Level
2 Risk Assessment Concerning Boarding Cars Parked Beside Mainline
April 14, 2006
Brothers and Sisters,
April 12th and 13th the company held the level 2 risk assessment
concerning the parking of the Pacific Steel Crew #2's boarding
cars directly beside the main line track at Ducks (east of Kamloops,
BC).
As you may recall, this was to be done bescause the TCRC MWED raised
a complaint when told that the company was planning to move these
boarding cars from the storage track at Spences Bridge. We believed
that this was an unsafe and extremely insensitive decision by the
company, especially in light of the fact that this same crew had
just weeks prior been involved in a derailment right beside theri
sleeping cars at Haig. The company supplied Critical Incident Stress
De-briefing (albeit, after being requested by the TCRC MWED H&S
rep) and yet they were willing to subject these employees to the
same stressful situation almost immediately.
When you consider that there are a number of viable alternatives,
in my opinion, this decision does not speak very well of the company's
regard to the well being of its employees.
It is also my understanding that the company was only planning
on parking the outfits at Ducks for one week, and then moving them
to a safer location eastward. I have to ask, what is the real reason
then for parking them at Ducks, as the cost of moving them in and
out would seem to exceed the limited excess travel required to
park them in a safer location. Were they simply trying to make
a point, doing it because they thought they could, at the expense
of the peace of mind and safety of our members? I sincerely hope
that this was not the case.
The company set up the Step 2 risk assessment on a day that I was
unable to attend due to CROA hearings in Montreal, however Director
Jim Daniel and H&S rep Brian Black appeared in my stead.
The Pacifc Steel #2's WH&S committee recognized the safety
risks, and so fairly and competently weighed all the factors and
concerns and decided that the risk was too great. They decided
that the outfits should not be parked directly beside the main
at Ducks. It is my understanding that the comapny had argued many
of the points but when this decision was made, they reluctantly
conceded and have said that the boarding cars would be parked at
Notchhill, a short distance away, where there is a "buffer" track
between the outfits and the main.
I want to extend my gratitude to Jim, Brian, Jason, Lyle, Angus
and the rest of the Pac #2 WH&S committee for their concientious
handling of this situation. Despite the pressure, they stood up
for what was right and for the well being and safety of their Brothers
and Sisters. These members truly are committeed to safety... and
perhaps by their example, others within the company will be encouraged
to begin putting safety as the first priority in the performance
of their duty.
I will pass on the full report of the Risk assessment when I recieve
it (hopefully next week). This is a positive step forward but it
is still a small step, as the company could defy the risk assessment
and defy the recomendations of the WH&S committee but rest
assured, if that is their intention we will do everything within
the law to force them to comply. Your safety should not be comprimised
for convenience...ever.
In solidarity,
Bill Brehl
President
TCRC MWED
