Tag Archives: Community

Balancing Act: Juggling Work and Personal Wellness
18
Jun
Social Responsibility, Tips

Balancing act: juggling work and personal wellness

Posted on by Daniela Pineda

We are constantly bombarded with messages telling us that we need to be more productive, more successful, and more connected. In the midst of all this, it can be easy to forget about the importance of the Balancing act: juggling work and personal wellness

Work-life balance is the state of equilibrium between professional responsibilities and personal interests. It is about finding a way to be successful at work without sacrificing your health, happiness, or relationships.

There are many benefits to achieving work-life balance

When you master the Balancing act: juggling work and personal wellness, you are more productive, more creative, and more resilient. You are also less likely to experience stress, burnout, and health problems.

Of course, achieving work-life balance is not always easy. There will be times when you need to put in extra hours at work, or when you need to take time off to deal with personal matters. The key is to find a way to manage your time and priorities so that you can meet your obligations without feeling overwhelmed.

Here are a few tips for achieving Balancing act:

  • Set boundaries: it is important to set clear boundaries between your work life and your personal life. This means establishing regular work hours and sticking to them as much as possible. It also means, digital detox.
  • Take breaks: it is important to take breaks throughout the day, both at work and at home. This will help you to stay focused and productive, and it will also help to reduce stress.
  • Delegate: if you have too much on your plate, don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to others. This will free up your time so that you can focus on the most important things.
  • Take care of yourself: make sure to get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. These things will help you to stay physically and mentally healthy, which will make it easier to cope with the demands of work and life.

Achieving work-life balance is an ongoing process

There will be times when you get off track, but it is important to keep trying. By following these tips, you can find a way to juggle your work and personal responsibilities without sacrificing your health or happiness.

Digital Detox: Unplugging for Mental and Emotional Wellness
15
May
Style, Tips

Digital detox: unplugging for mental and emotional wellness

Posted on by Daniela Pineda

In an era where technology is ever-present, the importance of disconnecting for our mental and emotional wellness cannot be overstated. For that reason, this article explores the concept of a digital detox and its benefits in creating a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.

Understanding digital overload

The digital world, while offering numerous benefits, also presents significant challenges. Constant exposure to screens and a never-ending stream of information can lead to digital fatigue. To clarify, symptoms include feeling persistently distracted, a decline in productivity, or an overarching sense of being overwhelmed.

Benefits of a digital detox

Unplugging from digital devices, even for a short period, can have profound positive effects on mental and emotional health. Here are some key benefits:

  • Enhanced focus and productivity: disconnecting helps reset your mind, in other words, improves concentration and efficiency.
  • Improved mental health: regular breaks from digital stimuli can reduce anxiety and stress levels.
  • Better sleep: reducing screen time, especially before bed, can lead to improved sleep quality.
  • Strengthened personal relationships: disconnecting from devices encourages more meaningful face-to-face interactions.

Strategies for a successful digital detox

  • Set clear Boundaries: designate specific times of day or particular zones as screen-free.
  • Prioritize offline activities: engage in hobbies or activities that don’t involve screens.
  • Use technology mindfully: be intentional about when and why you use digital devices.
  • Stay accountable: share your digital detox goals with others to help maintain your commitment.

Implementing a digital detox in daily life

Start small and gradually increase the time you spend away from digital devices. It can be as simple as unplugging for an hour before bed or dedicating a portion of your weekend to offline activities. The key is to find a Balance Act that works for you and enhances your overall well-being.

In conclusion, incorporating a digital detox into our routine is essential for maintaining mental and emotional wellness in a technology-driven world. By consciously stepping away from our devices, we can reclaim our attention, reduce stress, and improve our overall quality of life. Let’s embrace the power of unplugging and experience the myriad benefits it brings to our daily lives.

How to manage pending work
15
Sep
Tips

Tips to Manage Your Pending Work

Posted on by Daniela Pineda

It is not uncommon for work to accumulate and then it becomes  an endless list of pending tasks. It is worlds apart from getting done with your daily workload and feeling productive. Procrastinating allows projects to pile up and you feel like the to-do list only gets bigger..

This can become  a problem when larger processes or tasks begin to be delayed, or when other teammates or collaborators cannot complete their own tasks in a timely manner, thus affecting various parts of the work structure.

Here are some tips and ideas that will help you finish your pending work and be more productive.

