This month's issue of Reader's Digest supports anecdotes for getting people to buy/do something. The article is really trying to get the reader to avoid anecdotes and look for supporting data, but states that anecdotes are more powerful: Beware anecdotes. When making decisions, we often give vivid bits of information-like diet testimonialsÑmore credence than they deserve. The power of anecdotes to lead us astray is so strong that an influential CIA study advises intelligence analysts not to rely on them. Ask for averages, not testimonials. Just an interesting aside..... Kim Auletta Lab Safety Specialist EH&S Z=6200 Stony Brook University kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**notes.cc.sunysb.edu 631-632-3032 From: Greg NottinghamTo: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU Date: 02/23/2009 06:01 PM Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Safety value of housekeeping Sent by: DCHAS-L Discussion List Ralph, You probably already know it but I doubt that you would get any real data so I think that the motherhood, etc applies in this case. I would just say that you are adults, use your commonsense, and Mom is not around to pick up after you. Tell them that they don't want you or the other safety guys to get involved, they'll be sorry! Sincerely, Greg On Feb 23, 2009, at 3:36 PM, Ralph Stuart wrote: > We're getting ready for a presentation to our new chemistry > department grad students about keeping a safe lab. Over the years, > we've developed a strong professional intuition that good laboratory > housekeeping improves safety and prevents accidents. However, I'd > like to throw some numbers at this scientifically oriented audience > to give housekeeping a value beyond motherhood and apple pie. Is > anyone familiar with a source of statistics that might apply to this > question? > > I'm sure that definitions of many of the words above are hazy, so > going the anecdotal approach is the alternative, but I'd like to try > for numbers if possible. > > Thanks for any help. > > - Ralph > > > Ralph Stuart, CIH > Environmental Safety Manager > University of Vermont > Environmental Safety Facility > 667 Spear St. Burlington, VT 05405 > > rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu > fax: (802)656-5407
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