A Christmas Safety Story: By Todd Jerome Jenkins, CSP Inspired by Nathan Pickle.
‘Twas a few days before Christmas, and all ’round the site,
Not a hazard was stirring; all seemed just right.
The tools were all checked, and the cords neatly tied,
With hopes that no injuries would spoil yuletide.
The workers prepared for the holiday cheer,
Reflecting on lessons we’d learned through the year.
And I in my vest, with my smartphone in hand,
Reviewed the near-misses—what more could be planned?
When out on the scaffold, there arose such a clatter,
I dashed to the scene to see what was the matter.
Away to the lift, I flew like a flash,
Calling, “Stay where you are—don’t make a rash dash!”
The sun on the beams of the site so pristine
Revealed some concerns that were far from routine.
For what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a worker unharnessed—it filled me with fear!
I hollered, “Hold on! Don’t take one more step!
Your harness is unbuckled; you’re risking your neck!”
More rapid than warnings, the risks they all came,
And I whistled and shouted and called them by name:
“Slips! Trips! Falls and Struck-by!
Electrocution! Caught-In! Let’s all comply!
Review every task—let’s act with due care!
Safety’s a gift we must all hold dear!”
As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
Near-misses remind us to question the “why.”
So back to the ground, we all descended,
And our near-miss reflection quickly extended.
And then, in a moment, I gathered the crew,
To talk through what happened and what we should do.
We stood in a circle, all donned in our gear,
Ready to learn as the holiday drew near.
One worker spoke up, his tone calm but clear,
“Falls are a focus, especially this year.
Struck-by, caught-in, and shocks are next on our list,
But we’ll manage these risks—no hazard’s dismissed.”
With a wink of his eye and a nod of his head,
He shared how near-misses teach what’s not to be said.
“No blaming, no shaming—just lessons to share,
Safety’s a mindset; we all must hold dear.”
The day wound down, and we packed up the site,
Ensuring all hazards were controlled for the night.
And as the team left, with their spirits held high,
I called out a message as they waved goodbye:
“Remember, my friends, as Christmas draws near,
Safety’s a gift—it’s for all we hold dear.
So happy holidays, and let’s keep things bright,
Happy Safety to all, and to all a safe night!”
