[Andy Graves]

I was told that I wasn’t required to provide safety equipment to my employees. The employees are required to get it themselves. I totally disagree. I think the employer should require all safety equipment for all employees. Someone is wrong here and I don’t think it is me.

We supply for all shop and installation employees:

• Ear plugs
• Safety Glasses
• Gloves
• Dust Mask
• Shirts
• Sweatshirts
• Chisel
• Tape Measure
• Utility Knife
• Pencils
• Sharpie

OK some aren’t safety items, but this is what we provide. Should I keep on giving or should I make the employees foot the bill?

[Ryan Scott]

Andy, this is what we do.

Ear protection, box fulls in the break room, as well as some muffs if they want them. Saftey glasses and dust masks stored there as well, and gloves. First tape measure is on us if it is a trainee, if they break or wear out, employeethe replaces it, a experienced hand should have his own. I’ll send em home if they show up with out one.

Pencils by the box, scattered all over. Hand tool stations through out the shop, and put the damn things back, please.

A nice apron with pockets for stuff is on one of my wish lists, for all employees. Something leather or balistic nylon. Oh, and brains. We need to get a bucket of them to keep in the break room for augmenting existing employees. Unsure of the proper application, though. Should you grab a handful and slap them upside the head? Insert rectally? Fill their ears? Perhaps in the manner of breast augementation, pouches implanted in the chest area? Perhaps a patch, like nicotine patches?

Okay, hard day at work, three new guys kept me exasparated, feel better now.

Andy, I would think that the safety stuff is the companies responsibility.

[Jon Olson]

Your right on Andy. It may not legally be your responsibility to supply safety equipment. But it is the correct thing to do. If your employees know your doing everything you can to provide a safe and enjoyable place to work. They’ll go thru walls for you.

[Wags]

You may even be held responsible if you don’t provide and require saftey equipment and something happens. Lawyers always look to blame someone. I provided it and made it mandatory to use, just made good sense to me.

[KCWOOD]

Andy, You need a form to get the employee to sign that you have conducted a “how to maintain a safe workplace” enviroment. Just take 5 minutes, and explain that any tool that cuts can throw pieces that are potentially dangerous. Go over lifting, unplug tools before changing bits, ect. My attorney friends look for stuff like that to gain advantage. If you do all you are suppose to, and the employee agrees in writing you have informed him of all the safety rules, then you have a rock solid defense if something happens.

Al, I cannot agree if an employee leaves a tape measure, he goes home. Try this. When someone forgets, fine them $5. If someone breaks a rule, $5 fine. After a while, give them a long lunch, spend their money to feed them good and have a meeting to explain to them that safety is very important. Use this time as unity, it should make everyone go in the same direction, KC

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