Letter to the Editor: Thoughts on the Death of Skookumchuck Wind Farm Worker

Posted

I was very saddened by the finger pointing that is going on regarding the death of a young man in a trench (“Dismissal of Charges Sought in Death of Skookumchuck Wind Farm Worker,” Dec. 27).

I worked for Oregon OSHA for many years prior to retiring and I have an opinion regarding this event. A basic safety management rule is "what gets looked at gets done."

Ultimately, it is management's responsibility to assure that every person on a worksite follows the safety policies. That means there must be consequences for a failure to do so. Focusing on this single catastrophic event and pointing fingers is the wrong place to look for causes. The focus should be on whether or not the employer requires trenching at excavation sites and what actions they take when safety rules are not followed.

If the employer consistently requires employees to use proper procedures, provides appropriate equipment and the employees are clear that a failure to do so has substantial consequences, then a case can be made for an isolated event or employee misconduct.

If the employer does not make sure that employees follow the rules, then they should assume responsibility.



I recall holding a safety class and being told an employee had been fired for refusing to follow the supervisor's demand that he do some work on a forklift that he was not trained to drive. When he was informed of the event, the plant manager reinstated the employee and fired the supervisor. That plant had a functioning safety program and the employer is meeting his responsibility to keep his employees safe. Just my opinion!

 

Irene Gilbert

La Grande