CDC site will give you exact addresses.

Please stay safe out there!

Safety Topic: Stretching/Lifting Procedures

Soft tissue damage to a worker’s body is the number one cause of lost time injuries. Please keep in mind these tips to prevent injury:

Before performing any physically demanding task, take a few moments to properly stretch.
Stretch to the point where it is comfortable.
Do not strain when you stretch – straining keeps the muscle from relaxing.
As the feeling of the stretch changes to a mild stretch, stretch a little further, the stretch should be comfortable with no pain.
Don’t bounce when you stretch. That causes injuries. Always stretch to the side that feels most tight first.
Breathe with a slow, normal rhythm. Do not hold your breath.

Another important way to prevent soft tissue injuries is proper lifting.

Remember when lifting you should always make sure to keep a wide base, bend at the knees, keep your head straight, slowly lift while keeping your back straight, and avoid twisting. If you need help lifting something, just ask.

Also, drink plenty of water, keep yourself hydrated, keep your electrolytes up and eat a healthy diet with fruit and vegetables. It can have good and lasting health effects on your body and its flexibility. You are the most valuable resource and asset our company has. Take care of yourself!

LEADERS IN SAFETY

Leaders In Safety do these things every day:

Uphold Casella Standards
Lead by Example
Actively Care for People
Train and Develop Top Talent

If you have been designated as a Leader in Safety, you can nominate someone! The next time you see someone take the extra step to be industry-leading, call them out as a Leader in Safety.