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REGINA LEADER-POST
“Safety is everyone’s responsibility”: Threads of Life When Grant Barnsley laces up his shoes to walk in Steps for Life, he has even more reason than most to feel a sense of passion and commitment to the cause. More than 30 years ago, Grant worried he might never walk again, following a serious accident at his workplace. Now, Grant is a volunteer speaker with Threads of Life and participates each year in Steps for Life – Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy. He served as a spokesperson for the virtual walk in Saskatchewan this spring. “Safety is everyone’s responsibility, whether it’s your first day on the job or you’ve been at the same one for years,” says Barnsley. “For me, getting involved with Threads of Life and Steps for Life allows me to share my story and learn about other families and their stories. I was inspired to get involved so I could help people to move forward in a positive direction after their own incident and know that an organization like Threads of Life can provide help.” Barnsley was a young worker, just starting his first real job as a machinist. He was using a sling to help load hydraulic cylinders on the back of a truck. “I was leaning into the cylinder to stabilize it, when the sling broke. The load came crashing down, hitting my knees on its way to the floor,” Barnsley explains. “My right leg sustained a compression fracture, my left leg a
After a serious workplace accident, Grant Barnsley feared he would never walk again. Now he vounteers with Threads of Life and is the spokesperson for this year’s Steps for Life – Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy. S U P P L I ED
compound fracture with the bones sticking straight out. The pain was unbearable as it shot up both thighs, right to my hips. I started to scream. My foreman came to my side and comforted me until EMS could get there. I remember saying to my foreman ‘I want to be able to walk again!’.” Barnsley’s right foot had to be amputated. After multiple surgeries and months of rehab, he did learn to walk again, with a prosthetic leg and foot. Today, he works in health and safety, and volunteers with Threads of Life as a way to help those, like him, who have experienced a workplace tragedy, and to prevent future injuries and fatalities. Threads of Life is a national Canadian charity which supports people
who’ve experienced a workrelated serious injury, occupational disease or death in their family. The organization offers peer support, opportunities to learn new coping skills, and a network of families who share their experiences and help one another to feel less alone. Steps for Life is the organization’s flagship fundraiser, held virtually across the country this spring. Follow the Regina Steps for Life event on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/StepsforLifeRegina/ Today, Barnsley notes that he had not been trained in hoisting and rigging, and he worries that many workers are still not receiving the training they need to keep them safe on the job. “The sad part of my story is the suffering that my family went through worrying about me,” Barnsley says. “But I never gave up! A lot of these types of injuries can be eliminated once workers are educated and understand that training is a huge part of the job. It’s not just another day in the classroom; it’s the start of you being safe and coming home to your loved ones.” If you have been personally affected by a workplace tragedy, you can learn more about Threads of Life at www.threadsoflife.ca. You can also support Threads of Life’s work by volunteering, donating, or spreading the word to others who may need support.
THIS STORY WAS PROVIDED BY SASKATCHEWAN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD. THIS SECTION WAS CREATED BY CONTENT WORKS, POSTMEDIA’S COMMERCIAL CONTENT DIVISION.
WORKPLACE SAFETY is all of our responsibility Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees give everyone a voice and help employers maintain healthy, safe workplaces. Be informed, get involved and stay connected with your committee.
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