May to focus on safety

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, May 5, 1999 | 11:23 a.m.

Saturday will no doubt be difficult for Tammy Green when she celebrates her son Joshua's first birthday without her husband and his father.

But the 23-year-old mother said the more important challenge she faces is keeping memories of her husband, Christopher, fresh in her mind so she can relay his personality and character to her son when he is old enough to understand.

Green doesn't wish her sudden life change on anyone, and that's why she allowed Joshua's picture on posters to remind workers of Safety Awareness Month.

On Tuesday the Clark County Commission officially proclaimed May as Safety Awareness Month.

Christopher Green, 24, was working on the Venetian hotel-casino in December when a panel about 3 stories in length broke loose and dropped from near the top of the 35-story building and crushed him.

Commissioner Myrna Williams said more than 80 workers in the construction industry have been killed in the last five years. Nearly 100 members of the Nevada Carpenters Union, the world's third-largest with 9,000 members -- showed up to support the commission's proclamation.

Tammy Green said Tuesday she wouldn't have made it through the ordeal without the union, which has raised $23,000 for Joshua.

She expressed concern about the number of hours construction workers are asked to put in to complete megaresorts on an accelerated schedule. She said contractors and casino owners should care less about deadlines and more about the safety of workers at sites.