How to get done with your pending work list

Prioritize tasks and solve the most difficult ones first

It is essential to prioritize the list of pending tasks and establish which ones require the most immediate attention. Try to dedicate your first working hours to these tasks and avoid procrastinating.

Accept your abilities and face challenges

Sometimes, we avoid tackling difficult tasks we believe “this is not the right time”, or perhaps those that are too complicated, or that require a learning process.  At other times, the opposite happens: certain tasks seem so simple that we simply forget about them, since they do not require our immediate attention.

Addressing these tasks as small or big challenges can make a great difference when it comes to forgetting a pending task or not.

Say no to multitasking

Some people mix the idea of ​​being highly productive with multitasking. Contrary to popular belief, addressing several tasks at the same time does not make processes easier or faster; in fact, it delays them and is not effective.

Perform one task at a time and always try to finish it before starting another, that way the workload will be managed effectively.

Avoid unnecessary social distractions

If you’re on task, it’s best to stay away from your phone’s notifications, from replying to work conversations, or other distractions. Turn off or put away your phone, and choose a different time to check messages that would otherwise delay you.

Learn to take breaks

You can take breaks during your working day; these should be short and allow you to disconnect for about 5 minutes. These are not 5 minutes so you can check your social networks, but to relax, to take a moment for yourself, and to be able to focus again on your work.

tips for safety at workplace
01
Sep
Social Responsibility

5 Safety Tips for the Workplace

Posted on by Daniela Pineda

Safety in the workplace must be constantly built and maintained. Safety is the responsibility of everyone at Optimus Steel and is not something we should take for granted.

Our plant is a facility where strategic planning, technological improvement, and efficient production work together to ensure all of our team members work and arrive home safely.  It is important to be able to recognize hazards with their associated levels of risk in order to prevent them. 

Prevention is important because:

  • Accidents  are avoided.
  • It gives everyone peace of mind, allowing people to function productively and efficiently.
  • It guarantees quality in our operations and production processes.

Tips to Improve Safety in the Workplace

Stay alert and always report risks

In your daily tasks, it is important to concentrate on your work without losing sight of the surrounding environment; you must stay alert and always aware of the activities around you in order to detect any possible risk, incident, problem, or factor that could result in a possible accident.

When detecting an incident, it is the responsibility of the team to report the event and not overlook it. It is important that you know the procedures and protocols in order to keep everyone safe.

Make sure your work environment is always clean and unobstructed

For safety purposes, and to make processes more efficient, work areas must remain orderly; this also implies that we must be alert to items on the ground that can cause anyone to trip and fall.

Avoid running inside the plant. Always walk, watching your steps, paying attention to where you are stepping, and where you are going. Always avoid having food or drinks on or near machinery, devices or electronics.

Never skip steps

All procedures in the plant are carried out according to protocols that build safety in each step. Processes have a specific sequence of steps. It is important to never skip or modify steps in established processes; avoiding rushing, or skipping steps in the sequence, which can lead to the creation of accidents.

Always wear your PPE

Personal Protective Equipment is designed to be your ally in safety while you are in certain operating areas of the plant. It is the last line of defense when a potential hazard is present. 

It is important to always make proper and full use of PPE, without discarding elements due to discomfort, as this could cause problems. The protective equipment cannot help to protect you if it is not worn properly.  

Always use machinery and tools correctly

Our plant processes involve melting scrap, at very high temperatures, to convert the scrap to molten metal. It is ultimately important to follow all procedures and use machinery, tools, and equipment, with care according to protocols during this process.

Keep the floors clean, removing unnecessary debris. Remember to stay well hydrated and aware of signs and symptoms indicating potential heat stress conditions.

steel industry in USA
01
Aug
Uncategorized

Reasons why steel is America’s backbone

Posted on by Daniela Pineda

Today, the steel industry represents one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the United States. Without a doubt, ours is a solid industry built by men and women whose work strengthens the economy and seeks technological advances in order to always go further.

The origin of the steel industry in the United States

It was the Industrial Revolution that promoted the development of activities such as the steel industry throughout the world, and it was in the 19th century that a nascent steel industry began to gain strength in our country.

It is estimated that by 1880, steel production in the United States grew from 1.25 to 10 million tons, and by 1910, 24 million tons were produced domestically.

It should be noted that the production of steel has been with humanity for much longer, yet it was not until the modern era that steel production was industrialized and new technologies were developed.

