CONNECT HR Associates Newsletter
Spring 2017
Employment Drug Testing SAFETY CORNER
April 28, 2017 Nearly every manufacturing facility in southwest Ohio has an established drug testing culture, with the key word being “established”. Testing is done for several reasons, a prerequisite for employment,
A mistake
periodic-random tests, return-to-duty, or post-accident. The employer
you see
must have the drug testing program in force with set rules of engagement.
But do
Testing workers on a pick-and-choose basis could open up the company to lawsuits,
nothing
an employer must have a reasonable suspicion to test a worker.
to fix,
Post-accident drug testing can be triggered for several reasons. Testing can be initiated if an employee is hurt in an accident causing excessive damage to company
becomes your
equipment. Every company sets the property damage threshold for this type of drug
mistaek too.
testing. The most common trigger for post-accident drug testing is a reportable,
work-related accident where a worker is injured and off-site medical help is needed. HR Associates performs a ten-panel urine drug screen on every applicant looking for work, as well as post-accident screens. Our FDA approved test reveals the use of Cocaine, Marijuana, Opiates (Heroin), Amphetamines (Speed), Methamphetamines (Crystal Meth), Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates (Downers), Oxycodone (Percoset), Ecstacy (MDMA), and Propoxyphene (Darvocet). The drug test has built in adulteration which makes it difficult for the test subject to falsify the results. With the
In This Issue
excessive prices being charged employers through worker’s comp insurance premiums & by healthcare providers, companies have become increasingly proactive
Employment Drug Testing
in accident prevention which includes drug testing.
HR Associates Recognized
Emoji from Facetune
SAMSHA Hotline
Tech Night School
“Boss” Deviled Eggs
Lethal Dose
Service, HR Style
Around The Water Cooler
From The President’s Desk
The Ohio BWC Drug Free Safety Program can provide some direction to employers working toward a drug free culture. Setting up these standards will not only improve our workforce but our communities:
Accident analysis training. On-line accident reporting. In-house workplace safety process reviews. Submitting an annual company report to the BWC. Create a Safety Action Plan. Have a Drug Free Safety Program written policy. Employee Education @ hire and annually afterward. Employee assistance, including rehabilitation. (Continued on Page 3)
HR Associates Recognized
Heather noted this elusive goal took a few years to achieve. Maintaining a pro-active safety policy is the only road to a safer work environment for our associates. Providing associates with job specific safety MCSC’s Bob Heater guidelines & direction before an injury & HR’s Heather Risner occurs is a best practice. This safety practice is a testament to & completely dependent upon our Upper Valley clients. The long term direction and friendship of our safety partner, Spooner Inc. has resulted in a fundamental change in our safety culture. Retiring Spooner President, Cindy Artino and our Account Manager, Missy Ball have made big contributions to HR’s safety goals. Spooner Safety Director, Rick Artino, has also assisted a few our clients with OSHA compliance, with his safety audits. Spooner sets the standard for Third-Party-Administrators. The MCSC & Ohio BWC Achievement award goes to Ohio companies who have reduced their workforce injuries by a minimum of 25%. We are thrilled Heather was recognized for her hard work and believe Fred Devito’s quote is appropriate, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.”
SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), is a confidential, free, 24/7/365, information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. The Helpline averaged over 65,000 calls per month in 2016 with the intended purpose of directing callers to local, regional and state assistance. The Helpline service is free of charge. Online @ www.samhsa.gov
FREE
May 11, 2017 HR Associates’ President, Heather Risner was recognized by the Miami County Safety Council (MCSC) for her efforts in reducing HR Associates’ workforce injuries at their Annual Safety Awards’ Ceremony at Piqua’s Learning Center.
Cool App Corner Emoji from Facetune
Your Face is About to Go Viral (Photo & Video App)
Maintenance Tech Night Training Having our finger on the pulse of the local employment needs, we know that many manufacturers are in dire need of skilled Maintenance Technicians (MT). That being said, Plant Managers may want to consider a tuition reimbursement program for their workforce. Sending a few good employees to the Upper Valley Career Center’s Adult Division for a few night classes would be a step toward solving this MT shortage in west central Ohio industry. An Advanced Manufacturing Maintenance : PLC Specialty certification is available as a full 600 hour program or students can take single 36-hour modules at a time, allowing employees to enhance their skill set at a slower pace. The MT program module list : Blueprint Reading/Schematics Basic Industrial Electric Electrical Troubleshooting Intro to Lathes & Mills Motors & Controllers PLC 1-5 Robotics Welding: GMAW & GTAW Machine Controls Mathematics for Techs OSHA 30– General Industry & Safety Power Transmission Professional Development The Piqua Career Center’s evening classes are from 5:30 PM—9:30 PM, on M/Tue/ Wed/Thur. Contact Enrollment Specialist, Naomi Baker @ 937-778-8419 for more info or online @ http://bit.ly/2r16OmO.
