Society of Broadcast Engineers * Chapter 78 * Blue Ridge Area of Virginia
Don't Take Anything for Granted !!!

We've all done it. No use lying about it. What is "it"? Take for granted we know what we're doing, there-fore we don't have to Stop and Think. We've all heard the old saying, " As soon as you take it for granted, that's when you'll hurt yourself " Newsflash for you..It's True!!! Here's my true story, just happened to me today. Hopefully you'll get the moral of the story. I know I do....NOW.

Was working in my "shack" today, working on a radio and amplifier that goes with my Ham Radio Gear. I figure, being a big-time broadcast engineer like I am, a little ole bit of radio gear can't do any harm or be that hard to work on. Well, let me tell you...IF you ain't paying attention, and IF you're not double-checking ( remember lock out / tag out?? ), you can get hurt !! With-out getting into very many embarrassing specifics let me just say this, always always ALWAYS make sure it's unplugged BEFORE you reach in to touch something. Off is not good enough. Assuming is not good enough. CHECK. Don't Take Anything for Granted. Take Your Time. If you do, then maybe you won't have to smell the burnt hair for an hour as you try to figure out where you're missing the hair from. It's not a good feeling let me tell you. All because some dummy ( me ) didn't take the time to make sure the amp was unplugged and off. Who knew that an amp setting there plugged up, but off, could still light you up like a Christmas tree?? That's what I was thinking as a jerked, moaned, and yelled things I can't even remember or say in public. Let's just say it wasn't pretty or fun. ( My back still hurts !! )

So Remember....STOP....THINK....CHECK...
Don't Take Anything for Granted. Think Safety First. Do this and we'll all live to tell the story.