“I Beg You to Listen”

I’ve done a lot of OSHA 10-hours through the years.

Way back, while sitting in such a class myself, I listened to a teacher who made the class fun and exciting. The old guy had a wonderful sense of humor and he told stories that had an impact.

I decided to teach that way.

And while doing so many classes I’ve worked out a script of sorts. I speak about the sad, sad stories through the years and I punctuate a lot of what I talk about by picking on myself.

One of my greatest hits is about getting the kids pool down in the garage and how I had the choice of putting up a heavy extension ladder or using the short cut of jumping from a stepladder set on a picnic table.

I went with the short cut.

My wife stopped me just before I jumped by asking:

“What in the f**k are in you doing, safety boy?”

 Big laughs.

Yet, I also speak about the impact of loss on families and how truly devastating a fall can be - even one that is only 6’ above the ground.

I end each class by telling a story of a young man who lost his life by falling 30’+ through a hole that he had made by removing a cover.

There’s silence in the room when I tell that story.

I end it by saying:

“I used to do this class and ask you all to take what I’m saying out there with you. After doing this for 32 years, I ain’t asking anymore. I’m begging you. Listen to me. All the guys who’ve been lost are ugly bastards just like you. I don’t want to deal with it anymore.”

The guy who passed away this week heard that talk.

For some reason, he didn’t listen.

Hard to shake.