I heard from one of our safety people that in the very near future, LLNS will be purchasing a bicycle helmet for anyone who wants to ride a lab owned bicycle on site. It looks like you'll have to take a class, then get fitted for a helmet. The bicycles will all be posted that helmets are required and the special lab law (CA DOT does not require anyone over 18 to wear a bicycle helmet) will be strictly enforced . . .
Comments
Are they going to keep the bikes in better shape too? Or is this just an excuse to let cars onsite zip around faster?
Predicting they'll mandate armored suits for pedestrians next. But only if lab-designed and paid for by the individual.
I'd rather see optional or even mandatory helmets instead of having the bikes simply go away, which is another alternative.
Note from scooby: no name calling please!
Just remove all bikes on-site now. Most of them are junk anyway and in very bad shape. It may take longer to get from point A to point B but who cares, it's only a matter of time before your number comes up anyway.
2. Will there be a sanitizer station available to clean out helmet user from the previous user of the shared lab supplied helmets.
3. If you bring your own bike onto lab property are you required to use a helmet (yours or lab supplied).
If there is going to be the decree that there will no longer be any accidents and LLNL I see two solutions:
1. Shut the place down. Can Bechtel still get money for running this place if no one is here?
2. Send a retirement incentive my way. I'll go, with or without helmet.
When does the lab get to come to my house and pass safety rules? I've got power tools, chemicals, ladders and firearms. How I've managed to survive this long without a lab web class is beyond me.
PS. I do have my own bike helmet at the lab.
No sanitizer - you'll be given your own helmet. No sharing unless you choose too (scary if you share)
You'll be able to wear your own helmet.
Don't care if you have power tools at home as long as you don't use them at LLNL.
No decree - accidents will still happen, LLNS is trying to limit their liability.
No helmet money for retirement.
As far as the cost goes, if the money weren't spent on helmets, it would go to NIF.
What you say is true, but it is just more of the nanny state. I think the type of people that LLNL historically attracted had no need for such parental oversight. I certainly didn't, and don't now.
The worse part is that this consumes senior management attention when there are more important things to address at the Lab.
Sure some employees are out of shape. Some are disabled too. I rode a bike a lot on site because I have epilepsy and driving a car is out of the question. Riding a Lab bike gave me pretty good workout due to most having low tire pressure and misaligned steering. Add some lousy air quality and heat for extra sweat and pulse rate.
One of my former group leaders used to constantly harass me about my health. It was none of her business, I still managed to get my projects done and in high quality. If the Lab's management had left me alone and focused on real problems vs bogus meetings and so-called wellness and safety programs I would have gotten even more work done.
My suggestion to GM. Take a fraction of the helmet money and fix the bikes. Then leave us alone - we are grown-ups and can decide for ourselves what safety gear is appropriate when using a bicycle.