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Topographic, Inc. and Its Companies Volume 17, Issue 1 Winter 2013Topographic, Inc. and Its Companies Volume 17, Issue 1 Winter 2013

Seeking Safety Solutions at the2012 Oil & Gas Safety Conference

By Ty JacksonTopographic HSE Manager

The OSHA Oil & Gas Safety Conference brought many different perspectives on workplace safety together in one place to share ideas and best practices to ultimately improve health and safety in the oil and gas industry.

More than 1,400 industry professionals attended the conference and had access to keynote addresses and over 70 diverse breakout sessions in tracks ranging from Behavior Based Safety to Drilling Safety. With the goal of helping bring oil and gas workers home safely each day, OSHA officials and other national agencies were in attendance to provide information and share their role in supporting the oil and gas industry.

Speakers covered OSHA focus areas, industry techniques and trends as well as new areas of research. Attendees had access to more than 100 exhibitors who provided information to help them reach their health and safety goals.

Topographic’s Health, Safety & Environment Manager Ty Jackson attended the OSHA Oil & Gas Safety Conference held in Dallas on Dec. 4-5. Ty brings back this report...

One of the more compelling presentations at the Safety Conference was given by Tony Crow, whose life changed dramatically following a hunting accident. Below is his story, taken from the OSHA Safety Conference’s website.

Tony Crow worked for TXU for 20 plus years. During this time he attended numerous safety meetings. He heard and knew the list of safety rules. They were so ingrained that he instinctively followed them. They became second nature to him.

But on February 15, 2003, while enjoying his favorite hobby, quail hunting, Tony was accidentally shot. He was totally blinded for life.

Tony's life drastically changed that day, as well as the lives of his family and friends. When we think of people who have been in accidents, we don’t consider how it will affect those closest to them. Everything about Tony and his family’s lifestyle has had to change.

Delivering a Message of Safety, Tony believes leadership is best shown by example. He shares his thoughts on safety as well as leadership in the workplace, at home and through everyday life. Tony models his personal philosophies at home, church, and in the community.

With the help of his leader dog, Rudy, Tony still helps out on his 125 acre farm. He feeds the dogs and cows every day and even artificially inseminates some of his cows. Life’s journey is not always easy, but Tony’s attitude is great! He has let life’s difficulties make him better, not bitter.

INJAM: It’s Not Just About Me

The Topographic Oklahoma City Office recognized John Keating’s birthday two days ahead of time on November 21, 2012, with a s p e c i a l l u n c h a n d celebration.* At age 91, John still comes to work daily and remains involved in the business.

John’s consistently positive personality continues to be an inspiration to those who are fortunate to work with him. In Oklahoma City, John is “everybody’s dad.”

Honoring Topographic FounderJohn Keating on his 91st Birthday

Birthday Vandals Elves surprised John with a shockingly colorful display of birthday decorations in his office, but left an apology in the form of a delicious bundt cake – the kind that comes with a coupon for a discount on a coronary artery stent procedure.

*The event happened to coincide with the office’s annual Thanksgiving luncheon.

The President Who Was‘Almost a Surveyor’

History records that there have been a few U.S. Presidents who, at one time, worked as land surveyors. In fact, three of the four presidential faces on Mt. Rushmore were surveyors: Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, who started his surveyor and cartographer career at the age of 17.

But there is one president who might be known as the “almost a surveyor” president: Ronald Reagan; and if it hadn’t been for a heavy rainstorm on the first day he was to start work,

things might have turned out differently.In his autobiography, An American Life, Reagan wrote that at

the end of his freshman year at Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois, he had begun to have doubts about his direction in life, and was planning on making a change:

I had a high school chum who worked as a rodman for a local surveyor and sometimes their work brought them around Lowell Park; my friend knew I was anxious to save some money and that I was a little unsure about my future, so after the park closed for the season he told me he’d decided to quit his job and suggested I apply for it.

When the surveyor heard I was interested in the job, he not only gave it to me but offered to get me a college scholarship [at the University of Wisconsin] the following year.

