The Scott Lawson Companies

The Scott Lawson Cos Adds Graphic Designer to Team

myeaton — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:58:40 +0000

CONCORD, NH–The Scott Lawson Companies, a leading Worker Health and Safety, Workers’ Comp Third Party Administrator and Employee Wellness firm in New England, is pleased to announce its recent hire of Bridget Overson, who will join the Sales/Marketing team as Graphic Designer-Marketing & Brand Identity. The decision to hire an in-house graphic designer came as a result of an increased investment in the company’s marketing efforts.

“Hiring exceptional people is key for any business to succeed, and we feel fortunate to have been able to add a talented person like Bridget to our Marketing team,” said Susan Erkkila, Director of Sales. “This position has allowed us to fully optimize our design and marketing dollars.”

As graphic designer, Overson will be responsible for a variety of marketing projects for the Scott Lawson Companies including brand development, website development, SEO and print & web marketing. Overson graduated summa cum laude from Southern New Hampshire University and holds a degree in Graphic Design. She is highly knowledgable in various design technology, web design and photography.

“Tough economic times have made us take a step back and evaluate our investments, particulary marketing,” said Scott Lawson, President of the Scott Lawson Companies. “As the company continues to grow, we recognize the value and opportunity that an in-house designer will bring to our marketing activities. We are thrilled to be expanding our operations and staff, and are excited to welcome Bridget to our team.”

About the Scott Lawson Companies

Scott Lawson Group, Ltd. (SLGL), Comp-SIGMA, Ltd., and Workforce Wellness are subsidiaries of the Scott Lawson Companies. Scott Lawson Group, Ltd. is one of the leading worker health and safety and laboratory services firms in New England; Comp-SIGMA, Ltd. is a third party administrator for workers’ compensation in N.H.; and Workforce Wellness provides on-site wellness programs and health risk assessments that work to improve the health of employees and lower the cost of group health insurance.

Located in Concord, New Hampshire, the Scott Lawson Companies were founded by Scott Lawson in 1978 and have served nearly 5,000 customers nationwide. The Scott Lawson Companies are on the web at www.scottlawsoncompanies.com.

Contact
The Scott Lawson Companies
Miranda Yeaton, 603.228.3610
myeaton@slgl.com

myeaton, The Scott Lawson Companies

The Importance of New Hire Orientation

John Condlin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:34:36 +0000

Loss Control wants you to know that when you hire new employees, effective new hire orientation can not only increase production and save money, it could save a life. Statistics show that somewhere between 75-80% of workers do not receive information or training on how to do their jobs safely. Historically, new employees have been more likely to get hurt on the job than more experienced workers. A recent study has shown; of 6 million injured, 40 percent are employees who have been with the company less than one year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Comp-Sigma’s Loss Control team has collected data from claims they have managed in the past, and found that the frequencies of injuries are great and also extremely costly.

Some common orientation mistakes are overwhelming the employee with to much information and names packed into one day, showing long orientation movies, and failing to properly prepare for the new hires arrival. Instead, try getting their families involved in the process, and giving the employees enough work to be productive on their first days. Also, providing orientations that are not rushed or boring helps keep their interest level high and always use feedback to improve their job tasks.

Proper new hire orientation can raise safety awareness, prevent costly injuries and lead to an increase in production. Plan ahead, and provide enough training for your new hires! You will be glad that you did.

John Condlin, The Scott Lawson Companies

OSHA’s Injury & Illness Prevention Program

myeaton — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:12:08 +0000

Over the past year, OSHA has been gathering data from trade associations and unions while promoting their initiative I2P2. The initiative would require workplace managers to implement a Injury and Illness Prevention Program. According to OSHA, the program “simple requires employers to develop a program to help them find and fix hazards in their workplaces.”

There are six key elements OSHA sees as necessary components of a successful prevention program, they are:

Management Leadership
Worker Participation
Hazard Identification
Hazard Prevention
Control, Education & Training
Program Evaluation & Improvement

Developing I2P2 into a standard is not an easy task; however, OSHA head, David Michaels called it the Agency’s highest priority of 2011. Michaels and the Agency have been promoting the initiative heavily. Michaels has made close to a dozen speeches since announcing the rule in April, the Agency has held five stakeholder meetings to get input on how to draft it and recently unveiled a new I2P2 webpage to increase interest in the coming initiative.

This is and will be a very important issue for business owners. Keep checking back for the latest I2P2 information.

myeaton, The Scott Lawson Companies

Workforce Wellness Client Wins Health Innovator Award!

myeaton — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:57:48 +0000

CONCORD, NH–Workforce Wellness LLC, a subsidiary of the Scott Lawson Companies, is pleased to announce that client, EPTAM Plastics of Northfield, NH, has been named as the latest Health Innovator Award recipient by Harvard Pilgrim Heath Care and New Hampshire Business Review. The award celebrates and recognizes employers for innovation and sustained efforts in bringing wellness programs to the workplace.

