What can be done to save our workers?
I was saddened to hear of another workplace fatality. It's time for us to truly examine what we can do to preserve the health and safety of our workers.
Let's look at the impact of a workplace fatality. There are the co-workers who witness the event, the 911 operator that takes the frantic call from helpless by-standers, the paramedics and EMTs that respond to the call and realize that there is nothing that can be done, the coroner that must be called to pronounce the death, the police and WHS officers that are tasked with the investigation.
Then there is the organization that has been handed a stop work order which translates to lost revenue and uncertainty. There are managers and supervisors that are left wondering what could have been done to prevent the tragedy while having to endure a lengthy investigation and the possibility of financial fines and/or imprisonment.
Of a more personal nature there is a mother and father that have lost a child, a spouse that has lost their partner, a child that has lost a parent. It's simply not enough to take a reactive approach to protecting the health and safety of our workers. I often tell people that the Occupational Health and Safety Codes were written in blood – a response to catastrophic workplace injuries and fatalities. The Codes are not merely suggestions – they are law. So why then are there so many that are simply not followed?
It's interesting that in my line of work I've had an opportunity to speak with a large number of workers who have been catastrophically injured on the job. You know what they all had in common? None of them ever thought they would be among the staggering numbers of workers injured every day in the workplace. Many of them will tell you that they had been performing the same task every day for years without any negative repercussions. Many will tell you that they didn't exercise their right to refuse unsafe work due to pressures placed upon them by their employer. Many will tell you that they were not properly trained or informed of the risks associated with their assigned task.
It is our responsibility to take action now. There is simply no excuse for throwing caution to the wind when it comes to the wellbeing of our workers. Yes, times are tough. Yes, it requires a financial investment to maintain a robust health and safety program. Yes, it requires the commitment of employees at all levels of the organization. Yes, it takes effort, time, and resources to build and retain a positive safety culture. BUT, I am willing to bet that if you were one of those impacted by a workplace fatality and had it to do over, the cost of preserving that life would not even be a consideration. Please accept the challenge today and examine your health and safety program and practices. The life you save may be your own.
