Safety Corner May/June 2001

The first quarter of 2001 is complete and how have things progressed so far in Qwestland? One item of very significant disappointment was the voting down of the National OSHA Ergonomic Standard by our good buddies in Washington, D.C. Although this will negatively affect the ergonomic efforts in the rest of the country, we, the workers in Washington State, can breathe a sigh of relief as our own labor and Industrial/WISHA ergonomic policy was adopted. The only problem is an attempt by some corporations and businesses to have a “a delay of information passed.” The bill passed the State Senate but the House version is still pending.

Gov. Locke has stated that he will veto and delay legislation. So we Workers should prevail in Washington State but we shall see.

The first quarter saw 120 personal injuries and 81 motor vehicle accidents take place in Washington by Qwest employees. Definitely not good. One wonders when the big one will happen, especially with incidences continually rising. Everyone needs to “keep it together” and continually practice “safe safety” before one of us becomes “THE” statistic. Hopefully by now all crews have been reeducated on the revised 2001 Safety Violation Discipline Policy and the “three strikes you’re out” punishment threat. There had already been a number of employees disciplined and believe me if any of you out there feel safety is an inconvenience, think again. Seniority and/or some employees’ attitude that they are too valuable to be suspended or terminated need to think again, again.

Safety violation punishments are nearly impossible to successfully defend at any level so be aware of these items of your responsibility:

  1. Do it right; do it safely at all times; and there will be no problems.
  2. If an error is made and you are caught by Qwest or WISHA be cooperative but don’t incriminate yourself by volunteering information.
  3. Request Union representation at any and all subsequent management requested meeting. If the request is refused keep quiet and again do not volunteer information.
  4. After the incident immediately write up a comment report by your Union rep-not for management
  5. Keep a log of safety meetings-any none responded to safety training request, none provided requested safety equipment and any “do the job no matter if questionable safety situation exists” intimidation attempt.

At this time every crew in Tacoma has a representative n the CWA/Qwest OSHA mandated city safety committee. Check the posted roster for yours and confide in them or call me on 253 640 1253 in any questionable safety situation. If your crew is not:

  1. receiving monthly comprehensive safety meeting
  2. not having the monthly safety committee minutes read at the meeting
  3. being given a safety meeting if you missed the crew’s scheduled meeting due to illness, vacation, etc.

Contact me immediately for “ corrective action” Your supervisor can also be suspended or terminated for failure to “do it right” but you must document, demand your safety rights and follow any and all OSHA/WISHA/Qwest safety policies. This will not only keep you citation free/punishment free but will keep you injury free and may save your life. The Tacoma safety review committees for Directors Linda Kelly’s and Stella Ley’s areas have and will continue to review motor vehicle accidents and personal injuries as well as “near misses” that occur in their area. This is a “mutual” committee of CWA/Qwest/EHS managerial and safety representative. The object is to investigate and rectify not establish blame.

In closing don’t forget to:

  1. check out harnesses, lanyard, body belts and straps daily. Ask for replacements of all questionable items and don’t remove the OSHA place serial number tags.
  2. check expiration date of electrical safety gear.
  3. request a refresher “other than competent Persons” excavation trench training session.
  4. but most importantly do it right, do it safely. It will save you a world of woes.

Call me with any safety questions or concerns. Dennis Garrett VP and Safety Officer 253 640 1253

Yours in Safety,

Dennis Garrett
Vice President
Safety Officer

Back to the Safety Archives