The rainstorm caused the surveyor to cancel work for the day. The downtime afforded Reagan the opportunity to reflect on his recent choice, and, to make a short story even shorter, he changed his mind and decided to continue pursuing his education at Eureka College. He ultimately became that college’s most famous alumni. More interestingly, however, he might have become one more U.S. President having roots in the surveying industry!

Topographic Times Soon To Go Digitalemail delivery seems the better option Topographic is moving toward publishing their now.newsletter, Topographic Times, in an electronically

The paper editions will wind down delivered format, eventually phasing out the current over the next few months as we gear up hardcopy version.for the electronic version. The Having always been on the cutting edge of technology hardcopy version will continue to be in every way, Topographic nevertheless long ago had published over the next two or three made the conscious decision to stick with the traditional cycles, while we begin development of printed page format for the newsletter. In recent the electronic edition.months, however, due to changes in recipients’ physical

If you would like to switch to addresses or other similar circumstance, the hardcopy receiving the Topographic Times as an email delivery, newsletters are increasingly being returned as please go to www.topographic.com/topotimes to undeliverable. In order to make sure our clients and enter your name and email address for your electronic other followers continue to get information on events, subscription.projects and other news regarding the company, the

car, clear exhaust pipe and run it just enough to stay warm.

· Plan Your Route: Allow plenty of time (check the weather and leave early if necessary), be famil iar with the maps/ directions, and let others know

Greetings, your route and arrival time.This December our field · Practice Cold Weather Driving!

crews have been participating in 4 During the daylight, rehearse maneuvers our online Driving Safety course slowly on ice or snow in an empty lot.and I wanted to continue that 4 Steer into a skid. Know what your brakes will theme by reiterating some do: stomp on anti-lock brakes, pump on non-important tips from OSHA regarding safe winter anti-lock brakes.driving. 4 Stopping distances are longer on water-

Over 450,000 injury crashes occur annually in covered ice and ice.adverse weather conditions or on slick pavement 4 Don't idle for a long time with the windows up according to the US Department of Transportation. or in an enclosed space.Winter driving can be hazardous and scary, especially in northern regions that get a lot of snow and ice. PROTECT YOURSELFAdditional preparations can help make a trip safer, or · Buckle up and use child safety seats properly.help motorists deal with an emergency. · Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an The three P's of Safe Winter Driving: PREPARE for air bag.the trip; PROTECT yourself; and PREVENT crashes on · Children 12 and under are much safer in the back the road. seat.

PREPARE PREVENT CRASHES· Maintain Your Car: Check battery, tire tread, and · Drugs and alcohol never mix with driving. If

windshield wipers, keep your windows clear, put you are planning to drink, designate a sober driver.no-freeze fluid in the washer · Slow down and increase distances between cars.reservoir, and check your antifreeze. · Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking in the Have On Hand: flashlight, jumper road.cables, abrasive material (sand, · Avoid fatigue – Get plenty of rest before the trip, kitty litter, even floor mats), stop at least every three hours, and rotate drivers if shovel, snow brush and ice possible.scraper, warning devices (like flares) and blankets. For long trips, add food and water, medication and cell phone.

· Stopped or Stalled? Stay in your car, don't overexert, put bright markers on antenna or windows and shine dome light, and, if you run your

Safety

by Ty Jackson,Topographic HSE Manager

Safe Winter Driving

Topographic Vehicle MaintenanceSystem Undergoing Field Testing

Development for the Topographic Vehicle Maintenance (TVM) app has reached the point where it’s ready to be tested in the field by a select group of users.

The app is designed for crew chiefs and other company-owned vehicle drivers to electronically maintain a database of maintenance events and fuel purchases, as well as tracking the mileage of vehicles while being used for company business.

Developed in-house by Topographic, the system promises to streamline much of the accounting process for vehicle maintenance.

