Posted By William O'Donnell
When I started work, many years ago, the town I come from was a heavily industralised area. We had five coal mines, several large heavy and light engineering firms, two large foundries and a large number of manufacturing bases.
As a child I remember the whole town was covered in a black, thick, soot.
Subsequently I spent my formulative working years surrounded by the human consequences of work related injuries, and ill health. Men and women with toes and fingers missing, all manner of respiratory disorders, bad backs and knees, men with pale skin and the distinctive blue scars that identified them as miners.
I was 23, having joined the army, before I met my first storeman that was in one piece!
Many years later when I choose Health & Safety as a career the reason was so that I could do what ever I could, no matter how small or apparrently insignificant, to prevent or reduce workplace accidents and ill health. When just starting out I was pleased to find that my motives were enshrined in the 'spirit' of the Health & Safety Law.
It is that 'spirit' that principle, and not merely the letter of the law, that I seek.
What does health and safety mean to me?
I care about people, they are not numbers or statistics. They are not disposable assetts. They are fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, husbands, wives and loved ones.
Maybe you will all think me naive, so be it, it is my hope that I never lose sight of the simplicity of my role as a Health & Safety professional.