Safety in the workplace

[TOOL FANATIK]

I had to walk out last night shortly after starting my shift. We work with dies that range from 100lbs all the way to 8 tons. Some of the dies are cooled with 335 degree "water" or rather steam under 145psi. (water boiling point 212 f). The high temp water hoses that connect to the die are quick connects that utilize safety clips that get rotated after a line is secured. Rotating this clip away from the notch on the quick release sleeve prevents an accidental blow-off or release from impact. It keeps us a little safer and we can all feel warm and fuzzy when working around this otherwise extreme danger. Well geniuses I work with either forget or don't think its vital or don't even know to make sure these safety clips are in place. I have addressed this issue with management and the team( along with countless other safety concerns on countless other occasions) in the past and nothing gets done., although all are in agreement that it is an issue. Well yesterday's meeting I brought up these hoses again and everyone was all for it, coming up with different ideas, yada yada. Well next shift I report for duty and what do I encounter? You bet ya! After we just discussed it not 24 hrs later and no clips. I almost exploded, and so I stormed out of there. I'm sick of walking into a death trap every time. Management needs to focus on getting us training on proper use of equipment, tools and safety. You would **** your pants with some of the stuff you see around here. And it ain't the workers fault. Without the proper training its hard to blame the guy holding the wrench. Don't get me wrong we have idiots here that do know better but simply don't care. Again that's management's fault for not keeping tabs on retards that shouldnt be working here. Instead these guys put their own and everyone around thems safety at risk because they are too lazy don't take pride in their work, and still get a check every week. To me its mind boggling. It'll take somebody getting badly hurt for a serious change to be made. But no, look at us 450 days no lost time accident. Yea that ain't from doing anything to stop an incident, that mostly luck,and other workers who actually give a dam about safety. One day something will happen, and then things will change. Without that though, I don't see it.

 

[marlinspike]

OSHA complaint? You have a right to not have your name revealed to your employer, to avoid retribution.

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

That's what a rat would do. If that's what it takes ill find somewhere else to work. I've been here 10 years, good people just need to wake up. We are better than this.
Take that back, it wouldn't be ratty to get OSHA involved, but to keep it anonymous anyway.

 

[Karl_B]

Or maybe mention in the next meeting that if it isn't seriously addressed that you will contact OSHA?

I would say to offer a demonstration of a failure of one of those couplers, but I don't think there is a safe way to do that.

 

[badss98]

I work at a oil refinery and we have hazards that if not addressed will kill so to get the situation fixed sometimes it requires osha. This is not a ************ answer because the next time you see something and dont address it and someone gets hurt or even worse i am pretty positive you would be quite upset. Sometimes the bigger company's put production or money first and my goal at the end of the day is to leave in the same condition i arrived.

 

[PCustoms]

That's what a rat would do. If that's what it takes ill find somewhere else to work. I've been here 10 years, good people just need to wake up. We are better than this.
Take that back, it wouldn't be ratty to get OSHA involved, but to keep it anonymous anyway.

I live in the same town as you, I pretty much know where you work.

Good luck finding something better in this area. We are at 32 days....

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

I live in the same town as you, I pretty much know where you work.

Good luck finding something better in this area. We are at 32 days....

Ha. We aren't at 450 anymore I think its a hundred something now...yea, It's one of the better places in the area to work. It won't go that far tho, I'll call another meeting and ill be surprised if it doesn't get cancelled, due to the situation already getting addressed. Have you worked there before?

 

[PMD1966]

Worked in a stamping plant years ago. One experience with OSHA. Someone called OSHA about safety issues. OSHA showed up with no warning. Could not be denied access to the plant. Looked at everything. Each infraction = $10,000 fine. Examples, dirty, oily gloves on table = fire hazard. Unlocked door on electrical panel = electrocution hazard. On and on. Two days later, big meeting with union reps and management begging us not to call
OSHA again.

