Transmission
Eastern
Safety
Committee Meeting
Members Present: Guest:
Robert Requena
Dan Hughes Claus Langer
John Ortiz Dan Reese
Sylvia Gaspar Robin Downs
Jim Wiley Don Ogden
Jerry Poggemeyer Tod O’Neill
Dave Stallings
The meeting was called to order.
OBJECTIVES 2006:
Claus began by reviewing the Eastern Transmission Safety Objectives for 2006. We will have Bob Marlowe back to our facilities for drivers training, exactly what will be covered, to be determined. Location sites for training, Beaumont, Blythe, Needles, Taft and Victorville. Newberry will partake with Victorville. We will try to schedule training for some time after the Safety Congress – late May if possible. Lunch will be provided at all facilities. Claus and Sylvia will work with Jeff Sauer for the preparation of the contract.
OFF
Dan Reese/Don Ogden contacted, Frenchy LaChance, of Western Adventures, his company has provided training to other Gas Company facilities. Training sessions consist of 4 hours of classroom setting and 4 hours of off-road training, with 8 to 10 persons per session. He requires 2 months notice. Dan and Don will look into scheduling training they will also determine which employees will require the training, will be limited to those employees who are required to drive off road. Locations will also be determined, whether training will be at Company sites or if training can be done at the Trainers facility. Ed Wagher would like to be kept in the loop regarding dates scheduled.
Website for the company is www.4westernadventures.com/corporate/index.html.
ERGONOMICS:
Claus reviewed the Office Ergonomic Evaluation Form that should be filled out by anyone who spends any time at a desk using a computer, on the telephone, etc., especially clerical support. There is also an Office Ergonomics Handbook. This information is available through the Safety Website. Once the clerical staff has completed the Evaluation Form they can determine if adjustments need to be made to their work area or a piece of equipment is needed to make the working environment ergonomically correct. One item that is highly suggested is a headset. There is a Try then Buy program also accessed through the Safety Website.
Don and Sylvia passed out info regarding cell phones, it included information regarding a Federal policy restricting cell phone use on military property, a citation will be issued if driver is talking on cell phone unless they are safely parked or are using a hands free device, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (cell phone elbow), and cell phone accessories (portable hands free kits). A discussion ensued regarding cell phone use while driving, as it is not prohibited, it is a safety issue and discouraged. Claus pointed out the new cell phones have speakers and can be used as a speaker phone keeping both hands free to drive. Mounts are available for cell phones and can be obtained if determined to be beneficial.
Replacements should be ordered as the old phone gives out. Employees should not be on the phone while driving, pull over to take the call or let it go to voice mail.
Note: It is illegal to pull over on the interstate unless it’s an emergency, pull off at nearest exit.
CIRCLE OF SAFETY:
Claus presented Taft’s Circle of Safety Chart which they created to track their progress towards a Bar-b-Que. As a result they now have 100% participation.
Conditions may change so if you’ve been in your vehicle for awhile – get out and perform the circle of safety again!
COMMUNICATION:
Dave/Jerry reviewed that everyone is receiving Weekly Incident Report. Jim Wiley from Newberry Springs has replaced Jamie Simeon; he will be added to the Distribution Lists. Currently the Weekly Incident Report does not include Transmission, there are so few to report it is not necessary to do on a weekly basis. Ed will start to include accident reports & near misses to Dave Stallings. Near misses are going to the Supervisor, then to Safety (Downtown). Claus would also like copies of all near misses sent to Ed Wagher. Dave and Ed will work on gathering and dispersing info.
NEAR MISSES:
There are several different Near Miss forms going around. Another new form coming out will be on the Safety Web page. Whichever you use is fine just a long as one is completed. Question: What is the definition of a Near Miss? Per Ed, something out of the ordinary or would surprise you. The idea behind near misses is to recognize behavior and correct, eliminate unsafe behavior.
TRAINING ON
EQUIPMENT:
If it is rental equipment, the training provided by the vendor is sufficient. It must be noted on a 5300. If the equipment is located at the Company facility, training is provided by Fleet Training, you can contact to schedule training.
SAFETY CONGRESS:
Packets were passed out for the Safety Committee Members. Return your registration form by April 17th. The Safety Congress will be held Tuesday, May 2nd at the Riverside Convention Center. If you are unable to attend the Safety Congress, someone from your work group may attend in your place, preferably your back-up.
Dan Hughes, Jerry, John and Robert Requena demonstrated the workshop they will present at the Safety Congress.
ROUNDTABLE:
Tod - Optical Methane Detector was mounted under the hood of company vehicle when it was received which caused some false reads; unit will be moved behind seat. A schedule needs to be set up for all districts that will be using it. Employees and FOS should get together to devise a schedule.
Compliance Training has changed so much that we no longer know what is required. Also what training is being provided by Centralized Training? Per Claus Jeff Sauer has created a spreadsheet to track compliance training required for Transmission and who has completed this training.
Is there raingear approved to wear in the hole during a hot tie-in? What are risks involved when working in rain?
Claus - Dave Stallings attended the SAC meeting in his place, Claus passed out the meeting minutes.
Claus - Passed out and reviewed Gas Operations 2006 Safety Plan.
Safety recognition will be acknowledged on a yearly basis for each work group that is accident free for the entire year. Jackets will be presented to the groups who were accident free in 2005. The groups include Beaumont, Newberry Springs and Taft. Congratulations!
A quarterly luncheon will be held for each work location
that is accident free for the quarter.
Claus has instructed the
There will be individual recognition for on going-everyday excellent safe behavior. The daily recognition can be a $5.00 gift card to Starbucks, In-N-Out, etc.
Management has been instructed to include Safety Recognition in their Performance Plan.
Claus wants everyone in his organization to understand our safety goals and would like the Safety Committee members to help get the word out as well as help develop our safety recognition plan for Eastern Transmission.
Ed and Claus are working on providing training for all Safety Committee members. Any type of training beneficial for the Safety Committee will be scheduled, i.e., Root Cause Analysis and Safety Committee training if available.
Robin - Attended a SAC meeting and shared the Item Tracking Sheet with them.
Fresh air medical evaluation form, when answering YES to contact from a doctor, there is no response. Per Ed the doctors are backlogged but they are attempting to make contact.
Class A license – Who at the base should have one? The Union is looking into this. If you operate a crane, you have to have a physical but do not need a Class A as long as you do not drive it.
Sylvia - Checked with Norma Cobb regarding Summary of Job Observations, Norma will add Sylvia to her list. Summaries will be copied and shared at future Committee meetings, will be added to the Agenda.
Ed - Would like to be included when Ergonomics and Sniff tests are looked into further. Sniff Test Tracking Item will now include Soper and Krutak in place of Henshaw and Chiapa who have both left Transmission.
UPCOMING SAFETY
COMMITTEE MEETINGS:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE
21ST, VICTORVILLE JOINT MEETING
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5TH NEEDLES EASTERN