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Much ado about … computers?
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
Much ado about . . . computers?
T
he beginning of the year 2000 did not bring the computer crisis that was predicted by some and feared by many. On New Year’s Day, the news was encouraging, as each time zone reported no major problems. By the end of the first regular business day in the U.S. two days later, it was clear that our computers and the systems that depend on computers were capable of dealing with the year 2000. Did the massive effort put forth by organizations all over the world succeed in preventing a catastrophe? Or did we just experience the technological version of a doomsday prediction? One aspect of the Y2K story that fascinated me was the level of preparation shown by industry, academia, and governments. The cost of this readiness was astonishing. Organizations decided that there was no toler-
4
ance for error in this situation. The advertising mantra for the past few months had been “ready for Y2K.” Even with all the advance planning, thousands of employees spent this past New Year’s Eve at their work stations, just in case something happened with their computer systems. This potential crisis was considered so significant that failure was not an option. Why could our organizations not have the same determination toward ensuring the safety and health of our employees and students? Why do corrective measures take place after accidents when the need for action is usually apparent beforehand? What kind of message does it send when extensive resources are allocated to be ready for Y2K, yet downsized or reorganized health and safety departments are not allowed to regrow to appropriate sizes? The computers we watched so attentively on New Year’s Eve will probably be obsolete in five years. When will we really believe that our
© Division of Chemical Health and Safety of the American Chemical Society Published by Elsevier Science Inc.
people are the lifeblood and, thus, the most important resource of our organizations? I challenge those who take pride in being at the leading edge of innovation and technology to assume the same leadership role in guarding the safety and health of their employees, students, customers, and community neighbors. My wish for our readers is for a productive, safe, healthy, and happy year 2000 and beyond. If you want to participate at the leading edge of chemical health and safety, please write an article for Chemical Health & Safety, present a paper as part of our technical program at national ACS meetings, or share your safety expertise with the public by participating in an outreach activity in your community. Let’s continue to be careful out there!
Ken Fivizzani 2000 Chair—ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
1074-9098/00/$20.00 PII S1074-9098(00)00069-1
Much ado about . . . computers?
T
he beginning of the year 2000 did not bring the computer crisis that was predicted by some and feared by many. On New Year’s Day, the news was encouraging, as each time zone reported no major problems. By the end of the first regular business day in the U.S. two days later, it was clear that our computers and the systems that depend on computers were capable of dealing with the year 2000. Did the massive effort put forth by organizations all over the world succeed in preventing a catastrophe? Or did we just experience the technological version of a doomsday prediction? One aspect of the Y2K story that fascinated me was the level of preparation shown by industry, academia, and governments. The cost of this readiness was astonishing. Organizations decided that there was no toler-
4
ance for error in this situation. The advertising mantra for the past few months had been “ready for Y2K.” Even with all the advance planning, thousands of employees spent this past New Year’s Eve at their work stations, just in case something happened with their computer systems. This potential crisis was considered so significant that failure was not an option. Why could our organizations not have the same determination toward ensuring the safety and health of our employees and students? Why do corrective measures take place after accidents when the need for action is usually apparent beforehand? What kind of message does it send when extensive resources are allocated to be ready for Y2K, yet downsized or reorganized health and safety departments are not allowed to regrow to appropriate sizes? The computers we watched so attentively on New Year’s Eve will probably be obsolete in five years. When will we really believe that our
© Division of Chemical Health and Safety of the American Chemical Society Published by Elsevier Science Inc.
people are the lifeblood and, thus, the most important resource of our organizations? I challenge those who take pride in being at the leading edge of innovation and technology to assume the same leadership role in guarding the safety and health of their employees, students, customers, and community neighbors. My wish for our readers is for a productive, safe, healthy, and happy year 2000 and beyond. If you want to participate at the leading edge of chemical health and safety, please write an article for Chemical Health & Safety, present a paper as part of our technical program at national ACS meetings, or share your safety expertise with the public by participating in an outreach activity in your community. Let’s continue to be careful out there!
Ken Fivizzani 2000 Chair—ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
1074-9098/00/$20.00 PII S1074-9098(00)00069-1