A tragedy that taught us A tragedy that taught us |
| Wilbur Wade Sr. (left), father of Ronald Wade who died last year following an industrial accident , talks with Energy Systems employee Johnny Williams at a reception following a memorial service for Ronald Wade held at ETTP. Photo by Brett Pate |
ore than 150 friends and family members of an East Tennessee Technology Park worker who died last year following an industrial accident gathered recently to celebrate his life, remember his loss and rededicate themselves to living safely.
Workers, managers and family members joined in the ETTP auditorium February 17 to remember Ronald Wade, who died Feb. 14, 1997, one day after he was burned while cutting out a converter in the K-33 Building.
Harold Conner, Energy Systems' vice president of Environmental Management and Enrichment Facilities, and union members Paul Armstrong and John Steward announced that a plaque, paid for with more than $2,400 in employee donations, will be erected in front of the ETTP cafeteria in Wade's memory.
Conner described some of the strides that have been made in safety in the past year, crediting the changes to worker involvement. "The tragedy has taught us a great deal," he said. "We thought that we were listening, that we were planning and we thought we were involving everyone. We learned in a tragic moment that we needed to improve."
In a lessons-learned video produced after Wade's death, friends and family members discussed their loss, and employees candidly aired safety concerns during a roundtable meeting with Conner. The video has been shown throughout the country. Lockheed Martin initially ordered 50 copies; following a recent safety conference in Albuquerque, more than 100 more copies were ordered to fill requests.
The original video also led to a series of ongoing roundtable discussions of safety concerns. These, too, are videotaped and distributed within EMEF.
During the ceremony, Armstrong introduced the family and friends, recalling their willingness to participate because they felt it could help others. "The lessons-learned video...has caused many people across the country to go about their business more safely," he said.
In a second video, workers who took part in the first one were reconvened to discuss their opinions on the safety culture today. They all acknowledged that a major step has been taken in breaking down traditional barriers to true labor-management communication, particularly in listening to the workers during pre-job planning.
Churchill Moore, a co-worker and long-time friend of Wade's, shared personal stories with the audience and also told them, "I'm glad that something good came out of it, that Ronald's dying was not in vain. Management and workers have been able to come together and talk freely and openly about safety concerns."
Near the end of the one-hour ceremony, family members shared their thoughts and feelings.
"At first I didn't think I could come," said Wilbur Wade Sr., Ronald's father. "But I'm so glad I did come. When you said that Ronald didn't die in vain, you made my day."
Ronald Wade's daughter, Rose Donaldson, encouraged employees to continue the positive strides. "Daddy instilled in us—early on—strength," she told the crowd. "You pick up the pieces, because he would want us to, and you move forward. You do the very best you can and that's what I want you guys to do. Go for it." —Mark Musolf
