One shaved head, two causes
Published 10:28 am Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Utilities’ Nibaur offers up his hair for perfect safety record, PTTP
Austin Utilities staff got to shave their boss’s head Monday to celebrate a safe year and to raise money to fight cancer.
Three employees shaved General Manager Mark Nibaur’s head during an employee meeting at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center to celebrate Austin Utilities’ perfect safety record in 2015.
Dave White shaves Austin Utilities General Manager Mark Nibaur’s head at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center on Monday during a 2016 kick off meeting for employees. Three workers shaved Nibaur’s head after Austin Utilities had zero safety incidents in 2015. They also used the head shaving as a raffle to raise $495 for Paint the Town Pink. Photo provided by Kelly Lady
The employees also bought raffle tickets and raised $495 for cancer fundraiser Paint the Town Pink for the chance to shave Nibaur’s head. Three employees — Jenny Loucks, Dar Duholm and Dave White — won the raffle.
“We had a little fun with it,” Nibaur said.
Nibaur offered up his hair after Austin Utilities faced safety challenges with four incidents in 2013 and seven in 2014. Since 2000, Austin Utilities has ranged from three to 13 incidents. Common Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) injuries included bruises, joints injuries and cuts and bruises, according to Nibaur.
Nibaur estimated its been at least 15 years since Austin Utilities had a year with no recordable injuries.
By last October when it looked like Austin Utilities would reach its goal, Nibaur let his hair grow out so there’d be a bit more to cut.
“It was a new experience, kind of nervous,” Nibaur said.
Nibaur admitted his head has been a bit colder since shaving his head in mid-January, but his family and friends have been supportive of the cause.
“Everyone keeps saying, “Hey, the hair will grow back,’ and it will,” Nibaur said.
Along with shaving Nibaur’s head, Monday’s meeting gave employees an overview of 2015 along with a preview or 2016 and goals for the year. Nibaur said they may look at doing something fun again this year as motivation, but he hasn’t come up with one yet.
