As a Co ordinator of 6 supervisors and approximately 50 workers and projects worth over 12 million dollars you are always concerned about someone being hurt. I am that co ordinator and most of our work is outdoors and comes with a large number of hazards and risk's, you see tv ad's making you aware of the dangers and the responsibility you have in keeping a safe workplace. They show children and wive's waiting the return of their husband's, and the joy on their face when they walk through that door.

Recently one of those dad’s didn’t come home from our worksite; he was killed by a falling tree. I was in a meeting at about 7.50 am when a message was delivered that a worker was seriously injured. I got our Occupational and Safety Officer and drove out to the site which was about 20 minutes away. We came onto the site and there where 3 ambulances and 4 police cars. My heart stopped I think, this guy was a wonderful husband father and grandfather and his motionless body lay in the back of the ambulance with an officer trying his best to revive him. He was 58 and one of our most experienced he loved work his workmates and being so proud of his accomplishments but most of all he loved his family.

Accidents happen but the authorities are out there to blame you in some way or another for not providing that safe workplace. Was he adequately trained did you provide the appropriate supervision, were your supervisor’s trained in making tough decision’s. Did they have all the appropriate documentation? This was a tragic accident but could we have prevented it, I don’t really know workers don’t do tasks if they know it will harm them, supervisor’s don’t make the worker’s do anything if they know it will harm them. I think they would have done this task anyway even with all the safety controls in place Risk assessments and safety procedures. He still would have done it the same way and we still would have had the same tragic end.

The investigation has just begun and I have had 2 interviews already with more to come and possibly court appearances. I blame myself daily even though I was not the onsite supervisor, did I do everything that I could to prevent this, I DON”T KNOW. No doubt the investigation will decide that.

I see his wife and children regularly as I live in a small community, I still cry when I see them because I know what it is like not having a dad. Do they blame me I don’t know, if I am found guilty in some way how will they respond to me, I don’t know. What I do know is that I have a loving wife that has encouraged me so much since the accident. I really don’t think I would have held it together without her. You know his wife was probably the same and now he is gone she has to start a new life without him. You never think thing’s like this could happen and you pray daily that it doesn’t BUT IT CAN. Please be safe look after one another come home safely and love your family.

Mr Blog