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In the Navy, among other things, we learned one very specific rule that will stick in my brain for the rest of ever: Do not cross (step over) a line (rope) or chain under tension. Doesn't matter if it saves you the time you'd spend walking around or whatever other justification you come up with. If that line or chain snaps, you're likely going to lose a limb if not your life, as well as potentially get dragged overboard or into moving equipment/machinery depending on what it's attached to. Do. Not. Do. It.
Seems like a common sense rule in hindsight, but unless you work a blue collar or industrial type job, how many people actually think about it or teach it to others?
On move in day I fucked up and shirked the rule. When Husband had to get his car back on the tow dolly behind the U-Haul, he needed me to help him make sure his car was lined up with the ramps. Like an idiot, I straddled the hitch for the dolly, because there wasn't room to stand on the ledge of the U-Haul and I couldn't accurately direct him from just one side. The rule popped into the back of my mind, but I ignored it because I'd done it earlier in the day and Husband had successfully fastened the hitch that time, so I figured it was fine.
Dear readers, it not fucking fine.
Husband was driving slow and cautious up the dolly, and that's probably what saved me the most. He got a foot or so onto the ramps and the weight of the car dislodged the improperly fastened hitch, popping it up like the handle of the rake one has stepped on. Thankfully it only went up a foot or so, but it was enough to hit me in the bits hard enough to bruise. Had I been shorter, or a person with my bits on the outside, the incident could have very likely ended with a hospital visit.
Bruises in places I didn't know I could bruise suck, but I'll take that over a broken back or pelvis any day. I'm a little sore still, but I'm very lucky to be able to attribute most of that to moving and very familiar and identifiable period pain.
So if you grew up not knowing, or have not worked a job teaching you this rule, please learn from my mistake.
Do not step over or straddle a rope, chain or rod under tension. Also respect areas marked by red and yellow safety boundaries, even if it's just tape on the floor. And always, always pay attention to your surroundings. Simple risk assessment lessons are your friend.
You have no excuse now, your friendly internet cousin Sloane has taught you. You might just save your own life. Or your bits.
There's a reason they say safety rules are written in blood.
Seems like a common sense rule in hindsight, but unless you work a blue collar or industrial type job, how many people actually think about it or teach it to others?
On move in day I fucked up and shirked the rule. When Husband had to get his car back on the tow dolly behind the U-Haul, he needed me to help him make sure his car was lined up with the ramps. Like an idiot, I straddled the hitch for the dolly, because there wasn't room to stand on the ledge of the U-Haul and I couldn't accurately direct him from just one side. The rule popped into the back of my mind, but I ignored it because I'd done it earlier in the day and Husband had successfully fastened the hitch that time, so I figured it was fine.
Dear readers, it not fucking fine.
Husband was driving slow and cautious up the dolly, and that's probably what saved me the most. He got a foot or so onto the ramps and the weight of the car dislodged the improperly fastened hitch, popping it up like the handle of the rake one has stepped on. Thankfully it only went up a foot or so, but it was enough to hit me in the bits hard enough to bruise. Had I been shorter, or a person with my bits on the outside, the incident could have very likely ended with a hospital visit.
Bruises in places I didn't know I could bruise suck, but I'll take that over a broken back or pelvis any day. I'm a little sore still, but I'm very lucky to be able to attribute most of that to moving and very familiar and identifiable period pain.
So if you grew up not knowing, or have not worked a job teaching you this rule, please learn from my mistake.
Do not step over or straddle a rope, chain or rod under tension. Also respect areas marked by red and yellow safety boundaries, even if it's just tape on the floor. And always, always pay attention to your surroundings. Simple risk assessment lessons are your friend.
You have no excuse now, your friendly internet cousin Sloane has taught you. You might just save your own life. Or your bits.
There's a reason they say safety rules are written in blood.
