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ENG Safety Memo

Emergency Alert System
Roger Herring

The next RMT test is scheduled for Dec. 3 at 11:15 p.m.  The Amber Alert test is scheduled for Dec. 26, 10:45 a.m.

The new calendar listing RMT test's for 2003 is now in the mail.  Please check with your GM if you do not receive one soon.  Also, you may check the web site listed below, or http://www.oabok.org for it to be posted soon.

You will also learn of the date and new codes for all ENDECS to be upgraded to.  More to come!

Those wishing to update their endecs to the latest software can visit http://www.okeas.org and look under Manufacturers for links to their sites.  Some software is available as well as the latest information on who is charging for updates and who are offering updates for free, is there.

You’ve heard of absenteeism, right?
How about presenteeism?

Excerpts from the Editor, Mark Bell.

An article from Rene Guzman of the New York Times News
Service caught my eye about a year ago.

Since 9-11-01, and more recently with events in the Washing-
ton area, a lot of attention has been given to workplace trauma,
and to people who simply have other things on their minds in-
stead of concentrating while going about their normal activities.
Work is a therapy of sorts to many, as it offers a chance to get
“life” out of their minds. That’s a good news/bad news scenario.

“The lights are on but nobody’s home,” you may have said, or heard a coworker state about another. The person referred to is being made fun of because their level of awareness and comprehension in particular areas is less then it is thought it could be.

That coworker who “just doesn’t get it” may be moving a bit slower because of depression. Depression is a con- tributor to operating at less than capacity. In fact, one quarter of the population will have depression at one time or another. People may take a few days off because a flu may slow them down a bit, but few feel it’s valid to do the same when mentally fatigued or depressed. They may feel that if they try to take time off, it may be viewed as a negative aspect of their job performance.

Thus, the concept of “presenteeism.”

One has to simply understand some of the above and how it may apply to coworkers or the general public.

It’s a given that work is a sustaining force in many people’s lives. If there are family issues, personal tensions, or loss, it’s hard to predict what stimulus during the day will create a response, typical of the type which would make others feel the person isn’t “all there.” They may not react properly under all circumstance s, perhaps not prop- erly avoiding typical hazards of the job, working with less efficiency, or maybe not practicing common courtesies.

If you’re out on the street you deal with a very large population who may be showing up for their jobs as a distraction from the misery in their lives, too. Their recov- ery “therapy” is working in your outside environment.

The TV business has been subject to a lot of instability. If a person is thinking of that, or exposed to emotionally disturbing news day after day, they may be affected by the emotional aspect of their work.

This brings up the memory of a conversation with an insurance company representative about trauma. He was asked what would happen if an insurance company col- league witnessed the tragedy of a murder, and the shocked, emotional relatives and friends of the victim.

“He/She would probably be given the day, week, or more off, depending on his or her reaction,” he said.

The typical response from TV people was that they may be given a break to get themselves back together, but would be expected to quickly return to work. It’s the nature of the business. There’s an expectation that TV people will shield themselves from the trauma they wit- ness, for reasons which aren’t very clear.

What’s being discovered more and more, however, is that few can hide from such trauma.

We’re still at war...remember? We think and feel a bit different about things in our lives, such as survival. We were attacked on 9-11-01. We have fears that we may not survive for reasons of which we’re unaware. There is nothing stronger than those fears. Does the sight of people of a certain nationality create a reaction within you or others? Will another incident create fear? Are you looking at tall buildings, planes in flight, and guns different than before 9-11 and Montgomery County MD? Most likely you are, because you’re human, and you’re emotionally distracted. With your fears and anger you show up for work to try and get back into a routine and keep on going, just like the person next to you.

Within most of us, and looking at the next guy, all the lights may appear to be on, but everybody’s not home.

“Presenteeism.”

Be careful out there.

For more infomation, specific to PTSD and broadcasters, go to www.dartcenter.org, Nat’l Center For PTSD www.ncptsd.org,  or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Alliance www.ptsdalliance.org 

Contact information,
ENG Safety Memo:
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Fax: 781-394-0762
e-mail: safety@engsafety.com
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