FOTOFAX
BREVARD PLANT
PHOTO PRODUCTS DEPARTMENT
VOL. 14, NO. 3 SUMMER 1981
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FAREWELL, MR. GIBBS
AL HANEY
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY:
AL WROTE THE BOOK
In 1979, Brevard employees lost 64
workdays to motorcycle related injuries.
In 1980, only 8 days were lost. "It's
just coincidence that we gave the motor
cycle safety course in 1980," says Al
Haney, "But it is a pleasing coincidence."
By his own admission, Al is a "motor
cycle nut." His stable of steel ponies
includes such fancy breeds as BMW and
Moto Guzzi. Experiences with the
BMW gave him an idea that may have
prevented some serious injuries.
"BMW riders are serious cyclists,"
says Al. "Their average age is about 40,
and they're experienced riders who do
long-distance touring.
"Statistics show high injury rates for
motorcyclists, but the people I meet at
BMW rallies have very good safety re
cords. I wondered why, and started
talking about it.
"Several comments kept coming up.
For instance, riders would say, 'Cars are
always pulling out in front of me', or
'Drivers pass me when there's oncoming
traffic'. They were having problems I
don't have when I'm on my motorcycle.
"It boiled down to the fact that
some riders were respected as a part of
traffic, others were not. Obviously,
there was something different about
riding style."
Al's curiosity led him to a course for
beginning motorcyclists. The 24-hour
workshop, co-funded by major Japanese
and American motorcycle manufactur
ers, is the Motorcycle Safety Founda
tion's Rider Course. Reading through it
crystallized for Al the things safe riders
do differently.
"Being recognized as a motor vehicle
by automobile operators involves some
subtle techniques; small things which
can make a great difference in safety to
a motorcycle rider," he discovered.
"And although there's no substitute for
experience, I found that many things
which makeridingsafercan be presented
in a classroom."
The 24 hour course was written for
new owners, with several sessions sche
duled for actual practice riding. Recog
nizing that plant motorcyclists would be
more experienced, Al set out to adapt
the course to deal only with the points
for safer riding. He drew heavily on his
own experience, ordered some of the
Foundation's training aids, and created
a four hour program.
The course was presented four times
in 1980, once for each shift; the same
four session series has been completed
again in 1981. Participation in the train
ing is voluntary.
Over 100 people have attended. Many
of the participants have expressed ap
preciation for the training, and feel that
the techniques will help them avoid
accidents.
Thanks is due to plant management,
who gave permission for the effort; to
Delos Hooper, who reviewed and rec-
commended the course, and particularly
to Al, who "wrote the book" and taught
it eight times.
And, thanks to the interest and effort
of the people who attended, perhaps
the "pleasing coincidence" of reduced
motorcycle injuries will continue.
John
Death is always untimely, particularly
when it comes to an employee or a
member of the family. The loss leaves
us saddened as we share the bereave
ment. The recent death of Mr. Gibbs is
an example of what I am talking about.
He was addressed by all of us as "Mr.
Gibbs" out of respect, and his passing is
worthy of further comment. Mr. Gibbs
joined DuPont at the age of 55. His
career prior to that consisted of working
31 years in the old McFadden Grist Mill
located on King Street in Hendersonville.
During part of the 31 years, Mr. Gibbs
was both manager and owner.
Mrs. McFadden, who had owned the
mill, had this to say in responding to a
DuPont reference check in 1970; "I
worked with him in the mill for 19
years. He was always optimistic, agree
able, friendly and cheerful. He stayed
with a job until it was done correctly.
You can find no better — everybody
loves him."
Mrs. McFadden was right! Mr. Gibbs,
though much older than the average
person when hired, was an outstanding
employee. A year ago he reached age
65 but elected to continue working.
We were pleased with his decision
because that was what he wanted.
By chance, I talked with Mr. Gibbs in
the cafeteria several weeks before he
died. He told me how much he appreci
ated his job and how pleased he was to
be a DuPont employee. Of course, that
also made me feel good.
Mr. Gibbs always did more than was
required of him. His loyalty and dedica
tion to his job set a fine example to
other employees who worked with him.
Mr. Gibbs was made of the "stuff" that
made America great and companies like
DuPont successful. To know Mr. Gibbs
was to love and respect him.
Thank you "Mr. Gibbs" for your 11
years of loyalty and dedication. You
will long be remembered by all of us at
DuPont.
Plant Manager
"RIDING MOTORCYCLES
jS DIFFERENT" says A! Haney.
"In an automobile, defensive driving can
save you a lot of inconveniences — life
fender-benders and insurance hassies.
But for motorcyciists, defensive driving
is a matter of survival!
Address Correction Requested
Box 267, Brevard, N. C. 28712
Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage
PAID
Brevard, N. C.
Permit #66