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I am old enough to remember when there was no OSHA and no EPA. Being a laissez faire sort of guy, I resented these two entities when they first appeared on the scene. My first employer is where I ran into OSHA. An employee had a grievance against the company and called OSHA. We were then forced to do silly things such as change the height of fire extinguishers by two inches to meet OSHA regulations and avoid a fine. Of course, today in new construction, fire extinguishers (and many other items) are installed according to regulations to start with.
When the EPA came along, we were told it would never apply to farmers. I did not believe that then and I have been proven correct.
Over the years, I have come to accept that some regulation is good, even desirable. After all, regulations are the government equivalent of standards combined with the teeth of enforcement. Regulations have gotten so good, in fact, that they have nearly put industrial unions out of business--besides pay, the unions served a great need in holding employers accountable for workplace safety.
Let's explore some other avenues from this subject for a minute. Hold on--it may get a bit political, not my normal posture in these columns.
In the current era; that is, the current administration; there has been some rollback of regulations. Many think this is the end of the world. Let me assure you, if they roll back half the regulations, there will still be infinitely more than there were when I started to work. With most things, a good thing taken too far becomes a bad thing. Whether we are there yet or not is open to debate, but after forty-five years of ever-increasing regulations, it is likely a few of them might be redundant, excessive or frivolous.
Yet there is one area that is nearly regulation free, the cost of which affects all of us. This is the adventures taken by people on public lands, beaches and water that result in heroic rescue attempts. We lose employees to these situations and the rescue costs imperil the lives of the rescuers and impose tremendous financial costs on society.
Compare this to privately operated amusement parks, where regulations are rife (and there still are accidents).
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Jim Thompson is back again...with a book on a taboo subject: the personalities in the pulp & paper industry. Jim has written in the past on many subjects based on his four plus decades in the worldwide pulp and paper industry. This book is packed full of information valuable to the senior member of the industry as well as the recent entrant. A must for every pulp and paper library.
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Many of the accidents we read about in the press are recreational in nature. Yet, they cost companies plenty. Twice in my career, working for two different companies, I was instructed to tell direct reports to curb their outside activities. The first time was when an employee was racing dirt bikes on the weekend and broke his leg. The second time was when an employee was playing "crack the whip" using a jeep as tow vehicle on an icy parking lot and slammed into a pole.
Warner Brothers, the movie studio, saw this problem long before some of us may have. When their young superstar, James Dean, was filming "The Giant" (released in 1956), Warner Brothers had a clause in the nascent race car driver's contract that he was not allowed to race until filming was over. He died, driving a car on public highways, going to a race where he intended to compete, not long after he was released from this contract. He was 24.
Yes, we need regulations, but not too many, not too few--the Goldilocks answer would be just fine. Likely, all of us will never be satisfied with where we are on the spectrum of regulations designed to save us from ourselves.
For safety this week, there is no denying regulations have made us safer. We can all be thankful for that.
Be safe and we will talk next week.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
* We are looking for a Production Shift Team Leader to maintain high standards, plus ensure safety policies and regulations for a company located close to Chicago's Midway Airport. If you are experienced team leader who has a four-year degree in an engineering/technical field (paper science degree preferred, and experience in recycled linerboard or corrugating medium paper mills is a plus), we are looking for someone like you! If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* A family owned and operated corrugated packaging solutions company in Illinois is looking for an experienced Maintenance Technician to maintain production and quality by ensuring operation of machinery and mechanical equipment. Relocation and other perks are available to the right candidate who is committed to working third shift. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* Are you an experienced Maintenance Mechanic and would like to work for a family owned and operated corrugated packaging solutions company that invests in the best equipment and technology? If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* A leading company in the corrugated solutions packaging business is looking for a experienced Electrician. The right candidate will possess the following skills: electrical; hydraulic; automatic drives (basic component machines 122 to 440 volts). If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* An expanding company is looking for a Corporate Industrial Electro-Mechanical Engineer near Allentown, PA. Relocation is available. Do you have a storied list of unique electrical and mechanical engineering skills you're ready to take to the next level? Do you envision yourself in a corporate-level leadership role that your experience finally merits? And do you relish any opportunity to troubleshoot and solve real-time problems, all while designing and installing new services and systems that will not only ensure safety, but also turn a potentially hazardous work environment into a continuously thriving one? If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* An expanding company is looking for hands-on Electro Mechanical Maintenance Techs in Conyers, Georgia. Preference will be given to candidates with higher education and additional certificates or training. You must be able to work any shift. Pay is negotiable with excellent perks and benefits. Relocation assistance is available to the right candidate. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
* We are a large automation company that has a line of consistency transmitters, sample valves and sheet break detectors that are marketed through a rep. network. We are seeking someone with a strong background in consistency control to facilitate start-ups, provide troubleshooting and technical advice. The individual should have experience in all major types of consistency measurement technologies (blade, rotary, microwave and optical). Knowledge of sheet break detection technology is desirable as well. Willingness to travel to paper production facilities across the US is a must. Travel & Living Expenses to be reimbursed along with an agreed upon daily per diem rate. For more information, please contact Jim Thompson at: jthompson@taii.com Ph. 678-206-6010 Cell: 404-822-3412.
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