Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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What is safety? Is it an attitude? Safety is a consciously adopted at titude that enables us to follow an ac tive and useful existence without the possibility of injury to ourselves or others. In a sense, safety is mainly a reflection of our interest in our own well being. True, there are many 'mechanical safeguards and they are reliable, too, but they are powerless to prevent injuries unless we use them. Personal responsibility is a big part of safety because our individual deci sion on how to do something usually is the deciding factor. However, a thoroughly safe attitude goes beyond ourselves and covers everyone with whom we come in contact on and off the job. We must realize that an error or the lack of safety consciousness on the part of one individual can offset the safety efforts of others and leave them open to injury. Safety is a part of every job, no mat ter how tame the job may appear. But whether or not safety is applied depends on the individual doing the work. What is safety? Safety is a safeguard that will keep personal injuries at bay on and off the job. A safeguard which demands nothing more than a firm resolve on the part of each one of us, individually, to do things the right and safe way. Clinton Mills of Geneva has been recognized by the Alabama Textile Manufac turer’s Association for third place in the division for the Company making the most improvement in its safety performance. Employees proudly displaying the award are left to right, Walter Strickland, Maintenance; Stanley Brown, HI Weav ing; Don Chancellor, rear, Warehouse; and Winiford Strickland, HI Weaving. Clin ton Mills has underway an unprecedented amount of safety activities designed to further improve its safety performance. Clinton Mills, Inc. has been recognized by the American Textile Manufacturer^ Institute for the most improved performance in employee safety and health in 1989. The Company continues to focus on the need to improve safety performance throughout each of its plants. Much attention has been directed to safety activities in recent months, in cluding erection of banners, revising plant safety rules, employee refreshment breaks, more use of video training aids, and professional training by safety specialists. Admiring the Company’s award are left to right Barbara Scott, No. 1 Spinn ing; Jesse Smith, Lydia Spinning; Larry King, Bailey Carding; and Donnie Sat terfield, H2 Carding. Enjoy a change of pace to celebrate 90 days without a medical accident are left to right Larry Hall, Judy Wilson, Rosa Hudgens, and Rufus Pitts. Free refreshments have been provided employees for their eforts to improve safety. Geneva Plant No. 2 was second place in the most improved weaving division. Chris Hudson, H2 Weaving; Marvis Urban, H2 Carding; Dianne Helms, H2 Cloth; and Ricky Newdiger, H2 Spinning display their plant’s award for safety improvement. FACTS ABOUT SAFETY BELTS • In your lifetime, you have a 50% chance of suffering a serious injury and a 1 in 50 chance of being killed in a traffic accident. • More Americans are killed in automobile accidents each year than the total killed in battle during the Korean War or during the 9 years of the Vietnam conflict. • More Americans between the ages of 1 and 24 die as a result of motor vehicle injuries than any other cause. • Motor vehicle crash injuries produce more new cases of quadriplegia (paralysis below the neck) and paraplegia (paralysis below the waist) than all other causes combined. • Chances of a person being killed in a car crash are 25 times greater if he or she is thrown from the car instead of being held securely inside by safety belts. • On a per-case basis for serious injuries, the average medical payment is more than $200,000, the cost of institutional care $240,000. • In major automobile injury cases, 50% of the victims suffer brain damage, and 40% sustain spinal cord injuries. • Motor vehicle crashes are a major cause of epilepsy. • 70% of deaths and injuries occur at speeds of 40 miles per hour or less and no more than five miles from home. • There has been a decrease of 40% in fatalities in countries where seat belts are mandatory. • In the mid-1960’s, authorities in Sweden researched 28,000 road accidents. In not one instance where a car was traveling up to 60 mile per hour was anyone killed who wore a safety belt. • Safety belts are an in-place, readily available, low cost, proven method of pro tecting men, women and children from death and injury resulting from car accidents. • The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that only about 12 to 14 per cent of U.S. drivers wear safety belts. Sources: — U.S. Department of Transportation — American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons — American College of Emergency Physicians Cloth Maker - page 9