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Unread 03-02-2014, 13:19
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Re: In Case Paralyzing Snowstorm

Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesCH95 View Post
You don't get it, it's not about taking no risks, it's about avoiding reasonable risks when it is easy and prudent to do so. It's about ensuring the risks are worth the rewards. Clearly they have enough warning to avoid a serious storm, then they clearly have enough time to cancel the meeting(s).

And yes, we all hope to never have to use our shop's first-aid kit. But being stranded in a school greatly raises the consequences of any accident, shifting the risk/reward analysis results.

Here is a hypothetical situation: an open fracture. Someone nicks their finger on a saw, to the bone. Not an uncommon shop accident. This type of injury requires IMMEDIATE antibiotic treatment. Typically a drive to the ER, a few stitches, and IV/pill antibiotics and you're good to go. Do you keep IV antibiotics and sutures in your first aid kit? On the other hand if you're stranded in a school for two days the bone could easily get infected because all you've got are some band-aids and alcohol swabs. They could be looking at surgery, long-term or life-time antibiotics, or having their finger/limb amputated to stop the infection from spreading.

Now, I realize that sounds a bit dramatic, and is unlikely to happen, but it illustrates the issue very nicely: being stranded raises the stakes for any mistake or accident significantly. This is, of course, on top of any transportation/travel hazards.
I "get it." I have made the call to cancel team meetings because it's unsafe to travel during the weekend, when the school doesn't dictate closures. I'm the one who is responsible for the kids' safety when they're in the shop. I "get it" and take great offense that you think I don't.

Your injury example is quite the hyperbole. Injuries are possible when slicing a bagel and making coffee at home, so I guess we should only eat luke-warm, soft foods during a snow storm... Certainly there's a risk-reward calculation. We all have different tolerances for risks. Building a robot is not worth credible life-threatening risks, and while I don't wish to speak directly for the OP, it doesn't seem like that is his intent.

I'll reiterate, the OP isn't planning on getting stuck. He's stated that multiple times. He's preparing for getting stuck as an unplanned occurance. I applaud the willingness to be prepared.
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