System Council
U26
Locals
690 - 706 - 754 - 766
Representing electric, gas & clerical workers at Northwestern Energy in South Dakota & Nebraska.
SAFETY FOR 2 GENERATIONS
Many utility companies and crews are facing the issues that come with an aging workforce and the new employees replacing the retirees. The aging workforce faces the health issues that come with age, along with the cumulative trauma injuries that come from years of physical labor. New employees need to learn the ropes of doing a job efficiently and safe. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
Many of us are not young bucks any more. Use the tools and equipment that help take away the physical exertion. If you need help, wait until you get it. Many employees will now have to work at least until age 65 to retire, so stay healthy.
If you have a new apprentice on the crew, remember he is an apprentice. Take the time to help him learn the right way. Many employees have never trained an apprentice, so don't assume they know something without making sure. Talk through the job and make sure you are on the same page.
If you are an apprentice, ask questions. "Why" is one of the most important words you need to know. There are journeymen in our industry who don't understand why we do it a certain way. They just do it because that's the way they were taught. Don't become one of them. "Because we've done it that way for 30 years" is not a good answer.
You can't just teach safety out of a book. Handing an apprentice a safety manual and expecting him to learn safety is a recipe for disaster. The safety manual is only a tool. You need to be taught how to use it.
Don't teach an apprentice your bad habits......change them!
We have had a number of questions regarding personal medical records. Here is some general information:
It is important that everyone cautiously guard all private information. Your medical records not only contain medical information, they contain information that can be used in identity theft. Make sure this type of information only goes into trusted hands.
Workers Compensation generally has access to all medical information pertaining to your claim. They can access information outside of the information pertaining to the injury if it is deemed relevant to the claim in process. In such a case, a judge would issue a court order for the information.
Employers typically should not ask for specific medical information concerning employees heath, if the condition is non-work related. They do have the right to validate you have a medical condition that prohibits you from performing your job. They also have a right to validate that you are in physical/mental condition to perform your job.
If an employer or Workers Compensation representative asks for personal medical information, ask them to make the request in writing.
