NEWS

Local Breaking News

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration surveys employers to collect workplace injury and illness data it uses to identify employers whose injury and illness rates are considerably higher than the national average. A letter has been sent to about 15,000 workplaces with the highest numbers of injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work, restricted work activities or job transfers, known as the DART rate.

“Receipt of this letter means that workers in that particular establishment are being injured at a higher rate than in most other businesses of its kind in the country,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “Employers whose businesses have injury and illness rates this high need to take immediate steps to protect their workers.

Local employers “whose injury and illness rates are considerably higher than the national average” include Great Dane, Savannah /Hilton Head Intl Airport, Imperial Sugar and Lowes.

The following Savannah area companies received letters from OSHA:

Employers receiving the letters also were provided copies of their injury and illness data, along with a list of the most frequently cited OSHA standards for their specific industry. The letter offered assistance in helping to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses by suggesting, among other things, the use of OSHA’s free safety and health consultation services for small businesses provided through the states.

OSHA identified businesses with the nation’s highest rates of workplace injuries and illnesses through employer-reported data from a 2009 survey of about 100,000 worksites. (This survey collected injury and illness data for calendar year 2008.) Workplaces receiving notifications had DART rates more than twice the national average among all U.S. workplaces.

OSHA’s consultation program is available to assist in addressing safety and health in the workplace for employers with 250 or fewer workers. This program is administered by a state agency and operated separately from OSHA’s enforcement program. The service is free and confidential, and there are no fines even if problems are found. Designed for small employers, the consultation program can help an employer identify hazards while finding effective and economical solutions for repairing them. In addition, the OSHA state consultant can assist in developing and implementing a safety and health management system for the workplace.

An entire list of the employers receiving the letter is available on OSHA’s public Web site at: https://www.osha.gov/as/opa/foia/hot_16.html.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.

The letter read as follows:

“Date

Name of the Employer

Address

Dear_______:

Last year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) surveyed employers to collect workplace injury and illness data. The Agency used these data to identify the approximately 15,000 workplaces with the highest Days Away from work, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rates; your workplace was one of those identified. This means workers in your establishment are being injured at a higher rate than in most other businesses in the country.

I am writing you to indicate my concern about the high DART rate at your establishment and to identify ways that you can obtain assistance in addressing hazards in your workplace. OSHA recognizes that your elevated DART rate does not necessarily indicate a lack of interest in safety and health. Whatever the cause, a high rate is costly to your company in both personal and financial terms. In addition, you should be aware that OSHA may target up to 4500 general industry workplaces identified in the survey for inspection in the next year.

Over the years OSHA has found that many employers lack expertise in the field of workplace safety and health and welcome assistance by experts in this field. You may wish to consider hiring an outside safety and health consultant, talking with your insurance carrier, or contacting your state’s workers’ compensation agency for advice. Your workers can help identify hazards and find solutions. In addition, if you have a union at your site, please discuss with them how to reduce hazards in your workplace.

An excellent way for employers with 250 or fewer workers to address safety and health in their workplaces is to ask for assistance from OSHA’s consultation program. This program is administered by a state agency and operated separately from OSHA’s enforcement program. The service is free and confidential, and there are no fines even if problems are found. Designed for small employers, the consultation program can help you identify hazards in your workplace and find effective and economical solutions for eliminating or controlling them. In addition, the OSHA state consultant can assist you in developing and implementing a safety and health management system for your workplace.

In your state, the OSHA consultation program may be contacted at:

Name, Project Manager

Name of Organization

Address - first line

Address - second line

Telephone number

I encourage you to consider these suggestions as well as visit OSHA’s home page at www.osha.gov for information to help you ensure safe and healthful working conditions in your establishment. As it was last year, a list of all the employers receiving this letter will be available from the OSHA home page.

Sincerely,

David Michaels, PhD, MPH

Assistant Secretary”

Local Breaking News

Since the September 2009 opening of Elkins Constructors, Inc.’s Georgia office, the company has been awarded construction contracts for four projects totaling more than $30 million.

Elkins was chosen to provide Construction Management at Risk Services for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and Valdosta State University for the University’s new Psychology Building. The $4.75 million project will include a new multi-story building, occupying approximately 33,000 SF, and demolition of an existing residence hall wing. Construction is expected to start in Summer 2010 and be completed by Spring 2011. This is Elkins’ first project for the Board of Regents and Valdosta State University. The architect is Ellis Ricket and Associates of Valdosta.

Elkins will begin construction on the new McKewn Elementary School located in North Charleston, SC later this month. The $13.3 million school for Dorchester School District Two will be a single-story, 103,000 SF, school with load bearing block walls with brick veneer. The project will be completed in late Spring 2011 to accommodate students for the 2011-2012 school year. LS3P of Charleston, SC is the architect.

In addition to two educational projects, Elkins was awarded two retail projects. The first project is a Publix Supermarket located in Pooler, GA. The store will be 45,000 SF and will have 20,000 additional SF of retail shops attached to it. Construction on the $3.5 million project is expected to be completed by the end of this year. This will be the first Publix in Pooler. The project developer is Edens & Avant, located in Columbia, SC.