Workforce Wellness has been partnered with EPTAM Plastics as their wellness provider since 2008. Workforce Wellness designs their ongoing, customized and creative wellness program, and provides continuous wellness coaching and support. EPTAM Plastics employes over 160 people, with 32% participating in the wellness program.

“Lindsay Foley [wellness coach] has been fantastic! She creates a relaxed environment, free of judgement, during individual and group sessions, which I think is very important. We want our participants to feel comfortable and know that Lindsay will always provide positive and knowledgable advice,” said Marcy Cheney, wellness participant, EPTAM Plastics. “Workforce Wellness has been a tremendous benefit to our company; it has allowed us to foster friendly competition among employees and raise awareness about making healthy choices.”

For more than five years, Workforce Wellness has provided its clients with comprehensive, customizable wellness plan options that offer an array of services to support the full range of needs and interests of organizations. These plans are proven to lower medical cost and improve the health and productivity of its participants.

“We are pleased to be beginning our fourth year working with EPTAM Plastics. Their staff is fun to work with, and enthusiastic about wellness! We continue to see health improvements in their group, and were very proud to learn they received this honor,” said Stephanie Ceccherini, Wellness Coordinator, Workforce Wellness.

About Workforce Wellness LLC

Workforce Wellness LLC, a subsidiary of the Scott Lawson Companies, provides on-site health and wellness services that help improve and sustain the health of employees and their families, reduce medical costs and decrease workers’ compensation claims.

Located in Concord, New Hampshire, Workforce Wellness was founded by Scott Lawson, President of the Scott Lawson Companies. Workforce Wellness is on the web at www.workforcewellness.com.

Contact

The Scott Lawson Companies

Miranda Yeaton, 603.228.3610

myeaton@slgl.com

myeaton, The Scott Lawson Companies

Workforce Wellness LLC Practitioner Achieves WELCOA Faculty Status

myeaton — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:08:32 +0000

Stephanie Ceccherini Joins Elite Group of Business Leaders & Health Professionals

CONCORD, NH–Workforce Wellness, LLC, a subsidiary of the Scott Lawson Companies, is pleased to announce that Stephanie Ceccherini, Wellness Coordinator, has achieved WELCOA Faculty Status. WELCOA, Wellness Councils of America, promotes healthy lifestyles for all Americans, through wellness initiatives at the worksite.

Faculty status is achieved by participating in and completing four or more WELCOA certifications. Each certification increases the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, deliver, and evaluate a results-oriented worksite wellness program. Stephanie joined WELCOA in the fall of 2010 and has been working hard ever since. “I feel that it’s important to stay on the cutting edge of what is happening with employee wellness around the country. Being a member of WELCOA, and completing their certification courses, is one of the ways I have been able to do that,” said Stephanie. “Achieving this designation was an unexpected bonus.”

Stephanie joins a select group of elite practitioners, who now stand out as some of the best-trained wellness professionals in the country. Currently, only 118 business leaders and health professionals have achieved this designation. “This is a significant accomplishment for Stephanie and for Workforce Wellness,” said Scott Lawson, President and Founder, Scott Lawson Companies. “It’s wonderful to be awarded for our dedication to improving the health and well-being of our clients and their families.”

About WELCOA

The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) was established as a national not-for-profit organization in the mid 1980′s through the efforts of a number of forward-thinking business and health leaders. Drawing on the vision originally set forth by William Kizer, Sr., Chairman Emeritus of Central States Indemnity, and WELCOA founding Directors that included Dr. Louis Sullivan, former Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Warren Buffett, Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, WELCOA has helped influence the face of workplace wellness in the U.S.

About The Scott Lawson Companies

Scott Lawson Group, Ltd. (SLGL), Comp-SIGMA, Ltd., and Workforce Wellness are subsidiaries of The Scott Lawson Companies. Scott Lawson Group, Ltd. is one of the leading worker health and safety, and laboratory services firms in New England; Comp-SIGMA, Ltd. is a third party administrator for two of the Self Insured Trusts for workers’ compensation in N.H.; and Workforce Wellness provides on-site wellness programs and health risk assessments that work to improve the health of employees and lower the cost of group health insurance.

Located in Concord, New Hampshire, The Scott Lawson Companies were founded by Scott Lawson in 1978 and have served nearly 5,000 customers nationwide. The Scott Lawson Companies are on the web at www.scottlawsoncompanies.com

Contact

The Scott Lawson Companies

Miranda Yeaton, 603/228-3610

myeaton@slgl.com

myeaton, The Scott Lawson Companies

Look beyond Air Sampling Results

Dick Lent — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:03:51 +0000

Our company, The Scott Lawson Group, has been conducting various types of industrial hygiene exposure monitoring projects for many years. Typically we do the work as a result of some sort of complaint situation. An employee claims to have been exposed to “Methyl ethyl bad-stuff” and the employer (our client) has hired us to “prove” that there really is not a problem. Many times they want to do this by doing personal and/or area air sampling to collect data for comparison to OSHA and or other applicable standards. They hope to be able to use the data to show themselves and the employee that there is no problem and they “don’t have to do any thing else”.

