Tidbits Week 35

This week the tidbits did not get out as planned. Locally, we have had a run of bad luck. E. coli has taken the life of a wonderful young man, here in NE Oklahoma, and made many more of us sick. Good health is a blessing that too many of us take for granted. I, myself, am one of those who had forgotten that good health is a gift from our creator. I will recover in another 5 days, but I will never forget the experience. My simple words for this week are Count your blessings every day. Live for the moment. Tell family members and friends how much they mean to you and be thankful for a wonderful life in the best country in the world.

I strongly believe that we can get to zero. Zero on-the-job fatalities for an entire year. Once we meet that goal we will push for Zero in Ten. A decade of zero fatalities. We can do it but it requires a change in the way people think.

Charles G. Koch talks about his goal of 10,000% committment to safety, which was a new concept to me. I did a little research and must say what a concept! I love it!! Mr. Koch is simply saying that we need 100% of employees committed to safety 100% of the time and that gets us to a 10,000% committment to safety. Lee Iacocoa recently wrote a book entitled, "Where have all the leaders gone"...well I can tell you where one leader is...he is leading Koch Industries, the largest privately held company in the world.

In my humble opinion, employees are looking for two things in their job. First, they want to have a position where they feel they are doing some meaningful work. And second, they want to work for a leader with a vision. We all want to see how we fit into the puzzle. Once employees know they matter, they will perform as expected. Helping employees see WHY safety is important will increase their committment to Safety. Management must prepare all employees for success or face the consequences. Managers must understand that nobody wants to fail, however if not provided with the tools of success, employees may fall through the cracks. Supervisors and managers take note...the success or failure of your people depends on YOU! Keep safety in the forefront and keep the lines of communication open! Success is within reach, if we all do our part.

Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs. 29:18

Safety Tidbits 8/18/08

Beware of the Unlicensed Driver
132,000 – The number of citations issued to unlicensed drivers in California last year.
10’s of 1000’s – The estimated number of illegal drivers in New York State alone.
117 – The number of driving-related deaths each day in America…117 deaths daily!
50 – The percent by which Oregon was able to reduce the number of illegal driving arrests by impounding vehicles of the offenders
20 – The percent of fatal crashes that involve a driver without a proper drivers’ license

A few tidbits about the almighty Greenback
1792 – The year Congress established the dollar as the monetary unit of the United States
1861 – The year Congress authorizes printing of paper money to fund the Civil War
1869 – The year George Washington makes his first appearance on the dollar bill
1929 – The year the size of U.S. currency is reduced by 30 percent
1944 – The U.S. dollar becomes the world currency for international trade.
1955 – As a Cold War statement, Congress orders ‘In God We Trust’ to appear on all paper currency. (See that actually do something right every once in a while)
1969 – The year the hundred dollar bill became the largest denomination available, as circulation of the $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 ceased.
1971 – The year President Nixon took the dollar off the gold standard (Reason: foreigners now held more U.S. paper currency than the U.S Government had in gold bullion)
04.22.08 – The day the dollar hit an all time low. 1 Euro = $1.60 USD

MSHA (and OSHA) is not ‘The Answer’
How many times have you heard someone say‘that is not an MSHA(OSHA) rule so we shouldn’t have to do it’ or ‘MSHA needs to hold employees accountable and fine them or nothing will ever change’?
News flash – the MSHAct will not be changing anytime soon and that is a good thing! We (managers, supervisors and employees) are the ones responsible for following and enforcing safety rules (MSHA regulations and more importantly company policies).

Remember: MSHA and OSHA are bottom line programs…employers must build from there. Employees must understand why companies have rules that are more stringent that those enforced by the state and/or federal government. It is to protect them!

Supervisors and managers need to make sure all employees (and contractors) are following applicable safety policies or be prepared to face the consequences. We all need to: Stop blaming MSHA and Start doing our jobs. Then we will get to ZERO! Ask yourself…
WWJWD --- What would John Wayne Do? (Hint: he’d do the right thing, and so shou YOU!).
Stop the Fatalities! 30 miners have already lost their lives this year…
Don’t you think it’s time to Step up and Speak out for Safety!

‘It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do.’ -John Baptiste Moliére

Heart Health

WEEK 34 – THINK HEART HEALTH* (before it’s too late!)
America's No. 1 Killer is Heart Disease - more than 910,000 Americans die of heart disease annually. But people aren't scared enough of heart disease, says a top U.S. research cardiologist.
"We have bypass surgery and stents and drugs that work; so the mortality rates are declining."
It's true that U.S. heart disease deaths overall are down. From 1993 to 2003, cardiovascular disease death rates dropped 22.1 percent. Still more than 70 million Americans live every day with some form of heart disease, which can include high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, angina (chest pain), heart attack and congenital heart defects.

