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Mara Paluszewski <br /> June 15, 2012 <br /> Workplace Safety <br /> With this being my second summer interning with the Engineering Department of <br /> South Bend, I feel that I have a good idea of their procedures and how they handle <br /> situations. From day one, all South Bend employees place an emphasis on safety. Hard <br /> hats and reflective safety vests are provided from the beginning and you are instructed to <br /> never handle any job alone. A buddy system has been put in place to make sure you <br /> always have someone with you on job sites and that you always have someone watching <br /> your back. This department didn't always have safety.a high priority though. <br /> After Evan Sears was fatally injured in 1999, the Public Works department <br /> became shockingly aware of how many injuries they accounted for throughout the South <br /> Bend workforce. They soon put safety guidelines in place to eliminate the amount of <br /> injuries down to zero. Since pressure has been placed on the importance of safety, <br /> injuries had reduced dramatically and from listening to Evan Sears' mom, you can see the <br /> gratitude on her face. There is no better way to help honor Evan's memory than by <br /> sponsoring a scholarship in his name. This is also a great way to educate interns on the <br /> dangers there are on the job and really encourage us to be careful and cautious. <br /> Hearing Mayor Pete Buttigieg speak at the lunch in the other day really helped me <br /> see that not only the Public Works Department is working towards eliminating injuries <br /> and accidents, but this is also a priority of the City of South Bend as a whole. What <br /> happened to Evan Sears is unacceptable and tragic. A life so young and full of potential <br />