 

[arms1970]

Worked in a stamping plant years ago. One experience with OSHA. Someone called OSHA about safety issues. OSHA showed up with no warning. Could not be denied access to the plant. Looked at everything. Each infraction = $10,000 fine. Examples, dirty, oily gloves on table = fire hazard. Unlocked door on electrical panel = electrocution hazard. On and on. Two days later, big meeting with union reps and management begging us not to call
OSHA again.

Of course, it cost them money. Penny wise dollar foolish, instead of fixing those violations in the first place. I let no one get in the way of my safety If I can help it.

 

[NicksRodz]

OSHA safety infractions are very costly. If the management is more worried about the money in there pockets then maybe that is what it will take. It could save someones life. I don't think it would be ratting if you tried on many occasions with the same runaround. It would be a wake up call. The main thing is could you deal with knowing someone got hurt or worse knowing all it would have taken is a call?

 

[Garage Junky]

It seems clear to me you need to hit them in the pocketbook - call OSHA. I'd also start looking for another job as this company is apparently run by ***-clowns. How many times do you have to tell them before they get serious and do something about it! Unacceptable!

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

I agree with all you guys. I actually did take a 10 hour OSHA training course for construction safety and health a few years ago, so I know the drill. Our compNy volunteers OSHA announced visits, and we get dinged for small violations, there's always a good 10 violations we get hit for....I'll see what the climate is like when I punch in tonight and the next few days. Walking out was my extreme measure and so I want to give it time. However if it looks like things don't change I will be strongly considering getting OSHA involved.

 

[littleponderosa]

if you want an eye opener - go to an osha investigation meeting where the decisions are made and fines declared. watched one of the few company men i actually respect literally bend over and say to the osha rep - "the company will do whatever you suggest and we would also appreciate any relief you can provide on the monetary fine quantity."
fines in that case were reduced from 75k to just under 15k within minutes, and total payout was less than 10k after some safety gear was installed.
i'm a union guy - support the local even though i disagree with its performance. time for some new blood in the ladder positions and a new ba.
safety - the corp i work for talks it, but production is the only driver - the wink and a nod ******** is coming back full force.
Bill

 

[Davefr]

Workplace safety is a "culture" that has to be bought into at all levels and constantly reinforced from the top down.

Have you had a meeting with your manager or upper management to address these concerns?

Perhaps a safety audit should take place at the start of every shift. If the preceeding shift did not leave the workplace in the same safe condition as when they entered the shift then they need to be held accountable by management.

If your management doesn't care about safety then find another job. You only get one chance in life.

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

Workplace safety is a "culture" that has to be bought into at all levels and constantly reinforced from the top down.

Have you had a meeting with your manager or upper management to address these concerns?

Perhaps a safety audit should take place at the start of every shift. If the preceeding shift did not leave the workplace in the same safe condition as when they entered the shift then they need to be held accountable by management.

If your management doesn't care about safety then find another job. You only get one chance in life.

I've sent countless emails on all kinds of safety hazards like keeping all power cords ie. 480v's elevated off the floor where they plug into one another. Any junction point basically. We have water manifolds all over the facility and water leaks are common....it fell on deaf ears...I've had to pick up half melted plugs (480's) that were just sitting in a puddle. How did I find it? Well I investigated a burning Smell and that's where my.nose led me....I have got stories for days and its not like I'm hunting for this stuff, it jumps out at me. Don't get me wrong this is a great company but it lacks the infrastructure to support this culture that you speak of. There is no system in place. Men become jaded and so stuff gets swepped under the rug and so these conditions are the norm, but I will not accept that. I will continue to push for change. I do not stand alone in this battle, I do have help from a like-minded co worker (engineer grrrrrr....) Lol

 

[Imcrazy]

document, document, document.

If/when the accident happens the management will be the first to say that they never knew there were hazards. Because, if they had known they would have promptly fixed them.

Yeah, right.

 

[bmxdad]

No Union? If it was a union shop you could get something done. And I know, people have issues on Unions. But nag all you want, they do have safer places to work in ... just saying.

Anyway, call OSHA ... and get that Phone Camera/Video going. Document this stuff, put it on a memory stick and give it to a senior supervisor, or who ever will be fired if someone dies. Make sure he knows the situation.

