- 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?
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?)
Take a quick poll and see where you "stand" next to others when it comes to footwear in the shop... a cute blog, Tom's Workshop, offers this poll, and so far, 45% of poll takers indicate they wear sneakers or athletic shoes in the workshop. Problem? What do you think?
Tom writes: "we often overlook one very important part of shop safety - what we’re wearing on our feet. There are lots of hazards that could affect us down there - from dropped objects to stepping on sharp items. And then there’s the slipping hazards, splashed chemicals and other concerns."
I sat up tall in my chair when I read an article this week in one of the many workplace blogs I follow, Construction News, which, to my horror, reported on how some companies are cutting safety processes hoping to reduce costs during these recessionary times!
Apparently, I am not the only one horrified by the prospect of companies cutting corners in safety processes, safety training, safety equipment in their workplace in the hopes of staying in business.
As we enter the Obama Era - a time of hope and the resuscitation of the American Dream - it's a great time to look back at milestones in workplace safety in that nation this past year. The Top 10 Safety Stories of 2008 list compiled by Safety NewsAlert is a fabulous recap of the highlights, and their #1 pick is:
