Sound from washing machine use - findings

Recently, when our washing machine was in use, I heard a sound that is similar to the one generated due to the rotation of some coin or similar one or from the impact of fashionable hangings on clothes, in the drum. I removed all clothes from the drum, drained the water, but could not find any.  Tried again with clothes and water in the drum and the same sound was heard. Then, I made empty runs of the drum with water alone and the sound could be heard again. But, there were no openings under the pulsator (shown below). Another attempt at the empty run with water gave sound again. Then, I tried to remove the pulsator, without success. But, I could remove the filter over the drain inside the drum, as shown with an arrow, and then operated the machine with water. After a few minutes, I saw, suddenly, a one rupee coin pushed into the drain (as in the picture). I am clueless still, how this coin found way to down below. But, my problem is solved and then I fixed back the filter again, though with some difficulty. 

As the saying goes, listen to the machine to understand the problem, I could find the problem from the sound and thus avoid damage to the machine. Posted for information.

Effective use of resources - an article from Times of India

I read an article in Times of India about wastage of time and other resources with some meetings that may not be required or could have been done with short duration, thereby saving the time of so many. I used to observe TV visuals of meetings where several people will be sitting, while one or two will be talking, and others are seen looking at. Many times, people may be wondering what for they are called for the meeting. A meeting may last for sometime. But, preparation, mobilizing the persons (related or not) to the meeting, involve lot of time compared to  that of the meeting. Virtual meeting platform, that has become popular due to restrictions from covid pandemic impact, helped many to shift and thus save lot of time in travel. Also, those who have to participate with little or no inputs required, can do their work parallelly and save the time. The article referred can be read as below:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/cos-can-halve-busyness-by-reducing-needless-meetings/articleshow/80354226.cms#:~:text=As%20yet%20another%20year%20picks,not%20business)%20in%20their%20culture.

Leadership - misconceptions

Leadership is a team effort. It is the outcome of collective effort by all concerned with the roles and responsibilities assigned explicitly or implicitly.

One should not see only at the CMD or CEO. In case of administration of public, only secretary or minister or higher level alone cannot bring changes. Generally, those in top echelons, may provide direction, some times, from their own ideas or in consultation with others. But implementation and achieving the goals depends on collective effort from top to bottom.

Thus, it is wrong to hold one person responsible for failure or success. If resources are not provided even after request, and available, then, top level can be at fault. But, with everything available at our disposal, still, if there is no output, then, others are more responsible for not utilising the resources.

Certification

As a part of operation of a production unit, we need to maintain several records. Some of these are made or updated by internal staff, while others require examination and certification by external/authorised officials.

The intention is to ensure safe and healthy work place. The records should be genuine. If any malpractice is there, like a spoiled child, organization also goes in to gutter, at some point of time, if not immediately. 

One should not be happy with immediate effect, rather the focus should be on long term basis. Internal mechanism to check authenticity of the books shall be strong and robust to detect mistakes from short-sighted officials. Such persons need to be corrected with appropriate actions to discourage others. Even, if it delays the regular work. Then only, the culture of the organisation can be strong for the better.

The first impression of a visitor to the organisation will reflect the organisation's culture and values.

Repetition of similar incidents - need for continuous reminder

When we read or hear about accidents or incidents, immediately, we remember or feel that a similar one happened earlier somewhere, either in our premises or outside. 

Generally, there's nothing new that caused the incident. We only do not follow what is already known. This calls for continuous reminder and thus retraining of persons.

And, HR department faces the problem of not getting the participants inspite of training calendar and listing of employees for training. This is because of not relieving these listed persons by respective incharges for various reasons like production or other jobs, or participants themselves not having interest

I feel that pay rise and promotions should be linked to attendance in training programmes as well as passing the exams conducted at the end of training. 

Also, action should be taken on persons found  responsible for incidents in the form of pay cut, collecting or recovering the loss suffered and initiating legal proceedings. 

This may look absurd, but without accountability and responsibility, we will continue to see occurrence of incidents for which root cause are already known. They happen only because someone ignored and failed to take precautions.