Health & Safety Officer, Billy Johnson, shared a well-known safety poem on Shift that he had read at the weekend. It’s called “I chose to look the other way” and shows the importance of ‘looking after yourself and each other’ at all times. 

I could have saved a life that day, but I chose to look the other way.

It wasn’t that I didn’t care; I had the time, and I was there.

But I didn’t want to seem a fool, or argue over a safety rule.

I knew he’d done that job before; if I spoke up he might get sore.

The chances didn’t seem that bad; I’d done the same, he knew I had.

So I shook my head and walked by; he knew the risks as well as I.

He took the chance, I closed an eye; and with that act, I let him die.

I could have saved a life that day, but I chose to look the other way.

Now every time I see his wife, I know I should have saved his life.

That guilt is something I must bear; but isn’t something you need to share.

If you see a risk that others take, that puts their health or life at stake.

The question asked or thing you say; could help them live another day.

If you see a risk and walk away, then I hope you never have to say,

“I could have saved a life that day, but I chose to look the other way”.