 Holiday Parties Set: Mark Your Calendars! It's been a long year and what better way to celebrate the holidays than to attend the WSPA Mingle Bells festivities? We will be holding two holiday parties this year - one in Phoenix and one in Denver. Printed invites will be sent but please save the dates and mark your calendars for these events:
Phoenix Mingle Bells- Tuesday, December 9 (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.) The Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas 6333 North Scottsdale Road Denver Mingle Bells - Tuesday, December 16 (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.) Denver Bookbinding 1401 W. 47th Avenue (near Pecos) Please let us know if you can make either party by sending an email RSVP to Michael Makin at mmakin@wsprint.org.
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What Are You Selling?
Do you know what you're selling? If you think the answer is "print" - think again! You're selling a means for a client to accomplish their goals; whether it's a book explaining how to use their product, a catalog with irresistible graphics that will make the recipient want to turn the pages, or a mail piece specifically addressed to each of the client's target audience.
Understanding the purpose of the project helps you create value for your client so you can get the order for a price that suits your business AND theirs.
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 Opposing OSHA - PIA Fights For Industry
Printing Industries of America has joined with other associations in submitting comments opposing the proposed rule by OSHA to require companies to submit injury and illness records that would eventually be made publicly available. Comments opposing the original proposal, released in November 2013, were previously submitted in March 2014. Due to concerns raised by labor organizations, OSHA reopened the comment period. Currently, injury and illness records are required to be posted in the workplace and provided to OSHA upon request. The new rule will require facilities with more than 250 employees to submit detailed information to OSHA on a quarterly basis. Those companies that have 20 employees or more and an injury and illness rate greater than 2.0 must submit information on an annual basis. OSHA will then take the information and make it available to the public in a searchable database. Unfortunately, the injury and illness rate for the printing industry is 2.0. The rule has a number of negative impacts on the industry including the burden of changing the management of these records and possible negative image associated with public knowledge of workplace injuries. We will keep you posted.
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 Member Benefit Spotlight
Speaking of OSHA, keeping up with EHS compliance and sustainability requirements can be daunting, as it seems that a new rule comes out almost every day. Achieving and staying in compliance requires putting in place policies, procedures, and management programs designed to meet applicable requirements. It also requires dedication to ensure that the policies and procedures are being followed. Failure to meet the requirements can result in serious injuries, environmental contamination, and penalties. Some penalties can be quite substantial! Our expert EHS team can quickly provide the accurate information you need and consult with you to help you create an effective compliance or sustainability program. As a benefit of your dual membership in WSPA and Printing Industries of America, you have access to EHS Professional Consulting Services. It all begins with a no-cost telephone assessment of your individual situation. The EHS team will work with you to customize an effective plan of action. Performed either off-site or on-site, our services include: - Agency permit preparation/reviews
- Air pollution emission tracking and reporting
- Document preparation
- Environmental and safety compliance audits
- Sustainability program gap analysis and implementation support
- Employee training and train-the-trainer services.
If your operation could benefit from any of these consulting services, contact Gary Jones at Printing Industries of America for a free assessment. With almost 30 years of industry experience, Gary has helped hundreds of companies resolve their compliance concerns. Reach him at 1-800-910-4283 (ext. 794) or gjones@printing.org. To learn more visit www.printing.org/ehsconsulting.
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 Ask Dr. B!
Printing Industries of America has introduced a new free resource of technical Q & A specifically designed to support members. Led by Dr. Mark Bohan and his team of experts at the Center for Technology and Research, the resource features the responses to questions covering a wide gamut of topics. If you would like to ask a technical question, simply email Dr. Bohan at mbohan@printing.org or call PIA's toll-free hotline at 1-800-910-4283.
We have a fingerprint problem with our UV coated coversFingerprints are caused by squalene oil. Squalene oil is human oil and is present on everyone to varying degrees. Check with your coating supplier as they might have a coating that will not show finger prints as readily. We printed a four color self-mailer and where the fugitive glue is on the front side, the ink on the other side has changed color.Fugitive glue contains large amounts of plasterer, and the oil like plasterer has penetrated through the stock and interacted with the ink on the back side. What is the difference between whiteness and brightness of paper?Whiteness refers to the amount of all visible light paper reflects. Brightness refers to the amount of blue 457nm light that a paper reflects. The addition of optical brighteners during paper making increases a paper's brightness. Paper grades are based on brightness.
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Weekly Photo Feature:
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Each week E-Connects will share incredible photos on just how lax companies can be when it comes to safety.
The goal - to keep a safe work environment front and center on the minds of all of your employees.
Some people find the strangest uses for Tupperware!
If you come across a funny safety pic you think should be featured, email Michael Makin at mmakin@wsprint.org
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 IRS Raises 401 (K) Contribution Limits
Last month the IRS announced that the contribution limits for 401(K) plans will be raised to $18,000 for 2015, up from $17,500 in 2014. The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in 401 (K) and other similar plans increased from $5,500 to $6,000. The news comes just in time for open enrollment periods at many companies.
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Quote For The Week
"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."
Mark Twain
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