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08/01/2002
Safety & Education Committee Update
Safety in Numbers
The Telecommunications Industry, like most, has suffered economically during the past year. This has forced most companies to take a closer look at their budgets. There is one budget line item that cannot be cut, and that is safety.
Safety, despite the numbers, must remain one of the highest priorities of a company. This line item should include safety equipment and training. Safety equipment should be upgraded as new and safer technology is available. Safety training should also be kept current.
With safety equipment costs rising and profit margins getting narrower, it is tempting to cut in areas that do not produce income. However, when it comes to the safety budget; this cannot be the case. While safety may not create income, it reduces costs.
By implementing safety procedures and continuing to replace safety equipment as necessary, you will continue to keep your insurance costs down. Your lost time will be significantly reduced and your office staff will not be tied up for countless hours handling the paperwork involved with having an accident.
Safety First
There is also one facet of safety that cannot be seen in the numbers. It is an overall emphasis of a company that safety comes first. It is an attitude and a way of life. It is an awareness that all employees should have every day on the job. It is something talked about in the office and in a tailgate meeting at the job site every morning.
When you think about it, some of the important safety items really do not cost that much. The tailgate meeting in the morning, the discussion at lunch about how to rig the tower, passing on information you read in Tower Times and to communicate safety first.
Not Even One
This year there have already been too many accidents in our industry. My greatest fear is as the economy continues its slump more companies will continue to try to increase margins by cutting in the wrong places. In our industry, any accident is one too many.
As an employer you are responsible for providing the proper safety equipment and training for the job. As an employee you are responsible for using the correct safety equipment for the job. It must be a joint effort.
Also joining in on this campaign are the carriers and tower owners. They have set standards for safety that must be upheld by their contractors as well as their own project management team.
Safety Pays
So now more than ever, it is important that companies take a new look at the old subject of safety.
In summary, remember that safety does pay.
Mark T. Mitchell is a member of the NATE Safety & Education Committee and is Vice President of Wireless Solutions, Inc. of Wimberley, Texas. He can be reached at 512-847-0893.
Mark T. Mitchell
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