There have been some significant changes in QWEST’s cell phone/pager arena. With the change over to the Sprint network service has, believe it or not become worse. The ROAM word pops up constantly, which results in a strange voice requesting a credit card number to complete the call; or there is just no service, period. In some areas pagers are being taken away in lieu of “text messaging,” which, again, is dependent on a viable wireless system, which, again, is a catch “22:” one won’t work because the other doesn’t. “Ma” QWEST in her infinite wisdom is beginning to realize that this program isn’t working and is returning pagers.
State law also makes a working emergency communication system mandatory for technicians working out of aerial lift vehicles; and as most know that even in the best of times didn’t work well.
An emergency alert system, be it for cable burns, disaster notification, or whatever has to be in place-period. It is mandatory to save you, the worker, from serious injury or worse, but the monitoring of the success of any system is only as good as you demanding that it be so.
If you are not receiving burn notification pages or LRAC/Supervisor periodic test pages or page messages come in garble you must do the following:
I know that everyone wants to do their utmost “to be the best that they can be” but when this causes you to feel that you need to buy MSA, pager, test gear, etc batteries or purchase tools for work this “utmost feeling” needs to be held in restraint. It is QWEST policy that all equipment be it tools, batteries, supplies etc but supplied by the company, no exception. This policy is in place due to a liability and standardization concern. Safety supplies, which includes batteries, are not to be denied or subject to budget restraints. Vests, WAP, blowers, etc, etc, etc are not to restricted if you are confronted by this attitude again contact me immediately and let the local do the “in your face” if it becomes necessary.
The Tacoma Vehicle Safety Rodeo went very well. Participation was consistent with past rodeos but again some drivers feel that they are too special to attend, so be it, but unless these employees receive the make up mandatory monthly crew safety meeting they are allowing their supervisor to circumvent both QWEST and WISHA mandated safety policy.
The award plaque for the outstanding crew will be presented in December at the winning crews safety meeting.
One point of information for all is that there is a new WISHA Communications Compliance Officer for the State that will become the Western Washington only compliance officer and he is Tom Yadon recently retired Safety Officer for CWA Local 7803. Tom is highly trained and will be a definite asset to all CWA/QWEST employees as he knows the dark corners where in the cobwebs and secrets lie.
Congratulations Tom and we will be looking forward to your knowledgeable expertise.
Dennis Garrett
Local 7804 Vice President and Safety Officer
Regional MOSHC Representative.
253-640-1253
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