Jeez! A day after BP gets fined and jail time another oil rig catches fire and earliest reports are that 2 are dead and 2 injured. First let me politicize this by saying (and you know the party I'm talking about) that the need for tighter regulations has never been greater. You can not rely on companies good graces to protect its' workers especially when the goal is profits at all costs. In the 20 plus years I've worked in hazardous waste we had only two deaths. One was a fluke accident where a worker fell from the second step of a ladder hit his head and died three days later. A fall just 2 feet off the ground resulted in his demise. The other incident occurred when a worker working on the roof of the Kingdom failed to check his fall safety equipment. Unfortunately the anchor point to which his line was fastened was not anchored and he fell to his death.
I can only think of two professions that have dangers so great that the unavoidable or should I say unthinkable can happen. That would be crab fishing and logging yet even still those in charge have the greatest responsibility to minimize the dangers. Eliminating regulations is not the way to increase safety. It only increases profits at the expense of workers lives. There is a balance between regulations and productivity and workers know it. One of the first things we're taught in my profession is that we are responsible for our own safety. That lesson can only be accomplished when workers who bring safety issues up the chain of command are listened to and actions are taken. I was fortunate enough to work with a couple of companies who realized that it was cheaper in the long run to incorporate safety procedures than to have to pay out a claim later. Yes people still were injured but the damage was minor due to safety measures that were a requirement. As the owner once said "I want to see everybody go home with all their fingers and toes at the end of the day." Some companies out there are not as compassionate again putting profits before human lives.
Bank fails later
UPDATE: One bank in GA. hit the skids this week.
3 comments:
Oil refinery's have shabby safety records.
The Air Force has a good system: safety is everyone's responsibility. No matter where you are on a base, if you see something that poses a hazard, speak up. Never say, "It's not my squadron, my shop, etc., so it's not my problem. Locate the supervisor, NCO or officer in charge and tell that person. Not later, now.
But that's not all. When accidents occur, they're investigated and analyzed. People have to fill out reports and answer questions. There is follow up. Not wanting all that hassle has probably caused a whole lot of people who otherwise might not be all that careful to take care with what they do and report things that don't seem right.
That culture of safety can get in the way of maximum profits, which is probably why a good many businesses don't stress safety the way they should. Supposedly, insurance companies enforce the need for safety by raising rates on companies that have lots of accidents and injuries. That might work well for Fred's Corner Market and a small manufacturing outfit. I doubt it's that much of a motivator for a BP or Exxon.
Outside regulators can have some effect, but would be hard put to create the companywide culture of safety-mindedness that's required to really minimize accidents. Training, reminders, incentives and good examples are required, and regulatory agencies have little hope of going into a company and making all those things happen.
I guess I'm fortunate in that I have enough people looking over my shoulder from government agencies that most jobs go off without a hitch. Even still our placement on the list of dangerous jobs is about middle of the top ten last I looked. Outside regulators can have a big effect if they have the power to enforce the rules and invoke stiff penalties. Exxon cleaned up its' act after the Exxon Valdes spill.
Billy It really doesn't have to be that way with the oil companies. A simple punch list would prevent many of the accidents.
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