A Good Life Starts Here

By John Walsh, WSTDA President

It seems as if only yesterday we were in Indianapolis! What a pleasure it was to enjoy meeting with so many great WSTDA members. What a pleasure it was to enjoy Indianapolis. What a combination, a great city hosting a great meeting.

While it seems only yesterday we were there, we are now looking forward to our Spring 2007 Meeting in Scottsdale Arizona. Since Indianapolis, we have experienced the pressure of business year-ends, the excitement and exhaustion of Christmas and New Year celebrations and the doldrums of January and February. In my part of the world, the warmth of the March sun is a welcome harbinger of better times to come. Arizona sounds wonderful.

Work by dedicated WSTDA members continues. Our Legal Resource Committee led by Chairman Gelskey has restarted the process of obtaining qualified support in the review of our labels and warnings. They have received preliminary proposals from three organizations that appear to have the understanding and expertise required. These proposals are under review.

Chairman Reyna of our Policy/Forms Review Committee has requested that his committee meet in Scottsdale; this to begin the important task of reviewing the newly received side-by-side comparison of our Standards. This committee will meet early Monday afternoon. Committee Chairs and all others are encouraged to attend.

To further their work our Tie Down Technical Committee under Chairmen Keisewitt has scheduled a Saturday meeting before the start of our meeting. This extra effort is what makes the WSTDA. Extraordinary people doing extraordinary things.

All Spring Meetings include elections. A nominating Committee has been struck comprised of Mike Gelskey, Greg Babanchak and Jim Calico. They will be proposing a slate of nominees for election. All members are encouraged to step up and present themselves. As I have said before the more you are involved in the WSTDA the more you get out of it.

My company is part of a “Workplace Safety Group” comprised of many employers in different fields of endeavor. All are dedicated to improving Health and Safety at our workplaces. A recent newsletter contained some interesting thoughts that I would like to paraphrase and share:

1. Facility cleanliness – this is a necessity and a right. A clean, organized workplace is a safe workplace. Good housekeeping is an essential tool in the quest for workplace safety.

2. Personal cleanliness – we are in an age of avian flu or other pandemic threats. Let’s not forget even the common cold! Individuals must at all times take personal responsibility for maintenance of thorough personal hygiene.

3. Present-ism – when you are sick you do no favors by toughing it out and coming to work. Exposing others to your germs only spreads the pain. The domino effect created can be very dangerous.

4. Rest - adequate rest and relaxation will make you resistant to illness, improve your ability to function and help you work safely. Finding a balance between work and home including appropriate rest and relaxation is a key in maintaining a healthy and safe lifestyle. Remember; don’t skip your vacation time.

5. Diet – remember what your mother said – “eat your vegetables”. Some foods especially in disproportionate amounts cause lethargy, lower our natural resistance to sickness and impair our mental acuteness. A balanced moderate diet is required for a healthy lifestyle.

6. Exercise – being active with a regular exercise regime builds strength, stamina and resistance. It also makes us look and feel better.

There is certainly nothing new or earth shattering in these thoughts. They are however, a reminder of things we can do to keep ourselves our fellow workers and our workplaces safer. We can then accomplish more of the things we want and need to do.

I wish everyone good health and safe travels to Scottsdale.

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Web Sling & Tie Down Association

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