Bradley Beam

JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS?

There should be no shortage of workers in heaven, because so many have been killed and gone there, even though everyone was needed right here on-the-job.

Forty-seven thousand five hundred of the 93,000 persons accidentally killed and about one half of the 9,300,000 injured last year were workers. Approximately 10,500 were military personnel who never had a chance to leave the home front.

Accidents just don't "happen"- they are caused. Too often after an accident you hear the expression, "It was just one of those things that are bound to happen". Such is not a fact, for in 98 per cent. of all accidents, some definite preventable cause can be found.

An ordinarily reliable and safety-minded worker may have an accident the first time he disregards safety rules, and a slipshod, devil-may-care person may go on for some time ignoring safe practices and really asking for an accident without having one. The only difference is "luck". However, you can't depend on "luck" in the long run, for the first accident may be your last.

Accidents are usually caused by little things.

For example, five fatal accidents within the continental United States involving airplane propellers:

"Crew chief descended from wing by sliding down blade of propeller of hot engine. Engine fired, causing propeller to strike crew chief."

"Crew chief had just finished adjusting idling speed of engine, turned and walked into revolving prop."

"Pilot was taxiing slowly, watching wing for clearance, and did not see approaching Wac until she had walked into prop."

"Lineman, while shielding sun from eyes, walked into propeller."

"Ground crew member removed right chock, crossed underneath the booms, and ran directly into the left prop."

Avoid sprouting "the wings of an angel" by keeping your mind "on the ball" and don't give anyone the chance to remember YOU as "Just one of those things."