If It Doesn’t Feel Right – 08/23/2021

Safety E-QuickTips

U.S. Compliance Systems, Inc.

Monday Aug 23, 2021

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If It Doesn’t Feel Right

It started out like any other day, but it ended like nothing Joe had ever experienced before.

Joe had been in construction for 25 years and for the last 5 years he had been working for a company that erected prefab concrete walls.

He enjoyed the work and almost always looked forward to going to work. Today was what felt like a good day, but something just didn’t seem right.

The morning started off like any other day. Sections of the prefab concrete walls were going up one after another, being braced as they moved along.

The company had just hired 2 new employees, Scott and Henry, and this was day 3 for both employees. Although they had not known each other prior to this job they had already become friends. Maybe it was because they were both in their 20’s and everyone else was 40 or older.

Work was rolling along and before Joe knew it, it was lunch time.

He was sitting on the back of his pickup eating when he heard a crash. He knew exactly what it was because he had heard it once before when he first started with the company.

As he walked over to see the damage, he heard someone ask if anyone had seen Henry or Scott.

Joe immediately felt his heart stop.

Accidents in the workplace happen everyday, most of the time ending with little damage and without injury. But sometimes the outcome is much worse.

As Joe walked around the corner, he saw it. Two prefab concrete slabs lying in pieces on top of and around a forklift.

As for Henry and Scott, they had decided to go out for lunch that day and made it back just in time to help clean up the mess.

After a review of the accident, it was found that someone had forgotten to finish securing the bracing on the last section of the wall.

Employee QuickTip

The workplace can be a dangerous place even during lunch. Always make sure you are aware of your surroundings.

Employer/Management QuickTip

As management it is your responsibility to ensure the job is not only completed, but it must also be completed safely. Taking a few minutes prior to lunch and at the end of the day to make sure the work area is secured and left in a safe condition will help ensure the safety of your employees.

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Thanks for Reading and Please – Stay Healthy and Work Safe.