Facing Regret in Safety

A visit to grandmother brings back memories of a missed dance opportunity, stressing the importance of seizing important moments. Insights on regret and the significance of proactive safety measures are shared. The narrative highlights the need for preparation and confidence in decision-making to prevent future regrets. The episode concludes with a nod to the music 'Stella's Waltz' and a reminder to prioritize safety in life.

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When I was 17, I visited my grandmother Stella in St. Cloud, Florida. She took me to dinner at the local senior center, where a small orchestra played. After we ate, they began a waltz, and she asked me to dance. Not being a dancer, I quickly said, “No thanks, I don’t dance.” I still remember the way her eyes welled up—in surprise and dismay. The moment has stayed with me all my life.  

Stella lived to 96. She was a determined, intelligent woman who took over the family metal fabrication business in Lakewood, Ohio. Bassett Spring Company supplied clips, springs, and parts from their four-slide stamping machines throughout World War II—and in the years that followed. In later years, she taught me the basics of running a business—skills that I still carry with me today.  

Over time, I often thought about that missed opportunity with her. Regret can be a powerful teacher. It reminds us of what might have been—but also pushes us to create something positive. For me, that moment led to writing "Stella's Waltz," the music you're hearing now. I hope she's listening. 

In life—whether in relationships or in the workplace—we all face moments when we later realize we could have acted differently, or more responsibly. The same is true in safety. After an incident, hindsight makes the right steps seem obvious. But when we recognize opportunities in real time and choose to act, we shape outcomes we won’t regret later. 

A former president of a leading fire protection engineering firm once told me: 

“If, after the fire, you can look back and say you took every reasonable step to prevent it, you’ll have confidence in the actions you took and avoid regret.” 

That mindset matters. It's the actions we take before an incident—not after—that spare us from regret. 

So, take time now to strengthen your safety program. That might mean improving machine guarding, reducing noise, or expanding training. It also means improving visual and operational safety by using Mighty Line’s patented beveled-edge floor tape instead of painting floor striping and waiting for it to cure. There are also visual floor markers for palletized storage, safety and fire equipment, door swings, and scan-code label protection. 

Together, these steps—along with engineering, operational, and training measures—help you look back with confidence, knowing safety and operational excellence guided your decisions. 

 In the meantime, I hope you’ve enjoyed “ Stella’s Waltz” by Black River Ensemble on Blackpool Records®.

Also, check out the recorded strings version by Stellarworld®.  

Both versions are available on all streaming platforms.

Have a safe and rewarding day.