Information has been received there is a possibility of the night duty supervisor position being eliminated. The position was a factor in the answering of a WISHA citation along with accounting for and monitoring the well being of employees working after hours and at night. It may be replaced with the rotating duty supervisor system. The situation will be closely watched and the local will need your input as to its’ reliability. One only has to ask the techs in Bremerton about the shooting incident in Belfair to understand that one missed follow through by management can create a very unacceptable situation.
Safety rules and enforcement policies are not selective, no one is exempt. I can knowingly say that at this time construction and the the line crews are consistently attempting to follow safety rules. Many, not all, but a disturbing number of those in other work groups still think safety edicts are for the other person. Wearing of vests, hardhats, and safety glasses are still mandatory. Work area protection has not ceased to be required. Full body harnesses are still a must as well as circle checks, blowers, and gas testers. The list is long and with the corporate attitude of suspend first, talk later, we all must be ten times more aware of our safety obligations.
We are well aware that pressure and productivity are not conducive to a safe environment. Problems with overtime, vacation entitlements, and other work rules, should not distract or affect our responsibility to get home in one piece.
Any observations of contractor safety violations need to be reported to the safety group. Record the time, place, vehicle(s), and name(s) if possible. These will be forwarded to the appropriate person for further action.
I have stated before the necessity of the field form RG09-0085 for unsafe conditions to be filled out. If conditions aren’t reported they won’t be altered and it is our responsibility to protect ourselves from harm. Don’t just walk away, that only contributes to the problem.
None of us are above safety rules. They were established by OSHA-WISHA, and the employer because of injury or death to workers on the job! The battle is still raging for workers safety rights. The newer employees need direction in proper procedure by dedicated role models in safety and job performance. Lets’ not let attitude or poor habits send the wrong message to these people and put them as well as yourself in jeopardy. “DO THE RIGHT THING!”
Safety is a 24 hour a day obligation. Protect yourself and your fellow employees, new, or like me, aged. They will be beholden to you and like myself will realize there really is no “I” in team.
Yours in Safety,
Dennis Garrett
Safety Chair, Local 7804
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