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By Chris McCarthy, Vice President

The Portable Sanitation Association International Nuts & Bolts Convention, scheduled for March 24-28 at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, is an educational affair that includes meetings, workshops, roundtable discussions, and special events.

This year, the convention includes a site visit to our facilities at Mr. John. Our duty as hosts is to take between 80 and 100 guests on a tour of our facilities and operation. This event will be a great opportunity for our company to present ourselves and reinforce our position as an industry leader.

As a company, we have devoted a lot of time to creating a positive image not only in the Pittsburgh market, but also within the PSAI. Jeff Wolfarth, our general manager, is currently the president of the PSAI. Michael McCarthy is also a past president of the PSAI, and others are currently involved in various committees. Additionally, Mr. John is one of only a handful of companies with a PSAI employee certification training program in place.

The Nuts & Bolts will be a great experience for many of us to meet and interact with colleagues within the portable toilet industry. Take this opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from others, and project yourself and Mr. John in the professional image we have worked hard to create.

By Jeff Wolfarth, General Manager

As you know, every winter is a little different. Some are colder than others and some have more snow, but one thing is always true.

The roads can get icy at any time, the job sites are slippery, and the units get frozen. These are all things that are out of our control, but what we can control is how we react to them and how we prepare for them.

I always say the most important safety tool is your brain. Take the extra ten seconds to think before you act and always expect the unexpected. If you wonder if the bend is icy, IT IS! If you ask yourself if you should shovel the snow from your flatbed, YOU SHOULD!

The few seconds you spend thinking about how to do something safely are meaningless at the end of the day, but the accident or injury that you avoid is worth its weight in gold.

Please think safety first, and then act accordingly.

By Megan Wolfarth, Training and Safety Director

I'm sure that you're all aware, but the cold weather is here! Along with the cold is snow, ice and freezing rain, all of which can be very dangerous while driving and working outside.

• Dress in layers and try to wear natural fiber clothing (i.e. cotton).
• Cover your head! Sixty percent of body heat is lost through your noggin.
• Drink plenty of water! Cold weather causes you to breathe harder and body fluids are lost by each breath you take.
• Keep your hands out of your pockets! They will help you to maintain your balance.
• Look around! Try to find the ice with your eyes, not your feet.
• Slow down and shorten your stride. This will give you a more sturdy base.