DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:32:37 -0500
Reply-To: kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**NOTES.CC.SUNYSB.EDU
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Kim Auletta <kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**NOTES.CC.SUNYSB.EDU>
Subject: Re: Safety value of housekeeping
In-Reply-To: <7A3E0FB2-591C-4274-B64F-62D872939EC2**At_Symbol_Here**cox.net>
This month's issue of Reader's Digest supports anecdotes for getting
people to buy/do something. The article is really trying to get the reader
to avoid anecdotes and look for supporting data, but states that anecdotes
are more powerful:
Beware anecdotes. When making decisions, we often give vivid bits of
information-like diet testimonials—more credence than they deserve. The
power of anecdotes to lead us astray is so strong that an influential CIA
study advises intelligence analysts not to rely on them. Ask for averages,
not testimonials.
Just an interesting aside.....
Kim Auletta
Lab Safety Specialist
EH&S Z=6200
Stony Brook University
kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**notes.cc.sunysb.edu
631-632-3032
From:
Greg Nottingham
To:
DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Date:
02/23/2009 06:01 PM
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] Safety value of housekeeping
Sent by:
DCHAS-L Discussion List
Ralph,
You probably already know it but I doubt that you would get any
real data so I think that the motherhood, etc applies in this case. I
would just say that you are adults, use your commonsense, and Mom is
not around to pick up after you. Tell them that they don't want you
or the other safety guys to get involved, they'll be sorry!
Sincerely,
Greg
On Feb 23, 2009, at 3:36 PM, Ralph Stuart wrote:
> We're getting ready for a presentation to our new chemistry
> department grad students about keeping a safe lab. Over the years,
> we've developed a strong professional intuition that good laboratory
> housekeeping improves safety and prevents accidents. However, I'd
> like to throw some numbers at this scientifically oriented audience
> to give housekeeping a value beyond motherhood and apple pie. Is
> anyone familiar with a source of statistics that might apply to this
> question?
>
> I'm sure that definitions of many of the words above are hazy, so
> going the anecdotal approach is the alternative, but I'd like to try
> for numbers if possible.
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> - Ralph
>
>
> Ralph Stuart, CIH
> Environmental Safety Manager
> University of Vermont
> Environmental Safety Facility
> 667 Spear St. Burlington, VT 05405
>
> rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu
> fax: (802)656-5407
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