4will
ArboristSite Lurker
I'm somewhat enjoying the debate I've stirred up. Usually heated discussions bring out good points on each side. I agree with many of the points made and like many of you, I often speak more aggressively in my initial statements than I actually intend. That being said, yes, I do have lots to do with my time. I have a responsibility to my community as a firefighter to respond to emergencies so I notice dangerous situations when they stare me in the face.
I also have a responsibility as a tax payer. If you're not familiar with that then you have missed the point of living in America where we all agree to live by the law of the land in order to continue a free society (NOT that all political decisions are sound). As a tax payer I know that lots of my money goes to support the regulatory agencies for a reason. Usually to reduce injury. Reduction of injury is NOT something that is only a concern of the potential injured. It's my concern and should be yours. As alluded to in an earlier post, the cost of healthcare and yes the use of tax money are both affected by people who can't or don't pay for their medical bills AND by everyone who makes a claim. So even if this guy gets one of the kids working for him hurt and his insurance pays, guess what, for all of you trying to insure workers -- the cost goes up. It's the same as auto insurance. Every injury and every claim means that the rest of us pay more -- we pay based on statistical risk.
If the guy can't pay, then we do. If the guy pays part, we do. Our tax dollars support the medical system. And here's the real kicker, even if he can pay but he uses a trauma center, we likely pay too. Most trauma centers NEVER collect 100% from patients and the rest is subsidized from tax dollars.
And when this guy or his workers are old and using Medicare/Medicaid twice as much as me because they've got chronic conditions because of bad decisions early in life, guess who pays for that -- WE DO.
One more argument, the cost of you equipment is directly affected by every injury. Every injury means additional research money gets spent for safety features. Injuries mean more cost for safety features. I'm not saying they are all bad but consider the safety guard on a table saw. Who keeps that thing on there? Probably 1% of the users. But we all paid for it when we bought the saw because it's the only way it can be sold. And consider that the manufacturers get sued regularly for injury claims. Guess what -- they settle them in the tune of 12 to 100 thousand REGULARLY. My friend that is general counsel for a tool manufacturer regularly goes to meetings with people who are hurt by their own stupidity with 10 or 12 thousand to offer as a settlement to avoid costly litigation that the manufacturer would win. WE PAY FOR THAT every time we buy a tool.
So yes, I do have other things to do with my time. This was staring me in the face. I'm not looking to snitch (what an accusing word), I'm looking to protect my community and my money.
BTW, for what it's worth, this is all taking place by a major road so I'm not the only one seeing this. I got two phone calls this weekend asking if the were working for me.
I'm not looking to start a fight or be disliked because I speak my mind but I will go out on a limb an say that perhaps we all ought to consider how much time a conversation, phone call, or some education for those who don't understand the benefits of safety practices is really worth. I know this is an optimistic outlook but complacency is why our society is bleeding money as it is (I'll leave that comment there).
I appreciate all of you who do utilize safety practices. I wish more of you would.
I'm done, thanks for reading, Will
