What is it about the turning of the calendar from December to January that promotes a feeling of new beginnings, new chances, resolutions to do better. It is just one winter day bleeding into another; no particular reason except we do love clear starts and finishes, metaphorically or otherwise. It is the ultimate "DO OVER". If there was never a chance to restart, reform, redo or begin again I think we would be a sadder species.
Waxing philosophical usually follows my perusal of the obits for the day and recognizing someone. That is becoming more frequent unfortunately, partly due to the wretchedness of "my corona" (sung to the melody of My Sharona). Also it is an indicator that either I am getting older or I was just a "pup" when I knew these people. I vote for column B! The latest was a gentleman with whom I shared an imtimately scary moment when his co-worker was electrocuted on the worksite.
DIGRESS: It irritates me when it is reported that someone is electrocuted rather than shocked and injured. When one is electrocuted, you basically have left this earthly coil as your heart stops, finito, cue the music.
Fortunately due to the fast actions of the other hero employee and prompt arrival of the paramedics with heart stimulation equipment he was revived; broken but alive. I mentioned this in an earlier blog where I described slogging through the mud, blood and beer in heels to render assistance and represent the company at the hospital.
The moment of terror occurred the next day when the hero employee and myself went back to the accident site to recreate the incident and complete the report. During explanation, my hand, on its own volition mind you, started raising towards the live energized culprit of the day before. A stinging slap and slam shut of the electrical box door followed that foolhardiness. With a swear he said "---- I can't go through that again!". Learned to keep my hands in my pockets on any inspection after that. However it did provide a vivid understanding for my report and recommendations.
Working in safety reminds me of a saying I heard once of "long periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror". It is those moments that we remember and dwell on for what we did or what we failed to do. As a safety director one lives in the world of "what could happen" and the aftermath when the "could" becomes reality. I did learn in times of extreme stress and unimaginably painful circumstances that humans tend to lash out and lay blame as a coping mechanism. Intellecutally one knows it isn't personal but I have never met a safety person who did not take it that way. But there is also no greater reward when you know you actually won one and made a difference.
This time of reflection concurrent with the waning light and preceding the hopeful beginnings of longer brighter days ahead is not an accident. Though the daylight increments are frustratingly tiny they are similar to that little sliver of light that slips under a closed door of a darkened room promising that brightness is just on the other side. If that is not reason to hope, what is?
Happy New Year and be sure to grab that french and german wine before that pesky 25% tariff hits...
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