Category Archives: Safety

Safety Tidbit for Monday, 11/06/2017

06 Monday Nov 2017

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If you google the term “taking a knee,” you’ll find political and social perspectives because of the happenings in the NFL. For the last several weeks, I’ve also been taking a knee, but for a different reason. I’ve had some medical procedures, which include some “extra hardware” in my side, and the doctor said I’m not supposed to bend or stoop, or lift anything heavier than ten pounds. So what do I do when I drop my keys? I take a knee. By getting on one knee, and then carefully standing back up, I can retrieve my keys (or other small things I may have dropped) without stressing my side. And there’s nothing controversial about it! After the medical hardware is gone, I can continue to take a knee, which is another small thing that will help me …

Be Safe!

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for Monday, 10/30/17

30 Monday Oct 2017

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Last week, the freeway message signs read, “Who ya gonna call? Nobody … you’re driving!”

Freeway speeds are 65 MPH, or higher. At that speed, you travel about 95 feet in one second. How much distance is between you and the vehicle ahead of you? If you take your eyes off the road for “just a sec,” how far will you actually go before you can again focus on the traffic? I’ve heard recommendations of keeping three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead of you. I also recommend you keep 100% focused on what’s around you – the other mothers, fathers, and kids. I don’t ask for much. I just want us all to …

Be Safe!

Keith Steele

P.S.  Watch out for all the kids who will be out for Halloween!

Editor’s Note

19 Tuesday Sep 2017

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Due to my recent medical situations, I won’t be able to consistently write my tidbits each week.  Hopefully all will be resolved by the end of the year.  Thanks for your understanding, and remember to take the time and make a personal effort to…

Be Safe!

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for Monday, 09/11/2017

11 Monday Sep 2017

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I recently saw a sign in a store’s restroom that read in part, “Please DO NOT kick the toilet lever to flush….” It then specified the damages caused, and then the proper way to flush. I suspect that anyone kicking the toilet handle was thinking of their personal hygiene, but not considering other consequences.  
A big part of safety is, yes, to keep yourself safe. Just as important is to keep others safe. For example, as I’m driving on the freeway, it would be safe if I moved over to pass the vehicle I’m gaining on. At the same time, I need to make sure that I leave room for safety between my car and the cars in the other lane. Be considerate, be observant, and…

Be Safe!

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for Monday, 09/04/2017

04 Monday Sep 2017

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Today we celebrate Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer as we transition to fall. School has started, the days are getting shorter and winter is coming. Soon my wife will remind me to turn off the water for the yard, and I’ll need to bring in the garden hoses – among other things. I will also need to make sure my vehicles are ready for the change of season. There will be several weeks before the cold weather hits, several weeks to transition from enjoying summer, several weeks to prepare for winter. With the holiday weekend, it’s a good time to look ahead, think things through, make some plans, and take the steps that will, as winter approaches, help you…

Be Safe!

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for Tuesday, 08/28/2017

28 Monday Aug 2017

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08/28/2017
Each day at work, I extract data from a database and import it to a spreadsheet. I’ve been doing this daily for many months, to where I have the process working very smooth. Last week I took a moment to test for errors when I found a glitch. While finding the mistake was fast, it took me a while to find why I’d made the mistake. The problem was the result of inattention to details. Basically, if I had slowed down and been observant, I could have caught the problem before I imported the data to my spreadsheet.

If this had been a safety issue, I’d classify it as a near-miss. My takeaway is that I’ve had an experience, and I’ve learned a lesson. And if you ever have a safety near-miss, please do the same. Take a moment, note the lessons learned, apply them and …

Be Safe!

Safety Tidbit for Monday, 8/21/2017

20 Sunday Aug 2017

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A handful of medical procedures over the last few weeks has left my right side aching and my stamina low. At home I’ve found a cane useful for leverage when standing from a low chair, or when I pick something up from the floor. I thought one day I’d take my cane to work and see how much I’d use it. My first stop was at my locker, before going to the break room. I was about to close my cane in my locker when I glanced toward the break room. I’d forgotten just how far away it was. I grabbed my cane and started walking, grateful that I had it.

This may not be the best tie-in I’ve done, but here it goes. When things change, take time to assess the situation and make adjustments where needed. It could be new PPE, new tools, or new equipment. A little time, a little preparation, helps everyone to …

Be Safe!

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for Monday, 08/14/2017

14 Monday Aug 2017

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Do you know how embarrassing when everyone is watching you trip?  This morning, as I started up the stairs, my team lead was at the top of the stairs and half the team was at the bottom when I felt that my toe needed another quarter inch to clear the step.  One coworker called out to me as my fall started.  I felt that all eyes were on me as I bumped into the handrail.  Yes, I’d been holding on.

Yes, I may have “played” that up a little, but there’s one fact I can’t ignore.  By holding onto the handrail, it saved me some embarrassment and some pain, but mostly it did its job to help me…

Be Safe!

Keith Steele

Safety Tidbit for Monday, 08/07/2017

08 Tuesday Aug 2017

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I was driving home recently and was approaching the last stoplight before home. As I neared the intersection to make a left-hand turn, the green turn arrow changed. At this corner, I could turn or go straight, but I didn’t have enough time to check that the traffic behind me was clear and change lanes with certainty. I stopped and waited for the light to change before heading home. Yes, I could have got home a minute faster had I gone straight, but to me it was worth it to take a few extra minutes and…

Be Safe!

Keith D. Steele

P.S. Sorry I didn’t get this posted yesterday. It was a “medical” delay. Thanks for reading.