In December, Greg Lundius joined the Gribbins team as an Estimator and Project Manager. Greg says his biggest inspiration is his family and some of his favorite bands. His favorite part about his job is seeing happy customers.
Employee Spotlight
New Hire: Laura Belwood
In November, Laura Belwood joined the Gribbins Specialty Group team as our Talent Development Specialist. Laura says her favorite part of her job is getting people excited about our industry and educating them on all the great opportunities we offer. When asked what her biggest inspiration is, she says it is her family because they are her reason for everything.
New Hire: Jackson Wendel
Meet our Estimator Intern, Jackson Wendel who comes to us from the University of Southern Indiana (USI). He is a senior studying Manufacturing Engineering Technology and will be graduating in the Fall of 2023. After graduating from USI Jack plans to work as a project manager.
Kyle Forrester Promoted to Southern Vice President
With 14 years of experience with Gribbins Insulation, we are thrilled to promote Kyle Forrester to Southern Vice President. Kyle started his career with Gribbins in 2008 as an estimator and then took over as Louisville Area Manager in 2015.
As Southern Vice President, he now oversees estimating, project management, and client satisfaction in Evansville, Louisville, Paducah, and Nashville. A native of Henderson, KY, Kyle continues to live there with his family and travels as needed to oversee our Southern footprint. On his time with Gribbins, Kyle states,
“I feel very fortunate to have been a part of the Gribbins team for over 14 years and truly feel like I could not have found a better fit for my career. I am extremely excited about the upcoming opportunities and responsibilities.”
– Kyle on his time with Gribbins
Jake Gribbins Promoted to Louisville Area Manager
We are proud to announce the promotion of Jake Gribbins to Area Manager of the Louisville office. Jake’s nine years of experience with Gribbins, starting with the safety department and progressing to project management, serve as an excellent foundation for his new leadership role in the Derby City. Jake officially started in his new role on March 1, 2022, and reports to Kyle Forrester, our recently promoted Southern Vice President. Jake’s wife and daughter moved with him to Louisville and are excited to start exploring their new hometown.
Benzene Awareness
Health Effects
Benzene poses the most serious long-term threat. Exposure over time, to even low levels of Benzene can cause leukemia, blood changes and aplastic anemia. Benzene is a cancer-causing agent in humans. All contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level. Skin contact may also cause overexposure.
Benzene is one of the most hazardous of all petroleum products because of its adverse health hazards and high flammability.
The following adverse health effects are important to remember when there may be a potential exposure to Benzene:
- Acute: At high concentrations (1000 PPM) Benzene has an acute effect on the central nervous systems causing headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and possible death. Acute exposure can also cause breathlessness, irritability, and giddiness.
- Chronic: Benzene has the chronic exposure effect on bone marrow (aplastic anemia leukemia). Chronic exposure can also cause convulsions, liver damage, heart damage, blood diseases (aplastic anemia), and cancer (leukemia). These symptoms can take months or years to surface and can develop without physical or visible indications.
- Repeated skin contact leads to irritant contact dermatitis (rash); as with any petroleum solvent (which Benzene is also classified as), it will leach the natural oils out of the skin. Direct contact with the skin can cause erythema and/or blistering.
- Benzene is irritating to eyes and mucous membranes
- Flammable/dangerous fire risk: benzene has a very low flash point making it dangerous to have any open flame, spark or source of ignition when vapors are present. Explosive limits in air 1.5 to 8% by volume: benzene is highly flammable at low levels of vapor quantity in air.
CHARACTERISTICS
Benzene is a colorless to light-yellow liquid with a pleasant sweet odor. Benzene is a flammable liquid that can accumulate static electricity. Benzene vapors are heavier that air and may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. The vapors are readily dispersed by wind movement and/or air currents. Liquid benzene tends to float on water and may travel to a source of ignition and spread fire. Benzene is highly reactive with no oxidizing materials.
Formula (C6H6) CAS No.: 71-43-2
TRAINING
All employees will be provided awareness training in this program in order to be familiar with the potential hazards and proper safe work procedures to follow if exposed to this health hazard.
