We believe in and practice Safety First. We provide safety helmets to wear while working, and we expect you to wear the helmet provided. When the crew leader calls for a break, it’s probably not because he’s tired. He means it: stop work and rest. Watch for others; people have a tendency to cluster as they work. With so many swinging tools that cut the soil, it makes sense to keep a safe distance between yourself and the next person.
You are personally responsible for your personal safety. The crew leader seeks to ensure the safety of the group, but he needs you to do your part. Too many things can go wrong, and go wrong quickly, to ignore safety.