Serving Our Community for 10 Years
www.hr-ps.com
“Boss” Deviled Eggs
Employment Drug Testing
Current evidence supports employment drug testing, as Ohio has become the opioid (heroin) overdose capital of the United States, even ahead of California, Florida, and New York with their larger populations. According to the Kaiser Foundation, our state had 2,698 opioid overdose deaths in 2015 and there doesn’t seem to be any change to that trend. One of the biggest killers is the synthetic opioid, fentanyl, which is the drug that took the Rock Superstar, Prince’s life, & is responsible for 1/3 of all overdoses. Paramedics and emergency rooms have been using Naloxone, which blocks the effects of opiates, to reverse drug overdose, for years. Follow-up treatment is needed to counteract the withdrawal effects of heroin, as in the use of a less potent opioid, Methadone. Considering the current drug epidemic in Ohio, an employer removing the possibility of a drug related injury through testing, insures an injured worker gets the care they need and deserve. With so many drugs easily attainable to the public, having a written policy and culture of drug testing is a safety necessity. (All medications should only be prescribed by a licensed physician and dispensed only by a licensed pharmacist)
Ingredients
1 Doz. Jumbo Eggs 3 Tbsp. Breakstone’s Sour Cream 3 Tbsp. Kraft Mayonnaise 1 Tbsp. Claussen Sweet Pickle Relish 1 Tbsp. Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard 1/8th Tsp. Cayenne Pepper Dill Sprigs (garnish)
Directions
(Continued from Pg.1)
Place eggs in saucepan large enough to hold them in single layer. ADD cold water to cover eggs by 1 inch. HEAT over high heat just to boiling. REMOVE from burner. COVER pan. LET EGGS STAND in hot water about 15 minutes for Jumbo. Drain & Peel while still warm; Cut lengthwise in half. Mash egg yolks in a medium bowl with a fork. Add sour cream, mayo, relish & mustard; mix well. Spoon into centers of whites; sprinkle with pepper & garnish. Serve chilled. Yum!
Lethal Dose Comparison NH State Police Forensic Lab
Please reference the National Helpline on page 2 for assistance.
Service, HR Style “Our associates & clients have come to expect and depend on our team’s exceptional service. Our service always begins with being up-close-and-personal with our associates. Different positions require distinct skill sets and personalities. Our goal is to understand every associate’s expectations, character, and skill, VP, Steve Risner
an art we perform everyday for our clients.”
Around The Water Cooler May 22, 2017 Office Manager, Michelle Horner had a successful delivery of son #2, Haden Carter on April 10th. During her maternity leave, son #1, Dominic has been a great help in taking care of his brother and asks to hold him daily. Haden seems to have taken a liking to his Unstuffed Puppy/Binky Holder. Michelle’s quick return to work is being hampered by a slow healing process, Haden Carter
Stop In or Call Piqua Office 314 N. Wayne Street Piqua, Ohio 45356 Phone: 937.778.8563 Fax: 937.778.8569
which will extend her leave a couple of weeks. We are thinking about you, as we so often do, & are wishing you good health because there is nothing more
important than Mom. Get well, soon! Mareena has gotten her son, Easton, through his “Terrible 2s” but we are kind of chucklin’ about her upcoming experience with the “Theatrical 3s”. Ironically, Easton is in great
anticipation of his trip to the theatre to see Cars 3. On a happier note, Mareena & her fiancé, Dan Allman, have planned a July getaway to Tennessee to tie-the-knot. Congratulations! Mareena mentioned that our current employees have exhibited a better work ethic lately with fewer call-offs occurring. She also attributed a weekly increase in our “new-starts’ list” to a
Tipp City Office 251 S. Garber Drive STE A Tipp City, Ohio 45371 Phone: 937.667.0003 Fax: 937.667.0111 Email: info@hr-ps.com Visit us on the web @
www.hr-ps.com
Spring pick-up in new job orders and applicants actually showing up for their appointments. The morning sickness has subsided for Megan and has been replaced with the flutter of a baby boy. Mark has thrown out a few baby names but Megan isn’t crazy about them. The couple’s parents are “super excited” to welcome the new addition to the two families. Megan’s GPA at Edison State continues to be exemplary at 3.75. She has decided to take the fall semester off so she may focus on a great start for her baby boy. Megan is planning a 2018 Spring Semester return to her studies. With her classes finished for the summer, Megan has returned to a full time schedule for our busy summer months.
From The President’s Desk May 23, 2017 Heather’s youngest , Nick, will be heading into his senior year at Covington High School in the
fall. Nick has showed interest in returning to the Grid–Iron to play for the Buccaneers’ 2016 newly crowned, head coach, Tyler Cates. The middle son, Dillon, has popped the question to his new fiancée, Sabrina. The couple are planning a September 2019 walk down the isle with an Engagement Party right around the corner in July in Covington. Heather’s eldest, Colt, has applied for graduation from Wright State. He is currently taking his final 2 classes within his major to finish up his B.S. degree in Organizational Leadership. Are we done yet? Heather said her company will be celebrating its 10 Anniversary in July by taking in a Dayton Dragons game with our peeps. The Dragons lead the Midwest League’s Eastern Division with a record of 33-14 with only 4 losses at home.
Heather noted that job orders from clients have “ramped up” for the summer season and she wanted to express her appreciation for your continued trust in HR Associates.