Like was already said, its a cultural thing, but must come from the top or nothing changes, until someone dies or gets hurt so bad they can't work anymore.

Keep plugging for safety!!

 

[Davefr]

I've sent countless emails on all kinds of safety hazards like keeping all power cords ie. 480v's elevated off the floor where they plug into one another....

Instead of emails, can you grab a couple managers and walk the floor and point out the "opportunities" for improvement.

Emails are easy to ignore but seeing things in person might be a better approach. However it all depends on your management.

I our organization (ie non union), safety issues are the first topic discussed in every meeting, every shift passdown, employee performance reviews, etc. Every employee is empowered to use the open door policy straight to the CEO if necessary. In the case of a safety issue we will have an immediate safety stand down where everything goes on hold until the issue is adequately addressed.

Every action everyone takes should be is gated with "is it safe".

There is no tradeoff between safety and the bottom line. A safe working environment is in harmony with the bottom line.

All I can suggest is to find some managers that will listen to your concerns in a face to face meeting. Approaching the situation in a manner that demonstrates that you sincerely care about the company and your fellow workers should be the best approach IMHO.

Good luck.

 

[Steinmetz]

No Union? If it was a union shop you could get something done. And I know, people have issues on Unions. But nag all you want, they do have safer places to work in ... just saying.

Anyway, call OSHA ... and get that Phone Camera/Video going. Document this stuff, put it on a memory stick and give it to a senior supervisor, or who ever will be fired if someone dies. Make sure he knows the situation.

Like was already said, its a cultural thing, but must come from the top or nothing changes, until someone dies or gets hurt so bad they can't work anymore.

Keep plugging for safety!!

Agree. You pay dues for access to a grievance process, if nothing else.

If you are fired on retaliatory grounds for informing the State Labor and Industries Dept. (that's the agency here in Washington State) of safety violations at your workplace , the firing can be grieved, and you will be reinstated, plus reimbursement of back wages and benefits.

Without a collective bargaining agreement, it's employment-at-will, and you can be fired for any reason, or no reason at all. With a collective bargaining agreement, the firing must be for just-cause, and a retaliatory firing certainly won't meet that standard.

 

[Stuey]

Call OSHA with an anonymous tip. Waiting to see if things improve on their own - which hasn't happened yet - is a mistake.

You hear on the news every now and then how a serious injury or death at a company sparks an investigation that uncovers a history of safety violations, poor training, or other things that could have prevented the accident if addressed in a timely manner.

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

Instead of emails, can you grab a couple managers and walk the floor and point out the "opportunities" for improvement.

Emails are easy to ignore but seeing things in person might be a better approach. However it all depends on your management.

I our organization (ie non union), safety issues are the first topic discussed in every meeting, every shift passdown, employee performance reviews, etc. Every employee is empowered to use the open door policy straight to the CEO if necessary. In the case of a safety issue we will have an immediate safety stand down where everything goes on hold until the issue is adequately addressed.

Every action everyone takes should be is gated with "is it safe".

There is no tradeoff between safety and the bottom line. A safe working environment is in harmony with the bottom line.

All I can suggest is to find some managers that will listen to your concerns in a face to face meeting. Approaching the situation in a manner that demonstrates that you sincerely care about the company and your fellow workers should be the best approach IMHO.

Good luck.

great advice. i have brought these safety concerns to our daily morning meeting as i mentioned in my first post, there are 2 department heads present at these meetings. for record i ALWAYS send emails out. i love the "immediate safety stand down where everything goes on hold until the issue is adequately addressed" that is what was so needed in this latest case, and nothing was done. i could not believe it. its like watching guys operate large equipment. you watch them if they have a collission or near miss, their hands are immediately in the air and away from the controls; that action is what id love to see. whoa!!!! safety concern everybody stop what youre doing!! me being human, i started questioning the severity of the situation, and started to think maybe i over reacted... i didnt let those thoughts linger for long; i know whats right, but you fine gentlemen on here just solidify my position and reassure me i am not overreacting. thanx.