Safety First

-

Every year around this time an email goes out to invite all the safety professionals to a downtown Buffalo bar.

We have a couple of drinks, and swap stories about the days gone by.

The safest party anyone has ever gone to.

And it truly is a fun get-together because all the OSHA compliance officers are there as are safety directors from the biggest contractors and all the best consultants.

I worked for and with a whole bunch of guys in the room, and we laughed a lot talking about the cases where guys did epically stupid things, got busted by OSHA and then petitioned me to help them get the penalties reduced.

As I looked around the room, a whole lot of years seemed to melt away.

“Remember when,” is the lowest form of communication.

Tony Soprano said that in an episode and I don’t necessarily agree.

I think it’s healthy and often times hilarious to rehash the glory days.

What was particularly funny was that a couple of us were talking about a case from back in 1997.

“I wasn’t born yet,” one of the new safety guys said.

“And that’s why none of us listen to you when you make a suggestion,” I told him. “We’ve forgotten more than you know at this point.”

He laughed.

He also reminded me that he was still about 40 years away from retirement.

“Where you gonna’ be in 40 years?” He asked.

Touché.

When he walked away a guy who happens to be my age whispered:

“Piss-pot.”

“Perhaps,” I said. “But did we listen to the old guys when we were in our 20’s? Besides, I climbed a straight ladder about 30’ yesterday. It’s almost over.”

We clanked glasses.

Looked around the room.

“Here’s hoping his career turns out as good as ours have been.”

Indeed.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more