Unwritten Rules
We have a secluded area of our plant, where the worker often uses a forklift. Many people in our workplace, cut through because it's quicker to get to their cars.
I brought up a safety concern, and felt we needed additional protection to avoid a fatality.
My boss (Plant Manager) told me, we just need to enforce the rule of not allowing employees to do this. (We have no formal rule, written anywhere.)
When i brought this up he said "We rolled it out to everyone when we changed the parking up front and have reinforced it several times. It doesn’t need to be anywhere formal necessarily. "
I feel differently. Can we actually enforce things that aren't formal and/or effectively communicated? Even if possible, how is this sustainable?
Comments (11)
I have to agree with the comments stating that the rule needs to be in writing. You probably have heard the saying if it wasn’t document it didn’t happen. Best practices for safety rules include putting them in writing. This way there is no confusion as to the exact terms of the rule. You can also establish that employees were made aware of a rule by making sure it is in writing and having proof that the writing was provided to the employee. The employee signing off on receipt of a rule book is an example of this. If you are defending an OSHA citation, and you want to establish that the hazard was caused by the employees misconduct, not yours, you will essentially have to also establish the there was a written rule addressing the issue.
I think you need to have a paper trail. Especially if someone gets hurt. I'm surprised your boss doesn't see that - he of all people should want to CYA, especially when it comes to workplace safety
Unwritten rules are fine until someone gets hurt. I've said before that safety rules are written in blood. Is there any signage up saying not to walk through this area? Everything doesn't need to be be in the safety book, to be a rule. A sing saying "Don't walk through this area" should be sufficient.
Can you establish a marked walkway through that area that is off limits to the forklift?
I agree if a employee does it anyhow and there is no written signed policy he can legally continue to do so , which allows the hazard to exist and if something would happen you and the Company are hung.