Some fast facts about our country’s steel industry:

  • Currently, the industry is estimated to produce more than 106 million tons per year.
  • Most of the steel produced in the United States today comes from recycling, thus ensuring a sustainable industry.
  • The steel industry strengthens other sectors such as infrastructure, construction, car production, appliances, electronics, safety, healtcare and sustainable development.
  • 75% of the steel varieties available today have been technologically developed in the last 20 years. 
  • As of 2017, the steel industry produced more than 2 million jobs for Americans , both directly and indirectly.
  • Steel is a dynamic part of America’s economy, accounting for more than $520 billion in economic output. 
  • Since 1990, measures have been promoted to reduce carbon emissions in steel production with new, sustainable technologies being developed and implemented today.
  • Approximately 70,000,000 tons of steel are recycled every year.
Uncategorized

The Importance of Community Involvement and Employee Participation

Posted on by Edward Goettl

At Optimus Steel, we take pride in participating in various events that strengthen our internal culture and give back to the local community. Our team will be taking part in a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society called Relay for Life. Across more than 20 countries, Relay for Life will facilitate more than 5,000 events to support the continued fight against many types of cancer. The events are held at campus universities, across local communities, and via virtual fundraising platforms bridging the cap with supporters and survivors. The funds raised are used to improve cancer survival, decrease the incidence of cancer, and improve the quality of life for cancer patients and those who care for them.


A survivor’s lap at a Relay for Life event in Texas

In October of 1985, the American Cancer society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (the creator of many cancer fighting drugs) partnered to establish October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Annually, there is a campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer risks, the value of screening, and early detection. The campaign helps to highlight treatment options available to women and men who are diagnosed with one of the many forms of breast cancer.


White House Illuminated pink in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2017

Breast cancer touches the life of 1 in 8 women in the US, and we want to continue to take part in spreading the critical information on detection and prevention. We do also want to show support to those that are actively fighting, and to recognize, support, and celebrate the survivors.

We want to share an amazing personal story of fighting this disease from one of our Optimus Steel team members. Karen McBride Toohey found out in 2003, after self- detection of a lump, that she had cancer. She was devastated by the fact that something was going on in her body that she had no control over. She sought out a second opinion and headed to MD Anderson Treatment Center in Houston, Texas. Karen described her treatment and time there as phenomenal.


Karen has a family history of breast cancer and had lost an aunt to the disease. Gripped with the devastating truth, Karen proceeded with treatment and faced the fear of losing her hair. She knew she had to make the best of a pretty painful situation. She glammed up with large earrings, cute caps, and changing hair color to keep her spirits high and push herself to keep fighting.

Karen expresses how fortunate she was to have her mother and the rest of her family as a support system with her through this journey. She knows her faith in God carried her through the experience. She strongly encourages everyone to understand the importance for men and women to get checked out and receive annual exams. Karen is a warrior and is currently a fifteen-and-a-half-year survivor!

This month we celebrate Karen McBride Toohey. We are thankful for her courage and willingness to give back by pushing others to care for themselves and be diligent in regular self-checks. Karen thank you for encouraging us all in ways you may not even realize.

#OurMillOurCompany

11
Aug
News

South East Texas Food Bank

Posted on by Edward Goettl

Team Members: Clifford and Rosie Wineland, Joseph, Misty, Jolie and Jaxson Wineland, Marcos Dal Ponte, Jim and Pamela Kerkvliet, Joey Pineda, Terri Finn, Theresa Allen, Cheryl Zabish, Leonardo Radicchi, Joao Dantas, Chris Henson, Shaniqua Johnson, Hubert and Nancy Morris and Andy Davis.

On a Saturday morning, at 8:30 am, when most are thinking of having a nice hot cup of coffee, the Optimus team assembles at the South East Texas Food Bank ready for action. The activity for the day includes filling 1,000 boxes for seniors to be distributed throughout our community.

The team has representatives from every level of our operation. We are especially proud that charity truly does begin at home and there are wives and children gladly making their contributions to the effort with us. Our youngest team members are 8 and 11 years old!

The activity commences with food items packed into boxes, organized management of any waste generated and mechanical movement and staging of the boxes ready for distribution. The activity is well organized, the team works hard and has fun, finishes early and without any safety incidents!

This relationship established with the Food Bank will continue. It is one of our many commitments to give back to our community.

Thanks team! Without a doubt, Optimus Steel has the best, hard-working caring individuals anywhere!