Heroes Honored at Governor's Safety Conference

Photo byJordan SterankaonUnsplash

Thirty-five workers will be honored at the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference this year in Tacoma, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries reports.

Among the award winners this year are four ferry workers who rescued a group of boaters and their dogs from high winds and waves; an L&I electrical inspector who saved an elderly man he found lying in snow; plus over a dozen workers who performed CPR, used an automated external defibrillator, or provided other aid to save lives, acording to L&I.

“These folks did not leave for work in the morning thinking they’d be faced with a life-threatening situation. None of us really knows how we will react until it happens,” said Craig Blackwood, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health. “The people who are being honored all acted quickly, decisively, and compassionately in response to unexpected emergencies—and their actions saved lives.”

The Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Advisory Board, according to L&I, also bestows a Humanitarian Award to people who were unable to save the victim’s life despit their efforts.

This year, they include three scuba instructors who performed CPR on a missing diver in Lake Washington who died at the hospital thereafter, according to L&I.

Recipients of the Lifesaving and Humanitarian Awards will receive their awards during a ceremony at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center on Wednesday, Sep. 25, at 8:00 a.m., L&I reports.