John's Family

John's wife couldn't believe he was dead. She had watched him get sicker and sicker, constantly coughing and complaining about difficulty with his breathing and general tiredness. Nonetheless, she thought it was just a case of tiredness and a little touch of the flu that took longer than usual to go away. She was troubled. Although there was some insurance money for her to get, there was no substitute for John in her or their children's lives. Worse yet, based on the autopsy report, it seems that he did not have to die the way he did. Maybe she should do what her friends were suggesting and see a lawyer.

John's Employers

Mr Robins scratched his beard. This was bad business. Not only had he lost one of his very best workers, but he now had to deal with the government inspector breathing down his neck and a possible lawsuit from John's wife. How was he to know that the workers weren't wearing the masks he provided? Granted, there were never enough for everybody, but they all knew that the man doing the heaviest work on the roof should be given the most equipment. Well, he was well prepared for the government Inspector when he came, because he had all his safety manuals and several pieces of safety equipment. With a little luck, the Inspector may never find out that the company was rather slack in enforcing the safety procedure. Speaking of which, it may be a very good time to fire that 'good for nothing' safety manager of his.

The Moral of the Story

There are some jobs which expose workers to chemicals and other hazards that they may or may not know are dangerous to their health. Sometimes, the effect on the workers' health is not immediate but may take many years to be manifested. In other instances, one incidence of exposure can prove fatal.

Workers need to take control of their own health and safety and respond accordingly. They should request safety equipment, use them responsibly, and in instances where employers refuse to improve working conditions, make reports to the relevant authorities and move on to better opportunities where these present themselves. There is no use in dying in order to make a living.

Ann Marie Rodriques

PeaceWater Services

Send questions or comments to peacewaterservices@yahoo.com