Elkins will also be responsible for building a new $9.5 million Wal-Mart Supercenter in Locust Grove, GA. The project is approximately 150,000 SF and should be completed by Spring 2011.

Elkins has completed nearly 30 projects for Wal-Mart over the last 15 years.

Local Breaking News

Join your chamber for the 2nd Annual Small Business Summit, March 20, 2010, 8:00 AM - 12 Noon in the Mildred D. Kessler Learning Center at the New Ebenezer Retreat Center. Topics of focus will be Smart Marketing, Small Business Taxes, HR Tips and Social Networking. The cost is $20 for members and $39 for non-members. Expo booths are available for Chamber Members at $50.00, booths include two tickets to the event. Call the chamber today to register 912-754-3301.

Monthly Membership Breakfast, March 10, 7:30 AM, Rincon First Baptist Church-Memorial Chapel, We will be learning how our community can benefit from responding to the US Census. Please encourage employees, friends and neighbors to attend. Call the chamber today to register or register online at www.EffinghamCounty.com. The cost of the breakfast is $12.

Savannah Technical College is beginning a new College paid internship program! Students will be available from all Programs of Study. The students will be in their final two quarters of study and Savannah Tech will work with your company to match students specifically to the needs that you may have. The paperwork and accounting have been kept to a minimum to ensure that the program is mutually beneficial. For more information please contact George Cobham, Internship Program Leader, with Savannah Tech at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is excited about preparing and filing your 2009 income tax return for FREE by IRS Certified Tax Preparers! For more information and appointments call United Way-Effingham @ 826-5300.

Mar. 9

Introduction to Internet, Rincon Branch Library, 1:00PM, This is a beginner's course on using the Internet Explorer to navigate through the Internet and printing. Prerequisite: Windows. Registration is limited. Register by calling 826-2222.

Live Oak Library: Book Bunch Alice in Wonderland, 4:30 PM, Rincon Branch, for ages 5-12

Monthly Membership Breakfast, 7:30AM, Rincon First Baptist Church-Memorial Chapel. Network with your fellow chamber members! Call the chamber today to register or register online at www.EffinghamCounty.com

Blood Alliance Blood Drive at Citizens Bank of Effingham in Springfield, 802 S. Laurel Street, 9:00AM-1:30PM. If you have questions please contact Lisa Pittman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 912-754-0754.

Mar. 11

Thinking of Starting a business? The University of Georgia's Small Business Development Center will be hosting a comprehensive workshop on starting a business. The cost is $69.00 per person (includes class materials). Call for more information 912-651-3200 or register online at www.savannahsbdc.org.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Savannah, in partnership with Bank On Savannah, is offering Money Smart: A Financial Education to help consumers develop money management skills and positive financial relationships. This free service provides information about banks and types of accounts available, how to save money and how to create a spending plan. Learn to tell your money where to go, instead of always wondering where it went! Topic: Credit Report and Scores 6:00PM -7:30 PM, Rincon Branch Library, Space is limited. Call 912-691-2227 or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to reserve your seat.

Live Oak Library, Book Bunch: Alice in Wonderland, 4:30PM, For ages 5-12, Springfield Branch

Mar. 13

Bingo Night, 6:00PM -9:00PM, at the Effingham County Recreation Department on Hwy 119, sponsored by the Springfield Revitalization Corporation in support of the MARS theatre project. Hot Dogs, chips, drinks and baked goods will be available for purchase. Bingo packages available at the door. For additional information contact Barbara Oglesby at 912-826-0826 or Tess Hynes at 912-754-3301.

Mar. 16

Effingham Board of Commissioners 3:00PM

Mar. 18

IDA Board 8:00AM

Board of Education 7:00PM

Effingham Democratic Committee will host a meet your candidate meeting for Regina Thomas at 6:00PM at the Effingham County Hospital. For more info please call 912-349-0805 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mar. 20

Small Business Summit, 8:00 AM-12 Noon, Join your Chamber for the second annual Small Business Summit. Topics to include SmartMarketing, HR tips, Small Business Taxes and Social Networking. Register today by calling the chamber, $20 for member, $39 for non-members and $50 for booths. Don't miss this great opportunity, call your chamber today 912-754-3301.

ECRP 33rd Jacan Brown Spring Run, Goal 200 runners in honor of Jacan, 1-Mile Run/Walk and 5K Run, Location: Annex gym on Ash Street in Springfield. Jacan was the organizer for 20 years. Pre-register by 3-18-10 to be guaranteed a T-Shirt. For more information call Brenda at 912-754-6339.

Mar. 21

Meet the Orchestra Event and Concert, a Grassroots Arts Council Grant Project, 3:00PM, at the Effingham County Recreation Department Gymnasium. "Meet the Orchestra Event and Concert", visit stations for an up-close look at instruments, Talk with Orchestra musicians to ask questions, Hear the instruments demonstrated individually and in small ensembles, Finally, hear a short full orchestra concert.

