Let's talk about shame....

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.

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