This is one important safety topic for all of us at DOW, especially because we are a company full of employees who clean up after other people.  MRSA is an acronym for a long, fancy name of a very serious infection that is resistant to traditional antibiotics.  Most of us are more familiar with “stapf” bacteria that we unknowingly carry in us everyday.  MRSA on the other hand, is far more serious and definitely needs our attention, especially in the janitorial business we’re in.

     It’s common for infected people to come to work whether they know they are infected or not.  That’s why daily professional cleaning of the workplace is very important.   Please, when you’re on the job, always cover cuts and scrapes with bandages to avoid contact with bacteria,  and always thoroughly wash your hands and use hand sanitizer when your shift is over.

     In our business MRSA is serious business, but very preventable if you use the proper hygiene to protect yourself.  Remember, it’s for your safety, so please make it a priority for you!

     Meet Elexa Brunn, our Employee of the Month for August!  Elexa works for DOW at First National Bank of Pocahontas, Darling Ingredients, and Sutton Freewill Baptist Church.  Kristin West, Jonesboro Area Manager says “Elexa is an awesome worker. She always goes the extra mile to make sure all her accounts are clean and well taken care of."  Kristin goes on to say, “she does what ever is asked of her and goes above and beyond to make sure her customers are happy. I want to thank her for being a great employee and for being a part of our DOW Team”! 

    Congratulations, Elexa!

The gentleman pictured in front of a new DOW van just happens to be our Clean Vehicle Award winner for July,  Anthony Molden.  Not only did he win the award for July, but after almost 8 years of being a full time Buffer for DOW,  Anthony finally got a new ride to keep clean, and boy is he happy about it!

We continue to make investments in the DOW Fleet, and this van is one in a series of new vehicles of all types and sizes that have been added over the past year or so.

 The people at greatest risk would be those most likely to come in contact with it on a regular basis.  This list bears repeating again.  See who is number 4 on the list?

· Health Care Workers

· Police Officers

· Fire & Rescue Personnel

· Custodians

· Waste Handlers

· Craftsman

Please pay extra attention during Safety Training this month.  Knowing the potential hazard, and proper cleaning procedures will keep you safe when around blood or other bodily fluids.

     Congratulations to Rita Wantland for being July’s Employee of the Month!

     Ramona Meeker, NWA Area Manager, says “here’s someone who hasn’t been with us for a long period of time, but who does an excellent job and is very detail oriented.  To top it off, our customers are very happy with her work”. 

     Rita cleans the Arvest and Anstaff banks in Huntsville for DOW, and we’re very glad she does.  Thanks Rita for all your efforts!