Farewell and Congratulatuons to Robbie Allen

Today is Robbie Allen's retirement party. Robbie is one of those guys that you can't help but be drawn to. Always ready with a quick witted remark, or a practicl joke, he is able to keep you smiling no matter what. I have had countless lunches, where I am sure I still owe him quite a few, and several heated political debates, that always left us friends! I will miss seeing his flamboyant socks and casual Friday shirts! Robbie loves Peoples Telephone and the community that he served. And they loved him in return. I am going to miss him. Robbie, be safe, have fun, and don't worry, I will still bring you goat steaks!

Excavation Safety

For some of the Utilicom Safety family we are conducting a multiple part excavation safety series for the next few Rappsessions. Others will begin this same series next month, and still others the following. A special note to all involved in trenching and excavation work, please don't allow yourself to get into an excavation, whether it is a traditional trench, bell hole, or shallow opening, watch for the warning signs of wall collapse! Be ever mindful of fissures, cracks, loose pebbles trickling down wall face, seeping water of drastic changes in temperature! If that voice in the back of your head even starts to whisper to you that things don't look o feel right, get out of the hole! Ask yourself, are these walls sloped to the proper ratio? Have we classified this soil correctly? Should I be in a trench box? If we only think earnestly about what we are doing and the long term impact of our inappropriate actions, accidents can and will be avoided!

Long Time Out

I hadn't realized that it had been October since I posted anything. For that I apologize. This will be a busy year for our Utilicom Safety family! Our West Texas training circuit is scheduled for 2012. Defensive Driving classes will be held, hopefully for all Texas based companies and coop's, as well as several OSHA Outreach courses. GVTC OSHA, NTCA in Seattle, Plantmans Conference in San Antonio, OSHA Training at Blue Valley and possible returns to Alaska and Utah should keep me busy for the next couple of months! This is a critical time for safety in working America right now! Most businesses are doing more with fewer employees. This trend will continue as our economy is forcing us to do more with less. Due to the hard working American spirit we all have (thank goodness!), we are succeeding! This of course means leaner staff, and work loads that can some times double. I'm not saying we can't handle this, as we obviously are handling it just fine, however, complacency can be a killer! Identifying and rectifying hazards must be in the forefront and it will be in Rappsession Safety Topics that a lot of your receive every month. I am going to try and focus traing, all or in part, to hazards recognition and avoidance. I will use pictures, scenarios, and quizzes more abundantly. Feel free to send me pictures you have taken of hazardous situations and they might get used. I look forward to a great and productive year in Safety for 2012! Be safe and God bless you and yours. Craig

Family Tragedy

This past weekend (Saturday, October 8th) my father, Richard Rapp, was killed in an auto accident in Uvalde, TX.  Being that I am a safety instructor and that I promote defensive and safe driving practices on a regular basis, it made this accident even more painfull.  What could I have done, or said that may have prevented something like this.  I know, after much thought, soul searching and prayer, that there was really nothing that I could have done.  My father had Alzheimers.  I would encourage each of you, if you have someone close to you with this disease to visit the Alzheimers Association website and watch the several videos on driving that they have posted there and share them with your loved ones.  If you have a desire to donate for the cure of this horrible disease, please do so. 

Louie Gohmert

This is the view we had for the 4th if July Concert and fireworks! On the steps of the Capitol! Louie Gohmert really took care of the New Diana High School Band!

Look at the size of that....

Some crab meat I took out of one joint of an Alaskan King crab leg. Dang!

Up close and personal

This bald eagle stayed put for awhile as we parked next to him. He eventually got mad and flew off. Adak is beautiful!