Life is very important. Imagine how such a simple truth can be taken for granted and that we can be so capricious in keeping each other safe. Whenever we step into the shower, cook a meal, drive to work… hundreds of things we do every day can put ourselves or others in danger and yet we become complacent with repetitive tasks.
Ask the victims of workplace accidents why we should pay attention and they will tell us sad stories of losing limbs or general health because of someone being careless. I just lost a former classmate to a workplace accident - Peggy Sears, a framer working on a property outside Priddis, Alberta. Occupational Health and Safety are still conducting their investigation and we (the public) will likely never know exactly what happened to her, but it involved her team putting up a wall that was too heavy to lift. Even without knowing the full details, we can surmise that there were many possible ways that this could be a dangerous situation and I believe that she did not need to lose her life on that day.
Calls to make the workplace more safe continue to be answered with more regulations, inspections, and paperwork. Unfortunately, through my years of working in a wide range of environments, these measures are seen as time-consuming, expensive, and bothersome. I, however, do not need to have a cousin who was burnt up to 70% of his body to know the importance of safety. I don’t need to hear about a pane of glass falling from a half-built skyscraper because it wasn’t tied down properly. Nor do I need to have felt the searing pain of chili oil in the eyes while sautéing something in a commercial kitchen to know that workers need to be careful.
Kiss your children every day before you leave for work - Peggy won’t have the chance again. Humans have the uncanny ability to think that nothing overly bad will happen to them or the people they love. As soon as we get into an accident, most of us think “Why me?!?” or some such expression. The answer is often because we, or someone else, was careless… complacent.
As you look at the statistics, you will see that many accidents are caused by simple things like lack of proper rest or nutrition, awareness, or knowledge. We in Alberta face the problems that come with a booming economy - tons of work, including new construction projects, and the pressure to get things accomplished quickly. Workers are coming from other provinces and countries in waves and we often run into problems concerning different work practices and expectations.
Do not take a good co-worker for granted. You know that guy who is diligent in his work, thinks about both long and short termed goals, helps the team anyway he can…? Whether you have one of these lovely people on your team or just someone with similar attributes, never take them for granted! The people who actually think of safety above all other things end up saving time, money, and lives.
Accidents don’t happen without carelessness. Whether it’s standing on the top of a ladder, walking too fast or backwards, “forgetting” to wear your personal protective equipment, not reading the instructions or blueprints correctly because it will take too long, having too much liquor or other substance the night before a shift, having a diet consisting of too much fast food and not enough vitamins and water… whatever reason behind the accident, most of them are manageable.
Is the bother of using proper protection that big of a deal? Yes, masks are horribly uncomfortable when you aren’t used to them. Safety goggles fog up. Gloves on site may be the wrong size. It’s too much hassle and it’ll take too long? Tell that to Peggy’s children who won’t see their mother ever again.
Stay close to your equipment. Keep it clean and undamaged and if it breaks, get it fixed. Don’t let it stay out in the sun or crush it in amongst your tools.
I miss my friend, Peggy Sears.
Can you recall the last time you followed all of the rules, to the letter?
Are we so focussed on protecting others that we neglect ourselves?
Let us promise that we will answer this call - never again be lackadaisical.
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