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June is National Safety Month and generally signified by the color green. June is a month to realize the importance of working and playing safe, both at work and at home. As a long time member of the National Safety Council Labor Division, Local 965 has kicked off National Safety Month with the distribution of Buttons and Stickers that State the fact that Local “965 thinks Safety is Number #1.” Health and Safety is a key component to the operation of a Company such as Alliant Energy especially when it comes to dealing with some of the hazards we face in our day to day work. It is just as important and a key component to the day to day operation of Local 965. Safety is as important element and the contract agreements it makes. Safety has to be a major part to a Local Union in order to insure a safe work environment and to guarantee the safe return of its members that they get safely back to their homes at night. Don’t forget the IBEW was founded on the premise of safety back in the 1800s to deal with the widespread deaths of lineman on the job at that time. We still hold safety as an important part of our union activity.
It is important that we as members, remember the importance of working safe and following safe work rules and practices that have been mutually established. Generally, safety rules or practices were developed at the expense of another workers accident or injury. One of the main safety rules generally quoted is that we are responsible for our own safety. It is important to remember this rule ad adhere to it. But, it is also important to remember that we are also responsible for the safety of those that work with us. The effects of an accident or an injury of those we work daily will have a resultant effect on us, either physically or emotionally. They both leave scars that are visible to ourselves and to those around us. It is important to think of our families or our loved ones when it comes to working safely. A serious accident can affect our families and our loved ones emotionally as they are left with the aftermath of a serious accident or injury that they will be left to deal with for years to come. Let us not be selfish and think only of ourselves when it comes to safety. Let us learn to not try to cut corners, even if it saves a few pennies for the Company because it could cost us many dollars. As we have seen from past history the Company will be quick to investigate, discipline and remind of where we went wrong. Us, personally and our families will be left with the long lasting consequences. The Company will move on, our families or we, ourselves may not be so lucky leave it behind us. Do not be afraid to remind those fellow members around us of their need to work safe. Do not let your co-workers bend the rules and take chances without reminding them of such. The results of an accident or a mishap could affect you or all those involved in your normal daily work place. It is too bad we take Safety serious after a serious accident of a brother or a sister union member. Then months later we become complacent and start to slip back into our bad habits. I know it is easy to do because I have been there too and caught myself starting to lose focus. Just remember that we are our brother’s keepers and our brother is our keeper, it is the same for the sisters. We are all in this together. It doesn’t hurt to remind them of that. Do not look away because the results of that could be devastating for both of you. Please wear the green Buttons or the stickers to remind fellow workers and the Company that Safety is an important to us and is an important part of our daily work. Let them know that we truly consider Safety to be number #1 in our daily work place and in our daily work life and not just a process to be studied by some committee to determine if it is productive or not to the Company. Safety is always productive and should never be minimized. It has to be #1. Remember to work safe, play safe, your family needs you and have a safe day tomorrow. |
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