May 29, 2007
Fellow blogger Featherynscale, author of the Sic Transit Gloria Monday blog, has written some wise words about safety training in her post Things Featherynscale is No Longer Allowed to Do in the Human Resources Office.
She opines:
When creating multiple-choice exams to support safety training, the answer choices for "What is our general procedure in case of an emergency?" should not include "D. When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout."
This has some resonance for Guru, who recently heard of a health and safety emergency in an unnamed HR office, where a young lady got her fingers trapped in the raise/lower mechanism of her chair.
Her own panic was, according to one observer, only exacerbated by the hysteria of her colleagues who dashed about shreaking and squealing, making the situation much more tense than it really needed to be.
Calm was only restored when the Fire Brigade arrived to release the woman's swollen digits from the chair.
Guru is just surprised that the arrival of several brave hunky men in fire-fighting uniforms didn't cause even more excitement and fainting among the HR ladies than the original incident.
Sadly, Guru cannot be too smug about this near tragicomedy, since he has a rather poor record in the 'rescuing damsels in distress' department himself...
Guru was attending a swanky black tie function at a top London hotel, when a lady on his table started choking on some food. All the men on the table stood up (of course), and those nearest her made some pathetic back-patting efforts to remove the offending morsel.
But it took a medical man several tables away to dash into real action and make the decisive Heimlich manouvre.
After the emergency had been averted, all the (now rather sheepish) chaps sat back down and remarked that they were all on the verge of attempting the Heimlich just before the doctor stepped in.
Comments (5)
According to a colleague who is training to be St John's Ambulance Brigade person you can't use the term "Heimlich Manouvre" any longer as it's a trade marked term!!!
Posted by Gillian | May 30, 2007 11:37 AM
Posted on May 30, 2007 11:37
More office chair health and safety shenanigans from disciple Larry, who shares a recent company announcement:
Following a further chair staple incident where a member of staff pricked their finger, whilst manoeuvring their chair, we have requested that the staples are removed from all the "Steelcase" chairs.
We have arranged for this work to take place on Thursday 31st May and Friday 1st June. The impact to the staff is minimal (1-2 minutes per chair). Please can you advise the staff on your floor or in your department.
We are aware that this company has attended our building on 2 separate occasions but would appreciate your further patience.
Posted by Guru | May 30, 2007 5:23 PM
Posted on May 30, 2007 17:23
Please tell me that's not the actual picture of her fingers?
Posted by ergonomic office chair | September 14, 2007 2:44 PM
Posted on September 14, 2007 14:44
Nah - it's been 'digitally' enhanced - get it!?
Posted by Guru | September 14, 2007 3:37 PM
Posted on September 14, 2007 15:37
Ah yes the good old Heimlich Manouvre.... I use this on a regular basis, not only to prevent chocking but also for hichups, bachache, tension, broken fingernails, split ends, and depression.
Posted by Disciple Neil | September 20, 2007 3:39 PM
Posted on September 20, 2007 15:39