Plant Services - July 2008 - (Page 11)

KEN SChNEPf THE PS FILES Addicts and Accidents Workplace safety comes down to personal responsibility H when he took four steps with the aid of crutches. “Each ow many times have you gone to work hung over step was like I had won a gold medal,” he says. “Once I or stoned, or have known about others you work got out of the bed, I was never depressed. I knew what my with who have done so? target was.” According to the American Council for Drug Education He endured four years of operations, skin grafts and all (ACDE), more than 70% of substance abusers hold jobs. the horrors of dealing emotionally and physically with a One worker in four, ages 18 to 34, has used drugs in the past life-changing accident. But he made the most of it. year, and one worker in three has knowledge of drug sales in “Why sit back and waste it?” he thought. That’s when he the workplace. The ACDE reports that Americans consume began giving presentations about his experience. “This can 60% of the world’s production of illegal drugs, and that 23 really happen – we can really get killed in the workplace. An million use marijuana at least four times a week. Another 18 accident can build until something like this happens. Don’t million abuse alcohol, 6 million regularly use cocaine and end up going on the journey I had to take,” he cautions. 2 million use heroin. Delahunty was an athlete before the acciA recent study conducted by the World dent, and remains one to this day. It’s what Health Organization (WHO) reports that The images he helped get him out of the burn unit and back the United States leads the world in illegal to a new kind of normalcy. “I refused to let drug use, followed closely by New Zealand. shows of his So when you hear electrician Fred Delacharred, bloated this accident rule my life,” he says. When he got home from the hospital, he hunty’s story, one could very easily imagine body are set up his bicycle on a stand in his garage so he trading places with him. He works in the pulp ones you’ll could train for the Lake Taupo Cycle Chaland paper industry for ABB at Kawerau in the lenge, a 100-mile bike race that he particiBay of Plenty, New Zealand. never forget. pated in before the accident. After months of One day – one second – is all it took to put training and perseverance, he cycled through his life in jeopardy: A 3,300-V switch blew up the race and was only three minutes slower than his fastest when he was 2 feet in front of it. Delahunty was burned over time before the accident. 60% of his body and he languished in a burn unit for 31/2 He even went back to work at the same paper mill where months, 46 days of which he was unconscious. “I was given the accident took place. His experience was a catalyst for a 0% chance of living,” he recalls. change in the organization, and the company’s approach to If you’ve ever had the privilege of hearing Delahunty speak safety has been overhauled. “We get complacent about what about his experiences, the images he shows of his charred, we do because we’ve never had an accident,” Delahunty says. bloated body are ones you’ll never forget – nor should you. “I had a good reputation of never working dangerously, but it They’re pictures of what really happens when you work with was a bad atmosphere to work in. These guys [who I worked people who are careless about workplace safety. Those who with] took bad risks and their bad work practices transare addled by drugs or drink can easily slip into unsafe work ferred onto me.” If Delahunty’s words set off alarm bells of practices that put everyone at risk. recognition within you, be honest with yourself and your “I knew I was hanging onto life by a cotton thread,” maintenance team: Fix the problems now before someone Delahunty says. His fight to avoid becoming a workplace gets hurt. “People with a drug problem or alcohol problem statistic began in earnest when he regained consciousness. – don’t make any excuses – you can’t work safely,” he warns. “I couldn’t afford to think negatively,” he says. “If you haven’t had an accident yet, it’s not good planning, Along with his wife’s and family’s support, Delahunty that’s good luck.” says, “I used my mind to think my way out of it.” He began by squeezing a squash ball as many times as he could, and then put in another set of squeezes. He reached a milestone E-mail Managing Editor Lisa Towers at ltowers@putman.net. www.PLANTSERVICES.com 11 July 2008 http://www.PLANTSERVICES.com

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Plant Services - July 2008 Contents From the Editor Letters The PS Files Up and Running Crisis Corner Asset Manager Technology Toolbox Cover Story Compressors Power Transmission Flooring Web Hunter In the Trenches Product Picks Classifieds Energy Expert

Plant Services - July 2008

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