Small Aerospace Safety Star Point Page       By Michelle Taylor  

SMALL AERO UPDATE

MAY 2010

Flooring & Open Issues

As you probably know already, the floor repairs for the flat die area has not been done. In my update last month Terry Capper [SAIP Manger] asked for a date to have this done and the date that was given was April 14, 2010. Well due to this issue being open for so long I have placed it on my top three for small aero issues that need to be addressed because of a potential safety hazard waiting to happen.

Due to all the areas of the facility having various amounts of fix it items that are open and have been open for awhile; the star points along with Jose Valles met with Rebecca Cranford and stressed our concerns about issues not getting resolved. The outcome of this was to add an extra section to the matrix that will show the top three issues with a color code next to it which will let you know if the issues are in the process of being fixed or there is no progress at all. [Green- on time, Yellow- in progress, Red- no progress at all]. There will also be a comment section where you can see if there are any lead times associated with the project.

Mobile Equipment

I also touched on the mobile equipment issue in my last update; and since then nothing has been done that was agreed upon, as far as the flooring being patched because of the jerking of the walk behinds when it hits a hole in the floor. But on 5/14/2010 in 114 auto etch area an employee was loading and unloading with a walkie and hit a hole and the handle jerked his wrist causing discomfort; at this time he was taken to the medical department to have this documented, without a drug test. Mark Mohn and I stayed with the employee to ensure that he would not be taken through that process after reporting discomfort. Before we left the dispensary the hole was being patched.

Eye Protection

Well here we go again; on 5/14/2010 an employee suffered an eye injury in 116 final; a chip flew into his eye while working on a prop. This employee had come from another department and had all of his PPE on and was injured; throughout the investigation we were all told that this was not the employees fault, but on 5/15/2010 he was put on notice for not having the proper eye protection. If you remember my update from last month I stated that there was a trial done for chip and trim H- plant and A- plant along with final H- plant and A- plant for new wrap around style glasses to protect your eyes when milling parts. I also stated that the trial was completed and I was waiting on a response from Rebecca Cranford and Lisa Hoffman; to let me know if they would approve the glasses to come into the plant. This trial was completed on 1/27/2010, and turned into Rebecca Cranford. On 5/17/2010 I was notified that the glasses are approved.

Robot Training

Robot training has begun and the next training is scheduled June 7th for first shift and third shift pressroom and mechanical employees. There have been meetings set-up with the engineer Scott Sliter in charge of the project for the 15K lube robot; we have expressed concerns that have been brought up by crew members in the pressroom and by UAW safety team that need to be addressed; before the press is released to production. The date that they are shooting for is June 8th 2010. There has not been another meeting set-up as yet, but we feel very strong about these issues that we have; and will not move forward until they have been completed.

I will inform the membership, when I receive more information; in next month’s update.


 

In Solidarity,

UAW Small Aero Safety Star Point

Michelle Taylor