Safety Meetings

[sotc]

So I had an idea and figured some here might be able to refine or add to it. I decided to buy some journals, each employee get their own journal and in their own hand, document things they have learned and been told or instructed to do and not do. They are 3 ring journals so they can be kept in the safety meeting folder at the office. Just seems if there is an accident for something they have been instructed not to do that having written it themselves will carry more weight in releasing liability, also it will sink in a little better in their own minds

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Is liability mitigation the key issue here? If so, you might want to go with something a little more 'official'. I can give you a link to some excellent A4 sized little training and safety manuals - you give it them to read (and keep), give them 10 - 15 minutes to digest it, then sign a company form that says they have read it and understood.

All of my crews carried in the truck a ring binder containing all the manuals at all times. That gives you excellent liability coverage.

 

[sotc]

They only real reason to write things down is for liabilities sake. If it is not on paper it may as well never have been uttered. I'd like to see what you have Ed but I think we still need to document weekly meetings

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Under UK H&S law, you have to have a daily pre job meeting (risk assesment) and all crew have to sign it. Its easier than it sounds, usually 5 minutes whilst assesing the job.
I had them in triplicate books - site copy, office copy and (corporate customer copy). Before it became mandatory, corporate customers used to love it, really shows you as a professional outfit.

Link here for manuals. They are free to use, and cover all operations

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/forindex.htm

 

[sotc]

Thank ya sir

 

[sotc]

Please tell me those are one time training tickets and not each time you do that job

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Absolutely. They are more of a guideline / rules on how to undertake each task safely, and the potential dangers involved. If they have signed that they've read it, they cant say they dont know and werent told. If you laminate them, put them in a binder in the truck, then they cant claim that they 'forgot' the training, as you have provided a means of 'checking the rules' on a daily basis. It also means you can have very brief safety meetings , as you can say 'we will undertake (example task) in the manner proscribed in manual 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.' or you can tell your guys your not happy with a certain way they have been doing something, so you are taking 10 minutes with them to re read the applicable manual.

Most of it is very simple and common sense, but this is about covering your arse legally.

 

[sotc]

Pretty good idea, I can get the secretary to laminate some up. Guess I better read them first so I know how to do tree work

 

[Thor's Hammer]

You might need to Americanise them a little. Some of the laws on PPE etc will be different.

 

[NeTree]

FWIW, I'm with Ed on this, Willie.

 

[sotc]

On which part Erik?

 

[Rborist1]

I think that Erik means he now agrees with Ed on everything, friggin commie traitor!

 

[Altissimus]

At my winter job the company has regular topical safety and service meetings, as well as many trainings ... the date, topic, and participants are ALL documented ... we must sign these .... I believe they are two sided as the ski area owners would gladly throw you under the bus post incident. Thus producing a record that adaquate training occured!

 

[Thor's Hammer]

I think that Erik means he now agrees with Ed on everything, friggin commie traitor!

On important things, me and Erik always agree.

 

[NeTree]

Sometimes.