Grounds maintenance workers rank in the top five professions for alcohol use and impairment on the job (University at Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions) and are at least twice as likely to use and be impaired by illicit drugs compared to those in most other industries (Journal of Applied Psychology).
According to the U S Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 20 percent of workers who die on the job have alcohol or drugs in their systems. Use of illegal drugs or alcohol and certain medications is particularly dangerous on a landscaping job site (or in transit) Accidents are likely as you could be operating and maintaining vehicles, equipment, and tools, or handling hazardous chemicals
Even if you don’t drive or operate equipment, the use of drugs or alcohol can impair judgment, reduce response time, and cause loss of coordination or an inability to follow safety instructions. You might not be where you should be or not be alert in dangerous situations and when others are counting on you
How can you know whether you have an alcohol or drug problem?
• Recognize the signs, which include having trouble concentrating while driving or operating equipment, feeling like you need a drink or drugs during your lunch break, not being able to go an extended period of time without drugs or alcohol, or people telling you that you have a problem
• Use the free, confidential screening tool available at alcoholscreening.org if you suspect you are abusing alcohol The site allows you to assess your drinking habits and determine whether you should change them It also offers information about organizations that offer drug and alcohol abuse treatment
What should you do if you have a drug or alcohol problem?
• Realize you’re putting yourself and others in danger when you use illegal drugs or alcohol before or during work.
• Understand that you are violating company policy Our company prohibits use of alcohol or other unauthorized drugs at work, during breaks, on jobsites, and while traveling to and from jobsites You must also report to work without these
CEO Russ Sneed spoke on March 27 at the Commercial Landscape Division s Spring Kickoff Dubbed Fight Club 2 0 the event was a way to celebrate past accomplishments understand where we re headed and revive – individually and as a Team – our belief that our Winning Behaviors are going to help us get there PHOTO BY MATT WYATT/MATT WYATT MEDIA
substan system
• Get he overusin addicted alcohol
How ca medica could a
• Tell yo pharma work yo whether medicat your gen ability t machine
• Read l prescription and nonprescription medications, looking for such warnings
• Tell your supervisor/crew leader about any medication you’re taking that poses these risks
What are the signs of drug or alcohol use in a co-worker?
• Frequent chills, excessive talking, smelling of alcohol, impaired coordination,
g y Michael Hatcher & Associates, it is Company practice to screen applicants and employees for the presence of illegal drugs and/or alcohol Any applicant or employee who receives a positive test result or refuses to be tested shall be in violation of this policy
sweating, irritability, weight loss, energy loss, limited attention span, poor motivation, increased aggression, anxiety, excessive and unexplained absences, money borrowing, depression, and paranoia
What if you suspect a co-worker has a drug or alcohol problem?
Don’t ignore a hazardous situation
Notify a supervisor immediately if you observe on-the-job impairment that poses a risk to anyone
Scan the QR code to see our current open positions
Commercial Landscape deliv knock-out performance at t Spring Kickoff, aka Fight Clu
“I think Fight Club is about celebrating past accomplish understanding where we’re and reviving – individually a Team – our belief that our W Behaviors are going to help there,” VP of Finance Adam said
Adam Crawford
Crawford, al CEO Russ Sn Commercial Construction Peterman, an Commercial Maintenance Operations Kelly Ogden, spearheaded
the March 27 event
“We’re gonna do our dadgum best to explain simple chapter and verse every single piece about the business,” Sneed said as the day began, noting that the presentation, with 81 slides in all, was intentionally lengthy
“I’ve never been part of putting together a PowerPoint deck that has so much information in it,” he said “However, out of respect to each one of you guys, I owe it to you – and our Team owes it to you – to share that information so we’re able to provide a framework so you can ask as many questions today ”
Divided into six groups, participants discussed their expectations and inquired about a range of topics, from the new Huntsville office and job security to more intentional recognition and enlarging the pole barn at The Landscape Center Recurring themes were growth and expansion, opportunity, communication, and clarity
“Our group talked about pushing leadership for understanding what the long-term plans for the company are and how that can affect them for opportunity,” said Ron Bobal, VP of Commercial Sales “They want to know the objectives day to day of not only their division but maybe what other divisions are doing and how it
all ties together for the common goal of the company ”
The day’s agenda also included a business refresher from Crawford, who explained the importance of reinvesting profits in assets like fleet, equipment, and technology as well as expenditures such as training The commonality, he said, is the people who benefit from continued growth and investment
“As the company grows, there will be investments in efficiency to increase profitability,” he said. “These profits will
continue to be reinvested in you You are part of the Team that is driving growth, and with growth comes opportunity ”
Using the analogy of sharpening your axe, Crawford also reminded employees to slow down and take a breath
“Days like today are days to sharpen your axe,” he said “It’s a time to take a break from the day-to-day and it’s time to think a little bit bigger, a little bit more strategic about you, about your role, about your teammates, about the company ”
Fight Club was a valuable learning experience for Procurement Manager Edgar Valdovinos
“I appreciated the chance to sit down and also to hear about sharpening your axe,” he said.
So did Field Operations Manager Eli Michael, who noted that employee morale and development are important to the Leadership Team
“Michael Hatcher & Associates genuinely cares for each and every employee,” he said “There is a lot of opportunity for advancement and growth right now in the company ”
The event was Irrigation Service Manager Lance Whitworth’s second
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Fight Club and is aptly named, he said
“I think so because everybody is faced with challenges daily, but with our expertise and commitment, we always come together to fight and win,” he explained, adding that he appreciated the transparency “It was nice having an open floor discussion on the vision of the company and what our future looks like
From left, Install Supervisor Jay Whitfield, Operations Manager Cameron Poindexter, Assistant Operations Manager Eli McNease, Lead Supervisor Steve Tice, GM of Commercial Construction Jeff Peterman, and Procurement Manager Edgar Valdovinos.
and
