Pub 129 Safety Talks - APWU

Safetv Talks 14-11Do You Throw Caution to the Wind During the Holiday Season?For many Americans, no time of year has more meaning than the monthof December. Certainly postal employees know what December means.To many of us, it means increased social, family and work activities. Italso means that special care and thought must be given to avoidbecoming a tragic holiday accident statistic.Now take time to think about a few situations you may encounter duringthe holiday season. Some may be safe, others unsafe. What do you think’?1. Safe or unsafe? James and his wife, Phyllis, are window clerks in asuburban post office. They enjoy decorating their house during theholiday season and have decided to place their Christmas tree in frontof a window for all to see. To eliminate a tripping hazard and hidethe unsightly electrical cord, they have run the cord under the carpet.2. Safe or unsafe? James and Phyllis look forward to skating on thecommunity pond at this time of year. Fortunately, the pond hasstarted to freeze. By the next day, it will be solid enough to skate onas long as they stay near the edge.3. Safe or unsafe? John, a mailhandler in the same office, sets up an .electrical train each holiday season. He’s lucky this year because only -a small amount of wiring is brittle and he can set up the train layoutwith no repair. Also, for the first time in years he doesn’t need to buynew track.4. Safe or unsafe? John has chosen a spot in front of the slidingglass door in his recreation room for the train layout. This way itwon’t interfere with the room arrangement.S. Safe or unsafe? John had a tough decision to make in selectingthe family Christmas tree. He saw several he liked with fair shapes,good coloration and pliable needles. But they had a sticky substanceat the butt. He decided on one with a perfect shape, but withoutthose other characteristics.6. Safe or unsafe? James and Phyllis purchased a tree with all thegood characteristics of freshness. They have decided to leave the treein their living room until the second week in January because theyare having out of town company that week.7. Safe or unsafe? There’s nothing like a roaring fire in thefireplace. John uses his fireplace to burn discarded gift wrappings andgreenery. This makes for a neater home.8. Safe or unsafe? It’s been a tiring day at work with high mailvolume. A light snow has fallen causing the streets and sidewalks toget slippery. James and Phyllis walk to their car, start it up, turn onthe windshield wipers to clear the snow and drive off to a dinnerengagement.9. Safe or unsafe? Upon being notified, a customer has come intothe post office to pick up a parcel. By standing on a carrier stool,James can get the parcel from the shelf without moving some heavyparcels which otherwise would be in the way.Pub. 129, October 1990