As anyone who has done this type of exposure monitoring could tell you, many times this type of monitoring will indeed produce “negative exposure” data. In other words all sampling results will be less than applicable exposure limits. At this point you usually have to have a conversation with the client that includes the phrase “ air sampling results were OK but….

The “buts’ can include a wide variety of things, but many times they will include bad work practices, or poor general housekeeping issues. For example, we have done a lot of testing for airborne metals in welding operations, and although laboratory results often show no airborne exposure problem, the work place is so dirty that all the nearby surfaces are covered with dust/debris/films from the process. In other cases we have done air testing for a whole slew of solvents involved in a process (all of which came back below limits), but noticed during the sampling employees doing work without the proper PPE such as gloves. In all of these cases, the “real” exposure issue is not from airborne “Methyl ethyl bad-stuff”, but from improper use of PPE or from bad housekeeping, that has increased the potential exposures (and the potential adverse health effects) to employees through skin contact.

Employers must look beyond just air monitoring results to include employee behavior and work practices to obtain a true idea of workplace hazards. So many times the client does “have to do something else” (clean, enforce proper PPE use), even though air sampling results are acceptable.

Dick Lent, The Scott Lawson Companies

Managing Your Mind and Body: Bikram Yoga

John Condlin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:00:35 +0000

One thing I have struggled with over time is gaining flexibility and managing stress. Joining the gym, walking and running are all great ways to relieve stress, and stretching helps keep us flexible. I have always wanted to try Yoga, but never wanted to take that first step and walk into a class. I had no idea if I could handle the poses, and nobody wants to feel like everyone is watching you, especially when you are not familiar with Yoga.

I was speaking with a co-worker one day, and she mentioned that a Bikram Yoga studio in town was giving a discount to employees, in our office, who wanted to try Yoga. This was my opportunity to go with someone who was familiar with Yoga – so we picked a day and went after work. When we got to the studio, we immediately took our shoes off. Bikram is done in bare feet! I registered, grabbed a complimentary mat, and changed into running shorts and a tank top. It is a good idea to spend five or ten minutes just laying in the room before class too…Oh yes, I forgot to mention that Bikram Yoga classes are done in heated rooms at 105 degrees fahrenheit. Now, if you don’t like the heat that is OK! Fortunately, the Bikram studio is a dry 105 degrees….but it is hot!

So if your still with me, and the temperature doesn’t bother you then we will keep going! Studios and class sizes differ and I would guess there were roughly 20 people in class. Mirrors positioned at the front of the room are extremely important because you need to concentrate hard on yourself and the postures. It should be mentioned that not one person is going to look at you, and think your new! Everyone is looking at themselves, so if your shy and you think Bikram isn’t for you…don’t be! Each class begins with a set of breathing exercises which is nice, and then we begin the 26 postures.

I had no idea how to perform the postures, but the instructor is very informative and you can observe others if you need to. I should mention that you will sweat the ENTIRE TIME. It is a good idea to bring at least two bottles of cold water, and it is also important to go at your own pace. If you need to lay down at anytime during the class you should. I have spent half an hour just laying on the mat before, and concentrating on my breathing. I have noticed lower stress levels and I am definitely more flexible after going to a handful of classes. I encourage anyone who has ever wanted to try Yoga to check out a Bikram Studio. I am very glad I did!

John Condlin, The Scott Lawson Companies

The Scott Lawson Companies Boost Marketing Efforts With New Hire

myeaton — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:24:51 +0000

The Scott Lawson Companies, a leading Worker Health and Safety, Workers’ Comp Third Party Administrator and Employee Wellness firm in New England, is pleased to announce its recent hire of Miranda Yeaton, who will join the Scott Lawson team as the Marketing & Communications Coordinator. This new position was created in response to current economic challenges and the increased need to develop the brand as well as focus marketing strategies and activities.

“As the company has grown, and especially in this very turbulent economic time, we felt the need to execute a more focused marketing effort and it made good sense to bring portions of it in-house,” said Scott Lawson, President and Founder of The Scott Lawson Companies. “The outcome will hopefully be a more consistent marketing approach based on relationship development with clients and a more coordinated effort between our three companies, better delineation of account ownership and an ultimate increase in leads, prospects and sales.”

