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Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 076

K Parmentier – 14 February 2008

I Chose to Look the Other Way

As you are aware, we are committed to achieving an Incident & Injury Free working environment by
encouraging all employees to address unsafe acts at source. The following poem is very pertinent and
we are pleased to publish it and thank the author, Mr Don Merrell for his written approval for us to do
so.

I Chose to Look The Other Way

I could have saved a life that day, Now every time I see his wife,
But I chose to look the other way. I'll know I should have saved his life.
It wasn't that I didn't care, That guilt is something I must bear,
I had the time, and I was there. But it isn't something you need share.

But I didn't want to seem a fool, If you see a risk that others take,
Or argue over a safety rule. That puts their health or life at stake,
I knew he'd done the job before, The question asked, or thing you say,
If I spoke up, he might get sore. Could help them live another day.

The chances didn't seem that bad, If you see a risk and walk away,
I'd done the same, he knew I had. Then hope you never have to say,
So I shook my head and walked on by, I could have saved a life that day,
He knew the risks as well as I. But I chose to look the other way.

He took the chance, I closed an eye, Don Merrell
And with that act, I let him die. donmerrell@hotmail.com
I could have saved a life that day,
But I chose to look the other way.

Being safe depends on the choices we make everyday. The right choices can save lives. We want to
share safety information and help to raise industry awareness. Safety is not about getting one over on
the competition. We need to talk openly, share what we know and make the right choices.

If you have any queries regarding the Safety Bulletin content or require further information please
contact any staff member of Xmo Strata Ltd.