A few years ago, I was part of a construction project of a seventy-million dollar manufacturing plant. The site was busy, and with the building’s structure completed, the conduit was being installed and wires were being run.
Scissor lifts puttered across the floors as dozens of tradesman worked in sync to meet their deadlines.
The project was well run — managed by one of the largest construction firms in Canada, safety was a top priority. There was not a single worker without a hard hat and steel toe boots. It was the kind of site safety inspectors salivate over.
No one felt alone; surrounded by fellow contractors, conversation flowed and the mood was good. The electricians on site were a large group. They worked together operating several scissor lifts that zipped up and down as they mounted conduit to the new ceiling. There was no reason for any of them to feel isolated.
One of the young electricians onsite raised his scissor lift to the ceiling and began working away. His colleagues were working within earshot and within sight of him, but no one noticed anything wrong until a coworker looked up.
The young electrician had inadvertently pinned himself between the lift and a beam above him.
However it happened (which is still not clear), he had not crushed his body, but had applied just enough pressure to prevent himself from breathing. As his colleagues lowered the lift and began CPR, it was clear too much time had passed.
His body was blue, and though applying CPR was enough to restore his vital signs, his brain had been without oxygen for too long. After several days on life support, the machines were turned off and he was allowed to pass.
Becoming a lone worker in a matter of seconds
I remember realising how sad the tragedy really was a few days later when I saw his coworkers wandering the site, trying to raise money to help the man’s family pay for his funeral.
In a matter of seconds, one can go from being part of a crowded team to completely alone. By moving a few meters, and without even leaving the room, you can become a lone worker.
Whatever mistakes lead to him being pinned and unable to breathe, his tragic death could have been prevented if only someone had been alerted the second he became trapped.
For years, firefighters have used PASS, personal alert safety systems.
Although firefighters are highly trained, it is clear no level of training can protect them from every danger. Luckily, there are simple technologies that can alert others around them when they are in trouble.
Every year, hundreds die in workplace accidents, often times because they are alone.
Whatever mistake lead to the young man finding himself pinned, his ultimate fate was caused by his isolation from help.
At some point, each and every one of us will classify as a lone worker. Though safety training has come a long way, we can now use technology to protect workers where preventative measures fail.