Safety Tidbit for 7/1/2019

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I’m taking a trip this summer. Since my son is helping with the driving, I recently told him a few things that will be good for him to know. He’ll need to be observant as he drives, and to keep a safe distance between him and other vehicles. We’ll need to make sure both of us are well-rested. Frequent stops are also needed, and not just to gas up. I’ll make sure our car is serviced and ready for the trip. I also want him to understand that, when he’s the driver, he’ll have a better feel if anything isn’t working right. I’m sure I’ll share other points as the trip evolves so our travels will…

Be Safe!

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for 5/7/2019

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At work, I use a program which requires a password.  If I enter the wrong password too many times, I get the access denied message.  Sound familiar?

There are limits to how “risky” we can be before it catches up to us.  Once when I was moving, I talked to the moving team’s foreman about the heavy items.  He said years ago, he had one man on his team that would keep lifting heavy items by himself.  He did this for years before it caught up with him.  It didn’t happen all at once, but after a while he reached his physical limit.  Maybe we can get away with it for a while, or do it on rare occasions, but do something unsafe too often and it will catch up and take a toll.  It’s always better the more we can…

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for Tuesday, May 1, 2019

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I was visiting a friend at his job recently when I heard a crunch, one of those sounds that you know isn’t good.  I looked out the window and saw a small truck and a light pole, a bent bumper and a broken light.  And to top it off, it wasn’t the driver’s truck.  I later learned what had happened, and it really was a simple formula: a different vehicle, unfamiliar surroundings and a distracting conversation.  True, this was a minor fender bender, but the basic principles always apply.  Take time, stay focused on your driving and aware of your surroundings.  Remember, it’s the little things that help us…

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Safety Tidbit for 3/4/2019

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I’m diabetic.  Some people, when they learn that, think I shouldn’t have that piece of chocolate.  I can have a little chocolate, some ice cream, and I can enjoy a good sandwich.  I shouldn’t have lots of chocolate, or anything high in carbs.  It’s all about a good balance.  Eating a healthy diet keeps me alert and gives me the energy I need to be productive.  So, yes, I’ll say that good nutrition helps me…

Be Safe

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for Monday, 02/04/2019

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For the past several years, I’ve done a tidbit in January to encourage everyone to remember to include safety in making New Year resolutions. This year I didn’t. I read something online that said weekly goals will produce better results. I also read an advice column that promoted the concept of daily improvement. In my opinion, that’s a better idea and more likely to bring results. So, as 2019 marches on, each day find something you can do, or some way to help another, to…

Be Safe!

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for 01/07/2019

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I took a different road to work this morning after I ran an errand. The speed limit sign said 55 MPH, but my speedometer showed 35 MPH. And the car beside me had at least 5 inches of snow on top. Shortly after that, I saw a car that had managed to plow off the road and was stuck in snow up to the hood. I’d checked the weather forecast last night, I knew I’d be late, I’d allowed myself extra time, and I took all the time I needed. I’m not going to calculate how much the vacation time I used is worth. It doesn’t matter. It’s a small price to pay to …

Be Safe!

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for Monday, 12/03/2018

Recently I was passing between some stanchions when I noticed the crossbars. They were set at a perfect height. I stopped for a moment to take care of some important business. I retied by shoes. Yes, it may seem trivial, but my shoes are part of my personal protective equipment (PPE) and I want to make sure they are fitting right. My experience is that when my shoes are loose I find it distracting. We often overlook them, but keeping our shoes tied helps us …

Be Safe!

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for Monday, 11/6/2018

Being middle-aged, I have a few medical “conditions” that come with that age bracket. (Sorry for the lack of details, but I don’t want to get too personal.) A few months ago, the doctor prescribed a medication that greatly helped. But like many medications, it had side effects. This one made me even drowsier than my other medications. After a quick talk with the doctor’s office, I stopped the medication.

I have two safety tie-ins here. First, coordinate with your doctor before stopping any medication. Second, be aware of how your medications affect you. It may be necessary to stop a medication if it will help you…

Be Safe!

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for Monday, 10/1/2018

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I was recently driving on the freeway when I saw another driver swerving a little. I watched carefully, knowing I’d need to pass before long. When it appeared to be safe, I passed and caught a glimpse of the driver as I did. It was easy to see her face lit up by her cell phone. I doubt she realized how obvious it was, what the signs were of what she was doing. Seeing something that obvious reminds me of why I chose to …

Be Safe!

Keith Steele