ECN Forum Forums Safety Discussion and News Occupational Safety Discussion Anger

I can't understand someone losing his cool to this extent over some work-related matter.

But then I speak as someone who has never been in a fight in his life (not counting "play fights" with friends as a kid).

I have been in a few fights at the job site, with fellow employee one time and other trades 2 other times. Being the younger guy and having these guys ride you all day to get their kicks would result in heated words and while I am not one to start throwing the fists I would not walk away from someone who threatens me and starts atacking me, right or wrong. 2 times it resulded in being canned and while I feel I did not start the fight, I agree that I should have been canned.
Not knowing how this started or what it was even about, why beat someone to death? The person would have had to do some violent crime against my family to be considered being beaten like that.

From the story, it sounds like alcohol may have played a part in this. It's sad.

At about 30yrs old, I spent a short time working for a contractor that was a hardcore drinker, but had a very nice "printing press" job going. Both he and the job foreman would show up on the job stumbling, with the smell of fresh (not last night's) alcohol on their breath.

The contractor showed up one morning and called a safety meeting. He said that anyone showing up on the job without safety glasses the next day would be fired. When I mentioned that safety glasses were actually supposed to be provided by the employer, he came to me (in front of about 10 guys), called me a "smart***", and shoved me. Very professional
I knocked him on his can with a broken nose.
Another employee walked up to me and casually said "I guess this means you won't be working for Steve anymore?"
I'd never been in a physical confrontation on a job before, and haven't since.
Sometimes it's been tough to walk away, sometimes it's been tough to keep from laughing my *** off at a belligerent fool.

It sure beats workplace violence, though.

Electure,
Sadly, Alcohol(or it's after-effects) accounts for most Workplace fights.
If you have a hangover, the last thing need is some guy in your face telling you how things are going to be, especially if you disagree with his comments!.
I'm like you though, I have very rarely ever been in a confrontation, and these things really scare me when I have been.
I'm just here to do my work and then go home afterwards, end of argument!.

cant connect to the link in this post, would like to get more background on the post as it applies to some of the interpersonal communications classes for college. i have had close calls in my own life as i was not the best at tactfully stateing things....thank god for age and wisdom of mentors and close friends/bosses.

This is the article:

Bond sticks in case of fatal construction site fight
By Lynde Hedgpeth, staff writerJan. 21, 2004 11:15 p.m.


ASHEVILLE - Ten family members and friends of Jeffrey Parham sat staring at the back of a head with dark hair and streaks of gray - the head of the man accused of beating their relative to death.

The two families met in the Buncombe County Courthouse on Wednesday to hear whether a judge would allow Joseph Lee Jenkins, accused of killing Parham on Saturday, to stay out of jail after paying a $5,000 bond.

Judge Gary Cash recommended the bond Saturday after police charged Jenkins with second-degree murder. Police said Jenkins and Parham got into a fistfight at the CVS Pharmacy construction site where they worked on New Leicester Highway. Parham died from injuries he sustained in the fight, Asheville police Capt. Tom Aardema said.

Assistant District Attorney Jeff Jones said Parham's family came to the court asking for a higher bond. He said the low bond, in light of the nature of the crime, gave them concerns about whether Jenkins would skip his next court date, scheduled in February. Jones requested a $25,000 secured bond, which Jenkins would have to pay before being released from jail.

Cash decided Wednesday to keep Jenkins' bond set at $5,000, plus $50,000 extra to be paid if he misses a court date. Cash gave Jenkins numerous restrictions while out on bond, after hearing arguments from Jones, Jenkins' lawyer and Parham's aunt Carmon Parham.

"This was a deliberate and malicious assault. Jeff went to work Saturday expecting to do a day's work," said Parham, whom family members described as strong, level-headed and able to speak for them.

"We need a bond set high enough so it will assure he'll be here so he can answer the charges."


Jenkins' lawyer, Bill McDowall, said his client's cooperation in the murder investigation showed he would not skip a court date. Though Cash agreed, he said that until his trial, Jenkins must have no contact with Parham's family, be assessed and counseled for substance and alcohol abuse, not have any controlled substances or alcohol and submit to random drug and alcohol screenings.

If Jenkins violates any of those restrictions, or if he had alcohol in his system, Cash said, "I'm not going to let him out. It's going to be $200,000 secured" bond.

Jenkins' family would not comment after the hearing. Co- workers this past weekend said that after the fight, Jenkins called for help and tried to resuscitate Parham.

"It's very devastating for both families," said Tammy Parker, Parham's longtime girlfriend and the mother of his child. Parker said she felt for Jenkins's family, but she did not want to see him walk away after what happened to Parham.

"We need to lift him up in prayer, and his family," Parker said.

Contact Hedgpeth at 232-5953 or LHedgpet@CITIZEN-TIMES.com.

Roger