Is Workplace Injury an Inevitable Part of Life?

Another upsetting poll result I just read: apparently, every year, the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia polls citizens in that province to ask: Do you believe workplace injury is an inevitable part of life? And every year, more than 50% answer: Yes, it is. (What do you think?)

What?? Inevitable? Like my brother, David, was fated to fall into an industrial mixer and die of his injuries because... bad stuff happens? Nobody's perfect?

NO: in fact, David's employer had been ordered by government inspectors to put machine guarding on that industrial mixer just months before David's fatal accident. They chose not to. Inevitable, or criminal negligence? (The courts decided the latter.)

David's workplace "buddy" (assigned to him since it was only his second day on the job) left him alone while he was cleaning that big industrial mixer. Inevitable, or thoughtless stupidity?

I get really mad when I read stuff like 50% of people polled - every single year - say that workplace injury is inevitable. It's even worse to learn that folks aren't even improving in their ignorance about how and why accidents happen on the job! The Nova Scotia study says the result doesn't change, year after year!

How about YOU? Do you think that workplace injury is an inevitable part of life? Take our poll and let us know, and see how your attitude measures up against others'.

If this makes you angry, too, MAKE SOME NOISE!

Talk to your employer, right now, about how to avoid these very preventable accidents.

If you are looking for a job, ASK what safety measures are in place, what is your safety record? Can I speak with employees who work here? Do you provide the proper protective equipment? Where is your first aid kit? May I walk around and check out the "hot spots" before I accept the job? etc.

It's sad resignation like this Nova Scotia poll that cranks up the fire in my work as a workplace safety advocate, travelling across Canada and the U.S. now for 10 years - asking, begging you to NOT accept the ridiculously high levels of accidents and deaths on the job.

Don't do it for me... do it for my brother David... please.