Wake Up America, You’re Older than You Think
"We're just on the front end of the baby boomer epidemic, where the projections on the amount of cardiovascular disease are climbing steadily over the next 10 years," he said.
"We're delaying the disease, but we're not preventing it," said Dr. Steven Nissen, president of the American College of Cardiology.

5 Things You Can Do
-Eat more fiber and good fat – Choose fats that are high in Omega-3 (soluble fats like those from barley. Stay away from trans fats. Eat more fruit, vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains, and low-mercury fish like salmon, trout and sardines. The best oils to use are canola, olive, safflower and soybean,
-Cut back on cholesterol and salt – If you have elevated LDL levels try to consume less than 200 milligrams daily. And anyone with high blood pressure can reduce their risk of a heart attack by 25% just by cutting back on sodium. A good goal is less than 2,300 mg/day, which is about one teaspoon.
-Lose the gut – Carrying extra weight in your mid-section raises blood pressure, affects blood lipids, causes insulin resistance and can inflame the arteries The critical point for women is 35 inches and for men it is 40 inches (regardless of height). Read on…it will take some work!
-Exercise 3-5 times a week, 20-30 minutes each time (get that heart rate up, but if you’re out of shape talk to your doctor first. A combination of aerobic exercises and strengthening exercises is the best way to go.
-Know the signs and symptoms – Symptoms are warning signs…wait too long and you will have a Heart Attack.
· Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
· Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort: in one or both arms; the back; neck; jaw; or, stomach.
· Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
· Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
‘Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will - his personal responsibility.’

Safety Tidbits 8/11/08

Number Crunching
9 – Percent of voters who think Congress is doing a good job.
25 – Percent of Chinese population that is overweight or obese. They are closing in on the U.S.
40 – Percent decrease in housing starts, year to date from 2007 levels.
43 – Percent increase in SUV sales in China in May 2008 compared to May 2007.
65 – Percent of professional truck drivers who said they wear seat belts according to a recent FMCSA survey.
3,800 – Number of high hazard worksites that OSHA will be focusing on in 2008.
$420,300 – Amount of MSHA fines leveled against a Utah company for flagrant violations.
$93 Million – Amount collected in fraudulent Medicare claims by hospital-equipment suppliers using dead doctors’ signatures according to a recent congressional investigation.
9.6 Billion – Decrease in the number of miles driven in May 2008 versus May 2007.
$12.7 Billion – The amount employers spend annually for overexertion sprains and strains in direct costs alone.

"Learn the wisdom of compromise; for it is better to bend, than to break".

Give them a BRAKE!
Many states have increased fines for speeding in Work Zones and there is a good reason for it. Road construction workers are working in close proximity to moving vehicles and that spells trouble. In 2006 alone, 1010 people were killed in Work Zone crashes and another 37,688 were injured. Those injured or killed included some drivers and passengers of motor vehicles. SLOW DOWN in WORK ZONES!!!

From the IT boys - Turn off your computer monitor at night to save energy
Screen-saver mode doesn't do much to cut energy use. Here is some useful information on energy consumption: At $.105 per kilowatt hour (kwh), just turning off a 75-watt monitor outside 40 hours a week saves $4.38 a month (42 kwh). This saves 750 lb. of CO2 (greenhouse gas emissions) by burning 450 fewer pounds of coal each year! Flat screen monitors consume about one third this much energy. So, please turn off your monitor when you go home for the day. IT asks our employees to leave work PCs on, because they install updates at night so that they don’t impact your productivity during the day. Turn off your home computer when it is not in use too. Some typical consumption levels for computer equipment and household appliances:
• CRT Monitor 75w • Desktop Computer 60w
• Flat Screen Monitor 25w • LaserJet Printer 7w
• 32” Television 90w • Coffeemaker (brewing) 980w
• Coffeemaker (warming) 2w • Microwave 1950w

Safety is an Attitude

Week 33 – Whether you work Safe or not depends on your Attitude!!! To those of you that tell others to put on a face shield or safety glasses - thank you, you are your brothers’ keeper. To the guys and gals that speak up when they see an unsafe act or find an unsafe condition – good job, please keep it up. To those who come to supervisors and managers with safety ideas and suggestions, you are making a difference and your efforts are appreciated. One thing we don’t say enough is “Thank you”. So, thanks to all of you who are taking the time to Make a Difference!

That doesn’t look safe, but it’s not my job to babysit him.
Real men don’t need ear plugs, you’ll get used to the noise…I did!
It’ll take longer to get the PPE than to do the job…just do it!
That’s the way we’ve always done it here!
I have been doing this for 20 years and I haven’t been hurt yet.
We have all heard similar comments…
-What do these comments say about safety?
-Do you speak up when someone has a bad safety attitude?

