Please remember that health and safety issues belong to all of
us, and it is all of our responsibilities to ensure that we work
in a safe environment.
As Openreach engineers we work in ever changing environments that
test our abilities to deal with risks and hazards all the time. It is a
constant factor. Weather, traffic, working at height - they are all
things that we deal with every day. Wanting to get the end user in
service and the pressure to achieve productivity drives us, but we need
to ensure that we work safely at all times.
Wearing the lanyard; not climbing poles when lines are below 5.2m
and; parking your van to protect yourself from the road are not always
easy, but engineers have died because they have not done so. Work is
important but going home at night, healthy and uninjured, is far more
important. If you break the mandatory health and safety rules issued
by your employer you risk injury to yourself and injury to others. If
you break these rules you are responsible. If you are found to
have broken these rules you may face disciplinary action and even
dismissal. You will not be entitled to compensation if you are injured
and you may face serious legal action.
Remember that common working practices are not always the same as
safe working practices. Don't rely on what you think is right - check
with your manager or check with your union representative or safety rep.
Health and safety is far more important than productivity or getting an
end user in service. DON'T TAKE UNNECESSARY RISKS! WORK SAFELY!