As a graduate of Newbury College, Yeaton studied Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and Finance. She comes to us with over seven years of marketing and sales experience. Yeaton will be filling a critical role in support of sales efforts. Marketing campaigns and strategies will be a primary objective. Other responsibilities include social media management and all communication and public relations, including press releases, quarterly newsletters, and advertising placements.

“Miranda’s experience and creativity make her a great fit for the company. We are delighted to welcome this talented young woman to our team,” said Scott.

About The Scott Lawson Companies

Contact

The Scott Lawson Companies

603/228-3610, sales@slgl.com

myeaton, The Scott Lawson Companies

The Scott Lawson Cos Launch Employee “Commute Green NH” Challenge

myeaton — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:38:02 +0000

CONCORD, NH–The Scott Lawson Companies (SLC), a leading worker health and safety; workers’ compensation third party administrator; and employee wellness firm in New England, is pleased to announce their participation in the Commute Green New Hampshire promotion. Commute Green New Hampshire’s primary goal is to help people carpool, bicycle, walk, and/or use public transportation to work, school, shopping and similar trips from May 16-20, which coincides with National Bike/Walk to Work Day on May 20. The Scott Lawson Companies hopes that their involvement will help make significant impact on their employees as well as their community.

SLC is celebrating Commute Green NH by launching their own challenge to their employees. Themes for each day of the week have been created to encourage employee participation. “Our office is very team oriented,” said Stephanie Ceccherini, Wellness Coordinator, Workforce Wellness, a Scott Lawson Company. “Our wellness team was excited to come up with creative ideas for Commute Green NH. We felt the themes would allow for our employees to be on the same track and work together towards a common goal.”

The schedule is as follows:

Monday, May 16^th: Stay Put Day; Tuesday, May 17^th: Telecommute Day; Wednesday, May 18^th: Carpool Day; Thursday, May 19^th: Be Green Your Own Way Day; Friday, May 20: Bike To Work Day

“I’m really excited to be participating in Commute Green NH this year. Aside from the environmental message and benefits, it’s an excellent employee wellness exercise, promoting physically and socially healthy alternatives for commuting to work,” said Zach Lawson, Vice President, The Scott Lawson Companies. “We have several team members that are already signed up for group bike rides to work, and many others that are coordinating carpooling. I am anxious to see the miles that our team saves, but even more so to experience the relationships that it bolsters.”

With all the opportunities for the employees to become involved, the wellness team anticipates a 100% employee participation rate. “This is a hefty goal, but our employees value teamwork and service, and truly understand the positive effect their participation will have in the community,” said Ceccherini. “As a company, we believe that providing workforces around the world with creative ways to improve the environment, boost team morale, and get people overall healthier is beneficial for everyone.”

About Commute Green New Hampshire

This year, the Commute Green New Hampshire is challenging employers, municipalities and schools to reduce 50,000 vehicle miles traveled from May 16-20 as part of the Statewide Challenge. To participate in this exciting challenge, you simply need to live or work in New Hampshire. For more information, visit http://www.commutegreennh.org.

About The Scott Lawson Companies

Contact

The Scott Lawson Companies

Miranda Yeaton, 603/228.3610

myeaton@slgl.com

myeaton, The Scott Lawson Companies

Employee Health and Fitness Day: Get Your Workforce Moving

Stephanie Ceccherini — Mon, 02 May 2011 12:40:47 +0000

If you, like us, are always looking for creative ideas to motivate employees, I might have just the solution for May. National Employee Health & Fitness Day is the third Wednesday in May each year. This year, it will be on May 18. Administered annually by the National Association for Health & Fitness, it is a national health observance, created to promote the benefits of physical activity for individuals through their work site health promotion activities. Founded in 1989, National Employee Health and Fitness Day has enlisted tens of thousands of participants from employers around the world.

There are many ways you can participate in NEHF with your company. Don’t be afraid to add other initiatives along with a walking or other exercise campaign. Here are some ideas to get you started with brainstorming:

Declare a casual day and promote “wear your sneakers to work.” Organize a 30-minute walk during lunch, or ask management whether they would allow work time to be used for this occasion. If a casual day won’t work in your workplace, you can still encourage employees to bring their sneakers and get out walking during lunch.
If your facility is not already smoke free, organize a smoke free day. Provide resources for smokers who are interested in quitting.
Do you have an onsite cafeteria? Offer a healthy lunch, and provide nutrition information. If you don’t have a cafeteria, ask management whether they would be willing to purchase fruit to be left in the break room for the day.
Invite a wellness company provide a lunch and learn lecture, onsite wellness challenge, blood pressure screening clinic, or wellness fair.
There may be 5K walks or other local events in honor of NEHF. Research what is going on near you, and see about getting your company involved.

Regardless of how you celebrate it, Employee Health and Fitness Day is a great way to promote employee wellness in your organization.

Stephanie Ceccherini, The Scott Lawson Companies