If my boss ordered me to do something I considered unsafe I would object and not do it. I would state my objection verbally first, in a polite and respectful manner, since the person giving me this order is my boss. I would also tell him exactly why I considered this particular task to be unsafe. Not wanting to be disrespectful to my boss, I would ask for another ( or a similar ) task I could perform instead, a task I would consider safe.
If somebody in the Soviet Union did exactly the same thing, this person would be fired immediately and without any explanation. The objector ( and often his entire family ) might even end up being severely punished and end up unemployable for life or put into jail. The basic principle of relationships in a workplace in the Soviet Union was the principle of total obedience. You as a worker had to obey to all wishes of your boss and never, ever question them. You were not allowed to have a proper opinion and you were to follow the party's guidance in all areas of your life.
