The Safety Catalyst: Secrets of Presenting to Executives

Have you ever felt like the safety manager who declared, "Sure I work a 40 hour week – by Wednesday!"? Or the HSE director who, in response to my statement that many people are doing the job of two others, ruefully responded, "Two? That's all?"

By Robert PaterSeems like everyone nowadays struggles with time famine. So the last thing anyone wants to hear is they should spend more time doing something not currently on their plate. But sometimes you do get what you pay for. Allocating strategic time to preparing for, and presenting effectively to, executives can pay many times over - in currency of receiving more resources, enhanced professional credibility and influence, support for your efforts so you know you're not fulfilling your mission alone, and more.

I've had the fortune of presenting to many groups of executives in companies worldwide, focusing on energizing and redirecting them towards active safety leadership. Along the way, here are some strategies I've learned that yield strong results but don't have to take tremendous time.

Virtual Voices

Image: A wearable captioning system developed at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) relies on mobile wireless technology to allow people who are deaf or hard of hearing to receive information that is being presented audibly to the general public in a variety of public venues. Georgia Tech Photo: Gary Meek

The system, which relies on mobile wireless technology, will allow users to easily receive information that is being presented audibly to the general public in a variety of public venues, such as movie theaters, museums, playhouses, schools, government meetings, sports arenas, transit stations and places of worship. Because the system can transmit multiple text streams, it may also be used for language translation; its software is internationally compatible. Also, the system could transmit optional information that a hearing patron might want, such as statistics at a sporting event.

"The venue must generate the captions for patrons, but our system is an easy way to get captioning to patrons in a way they want - customized for each person," said GTRI project director Leanne West. "Right now, captioning is typically available only in movie theaters - and just a limited number of them - but this device gives us a way to deliver captioning at any venue."

Helping Hands

After four research papers and 10 Blackboard quizzes in a week and a half, the keyboard becomes the dreaded enemy for many college students. But excessive keyboarding can be a contributing factor to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is swelling of the median nerve in the wrist. This nerve controls the sensory and motor functions of the hands. Keyboarding is considered to be a repetitive stress activity, which along with physical injuries, can cause carpal tunnel.

The Utah State Office of Education keyboarding program encourages good keyboarding skills among students in grades K through 12, such as taking frequent breaks, moving with even motions and keeping hands and fingers warm. Teachers are required to inform students that poor keyboarding skills can lead to carpal tunnel, although it’s not the dominant cause.

Balls as Office Chairs Not a Good Choice

There are ball chairs and then there are just balls. I've heard people comment favorably on their experience of replacing a typical office chair with one of those fitness balls or swiss balls, but there's no back support, and when I tried it, a couple hours was enough to convince me it didn't feel that great. According to a recent opinion piece on Ergoweb, that perception may be justified. In Balls as Office Chairs a Bad Idea, numerous experts in the ergonomics field are quoted, all suggesting that the lack of back support doesn't make them a good choice.

The exercise ball might be great for strengthening and toning in the gym or at home, but it can’t compete with a truly ergonomic chair for long-term sitting in an office environment.

Computer Users Saying No to Noise

For computers users, sleek, aesthetically pleasing computers have become the norm. But now users are turning their attention to another facet of the machine - noise. Reducing the noise generated by computers has become increasingly popular, especially in light of the data that proves that it can have a positive effect on a user's health.

"Noise from a computer isn't just an annoyance - it can have a profound impact on your body," says Peter Kim of SilenX, a leading producer of computer noise reduction components. "There have been numerous studies that show negative consequences from noise and loud computers."

According to a study that appeared in the journal Ergonomics in 2005, a test group reported "major deterioration" in their ability to concentrate due to the kind of background noise caused by computers. Noise can also contribute to the development and aggravation of stress-related conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary disease, ulcers, colitis, and migraine headaches, according to the National Association of Noise Control Officials. "We've also heard people report the inability to rest due to 'echoes' or 'humming' sounds that result from the long-term exposure to noise," Kim added.

2005 SAE: Brain Imaging Advances New Driver Distraction Research

What happens deep inside your brain when you're talking on the phone and suddenly have to brake? Soon, researchers from General Motors, Wayne State University and Henry Ford Hospital may have an answer, thanks to new research revealed today.

"We don't have the answer today, but this research lays the foundation that could lead us to an answer," said Richard A. Young, Ph.D., GM's lead researcher on the team.

The research, to be shared at the SAE World Congress on Monday (April 11), was conducted in 2003 and 2004 and benchmarks data against which future studies can be measured. It was funded by the GM Foundation and is believed to be the first research that addresses driver distraction by using brain imaging to examine driving-like behaviors in a laboratory setting.

These computer bugs can kill

There is likely something nastier than crumbs nestled in computer keyboards, especially those used in hospitals.

Keyboards are easily contaminated with germs, which in hospitals can take the form of antibiotic-resistant pathogens — the so-called superbugs, a study suggests.

And once they take up residence, there's almost no getting rid of them.

The electronic circuitry contained in keyboards, Blackberries, PDAs (personal data assistants) and other types of information technology make them particularly difficult to clean. The recent proliferation of these devices in hospitals poses a serious challenge for infection control.
(Via The Globe and Mail)