Accident waiting to happen.

[beastmaster]

The company I'm working for is a accident waiting to happen. There is no enforcement of even basic work safety. I get so frustrated, just getting them to wear a helmet is ordeal. Aside from starting to get a bad attitude my self, I worry that when something happens(not if)I may be held responsible. Other then the owner when he's there(which isn't often)there is no one in charge. I am the oldest(by 25 years) and a C.A.(for what thats worth) Every one speaks Spanish, I speak really sorry work related Spanish. I have flat refused to do some big take downs unless the boss is there to supervise the ground. I have came close to being injured, by their actions. I don't understand the owner. He pays really well and could get quality people, all his equipment is the best, he has every tree toy made(stuff I drool over in catalogs) I worry that when some one gets hurt the blame will get shifted to me. My last job I was a crew leader and I've work several jobs as a foreman, this job every one is equal(his words) So could I be held responsible if someone is injured because I am the most experience sort of speak?

 

[ASD]

My .02

Go get a job working for a safe CO. I would not be worried about getting blamed for something I would be worried about getting injured or DEAD!!!

 

[Tree Pig]

Well if its a decent well paying company with decent benefits then maybe you could work with your boss to pay a little extra to hire a bilingual ground supervisor you can trust. Maybe you can enlighten the boss to improve the company.

 

[blueatlascedar]

I can't speak for the area you live and work in, but around here, any property or personnel being damaged will land right on top of the business owner. The only liability for you, as I see it, would be if you did hold a paid title as crew leader, foreman, supervisor, etc, then you could be held partial liable in the event of a law suit. I agree with Sthil-O, try a sit down with the owner and see if he could tighten things up a bit and share your legitimate concerns.

 

[Blakesmaster]

SOM definitely made a great point. I've found that as long as I have 1 guy that knows what's up, things are fine and the yahoos can just drag and carry all day. Have a sit down and get him to hire that 1 good guy, ask to be included in the interviewing process even, and cut one of the yahoos loose. That's bull#### about the helmets though, you might be better off with someone else if he can't tidy up his ship.

 

[beastmaster]

I talked to the boss several times. Gave my 30 day notice at one point, but he convinced me to stay. For whatever reason he really likes these Guatemalans, they have been with him for a while. To make matters worse their all related and vary clannish. I could easily find another job, but its a short commute, he pays me good, and gives me lots of leeway on my hours. I go to school and love to fish, all I have to do is tell him the yellowtail are biting
and he'll give me off.(unless they really need me)
But I come home every day angry and pissed off. Their not bad guys, and not lazy, but seem to lack common sence and I sincerely don't want to see them get hurt. Maybe if I clock one of them with a limb(a small one)from up in the tree they'll wear their helmets at lest.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

You have the right attitude and the right idea. Stick to your guns.

Write out a safety plan with minimum requirements for you to work. Tell him your happy to work in a productive and safe way but only if those around you have the same goals.

If hes resistant, start looking for a new job, it aint worth it

 

[RVALUE]

I can't speak for the area you live and work in, but around here, any property or personnel being damaged will land right on top of the business owner. The only liability for you, as I see it, would be if you did hold a paid title as crew leader, foreman, supervisor, etc, then you could be held partial liable in the event of a law suit. I agree with Sthil-O, try a sit down with the owner and see if he could tighten things up a bit and share your legitimate concerns.

what is a paid title?

 

[jefflovstrom]

Frustration can eat at you, hope you are not working for Scott.
Jeff

 

[Shaun Bowler]

It sounds to me that you hate this job.
The longer you stay there the more you will "hurt yourself."
If you need the work stay.
I have worked in situations like that a few times.
Sometimes the money is important. So you have to compromise ethics.
For a while..
Look for something else, and let the ####heads do their thing until you can move on.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Rah rah rah!

You just need to cheer up Shaun, Dont let it get you down. Everything works out!
Jeff

 

[Shaun Bowler]

?:monkey:

 

[treesquirrel]

This job is toxic to your morale and general outlook so quit and go elsewhere.

 

[TimberJack_7]

I talked to the boss several times. Gave my 30 day notice at one point, but he convinced me to stay. For whatever reason he really likes these Guatemalans, they have been with him for a while. To make matters worse their all related and vary clannish. I could easily find another job, but its a short commute, he pays me good, and gives me lots of leeway on my hours. I go to school and love to fish, all I have to do is tell him the yellowtail are biting
and he'll give me off.(unless they really need me)
But I come home every day angry and pissed off. Their not bad guys, and not lazy, but seem to lack common sence and I sincerely don't want to see them get hurt. Maybe if I clock one of them with a limb(a small one)from up in the tree they'll wear their helmets at lest.

Not to be a smart aleck, but sounds like you are mad because you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Good Stuff: Leeway with hours, short commute, good pay, your in school, you get to go fishing instead of working...(must be nice!).

Bad Stuff: You work with some knuckleheads.

Sounds like you have done everything you can to make changes but to no avail. That is called due diligence and you have done it, but I would keep a journal/log and document every incident and notate everytime you report something to him and he does nothing. That will put you in the free and clear. It is a common practice in most businesses. That way when he comes back to you and starts barking about something you can refer to the several times you documented it and told him about it and he did nothing.

My advice, either live with it and have your piece of mind by keeping that log/journal or move on. The aggravation isn't worth it. If you decide to stay though, you can't complain because by you staying, that signals that even though you are aggravated, you still except his terms. If that is the case you will find it tough to garner much sympathy. Good luck with whatever you decide to do dude.

What would Howard Roark do?

 

[Dalmatian90]

If you keep a journal, you should also include conversations that are positive, not just a list of grievances. It makes for a more convincing record if something ever goes to court.

 

[Blakesmaster]

Not to be a smart aleck, but sounds like you are mad because you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Good Stuff: Leeway with hours, short commute, good pay, your in school, you get to go fishing instead of working...(must be nice!).

Bad Stuff: You work with some knuckleheads.

Sounds like you have done everything you can to make changes but to no avail. That is called due diligence and you have done it, but I would keep a journal/log and document every incident and notate everytime you report something to him and he does nothing. That will put you in the free and clear. It is a common practice in most businesses. That way when he comes back to you and starts barking about something you can refer to the several times you documented it and told him about it and he did nothing.

My advice, either live with it and have your piece of mind by keeping that log/journal or move on. The aggravation isn't worth it. If you decide to stay though, you can't complain because by you staying, that signals that even though you are aggravated, you still except his terms. If that is the case you will find it tough to garner much sympathy. Good luck with whatever you decide to do dude.

What would Howard Roark do?

Draw a building?

 

[blueatlascedar]

what is a paid title?

Just as already stated, were as you hold a title of supervision for the company you work for and are paid accordingly.

 

[tree md]

My feeling has always been that the climber is the boss on every job. That even goes for me when I have someone climbing for me (who I am not training). The climber see's things more accurately from topside and makes the final decision on what and where to cut when doing a removal.

As far as Latino workers, I have worked with some very good Latino workers but when there is a communication barrier because people can't speak the same language things become dangerous.

One of my mentors was killed because he couldn't communicate with the Spanish speaking guys on the ground. He insisted on hiring the cheapest non English speaking help he could find. Some where great workers but he paid the ultimate price for that decision in the end. God rest his soul.

 

[tree MDS]

Seems like the second thread (that I'm aware of) where you have posted regarding your concerns with this job.

I think you already know what to do by the sounds of it.

Forget the fish, more important things to consider.

 

[TimberJack_7]

draw a building?

lol!