Safety Message for June, 1999

A few words around "Contractors". Yes, they are required to follow all US WEST, WISHA, AND OSHA safety guidelines. Though they are hired by companies as "independent contractors" that does not exempt them from following all safety laws. Conversely, we as well are not exempt as regular employees. In fact, we as US WEST employees should be more under the gun to follow the guidelines. If a WISHA officer catches a contractor out of compliance, it can be reported to the Director or supervisor within our company who in turn involves the contracting firm in question. Hopefully corrective action is taken.

BUT! If you see them, report to me immediately and I will pursue the situation. WISHA did issue citations to some US WEST contractors this month for failure to wear harnesses and use wheel chalks.

The man is out and about but this just re-enforces our need to always be in compliance. There is no excuse for you as an employee not to follow all safety guidelines.

A word of caution to those of you training or mentoring newer employees. There have been observations made of unsafe work operations, and telling the new techs its ok, it gets the work done quicker. Working on sloped roofs or over the edge of a flat roof, failing to wear safety clothing,not parking or driving in a defensive manner, the list is long and frightening.

Safety is an attitude, safety is never to be compromised, safety saves lives.

A few odds and ends:

• Parking at the Skyline C.O.; Do not park in front of the company garage structure. There is plenty of room in the parking lot for everyone, use it.
• Wearing visible ID when entering a US WEST facility. Many employees not doing it, we require it of contractors, so be in compliance also.
• High visibility vests: still considered out of fashion by many of you. I can only say one thing about that. WEAR IT! In this era of nervous citizens - - utility worker imposters, rental rigs, etc. the vest and hard hat combined with visible ID provides us with a little more protection when in customers yards, premises, etc...
• Dogs: Simply state the policy to customers, "I cannot work in an area where a dog runs loose". If cooperation's not given, leave and call your supervisor.
• Vehicles: No excuse for any company or rental vehicle having any compromised condition. Turn in faulty exhausts, heaters, defrosts, burned out lights etc..Vehicle conditions directly affect accident potential, so take care of problems now not later.

Please continue reporting unsafe plant conditions to me for further action. Also tell your supervisor, sometimes they do react positively.

Have a safe day!
Dennis Garrett
Safety Chair, Local 7804

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