This Is One I Don’t Think You Will Ever Forget – 06/28/2021
Safety E-QuickTips
U.S. Compliance Systems, Inc.
Monday June 28, 2021
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This is One I Don’t Think You Will Ever Forget
Over the past 10 years we’ve written more than 250 Safety E-QuickTips.Although I believe each of them has helped convey the value of workplace safety, there is one that every time I think about it I get the chills.
It just so happens to be about workplace safety around the holidays, so I thought it might be a good time to share it with you again.
This is one I don’t think you will ever forget.
Although this is a true story, I will not be using any real names. I’ll just call the foreman, Jack and the two workers, Larry and Bill.
It took place on a day before a holiday and everyone, including Jack, wanted to get on the road as early as possible because home was in another state. They just had a few things left to do and one of them happened to be rigging an item that had to be lowered to the ground.
These men had worked together for some time and each of them was experienced at what they did. As they were rigging the piece to lower it to the ground, Jack, the foreman, decided they would rig it a little differently than normal because it would save time and get them on the road earlier.
Larry and Bill both disagreed with the procedure because it eliminated one of the safeguards that would be in place if things didn’t go just right. So they told him they had never done it like that and they were concerned. Jack said not to worry about it because he had done it this way before and had never had a problem, so they proceeded just the way he said.
When it came time to lower the item, Larry and Bill were up above 200 feet and Jack was below about halfway down with a radio to let them know how it was going.
By now you’re probably getting a good idea of what happened next. As the item was being disconnected to lower, the load shifted causing the rigging to malfunction. The unit let loose and plunged 200 feet to the ground. On its way down the load took Jack with it. Everything happened so fast that all Larry and Bill could do is watch as it took place.
Needless to say, no one went home early that holiday.
As I said, this is a true story – one that I am not likely to forget. I can still remember those 2 workers as they described the accident and the devastating effect it had on their lives.
Holidays are a great time to spend with family and friends and this 4th of July may be a little more special for each of us if we didn’t gather last year. Whatever you do, don’t cut corners with safety to try and get the 4th started a little sooner. It might not work out the way you planned.
Employee QuickTip
During the holidays we can all get a little distracted. Remember to keep safety on your mind until you leave your workplace. Things can go wrong right up until the last minute of the workday.
Employer/Management QuickTip
We are all human and holidays are a big part of our lives. Don’t let the excitement of the holiday put you or your employees in a bad place.
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Thanks for Reading and Please – Stay Healthy and Work Safe.
