In the present unsettled climate of the USW/Qwest joining at the hip, the avalanche of retirements of "if not fully job knowledgeable at least how to survive the system and still protect my people, knowledgeable supervisors"-the ominous dark cloud of production or else, threats and the failure of our conglomerate to provide adequate training for all new supervisors and techs, I find it hard to accept. The failure of employees to demand USW compliance in the one area even the big mother can't ignore, SAFETY AND HEALTH!
In general, USW, has been and in some areas still is an industry leader in safety. USW partnered with CWA has provided for mandatory safety committees. WISHA, USW, and CWA, through the Washington State Telecommunication WAC 32 & 24 mandate monthly safety meetings, USW, EHS, and CWA, continually update the SLPP(Safety and Loss Prevention Plan) the latest edition of which should, by now, be available via your supervisor, ordering them for all USW employees.
USW attempts to police these policies even if the attempt is sporadic and a little toothless. What employees need to realize is that these policies are in effect and are there for the protection of all employees
Another and more intimidating agency that is for the protection of workers is Washington Labor and Industries, with its enforcement department better known as WISHA.
This entity is the workers' safety watchdog. The WAC's (Wash. Administrative Codes) must meet or exceed the national OSHA safety standards.
WISHA compliance officers respond to workers' complaints and are also out and about visiting work locations. Workers who are visited are given safety inspections and are asked about any safety problems they may be experiencing. When necessary, WISHA will issue citations to the employer for safety procedure or equipment violations
Another avenue of safety protection for workers in this local is the Local 7804 Safety Chair, officers, and stewards. We are ready to respond to all safety problems and will take the right steps to insure all workers a safe and healthy work environment.
With all of these groups available to protect them, why do many or our people continually "push" themselves to be intimidated into accepting unsafe or unhealthy work assignments, cut corners to work assignments, and fail to demand, not beg, for their legally guaranteed rights of a safe job environment?
In a word, "attitude". Safety is 50% attitude. Laws require the employer to provide safety training and equipment for all workers. These laws are mandatory. All the training in the world won't have an impact if the worker does not comply. Use them, and require your supervisor to do the same.
Not reporting unsafe plant conditions, not reporting unsafe vehicle conditions, demanding comprehensive safety meetings, not using safety equipment and not following safety guidelines jeopardizes only one person, YOU!
Putting a combination ladder on the roof of a van to reach an AP, climbing around foreign pole attachments rather than reporting them as unsafe (this failure caused one of our techs to fall from a pole and shatter both heels) not wearing safety equipment, allowing expired safety gear to exist on a vehicle, these and many more not only create a potentially deadly situation for you, but your fellow worker as well.
What it boils down to is this:
We as employees of USW, AT&T, and Lucent need to protect ourselves and our fellow employees. We need to daily put into practice all job safety rules and regulations. We need to report all unsafe conditions, now, and not wait for the next person to do it.
I, as the Local 7804 Safety Officer, and the Washington State CWA MOSHC (Mutual Occupational Safety and Health Committee) co-chair, am always available for your safety inquiries. You need to follow all safety guidelines and report encountered problems. Then I can be 100% successful.
I have no patience for USW safety failures and react accordingly. I have little patience for workers who knowingly cut safety corners, get caught and then expect a positive result. You will be defended but better be ready to have the error of your ways pointed out.
Remember the state safety line presented by yours truly each morning! Call 206-345-7233 or toll free 1-888-772-5491
Yours in safety
Dennis Garrett
Safety Chair, Local 7804
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