50 worker's lives at risk: The Fukushima 50

I saw the wife and small child of one of the nuclear power plant workers on the morning news today.  I can only imagine the fears and anxiety associated with having a loved one in this situation.  I am sure many share the same feelings I do in terms of the courage and bravery of these workers, who are daily putting their lives at risk to prevent even greater disaster than has already been experienced. Here is a link to the news story:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/42207681#42207681 

I imagine these workers have already been exposed to high levels of radioactivity while at work securing these plants.  They are literally risking their lives for those in the area of the plant, as well as society at large.

I always find it disturbing when workers are put in harm's way to earn a paycheck.  Regardless of the fact that they get paid and in some dangerous jobs they may earn extra pay due to the great risk involved, it seems hard to imagine that trade off. I often worry that decisions like this are made without full understanding of the risk.... Or perhaps without other options?

More disturbing is that this man-made industry is of course capable of catastrophic disaster.  Despite systems of safety procedures developed and strict standards and requirements to protect the public.  We only need to consider the 'disaster of the moment' to realize that despite the perception that we can control things with rules and requirements, things do go wrong...earthquakes and tsunami's are possible.  Terrorist attacks (and yes, unfortunately on US soil) are possible.  Terrible mistakes, accidents and weather events are possible.

We would like to think we are civilized and mostly in control of what happens.  Yet we are every so often reminded of our own helplessness and vulnerability.  As with risks of other rare events- we do not think about these risks in a regular way and often are struck by the possibility only when confronted by a one in a million event.

I think each of us identifies with those workers.  We have all had the experience of loyalty or devotion to a job or role.  Or a sense of duty or responsibility for getting a job done.

Do they continue today at work for the paycheck or the extra bonus due to the risk?  I doubt that.  I suspect they sacrifice their own safety for the others they protect outside of the plant walls... The wife and child I watched today, anxiously awaiting their safe return.  I suspect the paycheck is low on their priorities now.  I suspect their employer is also not high on their list either.

To those workers and to all workers who risk their own safety for the greater good... We are all indebted to you.

Most of us have the luxury of allowing work to be 'only a job'.  We are never faced with such decisions.  Hopefully those of us who don't risk our lives aren't part of the reason these workers may pay with their lives.

I consider the individuals reassuring us of safety when there are unanswered questions or they really are not sure.  No one really can be sure of safety in all circumstances.  Do business priorities sometimes encourage risks to be taken or safety standards or concerns to be overlooked?  When faced with a tragedy like this I wonder why didn't we imagine the possibility of a situation like this?  Why didn't we imagine the oil spilling into the gulf last year...  Competing interests sometimes do not result in good decisions for society.  A reason we have standards and oversight and why money or profit as a driver is not always a good thing.

I hope we all very carefully consider the responsibilities we carry out that do affect the health and safety of others. If only we could act as bravely and courageously in protecting society as those 50 workers are.  I would like to believe they would not risk other's safety for profit.

Here is another view on the story...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8393018/Japan-nuclear-crisis-Fukushima-Fifty-cut-off-from-family.html