|
Safety Advertisement: A string of cars used for storage by the stores
department now double as an eye-catching safety display at Weston.
Winnipeg - For employee thoughts on the dramatic changes at Weston, CP Rail News
went to the shop floor and here is a sampling of employee views on the cleanup and safety program.
Joe Ross, a sheet metal worker in the steel shop, says that "it is a lot easier to work when the shop is clean," but adds that he thinks the people
in the shop have always done a fairly good job of keeping the work place tidy.
As far as the safety program goes, steel shop sheet metal worker, Herb Frailick, said that a lot of people thought management's interest in safety might
"fizzle out."
"But it hasn't," he added.
Frailick thinks the program of putting up safety signs is particularly good for new employees, adding that it helps get them off on the right foot, with an
interest in safe work procedures.
"Keeping the place clean is helping create better attitudes," says Frailick. "It is the same with a house. You are not as happy to go home at
night if there is a mess."
Over at the blacksmith shop, Dan Kurdydyk, a set-up blacksmith, noted that the big change there came years ago when coal forges were replaced by gas ones and
there have been improvements ever since.
He pointed out that efforts have been made in the shop to better utilize the space available for storage.
Forklift operator Carl Sobotkiewicz says that he finds that people still put obstructions too close to the aisles he has to drive down with the lift truck.
"The forklift is a fairly small machine but we get a lot of wide loads."
"I still see a lot of negligence that should be corrected."
The same kind of comment about the value of the safety program for younger employees expressed at the steel shop is also voiced at the blacksmith shop.
"The safety program is particularly important for the apprentices," says blacksmith John Niemczyk. "It is important for them to develop a safety
sense quickly."
Niemczyk says that the increased interest in safety and cleanliness is quite noticeable.
"It is like coming from a different world."
At the frog shop, machinist helper Joe Sikomas maintains that improved screens have been put up around grinding areas to protect those passing by in the aisles
from flying particles.
Machinist Joe Garcea says that "It used to take a lot longer to get changes made than it does now." "What could take months to get changed in
the past now takes only a week or two if that."
Locomotive shop machinist George Lee suggests that more detailed explanations could be given as to why some suggested changes are not made.
"Things are relatively good," he says, "but they could be better."
He also feels that more safety features could be built into equipment by the manufacturers.
NOT KEPT PACE
"Safety improvements in machinery have not kept pace with efficiency improvements."
At the wheel shop, machinist Frank Marini mentioned that safety features have been added to the axle stacker in the shop and a warning bell has been installed
on a mobile basket that carries bearings across the shops. The bell signals that the basket is in use.
Marini says that the bridge walkway across the shop is not used as much as it should be.
"Walking across the shop floor is easier but we really should put the bridge to better use."
Carman Gord Robinson at the car shop feels that wheels on some pieces of equipment should be replaced and that smaller jacks would be more versatile and easier
to move.
He says that the car shop is cleaner than it used to be, especially between the tracks, and the safety signs keep people thinking about safety.
Also at the car shop, carman Walter Diawol, from his experience at the shops, says, "The work here is not dangerous but a lot of people do not do things
in a safe manner." He urged that regular evaluations of the safety program be held at Weston.
|
