Air New Zealand is using a new tactic to make sure passengers keep their eyes on video screens for its in-flight safety instructions.

The carrier’s safety video for domestic service on its Boeing 737 planes show pilot and cabin crew dressed only in body paint.

To make sure the video wouldn’t get a X rating, the camera angles are carefully chosen and the crew holds up strategically-placed items such as life vests.

You can view the safety video online here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a series of e-cards that address health issues such as blood pressure, diabetes and pregnancy.

But some of the cards could really come in handy when any sort of illness — swine flu, a stomach virus or even the common cold — appears in your workplace.

One card shows a picture of a woman with her hand to her forehead. It says, “Stay home!” The message inside when you click on the card: “Stay home if you have symptoms, like fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.” There’s also a link for recipients to click and get more information about the flu.

Know of co-workers who don’t wash their hands after using the restroom? Send them the “Wash ‘em” e-card. It recommends recipients wash their hands with warm soapy water or use alcohol-based hand cleaners.

The CDC’s e-cards are online here.

It’s not likely, according to a Standard Interpretation Letter (SIL) released recently by OSHA.

A concerned baseball fan, Robert Van Laanen, wrote a letter to OSHA regarding the dangers of new wooden bats shattering.

The fan was concerned that increasing numbers of shattered bats might pose more hazards to players and spectators.

Van Laanen wanted to know if OSHA could press professional baseball to change back to sturdier wooden or metal bats.

The answer: Probably not.

In a response signed by the Director of Enforcement Programs, Richard Fairfax, OSHA said the answer depends on whether pro athletes meet the definition of “employee” under the Occupational Safety and Health Act or whether they’re independent contractors.

OSHA rules might apply only if they’re employees.

Fairfax’s letter goes on to note that the employee or contractor determination would need to be made on a case-by-case basis.

And even if they were considered employees, OSHA doesn’t have any specific, applicable standards that address protection for pro athletes.

What does this all boil down to? This statement: “In most cases, however, OSHA does not take enforcement action with regard to professional athletes.”

Leave it to OSHA to take a nine paragraph letter to say “No.”

The astronaut may never get her hands on those tools again.

Heidemarie Stefanshyn-Piper was working with fellow astronaut Stephen Bowen during a spacewalk outside the International Space Station.

They were attempting to clean and lubricate a stuck joint on a solar panel.

When a grease gun inside Stefanshyn-Piper’s tool bag exploded, she accidentally let go of it.

The bag and its contents floated off into space.

Earlier, the astronauts spotted a screw floating by, but were too far away to catch it. They don’t know where it came from, and Mission Control said it didn’t pose a serious hazard. (Apparently, having a screw loose is not uncommon at NASA.)

And just like earthbound employees who work at heights, the two astronauts were tied off. They had 85-foot tethers to keep them connected to the space shuttle Endeavor at all times.

You can watch raw video of the loss of the tool bag here. You can hear Stefanshyn-Piper say, “Oh great,” when the bag floats away.

Lavely runs Sarah’s Smash Shack where people can hurl dishware and knickknacks at a wall to relieve pent-up stress.

And the only possible thing this has to do with safety is that photos accompanying a wire service story about the successful Smash Shack show its patrons dutifully wearing safety gear: helmets with face shields, coveralls and gloves.

That’s the end of the safety stuff in this post. For those who are just intrigued by the idea of getting out their aggression by smashing things, keep reading.

Lavely charges $10 and up for 15-minute intervals. Rock music blares, and a neon sign urges people to “Break More Stuff.”

The “House Special” is one of the most popular choices. It mimics a rowdy Greek supper club where diners smash 15 plates for 15 minutes. Cost: $45.

But that’s not all! Patrons can write nasty epithets on the plates with thick black markers before the smashing starts.

Also popular: Highly breakable picture frames (3 for $10). Slip a photo of an enemy in and smash away!

“It was the best $50 we spent in the last two years,” said one customer.

Can franchises be far behind?