Submitted by Steve Winicker
LAST WEEKENDS SHOP ACTIVITY
Most of the week was spent working with or scrap bins getting them ready to send to Omni Source. Friday with the help of DJ we made a few more arch bricks and used all but a partial bag of refractory. I plan to save most of this in case we need it to set brick into the765.
Significant progress was made on the box car this week as well and DJ finished painting on the 141. Now it needs some dusting.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
There is a fair amount of scrap lying about the property that I hope to get rid of over the coming week. There is still a lot of shop organization needed and we will pursue that as well.
SAFETY SENSE
Whether you are in the presence of a user or you use a cell phone personally, using the phone for voice, text or other operations is a significant distraction. Being distracted while driving, while operating tools and equipment, when walking thru the shop or across the street, when in public or at work, increases the risk of crashes, injuries and and/or death.
Researchers have compared the level of distraction to a blood alcohol level of 0.08. Research also has shown that a cell phone conversation while driving is a greater distraction than conversing with a passenger. Drivers reacted significantly slower to unexpected events in the first two minutes of the phone conversation and are, for a large part of the conversation, unaware of traffic movements around them.
Many states have banned the use of cell phones without a hands-free device. The FRA and the railroads have specific rules and restrictions on how cell phones can be used. Although there are use restrictions, the safety distraction is still present. Your best bet, when driving, is to pull over to the side of the road or pull into a parking lot if you must have the conversation. Additionally, never utilize your cell phone while performing another function. Stop what you are doing and move to a safe location where you can concentrate on the conversation without putting yourself or others at risk.
Modern technology offers increased efficiency and time saving but it also can present significant safety hazards id not used properly.
SAFETY IS JOB 1
SAFETY FIRST ALWAYS
