Rinker Materials takes a walk on the wild side

At Rinker Materials, we are committed to wildlife preservation. This commitment is shown by our continuing aid to environmental research projects - our latest, the Gator Wildlife Project.

Located on approximately 80 acres (32 hectares) of the Rinker Materials Gator sand mine just north of Davenport, Florida, the Gator Wildlife Project, like the Engstrom Project at our 474 sand mine, serves as a preservation area open for study of the natural environment.

One of the goals of this project is to demonstrate that mining and natural habitat can co-exist. As the area covers all of Florida’s ecosystems including wetlands, scrub and flatwoods, this project offers fantastic educational opportunities - creating a sustainable and stimulating outdoor classroom.

A team comprising Rinker Materials employee volunteers, students from three local elementary schools, one high school and Polk Community College run the project. Representatives from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Polk Environmental Lands, and Florida Trails Association are also on board in an advisory capacity.

The team has already created the first phase of a three-mile trail through the area for easy access and is responsible for the overall design and layout of the site. They will determine habitat enhancements, apply for a Five Star Grant from the U.S. EPA to enhance existing wetlands and implement a nest-monitoring program including “Adopt a Box” which partners a Rinker Materials employee with a student to monitor a specific bird box.

The SHE Management System

If you haven’t heard of it yet, you soon will. It’s the safety, health and environment management system, or SHE MS, and it’s going to be part of how we manage our business and day-to-day activities for some time to come.

SHE MS is a collection of policies, processes, procedures and programs designed to achieve Zero4Life - our vision and goal of eliminating injuries, occupational illnesses and preventable vehicular incidents.

“Think of it as a map to zero,” says Tom Hethmon, vice president of safety and occupational health. “If fully implemented, and proactively managed, it will help us eliminate these losses from our company. In short, it helps bring systematic control of hazards and risk through a comprehensive set of tools.“

Readymix has had a SHE MS system for many years, however, it has recently been restructured. According to Dave McKelvie, quarries safety manager, it is leaner with less administrative requirements, “There is a greater focus on the direct management of risk. It is easier to use and more effective.”

Most Rinker Materials divisions have a safety management system in place, but more informal and less comprehensive than SHE MS. Like any set of tools, it is only effective if people understand what it is and how to use it - and then use it.

“Zero injuries is an achievable goal,” says Tom, “but not by trial and error. It requires consistent physical, operational, behavioral and managerial controls. It requires a SHE management system.”

For more information contact your safety professional or Tom at thethmon@rinker.com