Safety begins with ME (and YOU) and it takes all of us to get everyone home at the end of their shift.

Remember if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem! If you walk by an unsafe act and say nothing your silence signals approval (and that is unacceptable!).

Step Up, Speak Out and Stand Up for Safety! There are many safe ways to get things done all you have to do is find one and apply it. Safety must be a VALUE, not a Priority…Priorities CHANGE!!!!!

Every day in this great country of ours, people suffer traumatic injury and death because nobody spoke up, nobody wanted to get involved, or it wasn’t their job!

‘I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.’ Lily Tomlin
Take Safety Seriously and Take Care of Each Other out there…then we can all be successful.
Safety Wayne

Tidbits 8/04/08

Red Means STOP
Whether it is a stop light of a stop sign, it is there for a reason. Did you know that as many as 171,000 automobile accidents occurred in 2006 because of people running red lights? The result was over 144,000 injuries and 887 deaths. One alternative to running late because of unexpected delays is to simply leave earlier. Running a stop sign or red light is dangerous! Consider the risks…and don’t put yourself or family members in harms way. –IIHS

Cell Phones and Germs
Research found mobile phones are a technological petri dish for tens of thousands of germs. Why? Germs multiply in warm places. Between the heat the phones generate and the germs on faces and hands, you've got a bacterial breeding ground. You put it in a warm place, you hold it in your hand, you put it in your pocket, it’s nice and warm -- bacteria like that and can grow in these types of places.
If you're worried about germs growing on your cell, Motorola has come up with a clever tactic -- some of its phones have an anti-microbial coating, which prevents bacteria from growing. In the meantime, keep your phone to yourself and clean it frequently with anti-bacterial wipes.

Think about it!
“Joy is what happens when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.” -Marianne Williamson

Protect your hands
Hand injuries account for 80% of all occupational injuries because the hands are engaged in almost all activities on the job. There are many dangerous conditions on the job to which the hand is always exposed. Sharp edges, pinch points, protruding objects, splinters, exposed blades on unguarded machinery and many more. These conditions may not always be too obvious to employees. Some precautionary measures include: following Lockout/Tagout procedures; making sure machines are properly guarded at all times and not wearing rings when working with machinery; checking to be sure you have proper hand clearance before moving loads through doorways. Use your brain. Avoid dangers and protect your hands. You need them as long as you live.

More Numbers from Time Magazine
$0.12 – Price for a gallon of gas in Venezuela
13 – Percentage of college kids who suffer injuries because of drinking
26 – Percentage of college students who have experienced blackouts because of drinking.
42 – Percentage of people in the U.S. who say they have tried Marijuana.
48.2 – Percentage of the U.S. beer market held by Anheuser-Busch
34,000 – The number of Japanese who killed themselves last year (where the suicide rate is twice as high as the U.S.).
85 – Percentage of Americans polled who think the U.S. economy is seriously off track.

Quote of the week
“Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” -Lou Holtz

Think Safety…off the job too!

Week 32/Safety Tip 32
Be careful on the water. With the hot temps we are experiencing many people will be on (or near) the water until Labor Day (maybe longer). Oklahoma has seen an increase in the number of people who drowned this year, so please be careful. Swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing can be a great time but mixed with alcohol the fun can turn deadly. Be Responsible!

Don’t forget the Sunscreen – August is usually a scorcher… sunscreen can save you from burning (especially on the ears and nose). Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. It is most common on the head, face, neck and arms. So slap on the sunscreen, especially if you are on or near the water.

HEAT STRESS! – On the job or off, heat is a big safety concern in many parts of the country. Keep track of the kids and pets (they can die very easily if left in a vehicle as inside temps can hit 140+ degrees). And remember, young children cannot handle the heat as well as adults (and they burn easier, too).

Water your pets – Dogs, cats, horses, etc. Your pets need to stay hydrated just as you do. Make sure you and the animals have plenty of fresh water available. Pets should also have a shady spot to get out of the direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day.

WATCH FOR CHILDREN – School is starting next week and that means teen drivers, kids at bus stops, bus traffic, bicyclers, skateboarders, etc. SLOW Down in School Zone and Watch for Children on the streets!

Chores around the house – Check your tools and power cords prior to using them. Inspect your ladders and step stools before taking on the task. Make sure equipment guards are in place. Follow proper bending and lifting techniques. Be careful out there!

Service the vehicle – Before sending the kids back to college. Flush the radiator; change the oil; check belts and hoses; check the tires for wear and air pressure (including the spare). It may be a good time to recharge the A/C too!