Hanging Out in Cell Phone Land

As we all know, technology advances at an alarming rate. What we purchase today is antiquated tomorrow.

What concerns me is the misuse of technology, or said in a different way, the use of technology at an inappropriate time. I am referring to the use of cell phones.

Cell phones are a marvelous technology with a myriad positive uses. Imagine coming upon a serious automobile accident on some country road, far from any communication. The cell phone could possibly save someone’s life.

But there’s another side to cell phones. Ever been in a conversation with someone who is constantly being interrupted by their phone? At some point you want to shout: “Either talk to me or talk to the phone, not both.”

Unfortunately, misuse of the cell phone can go beyond annoying; sometimes it puts us in harm’s way. We’ve all seen the driver who’s on the phone, not paying attention to the road.

The following are examples of on-the-job situations involving cell phones.

An apprentice is directing the driver of a line truck who is backing the truck into a parking stall. He doesn’t see the concrete block at the end of the stall. As he’s talking on the phone he’s walking backwards.  Suddenly he trips on the concrete and falls backwards. A roar of laughter erupts from his fellow workers. Nobody gets hurt, no damage to property, or equipment.

A young journeyman is operating the boom on a line truck. He is assisting another journeyman place a steel plate on a broken sidewalk. Suddenly the load stops moving. The boom operator is on the phone. Maybe his wife is telling him to bring home some milk. Or maybe it’s something a little more substantial: she wants a divorce. One thing is sure: he’s no longer paying full attention to the load.

Ever been in an aerial lift trying to get out of a tight situation and your observer is on the phone? The first concern is whether the person using the phone is still focused on the task at hand or not. Are they still cut in, or are they in cell phone land?

One moment in cell phone land can have serious consequences in the real world. That distracted moment endangers not just the cell phone user but the entire crew.

Please remember this: accidents can lead to a life of  misery and pain, not only for the affected employees but also for their families. Don’t hang out in cell phone land when your mind needs to be on the job.

Art Torres

December 7, 2006