Who else works alone?

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Being the only service person for the 9 stores the company owns keeps me too busy at times. I really don't mind it much as I can usually get my job done quicker and more thorough without the distractions.

Today however was one of those days that I struggled through. Not one male in the store that could have helped me and prevented me from having an accident or a premeditated negligence (as described in another thread) A blower assembly weighing about 175# fell out of the guides onto my left knee. It was my right knee that got messed up this time last year.....go figure?

There is plenty of work that would keep another person busy as there could be more things attended to in a shorter time span. The company feels that I am able to keep up with the demand even though some things don't get repaired as quickly as they should.

I should have my tail at the medical center having my knee checked out now, but I know the routine. They will give me 3 days off. Problem is that there is a priority on a piece of equipment that I must fix in the morning. Then I'm off to the center.

Some of the things I do is down right dangerous, but I keep myself alert and use as much caution as I can. The one major thing that bothers me is "IF" something happened that was unforeseen, I could be injured, knocked out, or even dead and nobody would know it for hours. About 45% of my work is on the store roofs. This is an area that is restricted to only a few people such as my immediate boss, air filter guy (works at night), and myself. Store personnel is not allowed on the roof.

I do check in with the store managers, but it goes in one ear and out the other. All they seem to be concerned with is getting whatever is broke fixed.
Due to my busy schedule, I sometimes find myself cutting corners to get the job done faster. One of those is changing belts on exhaust fans while they are running. Stupid move I know, but when it is lunch time and the drive thru is full and the lobby is full, I can't disrupt the operation of the cooking equipment. The fans do have a switch on them, but when you shut them down, it turns off the cooking appliance it pertains to. So this is why I have come up with a way to change a belt out while the motor is running.

I just wish there was a policy in place that would look after my own well being while on the job. Upper management doesn't think it is worth the time and effort since it would only pertain to one person,,,,,being me.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Who else works alone?

.....................................I just wish there was a policy in place that would look after my own well being while on the job. Upper management doesn't think it is worth the time and effort since it would only pertain to one person,,,,,being me.

In the employment world the only one that will look out after SS MAYFLOAT is...........................SS MAYFLOAT................. Upper management is to busy tending the bottom line..............................the larger the corporation the larger the rift.................when your on site safety and performance begin to effect the bottom line to a point it becomes an issue.......................things will change......................but not before.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Who else works alone?

Rushing through a job and doing things like changing a belt on the fly is going to bite you on the behind sooner or later. SS you remember when I hacked three fingers in half many moon ago?? I was in a hurry, and not doing it the safe way. Thats what it took to teach me safety first, the boss can wait, my health and well being is top priority.

Also if you do get hurt big time, and the boss finds out you were not following safety procedures it might jeopardize your benefits. You see , they love you when you cut corners and make them money, but if it cost them money your the bad guy.

 

[bootle]

Re: Who else works alone?

One ought not to confuse one's career with one's life. (LF Tip# 29).

What you need is a good vacation mate.

 

[Geo2008]

Re: Who else works alone?

Being the only service person for the 9 stores the company owns keeps me too busy at times. I really don't mind it much as I can usually get my job done quicker and more thorough without the distractions.

Today however was one of those days that I struggled through. Not one male in the store that could have helped me and prevented me from having an accident or a premeditated negligence (as described in another thread) A blower assembly weighing about 175# fell out of the guides onto my left knee. It was my right knee that got messed up this time last year.....go figure?

There is plenty of work that would keep another person busy as there could be more things attended to in a shorter time span. The company feels that I am able to keep up with the demand even though some things don't get repaired as quickly as they should.

I should have my tail at the medical center having my knee checked out now, but I know the routine. They will give me 3 days off. Problem is that there is a priority on a piece of equipment that I must fix in the morning. Then I'm off to the center.

Some of the things I do is down right dangerous, but I keep myself alert and use as much caution as I can. The one major thing that bothers me is "IF" something happened that was unforeseen, I could be injured, knocked out, or even dead and nobody would know it for hours. About 45% of my work is on the store roofs. This is an area that is restricted to only a few people such as my immediate boss, air filter guy (works at night), and myself. Store personnel is not allowed on the roof.

I do check in with the store managers, but it goes in one ear and out the other. All they seem to be concerned with is getting whatever is broke fixed.
Due to my busy schedule, I sometimes find myself cutting corners to get the job done faster. One of those is changing belts on exhaust fans while they are running. Stupid move I know, but when it is lunch time and the drive thru is full and the lobby is full, I can't disrupt the operation of the cooking equipment. The fans do have a switch on them, but when you shut them down, it turns off the cooking appliance it pertains to. So this is why I have come up with a way to change a belt out while the motor is running.

I just wish there was a policy in place that would look after my own well being while on the job. Upper management doesn't think it is worth the time and effort since it would only pertain to one person,,,,,being me.

Take your own advice and play dumb!

