Safety Corner September/October, 2000

Even though USWEST was considered a leader in environmental health and safety there are an uncomfortable number of items that seem to have become lost in all the take-over frenzy of the last few months. Let’s review a few:

1. The on-going contractor work being done in, on, over, and under Qwest work locations either involving the placing, rearranging, and removing of plant structure is not being monitored sufficiently. Any number of near misses due to safety violations have occurred especially in the central office environment with a response from Qwest management that has not been exactly exuberant.
2. Security violations run rampant and when reported to Qwest’s crack security group are not deemed worthy of their intervention especially when there are so many Qwest employees to harass. A coffee shop or out of route violation by a company employee will always result in a swift security reaction but complaints of thefts of employee items intimidating confrontations by contractors against our people for attempting to enforce Qwest’s own security and safety policy. The list is long and infamous and more often that not results in a yawn and a big “Sorry!”
3. The comprehensive storm, power down, and burning notification system that involved much effort to gather information to instill it has gradually ground to a slow, jerky stop. Why? Well, first there are no storms now and the bureaucratic roadblocks to set it up are never-ending. I promised that if after all the effort expended by a number of CWA folks the plan is not up and running by October, WISHA will be contacted.

These are just a few of the problem area within the corporation. Maybe they will be addressed by the new leadership. Who knows? But Again I stress we as employees need to adhere to our employer’s security and safety policies without hesitation. This includes driving responsibly and defensively per our training here to our employer’s security and safety policies without hesitation. This includes driving responsibly and defensively per our training; the wearing ID; the showing of respect for the views and habits of fellow employees; the adherence to and following of all OSHA, WISHA and Qwest safety policies and the conscientious completion of work duties. Failure to do so can result in complications none of us wishes to experience

The feeling that some have that they have an inherent right to do what they feel is right and damn the torpedoes has no place in our work place. A sixth sense concerning the safe or unsafe conditions of a work situation is an ability gained with experience and that combined with safety training and guidelines guarantee another tomorrow. Protect yourself, your family and your fellow works by sharing your experience and by making safety the standard at home and work.

If doubts arise at work contact me or any local officer, steward, or safety person. We will respond. That what we are her for: to help all Qwest employees. On behalf of the Tacoma Safety Committee I want to thank all of you who participated in the CWA/Qwest vehicle safety rodeo. Although TOO many techs decided they were above participating in such a mundane event, for those who did, again, “Thank You.”

A complete read out will be forthcoming. See you again next year. Hopefully everyone!

Remember those monthly safety meeting are mandatory and listen daily to the Washington Safety Message on 1-888-772-5491 I appreciate it.

Yours in Safety,

Dennis Garrett
Vice President
Safety Officer

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