 |
|
|
|
|
05/01/2005
OSHA Relations Committee Update
It is sad to see yet another rash of accidents in our industry. Ours is a tough and potentially dangerous business. This is especially true today. I want to examine the challenges we face dealing with this information.
One statistic that bears further examination is the experience of the workers who are being injured or causing injuries, or perhaps I should say lack of experience. More than half of the accidents are being caused or happening to workers with one year or less time on the job.
Simple, you say. Increase the training of new workers. To which ones do we commit the significant resources to train? An unscientific study indicates about one out of three new workers stays with the same company more than six months. So if you wait until that illusive one makes himself/herself known to you, your company may be increasing the chances that the national statistics will visit your operation.
Some companies compensate by beginning training early and often. Some companies dedicate their efforts to watching the new workers like hawks with increased observation and supervision. Some choose a combination of the two.
Recruitment is just one of many challenges we, as managers, face. Not only do we have to contend with finding someone who does not suffer from some form of Agorapho-bia (panic disorder) or Acrophobia (fear of heights), but also they must be able to work at heights without dropping everything they touch. On top of that they must live like nomads. Add to that the element of being able to work with others and have a highly developed sense of their surroundings. Plus, it is helpful if this person is intelligent, likeable and a self-starter.
Why do we do this to ourselves? Because when each project is completed, everyone involved knows that the team created something of tremendous value and worth, not just in hard dollars, but also in value to the telecommunications industry and the community in general. A completed project should give everyone involved a great sense of accomplishment.
I suggest you do this today. Look at your hiring and training practices. Without thinking about the financial impact, do they make sense to you now? Good! You have dedicated your efforts to avoiding one of the most significant statistics we have available. Lack of training causes a higher percentage of accidents. Increased quality training makes each worker safer. It’s not just about statistics. It’s about each team member.
Don Doty serves as Chairman of the NATE OSHA Relations Committee as well as Vice Chairman of the Association. He is the Vice President of Doty Moore Tower Services, LLC of Cedar Hill, Texas and can be reached at 215-631-1300 or don.doty@stainlessinc.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
