Howdy Safety Stuff Subscriber,

I hope you are enjoying your day.

This week I'm finishing up ads for a new product for you-- 250 Super Bright Safety Meeting and Promotion Ideas (5-years worth of Safety Stuff meeting ideas, categorized so you can easily find a topic for your next meeting or promotional event). We'll have a special "hot off the press" sale as soon as it arrives at my door.

COME JOIN ME!

I started my BLOG back up. So, come join me. I'll post regularly. And like I do in my e-zines I'll be sure to include unusual thoughts, ideas and tips. Here's a link to the BLOG: www.richardhawkinc.com/blog/

Let's give a hearty round of applause for Jim Dillon from CSC Range Support Services! Jim is this week's safety and health meeting/promotion idea winner.

Safety & health meeting/promotion idea winners get 25 Safety & Health Puzzles on CD which they can copy and give out to their employees. They also get a copy of Spice It Up! 52 Easy Ways to Turn Your Safety Meetings From Bland to Grand! If you'd like to purchase these helpful products just go to: www.makesafetyfun.com or click on the picture of the product on the left.

If I publish your idea on how to use a prop to make a point, or some way to get your audience involved in a safety & health meeting, or an innovative way to promote safety & health on and off the job you'll win the puzzles and booklet.

Send your ideas to me at richard@richardhawkinc.com or click on the link at the bottom of this message.

Now, for Jim's idea:

Our company works on a military training range at three locations. One of our site managers had a nifty idea that we now implement at all of our locations. During our weekly safety meetings, literature is distributed on different safety topics, current events etc. Inserted somewhere in the literature is an employee's name.

The employee has 24 hours to come forward and explain what they read, then they get to pick a "prize off the shelf," usually something small like a coffee cup. There's always a winner, even if someone fails to read the material, a coworker will let them know their name was in it. It's a fun way to get more interest in the materials you distribute.

Most Americans are too chronically sleep deprived to awaken without an alarm. Need for an alarm by definition signals some kind of danger.

Since 2001 about 1,000 U.S. children have been killed while buying ice cream.

"A motorist is nursing a broken nose after being hit in the face by a frozen sausage. The unsuspecting driver was hit by the flying banger as he approached the junction of Inchbonnie Road and Broughton Road, in South Woodham Ferrers.

The 46-year-old man was taking advantage of the warm April sunshine and had his window rolled down. However, as a car passed in the opposite direction, he suddenly became aware of a sharp pain in his face. Essex Ambulance Service paramedic Dave Hilton said he had not come across an incident like it in 30 years on the job."

--The Chelmsford Weekly News (U.K.)

Hi Richard,

I attended the standing room only seminar at the NSC Convention in Anaheim this year ("Creating a Vibrant Safety Culture"). Although I attended your public conference about two years ago, the information was refreshing to hear again.

Although I use A LOT of your tips, there were a couple more I heard last week that I will install in our culture. Its amazing what laughter and competition can accomplish!

Thank you once again for a memorable and informed seminar. I said it two years ago and Ill say it again; "Your seminar is the most informative I have ever attended, hands down."

Regards,

Anthony R Zamudio
Coachella Valley Water District
Safety & Training Manager

If you'd like the same kind of results at your next convention or employee day (or are looking for ways to improve your safety & health culture) contact Michele Lucia (972-899-3411 michele@richardhawkinc.com) or click on the link at the end of this email message.

If you'd like to see a video of yours truly go to my safety website www.makesafetyfun.com

When I saw a car get sideswiped by a UPS truck, I had to leave a note. It said, "You have been hit by a UPS truck, but you were not in your car. The truck will return the same time tomorrow. If you are not in your car after a third accident, you can pick up your sideview mirror at the local UPS facility.

--Steve Hofstetter

Here's a brief excerpt from the Communication Skills section in my Safety Leader's Guidebook:

*****************************

The nod is dangerous. Like the word "yes," it is easy, fast, and signals agreement--yet it proves nothing. When considered sufficient evidence of understanding, the nod can lead to disaster. When giving vital instructions, we need to realize that a simple nod or even an "okay" does not indicate proof of cognition.

One sad example of this occurred in 1978 when two jets collided on a runway in Tenerife. The co-pilot of one of the planes stated the non-standard, meaningless words, "We're now at take-off." The controller did not ask for any clarification because he was sure the message meant the pilot was ready to take off after the plane ahead had left the runway. So the controller answered with the verbal nod, "Okay," which is in itself an incorrect communication protocol. Because both parties were satisfied that they understood each other, 583 people died on that foggy runway near the Canary Islands.

Why do people readily signal that they understand only to find out later that they don't? According to the book That's Not What I Meant by Deborah Tannen, Ph.D., "The ways we show our involvement and considerateness in talk seem self-evidently appropriate. And in interpreting what others say, we assume they mean what we would mean if we said the same thing in the same way. If we don't think about differences in conversational style, we see no reason to question this."

Of course, there are hundreds of other reasons why people say, "I know what you mean" when they don't. Some are honorable, some aren't. Whatever the reason, as the person sending the message, there are ways you can ensure it was understood correctly:

1. Plan your message. You must understand what you are saying. If you don't, they can't.
   
   
2. Don't start until you are positive you have the person's full attention.
   
   
3. Explain the goal before you spell out the details. This will help your listener fit the pieces of your message together rather than guessing at how they relate to the big picture.
   
   
4. Use as many visuals or mock-ups as possible.
   
   
5. Don't ask questions that can be satisfied with a simple "yes" or "no" response. This means eliminating questions such as, "Do you understand?" or "Is there anything that seemed confusing?" or "Got it?"
   
   
6. Ask questions that force the person to explain some of the details of your message.
   
   
7. Whenever practical, have the other person demonstrate your instructions.
   
   
8. Especially if it is a safety-related instruction, never ever trust a nod or "okay."