Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Page 4 / Clinton Mills Clothmaker / Current Events / February 1987 SANDING OPERATIONS — Ronald Stevenson, a member of the outside associates, spread tons of coarse sand over the parking areas to make travel safer for those moving around during the ice and snow period. CLEARING AWAY THE SLEET — Allison Howard, Plant No. 1 Cloth, found it necessary to scrape away the thin coating of ice on her car windshield before leaving the parking area. Most associates took extra precautions to make sure visibility was clear before driving away. Employees Face Severe Weather Clinton associates braved severe weather conditions on Jan. 22 and again Feb. 16 as a combination of rain, snow, and sleet fell over the surrounding area. Second and third shift operations were stopped during each of the win ter storms and first shift start ups were delayed until 10 a.m. following each icy period in the interest of employee safety. As usual, company maintenance crews were available to assist as sociates getting off work as they left the parking areas. ICE IS DANGEROUS — Walkways always pose a threat during severe weather. Willie Bluford joined num bers of his fellow associates in clearing away snow and ice in the interest of employee safety. Clinton Clothmaker Is 35 Years Old The Clothmaker observes its 35th birth day with this edition of the newspaper. It was on February 15, 1952, that the first issue of the present day Clothmaker was printed. Since then, it has become widely recognized among employees, re tirees, customers, and industrial com municators as a comprehensive and in formative source of information about Clin ton Mills and its more than 2300 employee associates. The first edition of the publication was called the Clinton-Lydia News and carried a front page news story whereby a contest would be held to select a name for the newspaper. More than 300 names were submitted and a panel of three judges carefully con sidered each entry before awarding a $15 prize to W. P. Burdette for his suggestion, ‘The Clothmaker.” On his entry, Mr. Burdette stated that “various trades,, such as carpenters, ma sons, plumbers, barbers, etc. have their names, but textile employees do not.” The judges were impressed with Mr. Burdette’s decision and selected his sug gestion as the winning entry. The Clothmaker has had numerous edi tors and “printers” over the past 35 years. 1 Today, the Clothmaker is distributed to over 2300 employees and mailed to ap proximately 1000 retirees, customers, in dustrial editors, and opinion forming groups throughout the United States. Faulkner Retires From Bailey Plant John Faulkner has retired from the Bailey Plant Weave Room after 13 years of ser vice! “I’m proud to have been a part of the Bailey Plant during this time,” comment ed Faulkner. Clinton Mills is one of the best companies I have worked with, and I en courage anyone con sidering a textile career, to look at Clin ton Mills.” When asked about his future plans, Faulkner was quick to answer that fishing and farming would be a top priority in the future. “We have three fish ponds and a seven acre garden spot. In the growing season l sell vegetables from a produce stand at my home,” he added. “By using irrigation, I can almost always have an abundance of vegetables to sell.” Turning back to his textile career, Faulk ner took much pride in expressing his feel ings about the extensive modernization project that had made the Bailey Plant a state of the art manufacturing complex. “I can get my area cleaned up and take as much pride in the way it looks as if it were my own home,” noted the second shift retiring assistant departmental superintendent as a steady flow of Bailey Plant associates came by to wish him a long and enjoyable retirement. m Mr. Faulkner Employees Take Breathing Tests At one time or another almost all Clinton Mills associates have had to take a brea thing test. The company gives these tests in accordance with federal laws established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, orOSHA. Through the years associates have dreaded these; however, they really serve a good purpose. In addition to determining any work related problems, these tests have helped our associates identify non-work related problems and encouraged them to seek professional medical help in the early stages of these problems. The pulmonary technicians try to do the best job possible in giving these tests. Each associate can help tremendously by giving his best effort. When taking a Pulmonary Function Test, or breathing test as it is commonly called, there are a few simple things that you can do to help: 1. Make sure you take as deep a breath as possible. 2. Put your mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth and seal your lips ar ound it. 3. Blow the air out as hard and as fast as you can until the technician tells you to stop. Don’t hold back on this effort. Give everything you’ve got. Clinton Mills feels that our associates are the best in the world. In working with the Human Resources Department, the com pany is always searching for ways to im prove the quality of life for the associates on the job as well as at home. Remember that these tests are aimed at helping you and help insure that you are working in a safe environment. However, the re sponsibility is yours, also. Each employee is asked to supply answ ers to a medical questionnaire before each test. The answer to these questions are used to supplement to breathing tests re sults. The test data, answers to the questionnaire and dust level exposures are all used in determining how often the tests are given and the type of follow up medical report employees will receive. Brawley Joins Bailey Jesse Brawley, has joined the Bailey Plant as second shift weaving assistant departmental superintendent. A graduate of Clin ton High School, Brawley has an AAS degree in industrial technology with a maj or in textile manage ment from Piedmont Technical College. He is a former U.S. Navy veteran. Brawley is married, Braw,e y has three children, and lives in Joanna. Prior to joining the Bailey Plant, he was with Greenwood Mills. He fills the position created by the retirement of John Faulkner.