Engineers at Walt Disney designed a new standard for carousel steps in theme parks across the world. They designed a cast aluminum, three-step unit that would use a Stainless Steel SlipNOT^® surface to ensure rider safety under all weather conditions. The engineers originally planned to have SlipNOT^® applied directly to the cast aluminum part; however, the part had been engineered to specific strength characteristics which may have been compromised when exposed to the heat of our molten metal SlipNOT^® plasma stream deposition.

In consultation with SlipNOT^®, the Disney engineers decided to purchase small, thin aluminum plates with our SlipNOT^® surface and then weld those to the step areas of the formed cast step assembly. This method proved to be much less expensive than the cost to tread the entire cast assembly and also eliminated the potential problems heat could have introduced to the cast part.

Walt Disney has also utilized SlipNOT^® Stainless Steel for steps, landings, and in-floor lettering/numbering insets in park attractions throughout the world to improve attendee safety. Other amusement parks have utilized the high strength/high friction SlipNOT^® surface as internal components for ride braking and torque-enhancing applications. The possibilities of which you could use SlipNOT^® are endless. Let us work with you to raise the safety standard of your company.

Asking questions can be a great way to learn about yourself or people around you. Asking questions can also be very instrumental when evaluating functions in your company. In the August 25/September 1, 2009 issue of ENR magazine, Carl and Deb Potter talk about the need to ask questions when it comes to your company’s safety program. “Great Leaders Ask Great Questions” walks you through how to use questions to reassess the environment around you.

Carl and Deb suggest that in order to be a great leader, you must reevaluate how your employees see safety in the work plates. They suggest asking open ended questions. Here are just a few suggestions (please see the article for the full list):

• How safe do you feel on this project?
• What do you hear coworkers say about safety in our company?
• What do you expect of me when it comes to safety?
• What safety policy or rule is the most aggravating to you, and why?
• What is a hazard that you face when doing your job that you think I don’t know about?
• How are you personally involved in the safety process here?
• What are your safety goals this year?
• What happens when you have a safety concern?
• How does the company demonstrate that it cares about your personal safety?
• How do you learn about hazards that affect your project?
• How do you know if you are working safely?
• If you could change one thing about our safety process, what would it be?

(ENR August 25/Sept1, 2008, pg 71)

A lot of these questions put the focus of safety back on the individual employee. They really show the employee that the employer is concerned about their safety, and ask what the company can do to improve safety.

It’s a good idea to use these questions plus your own when looking into your safety program.