Blindly removing toxic waste

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Employees of Zickgraf's Bryson City plant recently experienced the critical need for planning and communications in a 12-hour, two-week OSHA Safety class taught at Southwestern Community College's Swain Center. In blindfolds, from left, are Allen Jones, Bobbie Simmons, and Lewis Jones, plant manager. Standing are instructor Keith Corbeil, Jason Smith, and Chris Parton. Participants not visible in photograph are Joel Martin and Jimmy Burnham. Here the men participate in a “toxic waste” removal exercise where the actual workers are blind and have to take all their directions from their supervisors. The supervisors have limited speaking ability and can only give one-word guidance to the workers trying to remove the spill. The objective, Corbeil said, is to learn the importance of planning, empowerment of the work force and full communications. Companies in the manufacturing sector interested in the state’s program to develop a skilled workforce can contact Corbeil at 488-6413 or kcorbeil@southwesterncc.edu.

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