by Jim Barham, Joint Safety Institute Administrator

Currently, we are meeting with all Department Business Unit Directors and Safety Managers in order to review the Joint Safety Institute’s (JSI) goals and class schedule for this year.

The JSI agenda for 2003 includes:

• Targeting 3,000 DWP employees in 101 days to attend 114 safety workshops, including three new ones.

• Working “hands on” with Worker Safety Group Tours in order to refine the tour process, supply resources to the tours, and present our “How-to” video on worker safety tours.

• Mailing out 2003 safety calendars (this has been accomplished).

• A Worker Safety Tour Group newsletter, which will come out in March or April.

The “Safety Information and Actions” Workshop

One of our new workshops is “Safety Information and Actions,” which replaces the old “Basic Skills” Workshop. I note that there has been some confusion among our members about this class; many of our people who have already been through the basic skills class are now being scheduled for this new course. If you have been through the “Basic Skills” course, you do not need to go through the “Safety Information and Actions” course because they are the same curriculum.

It is worth noting that the “Safety Information and Actions” Workshop is now a prerequisite for the “Supervisor Safety Skills” Workshop. With this in mind, all supervisors who attend the “Safety Information and Actions” Workshop need to be aware that they must return the book you used when you are scheduled to attend the “Supervisor Safety Skills” Workshop.

Keep the Worksite as Safe as Possible!

I want to thank each and every Local 18 brother and sister for the safe work you perform every day. In some areas of the Department, we have a lot of new employees, and I want to emphasize to all Journey-level brothers and sisters out there just how important it is to set a strong example of jobsite safety for the new members. These new members naturally look to you not only to learn how to do the job when they are promoted to the Journey level, but also as safety mentors and leaders. Developing good safety habits is a major part of being a professional in all the fields in which we work. We need to share past safety experiences, as well as recall and explain the “close calls” any of us may have gone through on the job.

Further, we must encourage new employees and apprentices to ask questions any time they are unsure of proper (safe) work practices. We also need to encourage them to ask their supervisors any questions they might have during pre-job safety and tailgate meetings. We veterans must set an example by always wearing the proper PPE, and doing every job in a safe manner. We should always explain to each person on the job what we are doing, why we are doing it in a particular way, and how it relates to their work. We do not want surprises on the job! By sharing experience and knowledge, we will all work more safely, and the work should go easier and faster.

Your JSI is working hard to ensure that everyone who works at DWP is a ”safety leader” for his or hers fellow employees. Please keep up the good safe work!