ALMA E-News for August 2004
Greetings ALMA Members,
After a year’s hiatus while I learned to edit Managing the Modern Laboratory, ALMA e-News returns—but this time as a quarterly rather than monthly. I appreciate all of the kind words that I have received regarding this little newsletter and the encouragement to revive it. I always appreciate hearing from you and welcome any suggestions for topics.
Laboratories are dangerous places; they contain hazards such as poisons, asphyxiates, lachrymators, caustics, flammables, explosives, carcinogens, high pressures, high temperatures, extreme cold, sharp blades, high voltage, radiation, rotating equipment, pyrophorics, pinch points, heavy loads, dust particles, Laser light, impact devices, blister agents, allergens, loud noise, etc. Yet the injury rate for laboratory workers is less than a third that of U.S. industry as a whole. This statistic makes sense when we consider that when dangers are recognized, we devise appropriate precautions to protect workers, institute policies or procedures to insure compliance, and train on the safe way to perform operations —in spite of the dangers, recognition and preparation significantly reduce the potential for harm. Thus, we might conclude that better hazard recognition might improve safety performance—so, why not practice this skill with our staff? This can be done rather simply by using pictures of the workplace containing subtle hazards (usually staged) and having the staff identify them. Another technique is to have a group perform a safety observation while an individual performs a procedure –since each person tends to notice different potential hazards, the group learns recognition techniques from each other.
One of the current management themes in vogue is employee accountability (e.g., The Oz Principle, Conners et.al., Portfolio Press). Just as the Oz characters sought the help of the Wizard to solve their problems but, ultimately, found the solutions within themselves, staff members are also able to solve their own problems when motivated to do so. Simplistically, accountability means recognizing problems, taking ownership, formulating options, and implementing solutions rather than blaming others, making excuses, or finding reasons for not achieving results. Certainly, on occasion, events conspire against us to raise formidable obstacles that hinder us from reaching the preferred result, but we can still strive for the best attainable result. Apply this concept to our personal lives—should we passively wait for others to make (or not make) decisions regarding our future or should we be accountable for initiating action to achieve the most advantageous outcome for ourselves? Whether seeking promotion or facing downsizing, there are always options within our control.
ALMA will celebrate its silver anniversary at the 25th annual conference to be hosted by Agilent Technologies in Wilmington, DE on November 10-12. In addition to a strong technical program, this conference will feature many special events that will make this a memorable occasion. If you’ve never attended one of our annual conferences, this is the one you can’t miss—put those dates on your calendar!
If you have any comments, cost saving suggestions, opinions, etc. let me hear from you .
Wayne