Topographic’s HSE Manager Ty Jackson (second from right) conducting a “Tool Box Safety Meeting” at Shell P-Ranch Site, Catarina, TX.

Topographic, Inc6709 N. Classen BlvdOklahoma City, OK 73116

AnniversariesTed Brown, OKC 44 yrs Kevin Holcomb, Midland 3 yrs Justin Andrews, Ft Worth 1 Yr Robert Pacheco, Jr., Pampa 1 YrRobert Keating, OKC 36 yrs Daryl Auwen, Ft Worth 3 yrs Michael Haynes, Ft Worth 1 Yr Scott Clanton, Ft Worth 1 Yr

Jose Camacho, Arizona 3 yrs John Butina, Ft Worth 1 Yr Samuel Venegas, Pampa 1 YrKent Dyson, Pampa 32 yrs Mari Beth Gatlin, Ft Worth 3 yrs Anthony Sanchez, N. Dakota 1 Yr Johnnie Hart, Pampa 1 Yr

Shane Gaskell, Ft Worth 2 yrs Denis Seguin, Ft Worth 1 Yr Korey Anthony, Pampa 1 YrRick Lunday, OKC 29 yrs Pam Kantola, Ft Worth 2 yrs Brandon West, Ft Worth 1 Yr Rivest Landry, Pampa 1 YrBill Keating, Midland 26 yrs Bradley Kuhn, Midland 2 yrs Kenneth A. Tinsley, Ft Worth 1 Yr Adam Cashion, Pampa 1 YrSusan Blueher, OKC 26 yrs Patti Jones, OKC 2 yrs Matthew Williams, Seguin 1 Yr Samantha Arthur, OKC 1 YrStacy Maxwell, Pampa 23 yrs Christie Jenkins, Seguin 2 yrs Jerry Bessie, Midland 1 Yr Jeffrey Box, Ft Worth 1 YrJimmy Williams, Pampa 16 yrs Thomas Richardson, Ft Worth 2 yrs Christopher Lee, Midland 1 Yr David Cook, Seguin 1 YrGary Armstrong, OKC 13 yrs William Edwards, Ft Worth 2 yrs David Rosbury, Ft Worth 1 Yr Clinton Ladd, Pampa 1 YrJohn Allen, Pampa 12 yrs Jacob West, Pampa 2 yrs Cecil Anderson, Ft Worth 1 Yr Curtis Miller, Ft Worth 1 YrA.J. Crager, OKC 12 yrs Brandon Wade, Ft Worth 2 yrs Dustin Kaiser, Ft Worth 1 Yr Ryan Pizarro, Seguin 1 YrRebecca Fick, OKC 9 yrs Jeffrey Hautamaki, Ft Worth 2 yrs Matthew Locke, Ft Worth 1 Yr Brian Selby, Ft Worth 1 YrMichael Lain, Ft Worth 7 yrs Michael Holloway, Seguin 2 yrs Alan Scanlon, Ft Worth 1 Yr Gustavo Aranda, III, Ft Worth 1 YrSherwood Gillette, III, Ft Worth 7 yrs Keith Kruse, Seguin 2 yrs Jacob Richardson, Ft Worth 1 Yr Michael Vaughn, Ft Worth 1 YrPaul Jensen, OKC 7 yrs Sean Chambers, Ft Worth 2 yrs Ryan Baker, Ft Worth 1 Yr Brent Garcia, Seguin 1 YrJeffery Sauer, Ft Worth 6 yrs Ricky Myers, Ft Worth 2 yrs Michael Murphy, Ft Worth 1 Yr Nicole Modgling, Ft Worth 1 YrWilliam Fellows, OKC 5 yrs Andrew Petoskey, Ft Worth 2 yrs Luis Arreola, Arizona 1 Yr Derek McDonald, Ft Worth 1 YrCharles Sanders, Arkansas 5 yrs Nicholas Kirkpatrick, Midland 1 Yr Roger Arreola, Arizona 1 Yr Matthew Noble, Midland 1 YrJeffrey Lueders, Seguin 5 yrs Donald Carson, Seguin 1 Yr Carlos Campos, Arizona 1 Yr Marc Lane, Jr., Ft Worth 1 YrThomas Jenkins, Seguin 3 yrs Craig Demaray, Ft Worth 1 Yr Miles Smith, Ft Worth 1 Yr Ian Hiltunen, Ft Worth 1 YrAlfredo Lopez, Pampa 3 yrs Michael Robertson, Seguin 1 Yr James Lowther, Ft Worth 1 Yr Thomas Lannet, Ft Worth 1 Yr

