HOWE Q. WALLACE BLOG

Speak Up!

“I knew that would happen some day.”

Β That’s the worst statement that can be heard when we investigate an accident.

Β It means we could have avoided it if someone spoke up.

Β It means at least one of us had identified an unsafe condition.

Β It means at least one person knew that a colleague’s behavior would get him in trouble if he kept repeating it.

Β It means that someone had been scared by a situation and knew it could or would recur.

Β It means that someone didn’t go out of their way to report it, because it was inconvenient to do so.

Β It means that someone didn’t point out the situation because it might ruffle feathers.

Β It means that someone didn’t report it, because they assumed it didn’t matter.

Β It should be a trigger: when you think something is going to happen bad some day if that keeps up, it’s a sign that you’ve been called to do something.

Β Speak up! Raise hell! Let’s eliminate these risks before they hurt someone.