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Who else works alone?

When you are dead and gone,the service you provided will be performed by another.

Be safe and to heck with deadlines ( pun intended) and the "need" to complete a job in record time.

 

[jimr]

Re: Who else works alone?

I just wish there was a policy in place that would look after my own well being while on the job. Upper management doesn't think it is worth the time and effort since it would only pertain to one person,,,,,being me.

Its called OSHA. You are the only one at that company that knows what you do. If you get hurt the upper managment will play dumb. If you only need help sometimes look into getting a day laberor.
I know alot of guys that have changed belts on running equipment that are now missing fingers or worse. you can get hurt bads enough sometimes doing the job right why in the world take shortcuts.

 

[heycods]

Re: Who else works alone?

SS Quote"I do check in with the store managers, but it goes in one ear and out the other. All they seem to be concerned with is getting whatever is broke fixed.
Due to my busy schedule, I sometimes find myself cutting corners to get the job done faster. One of those is changing belts on exhaust fans while they are running. Stupid move I know, but when it is lunch time and the drive thru is full and the lobby is full, I can't disrupt the operation of the cooking equipment. The fans do have a switch on them, but when you shut them down, it turns off the cooking appliance it pertains to. So this is why I have come up with a way to change a belt out while the motor is "

Find an empty booth and prop your feet up till the rush is over. Only one SS Mayfloat, we would miss you (Ya cant type with no fingers)
On the other side of the same coin, I have been guilty of replacing belts while running, Stupid I know, but at the time I didn`t have any need to type.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Who else works alone?

Your "get er done" attitude is great, but its gonna get you maimed.

You need an apprentice and you need to schedule PM on equipment during down time, so you can shut them off.

The biggest problem you face is the fact that you have done these jobs unsafely before, why should management change?

Show them some numbers about how much work comp costs, lost productivity, and stuff like that. All they care about is money, so show them the money.

Ken

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Who else works alone?

when i was in business, i never let anyone work alone. even if the helper just sat there and watched. there are too many things that can happen, and no help there. everytime i have been hurt working i was alone. the last time i got hurt, is when i decided to get a cell phone.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Who else works alone?

I have been working alone for a lot of years and I decided that I was more important than than getting the job done so someone else could save a couple bucks. You have the right to refuse an unsafe job and they can't do a thing about it. Start using it. If that pulley grabs your shirt your done. To shut things down and change the belt safely only takes a couple minutes. You have to change your attitude to "me first". What happens if you get seriously injured doing something stupid to help out the company and they turn on you. And they will turn on you. Who pays for your family's food and rent then? Your only priority should be your knee not the job.

 

[oops!]

Re: Who else works alone?

agreed ^^^^^^

wasnt it you that was just laid up for a bit on another work related accident?
like the other knee?
sounds like things are getting too close for comfort.

ss...i owned a company that had over 30 employees at one location...what i found out is one person allways stepped up to the plate to get the job done...even when it took the place of 4 people....thats how compaines cut back on payroll and save.

as td said...."even if one stood there watching".....td is different as he demanded it was that way........but when an employer walks by...all he sees is some one standing and 15$ an hour running out the window.....

in canada...its allmost illegal (for a company) to do what your doing
there is very large consenquences........in fact if there is a serious accident...and the company seems at all negligent....it is the goverment that goes after the employee.....yes the person has their own lawyer...but the employer is really in deep doo doo

get yourself checked out.....knees are serious busness.......how the heck are ya gonna be able to bend down and change lures with out them.......or tie your boat with out any digits on your hand?

i would write a formal letter to the company and tell them your thougts.....nothing threatning.....but just let them be aware of the risks that are happening.......if nothing else....it will be on paper should somthing even more horrible happen to you.

i hope the knee gets better and you have all its use......

cheers my friend
oops

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Who else works alone?

Every machine/car/bus etc etc Ive made repairs to has a repair instruction method to do every repair made. The overworked company zombie at McDs doesnt care if you read .understand and follow the instructions but you better start. Hurt your hand bad enough and you are out to pasture and broke. If your company will not alow you to do things 'by the book" document it and QUIT.Believe me I know what Im talking about.

 

[bhammer]

Re: Who else works alone?

Hope you heal up quick. It is one thing to know you are doing things dangerousley and another to not know or understand. I for one would lay some fault on you for doing things down right dangerous. Just think how much worse off things would be if you are taken out of service. I am in corporate aviation and sometimes you will hear about someone who fell of an airplane and was seriousley hurt or died because of lack of help. When I worked in a hangar and made the rules, it was a rule that there were always two people out when working above 4' from the ground.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Who else works alone?

