TruHorizon’s COVID-19 Response | Letter from CEO Michael Harlan
March 13, 2020
To Our Valued Customers,
Over the past few weeks, as a company we have tried to take a measured approach to the risk associated with COVID-19 (Coronavirus). However, given the significance of the events over the last several days, I wanted to share our thoughts on how we intend to move forward in this difficult environment.
COVID‐19 (Coronavirus)
Given the growing concerns regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus), we have already sent numerous emails and other communications to our employees with suggestions regarding actions and precautions everyone should consider taking to protect their own health and welfare and the health and welfare of their fellow employees and families. Since we are not health professionals or experts regarding the medical consequences of Coronavirus, we will not try to provide any medical diagnosis to our employees but instead continue to encourage them to listen only to their doctor or reliable sources, such as well recognized national and international health organizations.
TruHorizon is following the guidelines presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and have found them to be particularly clear and useful. Additionally, we have implemented the following specific steps to reduce the risk to our employees, customers and vendors:
Employee Welfare and Responsibility: We have told our employees that they are not to come to work if they are sick, not feeling well or demonstrating any symptoms of the Coronavirus
- We have provided them a flyer from the CDC website that informs them of the symptoms of Coronavirus.
- We are holding each of our employees accountable to notify us immediately if they have any of these symptoms.
- We provide our employees with comprehensive benefits such as sick pay and medical insurance that should mitigate any pressure an employee might feel to come to work sick.
- Management has explicitly informed our crews there will be no negative repercussions to staying home sick.
- We have temporarily suspended large group meetings and regional safety meetings in each of our offices. Safety is still our top priority, so information is being communicated electronically and by teleconference in smaller jobsite groups.
- We are making every attempt possible to reduce the amount of group meetings and gatherings that take place at TruHorizon in favor of email, video conference and computer centered training.
Office Environment: In order to attempt to maintain a safe work environment, we have taken steps to provide for additional sanitary cleaning of our offices. These steps included the following:
- We have expanded our specific office cleaning service to include an enhanced cleaning service in addition to the normal cleaning on a weekly basis as long as heightened Coronavirus concerns remain an issue
- We have purchased and stocked our offices with hand sanitizers for employees use
- We have reminded our employees that most experts recommend that the simple practice of washing their hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is an effective defense in avoiding viruses, and encouraged you to remember this practice as we all work to maintain a healthy work environment at TruHorizon
Jobsite Precautions: In addition to a safe work environment at TruHorizon, we have implemented the following procedures on Customer locations:
- Supervisors will have the additional responsibility of checking their crew for symptoms of Coronavirus or sickness throughout the shift and shall have the ability to send any employee home immediately if they suspect a crew member is sick.
- We have purchased temporal thermometers for each crew and the supervisor will check each crew member for fever at every JSA/work planning meeting. Anyone with a fever will be sent home immediately and will not be allowed to return until the fever is gone for a continuous 48-hour period.
- We will attempt to work with each of our clients to establish an alternate JSA/Safety/Permit paperwork process that limits our interaction with Customer employees but still meets the job requirements and promotes a safe work environment.
Travel Plans and Customer Meetings:
- We encourage all office staff to consider utilizing teleconference for internal meetings and any external meetings with customers or other parties, unless in-person attendance at such meetings is deemed to be highly important to the Customer.
- Attendance at all conferences and/or marketing trips is canceled.
CONCLUSION
TruHorizon’s intent is to take a balanced approach to, but not overreact to the potential psychological impacts of Coronavirus on our employees, while also letting you know that we are taking steps to provide a safe working environment. We will continue to evaluate our actions in these areas as the impacts of Coronavirus continue to evolve and we intend to take additional steps as necessary.
First, and foremost, I can assure you we are committed to providing a safe working environment for all our employees. Second, while there is not much we can do about the stock market or the economy, we can do everything in our power to provide outstanding customer service and help protect the health, welfare and surroundings of the communities we serve. TruHorizon is in excellent financial condition and we are positioned to weather this storm over the coming weeks and months.
I am happy to discuss any of the above topics or any other issues that you would like to discuss, so please do not hesitate to call me on any topic.
Michael W. Harlan Chief Executive Officer
TruHorizon Environmental Solutions
201 West Ranch Court
Weatherford, Texas 76088
ph: 817.592-5515 cell: 713.502.5135
