Our team recently had the privilege of hosting James “Woody” Wood, an internationally recognised award-winning Safety Speaker and author, at the Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations.
Working as a diesel mechanic in his 20’s, Woody’s life took a dramatic turn when he was driving too fast in the heavy vehicle he was operating and lost control whilst not wearing a seatbelt. This left Woody in hospital for three months, suffering from a broken back and damaged spinal cord leaving him paralysed from the waist down.
Project Manager Sean Crawley said Woody’s story is truly remarkable.
“It is very rare that you get an opportunity to understand a serious workplace incident through the eyes of the person who was affected,” he said.
Woody is the first to admit that his accident was caused by the choices he made. Rather than letting his injury define or defeat him, Woody made the choice to tell his story to remind people that workplace accident prevention is essential and to encourage people to do the right thing.
During his presentations to each crew, Woody delved into various aspects of his recovery, including the physical and emotional challenges, adapting to life in a wheelchair, and the impact his accident had on the people around him.
“Woody helps people grasp the true significance of the choices they make each day, both in their personal lives and at work. He makes people think about safety in a different way,” said Sean.
“Complacency can be fatal, and Woody’s message serves as a powerful reminder to always make safe choices.”
If anyone is interested in hearing Woody’s story, visit cnbsafe.com.au for more information.
