ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- We sometimes wonder why people fail to take the proper precautions to avoid or correct hazards that can cause injuries.
In Tennessee, one morning during this past Fourth of July weekend, the news reported the following: a carport and two vehicles burned to the ground due to fireworks, one person was killed and another injured after being run over and struck by a boat prop (the driver of the boat was worried more about getting rid of the alcohol, cooler and empty beer cans than the two victims in the water).
There was also a video showing a car slamming into a gas station, catching fire and critically injuring a pedestrian.
My first thought was, "Is there any good news?" Then, I wondered what these people were thinking when they decided to do what they did or failed to do what they were supposed to do.
Safety has always had emphasis placed on it.
Here at Anniston Army Depot, we face hazards daily by virtue of the mission we perform.
This means we need to be conscientious of our surroundings, machine and tool capabilities, guarding and we must be trained on every aspect of our job.
The Voluntary Protection Program, or VPP, recognizes and encourages excellence in occupational safety and health programs.
People take risks and sometimes the result of that risk doesn't come out as planned.
When an individual fails to make a safety correction or commits an unsafe act, especially if that act results in an injury, VPP is degraded and the safety program and depot employees suffer because of it.
As with everything we do, individuals are accountable for their actions.
Be conscientious of what you are doing and your surroundings because you are responsible for everything you do or fail to do.
I'm sure the individual who is charged with vehicular homicide for running over and killing the 21-year-old girl with his boat prop has been thinking what he could have done to prevent what happened.
Unfortunately, for her child, parents and friends, it doesn't matter now.
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