made in usa's blog

safety meeting - stuck in the middle

 abuse

   Three years ago, the unexpected happened in Apex. Suddenly and without warning, dozens and dozens of 55-gallon drums of unknown chemicals exploded during the night, lighting up the dark night sky over Apex with a bright orange glow, and it looked as though the whole town was on fire. I well remember that night just like it was yesterday. I can still see that orange glow as I made my way home driving down U.S. 1 towards Apex where I lived...coming from a NCSU football game in Raleigh (and happy we won) and unaware of the fire.

   The winning joy soon faded though. Unable to go home due to a mandatory evacuation of my neighborhood, I was stuck with what I had with me, which wasn't much. No toothbrush, very little cash, and no change of clothes. Just me and my little truck. I ended up staying for the next several days at a motel in Cary, using their donated toothbrush and toothpaste. Bored out of my mind I sat, wishing I could go to work. However, my workplace was close to EQ, and even it was under mandatory evacuation for the next several days too. Lucky, I got the next to last room at that motel. It was full of people - people like me either fleeing or forced out of their Apex home.

   Looking back at the EQ fire, I now realize just how lucky I really was. Had that explosion at EQ occurred during working hours, the scenario would likely have been similar to what just happened at the ConAgra food plant in Garner. There probably would have been injuries and fatalities, possibily even me or some of my co-workers.

   It is unknown at this time just what happened at the food plant in Garner. But happened it did...another work-related tragedy. And this time it caused death and injury. Those unfortunate employees had no idea that their life was coming to an end that morning. Nor did their families or their employer. It was just another workday for them, unaware of what would soon come.

   My heart goes out to those workers who died... to their families, to those injuried, to their co-workers, and also to the company for their tragic loss. This was a daytime nightmare that came in an instant and without warning - and permanently changing lives forever.

    Thanks to the event at EQ, my employer has put his foot down on safety, and rightfully so. Workman's comp is not cheap. And believe me, these insurance companies will not tolerate unsafe workplaces without a cost. Neither will OSHA or OSHNC. That leaves the employer stuck right in the middle of keeping a safe workplace (workers - employer - OSHA).

Stuck right in the middle an employer sits. If it's not a cord on a tool needing replaced, it's an employee neglecting his duty as instructed, and performing an unsafe act. And please note that "an unsafe act" by an employee is the number one reason people get hurt or killed on the job. This I know, for I'm in charge of the Safety Committee at where I work. I've read many true stories in many different safety manuals that say the same thing. There are two main things that cause unsafe acts to occur, and I see them occurring way too often. By far, the hardest to deal with is a hard-working employee that does good work, but has a really bad attitude..one who refuses to keep his area safe. The other is pure laziness. It almost always requires more effort to do something if you follow the rules found in the Occupational Safety & Health Association's manual (OSHA).  Getting employees to follow those rules (they're actually laws) is a constant battle... a battle I cannot give in to...and won't.

  Safety is a two-sided coin. On one side is the employer, and on the other side is the employee. For that coin to have value, both sides must work as one.

   There is not one workplace on this planet that can say they have done their best to keep their workplace as safe as possible. Accidents have causes. Whether it's equipment failure, employer neglect, or an employee performing an unsafe act, the reason is there. Most accidents can be prevented, or should I say could have been prevented.

   So the next time you are having to sit through your company's Safety Meeting, pay attention. There are penalties if you don't listen and do as told. The penalty could be a fine levied against your company by OSHA - costing your company an arm and a leg. Or it could be like what happened at ConAgra. It might cost YOU an arm or a leg...or a hand or a finger... or even worse...

  Get serious about preventing accidents. They happen every day and can happen to anyone at any time. By becoming a "prevention supporter" at your workplace, you just might live a happier and longer life. You and your co-workers...

Filed under: Industry