Dewayne Hill, Pampa 35 yrs

Sharon Keating, OKC 30 yrs

Thomas T. West Jr, Ft Worth 10/15 Matthew R. Philson, Ft Worth 10/25 James A. Janning, Midland 11/28 Ashton T. Bishop, Midland 12/11Robert R. White, Ft Worth 10/15 Lee K Goss, OKC 11/06 Efrain Borunda, Midland 12/03 Aaron C. Brown, Ft Worth 12/13

Birthdays

Welcome Newbies!

January Ricky Myers, Ft Worth 19 William Mapp, Midland 10 Christie Jenkins, Seguin 27 Aaron C. Brown, Ft Worth 11Roger Arreola, Arizona 1 Travis Prock, Ft Worth 20 Steven Edward Olive, OKC 11 Rebecca Fick, OKC 28 Ross Avedisian, Ft Worth 13William Edwards, Ft Worth 1 Thomas Lannet, Ft Worth 22 Joe Brown, OKC 12 March Jeffrey Hautamaki, Ft Worth 13Donald Carson, Seguin 5 Sherwood Gillette III, Ft Worth 22 Jeffrey Andrews, Ft Worth 16 Nicholas Kirkpatrick, Midland 1 Brandon West, Ft Worth 14Jacob Richardson, Ft Worth 6 Josefa L. Guevara, Midland 23 Bill Keating, Midland 16 Michael Brown, Ft Worth 1 Patrick Allen, Pampa 19Alfredo Lopez, Pampa 9 Larry Haynes, Jr., Ft Worth 24 Leroy Cargle, OKC 17 Jeremy Jackson, Seguin 1 Andrew Petoskey, Ft Worth 20Michael Haynes, Ft Worth 10 Abelardo Ponce, Pampa 24 Matthew Locke, Ft Worth 19 Brandon Lane, Ft Worth 2 Alan Scanlon, Ft Worth 21Brian Dixon, Midland 11 Dion Pitts, Seguin 25 Ramon Romero, jr., Pampa 19 Dustin Trousil, Ft Worth 3 Robert Pacheco, Jr., Pampa 21Keith Kruse, Seguin 11 Rivest Landry, Pampa 27 Caleb W. Brown, OKC 20 Korey Anthony, Pampa 5 Thomas Disheroon, Jr., Ft Worth 21David Leggett, Ft Worth 11 David Youree, Pampa 28 Andrew Caston, Ft Worth 21 Donna Bjordahl, OKC 6 Donna Jensen, OKC 24Cody Musick, Ft Worth 12 February Jacob West, Pampa 21 Megan Linn, OKC 6 Nelson Jim, Pampa 24Paul Jensen, OKC 14 Travis R. Smith, Ft Worth 2 Charles M. Owens, Seguin 22 Jeffrey Lueders, Seguin 6 Matthew Williams, Seguin 25Judith Colley, OKC 14 Cheri Gignac, Ft Worth 4 Chris Christian, OKC 23 Marc Lane, Jr., Ft Worth 10 Thomas Maness, Ft Worth 26Donita K. Rogers, OKC 15 Darren Gee, Pampa 5 Stacy Maxwell, Pampa 25 Sheri Thompson, Pampa 10 John Allen, Pampa 27Henry Vasquez, Midland 17 Lynn Bezner, Pampa 9 David Lageschulte, Ft Worth 26 Ian Hiltunen, Ft Worth 10