28 November 2014

Safety Drive

One thing I have noticed over the past year working at ABB is the attention to safety. In an industry that brought us Bhopal the need to keep safety at the front of our minds is paramount.

I see this on a daily basis. Among the software I sell are programs for sizing pressure relief valves for vessels. These valves help ensure the storage tank doesn't become a high pressure bomb. Others inspect these vessels to make sure they are not being damaged by time, elements, and the job they do, while others help in the safe decommissioning of plants when they reach end of life.

In the office we have to hold the hand rail, use the lift if we have more than 1 bag (ie can't hold the hand rail), and use a tray to carry more than 2 cups of hot or cold drinks. We are expected to stop un-safe actions wherever we see them, including when we are off duty.

Driving is high risk. Distance, weather, distraction and other plebs make it downright dangerous at times. We are encourage to place our safety and that of others high, and we will be supported in this activity. I have been assessed by an AA advanced driver, and have undergone additional training.

So I was not surprised to find that there was a "Winter Driver's Kit" that I was supposed to have in the car with me. Its got things like a warning triangle, a torch, and a shovel. I finally picked my pack up this week.



To misquote Chief Brody, "I'm gonna need a bigger car"

The bag is 65cm by 27cm square - 48litres capacity. In addition to the aforementioned, there is a woolly hat and socks, gloves, a flask and a day glo coat. There's also a first aid kit, a spare battery, deicer and an ice scraper.

I'm not sure, but I think the shovel and coat can be used together as a tent. I'm positive the bag will float, so perhaps I can sail it, or use it as a tauntaun as Han did for Luke in Empire?

Because I played safe when ordering the car I got the full sized tyre instead of the space saver. This means the boot the full of tyre.

I don't know where this bag is going to live...