P.J. Hoerr Quarterly Company Overview & Safety Meeting - Washington, IL

On Thursday, March 6^th P.J. Hoerr and Summit held their first company meeting and safety review of the year at Five Points in Washington. CEO Bob Hoerr opened the meeting by reviewing the company’s strong backlog of work for 2014 and encouraging everyone to stay focused on the partnering, negotiated business model that has served us so well over the years. Corporates Safety Director Hans Hinrichsen then presented an overview along with an accompanying video that outlined the new OSHA regulations regarding hazardous material handling. Everyone was educated in the use of the new Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all jobsite materials. Hans then explained the new multi-level superintendent safety hour format and he and Bob presented superintendent safety hour checks to all those who qualified. Bob then introduced recent retiree Lonny Bryant and highlighted his contributions to the company over his 10 year career with PJH. Lonny spoke briefly to the group and thanked them for the best 10 years of his 42 year construction career. Bob concluded the meeting by speaking of the role that he believed integrity had played in bringing PJH to the point of celebrating 100 years in business. He especially stressed the role that personal integrity plays in all aspects of life and work including safety. He finished the meeting by quoting a poem about personal example and the role it plays in leading others. The poem is listed below:

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;

I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way;
For the eye’s a better pupil; much more willing than the ear; 
Advice can be important, but example is always clear;
For you see the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds; 
For to see the good in action is what everybody needs;
I can soon learn how to do it if you let me see it done; 
I can watch your hands in action though your tongue too fast may run;
And the lectures that you give me may be very wise and true; 
But I’d rather learn my lessons by observing what you do;
For I may misunderstand you and the good advice you give; 
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.