April 24, 2018
Remember the Dead-Fight for the Living!
Since 1970, Workers’ Memorial Day takes place on April 28. This special day of remembrance was established the same day the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was enacted in 1970 requiring employers to provide a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. Despite the reduction in fatalities by 60%, there are still over 5,000 American workers that lose their lives every year. This does not include the hundreds of thousands that are disabled, injured or suffer from illness. Not only does this day honor the lives lost, but it also recognizes the suffering experienced by families, friends, and co-workers. How can you promote workplace safety? Start by never choosing to look the other way.
I Chose To Look The Other Way
I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.
It wasn’t that I didn’t care;
I had the time, and I was there.
But I didn’t want to seem a fool,
Or argue over a safety rule.
I knew he’d done the job before;
If I spoke up he might get sore.
The chances didn’t seem that bad;
I’d done the same, he knew I had.
So I shook my head and walked by;
He knew the risks as well as I.
He took the chance, I closed an eye;
And with that act, I let him die.
I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.
Now every time I see his wife,
I know I should have saved his life.
That guilt is something I must bear;
But isn’t something you need to share.
If you see a risk that others take
That puts their health or life at stake,
The question asked or thing you say;
Could help them live another day.
If you see a risk and walk away,
Then hope you never have to say,
“I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.”
By Don Merrill
Workers’ Memorial Day Slogan: Remember the dead – Fight for the living!