I am an employer and have a few casuals.
Under no circumstance will I allow a worker to endanger themselves.
I say I am looking out for their welfare, but it is just as important for me 'not to loose' an employee thru something that could be easily made safe, because when they are injured, the biggest hassel I have is finding a temp replacement....that dosn't need training...nor supervision....turns up on time....works hard......and more importantly dosn't P-me-O....and last on the list is sick-pay.
Take my word for it....stop doing stupid things like changing belts on the move......and when they complain, tell the complainer to change the belt on the run to see why you'r not going to do it.
Taking those sorts of risks is not on today SS....stop doing it and start workng safe.
Cheers
Phillip

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Who else works alone?

I walked out of the corporate world one day when a friend had a heart attack at 34, and the office where I worked called him at the hospital & said he was faking it, and should get his *** back to his desk so we could complete the projects we were working on.

They then bitched that he could have at least had the forethought to take his blackberry & laptop in the ambulance, so he could work on the projects in ICU. No joke.

He was the third colleague in a year to suffer a heart attack before reaching 40.

20 hour days, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, and it was never enough. Now I work for the same companies as a consultant (they only call when someone made a really bad mistake they need fixed, quick and right), and I decide when I am going to go home, sleep, eat, and take a shower.

They hate me now.

25+ years of this crap & I decided that I could work myself to death for them, literally, and it would never be enough.

If you can keep up and get the work done, they don't need to rehire people they just fired to cut cost. I increasingly see old friends just get up & walk out, leaving the “corporate bean counters” to squirm in there self made nightmares.

They (the corporate bean counters) by the way, never worked over time, always took their vacations, and used all their sick days. They also got massive bonuses based on, not company profits, but cuts in operating cost.

 

[salty87]

Re: Who else works alone?

i think i'd try a more casual talk with my immediate supervisor.

there must be some sort of safety guidelines (OSHA in the least) and if you've been violating those, anyone outside of your immediate contact might not be as understanding. after all, you've chosen to ignore whatever precautions there should be. granted, you feel pressured to get the job done. that's great for you and your supervisor but anyone higher up probably has no idea what pressure or conditions you're working under.

how's your insurance?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Who else works alone?

I am an employer and have a few casuals.
Under no circumstance will I allow a worker to endanger themselves.
I say I am looking out for their welfare, but it is just as important for me 'not to loose' an employee thru something that could be easily made safe, because when they are injured, the biggest hassel I have is finding a temp replacement....that dosn't need training...nor supervision....turns up on time....works hard......and more importantly dosn't P-me-O....and last on the list is sick-pay.
Take my word for it....stop doing stupid things like changing belts on the move......and when they complain, tell the complainer to change the belt on the run to see why you'r not going to do it.
Taking those sorts of risks is not on today SS....stop doing it and start workng safe.
Cheers
Phillip

My point in case...................and a refreshingly honest reply from an employer...............................Thank you Phil.........

 

[tommays]

Re: Who else works alone?

The big Mc D would NOT be at all happy as it would be bad PR

It may be a franshise BUT they still have to answer to the mother ship


We take care of 250,000 sq with 6 people and some outside help for code work


lockout/tagout and all saftey programs are taken dead serious


I can assure you the current lack of saftey training is a HUGE issue should there ever be a serious accident

I will also add that should you have a simple fire and cannot account for the staff when the fire deparment shows up they will be really TWEAKED OFF if they do a needless search

 

[arboldt]

Re: Who else works alone?

i think i'd try a more casual talk with my immediate supervisor.

there must be some sort of safety guidelines (OSHA in the least) and if you've been violating those, anyone outside of your immediate contact might not be as understanding. after all, you've chosen to ignore whatever precautions there should be. granted, you feel pressured to get the job done. that's great for you and your supervisor but anyone higher up probably has no idea what pressure or conditions you're working under.

how's your insurance?

Excellent advice!

Your conversation with your immediate supervisor might take the approach that you need guidance. That is, how much should you place your company at risk? What guidelines are there for the danger you put the company at?

Every job-related injury must be reported to both Ohio and federal OSHA. If OSHA finds that you were not following instructions (such as how to safely maintain a blower or change a belt), then the company is liable for allowing you to do it. Of course I would never suggest that lapse be pointed out to OSHA, but I'm sure someone in that agency reviews those reports.

There are plenty of precedents, like when a company that painted electric transmission towers had to pay huge fines when a couple employees fell. The workers had been instructed to always wear safety belts, but chose not to. Because the company permitted the safety lapse, it was liable.

So if you are performing maintenance in an unsafe manner, you are putting your company as risk of severe fines from OSHA. Since this has been a long-standing practice, you need guidance from your company on whether or not it's acceptable to jeopardize your company in that way, and what the guidelines are. That is, how much risk are they willing for you to incur?

Up to this point, you could plead ignorance of the issue. But once you've read this, you no longer can.

Since this could develop to a legal issue, I can see where you might request those guidelines be put in writing to you.

In this case, even if youi had a helper, I don't know if that would have kept the blower (or whatever) from injuring your knee, but for sure you would have to schedule belt replacement at off-hours.