One of the assumptions about hazards people not only make, but routinely rely on is, “That can never happen.”
It might never happen. Maybe it just hasn’t happened – yet. If it did and you were seriously hurt, there would probably be a safety procedure issued to prevent that from happening again. The policy might even be named in your honor. Don’t think that can’t happen.
Consider the light fixture in the ceiling you’re sitting under, one in your office or in a conference room: yes, it’s a hazard to the person tasked with replacing the florescent tubes. But, sitting in your chair, would you put that on the list of “hazards could that harm you right now”?
Few people would, but that doesn’t mean something like “That will never happen.”
Consider this particular light fixture: why do you think there’s a tie wrap? What’s the hazard it’s intended to prevent?
Three decades ago, tie wraps were installed in every light fixture in a chemical plant. Knowing that, it’s easy to connect up the dots and figure out why that was done: a light fixture came crashing down and could have killed someone sitting underneath it. If you’d asked that person the day before, he’d likely have said, “That can never happen.”
You might not have to worry about falling light fixtures where you work, and you have no choice but to rely on certain assumptions. But what are you assuming can never happen that you would do well to reconsider?
It is your safety on the line.
Paul Balmert
May 2025
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