1
Dec
2013
One beautiful January day, I decided it was time to remove the Christmas lights from my roof. I set up the ladder on my composite deck, leaning it against the roofline. I knew composite decking is very slippery and doesn’t offer a desirable surface to set a ladder, but I’m a guy that likes to get the job done, so I continued. Big mistake.
As an officer and aviator in the U.S. Army, I — like most of you — have been exposed to a significant amount of safety training. We’ve all learned that the unseen hazard is oftentimes the most dangerous.
Why was I laying on my bed with just a towel around me? And why was I so disorientated?
While working as an assistant trainmaster for the Union Pacific Railroad, my job required me to be on call should any problems arise in my area in my area. One summer evening, I got a call that reminded me just how precious life is.
In the aviation community, we talk about safety all the time. It’s evident that we put a greater emphasis on safety at work.
Accidents can happen at any time, so maybe shifting focus on what we perceive as the priority hazards isn’t the best approach. It’s important we cover all the bases. We can’t eliminate all mishaps, but we can definitely reduce the frequency and severity.