What's Up Safety Stuff Subscriber?

A lot of fun and exciting stuff in your life I'm hoping.

I just got back from Ohio last night. The NW Ohio Safety & Health Day was an uplifting experience. Thank you Brenda for choosing me as a speaker. (And for helping me not get lost!)

Last Friday, I met with the founder of Podcast People, Doug Taylor. So, for the next few weeks I'll be working on topics and scripts for some cool podcasts. I'll let you know more about it later. But for now . . .

A SUPER BRIGHT NEW PRODUCT FOR BUSY SAFETY LEADERS LIKE YOU!!!

You'll never have to search for a safety meeting idea again! After nearly 9 years of collecting and publishing innovative safety meeting ideas (mostly from you Safety Stuff Subscribers) we chose 250 of our favorites. Then, we organized and indexed them to create 250 Super Bright Safety Meeting and Promotion Ideas. Now, you'll be able to find an idea for just about any common safety topic like "Chemical Handling," "Accident Investigations" or "Vehicles and Driving," to name a few.

For more details and to order this Super Bright product, click on the link below or on the cover to the left.

250 Super Bright Ideas

Way to go Melanie M. Lombard from ExxonMobil! 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.

Now, for Sheryl's idea that takes some acting nerve:

Hello Richard,

I am the safety rep for our team at a local sawmill in Randle, WA. For one of our safety training topics I decided to get dramatic.

Our safety topic was hand-finger injuries. While everyone was gathering for our safety meeting, I stepped outside so no one had seen me come in yet. Then, taking a large sliver of wood, I split it enough to fit over the web of my thumb and pointer finger. This gave the impression the wood was actually in my hand. Next I took some "vampire blood" (the kind you use for a Halloween costume). I covered the area of the wood and finger with the vampire blood, allowing it to drip down my arm.

I then rushed into the meeting room in a (fake) panic, shouting." I need someone to help me!" Everyone just sat there at first, and then my boss grabbed the blood-borne first-aid kit. It was interesting because I heard several comments from team members like "Don't pull it out, you could cause more damage," "Make sure she isn't in shock," " You need to put latex gloves on before you touch her," and "Why weren't you wearing PPE?"

I really shocked everybody when I then took the stick off my hand and began to comment on the positive and negative comments I heard during my "injury act."

No one knew of my plan, not even my boss. Our team showed they were on the ball and knew how to handle a bad situation. And by the way, this little stunt also covered our Blood Borne Pathogen safety topic too. Two "safety meeting birds" with one stone.

There are 92 known cases of nuclear "bombs" being lost at sea.

In Florida, a 2003 statewide survey found that bicycle fatalities had tripled since the new drunk driving statutes, which forced DUI-convicted alcoholics to ride bikes, were implemented.

The human body's total daily requirement of vitamins and minerals is less than a thimbleful.

Warren County deputies were called to investigate a shooting in Lake Luzerne, New York, on the evening of May 17, 2007. When they arrived, they found the victim had sustained a wound in his abdomen from a .22- caliber bullet. Even though the deputies weren't from the vice squad, they quickly discovered that the perpetrator was . . . a vise.

The victim had been discharging the bullets by clamping them in a steel vise, putting a screwdriver on the primer, and striking the screwdriver with a hammer so he could sell the brass shell casing for scrap (which goes for $1.70 a pound). The idea was working fine until the hundredth bullet ricocheted.

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"It wasn't bubbling fast enough for him" a Kent, Washington mother guessed of her son's unusual experiment, "because when we walked in the stove was on at the lowest setting." She was talking about what she found when she and her husband went to check on their son, in his trailer. "There was glass from the kitchen clear to the living room," the woman told KOMO 4 News. "They said it appeared that a piece of glass punctured his heart.

The glass came from a lava lamp that exploded when the victim decided to heat it on the stove.

Dear Michele,

I have now had the excellent fortune of twice hearing Richard Hawk deliver a compelling and motivational safety message to members of my organization. While the message was similar on each occasion, I was literally on the edge of my seat both times. I'm the type of person who won't even watch a movie twice, but Richard's style is interactive and engaging, and certainly kept everyone awake!

On a most serious note, I truly believe Richard holds the key to taking safety focus to a new level. This is particularly effective in organizations which are advanced in the safety processes, and are ready to embark to the next level by understanding and impacting behavior-based reasons why people still get hurt--despite knowing all the rules.

Following both of Richard's stimulating presentations, I had folks ranging from senior managers to technicians tell me that his message changed their lives! . . . The conversations I have with my team, and the methodology by which we promote safety has been positively changed because of our interaction with Richard.

Thank you for coordinating Richard's participation and impact on our team.

Most Sincerely,

Joseph J Bookout
Director, Engineering and Facilities
US Convenience Retail, BP North America

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

There was a 194-car crash in Los Angeles. Luckily the guy in the first car was still able to complete his cell phone call.

--Jay Leno

• Never walk unaccompanied through the parking lot. If you are shopping alone, wait for other shoppers to come into view and walk near them. If you are leaving the mall after dark and especially if your automobile is in a secluded area and you are carrying several packages, request an escort from a mall security employee.
  
  
• Avoid automatic revolving doors. Thieves can prey on you as you enter the door, using the time it takes for you to complete the circle to make their getaway.
  
  
• Consolidate your purchases. Combining your acquisitions into one or two large bags will help you keep better track of your possessions.
  
  
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry that could attract thieves. This includes the watch you wear. Thieves will evaluate your attire to determine if you are worth the risk and effort.
  
  
• Use the restrooms near the food court or other high-traffic areas. Avoid bathrooms that are located down service hallways or on quiet floors of department stores.
  
  
• Park in well-lit areas. Put your car as close to the entrance of the mall as possible. When you are forced to park farther away make sure the spot will be well-lit, even if it is daylight when you first enter the mall. Park in as well-traveled a location as possible.
  
  
• Stow all packages in the trunk. Never put packages in the back seat while you return to the mall to do more shopping. Leave all your most expensive purchases for last so you'll never have to leave them unattended.
  
  
• Get your keys out while you're still inside the mall. Look in the back seat of your car before entering.
  
  
• Remain alert as you unload packages into the car. Most car-jackings occur when the victim is distracted by transferring packages from a cart or securing children into the car. Stay aware of your surroundings.
  
  
• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Any time of the year, con artists may try various methods to distract you.
  
  
• If you suspect that you are being followed, look the presumed assailant in the eyes and yell "Stop." Then run toward other people, pointing and yelling, or run into the closest store or office. Do not stand your ground.