GSU staff reps are monitoring a potentially worrying trend regarding health and safety issues and an employer who seems to have chosen a disciplinary path to compliance with safety rules. 

“You can’t have a rigid policy for every conceivable task being performed,” said GSU staff rep Lawrence Maier. “The pressure to increase production and constantly assigning duties that are beyond an employee’s job description and training makes the workplace more dangerous. Punishing workers for an accident only does one thing: it makes them reluctant to report accidents for fear of reprisal.”

Always make sure you are trained to do the task at hand. 

Never let pressure to get the job done lead to cutting corners. Bring up safety concerns at your safety meetings, and if they aren’t addressed, report it. You have the right to refuse to do work that you think may be imminently dangerous to your health and safety. Don’t let pressure to “get the job done” lead to an injury that could change your life.