Mar. 22

City of Rincon 7:00PM

Zoning 7:00PM

Join us to read great books to our therapy dogs! this is a wonderful opportunity to build confidence for the reluctant reader, 4:30 PM, Rincon Branch, ages 5-12

Mar. 23

City of Springfield 6:00PM

City of Guyton 8:00AM

Mar. 25

Chamber Board 7:30AM

Thinking of Starting a business? The University of Georgia's Small Business Development Center will be hosting a comprehensive workshop on starting a business. The cost is $69.00 per person (includes class materials). Call for more information 912-651-3200 or register online at www.savannahsbdc.org

Dog Days: Join us to read great books to our therapy dogs! This is a wonderful opportunity to build confidence for the reluctant reader. 4:30PM, Springfield Branch, ages 5-12

Introduction to Word 2007, 1:00PM, This is a beginner's course on using this popular word processing software. Prerequisite: Windows. Registration is limited. Register by calling 826-2222. Rincon Branch Library

April 8

Consumer Credit counseling Service: Money Smart: A Financial Education Topic: Savings, 6:00PM -7:30PM at the Rincon Branch Library. Space is limited. To reserve your seat, call 912-691-2227 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

April 9

Re"Lei" for Life, Effingham County High School, assist your Chamber in raising support for this special event! Please see details at the bottom of the E-Mail or contact Heather at the Chamber today!

April 16 & 17

Olde Effingham Days Festival, Friday night street dance with Leon Jacobs from Atlanta and Food Vendors from 7:00PM-10:00PM, Saturday, local entertainment, take a walk down the hill to relive history, visit the Historic Effingham Museum and Living History Site, enjoy Arts and Crafts, 10:00AM until 5:00 PM, 5:00PM 2nd Annual Tater Hawg eating contest. and Street Dance with the Swingin Medallions starting at 6:15PM. For more information call 754-6339.

April 24

Fishing Rodeo hosted by the ECRP, 9:00AM-12 Noon, Children ages 2-14 and Senior Adults, Held at Baker Lake at the corner of McCall and Courthouse Roads in Springfield. Prizes and Lunch Provided.

June 5

F.O.R.C.E. Golf Tournament at Lost Plantation, Contact Archie Jenkins for more information.

Chamber Member News:

Rincon Shipping and Packaging has relocated to Lisa Street next to H&R Block. Stop by to see the new location and get your shipping and packaging needs as well as gifts!

The American Cancer Society

Relay For Life is a life-changing event

By taking part in Relay For Life®, we have a chance to join 3.5 million people from across the country to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much. At the same time, we’ll help raise much needed funds and awareness to support the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save more lives.

Whether it is through a friend, family member, the neighbor down the street, or our own personal experience, we have all been touched by cancer in some way. Please join The Chamber Team. Together, we have the power to help create a world where cancer can no longer claim another year of anyone’s life.

If you know of any business that would like to participate by selling “star bursts” (small paper stars for donation of $1.00 or more and hang them in the windows) or just give a onetime gift please let me know. Donation items will be needed as well for the auction that night.

The Chamber Team goal is $1000.00 please help us to exceed our goal.

Local Breaking News

According to an annual report released Tuesday by Better Business Bureau, consumer complaints to the organization increased by 9.7 percent in 2009. Not only did BBB receive nearly 1 million complaints filed by disgruntled customers last year, consumers turned to the non-profit more than 65 million times for help researching businesses across North America.

“Amidst the housing crisis, high unemployment rate and the chaos on Wall Street, the last year has not been easy on consumers and the increase in complaints to BBB reflect this troubled economy,” said Stephen A. Cox, President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “Now more than ever, struggling families should rely on BBB to find businesses they can trust and to help their voice be heard in the marketplace.”

Cellular companies, cable and satellite TV, banks and car dealers lead the BBB’s list of complaints in 2009.

The cell phone industry received the largest number of complaints in 2009 with 37,477, a 2.1 percent increase over last year. The cable & satellite TV industry ranked second with 32,616 complaints, an 8.7 percent increase over the previous year. Rounding out the top three, banks received 29,920 complaints, a 42.3 percent increase over the previous year.

“For the second year in a row, banks experienced a significant increase in complaints coinciding with 140 bank failures in 2009,” said Cox. “Trust in the financial sector is already extremely low and the dramatic increase in BBB complaints against banks reflects the growing discord between consumers and the industry.”

While the cell phone industry, cable & satellite TV industry and banks received a high volume of complaints, two of the three industries saw improvements in their resolution rates over the previous year. Cell phone companies resolved 97.4 percent of complaints; the cable & satellite TV industry resolved 97.2 percent. The resolution rate by banks declined slightly to 95.2 percent.

The report also reveals that BBB Reliability Reports—which are available online for free and contain information on a business’s accreditation status, letter-grade rating and complaint history—are increasingly popular as a free tool for consumers to research the trustworthiness of businesses. The nearly 4 million BBB Reliability Reports® on businesses across North America were viewed more than 65 million times in 2009. The most popular industries researched through BBB were roofing contractors, general contractors and mortgage brokers.

For a complete industry breakdown of all complaints filed with the BBB in 2009, and previous years, go to www.bbb.org/us/statistics.