EHSToday - October 2024
By: Shawn M. Galloway
Printable Version
Two years ago, on November 14th, 2022, my wife Misty and I arrived in Bali, Indonesia, to join one of my closest and long-time friends, Kevin Henderson, and his fiancée, Stephanie, to celebrate his 51st birthday. We enjoy pursuing adventurous vacations with them, with the previous year hiking to the top of an active volcano in Guatemala.
It quickly became easy to see why Bali is such a desired tourist destination. In the first few days, we explored waterfalls and temples, experienced about a hundred near misses as we were driven across the island, and enjoyed the local cuisine. We laughed and reminisced.
Thursday, November 17th, was Kevin's birthday, and his wish was to be granted - a sunrise trek up Mount Agung, another active volcano and one of the most challenging climbs in the world. The day was spent shopping, packing, and preparing for the adventure later that evening.
The climb begins around 10 pm, and it is led by a guide, which is compulsory. The summit is reached around 5 a.m., where you meet other hikers and their guides and prepare for the majestic sunrise. Afterward, you collectively descend, and the trek is over around noon when you reach base camp.
Kevin summited Mount Agung. He took in the breathtaking view. He saw the sunrise he had chased, high above the Indonesian countryside. He accomplished his goal. He won the day.
During the descent, high above the clouds, around 1,000 feet below the summit, at 7:30 a.m. on his 51st birthday in a beautiful location, one of the holiest spots in Bali, my dear friend had an accident. He passed away, taking his last breaths, chasing his dreams below the mountain's peak he had just conquered. I had to be the one to call Stephanie. Because of the understandably poor signal, it took three conversations to accomplish one of the most challenging tasks I’ve been responsible for: informing Stephanie that the love of her life had passed away. I then had to notify others back in Texas.
The following week was a blur. Misty and I stayed in the country with Stephanie to support her as she observed Kevin's wishes and had his remains cremated. My dear friend returned to Houston in an urn, and his celebration of life occurred days later in the Houston area.
In the days following the funeral, Misty and I grappled with our own grief while trying to be a source of strength for Stephanie and his family. We shared stories of Kevin, reminiscing about his incredible intellect, wit and humor, adventurous spirit, and unwavering loyalty. Those memories became our solace, a way to keep his spirit alive in our hearts.
This tragedy brought home the need for deeper conversations about safety and preparedness and recovery plans. We often take for granted the risks that accompany our adventures, and Kevin’s death underscored the importance of approaching even vacation activities with a new sense of caution and readiness.
Despite our best efforts, tragedies occur more often off the job than on the job. This is why safety is not all prevention and zero injury objectives; we must have effective recovery systems to deal with the inevitability of mistakes that will be made and the possibility of injuries at work, in and around our homes, and on the side of mountains on the other side of the world.
The lessons learned from such a tragic event extend far beyond the immediate aftermath and serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment we have with our loved ones.
Please take some time today to do three things. 1. Have a conversation with a colleague or employee and let them know why you enjoy working with them and why they matter to you. 2. Call a friend and tell them you are thinking about them and why you value their friendship. 3. Hug your close friends and family sincerely.
Shawn Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety, is an expert in safety excellence. With almost thirty years of experience, he is a highly sought-after advisor, keynote speaker, and expert witness. Shawn has become a trusted partner to leading organizations across various industries worldwide. He ranks in the top 1% of the most prolific writers in his field, having authored over 500 articles and several bestselling books. He also launched the world's first safety podcast, Safety Culture Excellence©. As a recognized authority in safety, Shawn has received awards such as being named among the Top 50 People Who Most Influence EHS and a Top 10 Speaker, among others.
He is a regular guest on Bloomberg, Fox News, The Daily Mail, Dubai One, U.S. News & World Report, Sirius Business Radio, Wharton Business Daily, and leading safety magazines and podcasts. Shawn also serves as a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, Forbes Business Council, and Fast Company Executive Board, enabling his influence to shape safety thinking and strategy at the executive level.
