The Panda Post is brought to you by veteran safety reporter Bamboo Buchwald, a proud member of the AP (Associated Panda). Through intrepid reporting (which is pretty easy even for a cartoon since it takes little more than checking the websites of actual, reputable news outlets) I bring you the exciting, the not so exciting, and offbeat news from the Safety Industry.
Good information about what’s going on in the industry is priceless. What I offer might provide some value as well—hardly priceless, but at least worth a look.
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It’s the Holidays again. The stressful time of year when there’s too much going on, always a plate of fattening cookies in the break room, and when Frank from accounting gets a little too touchy feely at the office Christmas party. (No offense to accounting departments - it’s a joke.) We here at the Panda Post would like to wish all of you the best during the Holiday season. Even Frank.
You’d think after doing the overnight delivery gig for centuries, that Santa would be more careful about safety. Ice cleats from our friends at Due North? Nope. Fall protection for those slick roofs? Not for this jolly (but careless) old elf. Hi vis gear for Santa and the reindeer? Nothing but bright red, jingle bells, and Rudolph’s nose…hardly ANSI approved. Kris Kringle qualifies for most safety directors’ naughty lists. There’s a reason Santa’s exact whereabouts at the North Pole aren’t known. OSHA has to find you before they can fine you.
All You Need to Know About Holiday Safety
You’ve got to hand it to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. The group set up www.holidaysafety.org to provide tips to get through the Christmas season. Keep outlets covered and protected from small children, and keep an eye on those extension cords.
Clark Griswold knows all too well about (the lack of) electrical safety. There was no way I was going to get through this newsletter without at least one reference to Christmas Vacation. By the way, the Griswold’s cat would have been fine in a Level 4 Arc Flash suit from Stanco, Oberon or NSA.
The CDC Choir Presents: The 12 Ways to Health
Reminding people how to wash their hands and worrying about pandemics is a stressful job. But who knew that the folks at the CDC are aspiring songwriters? The organization wrote a handy song to remind us how to stay healthy. The 12 Ways to Health includes staying warm (we in Wisconsin don’t need that reminder), and managing stress. Remember that before you get out of the car and enter the insanity known as “The Mall”. Deep breaths. Hum this little ditty while Christmas shopping (then again…maybe that’ll just make things worse).
Of course in the old days our moms just let us eat dirt to fortify our immune system. These days, the helicopter, germaphobe types definitely are for ALL antimicrobial, all the time. The bubble boy in a bottle.
Unsafe Toys Don’t Belong Under the Tree
Every year I’m intrigued by the list of dangerous toys to avoid during Christmas. We no longer live in the era of Lawn Darts (what genius thought that putting heavy metal pointed objects in the hands of kids was a good idea?) or the Slip and Slide (wet, slippery, broken bone fun). My personal favorite for girls was the original EZ-Bake Oven - hotter than the surface of the sun, and if there’s one short...we’ve got problems. But poor toy designs still abound. Boston.com compiled this list of the 10 worst toys for 2010.
Notice that the Supasplat comes with safety glasses. Maybe there’s a market for youth eye protection. The last in the series, stilts for five-year olds, is just such a bad idea that it might just rank up there with Lawn Darts.
2010: A Good Year for the Sun
We’re always keeping an eye on clean energy. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, 2010 was a good year for the solar industry. Granted, the article sites the Solar Energy Industries Association as the source for the good news. Biased? Maybe, but they know more about the sun that I do. Keep an eye on the sun (not literally obviously or you’ll burn those retinas).
Good News From ASQ’s Manufacturing Survey
Sure the economy has seen its recent share of Grinches (see: Wall Street), but according to an ASQ survey of U.S and Canadian manufacturers there’s optimism for 2011. Consider the survey my “tidings of good cheer”.
Well, that’s it for Bamboo and friends for 2010. What a heck of a year. Here’s to more Stimulus because without it, the Grinch might have stolen Christmas. Oh one other thing.
Thanks to all who read this. I try to make this fun, punchy and a bit irreverent. We need a little humor these days.
Panda Communications has changed its name to Panda Group. Panda got tired of getting calls from people looking for a cell phone provider (Panda is not in the telecommunications business). Panda Group is more focused on its different services or divisions.
Panda Media – Content Services, Video Services and Webinar/Training Services, and Photography Services
Panda Systems – Ecommerce, Websites, E-Catalogs
Panda Project Services – Partnered Marketing Services located at distributors locations
Panda Publishing – Printed Catalogs and Collateral
Panda Expo – Tradeshow Coordination, Marketing and Promotions
They all make one group of marketing services, dedicated to the Safety, Janitorial and Industrial Markets. Check out Panda Group at www.pandagrp.com
Be sure to head to Kellie’s Korner for the latest marketing insight from the red-haired caped (safety) crusader.
eProduct Focus
Youngstown Gloves
We’re digging the Safety Lime Waterproof Winter Gloves by Youngstown Gloves. And because they are both hi vis and warm, they’re right up Santa’s alley. It’s time the old fella traded in those ridiculous red mittens for a pair of Youngstown Gloves.
Expect more from this tireless cartoon reporter (sleep is difficult considering I wasn’t drawn with eyelids) in the weeks to come. We at The Panda Post are here to keep you (semi) informed.
Call us today and talk to Kellie Hoffmeister at ext.101 • Our number is 888-TO-PANDA
We’re always keeping an eye on clean energy. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, 
Sure the economy has seen its recent share of Grinches (see: Wall Street), but according to an 
eProduct Focus 
