IBEW 1245 is adding a new line clearance tree trimming company to its Close Call program.
Utility Tree Service recently requested that IBEW 1245 business representatives conduct informational meetings about Close Call, the union’s self-reporting near-miss program. This program was started initially by a request from Davey Tree as a way to increase employee awareness of close calls that take place on the job.
So far, a steady stream of reports has come in from workers at Davey Tree as well as other companies.
An initial concern of tree trimmers was that the employer would try to learn who and where close calls were coming from and take action against employees. Due to the variety of reports from tree trimmers at different employers, and the Keep the Clearance committee’s efforts to remove any identifying information from these reports, there have been no actions taken against employees, and Business representatives have received no complaints of manipulation of the Close Call program.
All reports are available for review in the safety section of the IBEW 1245 website.
Richard Lane is IBEW 1245 Business Representative for the peer safety initiative. To schedule a KTC presentation in your area, contact him at rvl5@ibew1245.com