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" ... its decision to ... was in breach of normal protocol but it was the result of a lack of other ... options."
How often have you heard that excuse? It's against the rules... but we had no other options... What a load of rubbish!
How often has a company cut corners -- because they didn't know any better, or to save money -- only to find that, this time it did not work.
- Apache Energy. A gas explosion at its gas processing plant on Varanus Island. We are told that an aging part was at fault. Was it too expensive to repair or replace, or did someone say, We can bend the rules and get away with it, this time. Even after the explosion, a spare part could have quickly restored gas supplies. So why did it take so long to restore gas supplies? Was it too expensive to carry a spare? Was there a conscious decision, We won't carry a spare; it will probably be okay, this time.
- Beaconsfield Gold. Miner killed in mine collapse, two miners trapped alive for 14 days. "The inquest into the death of Beaconsfield miner Larry Knight has heard evidence from a former production engineer that managers ignored key safety advice in the lead up to the incident in 2006... The inquest has also heard claims that the mine set unrealistic performance targets before the rockfall... Tasmania's Chief Inspector of Mines was too busy to visit the mine in the lead-up to the fatal rockfall despite there being 24 other rockfalls in the two-and-a-half years before the incident." OHS Reps SafetyNet Journal Did someone decide, Rules are fine but we have a practical business to run.
- Fortescue Metals Group... "has issued a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange expressing deep regret over the impact of cyclone George in Western Australia." ABC News Online Two people died because their work took them to and left them in the path of a cyclone. The companies involved took precautions which they considered to be adequate. The precautions were not adequate.
This week it's the turn of Sundance Resources.
"Sundance Resources conceded yesterday that its decision to send the entire board of directors on a small plane to fly to a remote mine site in Africa was in breach of normal protocol but it was the result of a lack of other transport options." (The West, 22 Jun 10, my emphasis added) How often have you heard that excuse, that there were no other options? What about a second plane? Or the same plane but on another day? Or separate visits by each board member? Too hard... It's easier to just breach the normal protocol.
There is a difference, though.
This time, breaking the rules resulted in the death of rich and powerful directors. So the news is spread over the front page and over several other pages of the daily newspaper.
At the level of personal loss, this is a tragedy. As an example of "protocols are for you, not for me," perhaps it's a lesson. It's not always "someone else" who suffers, when you break the safety rules.
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