The Gypsum Group of Companies Newsletter JULY 2020

Every year, thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat, and some even die. Heat illnesses and deaths are preventable.

What is heat illness?

During hot weather, especially with high humidity, sweating isn't enough. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels if precautions are not taken. Heat illnesses range from heat rash and heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention and can result in death.

Heat Exhaustion Signs Headaches, dizziness, or fainting Feeling weak or have wet skin Irritability & confusion You may be thirsty, nauseous, or vomit Heat Stroke Signs If you start to feel confused, vomit or become faint, you

need medical attention immediately You become confused, unable to think clearly, pass out,

collapse, or have seizures (fits) You may stop sweating, which how our bodies cool off

If you experience any of these symptoms, or notice any of your coworkers exhibiting these symptoms, report it to your field manager immediately Prevention Drink water every 15 minutes, even if

you are not thirsty. Rest in the shade to cool down. Wear light-colored clothing. Learn the signs of heat illness and what to do in an

emergency. Keep an eye on fellow workers. "Easy does it" on your first days of work in the heat.

With the OSHA Heat Safety Tool, you have vital safety information available whenever you need it. Go to the Play Store or the App Store and download the app.

The App allows you to calculate the heat index for your worksite and displays a risk level to you. You can get reminders about protective measures that you should take to protect yourself: drinking enough fluids, scheduling rest breaks, planning for and knowing what to do in an emergency, etc.

Remember these three words:

Water, Rest, Shade

Payroll Notice How to update a Direct Deposit

Option 1 Login to the ESC Employee Portal Select the pay tab from the left-hand side Select direct deposit & update info

Option 2 Call ESC’s Payroll Dept 716-691-4455, Option 1 They can email/mail the direct deposit form to you Fill out the form & return to ESC

Protecting our skin from harmful ultraviolet rays is essential during the summer. Ultraviolet rays are an invisible form of energy traveling through space. These rays can penetrate the skin layers and disrupt the structure of skin cells. There are three types of UV rays: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC). UVA and UVB are the two types that can penetrate the top layer of human skin, and increased exposure can put us at risk for developing skin cancer. UVC is the most damaging, however, it is completely filtered by the atmosphere and does not reach the earth's surface. Sunlight exposure is highest during the summer months between 10:00 am and 4:00pm. Working and playing outdoors during these peak times can increase your risk of sunburn. Sunburn is skin damage directly caused by UV radiation from the sun. Symptoms of sunburn are redness, swelling, and scaling. Tips to avoid sunburn: Wear sunscreen and protective clothing even on

cloudy days. UV rays still affect the skin even when there is overcast.

At the minimum, apply SPF 30 sunscreen and reapply sunscreen every two hours, after swimming and if you are sweating a lot.

Did you have your wellness visit?

Did you know that you and your spouse will receive a gift card from the Company as our way of saying thank you for taking care of yourself? Any employee and/or spouse who is enrolled in our health insurance plan that has their annual preventative physical done is eligible for this perk. Not only do you receive a gift card, but this is considered a wellness visit with your primary Doctor and there is no charge to you. Independent Health notifies us once you have completed your visit, then we contact you to choose an Amazon or Wegmans gift card. Employees receive $100 and spouses will receive $50. It’s a WIN WIN to stay healthy!

Discount Programs Gypsum Systems is a proud member of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), a group of thousands of merit shop contractors across the country who all believe in the principles of free enterprise, open competition, and every employee’s ability to be compensated based on performance, not seniority. Our affiliation with this organization allows our employees to access unique savings programs, where you can take advantage of discounts with vendors like Office Depot/Office Max, Geico Auto Insurance, Verizon Wireless cell phone service, GM/Nissan auto purchases, hotel rates through Hotel Engine and on ABC marketplace. For more info about the discounts, visit www.abc.org/en-us/membership/employeediscounts.aspx and save big!