
1 minute read
ARKANSAS a OKLAHOMA
BOB JOHN executftp vtce president
f Hene appears to be a disturbing I trend developing in Arkansas and Oklahoma retail lumber yards about complying with various state and federal regulations. The comments we hear most are "l'll take my chances that we'll never get inspected" or "We're too small to make a difference." Whatever the phrase, it's apparent many dealers are willing to risk the consequences rather than investing the time and a nominal amount of money to comply. We think that this could be a mistake.
Let's take the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard as an example. Many dealers seem to think that their small size or remote location grants them some sort of immunity. Not so. The HazCom Standard doesn't have anything to do with the size of your yard, the number of employees, annual sales, or location. What matters is the types of materials you have in the yard. Some things as innocuous as paint thinner and wood dust are classified as hazardous materials, requiring you to meet the HazCom Standard.
Federal and state regulations governing delivery and transport trucks are another example. Some dealers seem to think the regulations apply to everyone but them. Recently we've seen hard evidence indicating that's not the case.
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Dealers' trucks are being stopped more frequently, promoting citations in some cases.
Another area where we're detecting a trend is that of personnel administration. If several calls to our oflice about vacation policy, over-time pay, and personnel manuals are any indication, many dealers are operating their business without any guidelines. Such a practice invites trouble. As one Oklahoma owner put it, "operating my yard without a formal set of rules and regulations is similar to sailing across the ocean without navigational charts."
The danger of non-compliance in any of these areas comes from inside your business as well as from the government. Disgruntled employees often turn into whistle blowers. This internal threat coupled with stepped up enforcement by state and federal authorities mandates that dealers comply.
At MLA we'll do anything and everything we can to help our members operate their businesses in a safe, efficient manner. But don't put it off. The most disturbing calls we get are the ones that are after the fact. Don't get caught in the flawed thinking that your business is exempt from the increasing oversight. Sure it's a hassle, but the money involved with fines, citations and legal costs is no small matter. Bring yourself into compliance, set corporate policies, and, most of all, let us help.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT3
George Kovooros, pres.
Rick Hovooros, v.p.
Lce Roulin. soles
Jenq lUilcox, soles