Hola! Safety Stuff Subscriber,

It feels good to get together again.

I'm home this week preparing a safety leadership talk for the leaders at ExxonMobil in Montreal. I'm also Blogging and working in the studio.

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/

Congratulations Rod Johnson from Crum Trucking Inc.! You are 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.

Okay, let's move on to Rod's idea:

Dear Richard,

We run a fleet of trucks in 48 states and Canada. A while back our ISS Rating was slowly climbing due to drivers getting warnings on inspections. We implemented a program in which the drivers were rewarded with a $25.00 gift card for every inspection they brought us that did not have any warnings or violations.

Last year we were able to give out over 49 cards totaling $1,225.00 and our safety numbers for that year were the best they have ever been.

ART
assuming room temperature (a patient died)

DFO
done fell out, used to describe fainting

FFDID
found facedown in ditch

FFDIG
found facedown in gutter

GLF
ground-level fall, when someone trips or falls from a standing or sitting position

GSW
gun shot wound

POPTA
passed out prior to arrival

TAT
tired all the time

TBC
total body crunch--refers to multiple bone injuries

TDS
terminal deceleration syndrome--this refers to death as a result of a sudden stop, such as falling to one's death

TEETH
tried everything else, try homeopathy

UBI
unexplained beer injury

Source: Confessions of Emergency Room Doctors by Rocky Lang and Dr. Erick Montero

Dear Richard,

What a pleasure it was having you speak to our employees. The positive feedback from the employees was tremendous. They thoroughly enjoyed spending time with you.

Our employees get so inundated with "be safe at work" type speeches from managers and supervisors that I am sure it sometimes seems as if we don't care what they do outside of work. Your sessions really let them know that Super Store Industries does care about them as people, not just employees. We wanted them to know that we want them to be safe all of the time, not just at work. Your very effective method of conveying that message was received with smiles and open minds. The message will be with them for a very long time, if not for the rest of their lives.

You delivered on your promise. SSI looks forward to having you back in the very near future. Great job!

Sincerely,

Jared Minnick
Safety and Loss Control Manager
Super Store Industries

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

I found a snake in my yard, and got a shovel and whacked it several times. Then I didn't have cable for a week.

--Charlie Viracola

I'd thought it would be fun to end this week's issue of Safety Stuff with a couple parodies that didn't make the top four from the song contest I held in March. (There were so many good ones it was hard to choose for sure.) These are more on the serious side but still good.

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

"Safest Thing I've Ever Done"
(Right Fork of the Road)
Lyrics by Cynthia Zarsky
Sung to "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams

I got my first real big job
Thought I was doin' fine.
Didn't want to wind up dead;
So I checked the company's safety line.

Wanted to have a future,
But the numbers weren't good to see.
One dead: many more injured.
Wondered if they'd care about me.

When I look ahead,
My thinking's starting to clear now.
I need to make a choice-
To stay here or rely on my know-how.

Taking the Right Fork of the Road

There's no use in delaying
When you're weighing con and pro.
Look at all of the human factors;
That's when you gotta know.

Standing with my safety gear
I know it's now or never.
Stay here or steer clear,
Either way could mean forever.

Taking the Right Fork of the Road
It's the Safest Thing I've Ever Done.

Then I got a better job.
It took some time and effort
To find the safe road.
This pathway will last me a lifetime (repeat) a lifetime

It pays to listen to your instincts,
Looking out for others and your own.
Please be your brother's keeper,
And you will never be alone.

Standing with my safety gear
I know that it's now or never.
Stay here or steer clear,
Either way could mean forever.

Taking the Right Fork of the Road It's the Safest Thing I've Ever Done (repeats 2-3 times and fades).

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

"IF I HAD A LOAD TO LIFT"
Lyrics by Larry E. Vecera
(to the tune of "If I Had a Hammer" by Peter, Paul and Mary)

If I had a load to lift
I'd lift it with my legs not with my back
I'd test if it were light enough
Or break it into loads
I'd plan a clear walk path
I'd balance it on the wa -ay
And set it down just the way I picked it up
To protect my spine

If I have a ladder to climb
I'd check that its in good shape
And OSHA approved as well
And rated for the load
Won't get on the top step
Overlean or overreach
I will work with a spotter and do the things I oughter
Staying accident free

If PPE will keep me safe
From hazards like MSDS
So that I can go home at night
To my family
I will wear it every day
I won't throw my PPE away
Or make fun of how I look wearing goggles
Cause they keep me safe

Lifting right protects my back
Climbing safe prevents a fall
PPE protects my bod
Against hazards to my safety
Its procedures that keep us safe
And let us enjoy our life
Safety's meant for my brothers and for my sisters
All over this land