“I was using a mobile X-ray machine in a patient’s room....I had the machine and the tube set up, then I positioned the patient—and when I moved, I forgot about where the tube was. I hit my head on it. It hurt quite a bit, but I wasn’t injured. I was too embarrassed to tell anyone. I didn’t say anything and sure enough another tech did the same thing....After my colleague was injured, I spoke out at my department meeting. Now we position the patient first, and we don’t move the tube until we are ready to take the picture.”
Tedros Tecle, radiologic technologist, shop steward and Workplace Safety tri-chair, SEIU-UHW (Northern California)