My attitude towards safety has certainly changed over time thanks to the company I work for now.
I never knew the term PPE did a lot of work hot when it did not have to be.
I never knew about fall protection, I remember straddling an I-beam at 120' to change out a motor.
When I think back and realize how many times I put my life at risk for no other reason than I am a man and I am not afraid, I feel rather stupid.
The hourly wage I receive does not come close to enough for me not to every see my family again.
Now on the other side the GCs that take safety to the point that you can not work makes me resent overblown safety programs and I think this can be as bad as no program.
Some of the GCs or large customers we work for interpret the OSHA six foot rule for everything.
Use a ladder and your feet are over 6 feet off the ground they expect me to ware a harness and tie off.
In an office building where can I tie off, or with an extension ladder where do I tie off to.
But that's our problem, if I do not tie off I expose the company to fines from the GC or customer.
So we tie off to what ever we can, if I do fall I will end up pulling down plumbing or duct work etc on top of me.
Another large company we work for requires 2 people to carry anything longer than 8', need a stick of 3/4" EMT and you have to get a coworker to help!
One entire day safety class for any employee we bring to the site, if we do not follow the rules, fines and removal from the site.
There has to be safety with commonsense
[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 06-19-2003).]
