Hindsight. Understanding an event or situation only after it has happened. This is often filled with a sense of regret and unfortunate clarity of our past experiences and choices. For many, it’s centred around a singular action in the workplace. For others, it may represent years of workplace risks and what we take for granted.
In the hopes of educating our readers with foresight on the overlooked aspects of workplace safety, we’ve asked our speakers to share things they wish they had known before their incident.
What Do You Wish You Had Known Before The Incident?
Alan Newey
I wish I took safety more seriously, I grew up at a time where we got the job done quicker, not safer. Our reward was KFC, pizza and a few hours of shut eye. If I knew the flow-on effect to others like my family and work mates, it would have been a different outlook.
Michelle Rath
For me, I was living like anyone else that took life for granted, doing the best I could in all aspects of life. Had there been an ounce of insight, or if I had a crystal ball for what was about to happen, I just wish I could have better protected Alex; although his training armed him with the required knowledge on the dangers of the job.
Alex started his young working life in the motor mechanic field before settling on an apprenticeship in AC & Refrigeration. ’If only’ things had gone differently back then, maybe he would still be with us today.
Michael Weston
I’m not a robot, I’m human.
I have limitations and I’m not invisible.
No job is worth my health and wellbeing.
The need to be more present would have slowed me down to self-reflect on how my body and mind are travelling.
Lana Cormie
I wish that I had known more about Occupational Health and Safety. I learnt so much about OHS after the incident, and realised that I had known so very little prior. This is despite having been in the workforce for many years myself.
I don’t think this is unusual, and that the base level of knowledge among workers is very low. Had I known more about safety, I think I would have encouraged Charlie to speak up or move on, most likely the latter.
I really believe that education is so important and that we all need to learn more about safety for ourselves, so that we can understand what safe ‘looks like’, and with this knowledge – Speak Up, and make informed choices about our work options. Without knowledge, we rely on others, and I have found this is a very dangerous position to be in. Even though it is the employer who has the primary duty in the workplace, we can all be empowered to make choices for ourselves, and our loved ones, if we have the knowledge to do so.
James Wood
I wish I had known just how much an injury would change my life.
If I knew that I wouldn’t be able to get up steps.
If I knew how hard it is to use a wheelchair all day, every day.
If I knew that me getting hurt would affect many other people.
If I knew that people would treat me differently because I use a wheelchair.
If I knew that I would never be able to ride a bike or motorbike again.
If I knew that my employment opportunities would be wiped out.
If I knew that an injury often leads to ongoing pain for the rest of your life.
If I knew that I would not be able to kick a footy with my kids.
If I knew so many more things that I have to deal with on a daily basis I would have put more effort into making sure that I DID NOT get hurt.
Empower Your Team
As Lana said, “Without knowledge, we rely on others”. While we often look to our employer for a safe working environment, we ourselves must consider, understand and prioritise safety. Always. Educating workplaces on safety is what we do. We share our stories, reflections, and experience on workplace tragedy so your team won’t have too.
Hearing first-hand the consequences of workplace incidents is how you empower a team with the tools they need to keep everyone safe. If you want to empower your team, get in contact with CNB Safe and book a speaker.
Next month we further explore insights from our speakers when they answer the question ‘What are things people often overlook when these types of incidents happen?’.
