On a
yearly basis the editors of the Aluminium Plant Safety Blog will visit dozens
upon dozens of aluminium plants around the globe. During our tours we have the
honor to meet some of our industry’s best workers. On occasion a worker will
tell us an unsolicited story about how their coworker(s) were killed. The
stories vary by hazard and time period but a constant theme of shame runs
through each and every one. So let’s talk about shame.
The
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines shame as :
- a feeling of guilt, regret, or sadness that you have because you know you have done something wrong.
- ability to feel guilt, regret, or embarrassment
- dishonor or disgrace
First
and foremost we always listen to the worker tell their story in it’s entirely
before speaking. Most recently a worker told us about how their coworker was
killed in a forklift truck accident. The worker explained with tears streaming
down his checks the pain that he felt and the guilt that he could have done
something to prevent his coworker, his friend from dying. The hazard involved
an elevated dock which was well known to the workers. There were several near
misses where forklifts almost ran off the elevated dock. Nothing was ever done.
Why? The APSB does not know, nor asked. The worker told in astonishing detail
the circumstances of that fateful day. Describing in great detail about the
time of day, weather, etc. His coworker was a forklift driver which ran off the
elevated deck. The driver fell out of the forklift and became trapped
underneath. The worker explained his shock and horror that he felt when he came
upon his coworker immediately after the incident. He tried in vain to free his
coworker, but before emergency management services could come the forklift
driver succumbed to his injuries. After finishing his story and apologizing for
his tears the burden that this worker felt to this day was obvious. One would
have assumed that the incident occurred recently, not over five years ago. We
tried our best to comfort the worker. To explain that the guilt that he felt
was unwarranted, but he would hear none of it. In his mind his inactions
resulted in a death of his friend. We respectively disagree.
There
are numerous individuals from shop floor workers to aluminium company ceo’s who
feel guilt that their coworkers died in workplace incidents. In many cases it
is this guilt that has been the foundation of their belief that safety is most
important.
We
have heard similar stories and have included them in our presentations when we
talk to shop floor workers. It is our profound hope that as sad as a worker’s
death is to their family, friends, and coworkers that it can be used to prevent
another. That is the basis for the Aluminium Plant Safety Blog, our mantra is
that by bringing awareness to this incidents brings education and prevention of recurrence.
If you
feel shame or are burden with the aftermath of a workplace incident please
reach out and get assistance.
If you
cannot relate to this story you should feel thankful. But explore what would
you feel if you notice a hazard and did not bring it up to your superiors. What
would you feel if your coworker was injured or killed because that hazard was
not mitigated? Would you feel shame? Would you blame yourself? Our
recommendation is never allow for that opportunity to arise. If you notice a
hazard in your workplace notify someone of authority of its presence.
Please comment.
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