Safety or Money?

Submitted by Gene Crovetti,
IBEW Local 150 Safety Committee

Have you ever been on a job where you were asked to put your hard hat on, or not stand on top of a ladder by a safety person or general contractor? This is great because they are doing their job trying to keep the job safe. The problem is hardhats and ladders seem to be the only safety issue on the job.

How many times have you worked in a building that was full of paint fumes, or fumes from diesel trucks or gas operated saws? How often was something done about the paint or engine fumes on your job? Unfortunately, many times you will be branded a troublemaker, crybaby or whiner when you complain.

I have been on jobs where painters would not give me MSDS sheets. Finally after pressuring them, I received the sheet. To my surprise the paint fumes from the paint they were using was extremely hazardous and required the painters to wear respirators even when brushing the paint on. The painters were not using the respirators and really didn’t care about anyone else on the job. We, as electricians, were of course the troublemakers and crybabies for complaining about the fumes.

Too many times when safety issues such as uncovered holes in floors; extremely dusty conditions from saws cutting brick, block or concrete without water; debris and tripping hazards on floors; no railings on steps; improper temp. wiring; no railing, toe boards, or cleats on bricklayers scaffolds; refusals to check for and stop work in asbestos areas; trenches being dug without proper trenching are mentioned to safety persons on jobs, little or nothing is done about the unsafe conditions. It occurs to me and many others that money not safety is the prime concern on some of these jobs. Does the contractor really worry about safety or does he worry about his insurance premiums?

Just remember when you’re breathing fumes that can cause acute liver damage, brain damage, nervous system damage and kidney damage, keep your hard hat on so if a safety official or insurance man sees you, you won’t get in trouble!

Health

How many of you have had a vacation or some time off lately? Many have worked a lot of overtime this summer and have not had much time to enjoy life. It is great to work hard but we all need to "have a life" and live a little with our families and friends. How many have taken a really "good vacation" in the last five years, two to three weeks would qualify for "good vacation". You owe it to yourself to enjoy life. Get out to some of our National Parks, visit some of your favorite cities, maybe even go to Disney World.

The point is that too many of us live only to work; it is about time we work to live!