Lookout
"Protection"
January 29,
2007
Brothers and Sisters,
Last week on the Cartier Sub on CPRail, a very serious accident
was narrowly averted. The company calls it a "near miss"
but those involved called it a "near hit". While working
under "lookout" protection, a section crew was nearly
hit by an oncoming train. They had to dive off the track to avoid
tragedy.
As all of you are aware, 'Lookout' protection is when an employee
is assigned the duties of dedicated "Lookout" to watch
for trains. There is no other protection provided and the train
crews and RTC rarely know that you are out there. This protection
is only allowed when the work will not render the track impassable,
no equipment can be on the track and the 'lookout' employee has
a clear and unimpeded view of some distance in all directions.
Last week's incident showed that this is not enough. A 'lookout'
can be distracted. A 'lookout' is human and can make mistakes.
But a train is unforgiving.
What is the reason for using 'lookout' protection when there are
so many other methods of insuring your safety?
With 'lookout' protection, you do not have to go through the "bother"
of getting hold of the RTC. You do not have to go through the
'time consuming process' of obtaining a TOP. You can jump right
in, between trains without holding anyone up, and get simple jobs
done. Production is not held up.
There are those that see 'lookout' protection as improving production,
with the only risk being to you. I say that the biggest mistake
a 'lookout' makes is to listen to the company rhetoric and not
get a more positive form of protection, like a Track Occupancy
Permit.
I realize that the company pushes production and your supervisors
are on your butt to get the job done as quickly as possible, and
without overtime. That is why they allow, and in a lot of places
actually encourage, 'lookout' protection. Increased production
increases management bonuses.
But you have to ask, whatever happened to the company slogan ...
"There is no job so important that it cannot be done safely"
?
Let us all follow the safe course out there and get positive protection.
The RTC's do not mind giving you a TOP, if there is time between
trains. If there are too many trains to allow a TOP, then there
are too many trains for you to go to work on the track. Sometimes
you just have to wait until there is time. If it costs your supervisor
and his manager some of their bonus money, then so be it. They
already receive a paycheck, they do not need you to risk your
life for them to get a little bit more.
If the job takes a little longer because you are doing it safely,
then that is what must be done.
Working on the tracks without proper protection is not safe. And
you have the right to refuse unsafe work under part II of the
Canada Labour Code. An employee, at work, has the right to refuse
dangerous work if he or she has reasonable cause to believe that:
* a condition
exists at work that presents a danger to himself or herself;
* the use or operation of a machine or thing presents a danger
to the employee or a co-worker;
* the performance of an activity constitutes a danger to the employee
or to another employee.
The company
keeps asking us if we are committed to safety. We must be. We
must be fully committed and that also means that we must refuse
to do unsafe work. Especially when the work can be made much safer
by simply getting a Track Occupancy permit (TOP).
Work safely as if your life depended upon it... because it does.
Fraternally,
Bill Brehl
President
TCRC MWED
