​I walked around an industrial manufacturing center this week, and I asked a variety of machine operators and laborers how they were able to do such a good job of staying safe. Each of them had a very similar reply. Essentially, they conveyed that they wanted to remain free of injury for their futures and for their families. They evaluate the actions at hand and choose to work through those actions as safely as possible. They watch out for themselves and fellow teammates. Listening to them was especially heartwarming because it is the holiday season. To me, this time of year epitomizes why safety is so important. It’s a time for family, friends, and to look forward to the coming new year. 
 
One Christmas many years ago, while stationed in a foreign country, I recall sitting in an outpost at a highspeed taxiway where our Alert Fighters would scramble to escort Russian bombers through protected airspace. It was Christmas Eve, it was blowing snow, and it was -20 degrees outside. I had no heat, but I did have the finest in military cold weather garb. Still, I stood there shivering, holding my M-16, and listening to the little transistor radio that was barely working as it aired the Armed Forces Radio and Television Christmas music special. My communication mobile radio had failed because of the cold, so I had no contact with anyone. The only thing I could think of was family—who wouldn’t in such a situation and time?  Ever since, I have felt that family and family relationships are just about the most important aspects of life, and it helped me to have a deeper concern for situations that hurt or separate families.
 
So, this time of year, I always have two highlighted focuses that float in the back of my mind: 1. thinking of our military personnel stationed around the world that won’t be home with family during the holidays; and 2. thinking of the fact that we will end another year in our country where nearly 5,000 workers will not have made it home safely to their families. I know it sounds a little depressing, but I want to focus on the positive side. I am thankful for those who serve our country, and I hope it will always be a safer place because of them. I am proud of the employees who look out for themselves, and their fellow employees, for their families. I am certain the workplace will be a safer place because of them, and families will have a better chance of staying whole. 
 
As we go through the holidays and head into a new year, let’s keep those who serve in our minds—whether they are first responders or military.Find some way to show appreciation for their efforts at keeping our country and communities safe. In our workplaces, we should be building safety plans that will help make the new year a safer year to ensure we reduce the number of workplace tragedies that our country experiences each year. If our safety plans focus on creating a culture where operators and laborers automatically think of how they can keep themselves and their fellow workers safe, then we will reduce these situations that devastate families.
Happy Holidays! End the year safely, and make the new year an awesomely safe year for your teams and keeping their families whole!
 
Chris Lawrence
President, ASSP – Southern Oregon Chapter
 
​With over 20 years in occupational safety and health, Chris Lawrence is a retired US Air Force Safety Professional who is the Regional Safety Manager for Boise Cascade.

​By Jen Killpack, Safety & Workers’ Compensation Coordinator – City of Medford
 
New Year, New Changes
As the Christmas tree needles fall and the last bit of pie is devoured, we start to realize the new year is fast approaching. We ask ourselves, “What will we do differently this coming year?” Or we make statements like “This is the year I am going to lose that weight.” Rest assured, we all have goals, and there is always room for improvement, but do we ask ourselves, “What is realistic?”
 
As a lover of all things health and fitness, I, too, struggle with the above questions and statements. What has helped me to be successful at reaching my goals has been to set them realistically, and then move the mark once they are achieved. If you look at losing that 20 pounds in five-pound increments, it doesn’t seem so overwhelming. If you look at that garage that needs to be organized and divide it into sections, it doesn’t seem so massive.
 
Goal Setting: Start with a checklist of the items you want to tackle in 2020. Prioritize the list with the most important things at the top and lowest priority at the bottom. Once this is set, start looking at the goal and break it up into quarters, like the example of 20 pounds mentioned above. Assign a start date and completion date that is realistic but still provides enough pressure to stay focused.
 
If weight loss is your goal, keep in mind that two pounds a week is considered healthy weight loss. So, maybe you plan to lose five pounds a month with the achievement set for four months. To some, this might be too much time allowed to achieve the goal, but with weight loss, it is important to try to make a lifestyle change rather than using a fad diet. Now that you have a sub-goal of five pounds per month set, you might feel less stressed and making healthy decisions will be easier.
 
Make sure to reward yourself at the end of each month—small things that help support the goal are best, such as a new pair of workout pants or a set of exercise bands. Keep it healthy and find rewards that support you toward the overall goal.
What happens if you don’t reach the goal? It’s ok! Breathe, re-group and re-evaluate, and try again!
 
Let 2020 be the year of setting yourself up for success, one attainable goal at a time. This will help achieve a lifestyle based on success rather than a slippery slope of setting goals too high and not being able to achieve them.
 
Jen Killpack, City of Medford
ASSP Member