You're the boss on the ladder company today and have decided to run the troops through their paces. The large extension ladder is raised in front of the firehouse.You've sent the young guy up to practice working off the side and locking in when a woman with a clip board casually strolls up and begins to talk to you.
Even though all your member are in their PPE with helmets in place, she refuses to stand back as she makes notes on a sheet on her clip board.
"I notice your ladder is not secured at the top," she tells you.
"Well No, Ma'am, it's not, we're practicing a situation where that doesn't happen, that's why this fellow here is holding the ladder," you tell her while pointing to your foot man holding the ladder as he always does.
She presents credentials from the local occupational safety department and orders your member off the ladder. She then demands to speak to your supervisor for a violation of safety laws.
What do you tell her? You make the call.
Comments
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_do...
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=DIRECTIVES&p_id=1754
If the supervisor is available, escort your unwanted guest to an area of privacy while awaiting the supervisor's arrival, thus controlling what she encounters along the way. Deal with her in as cordial a manner as possible, but be careful of what you say and do. Have the guys suspend their ladder training until you're able to discuss things with the supervisor privately.
If the supervisor is not available, provide her with contact info for the department's health & safety officer so that she may inquire further, and also request her contact information. Pass that information up through the chain of command immediately and explain to them the encounter with the know-it-all. Again, be cordial but careful in your words and gestures. Suspend the ladder training until you get further guidance from your supervisor...and you can be almost sure as to what he/she will say.
This is part of why the higher end of the chain exists -- to deal with this type of sh!t. Let them handle it, and maintain your professional image (and that of your crew).
If the supervisor is available, escort your unwanted guest to an area of privacy while awaiting the supervisor's arrival, thus controlling what she encounters along the way. Deal with her in as cordial a manner as possible, but be careful of what you say and do. Have the guys suspend their ladder training until you're able to discuss things with the supervisor privately.
If the supervisor is not available, provide her with contact info for the department's health & safety officer so that she may inquire further, and also request her contact information. Pass that information up through the chain of command immediately and explain to them the encounter with the know-it-all. Again, be cordial but careful in your words and gestures. Suspend the ladder training until you get further guidance from your supervisor...and you can be almost sure as to what he/she will say.
This is part of why the higher end of the chain exists -- to deal with this type of sh!t. Let them handle it, and maintain your professional image (and that of your crew).
Hopefully we could turn her at least into a neutral party, rather than having an antagonistic relationship. My luck stands that our department chief would be in, and he would personally want to talk with her. Chief would be a blessing - he's stellar when it comes to talking with people outside the FD... except for that angry lady who wouldn't calm down because she wanted a "police" report for insurance (car crash), but only FD showed up and made an NFIRS... cutbacks, y'know?
One final note: In Michigan, MIOSHA is funded a great deal by fines. Those weasels would write up their own dear mothers.
Hopefully we could turn her at least into a neutral party, rather than having an antagonistic relationship. My luck stands that our department chief would be in, and he would personally want to talk with her. Chief would be a blessing - he's stellar when it comes to talking with people outside the FD... except for that angry lady who wouldn't calm down because she wanted a "police" report for insurance (car crash), but only FD showed up and made an NFIRS... cutbacks, y'know?
One final note: In Michigan, MIOSHA is funded a great deal by fines. Those weasels would write up their own dear mothers.
Did you ever do a follow up post on this one? If you did I can't find it.
Did you ever do a follow up post on this one? If you did I can't find it.
Did you ever do a follow up post on this one? If you did I can't find it.