Welcome to another edition of the Panda Post. I’ll start this one with another video feature (followed by the regular journalistic stuff). There are some damn good safety videos out there on the web (some legitimately informative, and some just plain funny).
I’m no safety engineer. I’m just a cartoon journalist. But I can say with a fair amount of certainty that this video shows a workplace that does not comply with OSHA.
Get to Know the Flu, Before it Gets Up Close and Personal
Flu season is just around the corner. And with the expected spread of the H1N1 (aka: swine flu, piggy flu, bacon-wrapped influenza) it’s a good idea to learn everything you can about virus basics, and be prepared. The CDC has a great H1N1 flu site that provides everything you need to know. And the government has also set up a handy site with guidance on workplace response to the upcoming flu season. Companies should stock up on hand sanitizer, hand soap, nitrile gloves, etc. And at the risk of sounding like your mom, "Wash your hands!". Frequent hand washing can help stem the spread of the virus (besides it’s just plain gross not to wash after a trip to the bathroom or before you eat).
Smokey Bear Turns 65
On August 10, the USDA Forest Service celebrated the 65th birthday of Smokey Bear (I assume that any candles Smokey failed to blow out were extinguished properly). We at the Panda Post certainly respect Smokey. Hell, the hairy dude’s an icon. But he’s not the only bear out there trying to make the world safe. The Panda Safety Bear has been spreading the message about PPE, safety equipment and the like for nearly 14 years. If Smokey decides to retire any time soon (he is 65 after all), the Panda is ready to take up his role. We’ve been working on our catchphrases and deep baritone delivery… “Only you
can prevent workplace accidents.”
(Mainly Positive) Economic Bullet Points
Page past the blurb about Maysteel closing it's plant and you'll find some good news from BizTimes. I like to see the phrase "strong signs of economic recovery" from time to time. Recovery is a good word.
Safest Workplace? Clearly It’s the Chemical Weapons Plant
At first glance this headline struck me as odd, “Chemical Weapons Destroyer Named One of Nation’s Safest Worksites”. I would guess places like a pillow manufacturer, feather dying plant, or a felt hat maker would corner the market on safe workplaces. But I guess if you’re in charge of destroying old chemical weapons (stuff so potent that it might kill you for just looking at it) there’s no margin for error.
Kellie's Korner: Small Business: It Ain’t Easy Being the Little Guy or Gal
Small business is essential to the economy (I realize that many reading this will think I’m preaching to the choir, but bear with me) but it certainly isn’t for the faint of heart. Read more...
Here’s an Idea, Let Workers Choose a Respirator
(Although the accompanying photo is not a suggested respiratory practice.)
Workers are the ones that have to endure wearing respirators or other cumbersome PPE every day, so why should a safety engineer be the one choosing what they wear (other than of course to protect the bottom line)? Grant Rowe, a respiratory protection product manager for Bullard wrote an insightful article for ISHN about letting employees do just that. Let workers decide on what they wear all day (within reason, obviously hot pink leggings, a boa, and a fedora with a feather in it wouldn’t go over well in a machine shop). And let safety professionals choose the catalog workers order from (may I suggest a Panda catalog?)
Across the Wire: Breaking News
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.
Green Product Spotlight: Zing
Milk jugs make great safety signs. Not when they’re full mind you, but after they’ve been used and processed. The Panda Post stresses that it’s a good idea to go green in the workplace and our friends at Zing are helping. They make recycled signs that remind workers to recycle (make sense?), and they also make safety signs made of recycled materials.
Check them out for yourself at www.zinggreenproducts.com. Kellie suggests that you sell these to the office manager and human resources manager. They all have corporate intitatives to green up their building and their annual report.
These signs are a perfect way to help meet those goals. And it doesn't hurt in the PR department either. You can purchase these signs through National Marker. Contact your rep today.
eProduct Release
Click here to view great ways to promote products on your website!
For Distributors that don't use the Panda Ecommerce Technology - well you can get this information on your site too. It just takes a bit more time to link to your site.
Call for pricing and we'll tell you how we can get this done!
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
Smokey Bear Turns 65 
Here’s an Idea, Let Workers Choose a Respirator
Milk jugs make great safety signs. Not when they’re full mind you, but after they’ve been used and processed. The Panda Post stresses that it’s a good idea to go green in the workplace and our friends at Zing are helping. They make recycled signs that remind workers to recycle (make sense?), and they also make safety signs made of recycled materials. 
These signs are a perfect way to help meet those goals. And it doesn't hurt in the PR department either. You can purchase these signs through National Marker. Contact your rep today. 
