Safety is one of Ancon Construction’s top priorities. Our goal is for our employees to come to work and go home to their families. We have an extensive 85+ page safety program to ensure this and it is re-inforced daily on our job sites and in our office. Work is not the only place to remind everyone of safety as we approach the upcoming Fourth of July celebration weekend – fireworks, a backyard barbecue, maybe a trip to the beach. Whatever people have planned, Ancon Construction wants to pass on some of the American Red Cross’s holiday safety tips so we can all enjoy a safe weekend with our family and friends.
FIREWORKS SAFETY The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. Many states outlaw most fireworks. If someone is setting fireworks off at home, they should follow these safety steps:
Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
GRILLING SAFETY Every year people in this country are injured while using backyard charcoal or gas grills. Follow these steps to safely cook up treats for the backyard barbecue:
Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.
BEACH SAFETY If someone’s visit to the shore includes swimming in the ocean, they should learn how to swim in the surf and only swim at a lifeguarded beach, within the designated swimming area. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Other safety tips include:
Keep alert for local weather conditions. Check to see if any warning signs or flags are posted.
Swim sober and always swim with a buddy.
Have young children and inexperienced swimmers wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Protect the neck – don’t dive headfirst. Walk carefully into open waters.
Keep a close eye and constant attention on children and adults while at the beach. Wave action can cause someone to lose their footing, even in shallow water.
Watch out for aquatic life. Water plants and animals may be dangerous. Avoid patches of plants and leave animals alone.
RIP CURRENTS Rip currents are responsible for deaths on our nation’s beaches every year, and for most of the rescues performed by lifeguards. Any beach with breaking waves may have rip currents. Be aware of the danger of rip currents and remember the following:
If someone is caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until out of the current. Once free, they should turn and swim toward shore. If they can’t swim to the shore, they should float or tread water until free of the rip current and then head toward shore.
Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures.
SUN PROTECTION Limit exposure to direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15. Reapply sunscreen often. Remember to drink plenty of water regularly, even if not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. Protect the eyes by wearing sunglasses that will absorb 100 percent of UV sunlight. Protect the feet – the sand can burn them and glass and other sharp objects can cut them.
During hot weather, watch for signs of heat stroke—hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing. If it’s suspected someone is suffering from heat stroke:
Call 9-1-1 and move the person to a cooler place.
Quickly cool the body by applying cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin (or misting it with water) and fanning the person.
Watch for signs of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down
Have a safe weekend and enjoy fellowship with friends and family!
Ancon Construction announced several months ago the plans for the new Ethos Science Center. Construction has started and we wanted to provide an update. Check out the drone footage to see the construction in action! Stay tuned for our next video which will be virtual tour of the outside of the building highlighting all the features! When completed, this is going to be a treasure for our community. To learn more about Ethos and the classes in S.T.E.M they offer check out their website HERE. Got a project you want to talk about? Click HERE and let’s get it started!
Every year 40 regional leaders under the age of 40 are recognized by The South Bend Regional Chamber’s 40 under 40 award. This recognition shines the spotlight on 40 of the area’s most talented and dedicated young executives, professionals and leaders who demonstrate career success and community engagement. The 2017 class will represent the 11th Michiana Forty under 40 class with 400 leaders already receiving recognition. This program is an annual collaborative effort between the South Bend Regional Chamber, the Young Professionals Network South Bend, and other partners in the Michiana region.
Ancon is proud to announce that Matthew VanSoest has been chosen for the class of 2017. Matt is a lead designer on the Ancon Design-Build team. As employee owner, Matthew and a holistic team of architects, engineers, project managers, and construction crews, work together on a daily basis on design and construction projects. The Design-Build method, a very unique and rare project delivery method in the area’s construction industry, promotes daily collaboration on design, cost, scheduling, and construction methods. Furthermore, Matthew and the team push the boundaries and are on the leading edge of innovative, creative, and cost effective methods in architecture and construction – making sure both the design and cost are in sync with one another – a very large feat in this day and age!
Since 2012, Matthew has served on the transition team for ETHOS Science Center in Elkhart. He worked with the ETHOS team in developing several short term and long term visions and master planning concepts. Matt earned his Bachelors of Architecture in 2008 and went on to earn his Masters of Architecture 2010 with concentrations in educational design and community redevelopment. Matt has a gift for creative design and has been honored for several of his designs. Congrats Matt and we are proud to have such a leader on the Ancon team!
Apostolic Temple Church, located on Ironwood Drive in South Bend, IN and Architect/General Contractor Ancon Construction will begin Phase 1 of a building project which aims to improve building accessibility. The phased projects will have an initial focus on improving building accessibility.
Phase 1, overseen by Project Manager Ken Wright, will include a new entrance canopy, sloped concrete walk, expanded north lobby, and a new ADA restroom. “One of the most common ministry design challenge is overcoming barriers such as existing stairs/steps, lack of maneuvering clearance for wheel chairs, or original restrooms that do not meet current ADA compliance standards,” explains Ancon Designer Matthew VanSoest. “Solutions to these issues are typically very challenging since we have limited space to work with. We are dealing with existing conditions from the early to mid-1900’s and are trying to upgrade/modify many aspects of the built environment – bringing them to current standards and/or compliance.”
For more information on Apostolic Temple Church visit www.apostolictemplechurch.com. Does your church need an addition or renovation? If so click HERE and one of our church specialists will reach out to discuss your project!
Aldi, one of the largest grocers in the United States and the largest in the UK and Europe has chosen Ancon Construction to build their second new location in the last two months. The new location will be built in Elkhart, IN. The former Ryan’s Steakhouse located at the growing CR 6 area west of SR 19 is scheduled for demo toward the end of April.
The new store will replace the former restaurant and will feature their latest exterior and interior brand design. Ken Wright will serve as project manager from Ancon Construction. This will be his third Aldi project in the last 3 months.
Updated Interior Brand
As the project develops we will update on progress. Ancon is proud to be a partner with Aldi.
Do you have a project you are ready to start? Click HERE and our team will get your project going!
100% Employee Owned…Serving northern Indiana & southern Michigan for over 40 years!
Ancon is a Design Build Construction Firm. What is Design Build? Check out our Video!
