Safety Concerns

The new company that bought us out is always spamming me with a bunch of useless emails that I routinely delete without opening. However a little while back they sent me this little gem (I've edited a bit for length):

In one of ****'s buildings recently, a common type of powerstrip used by many associates overheated, resulting in a potentially dangerous situation (see photo). Fortunately, no serious damage resulted from this incident, but it should remind us all of the potential dangers of using these devices.

As a result of this incident, property managers at ****-managed sites have been inspecting associates' workstations and replacing this particular model of powerstrip. Throughout our inspections, we have discovered a variety of dangerous practices by associates, including:

- Refrigerators, heaters, coffee pots and microwaves plugged into powerstrips.
- Powerstrips connected together -- a situation referred to as "piggy backing" -- which is extremely dangerous and a frequent cause of tripping circuit breakers.

For your safety, as well as the safety of those around you, please avoid these practices when using powerstrips. In addition, remember that unauthorized appliances, including personal refrigerators, fans, heaters, coffee pots and others, are strictly prohibited in **** facilities...

...We also encourage associates to follow safe practices not only in the office, but at home as well.

First of all, I can express how much wish I was there when that powerstrip blew. From the looks of things I can only imagine how exciting that must have been for the person who was using it.

While I was thoroughly amused by the way the email referrs to powerstrips as though they are some kind of volatile explosive, Steve was questioning who these people are who have set up a kitchen in their cubicle because "they can't bear to be that far away from a food preparation area."

Sincerely, how does one drag in a fridge, microwave, or coffee pot and install these items in their cubicle without someone around them objecting. Especially the microwave, you'd think that the people sitting in close proximity to the "associate" who is microwaving food in their cubicle all day would get pretty annoyed.

I really loved the last line, encouraging us to make safe use of powerstrips at home as well. I think that if **** is truly concerned about the well-being of their employees that they would do something about the temperature of this office building so that people wouldn't be tempted to smuggle in space heaters.