E-News for November 2001
Greetings ALMA Members,
On your next safety inspection, check the electrical outlets in the laboratory to determine if all are Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacles. These inexpensive devices have been available for many years, have saved hundreds of lives, and prevented thousands of injuries but are still absent from many labs. They are often mistakenly thought to function like circuit breakers that open the circuit when excessive current is detected but, in fact, are life saving devices designed to open the circuit in as little as 1/40 second when it detects current leaking to ground (through you!). While these receptacles are recommended throughout the lab, it is especially important to install GFCI receptacles where electricity and water come in close proximity such as near sinks or drains. Since the receptacle can continue to function even if the ground fault circuit fails, it is important to include testing of these devices in your monthly safety inspection checklist. The National Electrical Safety Foundation recommends plugging a nightlight or similar device into the outlet when conducting the following test:
- Push the “Reset” button on the GFCI
- Prepare for the test.
- Plug in the light and turn it ON
- The light should be ON.
- Push the “Test” button on the GFCI.
- The light should go OFF.
- Push the “Reset” button again.
- The light should go ON.
Faulty outlets should be replaced immediately by a qualified electrician. If you don’t have GFCI outlets, it is recommended that you install them; if you have them, test regularly to keep them in proper working order.
Any discussion on the attributes of an effective manager will invariably list “good communicator” at or near the top of the list. This skill is usually considered to be a key element of leadership and a basic requirement of the managerial function. It is also the skill that most of us would most like to improve. Yet, it is interesting that we tend to think of communication only in terms of speaking or giving information while research shows that listening is an equally critical portion of the process. The publication Employee Recruitment & Retention suggests that we can improve our communication skills by remembering five simple things to become a better listener:
- Put your work away
- Remove all temptation to do anything other than give your full attention to the employee.
- Bite your tongue
- Make sure the employee is finished before you start speaking.
- Smile and lean forward
- Send the message that you are fully engaged in what the person is saying.
- Always ask questions, even if you don’t have any
- Tells the employee that you have been listening and are committed to resolving the issue being discussed.
- Start your own comments by paraphrasing the employee
- Helps you get the issues clear in your own head before you speak and tells the employee that you have been listening.
In spite of lower than usual attendance, the 22nd Annual ALMA Conference was a great success. The topic was motivation and the slate of speakers had different opinions on the subject which made for very interesting discussions. Look for summaries of the presentations and round table discussions in our Bulletin. Next year's conference will be in St. Louis during the week of October 14—put it on your calendar now to attend.
If you have any comments, cost saving suggestions, opinions, etc. let me hear from you .
Wayne