Blue Hat Safety Program...

[johnbellamy]

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[johnbellamy]

**** John....never heard of it. not much info on the web either.

Did find this. Is this what you're talkin bout?

http://tdworld.com/mag/power_blue_hats_work/

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[Boomer gone soft]

John, Alliant Energy in IA, WI, and MN is supposed to be rolling out this program "shortly".

From looking through the link Swamp had, I think it may be a good program for us. It sounds very compatable with their other program "Safe Start". I like that one as well because it focuses on the root causes of accidents rather than a set of rules.

Thanks for the post, Swamp.

[johnbellamy]

John, Alliant Energy in IA, WI, and MN is supposed to be rolling out this program "shortly".

From looking through the link Swamp had, I think it may be a good program for us. It sounds very compatable with their other program "Safe Start". I like that one as well because it focuses on the root causes of accidents rather than a set of rules.

Thanks for the post, Swamp.

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[Dbearman]

Arizona Public Service Company uses the blue hat safety program . I will talk with a couple of guys I know that work there and see if I can get a web site or phone number to post here . Bear

[johnbellamy]

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[Recruiting]

Can anyone give me some more detailed info on this program, how it is set up, how many guys, wjhat time they put into it, how often they meet, what actions they take etc etc. It sounds like areally good way of increasing the knowledge out there and bringing some of the inexperienced guys up to speed.

Also keen ton the safety aspect of he program, thanks in advance!

[Boomer gone soft]

More information came down the pipe this week. This month officially kicks off the blue hat at Alliant. Alliant is composed of two companies Interstate Power and Light (Iowa and Southern Minnesota) and Wisconsin Power and Light. To start the program off there are two "blue hats"--one for IPL and one for WPL.

The blue hats are JL and are bargaining unit employees. Their wages are paid by the company. As bargaining unit employees, they do not have supervisory duties, meaning they do not reprimand or discipline; however, they will correct safety violations they encounter on their crew visits. They primarily observe crews, train new techniques, and report directly to their respective area vice president. The idea of reporting directly to the VP is to cut out any middle-management politics or interference and to bring safety concerns and suggestions straight to the top. In times of need, (ice storms, etc.) they will resume JL duties.

Their initial crew visit will be announced. Thereafter, all crew visits will be unannounced.

I have good feelings about this program, and I hope it succeeds. It's good to see a "safety guy" that's one of us and not some kid who read safety rules in school.

I'll keep you updated.

[johnbellamy]

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[Trojan]

[QUOTE=Boomer gone soft;58044]More information came down the pipe this week. This month officially kicks off the blue hat at Alliant. Alliant is composed of two companies Interstate Power and Light (Iowa and Southern Minnesota) and Wisconsin Power and Light. To start the program off there are two "blue hats"--one for IPL and one for WPL.

The blue hats are JL and are bargaining unit employees. Their wages are paid by the company. As bargaining unit employees, they do not have supervisory duties, meaning they do not reprimand or discipline; however, they will correct safety violations they encounter on their crew visits. They primarily observe crews, train new techniques, and report directly to their respective area vice president. The idea of reporting directly to the VP is to cut out any middle-management politics or interference and to bring safety concerns and suggestions straight to the top. In times of need, (ice storms, etc.) they will resume JL duties.


Their initial crew visit will be announced. Thereafter, all crew visits will be unannounced.

I have good feelings about this program, and I hope it succeeds. It's good to see a "safety guy" that's one of us and not some kid who read safety rules in school.

QUOTE]

Boomer, I am interested. How has the Blue Hat program worked? Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

[Boomer gone soft]

This program has been very successful. It has widespread acceptance and support from the field in Southern Minnesota/Northern Iowa.

The blue hats were extremely instrumental in ensuring each lineman has a choice in which fall restraint device he is issued.

They have been our advocates on proposed changes to rules. They have also brought to light many near misses without those involved having to fear being reprimanded so that we could all learn.

They have brought our perspectives straight to the top by reporting to the VP without being interpreted and filtered through lower/middle management.

They have also brought the perspective of upper management regarding safety to the union without that same "translation" issue of the typical company hierarchy.

I would highly encourage each of you to work toward a similar program.

Jozmo also works for Alliant, but on the Wisconsin side. He might be a good one to PM and get his opinion as well.

[Trojan]

Thanks for the info. The idea sounded good. Glad it is working. Good point on cutting through the mid level clutter. I don' t think a mid level would intentionally put a worker in danger, they want work done and most of them put all the burden of safety on the worker. If something happens, it must be the workers' fault. They don't go out of their way to make the job as safe as possible.

[Boomer gone soft]

I certainly agree no mid-level managers would intentionally get somebody hurt, but I think a lot of the message gets changed by that "filter". Each of them change the communication (going both directions) because of their own agendas, needs, etc.

It's also changed by the simple fact that they are all salaried and do not enjoy the same safeguards we do. I think a lot of times, they become "yes men" because of that. With the Blue Hats, there are employees in direct contact with upper management that do not have to cow tow (to a degree; I think all of us know how the "real world" works).

All in all, it's the best arrangement I've ever dealt with.